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

WAS TITHING COMMANDED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT? (continued)

Did Jesus Collect and Pay Tithes?

Since Jesus lived His entire life under the Mosaic Law, tithe-advocates claim that Christ paid tithes. Not merely did he give a tenth of his income, they assert, but the Lord gave all that he possessed.

While it is true that Christ gave one-hundred percent of himself, there is no evidence that he tithed under the Mosaic Law. Why not? Jesus did not pay tithes because he, like his father Joseph, was a carpenter, not a farmer. Thus, Jesus did not have the requisites to meet the biblical of tithing under the law. The law of Moses only required farmers and herders within Israel to tithe. There were no stipulations to collect tithes from those who occupied trades apart from farming and herding since they did not possess the proper substances (fruit, grain, herd, flock).

In addition to alleging that Jesus paid tithes, tithe-proponents contend that Jesus received tithes during his earthly ministry. They base their argument on Hebrews 7:8. What we have here is another distortion of scripture. I will correct this misinterpretation later in this study when we examine the segment "The Order of Melchizedek."

In any event, Christ gave several discourses and allegories regarding monetary issues and financial stewardship, yet not at any time did he suggest that he was to be a recipient of tithing. In the Old Testament, the Levites, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow received tithes. Although Jesus lived under the old covenant law, the Lord did not fall into any of these groups of people.

Let us examine the following passage:

​

"Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities --- Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance." (Luke 8:1-3)

Here we observe Jesus traveling to various communities proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom of God. The twelve (12) disciples accompanied him as well as numerous women. In verse three, it is interesting to note that the women helped support Jesus and his disciples "from their substance." The NIV, ESV, Berean Study Bible, and several other versions render Luke 8:3 as "out of their own means." Suffice it to say there is not one Bible translation that exegetes this verse as Jesus and his disciples receiving a tithe for support.

Ananias and Sapphira

​

A fundamental aspect of giving is maintaining a proper attitude. In Acts 5:1-5, Ananias and Sapphira offer an example of an imprudent attitude. Some leaders in the church reference this account to promote tithing.

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God." Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. (Acts 5:1-5)

To enforce their psychological rhetoric, some pastors will couple the account of Ananias and Sapphira with Malachi 3:8-10. They allege that Ananias withheld a portion of his monetary tithe, and therefore, he was guilty of lying and stealing from God.

Here, we have another example of extreme abuse taking place in many of our churches. Some church leaders use these accounts to insinuate that God will curse you or kill you for failing to tithe.

Acts 5:1-5 has absolutely nothing to do with tithing money or anything else. In this account, Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of land to donate funds to the deprived living in Jerusalem. Ananias, however, chooses to falsify his measure of generosity.

​

Just as Ananias lied to the Holy Spirit about how much money he received from selling his property, many church leaders lie to the Holy Spirit by deceiving Christians to pay tithes.

In the words of Sir Walter Scott, he says:

"O, what a tangled web we weave; When first we practice to deceive!"

Those who continue to deceive others will eventually get trapped in their web of deceit and ultimately give an account to the Lord.

Did Paul Teach Tithing?

​

Paul clearly and passionately communicated new covenant principles of giving during his ministry. Except for Jesus, Paul spoke the most about the importance of giving. He never once, however, appealed to tithing for the new covenant church. In his first letter to Corinthian Church, Paul indicated that He had a right to receive support for preaching the gospel.

Don't we have the right to food and drink? Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas? Or is it only I and Barnabas who lack the right to not work for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk? Do I say this merely on human authority? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? For it is written in the Law of Moses: "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." Is it about oxen that God is concerned? Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? If others have this right of support from you, shouldn't we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. (1 Cor. 9:4-14)

​

Tithing proponents allude to verses eight (8) through fourteen (14) to establish a pastor’s lawful right to receive tithes for full-time ministry. They contend that since temple workers received tithes, so in the same manner, those who preach the gospel today should receive ten percent of our incomes. Is this what Paul is claiming?

