Barna Takes a Stand Against Tithing
The Barna Group just released some new statistics on tithing and donations for 2007. - here. Interestingly enough George Barna takes a stand against tithing as a legitimate practice in the New Testament Church. This is all kind of exciting to me, because i’m in the middle of reading the book, “Pagan Christianity” by Frank Viola and George Barna. I am about two-thirds of the way through and i can’t seem to put the book down. I will write a post about that when i’m finished it, but i just mentioned it because i had just finished up the chapter on “tithing”. Ironic. . . i guess.
I just want to highlight some things that were said:
“Whether they believe in the principle of tithing or not, few Americans give away that much money.”
I would like to point out that greed is not biased to non-tithers. I’ve heard many a times that Tithing is an antidote for greed. The reason why tithing does not over come greed is because tithing is not the master of greed. A pure heart, that is undefiled and led by the Spirit of God is the master of greed. Tithing has no power over sin, but the Spirit does. This is confirmed because although Israel had tithing completely spelled out for them, they still had to overcome their greedy hearts. Also regardless of whether our giving is plainly spelled out for us through tithing or is an unpredictable factor through spirit-led giving, we still have to listen and obey. In other words, just because how much we should give is written in black and white compared to Spirit led giving, which is not; we still have to put down our selfishness and obey one or the other.
“Strangely, tithing is a Jewish practice, not a Christian principle espoused in the New Testament. The idea of a tithe - which literally means one-tenth or the tenth part - originated as the tax that Israelites paid from the produce of the land to support the priestly tribe (the Levites), to fund Jewish religious festivals, and to help the poor. The ministry of Jesus Christ, however, brought an end to adherence to many of the ceremonial codes that were fundamental to the Jewish faith. Tithing was such a casualty. Since the first-century, Christians have believed in generous giving, but have not been under any obligation to contribute a specific percentage of their income.”
Many people are blinded to the point where they view tithing as a “principle” not a “practice”. George Barna said it right, “tithing is a Jewish practice, not a Christian principle”. There are 2 practices that come to mind when thinking about the Church. One, Baptism, and Two, the Lord’s Supper. Tithing is not one of them, nor is it a principle. I’ve said this so many times- tithing is a standard, not a principle. In the old testament we see Abraham as the first person recorded to tithe. But we are not commanded to follow Abraham’s actions, we are commanded to follow his faith.
Barna also mentions the 3 functions of the tithe. Support the Levites, fund Jewish religious festivals, and to help the poor. At this point i see the Church doing a good job of fulfilling one out of three of those tasks. That’s if you want to equate support of the levites with support of those who are ministering. If we were busy trying to build God’s kingdom instead of our own kingdom, i think we would be doing a much better job with fulfilling the other functions of the tithe (not that i want the tithe and all it’s purposes incorporated into the Church). Just hypothetically speaking.
During the first five years of the decade, an average of 84 cents out of every dollar donated by born again adults went to churches. In the past three years, though, the proportion has declined to just 76 cents out of every donated dollar.
I find this statistic very, very interesting indeed. This is saying that for the first five years since 2000 that of all the donations given, 84% of them were given to Church organizations, but since the past three years, only 76% of the total donations had been given to Church organizations. So people have been giving 8% less to their churches and giving it to some other organization. I don’t know, to me, that is a big jump. Think about it this way, imagine if 8 out of 100 people stopped giving the money to their church and instead gave it to the Red Cross. Hmmm, very interesting. Maybe a little wake up call for our greedy Church budgets. You can read more about my thoughts on the house church movement and its effect on Church budgets
“If this transition in the perceptions and giving behavior of born again adults continues to accelerate, the service functions of conventional churches will be redefined within the next eight to ten years, and conventional churches will have to adopt new ways of assisting people in need.”
That was a part of Barna’s interpretation of what the statistics are telling him. And i agree.
What’s your thoughts on the new tithing statistics and trends? Do you think Barna is on target with his analysis? Do you think this blog is on target?
THE tithe is going back to the old testament and teaching
some of the mosiac laws, not all but only that which fits mans greed. The below scripture in the new covenant teaches the old covenant is history. Please read this.
Heb.8 KJV
[6] But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
[7] For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
[8] For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
[9] Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
[10] For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
[11] And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
[12] For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
[13] In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
Comment by charles m crabtree — April 14, 2008 @ 7:07 pm
George Barna is right on target with his assessment.
