What does the Bible say about Christian tithing? (Part One)

From the heart of Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D., Bible Teacher & Expositor. Tithing is an Old Testament concept. It was a requirement of the Law in which the Israelites were to give 10 percent of the crops they grew and the livestock they raised to the Tabernacle/Temple (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5). The Old Testament tithe system was indeed a form of taxation primarily designed to support the priests and Levites who served in the sacrificial system of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. After the death of Jesus fulfilled the Law, the New Testament nowhere commands, or even recommends, that Christians submit to a tithe. The New Testament nowhere designates a percentage of income a person should set aside for giving. Concerning giving Paul teaches, “On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Paul also teaches, “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). First, God calls on every believer to decide in his or her heart and mind how much to give, not a mandatory ten percent tithe. The important point is that it is an individual choice based on conscience and a person’s own relationship with God. Why is this so important? It matters to God that Christian giving always be voluntary. It is not a tax or an obligation. A gift of money or anything else is only called a gift when the giver is not obligated to hand it over. The second truth about giving in this verse is this: God loves cheerful givers. The opportunity to give to meet the needs of others should delight God’s children. When it does, He is delighted in them. Here’s the problem that I’m calling attention to: Tithing is a scheme invented by many church leaders to con you into giving. Many in the Christian church have taken the 10 percent figure from the Old Testament tithe and applied it as a “recommended minimum” for Christians in their giving. Many pastors have incorrectly taught their congregations that in order to be financially blessed by God they must give a tenth of their money to their church. Some even falsely claim that the tithe is only the beginning! They say that if a person gives an offering above the tithe, they will become wealthy. For those who tithe, my question is, where is the wealth that’s promised? This is a lie. Honestly, it’s not just a lie, it’s an anti-gospel fraud scheme. If people are coerced to give a certain percent of their income, that’s extortion. If they give freely and cheerfully the amount they are able, that's a gift. Further, tithing has never made anyone wealthy except for the pastors who preach this falsity. This is abuse, and that’s what the lie of tithing is doing to God’s children! Brothers and sisters, whenever the purpose of anything is not known or is ignored, abuse is inevitable. Be encouraged!