The premise of Why Christians Should Not Tithe is God, having freed his people from the Law through faith in Jesus Christ, does not place on them a burden from the Law. The thesis is equally as Christian giving is not a tithe. Christ challenges the believer to give himself and his possessions to the gospel cause, but the tithe fixes a limit and implies nothing more is needed. Why Christians Should Not Tithe is a thorough discussion of the four tithes in Moses' Law, Jesus' comments on tithing, and the twenty-one principles of giving developed by the apostles' in Acts and the epistles. Included is a brief review of the history of tithing from post-apostolic times to the present. The book concludes with a new paradigm for giving not based on the tithe, but on the apostles' doctrine of Christian giving. Should Christians tithe to support the gospel? Here is a study that will help every Christian discover the biblical answer for him or her self.
I don't often read books which come from a dispensationalist perspective, and many of the author's presuppositions I do not share. Nonetheless, his detailed breakdown of exactly what the OT tithes consisted of is invaluable (if a bit dry). Secondly, he is successful at correcting many of the misused passages often employed to preach the obligation of tithing (e.g., the local church as the "storehouse" of Malachi 3:10).
I have felt for a long time that there’s a bit of a biblical disconnect in today’s practice of tithing and the Bible’s portrait of tithing, but wasn’t sure why. This book sorted out exactly what I was feeling and, despite its title, actually makes church giving even more crucial than it already was. I think all pastors would do well to read this book and change some thinking around modern tithing.
It is a very repetitive book, but it’s worth the read. The appendices themselves are worth the price!