Question

Question: Greg,

A tithing question: I noticed that in your tithing Q&A that you consistently proclaim that there is not a New Testament basis for tithing. How do you reconcile your comments with Luke 11:42? Luke 11:42 (NIV) states the following: “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.”

The latter part of Jesus’ statement clearly indicates that Jesus did not want the Pharisees to neglect their tithes (i.e., leaving the former undone); however, he was more concerned with the Pharisees advancing justice and demonstrating their love for God. Please share with us your thoughts on why this exchange between Jesus and the Pharisees should not be interpreted as a New Testament basis for tithing.

I really enjoy your answers, so please continue to answer these difficult questions.

Also, I would appreciate it if you could forward some of your publications on tithing to me at the address provided below.

God bless.

Woodrow

Answer: Dear Woodrow,

Tithing, as a strict and definitive 10%, is part of the old covenant. The old covenant not only mandates an exact 10% be paid “on the increase” (and those who wish to follow this part of the old covenant without other portions always get involved in discussions about how to define the “increase”. Old Testament legalism always takes us into such Talmudic discussions); but the old covenant mandates two other tithes: one for observing Hebrew holy days, and another for the welfare of widows, orphans, and the needy.

1. There is no way to say that tithing, as prescribed in the old covenant, is in effect and required for Christians without saying that all three of these tithes (see Deuteronomy 14) are obligatory. We cannot pick and choose with God’s law.

2. Further, there is no way for a Christian who has accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord to insist on continuing any part of the old covenant. The New Testament has sin lists and virtue lists where the specifics of the new commandments given to us by Jesus are listed (see Galatians 5, Colossians 3, and 1 Corinthians 6). We do not find tithing, as an old covenant observance, listed. We do not find any old covenant law listed in these sin and virtue lists as it was in the old covenant, apart from what is generally known as the “moral law.”

3. Why this reference (in Luke 11 and Matthew 23)? The passage about which you ask does not mandate tithing for Christians. First, the context of this statement by Jesus: in Luke 11 this section is called the six woes. These are similar to the longer account in Matthew 23—a stinging indictment by Jesus of the legalism and judgmentalism that the old covenant gave rise to, and of course, by contrast, the new commandments he gave. Nothing in this passage can be understood as normative for Christians. Second, whom was he specifically addressing? The Jews and the Pharisees. Of course they should tithe, they were Jews under the old covenant. The new covenant had not yet come. The temple and the temple cults still stood, not to be destroyed until 69-70 (the ramifications of that date and its meaning for even Jewish Christians are carefully addressed in the book of Hebrews). Hebrews cannot be interpreted to teach tithing, in the old covenant sense.

4. We at PTM often mention that the word “tithing” can be used, and is, by Christians as a reference to offerings and gifts given to God because of the cross of Christ. Such references are not meant to convey the old covenant specifics about tithing, but a general principle that Christians are lavish givers, as God enables them, for we have tasted of the riches of God’s own grace. He lives within us, and therefore we are cheerful givers. God does love a cheerful giver.

5. We will send you our booklet on finances—hope you find it, and this answer, helpful.

May God bless you.

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht