Tithing is the practice of giving a tenth (10%) of one’s income or increase to God, typically for the support of the temple, church, or ministry. The origin of tithing is seen in the Old Testament with Abraham and Jacob, and it became a formal part of the Mosaic Law. The question debated across Christian denominations is whether tithing is still a required command for New Testament believers under grace or if it was fulfilled and replaced by a different principle of giving.
I. Scriptures in Favor of Tithing
- Genesis 14:20 (KJV) – “And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.”
Interpretation: Abraham gives a tenth of the spoils to Melchizedek.
Theological View: This is often cited to show that tithing predates the Law of Moses, suggesting it is a timeless principle rooted in faith and worship. - Genesis 28:22 (KJV) – “And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.”
Interpretation: Jacob voluntarily vows to tithe to God.
Theological View: This supports the notion of tithing as a personal act of devotion and gratitude, not merely a legal requirement. - Leviticus 27:30 (KJV) – “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s: it is holy unto the Lord.”
Interpretation: Tithing is commanded under Mosaic Law and described as holy.
Theological View: It establishes tithing as a sacred obligation within the covenant community of Israel. - Numbers 18:21 (KJV) – “And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service…”
Interpretation: The tithe supports the Levitical priesthood.
Theological View: Tithing functioned as divine provision for those serving in full-time ministry, a principle some believe continues today. - Deuteronomy 14:22 (KJV) – “Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.”
Interpretation: This reaffirms tithing as an annual obligation of agricultural produce.
Theological View: It reflects the consistent and systematic nature of giving expected by God. - Malachi 3:10 (KJV) – “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse… and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts…”
Interpretation: God challenges Israel to test Him by faithfully tithing.
Theological View: Often used to teach that tithing brings divine blessing and provision; non-tithing is seen as robbing God (v. 8). - Matthew 23:23 (KJV) – “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe… and have omitted the weightier matters of the law…”
Interpretation: Jesus criticizes misplaced priorities but affirms the practice of tithing.
Theological View: Christ acknowledges tithing as right, but secondary to justice, mercy, and faith. - Hebrews 7:8 (KJV) – “And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.”
Interpretation: This compares mortal Levites with Christ (after the order of Melchizedek) who “receives” tithes.
Theological View: Some argue this implies a spiritual continuation of tithing under Christ’s eternal priesthood.
II. Scriptures Argued Against Mandatory Tithing
- Romans 6:14 (KJV) – “For ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
Interpretation: Believers are no longer bound by the legal requirements of the Mosaic Law.
Theological View: Tithing, as part of the Law, is not binding for Christians under grace; giving is to be voluntary. - 2 Corinthians 9:7 (KJV) – “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity…”
Interpretation: Paul teaches freewill giving from the heart.
Theological View: Christian giving is based on personal conviction and joy, not obligation or a fixed percentage. - Galatians 3:24-25 (KJV) – “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster… But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.”
Interpretation: The Mosaic Law was temporary until the coming of faith in Christ.
Theological View: Tithing, as part of that law, is seen as obsolete. - Acts 4:32 (KJV) – “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul… they had all things common.”
Interpretation: Early Christians practiced communal giving.
Theological View: The New Testament model favors radical generosity rather than fixed tithes. - Acts 15:10 (KJV) – “Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples…”
Interpretation: The Jerusalem Council rejected placing legal burdens on Gentile converts.
Theological View: Tithing is viewed as one such yoke not imposed on the New Testament church. - Colossians 2:14 (KJV) – “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances… nailing it to his cross.”
Interpretation: Christ’s death abolished the legal code.
Theological View: Since tithing was an ordinance, it is no longer in force. - Hebrews 8:13 (KJV) – “In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old…”
Interpretation: The old covenant (including tithing laws) is now obsolete.
Theological View: This supports a new covenant ethic of Spirit-led giving. - Luke 18:12 (KJV) – “I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.”
Interpretation: The Pharisee boasts of tithing but is condemned.
