The Discipline of Giving

The story is told that when General Sam Houston gave his life to Christ and was baptized that the minister, Dr. Rufus Burleson, noticed that he had a watch and chain on his vest. He said, “Mr. Houston, you probably want to take that off before you’re baptized, because it will get ruined.” So he takes it off and hands it to a friend. Then Dr. Burleson adds, “You may want to take your wallet out, too, and hand it to your friend.” Sam Houston replied, “No, my wallet needs baptizing, too.”

There is an unfortunate movement in some Christian circles that says the discipline of tithing is not biblical. I say unfortunate because it couldn’t be further from the truth. Some will argue that it was a practice of the Old Testament Law and later abolished in the New Testament. Others say that it is an unfair manmade practice that is easy for the rich and difficult on the poor. Yet, others will argue that it is just ministers manipulating their congregations into providing them with luxurious lifestyles. All of these show a person’s biblical ignorance as well as the true condition of one’s heart. It was for reasons like this that Jesus warned that, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21) While just about anyone can argue with the logic of man it becomes impossible for a Christian to argue with the Word of God. So what I would like to do is address the aforementioned arguments with what the Scriptures say.

Yes, the discipline of tithing was part of the Old Testament law but it actually predates the law. We read in Malachi chapter 3 where God chastises the nation of Israel for not bringing the “full tithe” to the storehouse and accuses the people of “robbing God” for withholding their tithes. Obviously God is interested enough in the tithe to include it in the law and to discipline the people for not giving it so why would it be a practice that He’d stop? We’ll get to that in a minute but let’s look at where it started. In Genesis Chapter 14 we read that after Abram returned from victory in battle we would receive a blessing from God and then (in verse 20) give to the Lord, “a tenth of everything.” (On a quick side note the word “tithe” literally means a tenth.) Not only did this action take place long before the law would be given it also even takes place before the Abrahamic Covenant. So we know that the practice of tithing had been around for centuries before we read Malachi’s charge in the final book of the Old Testament but was it a practice condoned by Jesus in the New Testament? The answer is, ABSOLUTELY!

Keep in mind that the New Testament demands more than the Old. In the Old Testament we read, “Do not commit adultery.” Exodus 20:13-14 However, we also read that, “if you think of a woman lustfully then you have committed adultery.” Matthew 5:28 Later on Jesus would chastise the scribes and Pharisees for neglecting justice, mercy and faith but would commend them for tithing (Matthew 23:23 ). The point being made is that tithing is a practice that goes along with the other aspects of the Christian lifestyle. It just isn’t a part of the law (both Old and New Testament) it is an important part of the law. Keep in mind that Jesus didn’t come to abolish the law but to fulfill it Read Matthew 5:19-19

Now, how about it being unfair because it is easy on the rich and hard on the poor? Let me ask you which is more difficult, giving $10 or $100-1000? The great thing about the tithing principle is that for a person who is spiritually disciplined is that is isn’t really difficult. When you consider all the minimal things we send 10% or more of our paychecks on then you see where tithing is a reasonable practice instituted by God. Where the difficulty comes is when your 10% is a larger amount rather than a small one. I heard the story once of a businessman who made a covenant with his pastor to always tithe 10% of his profits to the church. When the man’s business grew into a multimillion dollar a year business he began to think of all the other things he could do with the hundreds of thousands of dollars he was tithing to the church. He went and met with the pastor and told him of the struggle and said that he was seriously considering no longer tithing 10% because the amount had grown so large. He ended by asking the pastor to pray for him to which the pastor replied he would pray that the Lord would decrease his profits back to where giving 10% was once again manageable.

The thing is that 10% is manageable to anyone and when you develop the attitude that you are returning 10% of the 100% God has blessed you with back to Him then it also becomes reasonable. The issue of tithing has nothing to do with the pastor of your church, the size of the congregation, the worship style or the ministry plans. It has everything to do with the condition of a person’s heart. The assumption that failing to tithe is a sin and shows a lack of faith is a correct one. That was the whole point that God was making in Malachi chapter 3 when God said that the people were robbing him. Rather than getting offended get your heart right by trusting completely in Christ and living by faith. It isn’t about manipulation it’s about salvation! A person who is a Christian should show a strong desire to live by the principles and disciplines of the Christian lifestyle.

Unfortunately scandal has hit the church just as it has in the business world, the sports world and even in politics. However people still invest in Fortune 500 companies, they still pay hundreds of dollars to attend sporting events and they still vote. I find it ironic that they choose the church to single out because of scandal. You can’t judge all of Christianity based on the unfortunate decisions of some ministers who lost sight of their calling. Just like you can’t judge the entire sports and business world as well as all politicians based on the mistakes of a minority of the people in those professions.

Just keep in mind that your giving to the work of the Lord has everything to do with your relationship to Him and nothing else. We live in a society that excuses almost everything and makes excuses for not doing the right thing. I hope and pray that the tithe isn’t the next thing on the list.