Tag Archives: biblical tithing

Balancing Support and Self-Support in Ministry

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God sometimes supports His ministers through the agency of others who serve as conduits of His grace. The Gospel of Luke informs us that Jesus and His twelve disciples were financially supported by several women who traveled with them (Luke 8:1-3). Luke tells us these women included “Mary, who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means” (Luke 8:2b-3). Jesus and His disciples’ daily needs were met because of the gracious contributions of these women. Discipleship involves stewarding one’s material possessions for God’s purposes, and the willingness of these women to support Jesus’ ministry reveals hearts that are aligned with His will.

A Man WorkingHowever, there are also times when God expects His ministers to support themselves through a trade or employment. In such cases, God expects them to remain faithful to their ministry and not compromise His Word. In the New Testament, we learn that the Apostle Paul worked to support himself financially while continuing to engage in regular ministry. He did this so he could freely “offer the gospel without charge” to others (1 Cor 9:18; cf. 2 Cor 11:17). When preaching in Ephesus, he said, “I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me” (Acts 20:33-34). To the Christians in Thessalonica, Paul wrote, “For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God” (1 Th 2:9). In his second letter to them, he emphasized, “we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; not because we do not have the right to this, but to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example” (2 Th 3:8-9). This ethic aligns with Jesus’ instructions to His disciples when He told them to preach to the lost sheep of Israel, saying, “Freely you received, freely give” (Matt 10:8). Jesus expected His disciples to engage in ministry without seeking personal gain, embodying the principle of grace.

Christians who receive free teaching from their pastor-teacher should also freely offer their support for the work he does. However, if they don’t, the pastor is still obligated to continue his ministry because he is under divine orders to “preach the word” (2 Tim 4:2). Like Jonah (Jonah 1:1) and Jeremiah (Jer 1:5), Paul was commissioned by the Lord to preach His Word to others (Acts 26:16-17; Gal 1:15). Understanding his divine commission, Paul said, “I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel” (1 Cor 9:16). Paul’s marching orders were to preach, even if others did not recognize his calling or support him. Paul faced many hardships, stating, “To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless; and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now” (1 Cor 4:11-13). Paul was committed to his ministry calling, regardless of his circumstances. It is ironic that some pastors will claim they are “called by God” to preach His Word but then condition their ministry on the financial support of others. Such men are no better than the corrupt priests and prophets in Micah’s day who “instruct for a price” and “divine for money” (Mic 3:11; cf. Jer 6:13). Nonsense! Preach the word! Have faith! God will provide! Bible teachers should maintain doctrinal integrity and not allow financial pressures to dictate the content or direction of their teaching. Reliance on God is a critical aspect of spiritual leadership.

A Man Eating BreadA pastor who does not like to hear this should check his attitude. If he teaches others to be content with “food and covering” (1 Tim 6:8), he should be content with the same. If he teaches others not “to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy” (1 Tim 6:17), he should model this attitude himself. This does not mean a pastor cannot or should not enjoy support and prosperity if the Lord provides it, but his commission as a minister should not depend on it. Paul said, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:11-13).

A pastor can and should make ministry needs known, giving others the opportunity to support him freely. This is valid. However, he must never condition his ministry on financial support or resort to pressure tactics such as guilt or shaming, which coerce people to give grudgingly or by compulsion. That is wrong. Paul explained that giving must be done with the right attitude, for “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:7). If you ever feel coerced to give, don’t! Either give freely and cheerfully, or keep it for yourself. It is better not to give at all than to give grudgingly or under compulsion. Your attitude matters to God.

Dr. Steven R. Cook

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The Biblical Teaching on Tithes

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tithe

I took this picture with my camera phone while passing through an apartment complex one day.  The person living in the apartment apparently thought the message important enough to stick on the front of her door for others to read as they passed by.  It certainly reveals her theology.  So, will you “tithe if you love Jesus”?

 The word tithe means “to give a tenth.” Prior to the giving of the Mosaic Law (ca. 1445 B.C.), we see an example of Abraham giving Melchizedek a tenth of the spoils of war which he had accumulated after he had defeated Chedorlaomer at the Valley of Shaveh (Gen 14:17-20). Later, Jacob made a vow to give God a tenth of his possessions if God would be faithful to protect him on a journey (Gen 28:20-22). In the accounts of Abraham and Jacob, there was no mandate from heaven for them to give a tenth, and when they did give a tenth, it appears to be a one-time act, never repeated as far as Scripture is concerned. It was not until several centuries later that tithing became mandatory for the nation of Israel when they entered into the Mosaic Covenant and came under the Mosaic Law.

