Bible Question: Is tithing still a "law" under the new covenant? |
Bible Answer: This issue has been discussed in every form ever since Paul said we are no longer under the law. Let’s face facts you don’t get something for nothing. If we want to sit in a nice building and have heating, cooling and lights take takes money. If we want good music, a good children’s education program, youth activities, and other church programs that takes money. If we want to have a Pastor that is able to drop everything to rush to our side at the hospital, accident site, or death bed that takes money. If we want someone to teach us, counsel us, baptize us, marry us and bury us that takes money. A wise man once told me always “pay” for your seat. We expect to pay and do pay for our seats when we attend ball games, operas, stage shows, movies, seminars, colleges and airline travels why are we so reluctant to pay for our churches, church programs and Pastors? Some say a tithe is like a tax and so it is. If we didn't pay taxes we wouldn't have schools, roads, fire and rescue. If we don't pay our tithe how can we expect to have our churches? In Malachi 3:8-11 God issues us a challenge He said test me in this, see if I don’t reward you in your giving. I never understood why so many seem to be afraid to try this. If you give and God doesn’t keep His word you can quit, but when God does fulfill this promise you may want to step up your giving. God does not care how much you give; God cares how much you keep for yourself. It shows where your heart is. John the Baptist gave us a clue of what God expects in the New Testament Saints when he said, if your brother has need of a coat and you have two give him one.” Luke 3:11 |