Expert: Australian International Evangelist Matthew Starrs - 1/19/2009

Question
I have recently attended 2 AoG services the last 2 sundays after not being in a church since I was a child (except weddings & funerals) I enjoyed the services.  My question is reguarding the 10% tithing as I see nowhere in the New Testament where it states a 10% tith, from what I've read the 10% is an Old Testament law for the 11 tribes of israel to support the 12th, I ask this question not out of trying to get out of anything as I believe we should give offerings to support the church and give back to god, but because I want to follow Jesus and not a rule created by fellow mortal men, as Jesus said follow me...not follow these people.  I just feel as though my heart is not in the right place by having to get out my calculator to figure out what my minimum would be.

Thank you

Answer
Hi Sean

You are exactly right.

In my church I pay 10% each week. I have argued from the scriptures that it is not biblical, and worse than that, if you are trusting in tithing to open the blessing from God, you are counting Jesus sacrifice as insufficient and doing an injustice to His grace!

Nonetheless, my church, like most AOG's insist on tithing, and as I am in leadership it is neccessary that I abide by their "law". I agreed, but on the provision that we call it what it is. That is, a "membership fee". So each week when everybody else pays their "tithe" I pay my membership fee.

I strongly oppose tithing. I think that it is a sin to teach it and a sin to practice it if you do so because you think you will be cursed if you do not (Malachi 3).

But the bible says that God has called us to peace, so I don't mind giving the church 10% of my income to keep the peace, however if I am asked I will always teach others that tithing is not for Christians.

Blessings!

Matthew.