Why the New Covenant Church No Longer Teaches Tithing?

Introduction

For many coming out of Seventh-day Adventism, the issue of tithing (giving 10% of income to the church) remains confusing. Tithing is often presented as a divine, eternal obligation, sometimes even tied to salvation or blessing. However, under the New Covenant, the Former Adventists Philippines (FAP) affirms that tithing is no longer required as a binding command for Christians. Instead, freewill, Spirit-led, cheerful giving has taken its place.

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1. Tithing Was Part of the Old Covenant Law

• Tithing was a national taxation system for Israel to support the Levitical priesthood (Numbers 18:21–24).

• Israelites paid multiple tithes: one for the Levites, one for festivals, and one every third year for the poor (Deuteronomy 14:22–29).

• It was never a universal command for all nations or for the New Covenant church.

KEY TEXT:

“To the Levites I have given every tithe…for their service in the tent of meeting.” Numbers 18:21

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2. The Levitical Priesthood and Temple System Have Passed Away

• Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant system, including the priesthood and temple (Hebrews 7–10).

• There is no more Levitical priesthood, and therefore no more requirement to fund it through tithing.

• Christians are now all priests before God (1 Peter 2:9), and Jesus is our final High Priest.

KEY TEXT:

“For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.” – Hebrews 7:12

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3. The New Testament Never Commands Tithing

• Not a single epistle written to the church commands Christians to tithe.

• Paul, who taught extensively about giving, never appeals to tithing—even when asking for financial support (2 Corinthians 8–9).

• Giving is described as voluntary, cheerful, sacrificial, and proportional, not legalistic or percentage based.

KEY TEXT:

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7

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4. Gospel Giving Replaces Legal Tithing

• New Covenant giving is motivated by grace, not law or guilt.

• Believers are to give:

  • Freely (no fixed percentage)

  • Joyfully (not under compulsion)

  • Sacrificially (as an act of worship)

  • Proportionally (as the Lord prospers them)

KEY TEXT:

“They gave according to their means…and beyond their means, of their own accord.” – 2 Corinthians 8:3

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5. Using Malachi 3:10 Today Is Misapplication

• Malachi 3:10 is often used to guilt Christians into tithing. But this passage is directed at Israel under the Mosaic Law.

• The “storehouse” refers to the temple system in Jerusalem, not the modern church.

• The curse for not tithing was tied to covenant disobedience under the Law, which no longer binds believers (Galatians 3:10–14).

KEY TEXT:

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.” Galatians 3:13

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Conclusion: No Tithe, But Yes to Generosity

Former Adventists Philippines teaches that:

• Tithing is not required under the New Covenant.

• Giving is still a vital part of Christian worship.

• Generous, Spirit-led giving supports the ministry, helps the poor, and advances the Gospel—without legalism.

We give not to earn blessings, but because we have already been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

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For more inquiries, contact us:

Email: formeradventist.ph@gmail.com

Website: formeradventistph.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/formeradventistph

Phone: 09695143944