The Mega Church and the Myth of Tithing

I had the privilege of listening to Joseph Prince preach at Hillsong London recently. I always enjoy listening to Pastor Prince’s teaching, and especially enjoy the experience of hearing him live on 11^th October 2009. You can download this podcast for free here.

But there was something that bothered me about what Joseph Prince said. Joseph Prince said that we should tithe; he then gave a brief testimony of one of the members of his church: Olivia Lum. Olivia Lum went from having an average life to being the richest woman in South East Asia. Apparently, Olivia told Joseph Prince that the key to her success was that she always paid a tithe and she prayed for wisdom.

Joseph Prince and the Grace Revolution

I would say that Joseph Prince is at the fore-front of what could be called a “grace revolution”. Ever since Joseph Prince visited my church, Hillsong London, in 2006/2007 – the message at my church has become a lot more grace-oriented (the pastor’s admitted it themselves). I have a CD box set of the teaching that he delivered during his visit and it is truly amazing.

Joseph Prince has a lot of respect for the Senior Pastor at Hillsong London, Gary Clarke, and Joseph preaches at the annual Hillsong Europe Conference and sometimes speaks at Hillsong London as a guest speaker. Gary has also visited Singapore where he preached at New Creation Church – Joseph Prince’s church.

The revelation of grace that has happened in Singapore is spreading all over the world. Joseph Prince’s teaching is seen, or listened to, by people all over the world: his teaching can be downloaded in MP3 format from his website at http://www.josephprince.org. Joseph Prince has a presence on Christian Television including the popular Daystar network. This wonderful grace preacher is influencing a lot of churches and Christians and it is probably for this reason that he still supports the message of tithing.

Darin Hufford on Tithing

Darin Hufford of the Free Believers Network has admitted that he does not believe in tithing. Darin is an ex-pastor of the Dream Center – a mega church in Los Angeles U.S.A. I recall Darin relating in one of his Into the Wild podcasts, that he set-up his own church after he left the Dream Center. He promptly told his new congregation that they did not have to tithe. Darin ended-up having an argument with his accountant because his ministry was rapidly running out of money. However, Darin would not waver from his convictions and he stood firm when it came to not deceiving the congregation into tithing out of an obligation or with the promise of extravagant blessings should they continue to do so. Darin concluded from this experience that the whole institution church experience is man-made and is utterly dependant on the myth of tithing.

It is important to note that the ministries of that of Bertie Brits and Joseph Prince, despite having a similar message, they are actually rather different: Joseph Prince is the senior pastor of a mega-church, albeit a grace mega-church, whilst Bertie does not have his own church, but produces videos from his home studio or travels to other churches and to conferences. There is a difference and if we are to take Darin Hufford’s statement as the truth – we can see why one preacher teaches on the tithe and why the other does not.

I’m kind of torn between accepting this statement fully and arguing that it is not the case, that there are some good things about the institutional church, particularly grace-oriented mega-churches such as Hillsong. However, I cannot deny that Darin does have a point and it does get me thinking. If this is the case, then perhaps Joseph Prince has to preach on the tithe so that he himself can continue to exist in a mega-church environment and so that he can continue to influence those who are also in a mega-church environment (the Hillsong Europe Conference being a case in point).

A Hint of W.O.F.

I also see some aspects of Word of Faith in Joseph’s teaching – particularly the daily devotionals he produces. I suppose this is to be expected because like me, his main influence was Kenneth E. Hagin. Hagin himself was a pioneer of faith during his day. Hagin had to overcome a lot of opposition from the church with his beliefs on faith for finances and faith for healing. Hagin was seen to be a heretic because of his propensity towards blessings, signs, wonders and spiritual gifts. God does not give any one Bible teacher a monopoly on Biblical truth, and more than likely, never will.

I made the big mistake of simply accepting everything I read in Hagin’s books without question. I suppose this was because I was so convinced by the extravagant testimonies of blessings and miracles; as well as the all-too-familiar name-it-and-claim-it faith confessions. I was desperate for love and approval and in the absence of proper teaching on grace – I just looked to performance and achievement. I saw faith as being the key to unlocking the power of God that I needed in order to be happy, satisfied and accepted.

