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Are Christians required to tithe?: Difference between revisions
→New Testament principles for giving
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===New Testament principles for giving=== | ===New Testament principles for giving=== | ||
====1 Corinthians 9:1–23.==== Preachers deserve to get financial support for their work (1 Cor 9:14). However, Paul accepted no such gift from the Corinthians. While he could have asked for it, he was not required to be rewarded financially for his work. He is not saying this so that he will get paid (1 Cor 9:15) but so that the Corinthians will realize that others have the right to be paid for their service. | |||
From this we can extract the principle that as a community the church must make sure that those who are over it spiritually have their needs met. When church members give financially to the church, they should take this into consideration. If God has provided the money, and the pastor of a church has a legitimate need, the need should be met. | From this we can extract the principle that as a community the church must make sure that those who are over it spiritually have their needs met. When church members give financially to the church, they should take this into consideration. If God has provided the money, and the pastor of a church has a legitimate need, the need should be met. | ||
====1 Corinthians 16:1–4.==== This brief section contains several principles for giving. As stated previously, there are several problems with linking the present passage to a tithing requirement. First, as noted, the reference is not to people’s regular giving (be it weekly or monthly) but to a special collection taken up for the poor believers in Jerusalem. Second, there is no mention of giving ten percent of one’s income by way of a regular tithe. Third, the phrase “as he may prosper” also excludes the conclusion that a specific amount was in mind. There is no hint of a tithe or proportionate giving” in the present passage. | |||
While 1 Cor 16:1–4 can therefore not be legitimately used to support a tithing requirement in the NT period, it is still possible to glean helpful principles for giving from this passage. First, giving should be done regularly. Paul tells the believers to give on the first day of the week (1 Cor 16:1). The practical reasons for this may be that (1) it is easier to give small amounts frequently than large sums on a monthly or even annual basis; and (2) the church has ongoing needs and financial obligations that require regular weekly giving. | While 1 Cor 16:1–4 can therefore not be legitimately used to support a tithing requirement in the NT period, it is still possible to glean helpful principles for giving from this passage. First, giving should be done regularly. Paul tells the believers to give on the first day of the week (1 Cor 16:1). The practical reasons for this may be that (1) it is easier to give small amounts frequently than large sums on a monthly or even annual basis; and (2) the church has ongoing needs and financial obligations that require regular weekly giving. | ||
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Second, giving should be proportionate in keeping with a household’s income. In Paul’s terms, the amount to be set aside depends on the degree to which the giver has been prospered. No percentage is given. This would have been an ideal place for tithing to enter into the discussion. Yet tithing is not mentioned. According to Paul, if anyone has been prospered greatly, he should give a large amount. If one has prospered only a little, a smaller gift is completely acceptable. | Second, giving should be proportionate in keeping with a household’s income. In Paul’s terms, the amount to be set aside depends on the degree to which the giver has been prospered. No percentage is given. This would have been an ideal place for tithing to enter into the discussion. Yet tithing is not mentioned. According to Paul, if anyone has been prospered greatly, he should give a large amount. If one has prospered only a little, a smaller gift is completely acceptable. | ||
====2 Corinthians 8–9==== This passage provides a few additional principles for new covenant giving. Grace is the entire theme of this entire two-chapter section. In 2 Cor 8:2–3 Paul praises the Macedonians for their giving, which was (1) according to (and, in fact, beyond) their ability; and (2) voluntary. The Macedonians were not required to give a prescribed amount or percentage. Rather, they gave as they had been prospered, according to their ability. Their giving was sacrificial and generous in that they actually gave beyond what Paul thought they were able to do. In fact, the Macedonians were considered poor, yet they still gave. | |||
Sacrificial giving is measured, not by what is given, but by what remains. | Sacrificial giving is measured, not by what is given, but by what remains. | ||
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The principle derived from 2 Cor 9:7 concerning the amount of giving was discussed above. However, this verse concludes by saying that the giver should be ‘cheerful’ in his giving. The OT background for this is Prov 22:8: “God loves [or blesses] a cheerful and generous man.” Only a real appreciation of God’s grace to us can prompt us to give ‘cheerfully.’ | The principle derived from 2 Cor 9:7 concerning the amount of giving was discussed above. However, this verse concludes by saying that the giver should be ‘cheerful’ in his giving. The OT background for this is Prov 22:8: “God loves [or blesses] a cheerful and generous man.” Only a real appreciation of God’s grace to us can prompt us to give ‘cheerfully.’ | ||
====Philippians 4:15–20==== Philippians 4:15–20 functions as an indirect “thank you” from Paul to the Philippians, which was in keeping with Greco-Roman societal norms. A few details of this passage will now be examined to see if and how the Philippians’ giving was synchronized with the principles Paul set forth more prescriptively in other passages. | |||
First, the Philippians’ giving was closely related to the relationship they had with Paul. Second, their giving was related to the gospel. Third, they were the only church to participate in this sort of relationship with Paul. | |||
The language is of a business transaction: | |||
:“in the matter” = opened an account; | |||
:“giving” = credit; | |||
:“receiving” = debit; | |||
:“profit which increases to your account” = interest. | |||
Therefore, the gift that Paul has in mind is not limited to but includes money. The phrase in 4:18 (“paid in full”) adds to this theme as well. Therefore, we should understand the phrase “shared with me” to refer to the “partnership entered into.” The uniqueness of this partnership was that it was three-way: Paul, the Philippians, and the gospel. | Therefore, the gift that Paul has in mind is not limited to but includes money. The phrase in 4:18 (“paid in full”) adds to this theme as well. Therefore, we should understand the phrase “shared with me” to refer to the “partnership entered into.” The uniqueness of this partnership was that it was three-way: Paul, the Philippians, and the gospel. | ||
Finally, it must be noted that Paul refers to the gift(s) as meeting his “needs.” As the Philippians supplied Paul’s need, so God would supply their needs (Phil 4:19). | Finally, it must be noted that Paul refers to the gift(s) as meeting his “needs.” As the Philippians supplied Paul’s need, so God would supply their needs (Phil 4:19). | ||
Andreas Köstenberger, “Reconstructing a Biblical Model for Giving: A Discussion of Relevant Systematic Issues and New Testament Principles,” Bulletin for Biblical Research, Vol. 16, 2006, 254–257. | Three aspects of this passage stand out. First, as Paul mentions the need of those in Jerusalem in 2 Cor 8:14, here he discusses his own need (Phil 4:16). When Christians see a need on the part of a fellow believer—especially a minister of the gospel—they should attempt to meet it if they are able. Second, Paul’s use of ‘paid in full’ (ἀπέχω πάντα) indicates that the Philippians had no obligation to him. His motive in this passage is not to raise more funds but to express thankfulness. The Philippians’ giving was an example of voluntary giving: they gave what they had purposed in their hearts, not a set, required amount. Finally, they gave generously. Verse 18 contains two words (‘abound’; ‘filled up’) that communicate the exceeding generosity of the Philippians’ gift to Paul.<ref>Andreas Köstenberger, “Reconstructing a Biblical Model for Giving: A Discussion of Relevant Systematic Issues and New Testament Principles,” Bulletin for Biblical Research, Vol. 16, 2006, 254–257.</ref> | ||
=What does the Old Testament teach?= | =What does the Old Testament teach?= | ||