WSJ article on tithing

The WSJ has an interesting article titled The Backlash Against Tithing. It doesn’t sit too well with me, because I don’t particularly agree with the reasoning of either the anti- or pro-tithe camps, at least as given in the article.

Anti-tithing arguments:

Many Christians who don't read the Bible literally say that by tithing they are not misreading the text, but rather interpreting it differently.

My thoughts: Well sure, if you’re going to determine what’s literal and what’s not, then you can throw out anything the Bible says and keep only what suits you. I don’t know if that’s religion. It sounds more like justification for you living your life just as you want.

The anti-tithing movement has found support in some unlikely places: theologically conservative divinity schools and church pulpits. At Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., professor Andreas Kostenberger challenges tithing in classes on the New Testament. He teaches that if you add up all taxes paid by the ancient Israelites, they exceed 10%, and that in the New Testament there's no percentage rule. He says pastors perpetuate the 10% figure out of "pragmatism, tradition and ignorance, quite frankly."

My thoughts: It’s misleading to call tithes taxes. You’re purposely making people think in a modern day context of taxes to a government, where we’re used to the amount of taxes that we pay going up and down all the time. By the definition of the word, tithe means tenth.

Mr. Rohr, 35, is now supporting his family by driving trucks. He says he still believes what he wrote to Mr. Engel: "All decisions to give and how much to give are between the believer and their God, not meant to be used as stumbling blocks or judgments against others."

My thoughts: I find this argument to be fair. No pastor should ever insinuate that tithing is necessary for salvation. But I could then also say that all righteous living is between the believer and their God, not meant to be used as stumbling blocks or judgments against others. And then, where does accountability and church discipline come in? There must be a balance here, with an encouragement to do what is right, along with a reminder that God’s grace is sufficient when we don’t or can’t.

Pro-tithing arguments:

"If everyone gives 2% of their income because that's what they feel like giving, you aren't going to have money to pay the light bill and keep the doors open," says Duane Rice, an official with Evangelical Friends International, a denomination that believes that tithing is required by the Bible.

My thoughts: Tying tithing to light bills is tying income to expenses. In my mind, the primary purpose of tithing is not to financially support a church’s operations. It is an act of obedience in following a command from God. It is a recognition that all we have comes from God and belongs to God.

For Judy Willingham, of San Antonio, 12 years of tithing came to an end earlier this year. She says she gave a tenth of her pay to Cornerstone Church because the pastor, the Rev. John C. Hagee teaches, "'If you obey God and you tithe, God will return it to you 30, 60, 100 fold.'" Steve Sorensen, director of pastoral ministries at Cornerstone, says the church requires its paid and volunteer leaders to tithe, and teaches new members to do so, although it doesn't make them show proof of income. "When you tithe, God makes promises to us, that he ... is not going to let anything bad or destructive come about," says Mr. Sorensen. For those who don't tithe, he says the Lord "is not obligated to do those things for you."

My thoughts:Classic health and wealth Gospel. And Mother Teresa was a millionaire, because she gave so sacrificially, right?

When he objected to his church's instructions to tithe, Kirk Cesaretti took it up with the church leaders. In response, he received a letter from the pastor and elders of Hydesville Community Church in Hydesville, Calif. "At this time, we believe your concerns do not warrant any change in our church policy or positions," the letter read. The letter closed with a verse from Hebrews 13:17: "Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls; as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you."

My thoughts:I’m thinking the letter more clearly laid out the Biblical reasons for tithing, but it’s probably unnecessary to give the old parents’ “Because I said so” argument. The guidance of pastors and elders is not infallible. Only the Bible is inerrant. For church leaders to hint that people should just keep quiet and listen to their leaders, they are dangerously close to seizing authority that belongs to God alone.