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In the first part of this article on tithing it was established that Israels tithe was over 22%, and the
people were to take care of the Levites. The Levites then tithed by bringing the 10% into the
storehouse. This is the biblical Tithe. The New Testament does not require tithing but free will giving
under the new Covenant. God mentioned no specific amount to the church. He is not telling prophets to
tell the people to send in a $1,000 seed. In fact, Jesus, nor the apostles never used the word seed for
giving money.
What we need to do is go back in history to see when the tithe was first established and required from
the people, then we can determine if it is a practice for the Church today.
God did not command Adam to tithe, nor is it mentioned that Adam tithe of his own accord. Cain and
Abel learned to sacrifice from Adam, to give an offering that was to be of blood not something that was
from the work of their own hands (Genesis 4), but they did not tithe. Job, whom we have much detail
of his life lived in the (pre?) Abrahamic period. He sacrificed but there is no mention of tithing.
Considering how inventive some of the promoters of seed faith giving are today, it is surprising they
have not found this the cause of Jobs affliction. You would think that Job would have needed to give
something to remove Satans hand of attack against himself. Yet, the Bible is silent on this matter.
The fact remains-- there is no mention of giving any tenth of goods to a person, priest or God UNTIL
Abraham. Lets go back to this first incident and examine carefully what took place. What we need to
do is look at what exactly transpired with Abraham to see if this is the origin of the tithe as some of the
prosperity seed-faith teachers claim.
In Genesis 14 we have the first reference to tithing and this pre-dates the Mosaic Law. This was a
unique incident and relates to a special person at a certain time. Gen 14:17-20: at the Valley of Shaveh
(that is, the King's Valley), after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were
with him. 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.
This is the first time a tithe is mentioned in the Bible. Did Abram tithe of all that he possessed? No. The
first thing you find is that the everything mentioned did not belong to Abram. It was the property of
other people, including Abrams nephew Lot, who was captured by the armies of the kings. Abram
gave away ten per cent of other peoples captured goods. I was thanksgiving offering to God on behalf
of the people who had been miraculously rescued.
Lets step back a few verses. Genesis 14:16: And he brought back all the goods, and also brought
again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.
After rescuing his nephew Lot from the alliance of the kings with Chedorlaomer he gave Melchizedek,
king of Salem a tenth of everything that he plundered. It was from the spoils of war. That was what the
tithe came from. Abra[ha]m did not tithe from his personal possessions but the spoils of war. And that
is exactly what the New Testament says Hebrews 7:4: Now consider how great this man was, unto
whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. A tithe was on what you earned, it was
Numbers 18:21-26: Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of
Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave
offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe.
The nation of Israel lived by their agriculture (Husbandry) and depended upon the rain. Gods blessing
in relation to the tithe had to do with his provision of water; no rain and they would starve (Mal.3). If
they did not give God their tithes which was part of the conditional blessing in the Mosaic covenant
God would bring a curse upon them, the ground would not yield food because he would not allow it to
rain. Tithing was Israels moral obligation in order for God to bless the work of their hands.
Did Jacob Tithe?
Genesis 28: 20: And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this
way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my fathers
house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be
Gods house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
Does Jacob giving God a tenth prove that tithing was practiced before Moses? NO. Jacob vowed a vow
to God for safe passage, for food and clothing and this promise was conditional. Tithing was not a
conditional act, it was like a tax for the nation Israel. Again this is one time occurrence, it is never
mentioned again in Jacobs life. There was no Levitical priesthood or tabernacle that would be
necessary for a tithe. Just because a tenth is mentioned does not mean it is a tithe. Tithing is something
you do regularly not on a conditional basis, not once in a lifetime nor once a year.
God had Moses introduce the tithe because of the priesthood and the sacrificial system and Israel being
a theocracy. If tithing was before the Law then it should apply apart from the Law. The Bible says that
tithing was of the Law 400 years after Abraham. The Bible does not say that Abraham was commanded
to give a tithe; the Bible does not say that Jacob was commanded to give a tithe. In fact, before Moses
and the Law, the Bible does not record anyone giving tithes to God as a yearly, Monthly or weekly
practice. There is No such command.
If Christians are to be practicing tithing today because of Abraham then we are also obligated to keep
everything that occurred before the law! Circumcision was given to Abraham before it was
incorporated in the Law of Moses. Abraham and Jacob were circumcised because God told them to. By
the same standard of tithing, if circumcision was practiced before the Law then circumcision should be
practiced after the Law. The same observance applied to tithing should be applied to circumcision.
