Tithes and Offerings

There is much misunderstanding and apprehension, even acrimony, regarding the matter of tithes and offerings as it applies to those professing faith today. There are, however, simple, Biblical, godly answers to all questions and concerns for those who believe. For those who do not believe, the truth has no place to settle and can bring no peace:

“To the pure all things are pure. But to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure, but even their mind and conscience is defiled” (Titus 1:15 MKJV).

Aside from technical, legalistic argument about whether tithes apply to us today, the essence of the matter is the connection made with God as the Provider of all things in our lives. By the giving of our physical things, we acknowledge and honor Him, transcending theory or lip-service, and are blessed by the opportunity to exercise God-given faith. Tithes are representative of nothing less than the meeting of Heaven and earth and the circuitry that accomplishs the great transformation within as we walk by faith in Christ.

It is the acknowledgement of His Lordship, without which we are all lost and without hope. It is the representation of the fact that our lives, and all that is ours, are from Him and are His. Without such works of honoring and acknowledging God, our faith is dead. If our faith is dead, so are we.

There are some who complain that tithes are used by unscrupulous men to enrich or pay themselves wages. That is undoubtedly true. However, let us not use the false and corrupt example of many to negate or destroy what is true and good. There are many false representations of Christ, yet He is above them all, resplendent in glory, King of kings forever. We must not let liars deprive us of the Truth.

We must also recognize that, as there are unscrupulous men receiving tithes, there are those who give them with impure motives, in hope of carnal rewards and/or acceptance by men. This is not the giving honored by God.

There are some who say that tithes no longer exist, because not spoken of as required in the New Testament. But here is what Paul, who never tossed out the Law of God as some think, referred to from the “Old” Testament as applicable truth:

“For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox threshing grain,’ and, ‘The worker is worthy of his wages’” (1 Timothy 5:18 EMTV).

Paul did not discard these injunctions because they were “old,” but used them presently to instruct us in what is good. That is because, as he said elsewhere, the Law is good (1 Timothy 1:8). He is not talking about legalism, but the eternal truth of God. Tithes and offerings are no more passé than the Ten Commandments, and are a reflection of their very essence.

What the Lord Has Taught Us About Tithes and Offerings

Our teaching comes from the crucible of experience, proven by God in us as true and good for all.

How Does One Tithe Today?

This question is posed to us by one wondering how the Old Testament Law applies. She is convinced that giving is good, but wants to know where and how one should give. We answer her question.

To Tithe or Not to Tithe

Victor shares his spiritual beginnings with Lew White, the author of Fossilized Customs, relating also how the Lord taught him to tithe, contrary to Lew’s teaching. Lew explains the reasoning behind his teaching, which Victor effectively answers, showing that the problem is an internal one for Lew, and not with God’s teaching found in the Scriptures.