Giving vs Tithing

What does the bible say about giving? What about Tithing? What is Tithing?
These are a few questions that we will look at and see what the bible has to say about the subjects.

The word tithe means tenth or 10 percent of anything. It is used in the bible many times predominantly in the Old Testament, and mentioned a few times in the new testament also. Many Christians practice tithing as a form of giving to the local church. I believe that tithing is not applicable to today’s Christians.

Let’s look at the origination of the tithe. The first time we see the tithe used is by Abraham to Melcheziedeck. In Genesis 14:18 after Abraham had gone to war, on his return after having a victory he had taken the spoils of the war. Notice Mechezieck blesses Abraham before; Abraham gives him a tenth of the spoils. This is the first time we see the tithe and the only time we see the tithe before the law of Moses was established. Now the laws of Moses included tithing as apart of the law. The people where compelled to tithe according to the law. However, Abraham is seen tithing to Melcheziedeck before the law was introduced. Many people used this example to affirm that tithing was used before the law, during the law and therefore must continue after the law. This mind of think is wrong. There are many things practiced before the law, for example, burnt offerings, and animal sacrifices. These were practiced before the law, during the law, however, we do not continue to practice it after the law.

Melchezedeck was a form of Christ and it is very unique that Abraham gave a tithe to him, not fully understanding who Melchiezeck was. We will pick up Melchezedeck and Abraham a little later on …

Lets look at the tithe in the law of Moses. There are many references to the practice of the tithe and also many different tithes. In Lev 27:30-33 …
If we look in the Old Testament law we will see that the tithe was always used as something grown from the ground or animal. Some people believe that in our day and age we can substitute this as money. Let us look at why this is incorrect. In Deut 14:22 …
This is a tithe that God is telling the people to EAT! Eat my tithe? This is unheard of today. Today we would call this eating our seed. God tells the people to exchange there tithe into money, if the distance is far (this is to prevent the produce from spoiling, since they could be travelling for days sometimes) and them repurchase produce when they reach the destination which God has sent them to.

Then in Vs 28 we see another tithe, the third year tithe … here we see God sing the tithe to take care of the needy. Levites (who had no inheritance, and to be provided for by the people), Orphans, widows, strangers. Simply put those who cannot help themselves. In … vs … the bible says “religion …. Blameless….orphans…

Deut 26:12 … third year tithe.

The tithe had a purpose, and was a means of providing for those who could not provide for themselves.

Now one of the most common scriptures concerning the tithe in the old testament is in Malachi 3:10 …

This is where we see God now rebuking people for failing to bring in the tithe as he had established in his law. He accuses them of robbing him.

God says “so there may be FOOD in my house” (Nehemiah 10:38). This is literal food.

Now what I want to point out to you is the phrase “windows of heaven”. The phrase “windows of heaven” is found in the bible fives times. The first time we see this is in Gen 7, when God destroys the earth by a flood. In verse 11 it says, ….
This is used as a terminology for rain. Some translations say “floodgates” this gives the emphasis of “much rain”.

We also see it in 2 Kings 7 (Elijah has the windows of heaven closed)

The last time we see this term used is then in Malachi 3:10. Now if we bear in mind that the tithe was used as crops, we will understand that there must have been a drought. God was not saying, “if you tithe I will prevent these things form happening”, the things he mentions in Malachi where already happened. There windows of heaven where closed, they crops where being devoured by pests (possible locust) there vines where casting there fruit before their time. This was desolate times, because they had stopped tithing as the law had commanded them to. Now God is saying return to me and I will return to you. If the children of Israel would return to obeying Gods laws, then he would return to them and rebuke the devourers of there crops, prevent there vines from casting there fruit prematurely and bring an abundance of rain on there crops for a great harvest that there will not be room enough to receive there harvests of crops.

God also says that nations will call them blessed for they will be a delightful land. This would be based on the produce of there land at the time.

If we try to put the tithe in monetary terms, how can we have no room to receive money? In this day and age there is no such thing as not having room enough to receive money. Im sure that every tither will tell you they have plenty room left.

The tithe was never meant to be money, buy food. This is very clear when scripture references are used correctly. If the tithe was ment to be money, then why would god tell them to sell there produce (if the distance to travel was to far) for money, but when they reach there destination to repurchase food with money and eat.
1 Tim 1:5-7 …
The tithe is a teaching of the law and many are confidently affirming it. God does not need money get his gospel out, he need people with mouths. Jesus himself had no place to lay his head, he told his disciples to take nothing with them when they entered a town, but to trust God to provide. Many have been deceived that God needs millions to get the gospel out to this world.

In the old testament the people where governed by written laws and commands. Love is what motivates us in the new testament and we practice grace giving. Grace giving is motivated by love, while law giving is motivated by leagalism and fear. The bible says “perfect love cast out fear”. We give to help those in need.

Now you may still say “I believe in the tithe”. If you still do, then I challenge you in this.

Practice the tithe as it is in the bible.

Use it for what it was used in the old testament. Are you using your tithe to support Levite priests? Orphans? Widows? Strangers?

If you are going to tithe, then you must practice what the bible says is a tithe. However, if you practice any part of the law you are guilt of breaking it if you do not practice the entire law.

TITHING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

What does the New Testament say about tithing? We see the tithe mentioned very few times in the New Testament, mainly by Jesus. However, he used the example of the tithe while rebuking Pharisees. In Matt 23:23 … Tithe mint, dill, cumin…
We see the tithe here as herbs. Not as money. Jesus is rebuking them for focusing on the smallest part of the law (straining a knat) yet they swallow a camel. Is this not the same thing happening today? Some churches will go as far as excluding members of there congregation from activities or refusing to help them when in need because there records shows an inconsistency of tithing or they have no record at all. At worst, some leaders will through congregation members out of the church for not tithing or for sharing with others the truth on the subject.

Luke 11:42 … pharasiee in temple… im not like this sinner…

The most important scripture referring to the tithe in the new testament in Hebrew 7. Here we pick up again on Araham and Melcheziedeck. Hebrews 7:1 … the law required the levitical priests (desendents of levi). Emphasis is firstly on “the law”. Secondly the tithe was to be paid to the levite priests, and could not be received by anyone. This is the only way that the tithe was seen as valid. Therefore, today we cannot tithe to a pastor.

(explain rest of scripture here)

Acts 4:32 this should be the mindset of the New Testament church. Helping with our brothers and sisters and those in need. Those who where rich help those who where poor and the people where equal. The Apostles received money from the rich and gave it back to those who lacked. They never held it for themselves.

Today Pastors own multimillion properties, while some members of there congregations have no where to live.

Now this scripture is scary. Gal 3:10 … (those who do parts of the law are cursed) Therefore, when we partake in some parts of the laws of Moses yet do not do the entire law are put ourselves under unnecessary curses as the scripture says. Also the bible says in Gal 5:4 … (fallen away from grace) we remove ourselves from the grace that Christ made available to us by trying to receive Gods blessing by works of the law and to obtain favour of God. If God desires to bless us he will, and it is simply that HIS WILL. This is how Jesus taught us to pray. God is more interested in you helping those in need then you sending 10% of your income to a church. God desires cheerful givers not legalism. Let God begin to use you as a blessing to those around you.