Theological View: Tithing without humility or love is spiritually empty and legalistic.
Translations Debates
I. Hebrew Textual and Theological Basis of Tithing
The Hebrew word most commonly translated as “tithe” is מַעֲשֵׂר (ma‘ăśēr), derived from the root עָשַׂר (‘āśar) meaning “ten” or “a tenth.” This concept appears extensively in the Torah (Pentateuch) and forms the foundational theology of tithing under the Old Covenant.
- Genesis 14:20 (KJV) – “And he gave him tithes of all.”
Hebrew Text: וַיִּתֶּן־ל֥וֹ מַעֲשֵׂ֖ר מִכֹּֽל׃
Issue: The text refers to Abram giving a tenth to Melchizedek, not by command, but seemingly voluntarily. It is descriptive not prescriptive.
Theological View: This passage is often used to argue that tithing predates the Law, implying it is a universal moral principle, not merely Mosaic legislation. However, some theologians debate this, claiming it’s a one-time act of honor in a Near Eastern cultural context. - Leviticus 27:30 (KJV) – “And all the tithe of the land… is the Lord’s…”
Hebrew Text: וְכָל־מַעְשַׂר הָאָרֶץ מִזֶּרַע הָאָרֶץ מִפְּרִי הָעֵץ לַיהוָה הוּא קֹדֶשׁ לַיהוָה
Theological View: Here, tithing is law and sacred, tied to the land and Israel’s theocratic system. Some scholars argue this land-based tithe is not transferable to monetary earnings under the New Covenant. - Malachi 3:10 (KJV) – “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse…”
Hebrew Text: הָבִ֧יאוּ אֶת־כָּל־הַמַּעֲשֵׂ֛ר אֶל־בֵּ֥ית הָאוֹצָ֖ר
Translation Issues: “Storehouse” (בֵּית הָאוֹצָר) referred to the Temple treasury, not a church.
Theological Debate: Critics argue that using this verse to support church tithing is a misapplication, as the text is specifically about national Israel’s covenant faithfulness.
II. Greek Septuagint and New Testament Considerations
The Greek Septuagint (LXX), translated around 250–200 BC, uses the word δεκάτη (dekátē) for “tithe,” mirroring the Hebrew “ma‘ăśēr.” The New Testament continues this usage, but the context and covenant shift.
- Matthew 23:23 (KJV) – “…for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin…”
Greek: ἀποδεκατοῦτε τὸ ἡδύοσμον…
Problem: Jesus critiques Pharisaic legalism, affirming tithing while pointing to greater moral duties (justice, mercy, faith).
Theological View: Some say this affirms continuity of tithing; others see it as limited to pre-cross Judaism. - Hebrews 7:8 (KJV) – “And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them…”
Greek: δεκάτας… λαμβάνει
Debate: This is a comparison, not a command. It contrasts the Levitical priesthood with Christ’s eternal priesthood.
Greek Accuracy: The Greek construction allows for metaphorical reception by Christ, not literal, ongoing tithing. Many argue the passage is doctrinally complex and does not establish New Covenant tithing. - 2 Corinthians 9:7 (KJV) – “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart…”
Greek: καθὼς προηρήται ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ…
Significance: This is a clear departure from mandated giving. The Greek verb proairetai emphasizes volition and internal decision, in contrast to external obligation.
Theological View: New Covenant giving is governed by grace, not law.
III. English (KJV) Translation and Interpretation
The KJV largely retains literal renderings of the Hebrew “ma‘ăśēr” and Greek “dekátē” as “tithe” or “tithes.” It reflects the ecclesiastical vocabulary of the 17th century, supporting church structures that benefitted from tithes (especially the Anglican Church).
Translation Accuracy:
- Faithful in terminology – “tithe” is consistently used.
- Contextual misunderstandings arise due to anachronism – applying ancient agrarian laws to modern monetary systems.