I think if Hagin would have been given the same revelation of grace that Joseph Prince has been given today – it is likely that Hagin would have been driven out of the church for sure and labelled a crank.

Conclusion

Biblical prosperity is a very tricky subject – there needs to be a balance and I believe that extravagant testimonies, such as that of Olivia Lum, need to be seen as exceptional and not typical. I believe that the main reason behind such testimonies is to serve to take the limits off God. So many times we try to figure God out, anticipate His next move, and to define the boundaries of what we can or can’t have, or what we can or can’t do. It is so easy to quote a testimony like that of Olivia Lum and then attempt to make some sort of generic “template” out of it; a rule, principal or formula that anyone can follow in order to achieve instantaneous, and predictable, success.

Yes, I do believe that God’s intention is that we have our needs met, and even that we can enjoy prosperity – but there is a difference between needs and wants. A lot of people still look to financial prosperity as a means of offsetting other unmet needs in their life, such as a sense of approval and security – things that only a well-established relationship with Christ can fulfil.

I foresee the grace revolution as being a rather slow process as old religious mindsets give way to the message of pure grace. I believe that the message of tithing will probably be the last bastion of Christian legalism to fall. Why? Well because it involves money of course!

What Grace Preachers Say About Tithing

Joseph Prince is the only grace preacher I know of who still teaches that we should tithe. But he does add that we should give from a heart of love and not give out of obligation. But I think that a lot of Christians want to give out of love - but end up giving out of fear.

It does seem like a noble concept at first, but when people tithe for years and nothing significant happens as a result, the inevitable result is one of disappointment. Feelings of guilt can also arise from teaching on tithing because when a person fails to experience all of the wonderful promises that were made to him by a pastor or evangelist – it causes the Christian to wonder what he did wrong or what he is missing: is it a lack of faith? Do I have to give more? Is there sin in my life? And so on.

First of all, we really need to get beyond this fear associated with tithing. To do this, we need to hear teaching that shows that tithing is an Old Testament concept and that Jesus has bore the curse of the law.

I recommend Bertie Brits' teaching on the subject of tithing. Bertie's teaching is available for free download on his website http://www.dynamicministries.com I particularly recommend the teaching "Money on the Cross" and "Hermanus Leadership Conference". But there are various other teachings by Bertie in which he touches on this subject. Basically, Bertie argues that if we can attribute healing and salvation and everything else in Christ to the cross - why not prosperity and finances?

Steve McVey also asserts in his "101 Lies Told in Church" series of short videos, that we do not need to tithe. See Lie #66 You Will Be Blessed Because You Tithe.

Grace preacher Andrew Wommack also teaches that we should not tithe out of compulsion and that God will bless you even if you don't. See the Financial Stewardship series, which can be downloaded for free on his website. This teaching series is a little confusing because in the first MP3 (and perhaps part of the second), Andrew says that we don't need to tithe, but then in the subsequent MP3s in the series, he says that we should tithe.

My personal belief is that our relationship with God should never be out of fear, or out of lust for that matter. What ultimately determines the quality of our life is how much we know we are accepted and loved by God, and loving others from that place of acceptance. We should never see our prosperity as depending on a rule we should keep or an obligation we should fulfil. Inevitably, it’s all about having a sense of security and knowing that we are blessed and accepted by God through faith in Christ, not in any kind of religious obligation that we need to keep.

New Testament Tithing

Is Ten Percent Wrong?

“New Testament Tithing” – this sounds like a contradiction in terms to the radical grace-believer.  There does seem to be some controversy when it comes to Christians paying tithes.  But I don't think there is anything wrong with giving ten percent of your income to the church, as long as you are led by the Spirit to do so. Basically, all of our giving should be according to 2 Corinthians 9:7.

⁷ So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7

So, if a person has a certain sum of money in their heart which they know is from God to give to the church, then they should go with that. It just might be that God says to give 'X' amount of pounds which just so happens to be ten percent of their income.

