Thread: Tithing as a Requirement for Voting

In chapter 3 of his book, Tithing and the Church, Gary North argues that churches should have a two-tiered membership, a communicant membership (which would require confession/baptism) and a communicant/voting membership (which would require tithing as well)

Are there any churches who do this? And if so, how does a church establish in fact whether a member is tithing or not?

Hm, the Mormons do.

I'm not sure I've ever heard of a church doing this.

I haven't heard of this happening.

I can't see the justification for it though. Either tithing is part of the moral law (which is Gary North's position) in which case it should be a requirement of membership, or it isn't (my position) in which case it should not be a requirement for voting. I do not think churches should arbitrarily add requirements for voting eligibility over and above what is required for membership.

I have also not heard of this happening anywhere

I don't know of any.
As far as substantiating tithing, a Christian man's word should be sufficient. If I was applying for membership and they wanted to see my W2's, 1099's, pay stubs or last years tax filings, it would red flag me in my spirit about trust issues.

Timothy William

Either tithing is part of the moral law (which is Gary North's position) in which case it should be a requirement of membership,

It would be interesting to know how this individual would interpret tithing.

If he went by strict application of the levitical law, a "tithe" was complicated in application. There were tithes on income, but separate tithes on the fruit of one's land, the fruit of one's animals, and another specifically for one's increase from year-to-year. It would require a significant amount of information and judgment would be required to apply it to for example, non agrarian income earners with pensions, annuities, deferred compensation, etc.

Originally Posted by Timothy William

I haven't heard of this happening.

I can't see the justification for it though. Either tithing is part of the moral law (which is Gary North's position) in which case it should be a requirement of membership, or it isn't (my position) in which case it should not be a requirement for voting. I do not think churches should arbitrarily add requirements for voting eligibility over and above what is required for membership.

I have not read the book, but I think the point would be to decide how to spend money etc. then you need to be putting money into the pot. Otherwise, one should not talk about how it should or should not be spent.

CT

Originally Posted by Scott1

If he went by strict application of the levitical law, a "tithe" was complicated in application. There were tithes on income....

Actually, as I've pointed on on another thread, there is no biblical requirement for tithing on income (wages, or profit from trade). There is a principle of proportional giving, which may be applied to income.

Rich,
I would assume they would have the church treasurer (or whoever handles the money) substantiate the tithing of the members. Which creates a whole 'nother sticky wicket by iteself.

Sticky wicket indeed.

A tree is known by its' fruit. After a while you can discern a cheerful giver versus the Ananias and Sapphira type. Stingy people become obvious after a while. Also, so do those who toss something in the plate with strings attached to it.

When I give, I give according to 2Corinthians 9:6-7. To mandate a tithe, as it is promoted today, is simply not scriptural. The tithe is a tax on being a believer. If one has truly been converted, 10% is too small to give.

Every January, for reasons of church discipline and to guard holiness, our church requires its members to submit their W-2, so that we can be good overseers of their souls....



Just kidding.

Originally Posted by William Price

When I give, I give according to 2Corinthians 9:6-7. To mandate a tithe, as it is promoted today, is simply not scriptural. The tithe is a tax on being a believer. If one has truly been converted, 10% is too small to give.

If one is going to follow the levitical law, he would have to follow it all the way (even circumcision). So, the 2 Cor 9:6-7 is the correct way, IMO, to look at someone who is tithing

Originally Posted by William Price

When I give, I give according to 2Corinthians 9:6-7. To mandate a tithe, as it is promoted today, is simply not scriptural. The tithe is a tax on being a believer. If one has truly been converted, 10% is too small to give.

You say it is not scriptural to mandate 10%, but then you turn around and pronounce that it is scriptural to mandate more than 10%. Interesting.

Originally Posted by KMK

Are there any churches who do this? And if so, how does a church establish in fact whether a member is tithing or not?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons). They have a tithing settlement meeting with every family every year and might ask to see your W-2. One can't get a pass to the temple, to be baptized for dead relatives or have your marriage sealed for eternity unless you tithe. Now that is more than taking away your vote!

Originally Posted by Glenn Ferrell

Originally Posted by KMK

Are there any churches who do this? And if so, how does a church establish in fact whether a member is tithing or not?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons). They have a tithing settlement meeting with every family every year and might ask to see your W-2. One can't get a pass to the temple, to be baptized for dead relatives or have your marriage sealed for eternity unless you tithe. Now that is more than taking away your vote!

Interesting. I heard of this. Its also true, I think, that the one's who give more have more privileges. I know the FLDS are even more picky when it comes to this. My parents are from Romania, and my dad was sponsored to come in the U.S. by a family in Salt Lake City. Mormons are really structured in the hierarchy and when it comes to their money (from what my dad told me from his experiences while he was there)

Originally Posted by William Price

When I give, I give according to 2Corinthians 9:6-7. To mandate a tithe, as it is promoted today, is simply not scriptural. The tithe is a tax on being a believer. If one has truly been converted, 10% is too small to give.

I'm going to have to disagree with you. That text mentions nothing of the tithe but a simple principle of giving. Perhaps the heart is in the wrong place, and those who don't feel obligated in a joyous manner have a sinful heart. Regarding the text, there is no grounds to conclude that the tithe ought not to be imposed. If you hold to covenant theology, you are duty bound to hold to the validity of the tithe, since nothing is abrogated in the New Covenant unless the New Testament nullifies it. The question doesn't doubt the validity of the tithe but its due application.

Originally Posted by Glenn Ferrell

Originally Posted by KMK

Are there any churches who do this? And if so, how does a church establish in fact whether a member is tithing or not?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons). They have a tithing settlement meeting with every family every year and might ask to see your W-2. One can't get a pass to the temple, to be baptized for dead relatives or have your marriage sealed for eternity unless you tithe. Now that is more than taking away your vote!

The question stated Church, not cult