To Tithe Or Not To Tithe?

Sunday Morning: A Spirited Debate Over The Power Of Giving In The Lives Of Believers

(CBS)  Tithing, the giving of one tenth of one’s income to a religious group, has its roots in the Old Testament. But some Christians are questioning it, and the answers might surprise you. In an era when contributions to religious groups are growing more slowly than other charitable giving, and as Congress takes a closer look at the finances of some televangelists, Martha Teichner examines the controversy over tithing, and meets some inspiring people who strongly believe in the power of generosity.

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Pastor Marty Baker is a believer in the idea. "When Jesus says, 'I will build the church,' he says, financially, I've got a system for you," Baker preaches, "It's called tithing."

Tithing means giving a tenth of your income - and church construction is exactly what pastor Marty Baker is pitching his congregation to pay for.

"God doesn't fund the church through bingo nights, pancake suppers and chicken dinners," Baker says. "God funds the church through people willing to commit to the tithe."

Over twenty years, tithing has helped transform Stevens Creek Church in Augusta, Georgia from a few people in somebody's living room to a megachurch in the making.

"Without tithing, we would not be here," says Baker. "I would say that the tithe probably would be around 70% of our overall budget. The tithe is the heartbeat of our church."

Giving is central to most religions, a principle of faith. Americans donate $295 billion a year to charity, with just under a third of it - $97 billion - to religious organizations.

On average, Christians are giving about 2.5 percent of their income to churches, not ten, and no matter how much good it does, tithing is controversial.

"We believe that everything the churches teach about tithing is wrong," author Russell Kelly says.

Teichner reports it's a hot button issue that has reached critical mass on the Internet.

From his home near Marietta, Georgia, Russell Kelly wages war against preachers who use the Bible to justify tithing. His Web site, shouldthechurchteachtithing, argues against the supporters of tithing.

"We believe if you look at those texts they quote," he says, "they are out of context."

But that's not his only objection.

"Almost every person I contact on the Internet, they tell me the same story, where they go to their pastor - no matter what kind of church it is, Baptist, Charismatic, Methodist, you name it - and start asking questions about tithing, they are told to shut up, to be quiet, to leave the church."

It happened to his own wife, when her first husband was dying.

"I had a $5 an hour job, a small child to raise, and my husband kept getting, sicker and sicker," Janice Kelly told Teichner. "It came to the point whether I buy insulin for him or whether I pay my tithes, so I went to the preacher."

Janice Kelly didn't expect his response.

"He just ... told me I would be cursed."

"I'm angry that my church would twist and fleece the flock, twist the scripture to such a point that it's just awful," says retired aerospace worker Charles Crabtree.

Crabtree got mad when he received a letter from his pastor.

"In that letter, they were asking us to tithe and they used Malachi."

The reading was Malachi 3:10: "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse … and test me now in this, says the Lord of hosts. If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows."

"Protestants, both mainline and evangelical, have since the 1870s, fixed upon the tithe and on this Malachi passage as a kind of law that has never been repealed," explains James Hudnut-Beumler, dean of the divinity school at Vanderbilt University.

Yes, only since the 1870s, as a way of making up lost revenue. The First Amendment in effect privatized religion in the United States, cutting off the tax money that once supported it in colonial America. The weekly collection didn't even exist until the middle of the 19th century, when churches gave up selling or renting pews.

"I'm somewhat suspicious of people who want to turn giving ten percent into virtually the only law that applies to people who are under a covenant of grace," says Hudnut-Beumler, "where God saves freely, not for ten percent down."

He says he's reminded of Martin Luther, father of the Protestant movement, who broke away from the Catholic church because it was selling indulgences: Promises of a quicker road to heaven in exchange for cash.

"Stripped down to its basics," he says, "I don't think it's different than indulgences. What we see today, though, is a return to 'this-for-that religion,' give God this and God will give you that."

Iowa Senator Charles Grassley wants to know how God happened to give the trappings of a billionaire lifestyle to certain televangelists and whether donors, many of them tithers, are being exploited.

[tithigval]

Dear Sir/Madam


Hope you may be able to help? We are doing a film project and would love any kind of support.

Our film is on Religion and its effects on the Economy.

Tithing is one of the theams in our documentry.

We feel no one has ever done an intencive study in to tithing and how other religions practice it, different perspectives, not to mention the after effects?

