Bible Question:
Is tithing a New Testament command? Do we have to tithe? What should church members do if they are not happy with the manner in which the church uses their money?
Bible Answer:
The tithe was an Old Testament command for the Israelites. There is a study on giving at the site entitled “Tithing or Giving?” that should help answer the question, “Is tithing a New Testament command?” The short answer is , “No!” Now for the question, “What should church members do if they are not happy with the manner in which the church uses their money?”
There Are Good and Bad Leaders
Money is one test of spiritual leadership. There are many leaders who are not very spiritual. They are just business men who with smooth words sound spiritual. God has warned us that there will be “leaders” who use smooth words but really are just greedy men.
And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words . . . (NASB) 2 Peter 2:2-3
These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage. But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, “In the last time there shall be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” (NASB) Jude 16-18
The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil and it helps us to know if we are spiritual or consumed with the things of the world.
For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many a pang. (NASB) 1 Timothy 6:10
There are also good spiritual leaders who sometimes make bad financial decisions and sometimes they make unpopular decisions. But they may make the decision believing it is in the best interest of the church.
Issue Is Trust
Ultimately, the issue is, “Do you trust the leadership?” When trust or confidence in the leadership is gone, one asks if one can help make changes in the leadership team. We need to start praying and ask God to make changes. If God does not make the changes, then there is not much reason to stay. Trust is the issue – not the money. If you have a pattern of leaving churches, then I would encourage you to consider staying and faithfully asking the Lord to make changes. Money and trust of the leadership go together. When trust is gone, it will not matter what they do with the Lord’s money.
Conclusion:
Prayer is the real key to solving this problem. God has not asked us to stop giving.
Suggested Links:
Tithing or Giving?Signs of the Faithless