- Doctrinal bias is minimal in KJV, but the use of the term “storehouse” (Malachi 3:10) is often reinterpreted in modern theology to mean local churches, which the text does not imply.
IV. Christian Translational and Doctrinal Disputes
- Literal vs. Theological Translation:
Some modern translations soften “command” language around tithing in the New Testament (e.g., NIV, NLT), reflecting a theological view that tithing is fulfilled and replaced by freewill giving. - Covenantal Contextualization:
Dispensational theologians distinguish between Israel’s covenant laws and the church age, arguing against mandatory tithing. Reformed theologians who hold to covenant continuity may see tithing as a trans-covenantal principle. - LDS View (Mormon):
The Book of Mormon reinforces tithing, but LDS theology equates modern tithe-paying with temple worthiness, integrating it into covenantal obedience. This is extra-biblical and diverges from both KJV and Greek sources. - Jehovah’s Witnesses:
Their theology explicitly rejects tithing, pointing to New Testament verses like 2 Corinthians 9:7 as overriding all Old Testament practice.
Summary
The doctrine of tithing, while clearly embedded in the Hebrew Old Testament law, becomes increasingly ambiguous in the Greek New Testament, where no command to tithe is given to the church. The Hebrew word “ma‘ăśēr” clearly indicates a tenth, rooted in covenant obedience, primarily agricultural. The Greek “dekátē” is used in narrative or comparative passages, not legislative contexts.
English translations like the KJV faithfully render the terms but cannot resolve theological tensions inherent in interpreting Mosaic practices under New Covenant theology. While some denominations continue to promote tithing as a principle or command, others advocate for grace-based giving rooted in voluntary generosity.
Translation accuracy from Hebrew and Greek is linguistically sound, but theological interpretation varies widely. The biggest problems arise when Old Testament texts are imposed onto New Testament ecclesiology without adequate attention to covenantal shifts and genre context.
Denominational Views
1. Roman Catholic Church
The Roman Catholic Church does not mandate tithing as a strict legal obligation but encourages generous giving, particularly to support the work of the Church. Historically, tithing was supported by canon law, but modern practice emphasizes stewardship. Some Catholic theologians view tithing as a valid principle from natural law and Scriptural tradition, though not binding under the New Covenant.
View For:
Malachi 3:10 (KJV) – “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse…”
Interpreted from the Hebrew ma‘ăśēr (מַעֲשֵׂר) meaning “a tenth”, Catholics acknowledge the Old Testament system but treat it as fulfilled, drawing moral lessons rather than exact replication.
View Against:
2 Corinthians 9:7 (KJV) – “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart…”
Greek proairetai (προαιρέομαι) implies a voluntary and inwardly motivated act, leading Catholic interpretation toward intentional giving, not legal tithing.
Translation Note: The Latin Vulgate (Catholic Church’s traditional Bible) follows the Septuagint closely in Malachi 3:10, reinforcing institutional giving but not enforcing a numeric tithe.
2. Eastern Orthodox Church
The Eastern Orthodox Church does not practice or teach tithing as a requirement. Giving is seen as an act of ascetic sacrifice and spiritual devotion, grounded in Christ’s teachings on almsgiving. Orthodox theology emphasizes koinonia (fellowship), not obligatory percentages.
View For:
Genesis 28:22 (KJV) – “…and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.”
Here, the Hebrew ma‘ăśēr shows Jacob voluntarily pledging a tithe. This supports the Orthodox idea of freewill sacrificial giving rather than obligation.
View Against:
Matthew 6:1 (KJV) – “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men…”
Greek eleēmosynēn (ἐλεημοσύνην) emphasizes charitable giving in secret. The Orthodox link this to personal holiness, not institutional or numeric tithes.
Translation Note: The Greek New Testament influences Orthodox thinking deeply. The Septuagint’s dekátē (δεκάτη) is used descriptively, never legislatively in the NT.
3. Evangelical Churches
Evangelicals are divided. Some promote tithing as a timeless biblical principle; others see it as replaced by grace-based giving. This debate often reflects varying hermeneutics: dispensationalists reject tithing as law-based; continuationists see it as a carry-over moral principle.
