THE CHRISTIAN AND TITHING

Mike Johnson

Should Christians tithe today?  This question is important.  Many people today speak about tithing, which involves giving one-tenth to God. But, is this practice applicable for Christians today?

Tithing was a part of the Law of Moses, and there are stringent regulations concerning it found in such passages as Leviticus 27:30-34, Deuteronomy 12:5-18, and Numbers 18:21-32. The Old Testament is the only place in the Bible where we can learn how to tithe. Thus, if we are going to tithe, we must learn about it there.

There are many practices which were a part of the old law, the Law of Moses, which are not a part of the new law, the Law of Christ. Some examples are animal sacrifices, the Levitical priesthood system, Sabbath (Saturday) worship, and worship at the temple in Jerusalem. The Bible teaches we are no longer under the old law (Col. 2:14-17, Rom. 7:6). Further, the old law was not even sufficient to take away sins (Heb. 10:1-4). Today, we are under the Law of Christ, which is called the perfect law of liberty (James 1:25). The Old Testament still has value, and we can learn much from it (Rom. 15:4), but, being removed by the death of Christ, it is not our law today.

Since the old law is no longer in effect, the practice of tithing is no longer binding. Does this mean Christians are not required to give to God? Indeed, it does not. While tithing is not a requirement of Christians in the New Testament, the Bible still teaches Christians are to give on the first day of the week. I Corinthians 16:1-2 says, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: on the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.” The New Testament does not state the exact percentage/amount one must give.  Instead, Christians are to give according to their prosperity, and the amount is up to us. Since God has not given us a specific amount, it might make matters even more difficult. We must make sure that what we contribute is enough to be pleasing to the Lord. We would not want to abuse this liberty and give less than God expects.