Only 9 percent of all born again adults gave 10 percent of their income to churches and charitable groups, a new survey revealed.
While the practice of tithing and whether it is a biblical responsibility is still debated today, The Barna Group found that very few Americans, including Christians, give tithe.
Overall, only 5 percent of U.S. adults tithed in 2007, the survey released Monday showed. Since 2000, the proportion of adults who tithed has remained in the 5 percent to 7 percent range.
The most generous group was the evangelicals, with 24 percent having tithed last year. Other groups who were more likely to give at least 10 percent of their income include conservatives (12 percent); people who had prayed, read the Bible and attended a church service during the past week (12 percent); charismatic or Pentecostal Christians (11 percent); and registered Republicans (10 percent).
Evangelical Christians gave high donations with 83 percent contributing at least $1000 to churches and non-profit entities in 2007. Among all adults, only 34 percent gave away $1000 or more that year.
Regarding donations only to religious centers – church, synagogue or other place of worship – 25 percent of all adults contributed at least $1000. Ninety-six percent of evangelicals gave money to a church and 81 percent of them donated at least $1000.
Despite the generous contributions to churches by evangelicals, an earlier study released by Ellison Research last month revealed that only a minority of evangelicals believe it is a sin to not tithe 10 percent of their income. Over four out of 10 evangelicals believe it is a sin not to tithe, but other studies show relatively few evangelicals actually do so.
The March study also showed that more Protestants than Roman Catholics considered the failure to tithe a sin. According to this week’s Barna study, Protestants were more likely to tithe compared to Catholics (8 percent vs. 2 percent of Catholics) in 2007.
Donations by the aggregate born again community (both evangelicals and on-evangelical born again adults) reached the highest level this decade. The mean donation to non-profits and churches was $1971. But the new study was quick to note that the percentage of born again adults who gave any money to churches dropped to 76 percent – its lowest level this decade.
"Born again adults remain the most generous givers in a country acknowledged to be the most generous on the planet," said George Barna, head of the research group. "But their donation decisions must be seen in the larger context of the changes occurring in a wide range of religious behaviors.
"With millions of people shifting their allegiance to different forms of church experience, and a more participatory society altering how people interact and serve others, many Christians are now giving their money to different types of organizations instead of a church," he continued. "They attend conventional churches less often. They are expanding their circle of Christian relationships beyond local church boundaries. And they are investing greater amounts of their time and money in service organizations that are not connected with a conventional church. That doesn’t make such giving inappropriate or less significant, it’s just a different way of addressing social needs."
Of all the money born agains have donated, the proportion given to the churches has dropped over the past three years. The proportion born again adults give to churches declined from 84 cents out of every donated dollar during the first five years of the decade to 76 cents.
"The choices being made by born again donors have huge implications for the non-profit sector," said Barna. "Realize that a majority of the money donated by individuals in the U.S. comes from the born again constituency. If this transition in the perceptions and giving behavior of born again adults continues to accelerate, the service functions of conventional churches will be redefined within the next eight to 10 years, and conventional churches will have to adopt new ways of assisting people in need."
Comments
Matthew, despite your long post, you have failed to provide any evidence which proves that “born again” believers are required to pay tithes.
Perhaps you would like to try again, Matthew?
Sorry, my three part post should have said: continued above.... ;-) I didn't realize it was ascending in order. My bad.
More importantly, and I can’t stress this enough, is that a Christian needs take part in their tithe’s appropriation in that it’s being used effectively and prudently toward the winning of souls and furthering of God’s kingdom. This I believe is where we as Christians, fail. We are quick to toss a tithe into the offering plate, but then care little as to what our money is being spent toward or in whose pocket it ends up. Take part in your church business meetings and ask questions. Do your homework.
Here again is the matter of stewardship. If we are faithful stewards of what the Lord blesses us with, then He will entrust us with all the more. First and foremost I believe this to be Spiritual maturity that we might witness to the lost. As students of the Word of God, people we ask it of us—be prepared. To whom much is given much is required. We are charged above all else to be faithful witnesses to the gospel of Jesus Christ. God is concerned with the things of the Spirit first and foremost. As believers, we must strive to become fruitful stewards of the Great Commission. Soul winning and spiritual maturity are the primary blessings we must seek, but God does provide us with all things, and yes even financial necessities. Yet, just as we are to be prudent stewards of the things of the Spirit, likewise are we commanded to be obedient stewards of our money. Tithing ten percent of ones worldly gain not only demonstrates a faithful Spirit, but is merely one of His many ways of setting us on a godly course with all our possessions. After all, do we truly possess anything other than the love of Christ?
Lastly, the apostle Paul instructs the church in 1 Corinthians 9 to attend its ministers and not rebuke them for their carnal necessities, but to rather provide for them.
1 Corinthians 9:11 KJV If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
And as instruction for ministers of the faith, the next verse reads:
1 Corinthians 9:12 KJV If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
Give accordingly, give cheerfully, give responsibly, give diligently, and lastly, give without want.