Before responding to this question, I would like to point out again that the Levitical priests did not receive the entire tithe from the Jewish community. Their tenth was acquired from the Levites (the tithe of the tithe) every three years (Num. 18:26; Deut. 26:12-13). So, in effect, the Levitical priests received one percent (1%) from the people every three years. This averages to point three-three percent (.33%) yearly. Moreover, tithing had no connection with temple construction and maintenance. Factually, it was a source of food for the Levites, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. That is in sharp contrast with the manner of tithing to ministries today.

Now, to understand 1 Corinthians 9:4-14 in proper context, let’s begin with verse seven. Notice how Paul states that soldiers, farmers, and shepherds receive compensation for their services.

1) Abram, Moses, and David paid their soldiers (Gen. 14:24; Num. 31:27; 1 Sam. 30:22-25).

2) Farmers who plant vineyards eat its fruit (Deut. 20:6).

3) Shepherds drink milk from the flock they tend (1 Chr. 4:39-41; Luke 2:8).

In verse nine, Paul reiterates Christ’s moral principle that workers have the right to enjoy the rewards of their labor (Matt.10:10, Luke 10:7, 1 Tim. 5:18).

"… nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food." (Matt. 10:10)

"And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house." (Luke 10:7)

For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages." (1 Tim. 5:18)

​

In 1 Corinthians 9, verses 13 to 14, Paul compares Levitical priests and gospel workers. Just as old covenant Levitical priests received compensation for work performed, gospel workers today have a right to receive support for preaching and teaching. However, it is today’s method of support that is in question. Predetermined notions and defective exegesis have led some leaders in the church to ignore what Paul was communicating in this passage.

Paul was an expert in old covenant law and new covenant grace. He knew it would be illegal to claim rights to a tithe since there was no longer a Levitical Priesthood. Thus, if we consider the entire passage in context instead of conveniently selected verses out of their context, it should become evident that Paul was affirming the eternal moral principle of compensation for work performed rather than an individual prescribed tithing principle.

"Paul's vocabulary and teaching suggest that giving is voluntary and that there is no set percentage. Following the example of Christ who gave even his life (2 Cor. 8:9), we should cheerfully give as much as we have decided (2 Cor. 9:7) based on how much the Lord has prospered us (1 Cor. 16:2), knowing that we reap in proportion to what we sow (2 Cor. 9:6) and that we will ultimately give account for our deeds (Rom. 14:12)." (Elwell, Water A., [tithing] Editor, Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of the Bible, Page 207)

Let’s examine the following passage:

"Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. But whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house.' And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you." (Luke 10:3-8)

Notice that the needs of the disciples were to be supplied by freewill offerings, not tithes. And these offerings were denoted as "wages" (“for the worker deserves his wages.”).

​

Paul was a great man of integrity. Under no circumstances did he ever deceive anyone with his erudition of old covenant laws to skillfully extort money in the form of tithes. Paul was a man who genuinely loved God and believed in the principles of faith, love, and grace. He was more interested in building love than acquiring possessions from illegal tithes or other ambiguous means. Paul's love for people, rather than money, is demonstrated in the following passage:

"Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you. And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself." (2 Cor. 11:7-9)

Paul did not want to be a burden to the Corinthian church. Thus, although he had a right to receive support, Paul taught the gospel free of charge. Nevertheless, he still needed financial assistance. Therefore, Paul accepted additional support from the Macedonian church and other churches while teaching in Corinth. In this way, Paul says he "robbed other churches." He used this expression to make the Corinthians aware that other churches were helping them.

​

Paul was faithful to God's law, and he did not waver to caution churches about sin. If the Corinthians were supposed to pay ten percent of their income, Paul could be held responsible for influencing them to break that law by refusing to demand tithes. Paul's language does not imply that he was granting lenience for the Corinthians to break the law or that they were sinning by way of a violation of a tithing regulation. Yet, many professing pastors today will resort to scripture twisting and psychological tactics to mislead their congregants into believing they are required to hand over ten percent of their hard-earned money each time they get paid. And if they defy paying their tithes, then they are guilty of robbing God.

Next: Did Paul Work for a Living?

Table of Contents