I’ve scoured the Bible and have come to the conclusion that 10% tithing as we know it is actually not actually in keeping with the New Covenant at all. In fact there’s no evidence of formal tithing in the first 300 years of the early church. It’s definitely there in the Old Testament, but not in the New. They DID however give freely out of the goodness of their hearts (which flowed from the freedom and joy of their Life in Christ) but there was no rule that said they HAD to. I’ve said this to people before and been jumped on by the heresy police, but I can’t justify mixing and matching Old and New Covenants to fit our cultural version of church. The NT clearly tells us that the Old Covenant was laid aside when Jesus brought in the New Covenant. The law served it’s purpose and is now fulfilled in Christ (Galations). It seems though, that the church has become so accustomed to mixing the two covenants that we don’t even question it – The issue of tithing being a prime example. I think it’s great that you are even ASKING these kind of questions.

In the OT tithe was there for the Levites because they were forbidden to work the land and earn wages so they could concentrate on religious practices and spiritual leadership of Israel. In the New Covenant, there is no more temple building and we are all priests (like you mentioned) and the spiritual leaders can earn wages any way they choose. It’s a totally different scene than the Old Testament.

I am certainly not saying that we should not give, in fact I think without having a law in place, believers are free to give more. The early church gave like crazy to wherever there was a need…

I long for a church where there are no staff, no buildings, no programs, just brothers and sisters in Christ meeting whenever and wherever and as often as they can, with Jesus as the sole leader. A church like that doesn’t need “tithe”, although there would still be plenty of widows and homeless and missions for people to give to. There are believers all over the world doing this already, but it seems a far cry for us in North America to abandon our Sunday morning Church culture…

And no, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with NOT giving to the “church organization”. I don’t do it. I give to people… I give wherever God asks me to… Giving to the “church organization” is tempting so I can get that nice tax deduction, but wrong motives for giving brings back that nice story of Ananias and Sapphira (here come the heresy police again).

Anyway, sorry for the novel… but that’s my $0.02

The tithing issue: this is not a hill I’m willing to die on. I wish I could just use my tithe to help whoever, but I’m willing to compromise and not do that if churches will better use tithes. But, I’m not convinced that 1) God wants me to “tithe” to an institution 2) that it must be “the local church”

Let me give a counter argument to the “local church” idea.
1) we are the Church. We are all the body of Christ – we are all important parts, I am the church.
2) If I must tithe to a church, what constitutes a church? Can I start my own church? If so, what would I have to do to start it? Do I need a building? Do I need to meet someone on Sunday? Does someone else have to come and meet with me? – all this to say, can’t I just be a church and use God’s tithe how I see fit? — seriously, I think this is a great point!!! The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced that this narrow idea of tithing to a non-profit that has a good speaker and an organ – that this is just tradition, but not what God intends or desires. Please, counter this idea, please convince me why a group of people that have a building are more legitimate and entitled to God’s resources than my little church of one person?

Good point about house churches being unable to organize themselves. That’s a shame. Yes, I’ve been part of a few major outreaches, but they are few and far between, and it seems to me that the churches give maybe 10% of their resources for things like that – it’s not a priority for them – as much as having a building and staff and debt and etc. I think if a church is giving 90% of its resources to that, then thats AWESOME and I’ll shut-up. But, having worked in a church, and being close to churches, I get the feeling that very few churches do this, which, to me, just doesn’t make sense anymore.

Please, Rachel. You seem like a very sharp woman. Convince me, using scripture, that I should continue tithing to “the local church” – and define for me, using scripture, what that is.

I am part of both a “house church” and a larger gathering. The house church could be equated to something more like a family gathering where we eat cookies, drink way too much coffee, worship, get into the Word, talk about Jesus and the Kingdom and life and pray for one another. It has been going on for years, but I have only been part of it since January or so. The majority of the people that come to the house meetings are also involved in other churches of varying sizes. And we’re okay with that. It’s the most dynamic group of people I have yet to encounter. We consider each other family…the way it should be.

I think there is a balance that needs to be reached in all of this. Tithing to the local church is indeed Biblical. Michael makes a solid point. We should be willing to give more than 10% and our church budgets are often upside down. I itch to get “out” of the 4 walls and to reach out to the hurting community that surrounds. But on the other hand, I’ve seen my church mobilize massive efforts and network with several churches across the city to make some incredible things come about. You just can’t do that with house churches. Communication becomes cumbersome if there are thousands of sections, and unity can be a big issue.

I do have issues with mega-churches that water down our faith to a point where what they present is ineffective and, at best (and worst), entertaining and easy to swallow. But we can’t go around pointing fingers at one another, either…honestly, I’m not so sure how I feel about you calling Willow Creek out specifically. I don’t know a lot about them, but I think it’s safe to say they have reached a lot of people (and turned off many, too.)

I could go on, but I’m going to stop here. Maybe I’ll take some time this weekend to read over comments and see if I have anything more to give you as far as feedback.

Interesting/frustrating discussion, for sure.

