Question
I need help on where in the bible ; does (tithes) appear about giving 1/10 of ones earnings to the church.
Answer
The New testament does not legislate “how much” we should give to a local congregation, although some denominations have made their own laws on this and many other matters.
Rather than specifying the exact amount to be given, the principles that we should follow are revealed to us. Some of them are the following:
1. Give as we have been prospered by the Lord, out of a willing heart and not by compulsion.
2CO 9:6 ¶ Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully.
2CO 9:7 Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.
2. Giving is to be a sacrifice on our part, something that is beyond a surplus that causes some suffering, but not to the point of poverty and putting us in physical need.
2CO 8:1 Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia,
2CO 8:2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.
2CO 8:3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability they gave of their own accord,
2CO 8:4 begging us with much entreaty for the favor of participation in the support of the saints,
2CO 8:5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.
3. Giving should be done weekly, on the first day of the week for the purposes of helping needy Christians and supporting faithful teachers of His word.
1CO 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatians, so do you also.
1CO 16:2 On the first day of every week let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.
1CO 16:3 And when I arrive, whomever you may approve, I shall send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem;
1CO 16:4 and if it is fitting for me to go also, they will go with me.
4. We should provide for our own and also give to the Lord as we are able. Depending on circumstances, our amount of giving will change from time to time.
1TI 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
5. We give money as a local church to support preachers and help Christians who are in need.
ACT 11:27 ¶ Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
ACT 11:28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius.
ACT 11:29 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea.
ACT 11:30 And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.
PHI 4:14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.
PHI 4:15 And you yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone;
PHI 4:16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs.
PHI 4:17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.
PHI 4:18 But I have received everything in full, and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.
By Gary Hunt
