Does a Christian have to Tithe?

By John Weaver

July 1, 2022

I read an article about a ball player who was being applauded for declaring that he would tithe. He had signed a five year contract for 125 million dollars. He said that he would give 12.5 million dollars over 5 years. Two and a half million each year, which is a bit over $48,000 each Sunday, is definitely a lot of money!

As good and generous as this seems, I doubt that it will be discussed and marveled at two thousand years from now. However, people still read and ponder the poor widow who put her money in the offering basket  two thousand years ago.

What was so special about her offering? Certainly not the size of her contribution. It was a paltry amount, really. Two mites is way less than two cents. What was marvelous, and Jesus clearly brought it out, was that she gave all that she had. Not because she had to. No, she gave because she wanted to.

Now let’s answer the above question, “Does a Christian have to tithe?” Tithing was the law during the Old Covenant. What about us who are part of the New Covenant? My answer to that is, “No.” To tithe is to be put under a law. We are free from the law. We are not bound to a paltry ten percent when it comes to giving. We are free to give any amount, although ten percent is a good starting point.

Tithing, in all honesty, really puts a damper on the Christian in the New Covenant. “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver" (2 Cor 9:7).

Giving, (time, effort, prayers, and money), is a vital part of a Christian’s life. A child of God who does not give, is like a runner who does not run, or a ball player who does not play ball.

As this widow so clearly demonstrated, it is not the amount that is important. For that poor widow to give two mites, was way more in the eyes of God than the ball player who puts in a $50,000 check every Sunday.

God is more interested in what is left, than He is in what is given. It is not wrong to make a lot of money. Today, in our country, it is relatively easy to accumulate wealth. I do not believe it is wrong to make a lot of money, but it is wrong to KEEP a lot of wealth. If we purpose in our hearts to give, 2 Corinthians 9:8 says, “God is able to make all grace abound toward you.” In other words, if we give to God, we will not lack. He will make His grace to abound. When we give to God and His work, we lay up treasures in heaven. By giving cheerfully, we prevent our hearts from becoming attached to the treasures on earth.

Many (someone said over 50%) of the parables that Jesus told were about money. I never counted, but I am sure that Jesus knew that the love of money, or the desire for riches, was a snare. He stated plainly, “The love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (I Timothy 6:10).

So purpose in your hearts to give. Ask God, “What do you want me to do in this situation,” or, “What do you want me to do about this need?” Don't ever think that you can't give very much so you don't give anything at all. The little boy gave his lunch and thousands were fed, because God made all grace abound. He can do the same for us, if we give with a cheerful attitude.

It really is more blessed to give.
Thank You Lord!

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