Of course not! -  “In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.” (1 Cor. 9:14)   Just like the Levites in the old covenant, we are told that those who dedicate themselves to preaching the Gospel are entitled to make a living from it (if in fact, they are preaching “this gospel”).  Paul wrote to Timothy,  “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.  For Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,’ and ‘The worker deserves his wages.’” (1 Tim. 5:17-18)

 

Some of the early believers (those who had plenty) put money at the apostles feet.  This could be seen as the equivalent of giving money at a ‘church’.  The money was then “distributed to anyone as he had need”.  

However, when money is given by believers, those who are put in charge of the money will have to answer for how they use it.   Are they distributing it to those in need as the apostles did?  Or are they misusing it as Judas Iscariot did?  Perhaps the example of Judas gives us an insight into why the old covenant tithe was never money.  It says of Judas, “But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected,  ‘Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.’  He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.” (John 12:4-7)

So this is the question that must be asked: Are the people who collect this money using it the way they should be?  Is collecting money to build bigger and more lavish church buildings something that we find in scripture?  Or are the men who do such things simply building monuments to themselves?  "As he was leaving the temple, one of the disciples said to him, 'Look Teacher!  What magnificent stones!  What magnificent buildings!'  'Do you see all these great buildings?' replied Jesus.  'Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.'" (Mark 13:1-2)  The same can be said for these grand temples which men now build for their own glory.  But God's true kingdom is eternal.

 

The apostles never claimed to be ‘building God’s kingdom’ with the money they received, as many now claim.  God’s Kingdom is not built on money, it is built on truth.  Our job is to believe the truth, to live it and to speak it.  His promise is to build his church;  “on this rock, I will build my church and the gates of hades will not overcome it.”  (Matt. 16:19).   God will build his church!   

 

The money that the apostles received was distributed among believers who were in need.  We should do the same.

Giving to the poor (rather than tithing) is consistently preached in new covenant scripture, because it is the fulfilment of the old covenant law.  We who are born again, are born into God’s family, and our Father is simply asking his children to share with one another, so that none of us will be in need.  However, this does not have to be done through a ‘church’.  Scripture simply tells us to share.  “Share with God’s people who are in need” (Rom. 12:13)

We are also told, “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant or to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.  Command them to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.  In this way they will lay up treasures for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age.” (1 Tim.6:17-19) 

For believers of the Lord, caring for one another is what counts; “Each of you should look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others”. (Phil. 2:4)

But there is also a warning for those who are lazy and reliant on the charity of others -  “If a man will not work, he shall not eat”. (2 Thes. 3:10)