Money, Percents, Dollars and the Southern Baptist Convention
Much has been written and said recently concerning giving to the Cooperative Program of the Southern Baptist Convention. In the following months we will hear more as our state conventions and local churches grapple with the implications from the recent actions at our annual convention. (www.sbc.net)
When questioned, prior to the annual convention in Greensboro, about percentage giving versus real dollars and cents one prominent SBC megachurch pastor said: "...I think that the last time I remembered, it's real difficult to spend percentages. You spend dollars and cents, and in relationship to that I don't think we need to be judging a church in relationship to what it gives percentile wise."
I will argue that the Bible always deals with percentage giving and never deals with a specific dollar and cents amount. The words tithe, tithes, tithing are found 32 times in the Old Testament and always mean "a tenth of"or 10%. This emphasis on percentage giving establishes a principle that we would do well to consider. In addition, I would argue that Jesus never repealed the tithe but instead added to it by asking us to give from a compassionate heart, or to give in proportion to what we have been given.
So, why do we give in the first place? The Old Testament seems to teach at least three reasons for giving two of which are certainly applicable still today. (The Word in Life Study Bible, p 100)
1. To support the Levite, who were responsible for the tabernacle and worship (Num. 18:20-24). I see this as still applicable as we fund local church ministries as well as Kindgom building ministries such as our own Cooperative Program.
2. To support the various feasts and sacrifices (Deut. 14:22-27), some of which lasted more than one or two days and were times of celebration and thanksgiving.
3. To establish a pool of resources to help the poor, orphans and widows, and strangers in the land (Deut 14:28-29). In my opinion the need for benevolent ministry is as great today as any time in our history.
I understand the New Testament teaching on giving to be that Jesus did not repeal the tithe but added to it by putting the burden on us to not only give a tithe but a gift from the heart. Mark 12:41-44 records the following, "Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. The one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all of those who have given to the the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole
livelihood."(NKJV)
Isn't it fair to say that Jesus was judging the percentage of giving verses the dollar/cents amount?
I would argue that all giving in the bible is a percentage and never an exact dollar and cents amount. I would also argue that to put a minimum percentage for giving by churches whose members will lead out convention is perfectly acceptable and with precedent in Southern Baptist life.
It would be rare to experience a church in SBC life who doesn't expect its leadership, at least pastor and deacons, to give a minimum of a tithe (10%) to their local church. In some cases if that standard is not met you are ask to resign or even made to resign from your position. Both the North American Mission Board and most, if not all, state conventions have a minimum percentage giving requirement for church plants in order to continue to receive funding from the above mentioned entities.
If I have to give at least a tithe to be a local church leader and a new church plant has to give at least 8% to continue receiving funds from its state convention and NAMB isn't it perfectly natural to expect those who want to set the direction for the Southern Baptist Convention to come from churches that give at least a minimum percentage to the Cooperative Program?
In my opinion yes!
When questioned, prior to the annual convention in Greensboro, about percentage giving versus real dollars and cents one prominent SBC megachurch pastor said: "...I think that the last time I remembered, it's real difficult to spend percentages. You spend dollars and cents, and in relationship to that I don't think we need to be judging a church in relationship to what it gives percentile wise."
I will argue that the Bible always deals with percentage giving and never deals with a specific dollar and cents amount. The words tithe, tithes, tithing are found 32 times in the Old Testament and always mean "a tenth of"or 10%. This emphasis on percentage giving establishes a principle that we would do well to consider. In addition, I would argue that Jesus never repealed the tithe but instead added to it by asking us to give from a compassionate heart, or to give in proportion to what we have been given.
So, why do we give in the first place? The Old Testament seems to teach at least three reasons for giving two of which are certainly applicable still today. (The Word in Life Study Bible, p 100)
1. To support the Levite, who were responsible for the tabernacle and worship (Num. 18:20-24). I see this as still applicable as we fund local church ministries as well as Kindgom building ministries such as our own Cooperative Program.
2. To support the various feasts and sacrifices (Deut. 14:22-27), some of which lasted more than one or two days and were times of celebration and thanksgiving.
3. To establish a pool of resources to help the poor, orphans and widows, and strangers in the land (Deut 14:28-29). In my opinion the need for benevolent ministry is as great today as any time in our history.
I understand the New Testament teaching on giving to be that Jesus did not repeal the tithe but added to it by putting the burden on us to not only give a tithe but a gift from the heart. Mark 12:41-44 records the following, "Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. The one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all of those who have given to the the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole
livelihood."(NKJV)
Isn't it fair to say that Jesus was judging the percentage of giving verses the dollar/cents amount?
I would argue that all giving in the bible is a percentage and never an exact dollar and cents amount. I would also argue that to put a minimum percentage for giving by churches whose members will lead out convention is perfectly acceptable and with precedent in Southern Baptist life.
It would be rare to experience a church in SBC life who doesn't expect its leadership, at least pastor and deacons, to give a minimum of a tithe (10%) to their local church. In some cases if that standard is not met you are ask to resign or even made to resign from your position. Both the North American Mission Board and most, if not all, state conventions have a minimum percentage giving requirement for church plants in order to continue to receive funding from the above mentioned entities.
If I have to give at least a tithe to be a local church leader and a new church plant has to give at least 8% to continue receiving funds from its state convention and NAMB isn't it perfectly natural to expect those who want to set the direction for the Southern Baptist Convention to come from churches that give at least a minimum percentage to the Cooperative Program?
In my opinion yes!
