[Note, my thoughts on the issue of tithing were incorrect, please read Reconsidering the Tithe. The post below is kept for archival reference purposes only.]

First let me say I feel tithing is a good thing. I know there are claims from some Christians that it is “not for today”. I’ve extensively studied such claims and found them to be an unfortunate adjustment of the truth found in the New Testament. And I must say, I think those who speak against tithing really do so with selfish intentions, whether they admit it or not.

Even Jesus himself spoke of paying the tithe.

As Christ instructs, we are to do all that is expected of us. Not just parts that we find convenient or less of a hassle. (Yes I know I could do better regarding things like “mercy” myself, but at least I’m not trying to say that “mercy” is “not for today”. We all are striving for perfection and we all should at least concede what must be done in order to be closer to perfection.)

So the paying of the tithe (off the gross my friends) is for today.

I was wondering to myself, would poverty end if we all paid the tithe? I had to conclude “no”. Because there are always people who will continue doing what makes people poor. No matter how much money and benevolence is poured on them, they will always do what leads to poverty. That’s why many lottery winners end up back in debt. (Never mind the fact that gambling is not right to begin with. Even when the money goes towards some social service.)

Regarding the poor Jesus said:

Of course Christ also mentioned that he will always be with those that accept him in spirit. But in the verse above he was mentioning that he would not always be on earth in the physical sense.

So we will always have the poor. And I must say that while I give to help others I fully realize we will always have poverty. So what would everyone paying the tithe do? I think it would help spread the gospel more effectively. Many of the battles we Christians fight on the legislative level would not need to be fought, because we would have more tools for ministry and probably more converts. (This is all assuming the churches that receive the tithe use it properly.) So I feel the “perfect church” could have a greater impact on the world, although we would never end poverty. Of course we should continue to help the poor as Christ instructed.

But what is the greatest thing we can give to the poor? While we should help them with things like food and shelter, which I feel should be done via Christian private and not God-less government programs, there is still something greater that we have to offer. Which is what Christ also offered.

Regarding the poor, Christ qualified himself in the fact that he preached the gospel to them. While the poor will always be with us and we are to try and help them with their physical needs, it is their spiritual needs like those of a rich man that we must aid most.