Tithes & Offerings
Tithes & Offerings
A tithe (from Old English: teogoþa "tenth") is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a contribution to a religious organization or compulsory tax to government. Today, tithes are normally voluntary and paid in cash or cheques or more recently via online giving, whereas historically tithes were required and paid in kind, such as agricultural produce. After the separation of church and state, church tax linked to the tax system are instead used in many countries to support their national church. Donations to the church beyond what is owed in the tithe, or by those attending a congregation who are not members or adherents, are known as offerings, and often are designated for specific purposes such as a building program, debt retirement, or mission work.
DA Carson
1. Beware of pride. There is always a great spiritual danger in thinking that if in some area we have satisfied a specific, concrete demand we have done everything that God requires. Ten percent is a lot of money to some folks; to others it’s not very much. Isn’t that one of the lessons to be learned from Jesus’ comments about the widow’s mite? To suppose that God demands 10 percent—and nothing more—can itself foster a remarkably independent and idolatrous attitude: “This bit is for God, and the rest is mine by right.” Likewise, if you choose to give more than 10 percent, you may become inebriated from the contemplation of your own generosity.
2. Remember why you’re giving. A strictly legal perspective on giving soon runs into a plethora of complicated debates. Is this 10 percent of gross income or of net? How does this play out in a country where a progressive income-tax system rises to 90 percent of in come? If we choose to tithe from our net income, are we talking “take-home pay” only, or does it include what is withheld for medical insurance and retirement benefits?
It would be easy to list such questions for a page or two without ever asking, “How can I manage my affairs so that I can give more?” That is surely a better question than “What’s the correct interpretation so that I can do whatever’s required and then get on with my life?”
Christians will want to acknowledge with gratitude that they are mere stewards of all that they “possess.” Moreover, New Testament ethics turn not so much on legal prescription as on lives joyfully submitted to God.
This is why the most penetrating New Testament passage on giving is 2 Cor. 8-9. Under severe trial, the Corinthians’ “overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” (8:2). Even so, they first gave themselves to the Lord (8:5). --DA Carson; Are Christian Required to tithe? 11/15/99
2. Remember why you’re giving. A strictly legal perspective on giving soon runs into a plethora of complicated debates. Is this 10 percent of gross income or of net? How does this play out in a country where a progressive income-tax system rises to 90 percent of in come? If we choose to tithe from our net income, are we talking “take-home pay” only, or does it include what is withheld for medical insurance and retirement benefits?
It would be easy to list such questions for a page or two without ever asking, “How can I manage my affairs so that I can give more?” That is surely a better question than “What’s the correct interpretation so that I can do whatever’s required and then get on with my life?”
Christians will want to acknowledge with gratitude that they are mere stewards of all that they “possess.” Moreover, New Testament ethics turn not so much on legal prescription as on lives joyfully submitted to God.
This is why the most penetrating New Testament passage on giving is 2 Cor. 8-9. Under severe trial, the Corinthians’ “overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” (8:2). Even so, they first gave themselves to the Lord (8:5). --DA Carson; Are Christian Required to tithe? 11/15/99
Forcing members to pay tithes is wrong – Pastor Amoateng chides colleagues
Popular Ghanaian prophet, Sampson Amoateng, has urged Pentecostal churches to refrain from pressuring their members to pay tithes and offerings. The General Overseer of House of Miracles Ministries in Accra, Ghana made the call in a video posted through Facebook on Wednesday, June 5. He described tithe paying and offering in church as a scriptural practice, noting that giving is meant to be free will not by force. Amoateng said: “I am against churches forcing people to pay tithe. I am against pastors or churches forcing people to document their tithe cards. My money is my thank you. It’s carnal to document tithe cards. “Tithing is a spiritual discipline that requires faith, trust, and obedience. By setting aside a portion of our income, we acknowledge that everything we have belongs to God and that we are mere stewards of His resources.
(Correcting 6/9/24) Read More>>>>>
Popular Ghanaian prophet, Sampson Amoateng, has urged Pentecostal churches to refrain from pressuring their members to pay tithes and offerings. The General Overseer of House of Miracles Ministries in Accra, Ghana made the call in a video posted through Facebook on Wednesday, June 5. He described tithe paying and offering in church as a scriptural practice, noting that giving is meant to be free will not by force. Amoateng said: “I am against churches forcing people to pay tithe. I am against pastors or churches forcing people to document their tithe cards. My money is my thank you. It’s carnal to document tithe cards. “Tithing is a spiritual discipline that requires faith, trust, and obedience. By setting aside a portion of our income, we acknowledge that everything we have belongs to God and that we are mere stewards of His resources.
