I believe that the practice of tithing was an Old Testament law which was necessary for supporting the Old Testament priesthood. With the death of Jesus Christ on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins, the veil in the temple was torn in two by the hand of God. This resulted in a new covenant in which the priesthood and its financial support structure was abolished and a new Priesthood of all Believers was established. God’s financial plan for the church today is called "giving," not tithing. (
Romans 12:13;
I Corinthians 16:1-3;
II Corinthians 9:6-7)
Romans 12:13 King James Version (KJV)
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
1 Corinthians 16:1-2 King James Version (KJV)
1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 King James Version (KJV)
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
The early church shared their lives, possessions, and resources. The financial plan of the church was "giving", and giving generously and graciously. So, I don't believe in a NT "command" to tithe.
That being said, the NT teaches that every man should give, "according as he purposeth in his heart". This is means that what is given is a contemplated and determined amount or percentage. It's like a "pledge" (or vow). One can pledge/vow to give a specific amount or percentage from each paycheck. Thus they are to pray about it, review their personal finances (one who doesn't provide for his own home is worse than an infidel), and determine to give a set amount or percentage that they have purposed in their hearts.
Paul promises that "He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully". This means that God will bless according to our level of faith, devotion, and sacrifice when giving.
Is it wrong to tithe? No! God forbid! If one has prayed about it and has purposed in their heart to freely give 10% of their income to the work of God they will indeed be blessed. If one purposes to give a set amount or another percentage (higher or lower than 10%), they too will be blessed in accordance to their measure of faith. God loves a cheerful giver. God desires that we not give grudgingly or out of necessity (feeling pressured or commanded). Therefore, a tithe "mandate" or "command" flies in the face of God's desire for giving in the NT church.
I found the following link to be very interesting. There is actually a rather dark history of the tithe. For example, did you know?
In 1714 the English Anglican exacted agricultural tithes from Roman Catholics and Presbyterians for the support of the Church of Ireland. Soon revolt became ripe in France. Some of the earliest stages of the French Revolution were actions which struck at the privileges and status of the Roman Catholic Church.
In 1789, tithes were abolished in France by the secular authority.
Other revolts against tithing followed. Between 1836 and 1850 tithing was mostly abolished in England. It was later commuted to a rental to be paid in cash. In 1868, as a result of agitation which began at least as far back as the 1830’s and which was pushed by Dissenters, the compulsory payment of local parish tithes for the maintenance of the church was abolished and was made purely voluntary. However, the final tithe rent charges were not abolished until 1936 in England.
Here is a secular history of tithing:
http://tithing-russkelly.com/id15.html
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