What Does the Bible Say About…?

Archive for the ‘Tithes and Offering’ Category

The question of whether or not tithes are required within the “New Testament Church” is very common, making this a widely debated topic. Most Christians believe in tithes because their pastors do, and they do not know enough scripture to even begin to question the relevance as it relates to New Testament doctrine. Bible students who know a bit more about the scriptures often begin to wonder if tithes are still required because they were paid while Israel was under the law, from which we have been made free by the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Also, there is little mention of tithing in the New Testament scriptures. What I learned through an intense study of the matter is that both sides of the argument have some legitimate claims, but the answer to the question of whether or not tithes are required in the New Testament is bigger than just “yes” or “no”. Read on to see exactly what I mean:
 

If we have a holistic understanding of the word and character of God, it’s not hard to understand what the scriptures say about tithes in the New Testament. To put it briefly, in the Old Testament, priests were commanded to take a tithe of the people (Hebrews 7:5); pastors under the New Testament have the liberty to do so if they choose (1 Corinthians 9:1-11).
 

Jesus comforted the disciples in Luke 10, letting them know that they need not feel guilty about receiving food and lodging from believers in places where they ministered because it was appropriate and just for them to be taken care of, considering what they were doing for the people. This food and lodging acted as wages; the tithe is the priest’s or minister’s wage. For many people, knowing that Jesus supported the idea of ministers living within the contributions of the people is enough for them to accept the concept of tithing. However, for those who are not convinced by this alone, the New Testament has more to offer in terms of instruction.
 

In 1 Corinthians 9:1-19, Paul explains that he has every right to receive wages from the people, but he chooses not to for the sake of the Gospel. However, if you read 1 Corinthians 7 and 8, you’ll see that right before Paul gets into the issue of his wages, he discusses various other issues concerning the proper implementation of what we call “Christian Liberty”. Widows are at liberty to remarry, although Paul believed it not to be the best thing for them to do. Christians are at liberty to eat all meats, and even meat sacrificed unto idols in certain circumstances, but if doing so in the presence of a brother or sister in Christ offends them, then Christians ought to refrain. Then, in chapter 9, he lets the church know about his own liberty that he forgoes for their sake. My suspicion is that they, as many Christians today, were a little salty about paying the minister’s wages (the tithe IS the priest/pastor’s wages), so he had the wisdom to do without for their sakes. However, he made it abundantly clear that he had every right to take them.
 

Furthermore, for those who believe that tithing was nailed to the cross with the Law, understand that tithing was before the Law (Genesis 14:18-20, 28:20-22), just like the setting up of altars unto God, communion with God, etc. It’s God’s system of compensating those whose lives’ work are dedicated to his ministry, and the New Testament doesn’t do away with it. In fact, the New Testament expands upon it: in word, giving pastors the OPTION of taking it or not at THEIR discretion, and putting it in the hearts of all those who TRULY believe to give above and BEYOND the tithe and offering whenever they can. If one says that he or she has the Holy Ghost but does not have the inner desire to bless the one who watches for their soul and ministers to them on a regular basis, I would argue that he or she is either a babe who needs to grow up a bit (like the fledgling church at Corinth) or they really don’t have the Spirit of God like they think…just depends on the situation.
 

BONUS: Just in case you missed it, in Hebrews 7:8-9, there is a nugget that offers further proof that tithes are a New Testament concept as well. In verse 7, the author says that “here men that die receive tithes”, but in verse 8, he says, “And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.” The Old Testament priests were of the tribe of Levi, and under the law, they received tithes by the commandment. But verse 8 says “Levi ALSO”, which would be in addition to the “men” referred to in verse 7. This clearly distinguishes between the priests who receive tithes and the “men” which represent an apparently larger group. Those “men” include New Testament pastors