Kanok Leelahakriengkrai
Throughout the Bible, God wants His community to participate in His work. Tithe had been mentioned from Abraham to obviously the Book of Leviticus. In the Book of Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, 1–2 Chronological, Malachi, the tithe was used in financing the Levites workers to be able to function the central tasks of the Temple dealing with every kind of offerings and sacrifices in the Tabernacle through the Temple.
Tithe was taken from the Israelites the tenth of the herd or the flock, the seed from the land, the fruit from the tree, and money they earned (Leviticus 27:30–32) so that everyone could be participated under His redemption represented by their faith to bring the tithe and the offerings to the Lord. Meanwhile, tithe was used for helping the Levites truly function to serve in the Temple. Evidently, the Temple was abandoned by the Israelites because they did not tithe, and the Levites could not stay survived since they had no allotment or inheritance among other tribes of Israel (Deuteronomy 12:12; Nehemiah 13:10-11; Malachi 3:8-10).
Throughout the Bible, God wants His community to participate in His work. Tithe had been mentioned from Abraham to obviously the Book of Leviticus. In the Book of Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, 1–2 Chronological, Malachi, the tithe was used in financing the Levites workers to be able to function the central tasks of the Temple dealing with every kind of offerings and sacrifices in the Tabernacle through the Temple.
Tithe was taken from the Israelites the tenth of the herd or the flock, the seed from the land, the fruit from the tree, and money they earned (Leviticus 27:30–32) so that everyone could be participated under His redemption represented by their faith to bring the tithe and the offerings to the Lord. Meanwhile, tithe was used for helping the Levites truly function to serve in the Temple. Evidently, the Temple was abandoned by the Israelites because they did not tithe, and the Levites could not stay survived since they had no allotment or inheritance among other tribes of Israel (Deuteronomy 12:12; Nehemiah 13:10-11; Malachi 3:8-10).
Tithe reflects the engagement of Israelites to submit to God alone and wishes the spiritual coverage until the completion by Jesus Christ that will move further the centrality of the Temple task from the burnt offering to the new roles of the church in which Jesus Christ is the head (Colossians 1:18). Ray Anderson (Anderson, 2001:63–67) suggested that all the ministries from the Temple of God in the Old Testament to the church today reflected the reconciliation between God and human through the redemption on the cross. If the tithe is used to finance the main function of the Temple in burnt offerings, the offerings to the church today is also served the further purpose in the main function of the church under the Great Commandment of Jesus Christ in proclaiming the Gospel, making disciples, teaching, and any activities to assist Christians in their spiritual growth until the end of the age (Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 1:8).
However, Christian could do more than keeping cheerful giving at the comfortable lowest level. We should encourage the church memebers that the local church belongs to them. They could participate in the financial responsibility. Take a new perspective in supporting the ministries in the church to the Great Commandment activities and tasks and make a commitment to give by grace to support His mission with everyone in the church. When Christians give to respond Jesus grace for His redemption, they should not calculate in numbers or separate lives in parts and claim that they have already finished God portion and taken the rest to use for their own purpose. Christians are called to participate in His ministry, so we are willing to serve a wholeheartedly only by giving money offerings but also involving by all resources we have such as time, wisdom, and strength (1Corinthians4:1–2;4:7).
Reference
(1) Allen, Roland. Missionary Methods: St.Paul’s or Ours?,Cambridge: The Lutterworth Press, 2006.
(2) Anderson, Ray S. The Shape of Practical Theology: Empowering ministry with theological praxis. Downers Grove: Inter Varsity Press, 2001.
(3) Croteau, David A. You Mean I Don’t Have to Tithe?:A Deconstruction of Tithing and a Reconstruction of Post-Tithe Giving. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2010.
(4) DeFazio, James. The Tithe. Xulon Press, 2007.
(5) Kotter, John P. and Cohan Dan S. The Heart of Change. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School, 2002.
(6) Leslie T. Lyall. A Passion for the Impossible: The Continuing Story of the Mission Hudson Taylor Began. London: OMF Books, 1965.
(7) Parker, Joel P. Tithing in the Age of Grace. Trafford Publishing, 2003.
(8) Willimon, William H. Pastor: The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry. Abingdon Press, 2002.
