Should I Tithe Only To My Church?

Jehu Chan - Mar 28 2019

Dear friends

So have you heard from your pastor to tithe only to your church? I have. So that started me searching the Word of God to determine for myself what does the Word say. To my surprise, this search for the truth liberated me from the guilt trip that I should tithe all my tithe to my local church.

Having said this, I must add that Yeshua said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35b). Psalm 112:9 and 2 Corinthians 9:9 mentioned the same point that righteousness is linked to giving! Giving is from a cheerful heart and giving makes us right with God. There is no stipulation on the amount to give, but you must give out of your thankful heart and out of your abundance. However, this is not the same for tithes. Giving tithes is a command, no exemption and clearly, it is 10% of your income. Some of you may argue that when Yeshua came, the Laws in the Old Testament are fulfilled by Yeshua. You are correct but take note also in Matthew 5:17-18, Yeshua said “I did not come to destroy but to fulfill” “the Law or the Prophets”. Hence the Laws are still applicable for our daily living which means we are not exonerated from tithing.

I have presented my study on this topic in the Powerpoint slides which could be downloaded below. Although this may not be a complete study on this topic, it is sufficient to assure me that tithes are not just meant for the local church alone. In ancient days, tithes are for the Levites which I truly believe in today’s context, it is meant for those who are doing the work of the Kingdom with or without a regular paycheck. This would include itinerant preachers, evangelists, prophets, apostles, teachers, and pastors.

Finally, Yeshua gave us two commandments that “hangs all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:40). “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’(Matthew 22:37-38). When we give in love, when we see someone in need, and this could be your church, when you give cheerfully and out of your abundance, God sees you as righteous and will reward you. Hence, in the present time, GIVING is not a commandment, but more than a commandment, it comes willingly from your heart, out of LOVE for God and your neighbor. Your giving may or may not surpass the 10% tithe but you give not because you have to, but out of your abundance.