Interesting Questions-43
"On the giving of tithes"
Letter to the Editor:
PASUGO, July 2002, p.2
I ATTENDED A worship service in your church and
noticed you are collecting monetary contributions, Are your members
compelled to give ten percent of their earnings or wealth to the
Church? Do you practice tithing?
Derick Manning
Berkeley, California, USA
Editor's reply:
The members of the Church of Christ give voluntary contributions
during congregational worship services. However, contrary to what
some people believe we do not practice the giving of tithes. Neither
are we being forced to give our contributions. We
give our offerings on a voluntary basis, out of our faith and
understanding of the biblical teaching concerning religious
offerings. The Apostle Paul teaches:
Each person should give what he has decided in
his heart to give. A person should not give if it makes him sad. And
a person should not give if he thinks he is forced to give. God
loves the person who gives happily." (II Cor. 9:7, Easy-to-Read
Version)
This is the teaching that applies to the
Christian era. God's people are not mandated to give a specific
percentage of their earnings or a particular amount of their wealth.
Each one should give according to what he has decided in heart.
Hence, tithing is not practiced in the Church of Christ of Christ.
Furthermore; we give our offerings to please God.
If we give grudgingly or sadly, He wouldn't be pleased because He
wants us to give happily and willingly. Hence, offerings should be
voluntary and not compulsory.
___________________
Bible Study
Suggestion: If you have further questions, please feel free
to visit the
Iglesia ni Cristo congregation nearest you. A minister or
an evangelical worker would be happy to answer any biblical question
you have in mind.