In response to our previous blog post, someone asked me the following question, “What are some things you do in your church to encourage giving as opposed to tithing on a regular basis?”This is a great question and I am all too happy to give an answer.
Fact: Tithing may be preached from the pulpit, but according to the latest Barna research it is practiced only sporadically in the pews. The research revealed that in 2007, only 5 percent of adults in the U.S. tithed. Those most likely to tithe were evangelicals (24 percent of whom tithed); conservatives (12 percent); people who had prayed, read the Bible and attended a church service during the last week (12 percent); charismatic or Pentecostal Christians (11 percent); and registered Republicans (10 percent). The lowest rates of tithing were among people under the age of 25. [www.barna.org, 4/14/08]
Some of the things that we do to encourage giving are:
1.Teach the purpose and importance of giving. Too many times church leaders like to mix the Law and Grace when it comes to this subject, as if it all means the same thing. Not so! To do this is to curse yourself, your ministry, and God’s people. (See Galatians 3)
In chapter ten of my book I talk about this very question. This chapter is intended to teach Christians, leaders, and lay persons how we are to give under grace. It is also intended to take the pressure off of God's people to give what they don't have. Rather a person tithes or not, you can not make them give what they do not want to give nor what they do not have. Unfortunately for to0 long, many church leaders have used fear, condemnation, and oppression to force God’s people to give. Now, because people have been mistreated this way, many or reluctant to give, especially men.
Giving is important and necessary to do the will of God. Never once in my book do I state that the people of God should not give. What I do say, and what I have said, is that Christians are not under the Law (See Book Excerpts) Therefore, the Old Testament system of tithing was brought to an end at the death and resurrection of Christ. That's why the apostles never mentions anything about tithing to the new testimaent Church.
For years Church leaders have spent and spend a lot of time teaching tithing, and their beliefs or conviction concerning tithing. Why, because on average, people do not like to let go of their money. With this in mind, how much more should we also teach what the Bible says about giving, for those of us who choose to live under the new covenant of Grace?
2. Trusting the bank and the future giving of church members is not faith! The key is to keep your church out of debt. Unlike most churches, our church does not live or operate above its means. We know what we are able to handle as well as what we can’t handle.
In chapter three of my book, we deal with the financial debt of the Church. I ask the question, “Why is the Church in Financial Debt?” The answer is simple because we seek after the things of the world. The Church says, “Seek God,” but teaches seek MONEY. Church leaders say by their actions, “Look how the Lord blessed me,” after they have squandered away the people’s generous giving of money. The modern day Church is not the best example of good financial stewardship.
In an article by Pastor Clark Whitten, “The High Cost of Debt in Ministry,” Pastor Clark Whitten based on experience, warns that, “Debt can devour--even kill--an otherwise effective ministry.” In my experience, churches that teach tithing tend to have more debt then churches that do not teach tithing. I have also noticed that the more money churches take in the more they tend to spend and the debt that before seemed manageable has suddenly become a threat to the very existence of the church. Churches pay the price for mistaking wants for needs. What the Church does not seem to understand, nor do they teach is that God promises to provide for our needs--not for our wants.
3. We also encourage debt free living in our personal lives. If your Church is in financial debt so are its members. Many Christians are in an atmosphere where they are taught and pressured into believing that, “It’s yours, go get it.” Or “God does not want you to live below your means.” Those of you, who have known me for some time, know what I say and believe, and that is, if your foundation is flawed, your works will be also.
Some of the things that we do to encourage giving are:
1.Teach the purpose and importance of giving. Too many times church leaders like to mix the Law and Grace when it comes to this subject, as if it all means the same thing. Not so! To do this is to curse yourself, your ministry, and God’s people. (See Galatians 3)
In chapter ten of my book I talk about this very question. This chapter is intended to teach Christians, leaders, and lay persons how we are to give under grace. It is also intended to take the pressure off of God's people to give what they don't have. Rather a person tithes or not, you can not make them give what they do not want to give nor what they do not have. Unfortunately for to0 long, many church leaders have used fear, condemnation, and oppression to force God’s people to give. Now, because people have been mistreated this way, many or reluctant to give, especially men.
Giving is important and necessary to do the will of God. Never once in my book do I state that the people of God should not give. What I do say, and what I have said, is that Christians are not under the Law (See Book Excerpts) Therefore, the Old Testament system of tithing was brought to an end at the death and resurrection of Christ. That's why the apostles never mentions anything about tithing to the new testimaent Church.
For years Church leaders have spent and spend a lot of time teaching tithing, and their beliefs or conviction concerning tithing. Why, because on average, people do not like to let go of their money. With this in mind, how much more should we also teach what the Bible says about giving, for those of us who choose to live under the new covenant of Grace?
2. Trusting the bank and the future giving of church members is not faith! The key is to keep your church out of debt. Unlike most churches, our church does not live or operate above its means. We know what we are able to handle as well as what we can’t handle.
In chapter three of my book, we deal with the financial debt of the Church. I ask the question, “Why is the Church in Financial Debt?” The answer is simple because we seek after the things of the world. The Church says, “Seek God,” but teaches seek MONEY. Church leaders say by their actions, “Look how the Lord blessed me,” after they have squandered away the people’s generous giving of money. The modern day Church is not the best example of good financial stewardship.
In an article by Pastor Clark Whitten, “The High Cost of Debt in Ministry,” Pastor Clark Whitten based on experience, warns that, “Debt can devour--even kill--an otherwise effective ministry.” In my experience, churches that teach tithing tend to have more debt then churches that do not teach tithing. I have also noticed that the more money churches take in the more they tend to spend and the debt that before seemed manageable has suddenly become a threat to the very existence of the church. Churches pay the price for mistaking wants for needs. What the Church does not seem to understand, nor do they teach is that God promises to provide for our needs--not for our wants.
3. We also encourage debt free living in our personal lives. If your Church is in financial debt so are its members. Many Christians are in an atmosphere where they are taught and pressured into believing that, “It’s yours, go get it.” Or “God does not want you to live below your means.” Those of you, who have known me for some time, know what I say and believe, and that is, if your foundation is flawed, your works will be also.
Experts such as the Barna Group say that there is no distinction in the Christian community from the secular world when it comes to consumerism and debt? The data seems to say that there’s not much difference at all. Whatever our avowed values, our behavior looks very much like that of the world: high levels of spending, large credit card debt, foolish financial choices and a self-centered mindset.
The less debt church members have in their personal lives, the more they are able and want to give to the Church. Through out my book, I deal with how the church aught to teach and deal with the issue of money, tithing and giving.
There are many great schools and churches which have flourished without teaching tithing. Examples are: Moody Bible Institute, Dallas Theological Seminary, Wheaton College, Talbot Bible School and John MacArthur's Master's Seminary. The key to successful churches is not the teaching of tithing. Rather it is the successful teaching of soul-winning and personal evangelism.
1 comments:
Good post
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