Ask Your Preacher - Archives

Ask Your Preacher - Archives

“Grossly Misunderstood”

Categories: THE COLLECTION, WORSHIP
About tithing: is it right or wrong?  Gross or net?  10% or more?  Clear this up; I need help.  I put in my 10% or more from my check (the net amount).  Am I right or wrong?

Sincerely,
The Accountant

Dear The Accountant,

Tithing is an Old Testament commandment (Num 18:24), not a New Testament one.  Jews tithe; christians “lay by in store as we have prospered” (1 Cor 16:1-3).  God doesn’t give a specific percentage that christians should give back.  We must prepare beforehand what we will give (that’s the “lay by in store” part – 1 Cor 16:2).  He also commands that we be “cheerful givers” and that we give as we have “purposed in our hearts” (2 Cor 9:7).  Though tithing, which means ‘one tenth’, is a good rule of thumb for giving… it isn’t a command.

Any church that tells you that you have to give 10% is warping the Scriptures to increase your contribution.  Giving should be a sacrifice – but a voluntary one based off of thoughtful contemplation.