Cheerful Giving

Tithing one-tenth of everything one owns is an Old Testament concept for supporting the temple priesthood. The New Testament promotes the idea of free-will offerings for needy saints.

Jesus’ ministry was funded largely by wealthy women. It’s true. We are introduced early in the New Testament to the idea of free-will offerings. In the early life of the first church, at Jerusalem, everyone pooled their resources. Men full of the Holy Spirit were entrusted to oversee and distribute these funds and goods. Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, lose their lives in the early church when they hold back a certain amount from the sale of a piece of property. They are condemned, not for holding back funds, but for lying to the Holy Spirit. Listen closely to Peter.

Acts 5:4 “Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal?”

Everything we own belongs to us. God blesses us with our resources and he trusts us with their disposal. When we first came to God he asked us to give him everything. Then he handed it back and commanded us:

“Now, go and use all for my glory.”

So, where do churches get the authority to command a weekly tithe offering if the New Testament promotes a free-will offering? Good question. It comes from a misapplication of I Corinthians 16: 1, 2.

“Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up…”

This Scripture is often quoted as a command for the church collection plate to be passed weekly in the assembly. What they do not quote is the last half of this Scripture. Paul gives the reason for his command:

“…so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem.”

If this applies to us today, then the gift we collect must go in trusted hands to the needy saints in Jerusalem! This was a ONE TIME gift promised from the Gentile churches to the needy saints in Jerusalem experiencing a famine. After Paul stops by and picks up their gift, they are under NO obligation to take up another collection the next Sunday!

Paul later says that he is even hesitant to command them to send their gift. He does so only because they had promised to give to the saints in Jerusalem. His command is actually a reminder for them to keep a promise! It has no authority today. It is not given by Paul with that intent!

There is no New Testament authority for commanding a weekly offering in the assembly. In the assembly where I worship, there is no passing of the plate! We have a box in the back for anyone who wishes to give. There are no sermons on giving to make one feel guilty or obligated. There is no coercion. And, we have never failed to meet our budget.

God desires we give “as each determines in his own heart…for God loves a cheerful giver”, 2 Corinthians 9:5-11.