Why don't more Christians tithe? Or at least give a little?

[rethink88]

The statistics of giving in todays culture are pretty terrible. The Church could have a HUGE impact if everyone tithed.

Check out these 5 things the Church COULD do if every Christian tithed: https://rethinknow.org/2016/05/31/5-things-that-could-happen-if-the-church-tithed/

 

[Albion]

The point is valid, but we need to keep in mind that the government has taken over much of the charitable and humanitarian work that once was left to the churches. This is probably why the giving percentage for the Depression-era is higher than for Christians today. Already taxed for welfare payments, pensions, disaster relief, overseas humanitarian projects, and so on, the average churchgoer thinks that he's already contributed to a number of those worthy projects that were listed in the link you gave us.

Now that I notice, I should point out that this thread is not one that's asking for personal "Christian Advice" and so would be better placed on another forum.

 

[Razare]

Don't bother giving if you do it under the covenant of the law. Do it under grace. 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9.

If people knew more about grace, they would be jumping at the bit to give just like Zacchaeus.

Zacchaeus gave by grace and faith, and his manner of giving was not compelled but cheerful.

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." - Luke 19:8

What he did there opposes the doctrine of tithing by obligation.

Certainly we are obligated to tithe. Just as we are obligated to uphold the 10 commandments, and then also the remainder of the law. All men are obligated to be perfect as God is perfect. Matthew 5:48 ... none of this is optional, but obligatory. So Christ did this:

having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. - Colossians 2:14

Now, we are not obligated to give, but we are allowed to give. We get to do it, it is a benefit and a positive thing. We are free to give. This is a hopeful, faith-filled, loving thing we get to manifest through us.


2 Corinthians 9:7 - Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Tithes are compulsory, if you don't do them, you're robbing God and cursed for it. Under grace, you give more because of faith, love and hope. The obligation is dead and we're free to live as are made in Christ.

 

[Cernunnos]

Tithing was done in a culture where Church and State were the same. . . Tithing is taxes by a different name. Believe me, I would be VERY happy, VERY happy if only 10% was taken for the care of widows & orphans, the poor, the disabled. . . but Governments have wars to pay for and huge, hulking bureaucracies . . . so they need closer to 30% . . . Demanding another 10% on top of this is legalistic religionism. . . it has nothing to do with the Bible, God or being a good Christian. Guilting Christians into poverty by paying taxes & paying taxes again does nothing for the Gospel.

If you want Christians to tithe more, start by inspiring Christians to do the jobs Government has taken, taking care of the widows, the poor, the disabled. The Government can't justify it's budget if it has no customers & those taxes can come down, those bureaucracies can get downsized. 125 years ago Christians did tithe, and those tithes went to all the things government does now, paid for by increased taxes and less efficiently. We need to take responsibility back. Churches have been shrinking and congregations stagnating at the same rate government has taken over care for those in need. . . it isn't unrelated.

 

[John Davidson]

The statistics of giving in todays culture are pretty terrible. The Church could have a HUGE impact if everyone tithed.

Check out these 5 things the Church COULD do if every Christian tithed: https://rethinknow.org/2016/05/31/5-things-that-could-happen-if-the-church-tithed/

Tithing is not a New Testament law so I feel no requirement to do so.

I have very little income so giving is hard for me.

 

[Goodbook]

Are you a pastor or something? Why is this in advice?
You can't make the sheep you look after give you anything. It is done freely with a cheerful heart. Many people give much more than you think and its not money they don't have.

 

[Greg J.]

Regarding the title of the original post, Why don't more Christians tithe? Or at least give a little?

There's lots of reasons. A lot of Christians are tithing. A problem with our statistics is not with identifying how much Christians are giving, it is about who to include in the calculation—defining what it means to be Christian. The majority of the people in America who give themselves the label "Christian" are not followers of Jesus as demonstrated by their general choices and actions.

There are genuine followers of Christ who you can find all along the path between a worldly lifestyle (e.g., a new believer) and a Jesus-centered lifestyle. How easy it is to tithe is affected by what one understands of the material and spiritual value to tithing as well as how how much and what kind of faith someone has in God.

One reason some people do not tithe is that they are trying to do the minimum to be obedient to Jesus, rather than trying to love him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. (We all have this problem in varying degrees.) It is a reasonable interpretation of 2 Corinthians 9:7 to say that we are not strictly commanded to tithe (unlike baptism, for example). To be a cheerful giver, God needs to have given a person faith, and some do not yet have that faith. However, the effects of tithing are clear enough. Note the verse that precedes 2 Corinthians 9:7:

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. (2 Corinthians 9:6, 1984 NIV)

The bottom line is not really "do I have to tithe?" because we don't "have to" do anything for God or anyone else. It is our choice (God freed us) and we will receive the consequences of our choice. The real question is more along the lines of, "to what degree do I see that it is priceless to invest all that I have and all that I am in God?"

