Don Francisco
Rocky Mountain Ministries

Mythbusters

For years we have had this collection of short articles posted on line and we slowly add to them as new topics come up. We don't claim to have all the answers, but we're sharing how we see things. As we all share, our perspectives are widened, and it becomes easier to lay aside fear and dead religion and to choose instead pathways of freedom, boldness, life, and love. We hope you enjoy the mythbusters.

Myth #8 - If You Don't Tithe, Your Car Will Break Down

Should we be tithing?

Jesus made an astounding statement. He said that a King taxes His subjects, but not His sons.

Tithing, a part of Jewish law, is usually regarded today as dues, or taxes, or worse, an appeasement to God. It is regarded as something which is owed. It is commonly taught that if you don't tithe, you car will break down.

The problem with this concept of tithing is that it contradicts our understanding of who we are -- people who call God Abba, Dad.

Let's face it - tithing is somewhat of a sacred cow. For such a major aspect of what we call western evangelicalism, there are amazingly few verses about it in the New Testament. What verses are there are not direct teachings about the continuation of tithing.

On the other hand, giving is a good thing. Every gift God prompts us to give accomplishes good things. We are directed to decide between us and God if, when, and how much we will give. A great church should be supported by the people who go there.

The real question is not "should we tithe", but "what is the motivation behind our giving?". God cannot be bought. We should not be offering a token appeasement to God out of fear that He will not bless us if we don't. God has already blessed us with everything we need for abundant life. We give, because we reflect our Abba, and His heart of giving.