Are Christians Required to Tithe

 

Under the Old Covenant, the system of tithing showed mercy and compassion for the poor, unlike the modern unbiblical churches.  Under the old covenant the ten percent tithe was never money, it was of crops and livestock. If a poor family was unable to make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem to present their tithes, and there was not a Levite in their village, they were allowed to keep and eat their own tithe. How often do you see the modern churches tell the poor to keep their tithe? 

The Old Covenant was disannulled and nailed to the cross of Christ, including its many regulations and ordinances. We are now under the New Covenant of Grace. The tithe applied to the nation of Israel only. The New Testament standard for giving to the Lord is that of freedom. Paul taught that the Lord loves a cheerful giver and that no one should put us under compulsion to give. The Lord will bless those who give to him. However, it is according to your ability and not of requirement. 

There is nothing wrong with a humble church building, or a pastor receiving a modest salary. However, large, fancy, church buildings, as well as a pastor receiving a large salary is misuse of God's money. There are many ways to give to the Lord. You may give of your time in the Lord's work, or help feed the poor, or support missionary work. Meet the needs of others and stop giving to buildings or buying your pastor a Mercedes.

(2 Cor 9:6) But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

The Apostles and Elders of the church at Jerusalem, under the leadership of James, the brother of Christ, made a decree concerning this matter. They were all in agreement, that the keeping of the Law should not be required of the Gentile Christians. They only asked that they abstain from sexual immorality, eating food sacrificed to idols, eating of things strangled, as well as the consumption of blood.  No further requirements were put upon these new converts. 

Acts15:19 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.  21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” 22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren. 23 They wrote this letter by them:  The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.

24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law” —to whom we gave no such commandment—  25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,  26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth.  28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:  29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.