(Correcting 6/9/24) Read More>>>>>
[ICYMI] Why I stopped tithe, offering payment in my church — Pastor
My name is Prophet Dr Emmanuel Baruwa (JP) popularly known as Baba Talitakumi. I’m the pastor at the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church Talitakumi model parish based in Ijoko Otta, Ogun State. I have some reasons for taking the decision. First, during the time immediate period after the fuel subsidy was removed, many people could not come to church because they did not have money. Also, with the situation in the country right now with the cost of foodstuffs, it became clear to me that people are suffering. Food is now expensive. Let’s forget about me, I think all of us should put ourselves in the position of these church members. If we put ourselves in the position of a church member, we will know the problems a lot of them are facing. When somebody is coming from a far place to worship at the church, and he is to spend N2,000 on transportation. And that person has just N3,000 and will still want to pay the Church offering from that money, How will he survive? If I stop the offering, it doesn’t mean I will not eat. If I stop the tithes, it doesn’t mean God will not send a helper to me. So, I have to be considerate. Many people believe the Bible says we should pay for offerings in Church, and it is when we pay for offerings that God will bless us. But when somebody doesn’t have the money to pay the offering, is God not going to bless that person?, of course, God will bless the person.
(Punch 6/9/24) Read More>>>>>
My name is Prophet Dr Emmanuel Baruwa (JP) popularly known as Baba Talitakumi. I’m the pastor at the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church Talitakumi model parish based in Ijoko Otta, Ogun State. I have some reasons for taking the decision. First, during the time immediate period after the fuel subsidy was removed, many people could not come to church because they did not have money. Also, with the situation in the country right now with the cost of foodstuffs, it became clear to me that people are suffering. Food is now expensive. Let’s forget about me, I think all of us should put ourselves in the position of these church members. If we put ourselves in the position of a church member, we will know the problems a lot of them are facing. When somebody is coming from a far place to worship at the church, and he is to spend N2,000 on transportation. And that person has just N3,000 and will still want to pay the Church offering from that money, How will he survive? If I stop the offering, it doesn’t mean I will not eat. If I stop the tithes, it doesn’t mean God will not send a helper to me. So, I have to be considerate. Many people believe the Bible says we should pay for offerings in Church, and it is when we pay for offerings that God will bless us. But when somebody doesn’t have the money to pay the offering, is God not going to bless that person?, of course, God will bless the person.
(Punch 6/9/24) Read More>>>>>
Grandmother Laid to Rest in Church Cemetery, After Being Denied for Allegedly Not Tithing
When Alice “Sallie” Garrison passed this August, her dying wish was to be buried at First Baptist Church Hollins (FBCH) in Roanoke, Virginia. The 82-year-old wanted to be laid to rest beside her parents, siblings, and other extended family members, but the church initially denied her request because of her alleged failure to tithe, The Roanoke Times reported. FBCH Pastor Rev. Harvey Saunders reportedly told Garrison’s family members that their deceased loved one had been removed from church membership for failing to tithe. Church bylaws prohibit non church member from being buried in the church’s cemetery, The Roanoke Times said.
(Liz Lykens/The Roys Report 11/14/23)
Read More>>>>>
When Alice “Sallie” Garrison passed this August, her dying wish was to be buried at First Baptist Church Hollins (FBCH) in Roanoke, Virginia. The 82-year-old wanted to be laid to rest beside her parents, siblings, and other extended family members, but the church initially denied her request because of her alleged failure to tithe, The Roanoke Times reported. FBCH Pastor Rev. Harvey Saunders reportedly told Garrison’s family members that their deceased loved one had been removed from church membership for failing to tithe. Church bylaws prohibit non church member from being buried in the church’s cemetery, The Roanoke Times said.
(Liz Lykens/The Roys Report 11/14/23)
Read More>>>>>
Mormon Church Sued for Investing Tithing Money Instead of Using It for Charity
A federal lawsuit accuses The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ investment sector of misusing hundreds of thousands of dollars donated by three men. The suit alleges the Mormon church invested the money instead of using it for charity as it promised. The accusations come as the church is already under fire for its handling of financial holdings provided by “tithing” from members who donate 10% of their income to the church, The Associated Press reports. (Carley Welch/The Messenger 11/2/23)
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A federal lawsuit accuses The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ investment sector of misusing hundreds of thousands of dollars donated by three men. The suit alleges the Mormon church invested the money instead of using it for charity as it promised. The accusations come as the church is already under fire for its handling of financial holdings provided by “tithing” from members who donate 10% of their income to the church, The Associated Press reports. (Carley Welch/The Messenger 11/2/23)
Read More>>>>>
When U.S. adults are asked if they are familiar with the term “tithe,” about two in five (39%) indicate they are familiar and are able to provide a definition. The same percentage (39%), however, indicates they are unfamiliar with the term, and one-fifth (22%) says they are familiar with the word but cannot recall its meaning.