However the New Testament says that circumcision was of the Law and need not to be observed by
Christians, we are circumcised in our heart when we believe in Jesus (Paul says in Galatians 3 not to
keep the law).
Does God still require 10% of your money today? (remember tithing was not money, in fact it rarely
was). The word tithe is used 13 times in the Bible. Not once do you see the word money used with
it. The word tithes is used 21 times in the Bible. The word money is not mentioned. It has become
this because of our system we use today, but this was not strictly so for Israel. 2 Chronicles 31:4-5:
Moreover he commanded the people who dwelt in Jerusalem to contribute support for the priests and
the Levites, that they might devote themselves to the Law of the LORD. As soon as the commandment
was circulated, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of grain and wine, oil and
honey, and of all the produce of the field; and they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything.
Giving a tithe (a portion) was not just a practice by Israel, in ancient history it was practiced throughout
the Middle East. It was income for the king and his kingdom, like a tax. It may be regular, voluntary or
prescribed by law of a certain country. The Egyptians were required to give a fifth part of their crops to
Pharaoh (Gen. 47:24). Abraham, Jacob and others were familiar with this principle being in foreign
lands; however, it was not yet given as a command for their nation.
The total giving required amount of giving was not 10 percent (that was specific tithe), but over 22%
for the nation. All the goods were used to operate the nation; tithing was instituted by God to support
Israel as a theocratic state. There is a difference of obeying the Old covenant laws that were practiced
because of the temple and the priesthood. Tithing was instituted for the tabernacle in Moses day, not
for a church building. There was only one place for Israelites to worship God when they were in the
land, the Temple.
Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work
which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting (Numbers 18:21).
It is the Old Covenant Laws that were given to the Israelites to perform animal sacrifice today. Animal
sacrifice with offerings, sin offerings, guilt offerings etc. Why are we taught that we should no longer
be doing animal sacrifice today but we should still be tithing? The law of Moses was a unit that cannot
be divided, either we keep it all which brings us out from the new covenant or we separate from it all
and keep the new covenant. What of Malachi 3:9? If we are to be cursed for not keeping a certain
portion of the law of Moses, then we are cursed for not keeping the other 613 laws included in the law.
New Testament Giving or Tithing?
Tithing was still practiced in Jesus ministry on Earth (Matthew 23:23, Luke 11:42) for the simple
reason Israel was under the law. The only time Jesus mentioned the tithe was a rebuke to the religious
leaders But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by
justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. In
Matthew 23:23 he explains they have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy
and faith. These you ought to have done. Certainly he had in mind the idea to help those in need
(Deut. 14:27-28; 26:12) the poor and the strangers that were among them.
Each time the word tithe or tithes appears in the New Testament it is in reference to the Old Testament
law they were under. Under the Old covenant God promised blessings for Israels obedience to the
commandments and curses for their disobedience to the commandments. In the New Testament, once
the new covenant is established to tithe is being disobedient, to give freely is being obedient.
It is true that walking faith brings some blessings, for obedience and servanthood is what God desires.
As believers, we all receive certain blessings because we are under grace. The Bible even teaches
because of Gods general grace for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain
on the just and on the unjust (Matt 5:45). Everybody receives some blessings even if they do not tithe.
But what happens when we go out from walking under grace to being under the law? (you cant do
both at the same time Gal. 3:23-25; Heb. 8:13).
The Law was meant to be our schoolmaster (Gal. 3:24), and meant to bring us to Christ who is the
mediator of the New Covenant to set us free from the Old. This is very serious to be brought back
under what God has set aside to inoperable by the New Covenant. Tithing is of the law. If you tithing in
according to the law then you are acting as if the law has not been abolished for the believer.
Acts 15:24: Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with
words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no
such commandment. Tithing was part of the law to ISRAEL- NOT the Church.
God sought to kill Moses because he had not obeyed (Ex.4:22-23) the command He gave to Abraham
(Gen 21:4), to circumcise his son. But not once do we read of Moses obeying the tithing command
before the Tabernacle and priesthood laws were given. We see no reaction from the Lord on this. Why?
