Question:
Dear Greg,
What
is today’s principle for tithing to your home church?
Thank
you for your faithfulness.
In
His name,
Char
Answer: Dear Char,
First,
the word “tithing.” If we are using it generally, to speak of the gifts that
Christians give to the church and ministries, then the use of it is appropriate.
If we are using it as an absolute requirement to give an exact 10%, and
no less, then we are not, as Christians, in and under the new covenant, using
the term correctly.
Some
churches use this old covenant term generally and are correct in doing so.
Others are dogmatic about all Christians, regardless of circumstances,
being required (at the very least) to give 10%.
There is nothing in the New Testament that justifies that.
The
New Testament teaches giving—generous giving.
But the initiative and decision about how much is left to the individual,
not a mandated percentage as it was under the old covenant.
In some ways, the New Testament teaching is more exacting, for we are
told that we are bought and paid for by the blood of Christ, and that God owns
us, all of us, not just 10%. Therefore
we are to give of our time, our talents and our treasures for the work of the
kingdom.
The
principle for giving to your home church is as follows: the Bible teaches, in
both old and new Testaments, that we should not muzzle the ox that treads out
the corn, that the laborer is worthy of his or her hire.
Christians should give to those places that minister to them, and those
churches and ministries that are doing a work to help others.
If one attends a “home church”, then gifts should be given to help
that church continue to minister. If
one occasionally attends another church, and benefits from its services, then
some support should be considered. If
Christians agree with, and see God’s work in para-church ministries and if
those ministries help them, then some support should be considered.
Hope
this helps.
In
Christ,
Greg Albrecht