Surprisingly, among Christians (43%), and even specifically among church givers (44%), less than half can decisively say what the tithe is. Practicing Christians have much stronger awareness of the tithe (59% know what it means, 18% are familiar), though just over one in five of these faithful attendees (22%) does not recognize the term.
Compared with their congregations, nearly all pastors (99%) are familiar with the concept of tithing and its meaning. It’s striking that this overwhelming majority of church leaders is not imparting their knowledge of the tithe to those in their pews. --Barna
Surprisingly, among Christians (43%), and even specifically among church givers (44%), less than half can decisively say what the tithe is. Practicing Christians have much stronger awareness of the tithe (59% know what it means, 18% are familiar), though just over one in five of these faithful attendees (22%) does not recognize the term.
Compared with their congregations, nearly all pastors (99%) are familiar with the concept of tithing and its meaning. It’s striking that this overwhelming majority of church leaders is not imparting their knowledge of the tithe to those in their pews. --Barna
Oct 31, 2022: China Christian Daily: What Will Church Be Like if All Believers Pay Tithing?
If all the believers in a church can pay their own tithes, what will the church be like?Several senior pastors have given some thoughts:
“The debt of our church (millions of yuan) could have been solved already.”
“We could have had the ability to build a church successfully instead of going through so many difficulties. ”
“The church will be ‘magnificent’!”
If all the believers in a church can pay their own tithes, what will the church be like?Several senior pastors have given some thoughts:
“The debt of our church (millions of yuan) could have been solved already.”
“We could have had the ability to build a church successfully instead of going through so many difficulties. ”
“The church will be ‘magnificent’!”
Lifeway Research released a report Tuesday (Oct 11,2022) based on responses from 1,000 Protestant pastors conducted from Sept. 6-30 examining their views on the impact of the U.S. economy.
A small majority of pastors (52%) said they thought the economy was negatively impacting their church. Forty-five percent of pastors viewed the economy as “somewhat negatively” impacting their church, while 6% believed that it was “very negatively” affecting their church.
By contrast, just 5% thought the economy was “somewhat positively” impacting their church and 2% said that it was “very positively” impacting their church. Forty percent of respondents said the economy had no impact on their church.
A small majority of pastors (52%) said they thought the economy was negatively impacting their church. Forty-five percent of pastors viewed the economy as “somewhat negatively” impacting their church, while 6% believed that it was “very negatively” affecting their church.
By contrast, just 5% thought the economy was “somewhat positively” impacting their church and 2% said that it was “very positively” impacting their church. Forty percent of respondents said the economy had no impact on their church.
