Tithing: Is it necessary?

Question

What if someone cannot afford to give 10% of their income or even none at all?

Answer 1

You don't have to give the church money to show your giving nature. If you can't afford to give money, you can give your time.

Answer 2

If they truly can't afford to give 10% they cant probally afford food or clothes or electric or anything else.

Almost anyone can afford to give something. Almost everyone has a car or two, a house (larger than required just getting by remember the one room houses of olden days), too many clothes and toys. Things that are no doubt optional that a person can live without can be reduced to allow them to give. -- call waiting and caller ID, cell phones, cable TV, the newspaper, coke cola (water is the best for you anyway)

There are tough choices about trust there. Can a person trust that God will give you the wisdom they need to make the right decisions. Can they trust God to place the right people or situations in their path if they rely on him?

It may not be 10% at first if someone is really scrapping. just loose the cell phone and give the $30 a month. That is a start and showing trust and obedience.

Answer 3

No it is not necessary. The original concept of tithing was that at the end of the year you should give 10% of what was left over, to the church. This has been changed to 10% of income. The original tith was also use as welfare for the community. Today the government provides welfare so the churches don't have to as much. You should give whatever amount you feel in your heart and God will be greatful for whatever it is.

Answer 4

Tithing is an act of faith. You know, everything you have and earn is His. It all belongs to Him. Once you learn that, your outlook will change.

When you tithe, you are saying "Father, I am giving my best to You. Please use this money for Your Glory, and instruct me on how to be a good steward with the rest."

You are showing God you trust Him.

God doesn't need your money. If you don't tithe, you won't be punished. But you are missing out on many great blessings. It is an awesome act of faith (trust), and your relationship with God will blossom, because He will see that act of faith, and He will draw nearer to you.

Now, there are some of us who are on the receiving end. I mean, if you have no job, if you have no home, then you are to be helped. But, when you receive something, you give. Perhaps later, but you give.

There is a neighbor of a friend who was left by her husband with 4 kids, in an apartment with only an air mattress and small TV. No job. No money. Our church found out, and within a few days we paid 2 months rent, filled her apartment with furniture, beds, clothing and food, and Christmas presents for the kids. We are getting her a car. She is on the receiving end.

I have a friend who was down, really bad. A church member put 40 dollars in her hand, telling her that God led her to do that. My friend tithed 10% of that 40 dollars. Now, she has a job, an apartment (she is the neighbor of the one I just told you about) a car, and is blessing others every day.

Ask God to show you how to be a good steward of the money you have. You know, giving isn't just about money. If you have an extra blanket, and your neighbor doesn't, give it. God will bless you.

But, give with a cheerful heart.

Answer 5

There is absolutely nothing in the Christian Greek Scriptures (New Testament) requiring Christians to give ten percent of their earnings to God. This is a commandment that was part of the Mosaic Law Covenant - it was a contract between the Israelites and God alone.

True Christians, however, are expected to support true worship. If you feel you are part of true worship, surely you can find something to donate - even if it is a dollar. The widow spoken of at Luke 21:2 was a needy widow who dropped in all she had. And yet what she had would not even buy two sparrows - the cheapest birds there were. God was so pleased with her gift - because it came from her heart and it came out of her want and not out of her surplus.

If you dropped one dollar into the contribution box and it was accompanied by the proper motivation, God would be well pleased with you. But if you dropped $10,000 into the box and lacked proper motivation, it would mean nothing to Him.

In the final analysis, there is no obligatory tithe upon true Christians even though many churches teach this. But a person who loves God will contribute some of what he has.

Hannah J Paul

Answer 6

Malachi 3--it's in the Old Testament if you don't know. Tithing is necessary because the first 10% of our income belongs to God already. That's why it says He's being robbed of tithes & offerings. Giving to God brings blessings. It's true you can't outgive God. The book of Proverbs says, among other things, He that give to the poor lends to the Lord and He (God) will not be a debtor to anyone. The tithing thing is not just so the church can take your money--it's to bless you. If you can't give 10% @ first, start where you are & ask God to increase your faith so that you can give what's right (instead of what's left :) )

Answer 7

Tithing is necessary for a Christian, but tithing isn't always money....It could be your time to a local ministry, etc... But tithing is essential to being called Faithful....Once you begin to pay tithes and put the kingdom of God first you will begin to learn that you will be Blessed. By not giving God tithes and offerings you open up a curse to come upon you. At first it will be hard, but I tell you to keep your trust in God and focus on Him.

8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the Lord of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. 11 "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field," Says the Lord of hosts; 12 "And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land," Says the Lord of hosts.
Malachi 3:8-12

Answer 8

Under the New Covenant, there is no requirement that Christians must tithe. It would be impossible to do even if we wanted to, since the Mosaic Covenant (which never applied to gentiles then and certainly doesn't now) REQUIRES that tithes be given to the Temple for keeping in the storehouse. There is no other earthly Temple except our bodies (1 Cor. 3:16). There are no NT passages that equate the Temple with the local church. There are also no NT examples of Christians (Jew or gentile) titheing to their local church; instead, we see the local churches gathering money and food to give to the disadvantaged. And lastly, God explicitly states that the tithe must not be given in money; He wanted livestock, fruits and vegetables so the Temple had provisions.

Under the New Covenant, we are commanded to give money and assistance to the poor, widows, orphans, fellow believers in need, and anyone else who asks. See Matthew 25:40, 1 John 3:17, 2 Cor. 9:6-15 for example. God has NO NEED to receive our money directly; what He does tell us, though, is that when we give to others, we are giving to Him. For that matter, the NT guidelines don't even require that we give money to these causes. We can give of our time and talents. For example, if a widow needs a window repaired and you do it out of your love for God and this woman, God considers that you've given to Him. Money isn't what He looks at; it's the HEART.

Here's a GREAT site that discusses all the requirements of the tithe under Mosaic law and why they do not apply to those under the New Covenant: http://www.truthorfables.com/Tithe_Test.htm

Peace.

Answer 9

Tithing is NOT commanded in the N.T. Paul said to GIVE as God has prospered you. The tenth was O.T. or the law, not found in the New Covenant. If it were Paul wouldn't have said what he did. We are free of the yoke of the law. NEVER allow a greedy minister to tell you different

Answer 10

Tithing is a way to show obedience. I have tithed most of my adult life and God has never let me down, Ive never missed a meal because of no money. Ive never has utilities cut off, I am frugal, but God has helped me get completely out of debt and I would highly recommend tithing to all Christians.

Answer 11

If you can't afford to give the church money, try to offer your time. Churches are usually big places that take effort to keep operating. Maybe you can help clean or play the piano/organ in the service. Lots of little things cost them money that you may be able to do for free that will help the church.