October 27, 2010
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Church Tithing (Giving to God)
This issue has come up at my church a bit recently among a few different people: should the church help keep members accountable for tithing or is money an issue that shouldn’t be touched? Here is my personal take (speaking for myself, not for my church)…
Malachi 3:8-12 is very clear about the blessings and curses for tithing and not tithing. I have known many Christians who are financially cursed. They are constantly scrambling to pay the bills and they aren’t sure how their money is disappearing. And it almost always turns out that they stopped tithing at some point. On the other hand I know countless Christians, including my parents and myself, who have been financially blessed and have always had more than enough, while tithing and also giving offerings joyfully. I know the goodness and faithfulness of God. As a pastor in the church I do not want any of the members cursed. I want them blessed. I want them walking in righteousness with God.
There are expectations for members to live by faith and live in obedience to God’s commands. I do not want for any members to model lives of unbelief to new believers or to outsiders. I do not want any curses over members in the church. If a member were struggling financially or were lacking the faith to tithe (say they are a new believer) then there is of course grace and exceptions. And if the member were in great need I would expect for the church to in turn help support them through their trying time. But there is still the understanding of the truth behind Malachi 3 and I would hope for that member to soon grow stronger and be able to trust in the Lord with the tithe. Accountability is meant to protect and love the church, not police and harass the church. It needs to be seen and understood that way. If I knew of a brother acting in a way that could open him up to curses or bad consequences, I would want to step in and help him out. Love would act in that situation. The heart behind the accountability and the expectations need to be understood.
Tithing is not a matter of earning acceptance or paying dues, it’s a matter of health.
Once again, these were all my personal thoughts on this subject. If you are at New Philly and would like to discuss this further then please contact me by phone or talk with me at church. And just so you know, I don’t receive any salary from the church so there is no personal agenda here.
God bless!
