Question: I have a question about tithing. I understand that everything belongs to God and I am only a manager of his blessings. I also understand that in the Old Testament there was required giving and offerings and that God never commanded 10%. Since we are under the new covenant, what is our responsibility for giving?

Dan

Answer: Hello, Dan

No dogmatic or definitive guidelines are given in the new covenant for tithing. The New Testament bases principles of Christian stewardship upon giving and love, which are, in fact, higher standards and far more exacting than a strict percentage given under the old covenant.

The new covenant does not release us from tithing – in fact, we are told that we are bought with a price, and Jesus owns all of us. Not just a tithe of our increase, as under the old covenant. He owns us – our time, talents, and treasures. Loving and giving are morally superior and more spiritually demanding, convicting, and compelling than are mere percentages and fractions. Christians are told in the new covenant to give willingly, out of a cheerful heart, according to how God has blessed us, etc. etc. Giving for the Christian springs from a cheerful heart.

Some Christians do not like to use the word "tithe" because for them it smacks of the old covenant. But many Christians use the term to describe their faithful and loving response to their Lord and Savior, and do not feel it is a yardstick or required approach to their giving.

Hope this helps, Dan.

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht