Tithing is a spiritual discipline many Christians practice. In its simplest form, it means giving back to God 10 percent of what you make. I’ve practiced it for years as a regular part of my giving. I tithe ‘plus’ to my local church and I give to other causes on top of that. However, throughout my 35 years of ministry I’ve seen 10 common reasons that church people give for not tithing. I list them below with a counterpoint below each.
1. It’s all mine anyway. Why should I give?
Counterpoint (CP): Everything we own is actually God’s (Ps 50.10, Ps 24.1).
2. I give elsewhere. This is the person who counts his giving to secular causes, his time or paying for his child’s Christian school tuition as his tithe.
CP: Do causes around the purposes of God get the lion’s share of your giving?
3. Tithing is not in the New Testament. This is one of the most common excuses.
CP: When Jesus fulfilled the law, He didn’t revise spirituality downward.
4. God will provide through other people. This person believes that other people will give to support the cause of Christ in their church.
CP: God chose to release His resources through all believers.
5. My gifts don’t really count. This person thinks that because he can’t give much, his giving really doesn’t matter.
CP: Don’t minimize the size of any gift (recall the story of the poor widow in Mark 12.41-44).
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SOURCE: Church Leaders – Charles Stone
BCNN1 WP 