We do not regard tithing as a command, but we do see it as a very valuable teaching tool and guiding principle for God’s people to grow in generosity and resist the love of money.
As Christ followers, we must view all of our resources, including money, as good gifts from God that are to be used for his purposes. Thus we do not command, but rather strongly encourage people to give at least a tithe, and indeed for most to give more. Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” To love God with all of yourself means that everything is for Him. If we view our money as being solely or even mostly for us, we are not loving God with all of our heart, and we are not loving our neighbor as ourselves.
At Mercy Hill, we do not command people to give any specific amount, but we do urge people to be financially generous as we see a life of generosity as consistent with the teachings of scripture and an essential practice as we seek to find our greatest joy in Jesus. Because of this, we see financial generosity not as a duty to be obeyed, but as an opportunity for joy as we say with our money that Jesus is our greatest treasure.