Christians decide how much to give by giving as God has prospered them and as the Lord leads in their heart—not by a fixed percentage or legal mandate.
Les Feldick teaches that the tithe is a guideline rather than a law for believers under grace. Paul's instruction is that each believer lay aside what he is prospered, and that the offering be a willing expression of a heart first given to the Lord. No set amount is imposed, and giving is to be free, willing, and Spirit-led.
1 Corinthians 16:2 — This verse instructs believers to give as God has prospered them, which is the biblical standard Les points to for deciding the amount.
2 Corinthians 8:12 — It establishes that a willing mind is what makes giving acceptable, not the size of the gift.
Scripture does not set a specific percentage for New Testament giving. In 1 Corinthians 16:2, Paul instructs believers to lay aside an offering on the first day of the week, each one as God has prospered him. No tithe or fixed amount is mentioned—prosperity is the measure. Paul also emphasizes the heart behind the gift. In 2 Corinthians 8:5, the Macedonian believers first gave themselves to the Lord and then to the apostle's ministry. Verse 12 adds that a willing mind is accepted according to what a man has, not according to what he does not have. The Bible's standard, therefore, is not a set percentage but a willing, Spirit-led response to God's provision.
Les teaches that the amount a Christian gives is not fixed at 10 percent. The tithe is a guideline—beginning as far back as Abraham in Genesis 14—but it is not a mandate for believers under grace. Instead, giving is a free-will response measured by how God has prospered the believer and by the Lord's leading in the heart. Les stresses that God is not going to 'zap' anyone for giving less than 10 percent, though there may be loss of reward in glory. He also warns against treating giving as a financial scheme: faith has a fine line with fantasy, and God does not promise to multiply a specific gift. Giving is to be done willingly, without pressure, and for the support of ministry and care of needy saints.
Les teaches that the 10 percent tithe is a guideline, not a legal mandate. He points out that while tithing appears as far back as Abraham, Paul never commands believers under grace to give a set percentage. God does not punish those who give less than 10 percent, though there may be a loss of reward in glory.
Believers are to give themselves first to the Lord, as the Macedonian believers did, and then give as the Lord lays it on their heart. The amount is left to the believer's free will as God has prospered him. Giving should be done willingly and without pressure or any legal binding.
Les warns that the Bible does not promise that giving a specific amount will bring back a larger sum. Expecting such a return is fantasy, not faith. While God is able to bless, He often works in other ways—like sparing expenses or preventing breakdowns—rather than matching a gift with immediate cash.
Paul encouraged the Corinthians to gather offerings for the poor saints in Jerusalem, who had impoverished themselves by selling everything in expectation of the Kingdom. The giving Paul called for was not for building complexes or paid pastors, but for ministry and relief of needy believers.
Giving by Faith, Not Fantasy
Les warns that God does not promise to repay a specific dollar amount; believers should give in faith but not expect a magical financial return.
No Mandated Percentage
Paul's instruction is to give as God has prospered, and Les says the 10 percent tithe is a guideline, not a legal obligation.
Giving as the Lord Leads
Saints are to give as the Lord lays it on their heart, without legal binding, having first given themselves to the Lord.
Tithe Is a Guideline, Not Law
Even Abraham's tenth to Melchizedek is a guideline; making 10 percent a mandate puts believers back under the law.
Free Will and No Influence
Giving is left to the believer's free will as he is prospered, and it should be done before the teacher arrives so no one is pressured.
Offering for Ministry and Saints
Paul encouraged these early home churches to give, not for building projects, but for ministry and relief of the poor.
Tithe Belongs to the Law
Paul did not use the word tithe because it was part of the Law, but he still expected believers to give for the poor saints in Jerusalem.
A Warning About Giving Everything Away
The Jerusalem believers' common-kitty experiment left them poor; wise giving is needed, not indiscriminate handing out.
1 Corinthians 16:2: Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
This is the key verse showing that giving is proportionate to God's prosperity, not a fixed tithe.
2 Corinthians 8:5: And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
It shows that the heart must be given to the Lord before the offering is made.
2 Corinthians 8:12: For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
This verse confirms that God looks at the willingness of the giver, not the amount.
No. Les Feldick teaches that the 10 percent tithe is a guideline, not a legal mandate under grace. Paul never commands a set percentage, and believers are not under the Law's requirement.
A Christian should give as God has prospered him and as the Lord lays it on his heart. The amount is a matter of free will, not a fixed rule.
Yes. Under grace, there is no mandate to give 10 percent. Les says a believer may lose some reward in glory, but God will not 'zap' anyone for giving less.
No specific return is promised. Les warns that expecting a financial windfall from giving is fantasy, not faith. God may bless in other ways, such as sparing expenses.
Watch the Teaching: Are Christians Required to Tithe? 2 Corinthians 8:7-9 Explained