Mark 12:41-44 “Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on (NLT).”
First of all, let’s get some context. At the time of this event, it was before the cross, under the Law, in the shadow of the Temple of Levitical preisthood and in Israel and after the preaching of John the Baptist, the New Coevenant was in full force. The collection box was used specifically for the Temple and its upkeep. It was not used to pay the priests; they had no monetary income or any inheritance, yet they were living by faith and being supported by God. The money that was dropped into the collection box was a donation, not a command or an act of obedience or worship, it was a freewill offering to help pay for the expenses of the Temple.
Why would Jesus tell his disciples that the poor widow had given more than all the others who were rich? I believe it’s because Jesus was showing us that the amount of money we freely give isn’t as important as the motive behind it. This flies in the face of those tithing ten percent on-going income prosperity preachers. Jesus told us this story to show and prove to us that a set amount, such as ten percent, is not fair to everyone.
This is why the ten percent mandatory “tithe” of the on-going income that is falsely taught in today’s churches is not fair to everyone. If we were to take ten percent of a family man’s paycheck who made $10,000 a year and made it a “mandatory” tithe, that man would struggle for every dime to make ends meet. He needs to provide food on the table every day for his children, his wife and himself. He needs to pay any bills for his necessities such as electricity and fresh water and trash. He needs to provide shelter and clothing for everyone as well; plus, transportation to school, work and the grocery. Ten percent of this man’s paycheck is a lot and he needs to budget every single penny to squeak by.
On the other hand, there’s another man who makes $100,000 a year. If we were to take ten percent of this family man’s paycheck who made $100,000 a year and made it a “mandatory” tithe, it would be pocket change for him; a drop in the bucket, so to speak. After paying all this man’s bills, he has plenty left over. Why? It’s because he has plenty of surplus left over from his necessities and giving ten percent doesn’t really affect him at all. He still has plenty of money to go golfing with his buddies, pump super unleaded in his gas guzzling Hummer and to eat that night at the finest restaurant in town, every day!
Does this seem fair to you?
Even though the widow giving all that she owned was considered “more” than all the rich people’s money, she freely gave because she was told she had to by the Pharisees. As we all know, the Pharisees are liars and cannot be trusted. Jesus even called them children of the devil.
John 8:44 – “For you [Pharisees] are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies (NLT).”
Now, look just before this in Mark 12:38-40 where it says, “Beware of these teachers of religious law! For they like to parade around in flowing robes and receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces. And how they love the seats of honor in the synagogues and the head table at banquets. Yet they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be more severely punished (NLT).”
Did you read that? Look, Jesus said that the Pharisees, who were experts and teachers of the Law “shamelessly cheat widows out of their property.” Why did do you think Jesus said that? I believe that Jesus was preparing His Word for a time when preachers and teachers of our day will be exposed. God already had a plan in place and a special promise for widows (Psalm 68:5).
These prosperity preachers of today teach a mandatory ten percent on-going income “tithe” in order to “shamelessly cheat widows out of their property.” However, these hucksters today have more arrogance than those in Jesus’ day. They now preach that even the poor, whether you are a widow or not, must pay their ten percent or else they will be cursed, will be considered living in sin, shunned by their church or lose their church membership.
Not even in the Law of Moses where the poor required to tithe. The poor were actually given a portion of the tithe under the Law. Throughout the bible, there is a recurring theme of God taking care of the poor and needy.
The ten percent tithe teaching goes against every character trait of a loving and merciful God. These preachers who preach this ten percent “tithe” are either decieved or being decieving. If they are teaching this tithe out of ignorance or tradition, I pray that some day they would all have a true desire to seek God's truth through revelation of the Holy Spirit. Of course, people can repent and start teaching the right things, but after the luxurious life of an almost effortless continual income from the rich, the poor and the widows, I can assume that it will be difficult to let go of all that earthly treasure that had been storing up for so long.
2 Corinthians 2:17 – “You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us (NLT).”
1 Peter 5:2 – “Be good shepherds of the flock God has put in your care. Do not care for the flock as if you were made to. Do not care for the flock for money, but do it because you want to (NLV).”
If you are currently attending a church that has a preacher, pastor or teacher that teaches this totally unbiblical ten percent false tithe, pray for them and do not place another penny into the plate until you hear from God. Instead, do what Paul taught in 2 Corinthians; give to each other within the church.
2 Corinthians 8:11-15 - “Give in proportion to what you have. Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal (NLT).”
Does this seem fair to you? I hope so.