As I conclude this series of posts I have found it fascinating to read several rebuttals to what I have written. I understand there are warm-hearted, born-again believers who will land in the “anti-tithe” square primarily due to the idea that “we are no longer under the Law”. This, of course, is both true and false. There is much “law” quoted in the New Testament which obviously reaffirms its relevance. At the same time, we understand that Christ fulfilled much of the law through the finality of His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. While it is true we no longer practice the Old Testament sacrificial requirements to be at peace with God (atonement), it is equally as true that the moral force of obedience to the 10 commandments is still expected under a New Covenant. The question arises as to what stays relevant under the New Covenant? Again, tithing gets caught in the crossfire of these discussions.
I understand the anti-tithe crowd cries, “Legalist”, when someone suggests that the tithe transcends the Law. The critique is that we have been freed from any expectation of obedience (as they conflate it with “works righteousness”), and now we are simply to be joyful, generous givers releasing whatever seems good to our heart.
I have patiently endured the epithets and criticism from those who espouse such things, but the question that I have that never gets answered is why I have yet to see such “liberated” Christians actually eclipse their tithing brethren in generosity? Again, this is just my observation and experience of 40+ years of vocational pastoral ministry. I have never seen, nor met, a passionate anti-tither practice generosity of more than 10%. In fact, my experience has been they meet the national average of 2%. Why, if grace has been so magnificent in your life, that your generosity response is less than those who are supposedly “under the law”? Where is your Macedonian generosity which gives beyond your ability? (2 Corinthians 8:3) Why, when Jesus raises the bar of obedience to something higher than the established “law”, does generosity diminish? I would think if the law said the action of adultery is prohibited, but Jesus raises the bar to “lust in the heart”, why would not the supposed tithing standard of the law be raised to a far greater percentage under grace? It appears that grace is simply a means to minimize one’s obedience under that framework.
But I digress…
This isn’t a hermeneutics discussion per se, but I understand what the tension is and obviously you can see where I land. Tithing is not solely extracted from the law. It is a precept embedded into the very fabric of God’s universe. Do you not find it interesting that even secular corporations designate 10% of their profits for charitable activities? There is a “spiritual law” (so to speak) at work in people’s hearts. We were designed to honor God with our resources and wealth.
Which leads me finally to principle 7:
The tithe is not designated. Designation is a happier word for, “control”. You do not control the Lord’s tithe.
Let’s return to the earlier principles. The tithe is the Lord’s. You are returning to Him what is already His. You return it with no strings attached. Now you can designate free-will offerings to your heart’s content and with the leadership of the Holy Spirit. However, the tithe are the monies which are returned without control. The tithe isn’t designated to the youth ministry, the choir, the production area, or the women’s ministry. All those ministries are under the direction and authority of the Pastor and the elders which are then appropriated to the work of the ministry. This is called, financial order.
Do people do this any way? Of course. It’s American Christianity and we are a church, temple, storehouse, and ministry unto ourselves in many cases. We are convinced that our pragmatism and spiritual autonomy eclipse biblical precept on many matters. The Israelites are not the only ones in history who have “done what was right in their own eyes.”
For me, this undesignated transaction is really is a liberating principle. As I return the tithe to the “storehouse” I am literally placing those monies back into the hands of God. Yes, the storehouse has a responsibility to steward those funds appropriately. If they do not, they shall be judged by the Lord as being reckless with His finances. But I don’t have to consternate over every expenditure as if “my money” was on the line. I have heard the sheep on occasion arise and say something to the effect, “What is the Church doing with OUR money?” Again, the eldership better be integral with the tithe, but you returned those monies to the Lord. It is HIS money.
I remember years ago a nationally known ministry came under fire for financial malfeasance. It was sickening and the Lord allowed the Philistine media to bring judgment to the doors of the ministry. Much of the criticism concerning this ministry was valid, but one point I contended over. The press would ask, “What about the widows, the financially strapped, the poor, who put their hard earned dollars into this ministry?” Here is my response, “My hope is that anyone who gave to this ministry gave it as unto the Lord and not unto men. If they put it in the Lord’s hands, He will multiply it back to them no matter the lack of stewardship. If they put it into men’s hands, they will be sorely disappointed.” I have both tithed and sowed offerings into persons and ministries which later was found to be less than integral. Am I disappointed over that discovery? Of course. However, my innocence in the practice and the faith I demonstrated in the transaction is still valid to the Lord because I did it unto HIM.
I have been on every side of the financial equations of a church. I have been a congregant, an elder, the senior pastor, and an apostolic presbyter on numerous occasions. I can tell you that whether I agree with every expenditure or not, I return the tithe and give my offerings as unto the Lord. I pray that those in charge will always be integral and sensitive to the Holy Spirit, as well as the laws of man, but my giving is as unto the Lord.
So as we conclude these 7 principles, my hope is that the practice of the tithe is transformed from dutiful obligation into joyful obedience to a millennial old precept of incredible blessing. It is the only precept where the Lord ostensibly “dares” you to test Him in this (Malachi 3:10). And maybe I should also say, trying to tithe is not a 90-day money back gimmick to solicit your participation. It is a heart revelation that will change the way you look at your resources.
If you would like to read the 7 principles over again, you can go to www.drkevinbaird.com and easily access this series.
Be blessed as you obey the voice of the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 28:1-12)
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