Could you please help us in any way or form.

This might be through statistics or put us in contact with people that would help put the film together.

Val G

P.S. I am from Australia, right now live in Ukraine gathering material for this documentary film.
After 20 years of addiction to narcotics and 20 years of recovery it became clear to me that this film needs to be done?
[e-mail]
[phone]

[heis4real]

"For all the promises of God in Christ are "yes and Amen" 2nd Corinthians chapter 1 verse 20."
He does not say only if we pay God tithes.

[walkingonair]

How can you call someone lazy? You read the New Testament, but missed Matthew 5:17-20 which says
Passage Matthew 5:17-20:

17"Do not think that I came to abolish the (A)Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.

18"For truly I say to you, (B)until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

19"Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least (C)in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20"For I say to you that unless your (D)righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Cross References:
# Matthew 5:17 : Matt 7:12
# Matthew 5:18 : Matt 24:35; Luke 16:17
# Matthew 5:19 : Matt 11:11
# Matthew 5:20 : Luke 18:11, 12

So bottom line, if the law is to tithe, then we tithe. If we choose not to tithe, then we are punished.

After all, if we rob a 7-11, we'll get locked up. So why do we think we won't be punished if we break God's laws?

[heis4real]

Walking on Air You sound a little like an airhead sorry but I could not resist that one, forgive me.
You got one major point correct, Jesus did fulfill the law for all Believers so this means we did not and could not fulfill the law which was why He came and did it for us. Have you keep all six hundred plus Mosaic laws? Just to name a few" there was stoning for adultery. Jesus went beyond the action to include even looking at a woman with lust, also as adultery. There would be a whole lot of stoning going on if that law was still enforced. Also there was stoning for being un-circumcised, pork-eating, disobeying parents and working on the Sabbath, Not keeping ceremonial washing laws was a sin also. It was also a Mosaic Law to bring a blood sacrifice ( spotless Lamb)to the Priest once a year on the day of atonement or else you could be stoned to death and the lamb had to be without spot or blemishes.
Seeing how you are so in favor of keeping Old Testament laws how many of the six-hundred plus have you kept lately? I bet you don't have any idea what the other Mosaic laws are. Peter said in Acts 15:10 these laws were "a yoke of bondage that neither he or his ancestors could keep". Go to "Stand to Reason" a Bible based Christian organization that defends Bible truth and has debated well known militant atheist and check out their explanation of New Testament tithing but first read your bible with understanding not mimics of what many Pastors may have erroneously taught.
Learn what Grace means. Grace is favor, which now comes by way of faith in Jesus Christ and what He paid in full for you. Stop taking the Credit away from Him by giving it to yourself because you pay tithes. According to the bible "Our righteous is like filthy rags in comparison to God righteousness when we try to earn it by works. In Hebrews it repeats over and over that Christ is better than keeping Old Testament laws and rituals. Abraham is also mentioned as paying a one time tithe to Melchizedek but it was a voluntary and not demanded by God. In the New Testament Gods it said that Gods promises are "Yes and Amen" in Christ. "Since God did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will he not with Him F-R-E-E-l-Y Give us all things". Then who can bring a charge against Gods Elect? Romans 8:32-33 Calling redeemed people cursed is a charges against Gods elect. I believe that verse in the New Testament Gal. 3:13 that Christ has redeemed us from the curse of laws like tithing has now canceled out the Malachi 3 curse in the Old Testament. The Apostle Paul said if you go back under the Old Testament law to be in right standing with God, then you must keep them all and if you break one he said, you are then guilty of breaking them all! Read the whole book of Galatian. In Matthew 23:23 Jesus said the weightier matter was love, mercy and justice even over tithing. Funny, how Jesus did Not praise them for tithing and they were Jews still under the Laws of Moses because this was before he went to his Cross. So I wish people would just shut up until they know what you are talking about! That food was to feed the Levite and poor. How many Churches give out food these days? A pitiful few. Also where in the Bible can you find Jesus charging anybody for a miracle and blessing in the New Testament? I would really like to see that Scripture. Giving honors God when it is voluntary giving not forced. The Churches dishonor God when they twist Scriptures and throw people back under OT laws and curses. Did you have to pay Jesus for going to the Cross?
Grace means a free gift that was not earned by bought. Jesus said "ask in His name and it will be done by His father in Heaven" He did not say ask only if you have paid for it with your tithes. You want to force an abolished at the cross doctrine that no longer applies, Thousands of Pastors are bullying people by using fear tactics, shames and manipulation on poor people to enforce something finished at the Cross. This is spitting in the face of Jesus and denying his free gifts and goodness.
Not one of those Scriptures you used has anything to do with commanding the Gentiles who are under the New Covenant and Dispensation of Grace Stop twisting Scriptures to fit what you have been brainwashed to think. In Hebrews, Melchizedek received a one time tithe from Abraham it was not ongoing neither did God require it,he gave it voluntarily. Tither payers: Give Jesus all of the credit for His finished work on the Cross & stop taking his credit for your blessings and giving it to yourself because of your tithing record. The payment Jesus made is not only saving us, giving eternal life but grace for every daily need in a sincere Believers life. He took the curse of poverty, sickness and whatever else we need and in exchange we can ask for healing, prosperity and deliverance all for free by faith and in his name not yours!

