When the subject of tithes and offerings comes up, people usually cringe or close their ears. In a world where fakes and scammers are everywhere, including in churches and ministries, it is easy to become cynical. Add to that the real issue of “church hurt” and it becomes a very sore subject for some people who have felt betrayed or harmed by the church and Christians.
I have seen what can happen when people abuse their power in a church or ministry, but I’ve also seen what can happen when a church works together to make an impact in their community. Before we dig into whether or not tithes and offerings should go to the church, let’s identify what we mean by tithes and offerings.
Can Tithes Be Given to Other Christian Organizations?
Giving to the church doesn’t exclude Christians from supporting other ministries and charities, but there should be a balance. Christians are called to a community of worship, a local church, which requires funds to operate and fulfill its mission. However, there are other ministries and charities that are worthy of support as well.
The scriptures give examples of giving support to other churches and needs in other cities:
- Acts 11:27-30 – “And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.”
- 2 Corinthians 8:1-4 – “Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.”
There is an endless list of opportunities to give and serve in ministries that reach across the world to help in places affected by disease, famine, and war. The phrase “charity starts at home” isn’t completely wrong. First, we take care of our family, then our local church, and then stretch out into the community and across the globe.
What Are Tithes and Offerings According to the Bible?
Let’s now take a step back and explore what tithes and offerings are. The first mention of giving to God is in Genesis when Cain and Abel gave offerings to God (Genesis 4:1-16). Later in Genesis 14:20, Abraham gives a voluntary tithe to Melchizedek who was a priest and king. The command for tithes and offerings wasn’t given until Leviticus 27:30: “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord.” Leviticus details the different types of tithes and offerings as laid out in the Mosaic Law.
Within these details, three main words are used for giving, according to Merriam-Webster:
- A tithe is “a tenth part of something paid as a voluntary contribution or as a tax, especially for the support of a religious establishment.”
- An offering is “something offered especially a sacrifice ceremonially offered as a part of worship.”
- A sacrifice is “an act of offering to a deity something precious especially : the killing of a victim on an altar or destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else.”
Each gift had a different purpose, but for our purposes, a tithe was given to support the temple and the Levites who worked there, offerings were given as a part of worship, and the sacrifice was made as a remittance for sin. If you want to know more, Offerings and Sacrifices is an article that gives a more detailed discussion of the different types.
These are examples from the Old Testament, but what does the New Testament have to say on the subject?
In the New Testament, Jesus made a new covenant through his death on the cross, which was the last blood sacrifice. However, Jesus said “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17). Jesus spoke about giving throughout his ministry:
- Render unto Caesar what belongs to him, and to God what belongs to God (Matthew 22:20-22)
- Lay up treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-21)
- Give and it will be given to you (Luke 6:38)
- It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35)
Giving did not end with the Old Testament, although it may have changed its format.
Why Does the Bible Emphasize Giving to the Local Church?
The New Testament calls for people to gather in worship, and to be a beacon of hope in a dark world. The church was given the Great Commission to go into the world and share the Gospel, baptize, and teach people the Gospel and ways of Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20). This requires money and resources as well as people, so while tithes and offerings may not follow the rigid Mosaic Law of the Old Testament, it has not been eliminated either.
The modern church has the same calling and needs that the Levites in the temple had in the Old Testament. The church building needs to be maintained and the utilities kept running. It also has workers who need to earn a living, such as the pastor and other leaders. Jesus told his disciples, “Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14), just as the needs of the Levites were covered by tithes and offerings.
Beyond the running of the building and paying wages, the church also has a calling to serve the lost world, especially the local community. God did not call the government to take care of the poor, widowed, and orphaned. He called the church. When individual churches step out into their communities to help, they are fulfilling God’s command and making an impact for the Gospel on individuals who may never have darkened a church door.
When church members don’t give tithes and offerings, the community suffers as well as the church. In his letters to the churches, Paul emphasized the need for giving and for helping one another so that the body of Christ is strengthened.
The scriptures also tell us that with the command to bring tithes into the church, there is also a blessing to be received:
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and try me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.” (Malachi 3:10)
When the church takes up its responsibilities to the community and the members give tithes and offerings to support it, then God will bless their endeavors.
How Can Christians Decide Where to Give Tithes and Offerings?
There is no denying that there is a lot of fraud and scams being perpetrated everywhere, sometimes even inside the church, so we must be wise with our giving. Wisdom comes from God above, and the Holy Spirit works within us to guide us, so here are a few steps to work through before you sign the check:
- Pray – Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in how much to give and where to give it.
- Be Aware – Take an active role in your church by attending business meetings so that you know how money is being spent.
- Investigate – Research ministries and charities to see how funds are used and talk to people involved or who have given to them.
- Get Involved – Don’t just give money; give your time by volunteering for the charities to see them at work.
What Does a Cheerful Giver Look Like?
The bottom line is not about who we give money to or even how much we give. It is about our attitude. God doesn’t want us to give out of obligation; He wants us to give out of joy:
“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)
God has given us everything that we have, including His Only Son. Giving tithes and offerings is the least we can do in return. If you ask, God will show you how to give and where. When you give it willingly, He will bless the giver and the gift in ways we can’t even begin to imagine.
Further Reading
What is the Difference between Tithes and Offerings?
What Should Christians Know about Offerings and Tithes?
What is Tithing and Do I Have to Do It?
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/ADragan
Linda Lyle is a writer, teacher, knitter, and unintentional collector of cats. She has written articles for the Alabama Baptist, Open Windows, Refresh, as well as multiple novels and novellas. Her newest book, 5-Minute Prayer Plan for When Life Is Overwhelming, is set to release in October. She spins yarns on her blog The End of My Yarn at lindalyle.com.
