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Christopher Hart | PentecostalTheology.com
Q: To tithe or not to tithe?
A: Neither & Both. Just Give. Give willingly, give worshipfully, give honestly, give gladly, give generously, and sometimes even give sacrificially. You cannot do more than that, and God requires no less.
American Tithers have dropped the ball – LESS Giving Than The Great Depression
9. Small Portion Of Tithers
Despite growing your church’s membership, you might find tithing doesn’t automatically increase. In fact, only 10% to 25% of church members tithe regularly.
10. Online Tithing Boosts Tithing
What church doesn’t want to increase tithing? The same Nonprofit Source study as above shows that offering online tithing increases tithing by 32%. This means it’s well worth investing in online giving solutions.
11. Accept Cards To Increase Tithing
Many people don’t carry cash anymore, even to church. Allowing members to tithe via credit or debit card boosts tithing. In fact, Nonprofit Source found that 49% of all donations are made via a card.
12. Less Giving Than The Great Depression
Okay, so this is going to be a bit of a depressing church statistics. During the Great Depression, Americans gave 3.3% of their income to their church. Today, it’s only 2.5% of their income.
13. Over A Third Don’t Tithe
It just seems to keep going downhill, doesn’t it? The Nonprofit Source study found that 37% of attendees don’t tithe at all. That means over a third of your members probably aren’t tithing. If they do, it’s only on rare or special occasions.
14. Some Tithers Give Far More
While the suggested tithing amount is 10% of a member’s income, those who do tithe help make up for those who don’t. The majority (77%) give anywhere from 11% to just over 20% of their income regularly.
15. Most Giving Happens Monday – Saturday
Sunday seems like it would be the biggest giving day, right? Tithe.ly found that while it’s the biggest single day, 67% of church donations happen throughout the rest of the week. This is to fit tithing into their budget better. Another surprising giving statistic is over 30% of donations come in between 9 PM and 6 AM. What does this mean for your church? Online giving is a must.
16. Mobile Giving Rules
When it comes to non-traditional tithing, mobile rules. Apps are the clear winner with 57% of people preferring a mobile option. Tithe.ly also found that web giving accounts for 24% of online donations, while text giving came in at 14%.
17. A Few Give A Lot
If you’re worried about the small percentage of tithers, don’t. In fact, Tithe.ly discovered that 15% of consistent tithers give 51% of total donations. This at least offers your church some consistency for your budget.
John Kissinger [09/14/2015 1:43 AM]
Jesus said: give ALL… #TrueDiscipleship Alan N Carla Smith
Alan N Carla Smith [09/14/2015 9:50 AM]
you might as well keep it, if it’s not willingly, worshipfully and with a cheerful heart. Well said Hart and John Kissinger
To tithe or not to tithe? | Virtue Ministries [09/15/2015 11:44 AM]
[…] http://www.pentecostaltheology.com/q-to-tithe-or-not-to-tithe/ […]
Steve Webb [09/15/2015 9:04 PM]
Tithe…yes. It’s not an option. If you don’t give God the first fruits how do you expect to be blessed? Giving is an entirely separate issue.
Keep in mind that Abraham was not under the Mosaic Law, yet he knew to pay tithes. It was a matter of understanding where the fruits come from. If you’re not giving AND tithing, I’d say your faith hasn’t reached your heart or pocketbook.
Charles Page [09/15/2015 9:39 PM]
Babylon requires your tithes/offerings to keep buying bricks for their buildings and admin people. No thank you!!!
Jim Kingsnorth [09/16/2015 5:30 PM]
Spirit led giving, it is what the bible teaches.
Ricky Grimsley
What references to tithe involve money?
Varnel Watson
since everyone went to the “OTHERs” topic I’d like to dig on this one now 🙂 Larry Dale Steele Neil Steven Lawrence Steve Losee
Steve Losee
It’s easy math; move the decimal one place to the left, and you know how much to give. Otherwise, the Church isn’t bound to it.
