The Importance of Tithing
“Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God.” Colossians 4:12 (NLT)
Habits of Spiritual Maturity
This month, I’m going to begin a series of teachings on the habits of spiritual maturity. This will continue for several months covering topics like prayer, reading scripture, tithing, serving, evangelism, and more.
Just as Paul wrote the letter to the church at Colossae, I will write some of these teachings. And as Paul included encouragement from other church leaders (e.g. Epaphras in 4:12) I will invite some other leaders in our church to contribute as well. The goal is the same—encourage & equip a strong church!
This month, we start with the spiritual discipline of tithing written by Joseph Mendum, our Minister of Youth & Modern Worship.
-Pastor Chris
The Importance of Tithing | Written by Joseph Mendum
Tithing is a touchy subject for some followers of Jesus. We hear statements like: “God doesn’t need my money,” and “Tithing is an Old Testament command,” or “I give to charities, so I don’t need to tithe.” In this lesson on tithing, we will examine all of these statements and talk about why tithing is still very important in today’s world.
“But God doesn’t need my money.”
Technically, this is true. God is omnipotent and can further his Kingdom without our money. However, for thousands of years, humanity has used monetary means to live. God knew this would happen when he first created humans; therefore, it stands to reason that God would use humanity’s means of living to also further his Kingdom.
In the Old Testament, God commanded the Israelites to bring 10% of the food they grew or the livestock they raised along with gold and other materials to the Levites (leaders). God used this to build the tabernacle, take care of it, and sustain those who ministered to people and worked in the tabernacle.
Today, we use money instead of crops, livestock, and gold. Our money is used to accomplish the same things. This is why God commands us to tithe. Without our tithes, or 10% of our increase, the church lacks monetary means to do ministry, and in a world that functions through that which is monetary, without money, we devastate the church’s ministry.
“But Tithing is an Old Testament command.”
Tithing was introduced in the Old Testament. However, many may not realize that Jesus also talked about it. In Matthew 23, Jesus corrects the scribes and Pharisees for not having pure faith and doing what is just and merciful. At the end of this rebuke, he states that they should spend time doing those important things, while also affirming the continued giving of their tithe. In Luke 11, we see another account of the same event. Therefore, to say that tithing is only an Old Testament command is simply inaccurate.
“But I give to charities, so I don’t need to tithe.”
Giving to charities is a great thing to do, but God does not call us to give to charities, he calls us to give generously, and he called his people to give to the temple and to support its work. The temple today is the church, and its work is the ministry to help more people to know and grow like Jesus. This includes ministry within the church, to surrounding community, and throughout the world. What God commanded still applies today.
We have read why tithing is not a thing of the past, and why God calls us to tithe. Therefore, let us practice the spiritual discipline of tithing with a joyful spirit. And if we wish to give more, let us do so as everyone determines in their heart to do.