Though the activities in the Temple was represented by the Levites but God also asked everyone in Israel to engage those activities by tithing and giving offerings. In the same way, everyone in the church is expected to engage in the spiritual activities, not only cheerful giving but every activity according to the spiritual gift contribution and ministries involvement.In addition, James DeFazio (DeFazio, 2007:50) explained that the tithing system was used in the Old Testament to tithe or 10% paid to the Temple as a tax system. David A. Croteau (Croteau, 2010:109) said the meaning of the tithe was more than taxation but the giving to God by faith represented by the works of the Levitesin all kinds of the offering tasks(Numbers 18:24).While the rule of tithe in the Old Testament was 10%, apparently, Jesus called disciples to respond Him by giving a whole life and follow Him (Matthew16:24, 9:21; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23; John 12:26).Paul urged Christians to give generously with cheerful heart and realizing His grace, not as something felt forced to do(2 Corinthians 8:4–5, 9:5, 9:7). The early church participated in giving to the poor and helping the churches in Judea during drought(Acts 11:28–30; Romans 15:26; 1 Corinthians16:1–2; 2 Corinthians9:7). The tithe in the Old Testament and offerings giving to the church in the New Testament had different purpose while the redemption was finished in Jesus Christ, the Temple purpose was fulfilled by His work. Christians today should put the efforts to strengthen up the church to function in His Commandment rather than preserve the tithe in the old system or thought.
However, Christian could do more than keeping cheerful giving at the comfortable lowest level. We should encourage the church memebers that the local church belongs to them. They could participate in the financial responsibility. Take a new perspective in supporting the ministries in the church to the Great Commandment activities and tasks and make a commitment to give by grace to support His mission with everyone in the church. When Christians give to respond Jesus grace for His redemption, they should not calculate in numbers or separate lives in parts and claim that they have already finished God portion and taken the rest to use for their own purpose. Christians are called to participate in His ministry, so we are willing to serve a wholeheartedly only by giving money offerings but also involving by all resources we have such as time, wisdom, and strength (1Corinthians4:1–2;4:7).
We should not force people to give with wrong motivation by making them feel guilt, fear of blessing block, have community pressure even positive or negative reinforcement, take the idea of the Old Testament tithe or even be transactional wishes to receive the cashbacks or returns. On the other hand, we should promote people to give with grace, commitment by grace, generously, willingly, cheerfully, freedom in the Holy Spirit, not by forcing to give (2 Corinthians 8:2–3; 9:5; 9:7).Lastly, if the church feels worried when the tithe is taught following the above idea, the church may learn to trust in the Lord for any financial needs. He can provide for all we need. William H. Willimon (Willimon, 2002:12) encouraged us, “God really love all ministries the church initiated to serve Him. He could provide for all we need until every nation would be blessed by His name”. Hudson Taylor said, “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.” So, we need to teach the Bible faithfully and trust in the Lord for His providence. James DeFazio (James, 2007: 70) states, “Giving is God’s way of raising believers to a level of maturity that will cause in them a want to become more generous and less selfish”. The church could call the members on co-operating in all ministries and also supporting on financial needs. Let them have an opportunity to grow up by giving. Challenge them to commit to give because God expects everyone to participate in His works. And thank them for His contribution not only the money they give but lives they share in His works.
Reference
(1) Allen, Roland. Missionary Methods: St.Paul’s or Ours?,Cambridge: The Lutterworth Press, 2006.
(2) Anderson, Ray S. The Shape of Practical Theology: Empowering ministry with theological praxis. Downers Grove: Inter Varsity Press, 2001.
(3) Croteau, David A. You Mean I Don’t Have to Tithe?:A Deconstruction of Tithing and a Reconstruction of Post-Tithe Giving. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2010.
(4) DeFazio, James. The Tithe. Xulon Press, 2007.
(5) Kotter, John P. and Cohan Dan S. The Heart of Change. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School, 2002.
(6) Leslie T. Lyall. A Passion for the Impossible: The Continuing Story of the Mission Hudson Taylor Began. London: OMF Books, 1965.
(7) Parker, Joel P. Tithing in the Age of Grace. Trafford Publishing, 2003.
(8) Willimon, William H. Pastor: The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry. Abingdon Press, 2002.
ความคิดเห็น