By Rev. Paul Stambach
The tithe has no place in the NT teachings! The tithe is the rule for giving in the
OT, but not in the NT. The word,” tithe” is found only seven times in the NT. Five of those times the word is used by the writer of the Book of Hebrews who in 7:4-9 tells of Abraham’s giving to Melchizedek a tithe of the spoils from the battle with the five kings. This Melchizedek event took place centuries before Moses or the giving of the Law.
The only other places in the NT the word is found is in Luke 11:42 (and parallel passage Matthew 23:23) where Jesus amid his excoriating the Pharisees, say “you tithe the mint and cumin,” then adds “as you should.” It is the only compliment Jesus gives the Pharisees in that entire severe chapter! Concerning Jesus’ comment re: the Pharisees keeping the tithe. Jesus was complimenting them for their faithfulness in keeping the law of the tithe, even though they were pushing their obedience to the extreme. I sense no indication that Jesus was affirming the law of the tithe. In the rest of that chapter, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees not for their meticulous keeping of the law, but for their hypocrisy and their disinterest in caring for others when the law does not require it.
Let’s look at what the NT does teach about giving. Jesus’ teachings about giving include the following directions:
- give readily (Matthew 24:45)
- give quietly (Matthew 6:2)
- give to those who ask/beg (Matthew 5:42)
- give to the poor. (Matthew 19:21)
- give generously (Luke 19:21)
Jesus also teaches that the left hand should not know what the right hand does. (Matthew 6:3) Jesus said this in reference to one’s giving alms. It is safe to conclude that this rule would apply to all giving. However, the practice of love must be understood as Jesus’ ultimate guide for one’s giving as well as for one’s living. So, we can conclude that the tithe has no place in Jesus’ teachings about giving. When we desire a further guide for our giving, we need to turn to St. Paul. In 2 Corinthians 9, he sets forth the following counsel:
- Do not give (“sow”) sparingly 9:6
- Let your giving be fully your own decision 9:7
- Give without feeling any compulsion 9:7
- What you give is your decision 9:7
- Give without any reluctance 9:7
- Give cheerfully (The Greek word used here is found in our word “hilarious”) 9:7
Thus, the NT says even though we must give an account for our giving, there is no law guiding our giving, except for our Lord’s Law of Love. Final observation: Some Christians are not able to find peace in their present level of giving to Christ. Remember, the OT law of the tithe is not negated in the NT. In fact, the tithe can provide a standard whereby some could find momentary satisfaction in one’s practice of giving. Although the NT does not cite or recommend the tithe, except for Jesus’ brief comment noted above, that standard for giving can provide a guide beyond which one can grow into giving as St Paul instructs.
Rev. Dr. Paul Stambach is a retired pastor in the Susquehanna Conference who is also a noted scholar and theologian. The Stewardship Foundation is grateful for his guest post written for this issue.
The United Methodist Stewardship Foundation
Rev. Phyllis M. Bowers
Executive Director
3901 Hartzdale Dr. Suite 110,
Camp Hill, PA 17011
Phone 717-766-7343 Toll Free 800-272-0113