Maranatha
Also, let us not turn grace into a magic wand of excuses. Grace does not exempt us from diligence. If it were so, then might we entreat the Great Commission (a commandment from God) with as befitting an endeavor, lacking stewardship and accountability? Would Jesus say this is justifiable because of grace? Don’t confuse obedience with legalism. Faith without works is vain. We are to strive for the prize now that we’ve entered the race. Works are produced out of loving obedience unto the understanding of the Word of God, exemplifying an active faith in Christ. This includes faithful stewardship of all that he brings into our keeping. Tithing is not only scriptural, but keeps us mindful of such responsibilities as Christians. We can’t just be faithful with choice things, but with all things. Though never to be overlooked nor underestimated, tithing is simply one of the many smaller facets of a willing Spirit in motion, building on the greater good.
Tithing ten percent is indeed a universal standard of measurement throughout Christendom, and though certainly isn’t and should never be stipulated, it does provide a benchmark for us who would be wise stewards. Tithe isn’t always necessarily designated currency either, and when money is absent tithe can sometimes be in the form of labor, other goods such as food items, supplies, etc., and so on, yet money is a ready commodity for our modern age, unlike the ancient days when wealth was often measured in livestock and servants, and other tangible goods. In other words, it’s easier for a believer to get his hands on a dollar bill today, than it is an ox or a donkey, or sack of grain to put into the offering.
continued below....
If I may (Three Part Post),
God is not the author of confusion, so let us not over analyze the matter. Nevertheless:
I’ll be the first to admonish what is prevalently being taught as the prosperity gospel in many evangelical ministries. God is not a slot-machine; neither is tithing meant to be a, Lure-the-faithful-lottery.
We are indeed, however, to be cheerful givers, for it is more blessed to give than receive. Giving isn’t a condition of how happy we are on any given day, but an act of obedience through faith, even when we don’t feel like it at times. Our love for God is demonstrated by a willingness to obey his commandments even though we constantly strive with the carnal. The carnal is at odds with the Spirit of God, but because of the Spirit of Christ in me I am able to be a cheerful giver. Habitual giving isn’t a bad thing, but more a matter of consistency through the act of diligent stewardship. Now this isn’t to mean we are to guilt ourselves, tallying which week we ought to give or, did I give an exact to-the-penny tithe, but mostly that we develop some sort of consistency and mindfulness, not for God’s sake (He doesn’t need our money), but for the sake of the church tending to God’s children. The church is a central gathering place for believers to encourage and sharpen one another in the Word of God; not everyone can open their living rooms to large groups. But we live in a carnal world and church buildings have bills just like any other functioning structure. Satan would have us believe we don’t need to tithe because it would shut down church buildings that do bring glory to Jesus Christ. The point, however, of tithing regularly is so that we are made mindful of all God’s blessings, be they spiritual or financial, and that we don’t take them for granted, thus failing in our thanksgiving. It’s an act of faith, and a counter to the love of money (mammon).
True that certain ordinances were given of God during varying dispensations throughout the Old Testament period, but let us not however, forget that much of what went before by the way of the prophets is for our learning today. These accounts happened to them for examples to us. 1 Corinthians 10:11; Romans 15:4
continued below....
Hankster assumes that the mere fact of Abram giving Melchisedek a tithe establishes it as a law 800 years before Sinai. This is an unwarranted assumption for two reasons:
1. There is no record of God establiishing tithing as a law before Sinai; none.The mere fact that Abram gave Melchisedek a tithe does not endorse an as yet uncodified law giving it grandfather rights at some formal declaration of law in the future.
21. Abram gave Melchisedek a tithe of the spoils of war. Under the formal codification of the Law of Tithing, such offerings were rejected by God as a tithe and never received by Him in the life of the Old Covenant. (See Numbers 33, et al)
I have no doubt, tithe puts one under the law. G-d made it very plain to put yourself under even one, makes you cursed. to accuse one of robbing G-d is dead wrong. We are to be cheerful givers. and when we can, feed the poor, clothe the naked, and take them even into our homes. I give when I can..because we know G-d told us one life is like the whole world. I say same on the preachers who take and buy private jets and property etc. They are the ones robbing G-d. Our righteousness is like filthy rags, there is none righteous no not one. There was a time when I went to a church, government 501 c phony,,,,and are slaves to where they get their money according to G-d's word. They offered a few bucks,,not to touch on what was despertly needed. I have given, and given and given. Most of what we give, one third is used for minestery, shame on them. To top that they have the name it and claim it, and speaking of apostasy in it all, that the world sees..they are all against the one gospel, preached once that Paul warned of,,and are learning the ways of the heathen we are to from such turn away, and are running to Rome,,The G-d I worship and serve is not allah and HIs Kingdom according to Him is NOT of this world, His church is not a political one either, or a global warming one,,we are seeing last days come into play, the curtian is going up, and the true church is going home,,and the pews will be full when we are gone,,how sad..Most of the churches overlook, genesis 12:3 and many others, but my G-d doesn't change, no shadow of turning..G-d bless the US, and G-d bless Israel..and my prayer is we also do so, and turn back to HIM>..
