# Church Donations - stated in the Bible? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 29, 2001, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/church-donations-stated-in-the-bible/78749 "2001-08-29T17:16:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ahidell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@ahidell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ahidell)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2001, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/church-donations-stated-in-the-bible/78749/1 "2001-08-29T17:16:04Z")
Does it really state in the bible that one should donate one tenth of their yearly earnings to the church? If so - does anyone know the chapter and verse? ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2001, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/church-donations-stated-in-the-bible/78749/2 "2001-08-29T17:26:08Z")
Televangelism 2:15 (PM): “Take all that you have and borrow what you can from your friends and relations and mail to me, care of this station; that your hours may be long upon the tube that the Lord thy God hath given thee.” ---
**Author:** ![Tinker\_Grey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tinker_grey/32/8136_2.png) [@Tinker\_Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tinker_Grey)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2001, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/church-donations-stated-in-the-bible/78749/3 "2001-08-29T17:40:13Z")
In the NIV (New International Version) the word “tithe” shows up only in the Old Testament. Christians (if they care) argue about whether it is required or not (this would depend on how much of the OT is still required after the advent of Jesus.) Nevertheless, many Christians use 10% as a guideline (for discussion purposes, anyway. I would venture most don’t adhere to it, tho’). Some verses > [@](#): > > **Lev 27:30** A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. > **Lev 27:32** The entire tithe of the herd and flock–every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod–will be holy to the LORD. > **Lev 18:21** I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the Tent of Meeting. _Principle of Church/Temple/Synagogue support - tg_ > **Malachi 3** [sup]8[/sup]"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, `How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings. [sup]9[/sup]You are under a curse–the whole nation of you–because you are robbing me. [sup]10[/sup]Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. Tinker ---
**Author:** ![jonfromdenver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/82dd89/32.png) [@jonfromdenver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonfromdenver)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2001, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/church-donations-stated-in-the-bible/78749/4 "2001-08-29T19:03:57Z")
from a Christian perspective, the New Testament doesn’t really give a guideline of how much to tithe: _Luke 12:33 Sell your possessions, and give alms; provide yourselves with purses that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. (RSV)_ tithing is meant to be a state of mind, not a percentage. the main idea is that there are more important things in life than money, so why not give it up? from a Jewish perspective, shown from the quotes in **Tinker Grey** ’s post, tithing is a command from God, so a set amount of tithing seems reasonable, whatever that amount may be. ---
**Author:** ![Space\_Otter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@Space\_Otter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Space_Otter)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2001, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/church-donations-stated-in-the-bible/78749/5 "2001-08-29T19:21:27Z")
God now takes PayPal! ---
**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2001, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/church-donations-stated-in-the-bible/78749/6 "2001-08-29T19:59:16Z")
Yeah, but he still doesn’t accept American Express. ---
**Author:** ![IGOTTHEANSWERS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/71c47a/32.png) [@IGOTTHEANSWERS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IGOTTHEANSWERS)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2001, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/church-donations-stated-in-the-bible/78749/7 "2001-08-29T20:11:08Z")
Tithe means tenth. Therefore, throw in tenth where you see tithe. Although Christ later said to give according to your blessings which means shelling out more for some and less for those unfortunate people. Remember God doesn’t need money, organizations that help spread God’s word do! ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/church-donations-stated-in-the-bible/78749/8 "2001-08-30T12:21:32Z")
\<\< Remember God doesn’t need money, organizations that help spread God’s word do! \>. Cough, cough, cough, cough. See my quote from the Book of Televangelist, above. Yeah, I remember real well, how Jesus said (Luke 12:33) “Sell your possessions, and give your money to me and Peter so that we can spread the Word.” ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/church-donations-stated-in-the-bible/78749/9 "2001-08-30T14:42:39Z")
IGOTTHEANSWERS, tithe does NOT mean tenth. It means: Webster’s: : to pay or give a tenth part of especially for the support of the church. ---
**Author:** ![Tinker\_Grey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tinker_grey/32/8136_2.png) [@Tinker\_Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tinker_Grey)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/church-donations-stated-in-the-bible/78749/10 "2001-08-30T15:34:51Z")
from [merriam-webster](http://www.m-w.com): There are two definitions one is a noun, the other is a verb. handy’s definition is the verb. The noun is: Main Entry: 2tithe Function: noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English teogotha tenth; akin to Middle Low German tegede tenth, Old English tIen ten – more at TEN Date: before 12th century 1 : a tenth part of something paid as a voluntary contribution or as a tax especially for the support of a religious establishment 2 : the obligation represented by individual tithes 3 : TENTH; broadly : a small part 4 : a small tax or levy So IGOTTHEANSWERS was correct. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Billy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Billy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Billy)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/church-donations-stated-in-the-bible/78749/11 "2001-08-30T18:12:44Z")
Actually, the NT does seem to indicate that the practice of tithing was replaced – at least in one congregation within the ancient Church – by the practice of giving everything over to the body. Or so I have heard it suggested, with reference to Ananias and Sapphira. ---
**Author:** ![Tinker\_Grey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tinker_grey/32/8136_2.png) [@Tinker\_Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tinker_Grey)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/church-donations-stated-in-the-bible/78749/12 "2001-08-30T18:23:48Z")
My interpretation of that passage is that the practice may have been common at the outset of Christianity, but that the practice was not mandated. Acts 5 (NIV) > [@](#): > > [sup]3[/sup]Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? [sup]4[/sup] **Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal?** What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.” The boldfaced text suggests that he didn’t _need_ to give the money at all, or that giving only a portion was a problem. Rather, Ananias wanted the praise that others were receiving. Tinker ---
**Author:** ![jonfromdenver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/82dd89/32.png) [@jonfromdenver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonfromdenver)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/church-donations-stated-in-the-bible/78749/13 "2001-08-30T18:31:10Z")
> [@](#): > > originally posted by **Mr. Billy** > Actually, the NT does seem to indicate that the practice of tithing was replaced – at least in one congregation within the ancient Church – by the practice of giving everything over to the body. Or so I have heard it suggested, with reference to Ananias and Sapphira. exactly. the early church was about basic survival needs, and they gave everything else away. like i said earlier, it was meant to be a state of mind. > [@](#): > > \*from Luke 20, > 21: They asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. > 22: Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” > 23: But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, > 24: “Show me a coin. Whose likeness and inscription has it?” They said, “Caesar’s.” > 25: He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” \* > [@](#): > > \*from Luke 18, > 10: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. > 11: The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, `God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12: I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' 13: But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, `God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ > 14: I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” \* ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Billy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Billy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Billy)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/church-donations-stated-in-the-bible/78749/14 "2001-08-30T21:09:38Z")
I think also that this practice is indicative of the oneness that results from union with Christ. Not only are the members of my local congregation my neighbors, whom I have been called to love, they are also my brothers and sisters in the finished work of Christ. And more than that, they are joint-heirs with me to the kingdom of Christ. Indeed, we are all members of the very same body. Therefore, mi casa es – in a very real and compelling sense – su casa. Of course – for many – all pastors will always be raving televangelists. And all tithers will always be dullards, dolts or dupes. But this is the understanding with which I have always seen the offering plate passed. And it has always seemed to me a pretty reasonable practice. Me, I tithe. And then as God blesses me, I offer. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/church-donations-stated-in-the-bible/78749/15 "2001-08-30T23:27:09Z")
As Reverend Lovejoy (of Simpsons fame) has said: > [@](#): > > Tithing means ten percent before taxes, people. . Okay, I paraphrased that. If anyone has the real quote, feel free to contribute.