I think many of us grace-believers have a sneaky suspicion that some grace believers give ten percent of their income to the church, because that's what the Bible says about Old Testament giving i.e. Tithe being ten percent. Although, they will tell you that they are giving freely.  Perhaps there's a bit of grace 'n' law present there!

But, if a person's argument supporting their ten percent offering is some Old Testament, law-based verse of scripture such as Malachi 3:10, arguing that everybody should give as they do - then something is wrong.

Offerings with No Sticks and No Carrots!

What really irks me about preaching on tithes and offerings is when there is a threat, implied or expressed otherwise, if the person does not give ten percent or more. I also don't like it when they say something like, "You don't have to give - but you have an opportunity to give and you'll be missing out if you don't!" Then, they'll say, "Make sure you don't give to get! God's not a slot-machine, you know!" There should be no carrot-and-stick approach to Biblical prosperity whatsoever. God provides for us based on His love for us - nothing more, nothing less.

There's nothing wrong with paying ten percent of your income to the church and there's nothing wrong with the law - the law is good. But it's just when these things become a duty, a standard to fulfil - that's when they become wrong. It's all about motive.

Offerings and “The Fear-Factor”

The “Fear-Factor” has got to be taken away when it comes to serving in church, living right and not sinning, as well as giving offerings. This reminds me of an excellent blog entry entitled The Fear of Sinning that gives an analogy of the fears being taking away in relation to sin and the way it gives people confidence towards God and everyday life.

In the same way that this link relates to sin - we need to have the same attitude towards offerings. We need to know that God will not punish us and that we won't be cursed if we don't tithe.

According to His Good Opinion

One of the most quoted verses of scripture in relation to divine provision is Philippians 4:19.

¹⁹ And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

The Greek word translated “glory” in this verse is doxa (G1391), which has a three-fold meaning depending on the context of a verse:

1. Opinion, judgment, view (e.g. John 5:44). Note: sometimes this word is translated “honour” in the New Testament.
2. Splendour, brightness (e.g. Revelation 21:23, 2 Corinthians 4:4).
3. A most glorious condition, most exalted state. (e.g. Mark 13:26, Titus 2:13). Note: sometimes this word is translated “glorious” in the New Testament.

Philippians 4:19 cannot be using the Greek word doxa (G1391) in relation to the brilliance and splendour of our Lord Jesus Christ. It must be the good opinion that God has of us because He sees our faith in His beloved Son Jesus Christ – Hallelujah!

God does not provide for His children according to merit, according to our tithes and offerings. No, God provides for us and prospers us according to His love for us – not because we love Him and try to prove it by our works.

1 John 4:19 says that we love Him because He first loved us. If the meaning of this verse is not immediately apparent, look at the way some of the modern translations render this verse:

¹⁹ So you see, our love for him comes as a result of his loving us first.

1 John 4:19 TLB

¹⁹ We have the power of loving, because he first had love for us.

1 John 4:19 BBE

We know God loves us because He sent Jesus Christ to die for us – when we did not deserve such a sacrifice.

⁸ But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Romans 5:8 TLB

⁸ But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.

Romans 5:8 msg

Be As Little Children

Jesus Himself said that we are to be as little children (Matthew 18:3). This means we are to have a child-like faith. The term “child-like” seems to imply a simplicity and unwavering trust – like that of a small child trusting in its father for provision. A child does not attempt to seek provision, such as food and clothing, from its father, based on works or merit.

⁹ "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. ¹¹ If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? ¹² Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? ¹³ If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"

Luke 11:9-13

Why is it then that some Christians hold to the belief that they can only receive from God according to how much they give in the offering basket? Why, it is like a child that asks its father for an egg – to be told that it first must tidy its bedroom or wash its father’s car!

I recall a message from Andrew Wommack on this subject. Andrew used the analogy of a small child being carried in the arms of its father. Such a child would not be continually praying, “Thank you father that you won’t drop me father. I trust that you’ll continue to carry me father…” Similarly, we should not make a work out of faith when it comes to receiving basic material provision from our Father who loves us.

If we have a need then we ought to be able to trust in our Father in Heaven who gives us all good things richly to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17).