The OT Tradition of Tithing



These past days I have been having a wonderful conversation with my blogging friend Mike about giving and whether Christians are commanded to tithe. Here is my latest comment:

My issue with the tithe is really much more than the percentage. In the Old Testament it was established as a way to feed the priests and Levites enabling them to minister at the temple. The tithe was never monetary but given in the form of grain and animals. When it is taught this baggage comes with it:
  1. The clergy are now the NT priests and Levites;
  2. Money is substituted for food;
  3. The storehouse is now a church instead of the temple.
In my view this is simply not the way to challenge people to be generous but a way to keep the clergy employed and church buildings maintained.

Why not simply teach people to be generous and then trust the Lord to meet the needs of the clergy? Why revert to Old Testament methodology to feed them?

The other aspect is how clergy is often very poor stewards of the tithe. Pastors ask people to give sacrificially to support their own salaries then treat this giving as if there was no sacrifice involved at all.

Instead, why not tell people to support the poor? As we are all priests, why not call pastors to be bi-vocational and reduce the need for tithes that support Levitical/Clerical salaries. Why embrace an Old Testament style of worship when there is a New Testament model (of fishermen and tentmakers) that we can follow? Why follow the traditions of Judaism or Catholicism when we do not have to?


12 comments:

  1. As we are all priests, why not call pastors to be bi-vocational and reduce the need for tithes that support Levitical/Clerical salaries

    I couldn't agree more here. I am not sure why pastor is a full time job, I'm sure that they do more than I realize, but I wonder how much of that is in setting up programs to draw people in to fill the seats to insure their paycheck.

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    1. I think that it is a case of the proverbial tail wagging the dog Alice. Folks have become consumers of children and teen ministries as well as expectations of a speaker inspiring and educating them. And then there is the idea promulgated that people who sit together on Sunday mornings are some sort of "spiritual family". Once the cycle is begun there is not that can be done to "stop the madness". ツ

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  2. I agree that the tithe is part of the Law that is fulfilled in Christ. As in Jesus' other teachings, the law of love goes far beyond just a percentage to a life of sacrificial generosity flowing from the generosity given to us from our Father.

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    1. "a life of sacrificial generosity"

      Now that is quotable Fred!

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  3. My first thought about this is the dedication of the pastors in my own church. Churches are struggling these days, due to bad economy. Our senior pastor does not take a salary, and I admire him greatly. Other pastors are available to us night and day. I think of Paul in 1 Corinthians 9. I believe he is teaching that it is proper to pay the pastor materially for what he does.
    I worked for a non-profit ministry, and I was thankful for my salary. I didn't get bonuses, as in secular work, but I know the ministry was truly ministering to hurting people.
    I know there are abuses in churches, but I am happy to give my tithe, and also to give in offerings for the poor.

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    1. Thanks for weighing in Nonnie! We generously support our church but do not do it because we feel that it is mandated by an OT tradition. We do it because we love the ministry of the church. We also generously support several charitable non-profit groups that care for the poor.

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  4. Note to self: don't read so fast! I agree with you - it isn't mandated these days, it's from love. Sorry. I just jumped ahead in thinking about our church and our pastors. So thankful for them.

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  5. Hi KC Bob
    I have to agree with the comments of you and your readers. In other words its an extremely complex situation, as it would be good if priests were bi-vocational, but in a situation like that they would have less time for members of the church. So you win one case but lose in another case. BTW I am not a believer, but thought I would weigh in as I know this is a complex issue.

    Regards
    Christian

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    1. Thanks for commenting Christian. Interesting how you speak of clergy having less time for members of the church. Wondering what your experience has been concerning pastors/priests spending time with church members.

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    2. Hi KC Bob

      I have a few friends that have worked/work with the church as ministers. Just from hanging out with them and speaking about life I heard it can be a big challenge to fit everything in. Mostly they were younger guys/girls so the were also trying to balance personal relationships (pre marriage) and all other tasks.

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    3. Thanks Christian. Your comment speaks to me about why the idea of professional ministers is lacking. In some sense there will never be enough paid staff to care for everyone in church. I think that might be why the New Testament refers to all believers as priests.

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