Is it possible to be a Christian and not tithe?

Question

I just can’t see giving a bunch of my money to a church. I give a lot of meals to grad standents and help out with their expenses. Money tends to be tight. So I’m wondering if I can keep my options open.

Answer 1

Yes. I have yet to put anything in the collection basket.

Answer 2

There is no command in the Christian (New Testament)scriptures requiring tithing. Some Churches put so much emphasis on money with repeated collections, that people forget that true worship involves giving whole-souled not just materially, but in helping their fellow man and devotion to God ( Matthew 22:36-40). True it costs to keep a building in operation, but remember it is the spirit of giving, not the quantity that is important. ( Remember the widow's mite? Luke 21:1-4) God doesn't need your money.

Answer 3

Hi The Chaos Within. The Bible in the New Testament does not tell us we are to tithe, but the Bible does tell us what we are to give to God. We read in Romans 12:1:

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, Holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

In other words, God wants everything we have, even our bodies. This is very different from Genesis 28:22 where after Jacob had a dream he placed a stone to represent a house for God and declares:

"...and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee."

For the True Believer tithing is just a good starting point. In Luke 6:38, we are told to give and it shall be given back to you. Is this money that God is talking about? Many people think so, but its not. We are to share the Gospel and God will give us Spiritual Blessings back. This is far more important then receiving money or material wealth as a payment from God.

But to answer your question 'can you be a Christian and not tithe?' Yes you can. Do I tithe? Yes I do. Is giving money to charities the same as tithing? No. Giving to charities is not the same as spreading the Gospel.

But if you decide to give money to God do so with a cheerful heart and not grudgingly. If you are giving such a large portion of your income to God that it makes you resentful, it better not to give at all, or maybe you should cut back the amount you give. God tells us in 2 Corinthians 9:7:

"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver."

We want to faithfully give all of ourselves to sending out the Gospel. This is the mindset of the True Child of God.

Answer 4

Salvation is a gift from God and all gifts from God are "without repentance". This means god is never sorry He gave it to you, thus you'd still be a Christian. I will say, however, that giving to the church is extremely important. This is an issue between you and God. You don't want to become legalistic like the pharisees. Trust me, the Lord understands these matters, take it to him in prayer. If you are helping feed those who are unable to feed themselves this could be considered giving to God. You might consider a change in priorities, though. Once you pray and meditate on this issue and have faith you'll receive an answer, I'm sure you'll get one. The church also needs money in order to pay bills etc. Ministers of the Gospel are also entitled to earn a living from it. Don't let Satan berate or accuse you for anything, cause he'll try. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Place your faith in God and His mercy, forgiveness, salvation and power. Don't let the devil condemn you for anything, For there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Answer 5

Tithing in the bible was never meant to be from your cash. As a matter of fact if you look at the requirements in the Torah you will see that if you did bring cash you had to add 1/5 to it as a penalty. Plus, tithing was only for people who raised animals or grew crops...thats it. If you had another profession you didnt have to tithe. However, charity is a different thing altogether.

Answer 6

Titheing should be personal choice. Some people just cannot do it because of finacial restrictions. I used to do it when I was working but since I have not been working I need ever penny to just survive with the basics. I do Charitable works, but what I do is give time, to me that is just as valid!

Answer 7

You're not giving you money to the church, you are giving it to God. Do you want to have service outside, in the snow? or in a nice warm comfortable building. Do you want someone teaching you who has never studied or someone who went to bible school and is ordained? Don't they deserve to make money to support their families? (Now driving a caddy is something different, not cool) My church uses the money for, food baskets, for donating musical instruments to elementary schools, for prison ministries, for support to people who lost their family privider in a tragic way, local missionaries, world ministries. etc......
The purpose is to show that you don't put anything higher on your list than God. Money is not important. I've known people that put their last $5.43 in the basket, and don't have food, but you know what. They are spiritually rich. Do not worship worldly things. anyway...God Bless.

Answer 8

you can give in other ways and in serving. you are suppose to give to the church though and God will know. Even if it is $5 or a buck and you serve God in your church.

Maybe cut back in what you give to grad students and put God first because without God there would not be any of the rest----- You are only accountable to God for it.

Answer 9

You don't have to tithe in order to be a Christian, yeah God wants us to but it's not a requirement.

Answer 10

Yes!!! But you will never be happy!!! 10% is a lot to some of us... but it is what God ask us to do. Please just give in to what God puts on your hart it is a hard life when you try and fight it. Just think about what all God has/will/is do(ne)(ing) for you....