Larry Dale Steele
I tithe and believe in tithing
Renz Albert Balaod
To thithe. Jesus said, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s”(Mat 22:21). What belongs to God is tithe(Lev 27:30). We ought to tithe because it belongs to God. However, when we keep tithe we should not neglect the Justice, mercy and faithfulness like Teachers of the Law and Pharisee did(Mat 23:23). And when we keep tithe, we should not be reluctant or under compulsion but be a cheerful giver(2 Cor 9:7).
John Parsons
Renz Albert Balaod “give to Cesar” was referencing taxes levied onto the Jews during the Roman rule.
Tithing was a Levitical law, and was created to support the priests/Levi tribe during that time, hence “tithe” = a tenth. There isn’t any passage in the New Testament or even after Jesus’ new covenant about tithing. Many people have taken Matthew 22:21 out of context without the biblical history and facts of the Old Testament law.
Renz Albert Balaod
John Parsons What about Matthew 23:23? What are your thoughts about that?
Renz Albert Balaod
Focus on the words, “Give back to God what is God’s”. We ought to give back what is God’s or belongs to God, and tithe belongs to God(Lev 27:30).
Craig Rogers
Yea, Bro. Renz?
Harry Jones
Renz Albert Balaod My friend it took me a long time really understand what it meant for a christian to not be under the Law. God had to reveal it to me through his Holy Spirit. We Christian’s have the Bible but we also need the help of the Holy Spirit to understand it. I finally understood that Christian’s are not under any part of the Law. For example, Christian’s are not under the Ten Commandments. That is, the Ten Commandments is our example but we are not under them. In other words I still can’t get by with sinning. It is still wrong for a christian to steal. Or to murder. Or anything listed in the Ten Commandments. I hope I didn’t get anybody upset but I just felt like sharing.
Renz Albert Balaod
Harry Jones Yes. You made your point and I don’t argue with that. I respect your belief. God bless.
Harry Jones
Renz Albert Balaod I try to help if I can ?
Larry SMith
Give the money to missionaries or the poor.
Varnel Watson
through the church you mean right?
Larry SMith
Troy Day …I am part of the church so what I ever I give is in Jesus name….hence through His church
Harry Jones
Tithing was for those who were under the Law. Since Christians are not under the Law, they are not required to Tithe. Saying a Christian is required to Tithe, is like saying a Christian is required to be circumcised in order to be saved.
Varnel Watson
actually Neil Steven Lawrence Larry Dale Steele tithing was given to Abraham WAY BEFORE the law
Harry Jones
Troy Day That had nothing to do with tithing under the Law. It apparently was a common practice to give a tenth even before the Mosaic Covenant was given. But this about who was greater and who was lesser. Jacob gave a tenth but it was voluntary. Later because of the voluntary common practice it was added to the Law as a requirement to support the priesthood. But the christian is not under any part of the Law. So if they Tithe because the Law commands them to, they will fall from Grace. But giving voluntarily what ever they want to give is just fine?
Harry Jones
Troy Day my friend if you google the internet with “Am I require to Tithe? ” you will find good in depth explanations of why Christian’s are not required to Tithe.
Harry Jones
Troy Day Churches are waking up to this now.
Larry Dale Steele
So now we just google we don’t use the Bible to get our answers
Shane Mccall
A Christian is not required to tithe. We are to give from the heart cheerfully. Sometimes that means more then 10 percent. It could be 100. Whatever God leads you to give, that give. But make no mistake we ARE TO GIVE. The Bible says to distribute to the nessecity of the saints.
Harry Jones
Larry Dale Steele In the multitude of counselors there is safety Proverbs 11:14 ?.
Adam Daniel Broughton
Harry Jones “One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.”
Proverbs 11:24
Harry Jones
Adam Daniel Broughton Aman!!!
