Why shouldn't I tithe?

Question

who needs my money anyway and don't they just build big churchs while people starve????
Who preaches on hillsides anymore and why not?? Jesus did...

Answer 1

I really like this question. It was one of the reasons I left a former religion I was raised in and studied hard to see what the Scriptures actually say about alot of different subjects.

The following isn't a short post and I'm sorry about that but if I leave part of the article out you may not understand the true point behind tithing, so......I am posting the whole article :-)

Hope this helps!


Tithing—Is It Necessary?

THE secretary of an Anglican diocese in South Africa is worried. His church is in the midst of a financial crunch that makes it difficult to pay the ministers. His solution: Emphasize tithing to the parishioners.

But just what is a tithe? Some say it is giving for religious purposes “a 10th of all you receive.” Though the manner of calculating the tithe varies from one religion to another, many ministers feel the need to promote tithing. “It is a great pity that we have not stressed tithing more,” said a Catholic priest in Africa. The Worldwide Church of God, in a magazine article about how to avoid poverty by becoming a partner with God, said: “To begin your relationship with God, you must first obey God’s law of tithing.” The article added that those who do not “are stealing from God.”

But does God require you to tithe? It may come as a surprise to learn what the Bible says about it.

Tithing and the Law of Moses

Tithing was part of a body of laws given by God through Moses to the ancient nation of Israel. Twelve tribes of Israel were required by law to support a 13th tribe, the priestly Levites, who had no land inheritance. This enabled the Levites to concentrate on the spiritual needs of the nation. (Numbers 18:21-24) Being an agricultural people, the Israelites were not required to pay the tithe in cash. Rather, it was to come from the land’s produce and from the increase in livestock. If produce was to be tithed and an Israelite wanted to give money instead, then he had to pay 20 percent more than the value of the produce.—Leviticus 27:30-33.

God’s command on tithing was a serious matter. If an Israelite mistakenly used for himself some of what he was going to tithe, then he had to make amends. How? By giving an extra 20 percent and offering up an animal sacrifice for his guilt. (Leviticus 5:14-16) Though not every Israelite could share in the priesthood, everyone could share in the support of the priestly service through the tithe. All of this was included in God’s law on tithing. Therefore, it fitted the circumstances of that ancient people. But does it fit the circumstances of people today? More importantly, are Christians commanded to tithe?

A Change of Law

A few years after the resurrection of Jesus, uncircumcised non-Jews were converted to Christianity. “It is necessary to circumcise them and charge them to observe the law of Moses,” some Jewish Christians contended. (Acts 15:5) Others did not agree. So Jesus’ apostles and other experienced Christians met in Jerusalem to discuss the issue. They wanted to discern God’s will. Did he require Christ’s followers to keep the Law of Moses, which included tithing? Experiences were related showing a change in God’s dealings with non-Jews, and this was verified from God’s own prophetic Word. (Acts 15:6-21) What was the decision?

The meeting came to a unanimous conclusion. Christians were not to be burdened with the Law of Moses. There were, though, a few “necessary things” that must be obeyed. Was tithing one? The inspired decision read: “The holy spirit and we ourselves have favored adding no further burden to you, except these necessary things, to keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication.” (Acts 15:25, 28, 29) Interestingly, God’s law on tithing was not listed among the “necessary things” for Christians.

Later, the apostle Paul explained that God’s Law covenant with Israel had been abolished by Jesus’ death. “[God] blotted out the handwritten document,” he said, “and He has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the torture stake.” (Colossians 2:14) This does not mean that Christians have no law. Rather, there has been a change of law that now involves “the law of the Christ.”—Galatians 6:2; Hebrews 7:12.

The apostle Paul lived in harmony with this change of law. Though working hard in the formation of one congregation after another, he never appealed for payment in the form of tithes. Rather, he was willing to cover his own expenses by working as a tentmaker on a part-time basis. (Acts 18:3, 4) In all honesty he could say: “These hands have attended to the needs of me and of those with me.”—Acts 20:34.

What guidance, then, do Christians have in the matter of giving? How much should you give?

The Christian Way of Giving

Jesus Christ was the most generous man to walk this earth. His example has inspired many to act generously. “Practice giving,” he said, “and people will give to you. They will pour into your laps a fine measure, pressed down, shaken together and overflowing. For with the measure that you are measuring out, they will measure out to you in return.” (Luke 6:38) Are there restrictions here? No. Christians are encouraged to give generously, which may even be more than a tenth if they can afford it.—Luke 18:22; Acts 20:35.