View For:
Hebrews 7:8 (KJV) – “Here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them…”
Greek dekátas lambanei (δεκάτας λαμβάνει) is used to argue Christ receives tithes spiritually, echoing Melchizedek. This supports ongoing tithing under Christ’s priesthood.
View Against:
Romans 6:14 (KJV) – “…ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
Evangelicals argue that tithing was legal, and grace now governs giving. Hebrew torah (תּוֹרָה), often translated “law”, is fulfilled in Christ, ending its mandates.
Translation Note: Evangelicals relying on word-for-word translations (e.g., KJV, NASB) are more likely to support tithing; others using thought-for-thought translations (e.g., NLT) emphasize grace.
4. Protestant (General)
Mainline Protestantism (Reformed, Anglican, etc.) traditionally taught tithing as a moral duty, though modern practices vary. Most agree the spirit of tithing is valid even if the exact figure isn’t binding.
View For:
Leviticus 27:30 (KJV) – “…it is holy unto the Lord.”
The Hebrew qodesh (קֹדֶשׁ) signifies set-apartness, suggesting tithing is a form of consecration. Many Protestants see this as a moral example, not ceremonial command.
View Against:
Galatians 3:24-25 (KJV) – “…we are no longer under a schoolmaster.”
Paul uses paidagogos (παιδαγωγός) for “schoolmaster”, indicating the law’s temporary role. This undercuts legal tithing as obsolete post-Christ.
Translation Note: Protestant Bibles (e.g., Geneva, ESV, KJV) preserve “tithe” but highlight covenantal transition in the New Testament.
5. Baptist (Southern, Independent, etc.)
Baptists traditionally promote tithing, often teaching it as the baseline of Christian giving, though it is not enforced as law. Emphasis is on individual conviction, not compulsion.
View For:
Proverbs 3:9-10 (KJV) – “Honour the Lord with thy substance…”
Hebrew kabēd (כָּבֵד) means “honor,” suggesting weighty respect. Tithing is interpreted as honoring God materially.
View Against:
Acts 15:10 (KJV) – “…why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck…”
Baptists argue applying Mosaic laws like tithing to Gentile believers is Pharisaical legalism. The Greek zygos (ζυγός) means “burden” or “yoke of obligation”.
Translation Note: KJV use of “honour” (kabēd) in Proverbs supports giving, but Acts supports freedom from law.
6. Methodist (United Methodist, AME, etc.)
Methodists see tithing as commendable but not compulsory. Emphasis is on Wesleyan stewardship, encouraging cheerful, sacrificial giving.
View For:
Deuteronomy 14:22 (KJV) – “Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase…”
Hebrew ta‘ăśēr (תּעַשֵׂר) is an imperative, urging thoroughness. Methodists interpret this as encouraging systematic generosity.
View Against:
Colossians 2:14 (KJV) – “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances…”
Greek cheirographon (χειρόγραφον) means “written legal debt.” The law, including tithes, is viewed as canceled in Christ.
Translation Note: Methodist hymnody and teachings often use the KJV, reinforcing reverence for Scripture while interpreting tithing symbolically.
7. Lutheran (Missouri Synod, ELCA, etc.)
Lutherans generally do not mandate tithing but encourage proportional giving. Luther himself opposed tithing as a legalistic burden and emphasized faith-driven generosity.
View For:
Numbers 18:21 (KJV) – “…I have given the children of Levi all the tenth…”
Hebrew ‘eśer (עֵשֶׂר) confirms Levitical provision. Some Lutherans use this to illustrate supporting clergy.
View Against:
Galatians 5:1 (KJV) – “…be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
Tithing is grouped with ceremonial laws. Greek douleia (δουλεία) suggests slavery or bondage to law.
Translation Note: KJV texts resonate in Lutheran liturgies, but modern Lutheran theology views tithing as optional.
