We believe 

• That Tithing (from the word for “one tenth”) WAS required in Mosaic Law, in the Old Testament 
• That it was for the Levites who did God’s work and gained no land or way to produce their own income/food- it was more about food/sustenance of the Levitical Priesthood, the Temple and the Welfare of the community 
• That it wasn’t just about giving money
• That it was requested from those that benefited from the land’s harvest (the land that God gave to the Israelites) 
• Maleki 3:10 (“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”)
• That the tithing covenant was ended by Jesus’s death, when Jesus became the great High Priest, releasing the Levites of that role.  

Tithing in the New Testament

• Jesus changed tithing into a heart-based approach from the religious/law edict. He talked constantly about the heart, more than simple law-following. 
• When Jesus mentions tithing, it is in a rebuke. In Matthew 23:23- “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.” 
• Jesus didn’t focus on a set amount of giving. In Mark 12:41-44- Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
• In Matthew 6:19-21. Jesus said- “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” 

• In Matthew 6: 25-34- “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

• God provides because He is a loving father, not because we tithe to Him. God doesn’t demand a percentage of your wage, he desires a willing, cheerful and giving heart. 

Then in Acts, early believe gave sacrificially to support their community:

• Act 2:44-45. "And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need." 

• Acts 4:32-35. All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

Then the Apostle Paul summarised everything perfectly in 2 Corinthians 9:7- Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

• Also in 2 Corinthians 8:12-14. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality,

Common wrongs of some churches with giving/tithing education:

• It’s WRONG when Christians are told that if they don’t tithe, they won’t be blessed by God. 
• Another wrong is the prosperity gospel spreaders who preach that how much you tithe directly impacts how much you receive. They imply that giving to your church GUARANTEES financial increase. (They mis-quote Luke 6:38 - Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”) 
• Some churches state that believers must give 10% of their top line income to the church even if it causes them financial hardship. This isn’t written in the New Testament.  
• Forced and coerced giving can even turn a deep and meaningful generous act by church members, into a bitter chore. 
• Guilt-based obligation from some churches leads believers to give out of guilt and not out of the genuine wish to bless others.

Where Your Giving Goes at The House Church Network 

Unlike traditional churches, we don't invest in buildings, mortgages, or coffee machines. Your generosity goes directly to:

1. Discipleship – Creating resources that help people grow as followers of Jesus
2. New House Churches – Supporting and equipping new communities
3. Mission Work – Taking the gospel to places where it hasn't been heard
4. Supporting Those in Need – Meeting real needs within our communities

Each of these areas represents an investment in people, not property. Your giving creates lasting transformation in lives, families, and communities across New Zealand and the world.

Taking Responsibility Through Giving

When you give to The House Church Network, you're not just supporting our work—you're taking responsibility for the spread of authentic, disciple-making communities across New Zealand and beyond. You're saying, "I won't just complain about what's wrong with the church; I'll invest in a solution."

This is the deeper meaning of sacrifice—voluntarily giving up something valuable now to create something even more valuable in the future. It's about being an active participant in God's work rather than a passive spectator.