Proportional Giving: Tithing
Bob Mendelsohn
26 August 2001
Given at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Chatswood West
Sydney


Tithing. Could there be a more boring or more legalistic or a more uninspirational theme than tithing for a sermon? Even the word 'tithe' which simply means 'one tenth' has not been used in the Sydney Morning Herald in over 40 years. It's antiquated; both in usage and in content. You have to go to the Bible to find it. The word 'tithe' is spoken twice in the historical books, three times in the prophets, and 11 times in the Torah, the 5 Books of Moses. What was David Ritchie thinking anyway when he asked me to speak about proportional giving? This is another in our series of sermons on money. In fact it's the 4th in the series, so by now, anyone who has been here for the last 3 weeks is saying, "oy givalt, another 'stewardship' talk" or "they are just after my money!" or "now what else could they teach me about money" or perhaps you have said what I consider the worst, "Of course this is all the Jewish guy can teach on money!"

But it was another Jewish man who spoke these words, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin and rue and every kind of garden herb, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others." (quoted in both Matthew 23.23 and Luke 11.42)

And it was that same Jewish man who told the story of a rich man contrasted with a poor bloke, the rich man self-attesting to his own righteousness "I thank you God that I'm not like other men, I fast twice a week, I pay tithes of all I receive"

John Calvin wrote: "When we have entirely discarded all self-confidence, and trust solely in the certainty of his goodness, we are fit to apprehend and obtain the grace of God. "When," (as Augustine says,) "forgetting our own merits, we embrace the gifts of Christ, because if he should seek for merits in us we should not obtain his gifts," (August. de Verb. Apost. 8.) Not to dwell longer here, let us lay down this short but sure and general rule, That he is prepared to reap the fruits of the divine mercy who has thoroughly emptied himself, I say not of righteousness, (he has none,) but of a vain and blustering show of righteousness; for to whatever extent any man rests in himself, to the same extent he impedes the beneficence of God." (Inst. Chr. Religion. Vol. III) Do you look at people as "almost Christian?" That is, do you notice unbelievers and say, "This one would make a fine Christian." Or "when he gets saved, he'll be very useful to God in this regard or that." Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest on August 4 said, "It is not a question of our equipment but of our poverty, not of what we bring with us, but of what God puts into us; not a question of natural virtues of strength of character, knowledge, and experience---all that is of no avail in this matter. The only thing that avails is that we are taken up into the big compelling of God and made his comrades." In other words, it's not how able and how generous; it's about how humble and breast beating we are about how ignoble we are. But this idea may better be expanded at another time.

For now, let's break down the idea of proportional giving into some bite size portions, so you will be able to at least discuss this topic later on.

I. The idea of giving is God's idea
II. The idea of tithing is God's strategy
III. The tithe is non negotiable and not replaced
IV. The tithe is minimal
V. Systematic and spontaneous are not antithetical

I. The idea of giving is God's idea

From the beginning, we see God as a giver. The last 3 weeks, we've seen that in our series. If this is your first time with us, let me be modular, that is, let this sermon be able to be a one-off occasion. The most famous verse in the Bible is a proof of this idea. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3.16) God initiated the idea of giving. It's His style of life. Quoting again, "And this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His own son as a propitiation for our sins." (1 John). God the master of life, has taught us in his own activity of the idea of giving. It's His idea. And God gives lavishly, effusively, if you will prodigally.

II. The idea of the tithe is God's strategy

Abraham, the father of faith, conquered a confederation of kings as recorded in the book of Genesis. As a thanks to God, Abraham gave a tenth part of all the spoils from the confederate kings. These Abraham gave as a tribute to the most high God, who, being the possessor of heaven and earth, dispenses all spiritual and temporal favors, and demands the gratitude of all his subjects. By medieval times, almost all nations of the earth have agreed in giving a tenth part of their property to be employed in religious uses. The tithes were afterwards granted to the Levites for the use of the sanctuary, and the maintenance of themselves and their families, as they had no other landed inheritance in Israel. (Adam Clarke commentary on Genesis)

