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Should we be tithing?
There is an ongoing debate amongst Christians concerning tithe. I have heard in my time studying this topic, the many reasons why tithing doesn’t apply to us today, but when studying this topic closely there is a clear misunderstanding. Many say it was part of the Old Testament laws, the Mosaic laws specifically, but let’s dive into what the Bible has to say.
First of all, tithing wasn’t instituted along with the Mosaic law, as it occurred well before the time of Moses. In Genesis 14:18-20, it reads, “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said: ‘Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.’ And he gave him a tithe of all.” Now, notice the word “all,” Abraham gave Melchizedek a tithe or tenth of all that he owned. This would include animals, produce from the vineyard, money etc. This was long established before the time of Moses. Many make the claim that he did it out of his own good heart, and therefore it implies that tithing isn’t a mandatory instruction, but is rather a voluntary one. Note, that tithe is not only a contribution to priests, as found in (Numbers 18:21,24), but to God (Hebrews 7:8). Genesis 28:20-22 says that Jacob made a vow saying he will give God a tithe (tenth) of all, if God would protect him and provide necessities for him. We give God tithes, not because it is just a command, but rather because we also acknowledge that He owns everything (Leviticus 27:30) (Psalms 24:1). The two examples were examples showing HOW we should give our tithe, which in these cases are with a happy and willing heart (2 Corinthians 9:7). At the time, priests were mediators between God and the Israelites, until Jesus came, died, resurrected, ascended and became our High Priest. Melchezidek “was the priest of God Most High.” In Colossians 3:23, we read, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,” by giving a tithe to Melchezidek, Abraham was giving a tithe to God through his hearty giving. Whatever things happened in the Old Testament were written for us to learn from (Romans 4:23-25) (Romans 15:4) (1 Corinthians 10:6,11).
I’ve heard some ask, “Where in the Bible is tithe described as money?” We’ve just looked at one with Abraham where he paid tithe of “all.” The Hebrew word for “all” here is kôl, meaning properly the whole; hence all, any or every. The word kôl, would imply that Abraham gave a tithe of every single possession he had. Proverbs 3:9 states, “Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase.” Firstfruits in Hebrew translates to, rê'shı̂yth, meaning the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically a firstfruit): - beginning, chief (-est), first (-fruits, part, time), principal thing. It is clear that when honouring God, we do so by giving a portion of that increase to Him, whether as a tithe or an offering (Psalms 96:8).
The purpose of tithes was for the sustenance of Priests and Levites (Numbers 18:21,24), who ministered in the temple of God. Paul writes, that Priests and Levites lived of the things of the temple, and then writes that it is in the same way that those who preach the gospel, should live of the things of the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:13,14). We read in Numbers 18:21, that God gave the Levites the tithes of all Israel as an inheritance. The Levites were doing God’s work and therefore needed to live off what they did. It was how priests made a living. In the New Testament, tithing is the way in which those who preach the gospel were supported. They are doing God’s work as well and are doing the things of the gospel, which they have been commanded to perform (Acts 10:42). The apostle Paul would’ve never needed to command or remind the churches to return tithe, as Paul’s letters were written to the church (context) who had access to the Old Testament scrolls, which would have commanded them to tithe (Malachi 3:10). Tithing is also used in the Bible towards building or maintaining God’s temple. In Haggai 1:2-10, God condemns those individuals for not using their wages correctly, and contributing it toward the building and maintenance of the temple. Tithing today is used toward maintaining God’s church, and without tithe there will be no way of maintaining God’s house, slowing the spread of the gospel.
There are many who claim that there is no verse or command in the New Testament relating to tithes. However, let’s analyse a few verses:
1) Matthew 22:17-21 – The main question asked in this passage is, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” The context of this passage is money. Jesus said to give to Caesar’s what is Caesar’s and to God’s what is God’s. The things relating to money that belong to Caesar are taxes, and the things relating to money that are God’s are tithes and offerings. So, Jesus commanded them not only to give to Caesar, but to God as well.
2) Matthew 23:23 – Jesus condemns the Pharisees for paying tithe and neglecting justice, mercy and faith. Jesus doesn’t condemn tithing, but isn’t happy about the fact that the Pharisees tithed without having justice, mercy and faith. He says, “These [justice, mercy and faith] you ought to have done, without leaving the others [tithing] undone.”
It is very clear that Jesus believed in tithing. Through the words He spoke, we are able to understand what He believed. So, there is no need for scripture to say how and when Jesus tithed because what He said was enough to show His stance. If the inspired writers added every detail concerning Christ, then no book could contain it (John 21:25). Just to say that the New Testament is silent on a particular practice, doesn’t then mean we stop doing it. For example, we know that circumcision is done away with because the New Testament makes it very clear (1 Corinthians 7:19) (Romans 2:28-29). The Sabbath is still in effect today as it’s part of God’s Ten Commandment law, which is eternal (Psalms 89:34) (Psalms 111:7,8). Jesus Christ kept it (Luke 4:16) (Mark 6:2) and the apostles (Acts 18:4) (Acts 17:2) (Acts 13:42,44). So, to say that the New Testament is silent on the issue of tithing, doesn’t do away with tithing. As God would have said so in His inspired Word.
Christ did not condemn tithing, and seeing that He is our example (1 Peter 2:21-22). We should follow His example.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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