A CLOSER LOOK AT TITHING
EXPOSING THE ERRORS
By: Victor T. Stephens
"People often claim to hunger for truth, but seldom like the taste when it's served up."
~ George R.R. Martin
WAS TITHING COMMANDED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT? (continued)
Did Paul Work for a Living?
In the Old Testament, there is no indication that Levitical priests and Levites received salaried monetary tithes. However, in the New Testament, Paul made it abundantly clear that those who teach the gospel have a moral right to receive financial support. Nevertheless, Paul, who labored harder than anyone for the sake of the gospel, had to work to support himself and his ministry on occasion. This great man of God, attaining the apex of genuine nobility, established the most impressive standards for himself and those who had the opportunity to hear him teach the gospel.
If we read Acts 20:33-34, Paul says:
"I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me." (Acts 20:33-34)
In the absence of adequate funding from various churches, Paul worked as a tentmaker (Acts 18:3). There are no indications from Scripture that Paul taught tithing, paid tithes or received tithes as a means of support.
Let’s take a thorough look at the following key passages:
"So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God." (1 Thess. 2:8-9)
"For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat." (2 Thess. 3:7-10)
"For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong! Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. But be that as it may, I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning!" (2 Cor. 12:13-16)
These passages indicate that Paul’s primary concern was not money, but rather, his focus was on teaching the gospel, self-sufficiency, the needs of his friends, and the needs of the church.
Paul was a man of enormous love and self-denial. His unwillingness to take payment from those who were in a financially precarious position was likened to a parent’s reluctance to accept financial support from their dependent children. And he wanted leaders in the church to follow his example of demonstrating sacrificial love.
"I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (Acts 20:35)
In Acts 20:35, take note that Paul is addressing the church leaders. With that in mind, it is fair to ask: Are pastors today following Paul’s example? That question may invoke emotional discomfort for those who teach tithing since the answer reveals a fact that is difficult for them to accept. That is understandably so since it stifles their plans of promoting tithing for financial gain.
Paul proved to be an example of self-sacrifice by earning money from a trade to meet his financial needs. But many tithing proponents prefer to scream
“Will a man rob God?” to force their congregants to support them and their ministries, even at the expense of causing tremendous financial hardship for some believers. Such a course of action is nothing more than clever manipulation that robs Christians of their legitimate freedom in serving the Lord.
It is interesting to note that, during "offering time," many pastors will quote and lay emphasis on the latter part of Acts 20:35 ("It is more blessed to give than to receive."). However, regardless of the circumstances, they will ignore the former part of verse thirty-five, where Paul instructs church leaders to work and support the poor.
Let's consider the 2 Corinthians 8:10-14:
"And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack --- that there may be equality." (2 Cor. 8:10-13)
While Paul understood his right to receive financial assistance, he desired to live a lifestyle comparable to those he taught the gospel. This principle is alluded to in verse thirteen in the passage above. Paul waived his right to support when such support would burden other believers. Notice that verse thirteen says,
"For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened...."
A person who is “burdened” is synonymous with someone who is experiencing hardship. Such a condition is in harmony with 2 Cor. 12:13-16; 1 Thess. 2:8-9; and 2 Thess. 3:7-10.
"The leaders [before A.D. 100] usually worked with their hands for their material needs. There was no artificial distinction between clergy and laity. The earliest bishops or presbyters engaged in secular labor to make their living and performed the duties of their church office when not at work." (Baker, Robert A., "A Summary of Christian History" [Pages 194, 250], Nashville: Broadman, 1959)
"We give because it benefits the body of Christ that we are a part of. We give so that the needs of the less fortunate are met and so there could be some level of equality in our midst. Paul in 2 Cor. 8:13-15." (Larry Richards' New International Encyclopedia of Bible Words, Pages 307-310)
Undoubtedly, today’s erroneous version of monetary tithing is a significant burden to many believers in the church. Paul feared that some men would take advantage of the sheep after his departure. And he gives a firm warning to the church to be aware of savage wolves that would arise among them.
"For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears."
(Acts 20:30-31)
This passage shows that Paul was very concerned that the savage wolves he referred to were bound to misrepresent the gospel he taught by entering the church and fleecing the flock out of their financial resources. The same savage wolves that existed during Paul's day are very prevalent in the church today. And monetary tithing has been a great tactic that these self-indulgent false teachers employ to acquire a great deal of wealth. Paul was a true man of God who would prefer to work than burden others or pervert the gospel for financial gain.
In 2 Corinthians 2:17, Paul also says:
"For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ."
(2 Cor. 2:17)
To keep this issue in proper perspective, I am not against the full-time financial support of those who teach the gospel. However, it is vital that we understand the various circumstances in the church that may or may not require a pastor to work. Although a pastor has a right to receive support does not necessarily mean he should exercise such a right. A man has a right to take the nearest seat on a crowded bus and make an elderly woman stand, but does that mean he should do so? Similarly, there may be some conditions that warrant a pastor to sacrifice his right to receive support and work for the sake of other believers who are less fortunate.
Pastors who refuse to work because they are more interested in getting paid off the backs of others are not interested in living up to the integrity of Paul. Such men do not represent authentic servants of Christ. These elements deserve nothing but the judgment they will encounter in due season if they don't repent.
Next: Are Pastors Worthy of Double Pay?
