A CLOSER LOOK AT TITHING
EXPOSING THE ERRORS
By: Victor T. Stephens
"People often claim to hunger for truth, but seldom like the taste when it's served up."
~ George R.R. Martin
INTRODUCTION
The Bible commands us to watch our lives and doctrine closely because the time will come when many will not adhere to sound doctrine (1 Tim. 4:16; 2 Tim. 4:3). In modern mainstream churches, however, many leaders hold the esoteric view that they are immune from criticism and possess the exclusive authority and proficiency of interpreting the scriptures of the Bible. According to God’s word, such a vainglorious consensus is invalid.
Paul, the apostle, was the most prolific writer of the New Testament. Despite his greatness, the Bereans “searched the scriptures daily to find out whether these things (which Paul taught) were so” (Acts 17:11). These people of noble character examined the scriptures for themselves rather than blindly assuming that his interpretations were scripturally accurate. The Bereans proved to be an ideal example of people who closely studied and upheld the truth of the Word of God.
Following the Berean paradigm, I have discovered that many doctrines taught in the modern church comprise an intermixture of truth, human traditions, legalism, and false doctrines. One such aberration is the indoctrination of monetary tithing for the new covenant believer. For many years leaders in the church have subtly and flagrantly misapplied the laws of Old Testament tithing by strategically “cherry-picking” isolated parts of scriptures to redefine the context and statutes of the biblical tithe. Tithing is so entrenched in most Christian churches that it has become popularly accepted as a foundational truth without a careful hermeneutical study of the biblical and historical facts.
WHAT WE WILL STUDY
“A Closer Look at Tithing” takes an in-depth look at many of the proof-text claims used by advocates of mandatory tithing. It will show some dramatic distinctions between Old Testament tithing laws and today’s tithing principles taught in our modern churches. We will examine the historical facts about tithing, the practice of tithing before the Mosaic Law, tithing during the law, whether the early church enforced tithing in the new covenant, and much more. I will prove that the indoctrination of monetary tithing as a law or guideline has no legitimate standing within the new covenant church.
I desire that you read the scriptures with me. Therefore, rather than citing the Books, chapters, and verses, “A Closer Look at Tithing” will liberally document scriptures written in their entirety. Reading these verses in print and context will have an improved impact as you follow along and crosscheck in your own Bible. As the facts unveil, the routine omission of significant historical and biblical facts by tithing proponents in the modern church might stagger many of you. It will become clear that tithing as taught today is misleading and fraudulent.
Although many deceitful men come in the name of God, let us not use this publication or any personal resentment as an argument against responsible giving. As believers in Christ, we should wisely manage our resources and uphold an attitude of love and generosity towards those in need. That includes those who have been legitimately prepared and sent to preach and teach the gospel.
OPPOSITIONS TO THE TRUTH
Believers who are earnestly seeking the verity of God’s Word should rejoice in the truthfulness of the scriptures without objections. Sincere and humble men of God do not become fearful or stiff-necked when someone challenges their teachings. And I hope readers of this book will humble themselves and rethink their views if they support monetary tithing.
However, because of man’s obstinate Pharisaical devotion to traditions and love for money, many will shut their minds to reason and oppose my teachings on this issue despite the crushing facts. As a result, I expect some sneering, grumbling, and other forms of push-back from haughty false teachers who propagate error for personal financial gain (Isaiah 56:11; Micah 3:11; 2 Cor. 2:17; 1 Tim. 6:9-10; 2 Peter 2:1-3).
On account false teachers are increasing in number and influence, I foresee similar disparagement from their poignant and loyal supporters, particularly those who tithe pompously (2 Tim. 4:3-4). However, from my experience communicating with many tithing proponents through personal dialogue, emails, and social media, I expect that a significant number of individuals will ignore the truth by engaging in logical fallacies and cognitive dissonance.
COGNITIVE DISSONANCE
What is cognitive dissonance? From an apologetic perspective, “Cognitive Dissonance” is an adverse reaction where people purposely shade their eyes and harden their minds to any biblical evidence which opposes and threatens their preferred doctrines. Those who employ cognitive dissonance use one or more ego-defense mechanisms to rationalize and preserve their core beliefs. Many people would rather maintain their biblical error than reexamine and retract their present-held viewpoint. In the words of Frantz Fanon, he states:
"Sometimes people hold a core belief that is very strong. When they are presented with evidence that works against that belief, the new evidence cannot be accepted. It would create a feeling that is extremely uncomfortable …. And because it is so important to protect the core belief, they will rationalize, ignore and even deny anything that doesn’t fit in with the core belief." (Frantz Fanon, "Black Skin, White Masks")
The love of money is the primary motivating force of cognitive dissonance among false teachers. They aim to continue to disseminate erroneous doctrines onto compliant ears. They desire a posture of irrefutability, hoping not to get challenged with intelligent questions that expose the inconsistencies in their teachings.
Unlike false teachers, not every pastor or minister who teaches tithing is secretly seeking financial gain. While their motives may be sincere, they are functioning out of their own heart. They presume God appointed them to the pastoral position.
Many of these pastors who have subscribed to a tithing system accommodate cognitive dissonance while suppressing quality judgment skills. They are usually very fearful and biased. And thus, they are reluctant to discuss the facts about tithing. They do not believe their congregations will give sufficiently to support them and meet the financial cost of maintenance. These pastors urge Christians to trust in God, but they lack faith in receiving support themselves. Therefore, many churches indoctrinate a forced tithing system as a matter of self-preserving expediency. In the words of R.C.H. Lenski, he says:
"A large number have had no faith or too little faith in complete voluntariness. They fear that this will not bring the needed and the desired sums. So they devise substitutes, all kinds of systems, schemes, and methods that seem to promise more than the giver’s own entirely free volition. Instead of depending wholly on such volition and stimulating it by means of pure gospel motivation as Paul does here, they use a little or great deal of legalism which acts as pressure, or they stoop to worldly, often rankly worldly, methods. So Christian voluntariness declines more and more. The odor of legalism and of worldliness makes the 'gifts' so obtained nauseating in the nostrils of God. The harvest of real blessings is lost? Tithing is Jewish. Applying a little Christian varnish changes nothing. Paul was reared as a Jew. If tithing could have been Christianized, the man who could and would have done it was Paul, and no better opportunity offered itself than this great collection which he planned for all his churches simultaneously. Paul shunned tithing. All the apostles shunned it. Not one word of Jesus favors it. His very mention of tithing is severely derogatory (Mat. 23:23; Luke 11:42; 18:12). The only other mention of it in the New Testament is purely historical (Heb. 7:5-9). Is this not enough? More than enough! ‘Each one just as he has chosen for himself in heart!'" (Lenski, R. C. H., "The Interpretation of I and II Corinthians," Pages 1170-1172)
Pride, an ego defense mechanism of cognitive dissonance, is another factor among self-appointed teachers. They have been teaching tithing for so long that it is difficult to face up to the truth and find the humility to admit they are wrong. Shambled by stagnated maturity, traditions, presumptions, and personal biases, tithing has become ingrained in their attitude. The notion that “I’ve made up my mind and nothing you say will change it. So, don’t confuse me with the facts” gives the impression that accepting correction will be difficult, if not unfeasible. They will judge the errors of other teachers in the church, but when we debunk their inaccuracy, they engage in cognitive dissonance.
Next: Is Tithing an Essential Issue?
