Beyond Tithing

Book excerpt: "Tithing is biblical but not Christian." So asserts Dr. Stuart Murray in this radical examination of the contemporary practice of tithing in which the author comes to some surprising conclusions. Stuart Murray clearly explains tithing in the Old Testament and in Christian history, but then probes further, asking penetrating questions such as: "Is tithing Christian?" "Did Jesus tithe?" "Does tithing function as a regressive tax, burdening the poor while the rich get richer?" "Does tithing lead to a legalistic approach that alienates us from Jesus?" The author suspects that a lot of the current lack of interest in the church stems from deep-seated memories of the church as oppressive, uncreative, and money-grabbing. In response we should therefore learn not to calculate percentages but explore creative ways of developing communities of justice and generosity that are good news to the poor. Beyond Tithing will stimulate your thinking and challenge the dominant influence of the practice of tithing as the model for Christian stewardship.