Another reason some people do not tithe is because they do not perceive God's unchanging character (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8) in Malachi 3:7-15, but only see an old promise to farmers that has nothing to do with us. People think money is theirs and God wants 10% of it. However everything we have, including our money already belongs to God, and God calls not giving 10% of our increase "robbing" him (Malachi 3:8). In actual fact, not giving 100% of everything we are and have to God from one's heart is a form of rejection of God. This is probably the most important thing people should be working toward.

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. (bold mine, Malachi 3:10, 1984 NIV)

Tithing for legalistic reasons (e.g., trying to be obedient to God in the way of the old covenant) is different than doing other things because of the Law, because God said "test me in this" about tithing in Malachi 3:11. As a result, God wants us to tithe even when our attitude is poor. But it isn't a direct part of being saved. Genuinely having entrusted ourselves to God is what is a direct part of being right with God (under both the Old Covenant and New Covenant).

It is important to note that if a person is trusting God even though they aren't tithing, they are personally better off in their personal relationship with God than if they are tithing grudgingly (but the potential recipients of the money are not better off).

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6, 1984 NIV)

However, just being pleasing to God is not all that is going on. There is still a spiritual battle going on (Ephesians 6:10-18). The spiritual world works in certain ways apart from what pleases God (Romans 5:13). We will still reap sparingly if we sow sparingly. So if you want the overflow of blessing that God spoke of in Malachi 3:10, fighting forward is still necessary (one example being tithing). For a little more info about that, see Deuteronomy 28 which is one expression of the framework of the spiritual battle we are in.

 

[NothingIsImpossible]

Personally I love to tithe but can't or at least stopped for a few months now. Only got $733 a month to live on. Plus what my wifes makes part time. If we both give 10% then we will be short bills. Here in lies the problem with many christians like myself. We say we can't tithe because of things being tight and we say we believe nothing is impossible with God and yet we don't tithe and make an excuse for it. I have guilt because I know if I just tithed and trusted in God financially, things would be taken care of. But I don't and I hate myself for it. In July though I am going to start tithing again and whatever bills we are short I am not worried about.

 

[Goodbook]

It is not money OT people tithed it was food and produce. Remember the pharisees tithed their cumin and dill.
Giving alms was different, actually more people give alms which is used directly to bless others than tithe to a storehouse. God places it on peoples hearts to give and often we give in secret so cannot judge how good a christian is if you see the amount someone writes on a cheque each week, because remember Jesus praised the widow who dropped in a mite over the rich pharisee who gave more.
The temple changed over time so it became a money laundering business that Jesus was VERY angry about. Thats why he got rid of the money lenders and said his Fathers house had become a den of thieves. Thats why it was also ultimately destroyed. Because people became greedy and were pocketing and profiting from it. Esp Judas who stole from the money bag.

As for taking up collections we are to give generously and cheerfully to those in need.

 

[JAM2b]

I currently do not tithe because I am not a member of a church. Money, or what it is spent on, in the church has a lot to do with why I am not a member of a church at this time. There are other reasons, but money has much to do with it.

I believe tithes and offerings out of love and a generous spirit should be used to support people in their needs. Ministers who devote significant amount of time serving the body need to be paid. Widows, orphans, the poor and needy should be given to. Purchase of Bibles, assistance with transportation for those who need it, food to share at gatherings, reaching out to those who are not church members in tangible and practical ways... these are some of the things I believe God intends for tithes to go to.

I don't think God wants it to go to expensive programs, elaborate sound and light systems, luxuries in the church buildings, aesthetics, outrageous salaries, events that are essentially social or cultural rather than spiritually discipling, and any number of things that are frivolous and reduce the amount that could benefit people in real ways. I believe we are supposed to be investing in the welfare of people instead of what makes us look and feel good.

 

[Near]

As one other member said, "I currently do not tithe because I am not a member of a church. Money, or what it is spent on, in the church has a lot to do with why I am not a member of a church at this time." I feel the same.

As for the point on the great commission, giving our time to do it ourselves is important. Money? Nah, forget that. We don't need more decorations in churches.

Points taken from your link

• $75 Million to add 500 new prison ministries
• $1.1 Billion to add 5,500 new family counseling centers
• $150 Million to provide debt and financial management training
• $100 Million to provide job training for unemployed people

• $500 Million to Train 10,000 new pastors
• $500 Million to Raise the median salary for current pastors

We could just do it all for free. You don't need a "center" (big building) for counseling.
I don't think a lot of that stuff is necessary for the gospel, and why do pastors need more money?

Just wondering, could anyone give me money for free so I can quit my job and go to college full time....
jk I'm not lazy, and I know I'll have to earn that degree

 

[orangeness365]

I should give more. I hardly give anything. I tell myself that I will give more when I get older and a higher paying, full time job. I know I'm being greedy, but right now my family is in bankruptcy and I need the money for my family to eat. Plus even after my family is out of bankruptcy, I still have a mountain of debt from going to college and dropping out that still needs to be paid back.