The Survival of the Church

Every pastor has to deal with taking up tithes and offerings in just about every service. For some it is a joy because there is abundance and the majority of church properties are well-maintained and/or paid for and the funds can be used for ministries or other evangelical efforts to reach the lost. Yet, for others it is a constant struggle just to keep the mortgage paid, the lights on, and some kind of minimum ministry going. That kind of pressure has put many a pastor in an early grave and has caused the downfall or closing of many a church.

Many of the financial issues churches face today are because people struggle with the issue of tithing. I know in some churches giving is over-emphasized. At the same time, many Christians refuse to submit to the biblical exhortations about making offerings to the Lord. Tithing/giving is intended to be a joy and a blessing. Sadly, that is sometimes not the case in the church today and because of that many churches struggle just to get by.

Tithing is an Old Testament concept. The tithe was a requirement of the Law in which the Israelites were to give 10 percent of the crops they grew and the livestock they raised to the tabernacle/temple. In fact, the Old Testament Law required multiple tithes (one for the Levites, one for the use of the temple and the feasts, and one for the poor of the land) which would have pushed the total to around 23.3 percent. Some understand the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests and Levites in the sacrificial system.

The New Testament does not necessarily command that Christians submit to a legalistic tithe system, or even designate a percentage of income a person should set aside, but only says gifts should be “in keeping with income". Most in the Christian churches have taken the 10 percent figure from the Old Testament tithe and applied it as a recommended minimum or standard for Christians in their giving, especially in most evangelical congregations. It is my opinion that you can't just take a part of the Bible and throw away the other. We in the Church of God believe in the whole Bible rightly divided, which means we accept the Old and New Testament as God's standard of living for His people. Other denominations do this as well.

The New Testament does talk about the importance and benefits of giving. We are to give as we are able. Sometimes that means giving more than 10 percent and sometimes that may mean giving less. It all depends on the ability of the Christian and the needs of the church. Every Christian should diligently pray and seek God’s wisdom in the matter of participating in tithing and/or how much to give. Above all, all tithes and offerings should be given with pure motives and an attitude of worship to God and service to the body of Christ.

As a pastor I have learned two important things that pertain to tithing and giving:

First, no congregation should ever put themselves so far in debt that they cannot maintain their facilities or ministries even if their income is cut in half. They should construct a maintenance program that should provide for upkeep on their properties and realize that if they can't afford to do that, then don't build. Some would say I have no faith, but I disagree with that. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. I have heard the Word of God and have found that most of us have bigger desires than we have the funds to match and jump on impulse rather than a directive of God. I don't believe God wants us to put ourselves in a position where it seems we have to always tax the people to keep our financial heads above water. That would never happen if we planned things out as we should and tried to maintain them as a business, which we as the body of Christ are doing in the world today.

Secondly, even though tithing and giving is God's Biblical way of opening the door for blessing, it is not always the amount you give that makes the difference, but the consistency with which you give it. A widow's mite can accomplish a lot if it's given regularly and with consistency. If every church member or attender would just give regularly there would never have to be another hot dog supper, bake sale, or special fund raising drive unless you just wanted to do one. I have even told my wife who heads are Women's ministry that if the ladies would just put in the same amount of money it cost to buy the ingredients for the baked goods they cook they would come out ahead and sure save a lot of time and energy.

So how do I end this blog today? I believe in tithing and giving. I believe in doing the best I can and I encourage you readers to do the same. If you want your church to exist and to grow whether you like it or not it needs your support. Without it your church will not survive.