Tithes in their origin appear to have been a sort of eucharistic offering made unto God, and probably were something similar to the minchah, which we learn from Genesis 4 was in use almost from the foundation of the world. When God established a regular, and we may add an expensive worship, it was necessary that proper provision should be made for the support of those who were obliged to devote their whole time to it, and consequently were deprived of the opportunity of providing for themselves in any secular way. It was soon found that a tenth part of the produce of the whole land was necessary for this purpose, as a whole tribe, that of Levi which was 1/12th or 8% of the sons of Jacob, was devoted to the public service of God. When the land was divided, this tribe received no inheritance among their brethren. Hence, for their support, the law of tithes was enacted; and by these the priests and Levites were not only supported as the ministers of God, but as the teachers and intercessors of the people, performing a great variety of religious duties including leading worship and singing and music which otherwise they themselves were bound to perform. As God instituted this mode of supporting His ministers, so we may rest assured it was rational and just. Nothing can be more reasonable than to devote a portion of the earthly good which we receive from the free mercy of God, to his own service; especially when by doing it we are essentially serving ourselves. If the ministers of God give up their whole time, talents, and strength, to watch over, labor for, and instruct the people in spiritual things, justice requires that they receive their support from the work.

The labourer is worthy of his hire; and the maintenance of the public ministry of the word of God should not be left to the caprices of men. This week we may think 10% is fine; next week, after another company like HIH goes down or our shares in One.Tel are recalculated, we may think 3% is suitable for the lazy preacher who only works one day a week anyway! Beyond the caprice of men, think about this. He who is only supported for his work, will be probably abandoned when he is no longer capable of public service I have heard stories of aged and worn-out ministers reduced to great necessity, and almost literally obliged to beg their bread among those whose opulence and salvation were, under God, the fruits of their ministry!

Such persons may think they do Godservice by disputing against "tithes, as legal institutions long sinceabrogated," while they permit their worn-out ministers to starve: -but howshall they appear in that day when Jesus shall say, I was hungry, and ye gave me no meat. This makes no sense to me, but it happens. And it happens because of poor structures. The tithe was God's structural strategy.

III. The tithe is non-negotiable and not replaced

In Leviticus 27 we read Verse 30. All the tithe of the land. This God claims as his own, and it is spoken of here as being a point perfectly settled, and concerning which there was neither doubt nor difficulty.

But perhaps you think this is just old stuff, old covenant, Jewish and not for you as a Christian. Amazing. This same section of Bible we read, Deuteronomy 14, also tells you to both care for poor people and to worship together. And if I see the Anglicare box outside this worship centre I think we haven't dismissed the entire book now have we? I think most people pick and choose which of BOTH testaments they want to enjoin on themselves. But I'm not convinced tithing is done away in Christ. Remember what Y'shua said?

Matt. 23:23 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices (mint, dill and cumin. ) But you have neglected the more important matters of the law (justice, mercy and faithfulness ) You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

It sounds like Jesus here is emphasizing and reinforcing the relevance and importance of tithing AS WELL AS having the mercy and kindness of God whilst you do it. He sounds to be affirming the continuing validity of the tithe.

So, if you will, for a bit of historical perspective, let's look for a few minutes at Deuteronomy 14.22-15.11

22-29 the "tithe" is to be taken to the place the Lord shall choose as a dwelling for his Name, and there it is to be eaten joyfully in the presence of the Lord. Moses had already mentioned (in 12:6) the tithes along with the other things that the people were to bring to the chosen sanctuary, where they should eat and rejoice. Obviously the people would not consume a tenth of their total annual production in only a few days! Having already given directions for the support of the Levites by the tithes (Nu 18:21-28), Moses here spoke of the festive communal meals that the people were to enjoy when the tithes were brought to the tabernacle. Every three years these tithes were to be brought to local city centres where they were stored for the use of the Levites, the aliens, and the poor. This care for non-landed people would lead to God's blessing on their agricultural work. This garnering of tithes was to come during the third year and the sixth year. After the sixth year, the sabbatical year was observed as a year when the fields lay fallow, after which the cycle recommenced. The logistics of transporting the tithes would be difficult perhaps impossible, for families living at a distance from the tabernacle. Thus the people could turn the tithe into cash and then, at the place the Lord would choose, convert it into food and drink desired for the celebration of God's blessing.