8. Pentecostal (Assemblies of God, UPCI, etc.)
Most Pentecostal denominations strongly promote tithing, viewing it as a faith principle and often linking it to blessing or divine provision. Emotional appeals often reinforce tithing as obedience.
View For:
Luke 6:38 (KJV) – “Give, and it shall be given unto you…”
Greek dote (δότε), imperative “give,” supports the idea of reciprocal blessing. Though not about tithing, it’s often cited to promote the principle.
View Against:
Acts 4:34-35 (KJV) – “…distribution was made unto every man…”
No tithe is mentioned. Greek diamerizeto (διεμερίζετο) suggests distribution based on need, not percentage. This is cited by Pentecostal critics of fixed tithing.
Translation Note: KJV language fuels revivalist preaching, often tied to financial faith and expectation.
9. Jehovah’s Witnesses
JW doctrine rejects tithing, teaching that it is a Mosaic law fulfilled in Christ. Giving is voluntary and anonymous.
View For:
None. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not cite any verse to support tithing.
View Against:
Matthew 10:8 (KJV) – “…freely ye have received, freely give.”
Greek dōrean (δωρεάν) means “without cost,” used to argue giving is voluntary, without mandatory figures.
Translation Note: Their New World Translation alters some texts, but their interpretation of KJV confirms freedom from law.
10. Mormonism (LDS)
Tithing is mandatory in LDS theology. One-tenth of income is required for temple recommend status. This practice is tied to modern revelation, not solely biblical text.
View For:
Malachi 3:10 (KJV) – “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse…”
LDS use this to justify modern temple storehouses and correlate financial faithfulness with blessings.
View Against:
Hebrews 8:13 (KJV) – “…that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.”
Greek palaioō (παλαιόω) suggests the obsolescence of the Mosaic covenant, including tithing.
Translation Note: LDS often use the KJV but add emphasis through Doctrine & Covenants 119, redefining tithing for modern revelation.
11. Seventh-day Adventist
SDA teaching affirms tithing as a divine principle predating the Mosaic law. It is emphasized as part of Christian stewardship, not legalism.
View For:
Hebrews 7:2 (KJV) – “To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all…”
Greek dekátē (δεκάτη) supports the idea that tithing is pre-Mosaic, therefore valid for New Covenant believers.
View Against:
Galatians 4:9-10 (KJV) – “…turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements…”
Paul critiques reverting to Old Covenant practices. Greek ptōcha stoicheia (πτώχα στοιχεῖα) means “poor principles”, applied by some to mandatory tithing.
Translation Note: SDA use of KJV is standard, with Hebrew-Greek word studies found in official Sabbath School materials.
Summary
Tithing is a deeply rooted concept in biblical tradition, beginning with patriarchal examples and formalized in Mosaic Law. While the Hebrew Old Testament (particularly using the term ma‘ăśēr – מַעֲשֵׂר) supports tithing as a covenantal obligation tied to the theocratic structure of Israel, the Greek New Testament (using dekátē – δεκάτη and other terms for giving) shifts toward voluntary, grace-based generosity. The King James Version preserves both traditions with fidelity, but denominations diverge significantly in interpreting their relevance for modern Christians. These divergences hinge upon theology (law vs. grace), ecclesiology (institutional vs. individual), and linguistics (literal vs. figurative application). Below are two comparative tables summarizing these denominational positions.
