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How does a house church handle the tithing issue? Does the church have to be incorporated in order to issue giving credit (tax purposes) to individual givers?
And welcome to the Radically Christian Round Table!
You've asked a very common question which has been asked many times before.
Perhaps a more basic question is to ask: Do we purpose to continue old covenant practices (such as tithing) in new covenant times in house churches, or do we simply desire to translate institutional church with all it's old covenant forms into a home meeting?
The big question for many of us has been: Can we afford to carry on ANY old covenant practice that is not taught or modelled in new covenant scripture?
Tithing was designed by God for the support of the Levitical priesthood, offerings were for the construction and maintenance of the temple structures where God dwelt.
But now ALL believers are priests (no tithing) and God no longer dwells in temples made with hands. (No offerings!)
Rather the new covenant scriptures teach personal (not corporate) collections to be used for the poor saints (I Cor 16:1,2 and II Cor 8 &9) and for giving to those who go OUT FROM us taking the Gospel and preaching it without charge. III John
Just a few thoughts that might suggest a different perspective to you.
Let us know what you think and be sure to ask lots more questions!
Your brother in Christ, Bruce Woodford Norwich, Ontario, Canada
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Thanks, Bruce. I'll chew on that for awhile.
<tom>
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How does a house church handle the tithing issue? Does the church have to be incorporated in order to issue giving credit (tax purposes) to individual givers?
No, a church is not required (at this time) to incorporate or register with the state or federal goverment. Donations are tax deductible because the church is a church. See IRS code sec 501 and sec 508. Sec 508 is the key legal issue for churches. Jesus Cares, tom
I am a bond slave of Christ that works apostolicaly with a number of crew in Australia that meet from house to house etc.
Below is an article that I put on our blog www.christisall.org which touches on the tithing / money deal in the new covenant church. Perhaps it will be helpful to someone.
It is important for the current reformation crew to keep balanced in the Word so as to not put any blockages in peoples paths that aren't necessary.
Don't forget the team of elders that are among you that they are worthy of double honour (Gk-time- money paid), and the labourers that are worthy of their hire(wage).
We have been seeking the Lord extensively on this one and have come up with some scriptural and practical applications to the money thing.
Would love to dialogue some with you guys.
Love Bretto
TOBIAH IN THE HOUSE - WORLDLY MONEY PRINCIPLES IN GOD’S HOUSE by Brett Jacobsen
Money has and probably always will be a hot topic in and out of the Church. It is no wonder that this is the case when the world is so caught up in the money game and the world seems to leek, and sometimes pour into God’s House. Jesus said “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” Matt 6:21, which takes the money topic to a high level of priority.
As money is a part of every day life we do need to spend time regularly examining our financial dealings and mindsets in the light of God’s Word and His holy presence. Although there has been considerable dishonour and distractions with money in the church we should not avoid the subject but rather come back to a place of honour and biblical obedience.
Eliashib’s Compromise
Nehemiah chapter thirteen gives us a sad prophetic picture of the modern day church’s financial woes and the fruit that has been produced by worldly compromise.
A national revival was set in motion thanks to Nehemiah calling the people of God back to the standards of the Word of God. As they examined their ways through His Word it became obvious that some major changes were required.
We see in verse four that “Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah” Neh 13:4 . Now Tobiah was an Ammonite and according to verse one he should not have been allowed “into the congregation of God forever.” Eliashib not only became allied to Tobiah but verse five tells of him preparing a great chamber for Tobiah to live in within God’s house. This great chamber just so happens to be the place where they used to lay the tithes and offerings.
Now in a modern day context many leaders that have been given or just taken the oversight of God’s House (the Body of Christ) have allied themselves, and in effect their congregations unto Tobiah, who represents worldly ways and systems. Obviously Eliashib allowing Tobiah into the house was in some way beneficial to him, a nice little business venture.
Just like in Nehemiah’s time we the church have allowed worldly dealings and financial dishonour to take the place of God’s ways of looking after His house. It is a humanistic, untrusting, fear-filled mindset that abandons or distorts biblical principles and adopts all sorts of striving and compromise in its place. Proverbs 3:5 says to “Trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not unto our own understanding” and yet in the church we have leaders exacting money out of people for all sorts of carnal endeavours which has caused many saints to reject biblical money principles and lean into the dark shadow of compromise.
To Tithe or Not to Tithe?
