T here is a lot of false teaching today on the subject of giving financially. In denominational churches, it is regularly taught that members must tithe. I have recently heard of a local church of Christ in Florida that is now teaching its members to tithe. What does the Bible say about giving today?

We Must First Recognize What Law We Must Keep
When one binds people to a law that is no longer in force, it is obvious that people are going to arrive at a wrong conclusion. Such is the case with denominationalism today. When churches today demand that their membership tithe, they are binding a part of the old law. Tithing as a law was instituted by the law of Moses (Leviticus 27:30-34). In verse 34 of this cited text, the record says specifically that tithing was a commandment which God gave to Moses for the children of Israel. The law was given to Israel because they were the people of God. The Jews, however, are no longer the people of God as a nation. Now, those who obey the gospel of Christ, whether they be Jew or Gentile, are God’s people (Romans 1:16; Romans 8:14-17; 1 John 3:1-2). Furthermore, as the people of God today, we are under a new law. The old law has been abolished (Ephesians 2:15), blotted
out, taken out of the way, and nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14). Now we have a better hope (Hebrews 7:19), a better testament (7:22), a more excellent ministry, and a better covenant with better promises (Hebrews 8:6). God’s people cannot be under two laws at the same time. Since we are under a new law, the first law, that is, the law of Moses, which included the law to tithe, has become obsolete (Hebrews 8:13). This does not mean that a person cannot tithe if he so chooses. God leaves it up to individual Christians to determine how much they want to give. In fact, the first example we have of a person tithing is found in Genesis 14:17-20 when Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek. This, of course, is before the law of Moses was in effect. Jacob followed the example of his grandfather and promised to give the Lord a tenth of what he was blessed with by God (Genesis
28:22). But nowhere is it revealed in those accounts, or even hinted, that those men were under a command. No, they simply did what their hearts led them to do, even as we are to be led today. The only time God’s people have been under a command to tithe was when they were under the law of Moses. Before that time, it was not commanded and since that time it has not been commanded. If some preacher, pastor or whoever claims that it was or is, make them produce the passage that says so.

What Does the Law of Christ Tell Us?
We have only two passages in the New Testament that show us how the people of God are to give.
The first is found in 1 Corinthians 16:1-2.

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

This is a case where a special need arose due to a famine that plagued Judea and touched the people of God in Jerusalem. Paul arranged for a collection to be taken up to relieve the saints who were suffering and, as a side benefit, help soothe the relationship between Jews and Gentiles in the church since the collection would come from churches that were primarily Gentile in make up and go to a church that was Jewish. Now, it should be noted that this collection was not something that Paul was commanding. In reference to it, Paul said, “I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love” (2 Corinthians 8:8). However, it is clear by what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 16:2 that if the local church at Corinth decided to participate in this opportunity to demonstrate their love, every member of that church was obligated to give if it was at all possible. Now, what do we find in the passage cited above? Consider the following:
We find when the church was to take up the collection. Paul specifically told them that it was to be “upon the first day of the week.” Since this is the only command we read of in the New Testament for a local church to lay by in store to meet a financial need, it sets forth the pattern for us to follow today. Our need might be different, but if the need is to be met, we must do so with funds that are gathered upon the first day of the week.

We find that all in the church had an obligation to give. As I stated previously, the words of Paul make this clear. Paul said, “…let every one of you…” Today almost all congregations have some type of financial responsibility. To please God, every person who is working in the church should carry his or her load in attempting to meet the need, whatever it might be.

And we find that brethren should lay by in store according to how they have prospered. Now notice that a specific amount is not indicated. If God wanted us to tithe today, the inspired apostle surely would have said it here. Instead, like those before the law of Moses, God leaves it up to us as ind-viduals to give according to how our hearts lead us. In the only other passage that sheds light upon how much we ought to give, Paul said, “Every man according as he purposed in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:7). Isn’t this exactly what I have been saying? Everyone in the church today must purpose in his own heart how much he is going to give. It is not the preacher’s business. It’s not the elder’s business. It is not the deacon’s business or anyone else’s. It is up to the individual. In this dispensation, that is where God left it, and that is where we must leave it.

The Law of Christ Says Absolutely Nothing about Tithing

Any preacher who tells a local church that they must tithe is going beyond the Word of God, and therefore sinning against God (2 John 9-11). Don’t let any preacher force you do to something that God has not commanded you to do. Remember, Jesus once said, “if the blind lead the blind, they both shall fall into the ditch” (Matthew 15:14). Let’s close this article by quoting Nelson’s Bible Dictionary, a well-respected source in regard to Biblical subjects, on the issue of tithing:

“In the New Testament, the words tithe and tithing appear only eight times (Matt 23:23; Luke 11:42; 18:12; Heb 7:5-6,8-9). These passages refer to Old Testament usage and to current Jewish practice. Nowhere does the New Testament expressly command Christians to tithe. However, as believers we are to be generous in sharing our material possessions with the poor and for the support of Christian ministry. Christ Himself is our model in giving. Giving is to be voluntary, willing, cheerful, and given in the light of our accountability to God.”

Yes, Christians should give to the Lord. I’m afraid, though, that some are being cheated by preachers who twist the scriptures for their own personal gain. As Christians, we should be trusting, but not gullible. Beware of preachers who are constantly talking about tithing, even in an age when God hasn’t commanded such. Let’s give, but let’s make sure that we are giving scripturally.