We, as Southern Baptists, constantly propagate the need to live, serve and give by faith. We herald the need to live as if Jesus may come at any moment. 1 Cor. 15:51-52. By faith, we believe He shall return to receive His own. 1 Thess. 4:16-17. Yet, do we really believe?

This has become a matter that I cannot lay aside. As I consider this, the question that consumes my thinking is, “Are we, the leadership of the local church, associations, state conventions and the SBC, living out what we preach to the people in the pew?”

Many Christian ministries hoard money as they teach and preach “storehouse” tithing. Malachi 3:8-10. Yet Malachi was dealing with the law and the continued need to bring the sacrifice to the temple where it would be placed in the storehouse. 1 Kings 7:51. This is not a New Testament principle. The New Testament church must be a clearing house, not a storehouse.

Regardless of common interpretation, the New Testament does not teach the tithe; however, it does teach generosity, grace and cheerful giving. Some refer to Matthew 23:23 as Jesus upholding the Old Testament tithe, but he was speaking to the religious crowd who were tithing mint, dill and cumin, which were garden herbs used as cooking spices. Again, the New Testament offers no imperative to tithe.

Primarily, under the Mosaic law, various tithes were paid as a system of taxation. The amount of taxation was in the 25% range, which is far more than 10%. Was the Sabbath Day and its stipulations observed under the law? Yes! Is it observed by the New Testament church today? No!

The tithe involved animal sacrifice, which is certainly not required in today’s church. Jesus did not abolish the law, He fulfilled it. Matt. 5:17.

I am not condemning the tithe or one who does. However, we must understand that New Testament giving is by grace. We are to sow bountifully, give as we have purposed in our heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, but cheerfully. 2 Cor. 9:6-7.

I have no firm figures regarding the money we as Southern Baptists have set aside “in case” we have a month or year when God is not God and cannot meet our needs. Phil. 4:19; Eph. 3:20. I will tell you it is in the millions!

Should we set aside for building, preparation for a major mission trip, renovations, etc.? Certainly, these things must be done. We should use good business principles in order to be good stewards of the Father’s resources. However, we cannot function as the corporate world and expect God to bless as He so desperately desires.

Will the argument upset some? Probably, but I am asking the question, “Are we really living as though Jesus may come today?” If we truly believed so, would we be doing things any different?

Would you consider along with me, what does the Lord Jesus think about our contingency funds and savings accounts? If we really believe He is coming again, wouldn’t it be better to live like it? How close to New Testament Christianity are we living? Rom. 14:23; Matt. 10:9-10; Eph. 3:20.

Regardless of what we have, it must be available to the One who provided. The real issue is, as it was with Israel, can we trust Him (Prov. 3:5-6) to provide daily for our needs? If an emphatic “Yes!” is the answer, then we must look in the mirror and ask the question, “Are we living like it? Could He come back today?”