There is a mindset rising in the modern day church that is a direct reaction to all the Hollywood style, miss-management and lascivious spending trends of certain ministries and churches. This mindset seems to throw the proverbial baby out with the bath water in its attack on first fruits giving. While it is true that the New Testament doesn’t promote or discredit tithing, it does flow some Old Testament principles directly into the New Covenant in relation to giving. Some of these principles are:
First fruits: Prov 3:9-10 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
1 Cor 16:1-3 “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him”.
Bringing in: Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house
Acts 4:34-37 as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: / brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Central distribution: Neh 13:10-13 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries. 13 And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.
Acts 4:35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
Worthy of a Wage
Another principle that God flowed into the New Testament is wages for His Levites. Back in Nehemiah thirteen we see God’s sore displeasure when the house of God was forsaken. Verse ten explains the reason for God’s and Nehemiah’s wrath was, “the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field” Neh 13:10 . Although God is probably fed up with the excessive living of some of His workers, He is not happy when His true, pure hearted servants are out in the fields labouring rather than in His house serving.
Although in the New Testament church there is no precedent for a hierarchical leadership structure with a “Clergy” class of special people, there is however, certain people who are clearly called to give up so called “normal work” and work in God’s house as their job (1 Cor 9:6 have not we power to forbear working?) .
One of the greatest misconceptions with the ministry wage deal is that, so called “full time ministers” should have to live by faith”. The fact is that all Christians should live by faith, and in the same measure that plumber Bob and nurse Betty can rightfully expect their pay cheque at the end of the week so God’s employed servants are “worthy of their reward(misthos- pay for service, hire, wages)” 1 Tim 5:18.
In fact, in God’s economy, the Levites had no right to be out earning a crust and in a New Testament context, those that are called to “forbear working” also have no write to be doing business. This isn’t just because of the conflict of interests that can and probably will arise, but is God’s wisdom to set aside certain ones to “give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word” Acts 6:4.
You may be thinking “what about Paul’s tent making business?” While it is true that Paul the apostle did spend some time working a job, it is not correct to say that this was the norm. The instances where Paul worked a job were out of the ordinary. At Corinth it seems that Paul had to spend some time working because of their “carnality” and only for a season until there were enough saints to support him. Later he said to the same people that he “robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service” 2 Cor 11:8.
So although the New Testament doesn’t enforce tithing with the promise of a curse for any who don’t do it, it clearly inherits enough principles from the Old Testament to continue it in some form as long as it doesn’t become legalism or manipulative leverage. Perhaps a better term than tithing would be first fruits giving.
An interesting point to look at for all those that cry legalism at the word tithe or first fruits is Paul’s comments to the Corinthians and specifically his reference to the Law of Moses.
“Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” 1 Cor 9:8-14
While it is true that we are not under the law nor are we justified by the keeping of it, there are still vital elements of truth flowing throughout its precepts. Not to mention its prophetic significance.
Perhaps the adjustment that needs to be made to tithing in order for it to fit in the New Testament is a change from 10% belongs to God to 100% is His. Every other aspect seems to have increased drastically from the old to the new, for example:
Old Testament New Testament - The Sabbath is holy to God - Every day is set apart to Him - Don’t commit adultery - Don’t look lustfully - Do not murder - Do not be angry at your brethren - The nation of Israel has priests - The church is a nation of priests - Give a tithe (tenth) of all - All is His, give our whole to Him and money to what is Biblical ministry.
The Answer
The answer for the modern day church concerning money is the same answer for all other areas in the church. It is to be revived in the Word by the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.
We need to allow the New Testament Nehemiah’s (true apostles and prophets) to do their work in relaying the foundation of Jesus Christ and “set in order the things that are wanting” Tit 1:5.
Nehemiah’s response to this neglect was to: “cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber” v 8, “I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense” v9, “contended I with the rulers” & “gathered them together, and set them in their place” v11, “I made treasurers over the treasuries” v13
The result of Nehemiah’s setting things in order was, “Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.” v12
When real biblical practices are built upon with the right heart motivation, then and only then, can we expect the true blessing of the Lord to be upholding us in our finances, for the saints and the household of God.
Remember that Jesus said, “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matt 6:21-24
Again let’s not react out of our hurts or our out and out disgust for the contempt that has been brought to the body of Christ through financial dishonour. But rather let us embrace the heart of God through biblical obedience and make the necessary changes that the hour requires.
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