Thesis 1--Preachers generally only preach about money during stewardship campaigns.
If Jesus spoke so much about money, which He did, why don’t preachers address money more than once during the year?
Are we to give money to those less needy? Of course. Don’t we see others throughout the year who need our help? So, preachers should preach about money throughout the year, not just during stewardship season. When preachers only address money during a stewardship campaign, they lose credibility in speaking about money, because everyone sitting in the audience knows that the pastor is speaking about money in order to loosen his audience’s purse strings to benefit his church.
On the other hand, if you address money and greed in a proper way throughout the year, then people’s hearts are open to helping others and to giving to the church.
Thesis 2—The 10% tithe has no application to the IC or to the ecclesia.
From an exegetical basis, read the commandments in the OT about tithing in the context of a theocracy and try to apply them to modern day America. The use of the tithes for each family to have a celebratory meal with God and their fellow citizens in God’s nation simply doesn’t translate to today (Dt. 14:22-29). Unless, of course, you read this command to use our tithes to support July 4th celebrations. That is the closest that I can come in seeking to translate to today’s reality, and that would probably be a ludicrous result. We already place too much emphasis on America as being a Christian nation. America is not a theocracy and won’t be until Jesus comes back.
From an exegetical basis, read the commandments in the OT about tithing in the context of a theocracy and try to apply them to modern day America. The use of the tithes for each family to have a celebratory meal with God and their fellow citizens in God’s nation simply doesn’t translate to today (Dt. 14:22-29). Unless, of course, you read this command to use our tithes to support July 4th celebrations. That is the closest that I can come in seeking to translate to today’s reality, and that would probably be a ludicrous result. We already place too much emphasis on America as being a Christian nation. America is not a theocracy and won’t be until Jesus comes back.
The 10% tithe in “every third year” prescribed in Deuteronomy 26:12 was designed to provide for the livelihood of one of the twelve tribes, the Levites, as well as the poor. The Levites were charged with constantly praying and working for the spiritual benefit of the Nation of Israel. The Levites made up about 3% of the population. (Num. 1-3) So, one-thirtieth of the population was being supported by the 10% given every third year. If this command has application to the NT church, then it is only for 3% per year, not 10%. (John MacArthur points out that the total giving each year was 23%, which he analogizes to our current tax structure. Remember the Nation of Israel and the religious structure were "one and the same.")
Thesis 3—Today's church has no comparison to the NT church.
What’s more, the early church met in the homes of believers—there was very little overhead. Now, our churches have become institutions with multi-millions of dollars in overhead. To be good stewards of our money, perhaps churches should re-think the church model. Rather than erecting buildings which are only fully utilized for a few hours during the week, perhaps churches should lease space or erect multi-purpose buildings. Jesus foretold the destruction of the Temple, and I don’t think Jesus is going to be any happier with our generation for spending billions of dollars on church buildings. (Read Garry Wills' thoughts about this in his wonderful book: "What Jesus Meant."
Thesis 4--How much should you give to a local church.
First, it is helpful to remember that Jesus did not come to form an institutional church. Institutional churches sprang up, because humans always institutionalize things. Humans are unwilling to rely upon the Holy Spirit to create community and to proclaim the Gospel, so we create institutions for community and to proclaim the Gospel. Further, institutional churches are a way for us to feel like we are doing God's work, without our really having to become personally involved in God's work.
Second, I heard a preacher proclaim how exciting it would be to live sacrificially, i.e., giving beyond our means and then waiting expectantly on God to meet our needs. Obviously, this preacher did not think the institutional church and its leaders should embrace this excitement, because they want a "pledge." I am not against pledges--but people are called to responsible with their money, just as churches are. St. Paul was very clear about this.
Third, budget the money which God has given to you. Give to the local institutional church, if you have found one which proclaims the Gospel. If the church doesn't proclaim the true Gospel in all of its radicality, then is it really any different from giving to a mosque?
Thesis 5--Giving is to be from the heart.
Jesus turned everything on its head when he changed the focus from our outward actions to our hearts. Jesus knew that one's actions can only be changed by changing one's heart. Once our hearts are changed by the Gospel (if you are fortunate enough to hear the Gospel proclaimed or made known to you), giving will become second nature. Your giving won't just be to the IC, but to real people that you bump into in your daily lives. So, when your preacher prescribes a formula for your giving, say: "No thanks preacher. I'm a child of god. My direction comes from the Scripture and the Holy Spirit, not from man."
First, it is helpful to remember that Jesus did not come to form an institutional church. Institutional churches sprang up, because humans always institutionalize things. Humans are unwilling to rely upon the Holy Spirit to create community and to proclaim the Gospel, so we create institutions for community and to proclaim the Gospel. Further, institutional churches are a way for us to feel like we are doing God's work, without our really having to become personally involved in God's work.
Second, I heard a preacher proclaim how exciting it would be to live sacrificially, i.e., giving beyond our means and then waiting expectantly on God to meet our needs. Obviously, this preacher did not think the institutional church and its leaders should embrace this excitement, because they want a "pledge." I am not against pledges--but people are called to responsible with their money, just as churches are. St. Paul was very clear about this.
Third, budget the money which God has given to you. Give to the local institutional church, if you have found one which proclaims the Gospel. If the church doesn't proclaim the true Gospel in all of its radicality, then is it really any different from giving to a mosque?
Thesis 5--Giving is to be from the heart.
Jesus turned everything on its head when he changed the focus from our outward actions to our hearts. Jesus knew that one's actions can only be changed by changing one's heart. Once our hearts are changed by the Gospel (if you are fortunate enough to hear the Gospel proclaimed or made known to you), giving will become second nature. Your giving won't just be to the IC, but to real people that you bump into in your daily lives. So, when your preacher prescribes a formula for your giving, say: "No thanks preacher. I'm a child of god. My direction comes from the Scripture and the Holy Spirit, not from man."
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