[heis4real]

It is a sad but an obvious fact, that the majority of Church members are too lazy, trusting or gullible to study the New Testament Bible in detail for themselves on this matter. I did and know the truth, if they did they would also discover that tithing was abolished at the Cross of Christ. If most people are being duped then it is their own fault for accepting whatever they hear Preached to them. I do however feel that some law should be passed against scared people on welfare or government assistance into tithing because it is the Tax payers money & some are not being helped by the Church but blamed for being poor for not tithing as in Malachi 3. Some of my out of work friends have had to later borrow money for their food/utility bill because they are scared not to pay tithes like the examples in this CBS News Story. If you try to point out Bible verses that proves otherwise they are so brainwashed they won't even read them in order to discover that Christ paid all of our debts & perfectly fulfilled all Old Testament laws for us to be freely blessed by God. It is plain as day in Ephesians 2:15 He(Jesus)abolished the law with its commandments and rules. In Malachi 3:7 God said "you have not kept my Ordinances" speaking of the tithe, but Jesus has now nailed that to the cross. It is right there in Colossians 2:14 (Christ) "Blotting out "ordinances" that was against us he took it out of the way & nailed it to his Cross". If "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law" according to Galatians 3:13 then someone is lying and I don't think it is The Apostle Paul(writer of Galatians and most of the New Testament. Why can't they just tell the truth that tenth percent is needed to keep the light/gas on and pay the Church staff?

[berthaerika]

Wow! Terrific article!

Thank God Christians are seeing the deception of Ministers regarding tithe.

What if everybody tithed? The love of money that has corrupted so many Ministers would destroy Christianity as we know it. The Church would no longer need God; it would have money to solve the salvation problem.

I pastor a non-tithing church and we have feed many hungry folks; we have blessed the needy without exploiting God%u2019s Children.

Regards,


Rev. Amos Ortiz

www.tithedeception.blogspot.com
www.diezmodecepcion.blogspot.com

[cleo60]

Tithe is it%u2019s food
Deut. 14:23: the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always. And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee: Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose:

[honestabe8]

tbweb: i respect your opinion, but i do not share it. i think man (in general) does what he has to do to get by. sure, there are some really evil, hateful people out there...but to claim that "sin" is a valid default setting seems absurd to me

[imforgiven-2009]

CBS: The people you chose to spotlight to ask if they should tithe: The answer is no. They should never tithe. At least with the reason or the attitude in which they questioned their giving. First of all, tithing is an obedience to God,not to any church. If they had given, knowing it was going to God and his work, and with the correct attitude, they would not have questioned as to whether they should thithe. I have never given to God, money or time, in which God has not returned more than I gave. If you give in the right attitude and heart, God can not be out gave. I have tithed instead of buying groceries, gas, utilities, etc. When it came to needing those things, God provided. He never fails. Next time you show a question like that, don''t use the negative to show how unfair God is. You don''t know Him.

[tbweb]

tbweb: if people have a pretty good idea of right and wrong without religion, what is the purpose of religion? you may think that "the way things are done" to be a weak excuse, but how much of what we see as right and wrong is influenced by cultural inputs?

