Tithe And Offerings

The true meaning of giving tithes and offerings to God has been distorted, turning into a tool used by some religious leaders to extract money from their followers. Many believers now think they can please God with their money, while others live in fear, attributing every illness or misfortune to their failure to give tithes and offerings. In response, they rush to correct this perceived wrongdoing. There’s also a widespread belief that if one sincerely gives ten percent to God, He will reward them with a hundred percent return, as if it were an investment in the stock market or mutual funds. Some people focus on charity, viewing it as lending money to God, which makes them see God as a debtor who owes them a return with interest.

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD,
and he will reward them for what they have done. – Proverbs 19:17 (NIV)

Money Extracting Tools

While we’re savvy enough to avoid scam calls that ask for small amounts with the promise of huge returns—tactics used by fraudsters to digitally access and drain our bank accounts—we often fail to be as cautious with those who use the Word of God to extract money from us. Let’s take a closer look at some of these verses to understand their true meaning:

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. – 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)

This verse is one of the most commonly used to urge believers to give, and religious leaders often use it excessively to motivate donors. However, this approach can contradict the very reason people seek spiritual guidance, causing them to feel disheartened when they hear it repeatedly encouraging them to give more.

Many were told that Jesus loves them when they were troubled, but once they joined the church, they are now told that God loves a cheerful giver. These individuals, who often have little to give, came seeking peace, but instead, their purpose is undermined as they struggle with the burden of giving and the fear of how to please God to receive blessings in return. These weary and burdened souls are called by God to find rest, but the relentless pursuit of money by some leaders has distorted this purpose, leaving them even more troubled.

So, does the Word of God contradict itself? Certainly not. Paul used this phrase to appeal to the conscience of those who had already pledged to give money to the needy in Jerusalem. They had decided the amount on their own, but when the time came, they struggled to fulfil their pledge due to financial difficulties. Paul used this phrase to encourage those who had made a commitment to follow through, especially those who were already in God. Therefore, it is inappropriate to use this phrase in situations where people have not fully embraced God and have made no such promises to give.

Tithing: An Outdated Practice

When it comes to giving tithes, God Himself warned the people not to rob Him. The context of this command is rooted in the fact that, in those days, the Levites were not permitted to own anything in their name. Even when the land was divided among the tribes of Israel, the Levites were not given any share. God assured them, saying, “I am everything for you, and I will provide for your needs.” To support the Levites and their families, who served as priests, God instructed the people to give ten percent of everything they had. This was meant to ensure that the Levites were well cared for within the temple.

“Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.
“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’
“In tithes and offerings. – Malachi 3:8 (NIV)

It’s worth remembering the example of Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”). He sold a field he owned and brought the money, laying it at the apostles’ feet (Acts 4:36-37). Here, we see that the very person for whom God commanded the tithe is now giving instead of receiving. This raises the question: how relevant is this command of God to people of this age, who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus? Since we have been purchased by God, not just ten percent but everything we have now belongs to Him. If we are still fixated on giving only ten percent, we have a long way to go in understanding this truth. Jesus, in His prayer to the Father about us, said, “All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them” (John 17:10).

It’s important to consider which servants of God truly own nothing. Despite having plenty, some do not give like Barnabas did, yet they still expect others to give generously so they can acquire lands and buildings in the name of glorifying God.

Jesus’ Ministry and the Role of Money

Some people believe that even Jesus needed money for His ministry, as evidenced by Judas Iscariot serving as His treasurer. However, Judas became obsessed with money, calculating the value of the perfume poured out on Jesus’ feet and suggesting it be sold to feed the poor instead. We know that this love of money ultimately led Judas to betray Jesus for a mere thirty silver coins. To teach His disciples that money is unnecessary for His ministry, Jesus once asked them to feed a crowd of five thousand people. Instead of trusting in Jesus, they quickly calculated the cost and reported that even 200 denarii wouldn’t be enough to feed everyone, especially with the additional women and children present.

This reliance on money, rather than on Jesus, persists today among many of God’s servants. It has become a common belief that without money, one cannot share God’s love with others. To dispel this notion, Jesus blessed two fish and five loaves of bread, feeding the entire crowd with enough left over to fill twelve baskets after everyone had eaten their fill.

Jesus when questioned about taxes pointed to the inscription on the currency and instructed the people to give to Caesar what belonged to him and give to God what belongs to Him. Jesus always claimed God and Money are complete opposites in his teachings. He also reminded us that if we are made in God’s image, we should submit ourselves to God. God created everything except money, yet people often prioritise asking Him for wealth over acknowledging the countless other blessings He has given them.

Do Oxen Demand Payment?

