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Tithing in the Age of Grace

by Joel P. Parker

118 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #03-0171; ISBN 1-55395-808-x; US$15.00, C$16.95, EUR12.50, £9.00

Read the book that is freeing people from the burden of tithing.

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about the book      about the author      sample excerpts or Table of Contents      catalogue info

About the Book This informative book on the Old Testament practice of tithing will give the reader a clear understanding of exactly what tithing was to the Israelites. This book will answer questions about what items were tithed, how often tithes were collected, whether everyone was expected to tithe, if anyone was cursed for not tithing, and of course, whether tithing is for today's Christian. Tithing in the Age of Grace contains every pertinent scripture as it relates to tithing. This book will also explain why Christians aren't required to tithe, and indeed, why they shouldn't tithe. Tithing in the Age of Grace contains chapters entitled: Tithing prior to Old Testament Law The command to tithe in the Old Testament law Tithing throughout the Old Testament (especially in the Book of Malachi) Tithing in the Gospels and book of Acts Tithing for the New Testament Christian Guidelines for giving in the New Testament age

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About the Author

Joel Parker and his wife Jana reside in the Fox River Valley area of Wisconsin and have been married seventeen years. They have four children Isaiah, Bethany, Jordan, and John. All four of the Parker children are home schooled.

Joel has been a Christian for eighteen years and enjoys searching the scriptures and studying church history with special emphasis on the development of doctrine. Joel enjoys discussing doctrinal issues with fellow Christians as well as with people of different faiths.

Some of Joel's favorite authors are Dr. Ravi Zacharias, Daniel Boorstin, Dr. Walter Martin, Phillip E. Johnson, Dave Hunt and T.A. McMahon.

Joel and his family attend a non-denominational church in Appleton, Wisconsin that places great emphasis on the importance of studying the Bible book by book.

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Sample Excerpts and Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

PART ONE: TITHING IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

TITHING PRIOR TO THE LAW

THE COMMAND TO TITHE IN THE LAW

THREE TITHES OR ONE AND THE SABBATH REST

DID EVERYONE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT TITHE?

REDEEMING THE TITHE

THE BOOK OF MALACHI

PART TWO: TITHING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

TITHING IN THE GOSPELS

TITHING IN THE BOOK OF ACTS

THE NEW COVENANT OF GRACE

GUIDELINES FOR GIVING

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Introduction

Most Christian churches today teach that their members should be giving ten percent of their gross income to their church, regardless of their financial situation. Christians are taught that tithing is commanded in the Bible. Some are even taught that if they don't tithe, they will be under a curse. It is my desire that this book will explain scripturally why teaching tithing (as it is understood in today's church) is wrong.

Most of the confusion concerning tithing stems from the fact that most people have never taken the time to learn exactly what the Bible says about tithing. They've left it up to their pastors to interpret the scriptures and explain to them what tithing is and too often just accept what the pastor says. I've found that when the subject of tithing is brought up to fellow Christians there is a hesitancy to even discuss the subject. Perhaps out of fear that they will appear unspiritual and maybe even money grubbing. More than once, in my own discussions with people concerning this subject, it has been suggested that the only reason I researched tithing was because I somehow wanted to "get out of" giving money to the church I attend.

I blame this tendency to question my motives on many things including; Many pastors, (but not all), using threatening language when discussing tithing i.e. "You'll be cursed if you don't tithe", as well as the fear among people that if they don't tithe, they will be considered inferior with regard to their spirituality. It is because of the emphasis placed on tithing in churches that many people have come to believe that their level of spirituality and holiness is somehow tied to the amount of money they give to their church. It is this very attitude that Jesus laid to rest when he compared the giving of the wealthy with that of the poor widow in Mark 12:41-44.

Another unfortunate result of tithe teaching is that many people stop their giving right there (at ten percent to their church) thinking they've "done their duty". Every Christian knows however that this isn't true, for we are called to "Present our very bodies as living sacrifices, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." Romans 12:1.

We are called to present ALL to the cause of Christ, including our wealth, and not to be content or self-righteous thinking we can somehow merit a part of our salvation. The most offensive result of tithe teaching in my opinion is that many people treat tithing as if it is somehow a requirement of salvation.

Nothing could be further from the truth. I personally have even been in church services where a pastor has stated from the pulpit that "If you don't tithe you don't love God". I found this statement to be very disconcerting. Who was this man to think he could discern the thoughts and intents of everybody in his congregation? Or that he knew the financial situations of everyone in his church. It was for this reason I decided to research tithing for myself, for there are many people in churches today who quite simply cannot afford to give ten percent of their income to their local church, yet are made to feel guilty if they don't. In some cases, as is the case with the church I previously mentioned, people who don't tithe are forbidden to hold any position of leadership in their church, being labeled "unfit for service due to lack of spirituality". This chastisement not only adds to the feelings of inferiority already felt by many poor people today but it also deprives the living church of people who are well qualified to serve.

It is my sincerest hope that anyone reading this book will prayerfully consider what I've written, and once they are free from the legalistic burden of tithing ten percent to their church, will share these truths with fellow Christians, as well as confront their pastors with this material. It is also my hope that as people shed the "yoke of slavery" that is the Old Testament Law, we can get down to the real business of the Christian Church in the world today. Feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and comforting the poor and downtrodden with the Gospel of His Grace.

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Catalogue Information

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