The year of cancelling debts (15:1-11)

1-4 Israel was to have a very special internal relationship of brotherhood in its citizenry. If followed, there would be no poor or needy person among them because of the Lord's blessing (vv. 4-6, 10). The cancellation of debt itself would go a long way toward producing that blessing, and it would result in limiting the centralization of monetary assets in the hands of the more well to do. No evidence exists that the Mosaic economy in its details was ever fully implemented with its sabbatical years and years of Jubilee. The assertion that "there should be no poor" among them at first glance may seem to conflict with v. 7 and especially v. 11. But apparently Moses proclaimed the ideal while being doubtful that the ideal would be fully realized (cf. 1Jn 2:1). But maybe we should say, since the poor will always be with us, we will always have opportunity to fulfil this commandment and do what God says. That is, if you come to a place of abundance like Australia enjoys and you can't really see the 'need', you still should comply with God's Ordinance. That's what God seems to say in this passage to me.

5-6 Israel would realize the ideal situation only if the people would fully obey the Lord. Obedience would not only bring rich blessings so that no poor would be among them, but they would also have monetary superiority over the nations around them.

7-11 Moses moved into the subjective bases for the Israelites' behaviour, their thoughts and emotions, when he said that they should not be hardhearted, but should freely lend a brother whatever he needs. They must exercise care not to harbour a base thought that would limit generosity, such as "the year for cancelling debts is near." They must give generously without a grudging heart. A warning is appended: the brother can appeal to the Lord, and the grudging-hearted will be found guilty of sin.

Hundreds of years later, at the time of Y'shua, the fraternity of the Pharisees was bound by these two vows-- that of tithing and that in regard to purifications. As the most varied questions would here arise in practice, which certainly were not answered in the law of Moses, the "traditions," which were supposed to explain and supplement the Divine law became necessary. In point of fact, the Rabbis speak of them in that sense, and describe them as "a hedge" around Israel and its law. The result was a system of pure externalism, which often contravened the spirit of those very ordinances, the letter of which was slavishly worshipped. To what hypocrisy it often gave rise, appears from Rabbinical writings almost as much as from the Newer Testament. We can understand how those "blind guides" would often be as great a trouble to their own party as to others. [Edersheim, Sketches, Chapter 14]

So I believe the tithe is still a mandate and a fixture for us all.

IV. The tithe is minimal

I get upset when I hear an otherwise good Christian radio program that closes with the appeal, "Send your tithes and offerings to me." I say to myself, "Offerings, maybe; tithes, no!" Tithing is a good beginning standard. Most Christians are able to give more than just 10 percent, and a good number do. But if a person is only tithing, his local church should have primary consideration. You wouldn't think much of a wage earner who gave to every indigent beggar to the point where his own family had no food on the table for lack of funds. Yet that's exactly what many Christians do in their giving.

Many are shocked to hear this from a missionary. I guess somehow they thought that I, the leader of a faith mission, should be saying, "Support our mission first." I don't know that anyone supports our ministry less for my telling people that their first concern in Christian giving should be their local church.

One man, an old-age pensioner, wrote to us in anguish that he loved his church and had been a tither until his forced retirement. Because of a catastrophic illness, he had lost his home and savings. His pension was so low that he was living in one room and staying alive by eating canned dog food. He was anxiety-ridden over not being able to tithe. Belonging to a church that regularly scheduled sermons on "stewardship," he understood his pastor to be preaching from Malachi 3:8 that non-tithers were robbing God -- a passage, incidentally, meant for the people of Israel living in the land. That poor man was tortured with guilt, never questioning the presumption that if a Christian did not give 10 percent of his income, he was guilty of feloniously withholding God's due. He expressed deep shame and despair, saying, "I want to believe that God would provide if only I would trust him by tithing. Sometimes I wonder if I have enough faith even to be saved." That man was a victim of some over-zealous preaching on stewardship. We told him that his assurance of salvation should be based on Christ, not on his ability to give -- that he was saved by what God had given him, not by what he gave God! Grace is a good thing to hear at this point in this message.

I do believe in proportionate giving, and I think that 10 percent of one's income is a good starting place. Arnold Fruchtenbaum says if you add up all the tithes required they total 23% of your income. Wow! But Arnold doesn't factor in the 7th year or the 50th year. Nor the 7th day for that matter. Last month Patty and Anne and I went to Thailand, where the work week is 7 days, not 5. No leave loading either. Remember in the Bible, Moses is writing to an agrarian people who ordinarily worked 7 days. Factor these required days off and you total 42%! After that, 10% sounds like a steep discount, doesn't it? Furthermore, I won't quibble about whether the tithe should be from gross income or net income. That question removes the subject from the realm of the true nature of Christian giving. In conjunction with that, my next statement may be even more shocking: If you feel that you cannot give or do not care to give to support your local church or any Christian cause, then you should not give!

