The Church today is under serious division. This division,
however, is emanating from within its very walls. It comes from
the way the church over the years has interpreted the principle
of tithing with respect to when the tithe was instituted, why is
was instituted, who it was meant for, and what was done with it
after being collected.
The tithing issue has leaders of some churches who have over
the years been collecting tithes attacking those who have
apparently seen the light and are touting the idea that the
tithe is wrong, and should not be practiced in this New
Testament age.
The tithe has been the foundation on which many functions of the
church are framed. Many churches have used this money to pay
pastors, and maintain various activities of the church on a day
to day basis. The church has also been reaching out to its wider
community with the funds to cater to conferences, missionary
exploits, and the offering of food, clothing, and shelter to the
poor. This money is indeed important for the church, but has the
church been mislead to believe it should receive its funds by a
principle which might not be a New Testament church teaching?
Some churches may admit that the tithe does not technically
exist but is needed in order to encourage its members to give to
the church. Others take the opinion that one should give ten
percent of ones earnings as it was instituted before the Law of
Moses. While others believe tithing is no longer in place and
the Christian will not be under any curse if they don't tithe.
All churches however believe in the free-will offerings.
The question remains whether the church would survive, where its
members are encouraged to give free-will offerings, and would
members become lackadaisical as they would not be under any rule
which states how much to give to the church? One would believe
this is not the case as God loves a cheerful giver, and would
bless the giver according to his faith in giving. Therefore
persons would be encouraged to give as their heart would allow,
and not grudgingly to please the church.
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