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Question 1

David Bercot calls it “one of the great ironies” that churches that insist “we’re not under any law whatsoever” still preach a strict 10% tithe as if “9% is stealing 1% from God”; what do you think this contradiction reveals about how those churches function, and what does it suggest they believe God is most concerned about?

Another way to ask: Some churches say Christians aren’t under any law, but they still demand a strict 10% tithe. What does that say about how they operate, and what do you think they believe God cares about most?

Direct Answer Based on David Bercot’s teaching, the contradiction reveals that many churches function like a business that requires predictable income, so they treat tithing as a “law” to keep the institution running. It suggests they act as if God is most concerned about funding church programs and salaries, even while downplaying other New Testament commands.

Support from Transcript:

He calls it an “irony” that churches say “we’re not under any law whatsoever,” yet preach a mandatory 10% tithe where giving 9% is “stealing 1% from God.”
He says pastors “gut at least half of the commandments in the New Testament” but still “emphatically preach tithe as though it were a law.”
He explains why: many churches “resemble more of a corporate business” with “a whole staff,” “building programs,” “family recreation centers,” and “special music programs.”
“To run that business, they’ve got to be able to have a certain amount of income… and to get that, they preached tithing very emphatically.”
He contrasts this with the early church, where giving was “voluntary” and much spending went to “orphans and widows” and other needy.

Discussion Follow-ups If a church’s budget depends on pressure, what does that reveal about its priorities? How would budgeting change if helping the poor were treated as a major requirement from God?

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