You see, only you can take upon yourself that obligation of giving to God. Theologically speaking, you could be saved if you never gave one donation to your own church or any other Christian cause. God does not love you more because you give a great deal or less because you give less. The basis of Christian giving is not giving according to some obligation, but giving out of love for God. The clearest teaching on giving is found in our Newer Testament passage II Corinthians 9:7: " Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.." What you give or do not give is a matter of what is in your heart. God loves us all anyway; but he has a special affection for those who cheerfully want to do without things because they love him.

A while back, another friend of our ministry wrote that he was giving us substantial support because he belonged to a church that did not believe in bringing the gospel to the Jews, or at least didn't want to support any Jewish mission. If he belonged to a church that was unwilling to support missions other than what could be controlled by his denomination, perhaps he ought to look for another church. If you cannot wholeheartedly give the major part of your donations to support your own local church and its projects, you ought to think seriously about changing churches.

Of course you won't find a perfect church in your neighbourhood -- or in this world. And if you ever did, it would no longer be perfect after you joined it because we are all imperfect people here on earth, striving to grow toward the perfection we will achieve only in the heavenly presence of our Saviour. Meanwhile, you need to belong to a church and you should support it in proportion to your income and resources. For the good of your own soul, you need to be a giver more than your church or any Christian organization needs to be the recipient of your donations. If you don't know that church membership includes an obligation to support the ministry of that church, then I'm glad you are here today to hear this message. Perhaps you ought to review first, your commitment to the Lord, and second, your commitment to your church.

I do hope that you will be able to continue to support Holy Trinity Church first, or to make that your priority for the first time if you have never before considered the matter. And I hope that as God prospers and leads, you will be able to uphold our Jews for Jesus ministry as well.

V. (And lastly) Tithing should be systematic and spontaneous

Whatever you do, it's important to remember that all of your giving is an act of worship and devotion to God. That's the way we receive gifts to our ministry because that's the way we believe they are given. True giving means giving up something. You could enjoy the worshipful act of being a sacrificial giver more than you could enjoy what you would be giving up. The key lies in contemplating what God has given you, what it cost him, and how pleased he was when you accepted his gift of salvation in Christ. The more you realize what God has given and continues to give you, the more you'll enjoy the worship of giving to him.

A woman needed a new dress and saw just what she was looking for at a very good price. But just about the only money left after paying the bills and buying groceries was money set-aside for her church. "Go ahead and buy the dress," her friend reasoned. "It's on sale now and you can always give more money to the church next month." The woman shook her head. "No," she said. "This money is my tithe. It's God's money already. I'm not about to borrow God's money to buy a dress, even if it is on sale."

She responded to her circumstances based on principles to which she was previously committed, following through on choices she had made long ago. That is what commitment to one's principles does--it rules out what may appear to be a choice, based on a past decision that takes precedence.

Whim and fancy make us change gears, but the church is an institution that needs pace and settled accounts. Systematic approaches to giving make sense to me. Not only because I was a maths teacher, but because it is reasonable. AND YET with systems come the danger of Pharaseeism, that is, the fulfilment of rules for the sake of pleasing God who is already pleased with our faith. Hence, there is a companion need, that of spontaneity and joy, as we read in our text, "with hilarity" or "joyfully". I don't think system and spontaneity are mutually exclusive. Smile as you turn in your weekly-prepared envelopes.

To summarize, let's remind ourselves. God is a giver and his strategy in running things here includes tithing. 10% of your income is minimal and can be given in gladness to God for all His benefits to us.

I trust this message although a fairly simple functional message will speak to each of us over the next few months, and we will all be better givers to the parish. As unto the Lord. Originally I thought of bringing a chalkboard, taking random salary figures from the pews and after completing this most basic maths skill, I would sit down. I told David my sermon would only last one minute. Which some of you now think is 30 seconds too long. But we'll have to leave that also for another time.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, oh Lord our Rock and Redeemer. (End of sermon)