It is interesting that God tells us that the tithe was established prior to 2,000 BC, because we read in Genesis 14:20 that Abram gave Melchizidek, King of Salem, a tithe of all he had recovered from Cherdolaomer. Since this was nearly 800 years before the Law was given to Moses, it seems that Abram was not being legalistic when offering a tithe to Melchizidek.
Abram's offering of a tithe in Genesis 14:20 was his heart's response to what God had done for him. God gave Abram and his 'army of 318' (Genesis 14:14-16) the defeat of the combined armies of four kings.
God allows us the privilege of making our choices in response to believing or not believing Him. He provides ample references in scripture to show that people have a choice of trusting in themselves or trusting in Him. Every day He finds a new way to ask each Christian: "Do you trust me?"
He also makes it clear that He does not want His people to give out of obligation. Read 2 Corinthians 9:5-15 (in which Psalm 112:9 is quoted. Psalm 112 is about the results and benefits of trusting Him). We clearly see that once a believer purposes in his heart to trust God to give, God supplies the ability to give it, and can trust the believer with more and more, as he/she gives in response.
Having seen in my own life for several decades the privilege and results of tithing, I am compelled to witness that God has been faithful in lean times and good times, always honoring my family's stewardship.
He is the One Who provides us the ability to earn money (Deuteronomy 8:18), and all of it belongs to Him (Psalm 50:10). He established the law of the harvest (2 Cor. 9:6, Luke 6:38, Galatians 6:7-8) to point out that what we sow, we reap.
All of the sowing into His kingdom is about trusting Him to be faithful to provide. We have the privilege as Christians to be part of His program for taking care of what he has given us stewardship over. Praise God for His faithfulness!
The oft forgotten verse of tithe mongers who confuse Law and Gospel.
Luke 18:11-13
11"The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: 'God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
12'I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.'
13"But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!'
Has anyone read "Pagan Christianity" that Barna co-wrote with the original author, Frank Viola? It touches on this a bit.
However, I want to make two points, but first my stance: I can not reason from Scripture that the tithe is New Testament. However, collecting money for those in need in the church (i.e. - Paul's collection of monies to help support the church in Jerusalem during the famine).
First, the tithe as we know it did not originate from the OT. It came from the Roman land tax. The Catholic church later reinforced the idea by claiming that the OT supported it. So Christians do not have to "tithe", instead they should support those in need primarily within the church and then outside of of the body to show Christ to the world.
Second, I do believe that IF you "joined a church" (I won't talk about how strange that would be to say to the NT church, among other phrases!) and were told beforehand that "membership" meant that you are required to tithe, then you have an obligation to tithe because you accepted that clause. (And yes, I have personally experienced this.)
Sorry - but honestly most of the ways I've ever heard this taught smacked of legalism.
I don't doubt that offerings and some sort of regular gifts to God via the church is biblical and can bless the giver - as an institution with expected monetary goals? Nope - don't see it.
The logic flies in the face of a "cheerful giver" giving what he has "purposed in his heart to give."
Simply as I can state it. To say you can not live on 90% of your income is to call GOD a liar.
The tithe, as in mandated 10% giving, is not a Christian practice. It is a Catholic practice, re-introduced hundreds of years after the ressurection.
It is not a universal command from God either - proof is in the two instances of the tithe being mentioned prior to the Law. One was just on the spoils of war (not their entire income...) and the other actually proves against the tithe, where Jacob was making a deal with God, that *IF* God blessed him, he would tithe. How can you negotiate with that which you do not own? If the tithe was universal, it is already God's and Jacob was negotiating what something he didn't own. Likewise, under the law, a the tithe was in three parts, 10%, 10% and 10% every third year *and* every seven years, no tithe. So I doubt any preacher of the tithe has a sabatical year and doesn't collect the offering one year out of seven (and this was the tithe Jesus was under and paid, so using His actions to validate the tithe means 20%/year x4 and 30%/year x2 and one year off, otherwise, you're NOT doing what Jesus did)
Paul clears up the entire matter, a man known for his study of the OT law, with his scripture on giving as purposed in the heart, clearly if Paul meant for Christians to tithe, this is where he would have done so.
God only wants you to give what you've purposed in your heart to give. If you love Him, it will be evident in all aspects of your life, if you love something else more (money) it will also be evident in your life. You can fool the people, but you can't fool God, He knows what is sitting on the throne of your heart. If you give for reasons other than out of love for Him or for your fellow man, you've received your reward here on Earth already as your heart isn't right with God.
SMGBA - here are the Scripture verses which mention tithing which i reckon amount to over 23%:
- 10% Funded the Levite priests ministry (Numbers 18:21-16, 27:30).
- 10% Paid for the festivals to build community & celebration (Deuteronomy 12:10-11, 12:17-18, 14:22-27)
- 3.3% Helped the poor (Deuteronomy 14:28-29) (10% every 3 years)
- Additional was given as gleanings for the poor and foreigners (Leviticus 19:9-10)
- Plus, there were occasional additional tithes (i.e. Nehemiah 10:32-33)
Comments anyone?
Malachi 3:10-12
10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the LORD Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit, says the LORD Almighty.
12 Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land, says the LORD Almighty.
… Test me in this, says the LORD Almighty…