Christians and Tithing
A recent report from the Christian Post stated that only 9 percent of born again Christian adults tithe 10% of their income.
Why do you suppose so few believers tithe? Is it a lack of training and education? A lack of spiritual maturity? A lack of integrity on the part of churches and other charitable organizations? Is it a lack of faith? A lack of self discipline? A lack of money management skills?
Why do you suppose so few believers tithe? Is it a lack of training and education? A lack of spiritual maturity? A lack of integrity on the part of churches and other charitable organizations? Is it a lack of faith? A lack of self discipline? A lack of money management skills?
All of the above......
ReplyDeleteMark, I think that statistic stems from both a lack of education and a lack of faith.
ReplyDeleteMany Christians don't really understand church finances or their role in it--and some have never heard of the concept of tithing. We probably need to do a better job of educating Christians about this spiritual practice.
And for some, I believe a lack of faith is the issue. Many Christians would like to tithe but feel pressure about their finances. It takes a step of faith to give away that much money, trusting God to provide for your needs.
I believe it's a spiritual matter of the heart. It is a lack of faith and it manifest itself as money being their God.
ReplyDeleteThe rich young ruler was called out on this very thing. He was good on all the horizontal commandments but when Jesus confronted the no.1 vertical commandment he failed.
We as christians, and I was once this way, do OK with loving our neighbor but when it comes to loving our God with EVERYTHING? Thats another story.
Could you imagine how the bride of Christ would explode if all those who truly professed to be followers of Jesus Christ tithed. And tithed with the right heart. Not only would finances not be an issue for churches but I believe more people would share their faith in a real way.
My 2 cents.....
Matthew 6:19-24
Many members (usually women) who are married seldom or never attend with thier spouse and may not have thier own income or have just a small income. If they were to tithe based on the other spouses income it would probably make for some bad relations. Some people give in othr ways and maybe tithe time instead of money.
ReplyDeleteShould we not be MORE generous as New Testament believers than those in the Old Testament who gave out of requirement?
ReplyDeleteI think an understanding of what the purpose of the original tithe was for would help people understand why it is still necessary for Christians to support the Church and its leaders.
ReplyDeleteThe tithe was meant to support the tribe of Levi, who had been set aside by God to be His priests and maintain the places of worship. They did not have any other income or means to support themselves. The people had to support them with their tithes.
We, as Christians, are no longer under the law, and therefore not required to give 10% of our increase. But we still need to support the men and woman of God who have dedicated their lives to serving God and his people.
Paul tells us to give cheerfully in 2 Corinthians:
2 Corinthians 9:5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
This does not just mean give money, but in our society money is what most of us have to give (other than our time, which is even more precious, as we can never get time back).
It is really just a matter of how much we believe God's promises to us that he will take care of our needs. God promises us that when we give cheerfully, He will make it so that we always have all sufficiency in all things.
But that takes an act of faith (believing). And the action would be giving.
So I guess I have to agree with other comments hear that it is a two-fold problem: Lack of understanding and lack of faith. I believe the best way to motivate people to become cheerful givers is through positive education and not guilt or fear.
- Rich
brownbible.com
Many do not tithe because of a lack of any financial accountability from their church. In many small churches, and perhaps some larger ones too, the finances are totally controlled by one or a few families.
ReplyDeleteHm...The poll showed people who don't tithe 10%? I wonder if that counts people who tithe less or more? Less is more than not at all.
ReplyDeleteOut of curiosity...does the Bible ever throw the number 10% around in a context where the government of the target audience is not a theocracy?