Alright, so as promised here are my thoughts on why enforcing the Law of Tithing given in the Torah undermines the purpose of giving spoken about by Jesus and demonstrated by the early church.
First, let’s look at the purpose of the Law of Tithe. When Israel was forming its nation in the wilderness, they were instructed to pay Tithe for the purpose of supporting the Levites. Israel was divided into 12 tribes after the 12 sons of Jacob (later renamed Israel). One of those tribes was the tribe of Levi (no they didn’t invent denim either), who were chosen by God to oversee the day to day operations of the Tabernacle (or the place that was dedicated for worship). Because of this responsibility, the Levites would have no source of income. So, it was decided that the other 11 tribes would give a portion of their provisions to provide for their brother tribe. It was never intended to be a Law that was enacted for the purpose of “receiving Blessing” it was put in place as a communal law so that the entire community would thrive together.
Next, let’s fast forward to Jesus’ day. There was a practice that the Pharisees were undergoing that helped them avoid their civic responsibilities. Because in addition to the Law of Tithing there were other Laws that stated that the children were responsible to care for the aging parents as well as laws that stated that it was the responsibility of those who were more fortunate to give to those who were in need. In order to avoid these laws the Pharisees were dedicating all of their possessions to God and the work of the Temple. When they did this it allowed them to continue to live off of their wealth and also avoid certain taxes as well as the giving responsibilities because they were technically destitute because all they had belonged to God (Almost like the tax-exempt status the church enjoys in modern times). Jesus had several altercations with the Pharisees over this because by following the law to the letter they were missing the point of why the law was established.
We also can look at the practice of giving by the early church and see that there was never a forced standard when it came to the early Christians supporting their cause. What we do see is in celebration of their ever changing community, people giving out of their abundance to help the poor and hungry around them. We also we an instance were two people tried to give in order to get more in return and wound up being struck dead due to their irreverence (Makes me wonder why some people focus so much on “Sowing into God’s Kingdom” and “You can’t out give God” when that only fosters the same attitude that Ananias and Sephira had?). In fact, other then the Book of Acts, the only time giving is mentioned is when Paul was on his campaign to collect money for the Jerusalem Christians who were starving due to famine.
Finally, let’s look at our modern times. The term Tithe is used today to describe the money that is given to a church so that it can support itself, in line with the Old Testament. The money that is collected goes to support the staff, the grounds, the mortgage and a small percentage goes to Missionaries that the church decided to support so that it can boast about how it is helping the gospel to spread to every nation. In most cases the church has such overhead that they have to remind their congregation to give at least once a month. In rare cases as well, the church doesn’t raise enough money through tithe that they have to have fund raisers as well to collect money for Sunday School Curriculum and any event that the teenagers want to do. In this modern age of “super churches” we often find that the majority of the people giving are people who are barely keeping their head above water financially and are guilted or tricked into giving because they feel that God will only lead them out of such a situation if the give.
In my opinion, this practice is causing people to loose sight of the purpose of giving in the first place. The purpose is to take care of one another as a community. The purpose is to find the needs of others and help them, as a community. I am in no way saying that I do not believe in supporting those who dedicate their careers to serving a church, but what I am saying is that Missions and Community Outreach should not just be an extra thought to what is collected – it should be the bulk of what is collected. People shouldn’t be told that they have a responsibility to give; they should be shown and discipled how to give through the example of those who lead. There is too much brokenness in this world for the church to be looking to build its separate utopian society. A man I respect highly once shared the statement “In the absence of light; darkness prevails, so I am out trying to save the world”. I hate tithing because it keeps focused inwardly. I love giving because it keeps us focused outwardly.
Father, may I give all I have as freely as you gave to me!
AP Neviusology 401
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3 comments:
"We also we an instance were two people tried to give in order to get more in return and wound up being struck dead due to their irreverence (Makes me wonder why some people focus so much on “Sowing into God’s Kingdom” and “You can’t out give God” when that only fosters the same attitude that Ananias and Sephira had?)."
I have to admit. When I read that, I chuckled heartily.
I had a conversation quite similar to what you've written here today. Good stuff...good stuff.
Just a thought,
Giving is from the heart.....
2 Cor 9:7
7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
In fact giving can best be understood as a free will love offering in the context of the New Testament Church-Paul commanded us to give as we purpose in our heart. If the amount is a fixed one, like the traditional one tenth, there will be no need to purpose in one's heart anymore!!
Again, just a thought.
I've been trying to get to this post for awhile (Obviously, titled as it is, it was the first that jumped out at me). I don't know if now is the right time but I'll tell you without reading it the exact thing you said about the Levites makes sense (because it's "right"?). If you look back at Moses giving a tithe to Malky (I don't feel like looking up the spelling, you know who I me, the priest king guy) he was tithing to a man.
Now being in the wandering mode I've been in (despite being back in two different churches for the most part) I don't tithe to them. I tithe to my brothers and sisters and it's always more than the 10% (which I know is a standard you as well have held to though you'd never blow your own trumpet). For example I have a friend going to India who ministers a lot and she'd be fine doing it for free, however, when people promise to pay her, and then don't, or take several weeks to get her the pay they promised. That pisses me off a lot. She is also forced out of the money she makes to tithe to the district. In jest, with some truth behind it, I told her she should send them an unsigned check and let them know when the churches in the district start paying her what THEY promised, she'd sign it. Given this is not all churches. However, since I've been back in touch with her it seems to come up again and again. I'd average it a kind 50%. That's pathetic. How many of these Pastor's do you think let a week go by without taking their cut? I'd guess the kind average would be around 1%.
Yet, they are the ones who preach to tithe or your robbing God (a passage that is found in Malachi in response to Israel not fixing Gods house). However, if you read the surrounding verses much of the book is targeting ministers not the lay members (or seem to).
ALSO, in Numbers 18 (where it's all set up), the Levites get the tithe of the people as their inheritance. The didn't also get houses paid for by the church (in most cases). The didn't own any land. Their birthright was spiritual, and as a result they should have no problem serving God alone without worrying about money. If I had my food covered, and my housing covered, I could minister forever for free. What else would I need? Those are the needs.
Nowadays you have megachurches with ministers having up close parking spaces to park their brand new cars, after leaving their big houses. I'm not saying these things are wrong, however, all along their are lay people giving out of their need into these people's excess. This makes me want to get in my car and drive around burning these buildings down. However, if I do that I wouldn't be acting out in love; besides it would just be more of a strain on the congregation that's already being raped.
My question is, is that what the tithe is for? Is that what God had in mind? And if these ministers aren't Levites, than they're stealing the tithe by the Law. I'm to tired to go any further because I don't feel I'm being very accurate in my statements - it's not clicking.
My final question is. Could it be that Paul was a tentmaker not only because he didn't want to be a burden but because if I'm remember correctly, he is from the tribe of Benjamin and not Levi?
|myk|
PS: I'll probably delete this when I have a better one to replace it with. Anyhow, I agree with you on the tithe and it being distorted and misused. Those who have much should share with those who have little...
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