On the other hand, a Christian might suddenly be faced with some urgent expense, perhaps due to an accident or sickness. To give a tenth of his salary under such circumstances might deprive members of his family of the necessities of life. That would be unchristian.—Matthew 15:5-9; 1 Timothy 5:8.

Christian giving is voluntary. It takes into account that each individual has different circumstances in life. “If the readiness is there first,” the Bible says, “it is especially acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what a person does not have.”—2 Corinthians 8:12.

How much, then, should you give? That is a question that you must resolve for yourself. The depth of your own heart appreciation for God—not some predetermined tithing formula—will determine what you give. As the Bible urges: “Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7) Tithing was a provision of the Mosaic Law covenant to support Israel’s temple and priesthood.

For Christians today, it is neither commanded nor necessary.

Answer 2

First of all, we tithe to acknowledge the sovereignty of God in our lives. It is for our benefit. God could get the money "poof".
Second, not everyone builds big churches. Some need to. Joel Osteen preaches to 40k a week.
If you are concerned about the big building, that is your right. It does not excuse you from the tithe. It merely suggests you still consider it yours, not God's to designate.
Children can be fed for $3 a day overseas. If you are serious about the usage, then one presumes you are actively giving toward the poor.
It reached 27 degrees here today. I presume that is a little cold for preaching outdoors, as is the 2' of rain we have had. Jesus lived in a pastoral society - he preached where the people lived and worked. We now live in a consumption society.
Good stewardship includes a reflective awareness of how the money is used, but does not abrogate the gift of giving which changes our heart first.

Answer 3

i think of that this may well be an exceptionally sturdy question. assorted persons are very leary of tithing because of the fact there looks assorted misuse with money by using clergy. In my church and faith, we are taught to furnish 10 %. I truthfully am unsure if that right determine is listed interior the Bible, nevertheless. i think of that tithing is for on the instant and that quite everyone in touch interior the church would desire to tithe. it is my awareness that tithing is meant to be the thank you to stitch into the church financially to help with the operations of the church. yet, i like to look at my paycheck or any money that I get carry of as a blessing from God. i think that if it wasn't for God's goodness that i could have no longer something, so I have no situation in giving returned 10 % of the money that God gave to me. No i do no longer think of that we are cursed if we don't tithe.

Answer 4

Giving to God
It was once said that the wallet is the "last frontier"-- that it’s the last thing that comes to God in surrender. But it should be the first, along with our surrendered heart. Jesus spoke much about money. He said that we cannot serve God and mammon (see Matthew 6:24). The word "mammon" was the common Aramaic word for riches and it signifies "that which is to be trusted." In other words, either money is our source of joy, our sense of security, the supplier of our needs -- or God is.

When you give, make sure you do so with a cheerful heart. Our giving should be a systematic and purposeful giving to the church where we fellowship (see 2 Corinthians 9:7). It should be in response to need (see Acts 11: 27-29). It should be sacrificial (see Galatians 2:10), and should be done in secret with a humble heart (see Matthew 6:1-4). It is a key to spiritual fruit (see Luke 16:10-11).

Answer 5

If you feel this way don't tithe. Use the money to sponsor a starving child some where. Or donate it to a children's research of cancer facility. There are many places to put your money to good use that benefits the world.

Answer 6

The tax exemptions and breaks date from a time when ministers often got paid in the form of meals and there was not enough money to whitewash the church building every one in awhile. It was not intended so they could become big money businesses and political influence groups. They should give us 10% of their income.

Answer 7

The present day King James version of the Bible was written about the year 400 by Catholic Monks. Who worked with previous versions of the Bible (there were many).. They had the power to re-write the rule book, so many speculate that they changed some things around and added a few verses for themselves. Like the one, "And God said that you must financially support us for the rest of our lives, no questions please". They were smart. The religions receive $3 billion a year in donations and they're going for $4B..

Answer 8

If you go to church you should give some money, I'm not saying 10%, but the do have the water bill, electricity, pay the pastor, etc.

If you don't go to church don't worry about it.

Answer 9

You should tithe so that your church can function. If your church couldn't pay the bills, then that'll be too bad. Some tithe goes to support mission work.

Answer 10

I believe that they should use the 10% that they give to church and give it to charity.

If they honestly believe in "god" and Jesus than they don't need a church.