When God established the nation of Israel as a theocracy under the leadership of Moses and Aaron (ca.1445 B.C.), He gave them 613 commandments known as the Mosaic Law. This law-code was designed to regulate the values and behavior of the citizens of the nation, morally, religiously, socially, economically, etc. Within the Mosaic Law, God required Israel to pay several tithes, which was tantamount to a form of taxation. According to Ross, “The so-called tithe (‘a tenth’) added up to far more than a simple 10% annually, because there was a second tithe annually, and a third tithe in the third and fifth years…In the Old Testament economy all the giving covered the sanctuary offerings for God, the taxes for the nation, and charitable gifts all rolled together.”[1]

The tithe consisted of produce and livestock (Lev 27:30-32), and was given to the Levites for their support for ministry (Num 18:21-24). The Levites, in turn, gave a tithe of the tithe to the Priests for their service (Num 18:25-28). Additionally, the worshipper could eat a portion of the sacrifice with his family and the Levites (Deut 12:17-19; 14:22-27). Lastly, a tithe was taken every third year to help the poor, the alien, the orphans and the widows. This tithe was comparable to a social welfare system for the most unfortunate in society.  Moses wrote, “At the end of every third year you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in that year, and shall deposit it in your town. The Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance among you, and the alien, the orphan and the widow who are in your town, shall come and eat and be satisfied, in order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do” (Deut 14:28-29)

tithe-storehouseThe tithe was to be gathered into a “storehouse” (הָאוֹצָר בֵּית – bet ha otsar; Mal 3:10), which referred to a large room where “they put the grain offerings, the frankincense, the utensils and the tithes of grain, wine and oil prescribed for the Levites, the singers and the gatekeepers, and the contributions for the priests” (Neh 13:5). Withholding the tithe was a form of robbery to God, the Levites, and the less fortunate in society who depended on it for daily living (Mal 3:6-11).

Non-tithers-boardSome pastors have grievously misapplied Malachi 3:8–10 by imposing it upon the Church, using the passage as a means to coerce believers through guilt and intimidation into financial giving. In extreme cases, some have demanded access to members’ tax returns or have publicly displayed individual contributions as a method of exerting social pressure. The misuse of this Old Testament text reveals both a lack of sound hermeneutical understanding and a deficiency in spiritual maturity among church leaders. In its original context, Malachi 3:8–10 pertains to Israel under the Mosaic Law, not to the Church of Jesus Christ in the present dispensation.

To be clear, Israel and the Church are both God’s people, but Israel was under “the Law” of Moses (John 1:17), whereas the Church is under the “Law of Christ” (1 Cor 9:11; Gal 6:2). Israel had a priesthood that was specific to the tribe of Levi (Num 3:6-7), whereas all Christians are priests to God (Rev 1:6). Israel worshipped first at the Tabernacle and later the Temple (Ex 40:18-38; 2 Chron 8:14-16), but for Christians, their body is the temple of the Lord and they gather locally where they want (1 Cor 6:19-20; cf. 1 Cor 16:19; Col 4:15). Israel offered animal sacrifices to God (Lev 4:1-35), but Christians offer spiritual sacrifices (1 Pet 2:5; cf. Rom 12:1; Heb 13:15). Israel was required to tithe from the produce of their land (Deut 14:22-23; 28-29; Num 18:21), but there is no tithe required from Christians, only a joyful attitude when giving, “for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:7).

To Christians, the apostle Paul mentions systematic giving (1 Cor 16:1-2), but nowhere specifies an amount. Giving 10% of one’s income is fine, so long as it is understood that it’s a voluntary action and not required by the Lord. One could easily set aside a different amount to be given on a regular basis. Certainly, the financial support of the Pastor is in line with Scripture (Gal 6:6; 1 Tim 5:17-18), although the apostle Paul supported himself in his own ministry as an example to others of sacrificial living (Acts 20:32-35). Giving systematically and giving joyfully is consistent with the teaching of the New Testament (1 Cor 16:1-2; 2 Cor 9:7).

Lastly, we should realize all we have is on loan from God, for “the earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it” (Psa 24:1). The Lord declares, “every beast of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psa 50:10), and “‘The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine’, declares the LORD of hosts” (Hag 2:8). When we give to the Lord, it’s a test of our love and loyalty to Him; for what we give is already His, and giving back to Him means we trust and support His work in the world. David captures this well when he says, “who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from You, and from Your hand we have given You” (1 Ch 29:14).

Steven R. Cook, D.Min., M.Div.

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[1] Allen P. Ross, Malachi Then and Now: An Expository Commentary Based on Detailed Exegetical Analysis (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016), 156.