Ronnie Occo
Shane Mccall I don’t know how to say it,but I’ll try to give my little insight about giving.the scripture says,we are to give cheerfully from the heart.I agree with that.But is it really from the heart.because some Church Christian they use this word because they dont want to give 10%, and their excuse is we are not in the law.but we are under Grace.for example,you make 1000 a week.and you work hard fot it,but you need to give to the Lord 10%out of that 1000,but you start thinking it to big,so you give only 2$,and the word that you use to escape the 10% is that’s came from my heart.and this is true what I said,what you think?
Neil Steven Lawrence
Shane Mccall Tithing is not giving. Show me one place in scripture where it says “give“ the tithe! Instead we are commanded to “bring“ the tithe. You cannot give something that does not belong to you otherwise you are called a thief.
Shane Mccall
Neil Steven Lawrence
That seems like a waste of energy to go about. Even if I bring it to church I have to give it to a offering plate. Your claim makes no sense
Shane Mccall
Ronnie Occo
I would say if that’s your attitude of giving I would be concerned about your salvation. Seems like that’s loving money more than God.
Shane Mccall
Ronnie Occo
Not yours in specific just in general
Shane Mccall
Neil Steven Lawrence
OK well bring your tithe to a levitical priest because that’s who your commanded to tithe to.
Varnel Watson
Shane Mccall why NOT – bring the tithe to the house of God A very good practice from before the law which Abraham did What belongs to GOD Is HIS alone
Shane Mccall
Troy Day
Abraham didn’t take it to a house of God he took it to a man of God.
Ronnie Occo
Shane Mccall Yes not me.is one of the person that I know who goes to church.
Neil Steven Lawrence
Shane Mccall That’s just snarky…. Melchezidek was an epiphany of Jesus. The obvious implication is: since God gave it to the Levites (Yahweh’s appointed spiritual leaders of that day), then today we do the same. We “BRING” tithe to God and He gives it to his appointed spiritual leaders – minister’s who operate the church.
Neil Steven Lawrence
Shane Mccall Its not just semantics, it shows the proper attitude.
Shane Mccall
Neil Steven Lawrence
Paul nor Jesus nor any other apostle taught the church to tithe. It taught to give whatever is laid on your heart.
Johan Coetser
The law demanded a 10th percentage tithe
Numbers 18:21,28-29
[21]And, behold, I have given the Levites all the tithes in Israel for an inheritance in return for their service which they serve, the [menial] service of the Tent of Meeting.
[28]Likewise you shall also present an offering to the Lord of all your tithes which you receive from the Israelites; and therefore you shall give this heave offering [lifted out and kept] for the Lord to Aaron the priest.
[29]Out of all the gifts to you, you shall present every offering due to the Lord, of all the best of it, even the hallowed part lifted out and held back out of it [for the Levites].
The new covenant says this
Luke 11:42
[42]But woe to you, Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every [little] herb, but disregard and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done without leaving the others undone. [Lev. 27:30; Mic. 6:8.]
Hebrews 7:1-28
[1]FOR THIS Melchizedek, king of Salem [and] priest of the Most High God, met Abraham as he returned from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
[2]And Abraham gave to him a tenth portion of all [the spoil]. He is primarily, as his name when translated indicates, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, which means king of peace.
[3]Without [record of] father or mother or ancestral line, neither with beginning of days nor ending of life, but, resembling the Son of God, he continues to be a priest without interruption and without successor.
[4]Now observe and consider how great [a personage] this was to whom even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth [the topmost or the pick of the heap] of the spoils.
[5]And it is true that those descendants of Levi who are charged with the priestly office are commanded in the Law to take tithes from the people–which means, from their brethren–though these have descended from Abraham.
[6]But this person who has not their Levitical ancestry received tithes from Abraham [himself] and blessed him who possessed the promises [of God].
[7]Yet it is beyond all contradiction that it is the lesser person who is blessed by the greater one.
[8]Furthermore, here [in the Levitical priesthood] tithes are received by men who are subject to death; while there [in the case of Melchizedek], they are received by one of whom it is testified that he lives [perpetually].
