Question:  Dear Greg,

        I would really appreciate your help.  I have a dilemma over what is the right thing to do.  My pastor holds to a different view than I do on tithing.  At first I just ignored it, thinking it would not be a big issue.  However, as of late he has been really pouring it on.  He teaches that the Bible says in the book of Malachi that if we don’t tithe (which he stresses is 10%) we are robbing God.  Not only that, but we are under a curse and not able to experience the full blessings that God wants to give us.  I know from my study of the Scriptures that this teaching is false. 

        The first thing that I would say is that we must take into account that this passage is directed toward the nation of Israel, who at the time this passage was written were still under the covenant that God made with them when he brought them out of Israel.  Secondly, I would say that if this passage applies (in the sense he teaches) to Christians, who are under the covenant of Christ, then the Bible doesn’t make much sense.  If we are to tithe in the way that Israel was instructed to tithe, we would have to be consistent.  That means we would have to keep all of it to the tee or none of it all.

            Thirdly, I would say that if that were the case, why does the New Testament nowhere mention that we should be keeping a tithe?  Instead, it talks about giving from the heart and not in a legalistic manner.  Finally, I wold say that no follower of Christ is under a curse!  The Bible clearly says that we are no longer cursed because Christ became a curse for us when he was crucified, taking our rightful punishment upon himself.  Furthermore, if we are followers of Christ we are not missing out on any blessings because the Bible says that through Christ we have all the blessings we could ever have.  So here is my dilemma.  I don’t know whether I should write him a letter explaining this.  Should I talk to him face to face?  Should I leave my church family because of his dangerous teachings?  Should I ignore them and hope they go away?

I have prayed to God that he would guide my pastor to teach sound doctrine on this issue, but maybe he expects me to do something about it.  I am really confused as to what I should or should not do.  I will continue to pray about this matter, but I would value any advice you might have for me.

Thanks.

Your brother in Christ,

        Ray

Answer:  Dear Ray,

        In my opinion you have done a superb job in laying out the Christian case against mandatory, 10% tithing.  The idea that a pastor would say that Christians are under a curse if they do not subscribe to a part of the old covenant law not only ignores the fact that, as you say, Jesus became a curse for us (Galatians 3:13)— BUT— what he is saying is the very opposite of what the New Testament says.  Galatians 3:10 says that “all who rely on observing the law are under a curse.”

        The idea that unless we do or don’t do something we will “miss out” on blessings from God is religious legalism— far removed from the freedom in Christ given to us by God’s grace.  There are many pastors and churches within Christianity that use the word “tithe” as your pastor does.  However, they are exceeding their authority, whatever their motive may be, in attempting to impose part of the old covenant upon the people to God.

        Enough commentary on the subject that you have defended biblically and logically--here are some practical points, some of which you raise.

        First, an issue that you did not mention.  Motive of the pastor?  Pastors are almost always the front line of fund raising, budget balancing and bill paying for a congregation.  It is their job to promote stewardship and responsible, Christ-centered giving.  Sometimes pastors motivate parishioners with less than biblical calls for giving.  So, in defense of your pastor, he may simply be attempting to keep the lights on, the air conditioning running and the heater working in the winter.  This does not excuse him, of course, for unbiblical teaching.

        In actual fact, pastors have an opportunity to present a more exacting level of giving, as outlined in the New Testament.  The new covenant in Jesus’ blood does not limit our giving any more than giving dogmatic, ironclad percentages.  It may be that some Christians should exceed the old covenant requirement in their giving because they are able to do so.  Furthermore, giving under the new covenant involves all of us— presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice, giving of our time and talents as well as treasures.

        To the specific questions you raise.  Yes, you should discuss this with your pastor.  Whether you do so by letter or in person is a judgment call.  My guess is that if you begin to communicate your misgivings by letter you will wind up discussing this topic in person.

        We are all part of the priesthood of believers, and thus have a responsibility to question unbiblical teaching that departs from authentic Christianity.  So I believe that you have a God-given responsibility to broach this matter— and I am sure you will do so respectfully.

        As for changing a church family on such an issue— there is no reason not to consider this.  As Christians we are part of the body of Christ, and we are led by Jesus Christ.  In some cases we are “placed” in the part of the body we are in, and in other cases we make the choice.  Christians are not under obligation to remain in a place where some error is being taught.  Sometimes Christians do stay in such a church— and there is nothing necessarily wrong with such a practice.  However, Christians must also consider their own spiritual health as they exist within a spiritually dysfunctional environment— what Jesus called the leaven of the Pharisees.  If you must change your spiritual address, then you must.

        My prayers will be with you as you prayerfully deal with this challenge.

        In Christ,

        Greg Albrecht