Jesus died so that we could be set free from the law, and indeed most Christians today agree that we are not bound to any of the requirements of the ceremonial (or temple) law, nor to the requirements of the civil law, but only the moral law (the ten commandments). What puzzles me, is why so many Christians today are so keen to strictly keep Leviticus' tithing laws, and ask questions like: should we be tithing our net or gross income?

I think if we starting talking like this, we may have missed the point. In Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, he speaks of a number of things when speaking about their giving:

• Giving according to their means


• Giving generously


• Giving eagerly


• Giving demonstrates their love in a practical manner

Paul does not mention tithing - he speaks of giving according to their means. They key thing with giving, is that it must be done out of a generous heart, and according to one's means. Given the lack of teaching about tithing in the New Testament, I am cautious about saying that it is a requirement of Christians to tithe. However, we are taught to show love to one another, and to give generously. Giving genereously may very well be giving a tithe of our income, but on the other hand, it may not, and treating tithing as a hard and fast rule is a misinterpretation of the principles of the bible.

Each one of us should give as we are able, with glad and generous hearts - 'for God loves a cheerful giver'.

Posted by Dave Bryant at 12:48 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)