Posted by honestabe8 at 01:08 PM : Mar 04, 2008,,,

In some ways the answer to that is complicated and in some ways its not! The short answer is God created man and should know first hand if the "flesh" is weak or not since its his creation. Cultural inputs? I will grant you this, back then when people were hungry they satisfied their appetites by any means necessary which included satisfying the lust of the "flesh" too, but for the most part it was monkey see monkey do, due to a lack of education and spiritual enlightenment. I don''t know if this is true for sure, but there weren''t many survival options and it doesn''t take a rocket scientist to figure out what probably happened.

[jankebenz]

Why thanks, coming from you, that''''s quite a high compliment! But, I must give credit where credit is due. Everything I learned about hate, I learned from Christians who first taught me to hate myself for being gay, and then to hate anyone who disagreed with Christianity.

Posted by singindick at 11:18 AM : Mar 04, 2008

Hmmm,lets see now,you respond to a post to candide,you are gay,and you''re not exactly a fan of singinrick so you mimick his post name to ridicule him.You Hate yourself and christians because they taught you that.Without predjudice I would have to conclude that you suffer from a selfworth and/or image issue.

[honestabe8]

tbweb: if people have a pretty good idea of right and wrong without religion, what is the purpose of religion? you may think that "the way things are done" to be a weak excuse, but how much of what we see as right and wrong is influenced by cultural inputs?

[tbweb]

you are making an assumption that these barbaric ways were sinful. perhaps it was just the way stuff was done back then. does it really have anthing to do with the 21st century?

Posted by honestabe8 at 11:16 AM : Mar 04, 2008,,,

Even without religion the average human has a pretty good sense of what right and wrong is. Barbarians invading villages, killing all the men, raping and taking the women and food as the spoils of war knew what they were doing was wrong just based on the fact they wouldn''t like it done to their village. I cited barbarians because they represent human flesh acting in raw mode with no spiritual or even civilized considerations at all. It has something to do with the 21st Century in that it allows us to draw a contrast of where humans came from and where humans are now. Thats the way things were done is a weak excuse.

[singindick]

But you two are the best sewage slingers I,ve ever come across, what a pair!
Posted by jankebenz at 12:47 AM : Mar 04, 2008

Why thanks, coming from you, that''s quite a high compliment! But, I must give credit where credit is due. Everything I learned about hate, I learned from Christians who first taught me to hate myself for being gay, and then to hate anyone who disagreed with Christianity.

[honestabe8]

you are making an assumption that these barbaric ways were sinful. perhaps it was just the way stuff was done back then. does it really have anthing to do with the 21st century?

[tbweb]

well, the "spirit" thing is something that i do not understand, so i guess we will disagree. in terms of looking at history, much of war was done in the name of one god or king or another god or king. how does barbarism 2,000 years ago related to modern life?

Posted by honestabe8 at 10:14 AM : Mar 04, 2008,,,

Its easy to understand your spirit, in spiritual terms its just another word for your Heart. Like the song points out, "turn on your Heart Light". Citing barbarism was just to point out mans extremely sinful nature prior to modern day spiritual transformation. The human spirit and soul needs spiritual input so it can transcend the sinful flesh, I prefer Christianity while others prefer Islam and there are many others, but any positive spiritual input is better than no spiritual input at all.

[honestabe8]

well, the "spirit" thing is something that i do not understand, so i guess we will disagree. in terms of looking at history, much of war was done in the name of one god or king or another god or king. how does barbarism 2,000 years ago related to modern life?

[tbweb]

tbweb: flesh or spirit, the default setting of man being sinful strikes me as an ancient con.

Posted by honestabe8 at 09:42 AM : Mar 04, 2008,,,

The simple fact is your "flesh" can''t process Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit or God and doesn''t want to either, only your spirit can! As far as man "Not" being sinful by default, one only needs to look at History, before and after Christ. Prior to Christ man was extremely sinful, even barbaric.

[honestabe8]

tbweb: flesh or spirit, the default setting of man being sinful strikes me as an ancient con.

[tbweb]

tbweb: well, as an atheist, the biblical quotes have only so much effectiveness on me. it just seems like a hook to me. a claimed debt when no debt exists.

Posted by honestabe8 at 09:16 AM : Mar 04, 2008,,,

You are both "flesh" and "spirit", you are evaluating this matter in the "flesh" only, so I understand. You must discover the "spirit" you, tune into the "spirit" you and evaluate this matter in that mode if you can.

[honestabe8]

tbweb: well, as an atheist, the biblical quotes have only so much effectiveness on me. it just seems like a hook to me. a claimed debt when no debt exists.