Tithing vs. Offering/Donations
Q: Is tithing really biblical, we live under the New Testament don't we?
A: Tithing is biblical. Living under the New Testament has long been debated. If we were to sum up this debate with one scripture, it would be to quote the great words of Jesus Himself, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets, but to fulfill." Matthew 5:17. ALL of God's Word is appropriate for learning, teaching and correction.
Old Testament New Testament
Leviticus 27:30 II Corinthians 8,9
Deuteronomy 12:17 I Timothy 5:3
Malachi 3:10
Q: Where should I pay my tithes at?
A: At the church you belong to.
Q: What if I don't belong to a church?
A: You can give your tithes to any church or ministry. The goal is that you give a tithe.
Q: Why do I need to pay my tithes anyway, the pastor drives a Mercedes Benz?
A: The short answer is your obligations to paying your tithes has nothing to do with what kind of car the Pastor drives. First you need to pay your tithes because it is biblical. Second you need to pay your tithes because the church needs funding to operate: to keep a building available for people to come to worship and pray, to keep the lights on and toilets flushing, to pay salaries, to help with missions, to help the less fortunate, and on, and on.... (Please see the topic on Prosperity)
Q: Well I some times give $20 a week, is that enough?
A: It depends. Are you giving it as a tithe or an offering? If you are giving it as a Tithe and your making $200 a week, then $20 is what you should give - so that would be enough.
Q: You mentioned offering, what exactly is that?
A: An offering or donation is a financial gift beyond your tithes. Typically offerings are directed for specific purpose, but some times people are moved just to throw a little something extra in the plate. A gift to a homeless man on the street, paying an unexpected stranger's meal at a line at McDonalds, giving to Habitat for Humanity, giving money to a family who just lost their home to a fire, or money to someone who lost a family member or giving to ministries such as Apply the Word Ministries are ALL examples of offerings and donations.
Q: Are there benefits to giving tithes and offerings?
A: Yes. If you were to just read Malachi 3:10. God tells us that if we bring in our tithes, He will open up the windows and pour us out a blessing that we wont have enough room to hold all of it! If we are obedient, God promises to bless us. Check out Deuteronomy 28!
Q: Sometimes it gets on my nerves to constantly hear my minister or other ministries speak on the topic of money. Is this badgering really necessary?
A: At times, yes it is necessary. If you have a church that is doing what God requires by supporting the church with their tithes and their offering, the pastor seldom has to take the position of speaking on the topic of money. However, if you have a church that is not doing what is required, the pastor or ministries practically have no choice but speak on the topic of money. Other options are to flood the church with fundraising efforts such as selling chicken or fish dinner, hosting special programs and plays among other activities.
Here's the bottom line, as stated before, the church and ministries have REAL expenses. Many churches have mortgages. If the mortgage is not paid, the mortgage lender will put padlocks on the front door whereby no one can enter. Some churches rent facilities. If they don't pay their rent, their landlords will deny their access. If the water bill is not paid, the county/city will turn it off. If the electricity bill isn't paid, the electric company will cut the power supply to the church. Those bulletins you read every Sunday had to be printed. These printing companies don't copy them for free. If your church has its own copier, it is mostly likely being leased so their is a leasing fee to be paid every month. Insurance has to be paid.
Some churches have dedicated members that will keep up the grounds around the church by cutting the grass, planting flowers, etc. or when it snows, they shovel the walkways and plow the parking lots for free, but many churches have to pay for this type of work to be done. As for ministries on TV and on the Radio, if these bills are not paid, the companies will sell your time to other ministries that have the funding.
So the harsh reality of it is that churches have had to close their doors and ministries have had to go off the air all due to the lack of finances. If we do what God requires of us, we won't have to be badgered about giving and supporting our churches and other ministries. Believe us when we say, pastors and other ministries would much rather spend their times studying, teaching and working in the field as opposed to always having to ask for money. If the truth be known, pastors and ministries do not enjoy having to ask people for money, or having to do a lot of fundraising or coming up with clever ways to bring in income, but the reality of it is at times it is necessary.
