On Tithing

While tithing wasn’t the central feature of yesterday’s message, it has spawned discussion about the concept of tithing.  While risking committing the very sin Jesus is condemning in Matthew 23:23-24, I do want to share the following thoughts about tithing.  Many people think tithing is a neglected spiritual duty in worship rarely taught to young Christians.  Others believe the tithe is not a New Testament only replaced by a cheerful, generous heart led by the Holy Spirit on what to give.  Two of my favorite preachers, John MacArthur and John Piper seem to take contrasting positions.  Consider what they say and engage the Scriptures: to tithe or not to tithe?

First, MacArthur...

“Tithe does have its proper place still in Judaism in the gospel time. The Jewish people are still a duly constituted people. They were still under the ceremonial instruction of God's law. They were still under the obligation to obey the commandments relative to their national identity and to the funding of the priesthood. That had not been set aside yet until the church was born. And so He says you should do that. You should do that. By the way, the tithe is mentioned six times in the New Testament. Three times in the gospels and each time it is mention in the text condemning the abuse of it by the scribes and the Pharisees. Three times in the book of Hebrews when it simply reaches back and describes its historical reality in the history of Israel. At no time is it ever mentioned in the New Testament as binding on the church. It had to do with taxation of the national government of Israel” (from his sermon “The Condemnation of False Spiritual Leaders, Part 4-Matthew 23:16-33)

Piper’s position is in a sermon he preached which you can find here...

A further great resource is Randy Alcorn’s “Money, Possessions, and Eternity”.