I Just finished the book “Tithing”, by R.T. Kendall. Of course in this book is the same old arguments for tithing. But one thing that was improvement from this book to the book by larry burkett about tithing was that it had actually went into deeper detail about tithing. Of course the principles of giving are all true in this book, but of course i disagree with 10% mandated giving. You see, most humans see the need for boundaries, otherwise their is anarchy. I agree. It is important to establish boundaries for one’s life so that we can reach levels of discipline and consistency. My argument is where we get our boundaries from. Do i think it’s fine if you’ve chosen 10% as your level of giving. Absolutely! I would encourage you in that mark. Do i think that we have to obey the laws that were prescribed for Israel in the Old Testament? No. Do I think that the tithe is prescribed for the New Covenant Church? No. It isn’t and there is no debate about that.
Many people think that what i’m saying is just excuses for not giving. Yes, to some, spirit led giving is used as a cloak to hide the motives of their true heart towards giving. But then again tithing can be used as a cloak as well to hide the motives of ones true heart towards giving. Whatever fault that you can find in spirit led giving can be found in tithing as well. Here are a few instances. Many people say that most spirit led givers have a hard time actually obeying what the spirit tells them, so tithing helps guide us in giving. I say that the law of tithing didn’t make Israel listen or obey either. Another instance is when people say that spirit led givers don’t have faith in God for their finances. So i say does it take more faith to give what is already known or to give what you don’t know of yet?
In conclusion, i don’t want to discourage anyone from giving 10% to God, but i do want to challenge you to practice more faith through spirit led giving.