[9]A person might even say that Levi [the father of the priestly tribe] himself, who received tithes (the tenth), paid tithes through Abraham,
[10]For he was still in the loins of his forefather [Abraham] when Melchizedek met him [Abraham].
[11]Now if perfection (a perfect fellowship between God and the worshiper) had been attainable by the Levitical priesthood–for under it the people were given the Law–why was it further necessary that there should arise another and different kind of Priest, one after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one appointed after the order and rank of Aaron?
[12]For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is of necessity an alteration of the law [concerning the priesthood] as well.
[13]For the One of Whom these things are said belonged [not to the priestly line but] to another tribe, no member of which has officiated at the altar.
[14]For it is obvious that our Lord sprang from the tribe of Judah, and Moses mentioned nothing about priests in connection with that tribe.
[15]And this becomes more plainly evident when another Priest arises Who bears the likeness of Melchizedek, [Ps. 110:4.]
[16]Who has been constituted a Priest, not on the basis of a bodily legal requirement [an externally imposed command concerning His physical ancestry], but on the basis of the power of an endless and indestructible Life.
[17]For it is witnessed of Him, You are a Priest forever after the order (with the rank) of Melchizedek. [Ps. 110:4.]
[18]So a previous physical regulation and command is cancelled because of its weakness and ineffectiveness and uselessness–
[19]For the Law never made anything perfect–but instead a better hope is introduced through which we [now] come close to God.
[20]And it was not without the taking of an oath [that Christ was made Priest],
[21]For those who formerly became priests received their office without its being confirmed by the taking of an oath by God, but this One was designated and addressed and saluted with an oath, The Lord has sworn and will not regret it or change His mind, You are a Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. [Ps. 110:4.]
[22]In keeping with [the oath’s greater strength and force], Jesus has become the Guarantee of a better (stronger) agreement [a more excellent and more advantageous covenant].
[23][Again, the former successive line of priests] was made up of many, because they were each prevented by death from continuing [perpetually in office];
[24]But He holds His priesthood unchangeably, because He lives on forever.
[25]Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them.
[26][Here is] the High Priest [perfectly adapted] to our needs, as was fitting–holy, blameless, unstained by sin, separated from sinners, and exalted higher than the heavens.
[27]He has no day by day necessity, as [do each of these other] high priests, to offer sacrifice first of all for his own [personal] sins and then for those of the people, because He [met all the requirements] once for all when He brought Himself [as a sacrifice] which He offered up.
[28]For the Law sets up men in their weakness [frail, sinful, dying human beings] as high priests, but the word of [God’s] oath, which [was spoken later] after the institution of the Law, [chooses and appoints as priest One Whose appointment is complete and permanent], a Son Who has been made perfect forever. [Ps. 110:4.]
Thato Masiu
Malachi 3:8
Varnel Watson
tells us what exactly?
John M Soulliere
Tithe was 10%. New testament, 100% is the Lord’s and you are a steward.
Harry Jones
John M Soulliere Aman!!! Brother ?
Glyn Williams
If you study all the OT passages on tithing, the full tithe was actually 20% annually (two tithes of 10% each), with a further 10% every third year, which works out to 23.33% annually. It’s this full amount that Malachi 3:8 is referring to. So how many of you who claim that we should be giving the full tithe actually give 23.33% or is that too much to ask?
Neil Steven Lawrence
1. The first tithe was given unto the Lord (and the Lord gave it to the Levites). 2. The second tithe was meant to spend on paying the individual or family member’s expenses to go to the feasts every year– In other words celebration and partying 3. The third tithe was given every three years for the needy in the land. Therefore the tithe system fulfiled the golden rule: “Love God with all your heart (1st tithe); love your neighbor (3rd tithe); as you love yourself (2nd tithe).” What the church practices is the Abrahamic tithe; the tithe the “Sons of God” understood from ancient days. The same tithe the Law affirms and expands. The tithe is a representative system. The 10% represents the whole. If you don’t bring 10% you must bring it all to the Lord. All over the Bible, God is shown testing his saints; in Malachi 3:10 the Lord says, “Test Me in this…” -this is the only place in scripture where Yahweh tells people to test Him. This shows the importance of the tithe. People of faith in Yahweh have historically understood the reverence, importance, value, and essential requirement of the tithe to honor the Lord and come under His blessing and protection. Those outside the tithe system cannot expect the blessing and protection the Lord promises, inside it!!!!