Ok. Here’s my last point. People don’t need a building. People don’t need a park. They don’t need donuts. And the don’t need microphones and guitars. They don’t need house churches either. (I know of many homes that are larger than many churches.)

In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, you will not find any of those items. You’ll find this at the number 3 need: love and belonging. This is number three behind physical needs (breathing, food, etc) and safety (for family, and self).

The bottom line is this: Both ways work. It’s unwise to think that your way to do things is the only way to do it. If your church exercises poor stewardship then hold them accountable. But do not tell everyone else that they’ve been doing it wrong for 1800 years, lest you be unwise.

If they love people, churches work. period. Once we agree on the Jesus thing, loving and encouraging others is really all that matters regardless of group size, building size, building facade makeup, ground covering, steeple shape, or what kind of shoes the pastor wears.

I started to write a response to everyone who has commented and wanted to introduce counter arguments. Instead I will be brief and pose a question or two. My intent is to get to the heart of you (Jessie) concerns and argument. First is home meetings and second is tithing.

Does the location of where one worships a solution to making Christians more authentic? You said that small groups are not working including tribes. How then do you figure that small home meetings (instead of churches) would work any better? For you if the church just met in homes and abandon their “large building” then all would be well in the Christian well (or at least better). I think it might do us well why churches are large and why they employ technology (that is expensive) in the first place. Its to communicate with the culture. Why aren’t cathedrals being built anymore, and further more why don’t Christians ride around in donkeys or why aren’t services preached in Greek? Its because we live in a different culture and time period and therefore the church would be an artifact if it did not adapt. Somehow I get the feeling that you think if something is expensive or nice that the church should have it it.

Aren’t you overlooking all the good that the church does? I’m sorry your 8 years around mega-churches have been poor. The church gives away millions and millions of dollars to invest in the community it is apart of. Mission trips, building programs, addressing homelessness, preaching the gospel, restoring marriages, etc. Just look at 12Stone. Look at the way the church has given itself away. Just one local church and look at the change and impact it is doing. Incredible. I think we can get in this negative oppressive mood when we only look at one side of the issue.

Tithing. First fruits go to the God. Right off the top. You bring in the first ten percent (notice I did not say give) to God if He is your first love. Its a practical and tangible way you show you honor and love God. Tithe means ten percent. This becomes Legalism IF you tithe without your heart and without joy. If its becomes duty and not desire. What you do with the rest of your money is a thing between you and God. So if you feel the press to give to Liz or give to your neighbor thats your deal. But you already know where ten percent of it goes.

Yes it goes to your local church. We can debate about what is a church, but I think you know what a church is. A people who gather together reach out to spiritually unresolved people, invite them on the spiritual journey, and raise up wholehearted people of Christ. If a church you attend is not about this then find another church.

Tithing is the most practical way that demonstrates the heart of stewardship. In fact, it is stewardship, It is affirming and confirming that all of your resources are not yours but God and that you honor God as your main provider.

Jesus said wherever your money goes so does your heart. Where has your hear been these lately?

On tithing, the passage in Malachi seems to point to the fact that people not tithing caused those in need not to be helped (read the whole chapter). Also, those priests supported by the tithe in the OT didn’t have an inheritance in the Promised Land. There is a lot of Biblical history before the tithe, as well. The NT seems to point to sharing with each other, supporting missions efforts, supporting Christians in poverty in other cities, and giving as you have the ability. Let’s be honest; almost all of us could make changes in our lifestyles that would allow us to give much more than 10%.

As for church buildings, a subject close to my heart as a former church administrator and worship leader, we are really missing the boat here in my opinion. How many churches have to build their budgets around their debt for a building? Is a church being in debt even Biblical? How many churches hire fund-raising consultants (who take a cut) for major building projects? I visited a religious college campus recently that was ridiculous in the way it spent money on buildings and such. If there is an engraved gold plaque on the back of every seat (pulpit, hymnal, offering plate, wall, toilet, etc.), something is very wrong. Is it a monument to God or man?

I don’t think there is ONE WAY to ‘do church’, but new models are needed to reach my generation. Our current model is less than a century old. Church models are generational. The things many Christians hold dear about church (Sunday School, VBS, congregational singing) are only a few centuries old. Until the printing press, most people didn’t even has access to read the Bible on their own.

This change is painful, especially for someone who thought they were going be have a career as a minister. I’m (apparently) not metrosexual (or entertaining, personable) enough to be a worship leader in most of the ‘cool’ churches. But God called me to be a minister, regardless of my vocation. So I’ve got to figure this out and be where he wants me to be. This is as close to being ‘cutting edge’ as I will ever get.

For some this may mean that God is calling them to be part of a home church that pools the tithes and then spends it all in making a tangible difference in a person’s life, for others it will mean being part of a church with many staff members that they are helping to pay for, but for none should it be about giving to a church that is reinforcing a consumerist life.

Bottom line is that there is no clear cut answer, but I think we box ourselves in too much when we only think in terms of 10%. We need to give more, give to our church, give to our neighbors, give to Compassion, make loans on Kiva (dangerous one there for some people, no tax deduction !), etc…