Table 1: Denominational Views Supporting Tithing
| Denomination | View | Interpretation | Scripture Basis (KJV) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roman Catholic Church | Encouraged, not mandated | Tithing seen as fulfilled but morally commendable | Malachi 3:10 – “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse…” |
| Eastern Orthodox Church | Spiritual giving over numeric tithing | Tithing is voluntary and linked to personal holiness | Genesis 28:22 – “…I will surely give the tenth unto thee.” |
| Evangelical | Mixed: some promote, others reject | Christ as Melchizedek receives tithes spiritually | Hebrews 7:8 – “…but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.” |
| Protestant (General) | Historically taught as moral duty | Seen as a model of consecration | Leviticus 27:30 – “…it is holy unto the Lord.” |
| Baptist | Strongly encouraged | Giving honors God materially | Proverbs 3:9 – “Honour the Lord with thy substance…” |
| Methodist | Commended as good stewardship | Systematic generosity rooted in Old Testament principles | Deuteronomy 14:22 – “Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase…” |
| Lutheran | Symbolic, support for clergy | Levitical tithe as a model to support pastors | Numbers 18:21 – “…I have given the children of Levi all the tenth…” |
| Pentecostal | Strongly promoted | Tied to faith and blessing | Luke 6:38 – “Give, and it shall be given unto you…” |
| Mormonism (LDS) | Mandatory | Tithing is divinely commanded and required for temple access | Malachi 3:10 – “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse…” |
| Seventh-day Adventist | Mandatory stewardship principle | Pre-Mosaic tithe seen as a universal model | Hebrews 7:2 – “To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all…” |
| Jehovah’s Witnesses | No support | No biblical requirement for Christians | No affirmative verse used |
Table 2: Denominational Arguments Against Mandatory Tithing
| Denomination | View | Argument Against Interpretation | Scripture Basis (KJV) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roman Catholic Church | Not legally binding | Emphasizes grace and internal generosity | 2 Corinthians 9:7 – “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart…” |
| Eastern Orthodox Church | Voluntary giving preferred | Legalistic tithing contrasts with almsgiving and hidden righteousness | Matthew 6:1 – “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men…” |
| Evangelical | Divided: many reject law-based tithe | New Covenant frees from Mosaic Law | Romans 6:14 – “…ye are not under the law, but under grace.” |
| Protestant (General) | Often no numeric requirement | Tithing seen as part of the schoolmaster (law) now obsolete | Galatians 3:24–25 – “…we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” |
| Baptist | Not legally enforced | Law-based giving considered burdensome | Acts 15:10 – “…to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples…” |
| Methodist | Non-compulsory | Legal ordinances blotted out in Christ | Colossians 2:14 – “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us…” |
| Lutheran | Optional and not salvific | Tithing is of the ceremonial law and not binding under grace | Galatians 5:1 – “…be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” |
| Pentecostal | Disputed by some | Early church emphasized need-based sharing over fixed percentage | Acts 4:34–35 – “…distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” |
| Jehovah’s Witnesses | Rejected entirely | Tithing is Mosaic; Christian giving should be voluntary and anonymous | Matthew 10:8 – “…freely ye have received, freely give.” |
| Mormonism (LDS) | Mandatory, but challenged externally | Mosaic covenant is fading and old | Hebrews 8:13 – “…that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.” |
| Seventh-day Adventist | Some critique legalism | NT grace overrules numeric mandates | Galatians 4:9–10 – “…turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements…” |
The doctrine of tithing demonstrates a spectrum of belief across Christianity, shaped by how each denomination interprets the transition from Old to New Covenant and the role of Mosaic law in the life of the believer. The Hebrew ma‘ăśēr clearly denoted a required tenth under the Law, while the Greek New Testament pivots toward concepts like proairetai (voluntary decision) and dōrean (freely). The KJV translation retains both, accurately reflecting each covenantal context.
Denominations like the LDS, Pentecostal, and Seventh-day Adventists institutionalize tithing, often tying it to blessing or obedience. Others like the Eastern Orthodox, Evangelicals, and Jehovah’s Witnesses move toward grace-based giving. Even where tithing is endorsed, it is often reframed as a principle of faith and stewardship, not a law with punitive consequence.
Thus, the debate hinges not on mistranslation, but on theological frameworks: covenantal continuity vs. discontinuity, law vs. grace, and the church’s role in stewarding finances. The KJV text remains faithful, but its interpretation depends entirely on how each tradition views the believer’s relationship to the Old Testament and the teachings of Christ.