A well-known verse often cited by leaders to justify their right to receive payment, whether in money or kind, for their service to God and His people is the one mentioned below.

For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” – 1 Timothy 5:18 (NIV)

This law was given to farmers, instructing them not to muzzle the ox that treads out the grain (Deuteronomy 25:4). If the ox is not muzzled, it will naturally eat some of the grain as it works, yet it expects nothing in return for its labour. Interestingly, workers in the vineyard expected extra payment for their labour since they had toiled since morning. However, the lesson of the parable is not about money but about eternal life, which is given to all equally, regardless of how much they have laboured. This is because eternal life is a gift of God’s grace, received through faith. Unfortunately, many of God’s servants today expect financial compensation for their work. Moreover, the following verse is often used as a justification for selling the Word of God and profiting from ministry:

“In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.” — 1 Corinthians 9:14 (NIV)

Many servants of God have relied on the financial support of believers for their livelihood, and believers often see this as just, offering support according to their means. However, when this verse is read with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, it becomes clear that it is not about trading the Word for money but about sustaining oneself spiritually through the Word of God. God consistently teaches His people that His Word is more sustaining than any worldly resources:

“He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.” — Deuteronomy 8:3 (NIV)

God does not instruct anyone to rely on money but rather on Him and His Word. Yet, many fail to learn this important life lesson. When faced with challenges and threats, they often turn to money instead of trusting in God. Scripture teaches that as God’s servants preach and proclaim the Gospel, they should also learn to live by the Gospel and trust in God’s love. When they fail to grasp this truth, they inadvertently encourage believers to rely on money rather than on God. As a result, some believers fall into debt, burdened with high-interest loans and significant financial struggles. Even in these difficult circumstances, some servants of God pray for their relief while still expecting financial support from them, adding further to their burden.

Surrender Everything To God

As some servants of God grow increasingly reliant on money, they also develop clever strategies to extract it from others. One common tactic involves using the story of Ananias and Sapphira to instil fear in believers, persuading them to give their assets to God. The argument presented is that God was angry because Ananias and Sapphira didn’t give the full amount, supposedly disrupting God’s financial plan, and leading Him to kill them. By creating such fictional narratives, they succeed in frightening innocent believers into thinking that they must not withhold any money from God, urging them to give everything.

A new trend has also emerged where members are asked to disclose their sources of income, salary slips, and assets. This information is then used to calculate the exact tithe they should give, allowing these leaders to target members based on their wealth during fundraising efforts. However, it’s important to note that Peter never asked Ananias and Sapphira for a sale receipt. Believers need to be aware of these money-extracting techniques. God didn’t punish Ananias and Sapphire for holding back part of the proceeds, nor was He concerned about the hidden amount.

The true reason for their punishment was that they lied to the Holy Spirit, who knows everything, whether it is spoken or not. Had they been honest and said, “God, we sold the land for this much, and we are keeping a portion for ourselves while giving the rest to you,” it would have been acceptable to God? However, they falsely claimed to have given everything, trying to compete with Barnabas, who had indeed given all he had. People who lack spiritual maturity often attempt to present themselves as righteous and mature, carrying Bibles and praying with empty words. Be warned: God opposes such self-righteousness, but He is not after our money.

Please God With your Body, Mind And Soul

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. – Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

It is not our tithes and offerings that please God, but our faith in Him—the faith that He gave His only Son to die for our sins, and that Jesus, having conquered death, now lives in our hearts forever. In the Old Testament, Samuel understood this truth and stressed that obedience to God’s Word is more important than sacrifices. Likewise, David realised that God is not pleased by sacrifices or burnt offerings, but by a genuinely repentant heart (Psalms 51:16-17).

The author of the book of Hebrews explains that while Jesus was coming to this earth, He declared this truth and was mindful of the body God had prepared for Him.

Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me; – Hebrews 10:5 (NIV)

The disciple John captures this beautifully: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1 & 14). God redeemed us through the blood of His Son, making us His children. God does not expect anything from us other than that we preserve His salvation by allowing the Holy Spirit to guard it. To make the Holy Spirit our guardian, we must submit ourselves to God. Recognizing that tithes and offerings do not please God, let us instead offer ourselves as living sacrifices to Him (Romans 12:1).

Tithes and offerings are primarily collected for the maintenance of the Church or the organisation and for spreading the Good News to those who have not heard it. Therefore, let us continue to give tithes and offerings, not as a way of earning God’s favour, but to support the mission and upkeep of the Church. However, let us not fall into the trap of believing that we can please, praise or pacify God with our tithes but remember that God is only interested in our hearts returning to Him.