Thread by @KyleJamesHoward

(1) “Tithing” aka giving 10% of earnings to church has way more to do w/ church’s establishing economic security than the Bible. Tithing, was a command given to 11 tribes of Israel as a way to support the tribe of Levi (Priest tribe) who didn’t receive an economic inheritance.

https://twitter.com/smashbaals/status/1637601490519851008

(2) Furthermore, all the promises given to Israel related to being blessed for their giving are connected to the Mosaic Covenant (obedience/blessing) framework & not New Covenant expectation. In fact, Jesus condemned entire temple system for its economic exploitation of the poor.

(3) Contrary to popular misuse, the “Widow’s Mite” story is not about the faithfulness of giving, it’s about the religious economic exploitation of the poor. Notice what the story is sandwiched in between. Corrupt religious leaders & destruction of the temple.

(4) Contextually, “Widow’s Mite” is a real life object lesson of point Jesus is making regarding exploitative practices of religious leaders.
- He condemns practice
- Points to how the sincere faith of a poor widow is being exploited
- Then speaks on destroying the entire system.

(5) New Testament principle is to give what you can, but never under pressure or compulsion. Give generously when possible but giving should never impede your joy or cause anxiety.

Also, there’s a reason Jesus keeps coming back to treatment of Widows, they were most vulnerable.

(6) A widow was a woman who had no male support or advocacy within a patriarchal society & so they, along w/ orphans, were easiest to oppress. So Widows & Orphans, within Jesus’ framework, represent the most marginalized of society. How the church relates testifies to its faith.

(7) Tithing, practically, makes sense. It’s why it was instituted, it ensured $ baseline for Levite support. A church could consider principle & request a giving goal for economic sustainability & ensure staff is paid; but it should NEVER be presented as biblically obligatory.

(8) Final note: I used the ESV in this thread not to endorse the translation but to show how, even when using one of the most common translations of texts used and misrepresented, my points still stand.

(9) A person or family could implement the principle and “tithe” as a baseline of giving if they so desire just to ensure they maintain a level of consistency. It is a “biblical principle” for giving, but it isn’t the only one nor dominate one in NT. It certainly isn’t a “law”.

(10) To those who may desire to give to God’s mission of cosmic reconciliation & reunification, but don’t want to give to a church due to trauma or other; you can give to a ministry or just person in need. Giving doesn’t have to be to “a church”, can be to “the church”. See Acts.

(11) Yes, tithing was also a way to provide for the poor as well. Twitter threads aren’t treatises, impossible to cover a topic comprehensively in a Twitter thread. Y’all feel free to add or flesh out things I’ve said, don’t take my lack of engagement as ignoring. 👍🏽❤️