Because they were not given a tithing command--until-- the Tabernacle and priesthood laws were
given. Why do some people want to resurrect the laws that were to point to Jesus Christ as the
fulfillment of the law and the prophets. Why do some divide the law up into pieces instead of following
ALL of the laws given to the Israelites in the Old Testament? You cant obey only part of the on giving
the tithe (again it was 22% not 10%). We cant obey because we as New Testament believers have no
temple or Levitical priesthood, we are under a completely different system. New Covenant Christians
do not have to tithe in order to please God. The intention of our heart is what God is looking at more
than the amount we give. Ephesians 1: 3 says Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. We have the
blessings by GRACE.
Those who hold the position of tithing for the church are confused of its purpose and history. No
Christian should be coerced into giving a set amount to receive Gods blessings. The simple reason is
that it removes them from walking in grace and puts them under the law. The Pharisees tithed and
watched what people gave, and they continued to tithe as the church was birthed. The church did not
tithe.
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you
must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he
may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.(1 Cor. 16:1-2). Notice Paul says the collection
for the saints. This is not necessarily a weekly tithe but appears to be a collection for others in need.
Those saints in other areas that were in need of financial help, from one church to another. A
contribution made by the rich for the relief of the poor (from Adam Clarke's Commentary). A
contribution, or collection of money for a charitable purpose (from Barnes' Notes).
And what of the commands of helping the poor? Instead, we only hear about robbing God if we do not
tithe. You are still sinning if you have something to give, and are selfish towards those in need. God
would rather see people serve and participate willingly then be under compulsion to give large amounts
of money to others to do the work. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give,
willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay
hold on eternal life. (1 Tim. 6:18-19; Gal.5:13) Numerous needs go unmet inside our churches. We
need to give to brethren who are in need, not just give to big ministries so they can become bigger.
They are not the only ones who do God's work.
The principle of tithing in the Old Testament was to benefit those in need as well: Deuteronomy 26:12:
When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year
of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may
eat within thy gates, and be filled. Deut. 14:27-28: You shall not forsake the Levite who is within
your gates, for he has no part nor inheritance with you. At the end of every third year you shall bring
out the tithe of your produce of that year and store it up within your gates. Have you seen any ministry
that insists on tithing do this? Why not, it is part of the tithing law.
Are you listening to the TV evangelist telling you to sow your seed for your
need? Promises, promises
Paul writes, For there are many unruly, vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for
filthy lucere's sake (Titus 1:10-11).
The most ingenious, imaginative ways were invented for gaining money. Tetzel was sent to the people
to help raise funds to build Peters Basilica by bringing the law of indulgences to the people and it is no
different today. Only then, the Roman Catholics did not have the Bible in their native languages to
read; today we have no excuse as Protestants. The words of Hosea continue to echo to us today, (4:6)
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge. Bible
knowledge is he is referring to.
New Testament believers are never commanded to tithe but to give (the amount is between you and the
Lord). Consider the story of Ananias and Sapphira that has been used and abused in so many ways-Acts 5:1-4: But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept
back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the
apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and
keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after
it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have
not lied to men but to God.
This was not about tithes but a freewill promise they made and they did not keep their word. This does
not mean as some claim every time you intentionally lie you will be judged so you must keep your
vows (though we should have no intention of doing so); not if you were manipulated by lies into
keeping the vow.
Consider what Paul wrote to Timothy the young pastor of Ephesus, But godliness with contentment is
great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And
having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a
snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the
love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith,
and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and
follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness (1 Timothy 6:6-11). If someone
is always talking about mammon, then they are not serving God. You cannot have two masters.
New Covenant Principles
The guideline for our giving to God and His work is found in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7: Now this I say, he
who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully.
Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves
a cheerful giver. Grace means freedom- law means obligation. We should give back to God as he
covenants. Romans 8:4: That the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after
the flesh, but after the Spirit. Tithing was required by the Law; giving is what we do not according to
the Law but according to grace. Our answer is not to go back under the Law but to be under grace.
Grace is given to us and we choose how much to give, this is not to be confused with a command to
tithe. God will bless if you have your faith in the right thing, not false promises. It is impossible to
keep the tithe exactly as Moses' law commanded: since it was largely agricultural and it was
specifically for the nation Israel.
If you don't tithe is it a sin? If you barely have enough to live on it is not the same as someone who has
all their needs met and can easily give. So do not become overwhelmed with guilt by men who bring
fear of judgment to you.
Again, Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for
God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). Everyone should support the work of their local church
some way, by their serving, their money, their gifts or talents they have. Let them do good, that they
be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for
the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life(1 Timothy 6:18-19).