In an article published by the Daily Monitor on Monday, Ugandan Lawyer and activist Michael Aboneka wrote that “it is a shame that churches are more concerned about the income flow to their baskets and pockets rather that the things that matter in this country.”
Michael’s article run under the headline: ‘It is not mandatory for Christians to pay tithe.’
He asserted there is not scripture that makes it mandatory for tithe to be paid before a service is rendered, and noted that being a priest or a pastor is a calling to serve, not a professional service that needs remuneration.
His article – which has since sparked controversy – follows reports in which media alleged that Kampala Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga proposed that the central government should start deducting 10 per cent tithe from monthly salaries of Catholic believers.
“I have keenly followed the debate on the tithe and not surprisingly, those who should be answering our questions are either busy or shying away because it could be an issue of turning their tables! I have taken time off together with a progressive man of God, whom I celebrate as the only pastor I know of in Uganda, who does not take tithe, to dig deep into the issue,”Michael, who sued Watoto Church over “stringent” marriage laws in May, said.
Michael’s Remarks In part
“The first time we hear of anyone giving a tenth in the Bible was Abram (Before conversion to Abraham) in Genesis 14:17-24. When Abram came from war with the spoils he had taken from war, he met the King of Salem, Melchizedek, and Abram gave a tenth of the spoils of war to Melchizedek.
“Why did Abram give 10 per cent and not 12 per cent or 20 per cent? That is because, Abram did not invent tithing. If it is mandatory for Christians to pay tithe, then circumcision too should be mandatory given that both practices emanate from the Old Testament (the law) and we are now living in the era of Grace (New Testament). Abraham circumcised and paid tithe as per the law and custom then (not because God demanded it). He lived in Mesopotamia and there they paid Mesopotamian tithe, it was also a royal tax. How come the preachers only pick the tithe aspect and leave out the circumcision?
“Under the Mosaic Law of Tithing, when God instituted tithing, it came as a law. The law of tithing with its description and prescription appears in the books of Numbers, Leviticus and Deuteronomy. Tithing in the law is a bit complex and it was divided into different types that would equate to 23 1/3 per cent annually – the Levitical tithe, the Festival tithe, and the Poor tithe. How come our preachers ignore all the other tithes and focus on an incorrect interpretation of the first religious tithe?
The first religious tithe, called the “Levitical tithe,” had two parts. Again, the whole first tithe was given to the Levites, who were only servants of the priests (Numbers 18:21-24; Neh. 10:37). The Levites, in turn, gave one tenth of the whole tithe to the priests (Numb. 18:25-28; Neh. 10:38) because the Levites were not allowed to own property or have inheritance. The goods donated from the other Israeli tribes were their source of sustenance.
“They received from “all Israel” a tithe of food or livestock for support, and in turn would set aside a tenth portion of that tithe known as the tithe of tithes for the Aaronic priests. (In Hebrew it is called Terumat Hamaaser).
According to Deuteronomy 12 and 14, the second religious tithe, called the “feast tithe,” was eaten by worshipers in the streets of Jerusalem during the three yearly festivals (Deut. 12:1-19; 14:22-26).
And, according to Deuteronomy 14 and 26, a third tithe, called the “poor tithe,” was kept in the homes every third year to feed the poor. (Deut. 14:28, 29; 26:12,13).”
Pastor’s Response
(Gerald Rovis – Lead Pastor at Bethel Covenant Connection)
“Tithing is a simple practice, but one that trips up so many people. The first portion of everything we receive, a tithe as Scripture calls it, belongs to the Lord our God. People usually consider the tithe to be one-tenth of the whole of what we have, but I believe that the tithe is not just a percentage principle but a principle of firsts. It’s an opportunity to declare who means the most to us and what we consider the most important priority in our lives. It’s holy to the Lord, and he alone has the power to bless the rest of what we have.
“Some people say that tithing is a “law principle,” something that was instituted during the time of Moses and done away with after Christ’s coming, but we need to realize that this practice shows up at least 2,500 years before the Levitical law was established. I see it first in the sacrifices offered by Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam and Eve. They each offered God something, and he was pleased with one offering but not with the other. Why? What was the difference? Let’s look at the account and pay attention to the distinction between Cain’s offering, which God did not find acceptable, and Abel’s offering, which God accepted.
“Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor.” (Genesis 4:2-5)
“Abel brought the firstborn of his flock; Cain did not bring his first fruits. God cannot accept an offering if it’s not the first portion. We show our respect and appreciation to him by honoring him first.
“Growing up, I learned from my dad early on what tithing meant. No matter how much money I received, whether an allowance or a ten dollar bill inside a birthday card, my father always said, “Give the first to God and then think about the rest.” I’ll be honest: I’ve always experienced unexplainable favor in my life with money and material possessions. I believe when we honor God first, he does indeed bless us, not as a quid pro quo transaction, but because he knows where our hearts are. He knows we’re dedicated to advancing his Kingdom with our resources. He knows he’s first in our lives.
God doesn’t want our stuff; he wants you and me.