I have been doing research on my own to determine what is true and what is not true about the “Tithe” in the N.T. Church. I do not take this lightly.
For years, my husband and I have cheerfully given “tithes” and “offerings” because this is what we were taught.
Now, we have learned that the scriptures do not address a specific percent of our income to be used as a “tithe”.
Jesus taught the disciples that we are to cheerfully give offerings and alms to the church, so that the gospel message can be sent out to everyone and the poor is taken care of. To me, this means that we are to support the local ministry where we are being ministered to. There are salaries to be paid, building maintenance to be done, utilities to be paid, etc.
We are not under the Law, but under Grace.
I am currently reading a book from 1979, written by J. Vernon McGee. He writes about Malachi. I would advise anyone who has questions about the O.T. tithe read this book. Dr. McGee has done extensive research on this Minor Prophet. We have taken this topic very seriously and have decided for ourselves that we will use only the words “offerings” and “alms” when we give to our local church.
When it comes to a determination about how much to give, each person needs to be led by the Holy Spirit. The really important thing about this is to be consistant.
For instance, we are on social security. At the beginning of the month, we determine how much we can give, and we divide that amount into 4 Sundays; so that we can give something each Sunday. We determined that we, personally, need to be givers in our local church. We also give or “tithe” of our time in our local church. That is the most important thing when we are being servants of God.
I believe that most people use the word “tithe” interchangeably with “offerings”.
Please, let’s get off of the legalistic merry-go-round when it comes to using these words.
The most important thing is that we, as Christians, are doing what Jesus said for us to do. Go forth, and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, and Him, crucified. We need to be doing this and making disciples of those who come to Salvation.
Comment by Pat Eunis — April 14, 2008 @ 9:26 pm
The account of the widow who gave all, two mites, reminds of that our Lord honors generous giving. She gave not 10 but 100%. Wow!
Comment by Z Anderson — April 15, 2008 @ 10:24 am
Z Anderson,
Thanks for your comment. I see what you’re saying, but when you talk about how much the widow gave, you are still focusing on the amount as the important formula. As we can read in Luke, there was a steward who actually gave 100% of it back as well, but was not considered a good steward. Whether 1% or 100%, the amount is not the sacrifice that God desires.
Comment by tithe — April 15, 2008 @ 12:05 pm
When Jesus looked at the law he didn’t tend to eliminate old rules, but escalate them. Before it was “do not murder” now it is “do not hate.” Before it was “do not commit adultery,” but now we are not even to look lustfully at a woman.
————
Matthew 23:23
23“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
————
They were already tithing (as has been pointed out, in the old testament this was literally 10%). Jesus says they should be! and more. Give your wealth, but be sure you’re taking care of those in need too.
Comment by brady — April 15, 2008 @ 11:41 pm
[…] Frank Viola and George Barna must have done is somehow wipe their memory of anything they can remember about the event we call […]
Pingback by Pagan Christianity by Frank Viola & George Barna — April 16, 2008 @ 8:27 am
Protestants in the Philippines, regardless of denomination - church or cult - are being pushed to tithe by their pastors. Catholics do not tithe. Tithe is a legal term and is integral or inseparable part of the OT Law. Jesus said “The truth shall set you free.” Free from what? Free from the OT Law, of course! If we are free from the OT LAW, we are free from tithing - but NOT free from giving to the poor and for the suport of pastors and their families, according to the dictates of our hearts as Christians, and to support congregation-approved church out-reach activities and projects. But Protestant pastors do not teach their congregations this TRUTH. If your heart says 10% (of your committed income base), so be it. BUT THIS IS NOT TITHE THAT JUSTIFIES PASTORS TO CITE MALACHI! Another TRUTH is that the CURSE and TITHING cannot be separated. The term should never be used in Christian churches. Protestant pastors in the Philippines know this. Hence, their favorite set of verses with tithing sermons is Malachi 3:8-12. Is this not outright deception? Again, another TRUTH is that OT tithing was land tax to the LORD payable to the priesthood, hence only produce and products of the land were taxed. Malachi rightly declared that the Israelites that received land from God in Canaan are “ROBBING GOD” if and when they failed or refused to pay the TITHES!
Dr. Isabelo S. Alcordo, Ph.D. (Sci.)
www.layadvocacyforchristianunity.org
Valencia City, Bukidnon, Philippines
Comment by Isabelo S. Alcordo — April 21, 2008 @ 7:07 pm