Tithe, (from Old English teogothian, “tenth”), a custom dating back to Old Testament times and adopted by the Christian church whereby lay people contributed a 10th of their income for religious purposes, often under ecclesiastical or legal obligation. The money (or its equivalent in crops, farm stock, etc.) was used to support the clergy, maintain churches, and assist the poor. Tithing was also a prime source of subsidy for the construction of many magnificent cathedrals in Europe. (Britannica)
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For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, giving donations like tithing and other offerings is more than just a commandment—it’s also an act of faith. Although tithing has been known since ancient times, in the latter days, tithing began after Joseph Smith received section 119 of the Doctrine and Covenants. In this revelation, tithing was defined as “one-tenth of all their interest annually.” The Lord explained that this was “the beginning of the tithing of my people…and this shall be a standing law unto them forever” (Doctrine and Covenants 119: 3–4). Church donations are used to help build the Church and further the work of the Lord throughout the world |
Relearn: Over the years, I’ve heard these words echoed throughout the pulpit, “The Lord tells us to bring our tithes to the storehouse!” But what is a tithe? The dictionary defines the word as “a tenth part of something paid as a voluntary contribution for the support of a religious establishment.” But does this idea of giving 10% of your income to the church exist in the Bible? Do we ever see New Testament Christians tithing? The answer to both of these questions is: No. to challenge a few modern church practices, tithing was about food and never about money. There is not one passage of Scripture telling any Jew or Christian to give 10% of their money to a religious institution. Second, while tithing is biblical it is not Christian. This was strictly a practice for the nation of Israel under the Old Covenant which has been fulfilled by Jesus Christ in the New Covenant. Furthermore, we do not see any instruction or example of a New Testament Christian tithing. Like temples, sacrifices, dietary laws, and priests-tithing has been nailed to the cross and no longer has an active role under the New Covenant. |
In his excellent book Money, Possessions, and Eternity Randy Alcorn argues that tithing is the training wheels of giving. Tithing teaches us what it really means to give sacrificially. Tithing is not an end or a goal. It’s a place to start. We who have been redeemed by Christ should give more. The apostle Paul uses the churches of Macedonia to demonstrate: “We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord” (2 Corinthians 8:1-3). |
“Do I have to tithe?” The short answer is—No, you don’t have to do it. God isn’t a tax collector, nor does He demand your obedience. God loves you so much He gives you the choice. But why wouldn’t you want to give back to Him? If you’ve placed your eternity in His hands, why wouldn’t you be eager to bring tithes and offerings to say thank you to the God of all creation? But does what the Word say about tithing? Is tithing just Old Testament stuff? Crosswalk: What Is Tithing and Do I Have to Do It? |
The New Testament is clear that the principle of tithing and the reason for tithing is still in effect. But tithing was only ever meant to be training wheels. If we insist on 10 percent and not a penny more, then yes, Jesus wants our garden spices. But if we take the training wheels off – if we leave the $100 bill on the table – we can dispense with calculations. Generosity will set us free. And by so doing we can store up for ourselves treasure in heaven, where moth and rust cannot destroy, and where thief cannot break in and steal. --Bethel Church; What About Tithing? |
7 Reasons Christians Are Not Required to Tithe Many think believers in Christ should tithe (defined as giving 10 percent of one’s income), and many use the language of “tithes and offerings” in worship services. Others are equally convinced tithing is not required for believers. Which view is more faithful to God’s Word? This certainly isn’t a matter over which believers should break fellowship. Love is far more important than our view on tithing (1 Cor. 13). Still, I would argue tithing isn’t required or even encouraged for believers in Jesus Christ. But such a stance needs to be explained. (Thomas Schreiner/Gospel Coalition) Read More>>>>> |
We learn from the book of Malachi that over time the Israelites either ceased to tithe at all or brought their tithe and forgot how central it was to their relationship with God. Because they lost sight of the purpose of tithing, the people began to bring bad things to God, sometimes even bringing things of such poor quality that they themselves could not have even used them. But God does not reject tithes — He corrects our motivation and focuses on the attitude with which we bring our gifts to Him. This is exactly what 2 Corinthians 9:7 says: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” In the New Testament, the Lord warns us against the mistakes made by people living according to the principles of the Old Testament, bringing their tithes as a duty to the law, under duress. -Renner Ministries |
Firstfruits are anathema to the New Testament. Today, the harvest is no longer of crops but of souls. The redeemed are now God’s firstfruits. (Revelation 14:14). James says: “Of (God’s) own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” (James 1:18). Isaiah says: “They are as greedy as dogs, never satisfied; they are stupid pastors who only look after their own interest, each trying to get as much as he can for himself from every possible source.” (Isaiah 56:11). -Vanguard |
The pastors of our church do not always stress too much about tithing to the believers. Instead, they imperceptibly instill the truth to the believers in their daily scripture interpretation and help them establish correct understanding. In my opinion, whether believers are zealous in their offering depends on their correct cognition of God and the nature of their offering. If there is a misunderstanding between the two, it is easy to form a biased concept, which then affects their enthusiasm to participate in tithing. Therefore, correcting the cognitive concept of believers depends on the correct preaching based on biblical truth by the church pastor. As for the opinion of some believers that “tithing is to donate your money to the church, which means that each time you donate your money, you will have less money”, I think this idea is the manifestation of believers’ secularization and simple understanding of tithing. The Bible never teaches us to take. Rather, it teaches that Christians should seek spiritual, not physical, blessings from God. As for the blessings of the flesh, God has voluntarily given us, so we Christians should learn from God to actively give, and tithing is also giving. The Bible also says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Therefore, in our church, both pastors and believers have a correct understanding of tithing, so everyone’s enthusiasm to participate in tithing is also guaranteed. -China Christian Daily |