Glyn Williams
One thing though, the tithe Abraham paid to Melchizedek was a once off, he did not continue to pay the tithe.
Also, we can’t take the promises and commands to God’s covenant people of Israel and cut and copy them to our lives today.
At the end of the day, our giving is a free-will offering as each of us has determined in our hearts.
Varnel Watson
it was also considered for wealthy Jews to give up and over 30%
William Clark
Yes, I believe we (believers) ARE robbing God from the very blessings God has provided to us is the short answer.
Varnel Watson
robbing ourselves from the blessing too
William Clark
Yeah, very sad. Agreed.
Ronnie Occo
Actually thiting is not about money ?,its about trust.
Maribel B. Krause
Tithing is a blessing. I can witness to that. To the end recipient- their accountability before God.
Varnel Watson
yes IT IS
Geoff Just-Jeff
I’ve seen such misery caused by people tithing and getting into debt new believers are “love bombed” and then further down the line verbally beaten up with Malachi and told they are thieves for not tithing I actually left a Church because I couldn’t tithe and support my family and was told I was a thief such Christian love NOT
Varnel Watson
you make some good points though That guitar on your profile picture seems quite expensive too
John M Soulliere
Geoff Just-Jeff yet I’ve witnessed untold stories of the opposite.
Geoff Just-Jeff
Troy Day what your going to means test me to check affordability disgraceful
Geoff Just-Jeff
John M Soulliere simply telling my experience and observations
John M Soulliere
Geoff Just-Jeff yup, it happens. Paul told Timothy to do the things he was convinced of. Sometimes people dive in without conviction because of peer pressure. That pressure is not the spirit of God in my opinion.
Jerry Spencer
How do you rob from a being that created everything?
If God is real, why can’t He supply for the needs of the church?
Larry Dale Steele
When you start messing with people’s money it don’t take long to see where the heart is
John M Soulliere
Larry Dale Steele yup
Larry SMith
yeah just stop tithing and make those pastors get a job…THEN you’ll see where their heart is at
Larry Dale Steele
Larry SMith I am a pastor and I do have a job
Walter Mortley
Yes
John M Soulliere
People who are looking for scripture that provides ways to not give are suspect. OT = tithe. NT = everything.
Walter Mortley
In the book of Maliki the question is asked , Can a man robbed God yes in tithes and offerings . As Christians every thing we have belongs to the Lord.
John M Soulliere
Exactly. 100% at his disposal. Love 2 Cor 9!
Ronnie Occo
Its like this to stop the arguments.If you read your Bible and understand what it says,that came from the HolySpirt thats good.if the HolySpirt convict you to thites its your decision.Remember,its not about between you and man.who teach you what to do.ITS BETWEEN YOU AND GOD.You don’t need to thites if you don’t want to!!!period!!!!!
Daniel P Campbell
Tithing is OT
Jeff Lewis
Tithing is a type. Out with the old and in with the new. Give from the heart. Not the law.
Chris Allen
“If the don’t tithe”…
Robin Nohea David
You rob God if you don’t give Him your time. Time is the most valuable thing you have. You can make more money… Not TIME!
John M Soulliere
Robin Nohea David true, but people often say that because they want to hold on to their money.
Robin Nohea David
John M Soulliere Unfortunately, $$ seems to be the god of this world.
John M Soulliere
Not money, but the love of money. Money is a tool — for good or evil. It’s we managers of it who are the problem.