A few weeks ago I wrote an article titled “Why Tithing Is Important in Tough Economic Times” and frankly, I was surprised by the many follow-up comments from Christians who don’t believe tithing is for today. Many expressed the belief that tithing was only done in the Old Testament and therefore should not be a part of a believer’s life. His comments made me wonder: whether or not tithing is restricted to the Old Testament, is the practice of tithing such a bad thing for today’s believer? Let’s break down and see what the Bible has to say about tithing.
What is the tithe?
The word “tithe” means “one-tenth.” Tithing was an offering of farm income that one made to the Lord as an expression of thanks and dedication. In the Old Testament agricultural economy, tithes were not paid in cash, gold, or goods, but in crops or livestock, since only the agricultural fruit of the promised land was to be tithed, not other forms of income.
Although today we commonly think of tithing as “10 percent” as a result, it seems there are three tithes in the Old Testament, two each year Y one third every three years, or an average of 23.3 percent of the land’s annual production. There was also provision for freewill offerings and personal donations beyond the tithe, so that the tithe was never left alone. Tithes were given by the patriarchs Abraham (Genesis 4:17-20) and Jacob (Genesis 28:22); a system of tithing was instituted in the law of God given through Moses (Deuteronomy 12; Deuteronomy 14 Deuteronomy 26; and the prophets rebuked the children of Israel for not giving a tithe to God (Malachi 3:8).
The idea of tithing is still present in the New Testament (Matthew 23:23), but it is never explicitly applied to believers. Instead, almost all Christians are called to make more extravagant voluntary donations in response to the gospel of the Lord Jesus, based on faith in God as provider (2 Corinthians 9:6-10).
Tithing is a matter of the heart
First, let’s look at the definition and purpose of tithing. The main principle behind tithing and giving is the fact that what we do with our money shows where our heart is. Matthew 6:21 says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” When we are able to give away 10% or more of our income instead of keeping that money for ourselves, it shows that our hearts are not tied to our money and that we love God more than our money.
The Bible mentions money more than 800 times, and of all Jesus’ parables, more than half of them are about money. Why? Because that’s where a lot of people stumble! When we are able to give at least 10% of our income back to God, our money does not have such a tight hold on us because we realize that God is in control of our finances. We remember that everything we have has been given to us by Him. Although most of us work for the money we earn each month, even God has his hand there: He has given us the ability to do our job. Many who understand what God has really given them seem to agree that 10% doesn’t even sound like enough!
Is tithing obligatory?
Many readers who responded took issue with the idea that tithing was “mandatory” or “required,” as if it were something that keeps believers in bondage. But do God’s standards really keep us in bondage? Just like God tells us to keep sex within marriage, to love one another, and to seek his kingdom first, tithing is a blessing to our lives and something that will help improve our lives (as well as the lives of others). others). We are not saved by works, so not being able to tithe will not necessarily send you to hell, but doing so will help improve your life and strengthen your relationship with God. Personally, I don’t believe that God curses us if we don’t tithe, but I do believe that He will help us escape the curse that already exists on the world if we do.
Old Testament vs. New Testament Tithing Practices
Whether tithing is only for the Old Testament or if it is also included in the New Testament is probably the subject of more debate. The most frequently referenced scripture regarding tithing is found in the Old Testament (Malachi 3:10-12), but tithing is also mentioned in the New Testament. In Matthew 23:23, Jesus speaks to the Pharisees, condemning them for tithing to the last penny, but neglecting the larger issues of justice, mercy, and faith. He then goes on to tell them that they really should tithe, but they shouldn’t neglect the most important things. Jesus recognized the importance of keeping the tithe and we should too.
There are many Old Testament practices that don’t make sense to us today, but many of these ancient forms apply to the New Testament law of grace as part of Christ’s promise not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it ( Matthew 5:17). For example, we no longer sacrifice animals, but as believers we are called to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). Men no longer have to be circumcised, but we all have a circumcision of the heart through the Holy Spirit (Rom. 2:29).
Most of us don’t have grain and produce to take to the store, but we do have income that we can contribute to the first tenth of the church. In other words, just because something is written in the Old Testament doesn’t mean it doesn’t lack application today in one way or another.
While it is true that we are no longer under the old law, that we are under grace, we must not forget the purpose of grace: to help us live for God and do the things He wants us to do. Romans 8:4 tells us that Jesus came so that the righteous requirement of the law may be fully fulfilled in us, not so that we can completely discard it. And Romans 3:21-31 talks about how we have righteousness through faith and not by keeping the law, but verse 31 adds: “Do we, then, nullify the law with this faith? Absolutely! Rather, we uphold the law. » God’s grace gives us the power and ability to tithe!
Trusting the church with your tithe
So what if you are not opposed to the concept of giving or even the concept of giving 10%? What if you, like many of the commenters, disagree with those to whom you give your money to the Church? Those who express this concern reveal two potential problems that need to be addressed:
The truth is that church leaders are responsible for using church money in a responsible way: they have more responsibility for it than we do. And as mentioned above, most of them do a pretty good job at this. However, it is worth keeping in mind that our responsibility as believers is simply to give and trust that God will take care of the rest.
We hope you are in a church where you can trust your leaders to do the right thing. If you can’t find such a church, it would be beneficial to work on your trust in God, asking Him to help you trust the leaders He has placed you in (or pray He helps you find a solution if there is a true church). But remember, you are responsible for what you give and your heart, and the church leaders are responsible for how you use it.
Will God really “open the floodgates of heaven” if I start tithing?
Maybe. But we must recognize that this much-quoted passage (Malachi 3:10) was written not as a general promise for Christians at all times and in all places, but for a very specific group of people in history: the impoverished and insecure. Israelites living in the land after their return from exile in Babylon.
God requires more here than just tithing (Malachi 3:5): He requires his people to be generous in mercy and justice. Similarly, the Pharisees during Jesus’ time were scrupulous tithers, but Jesus told them that they were doomed, because they would rather give a fixed percentage of crops to the most demanding, most radical, and most important rather than the pursuit of justice and God’s mercy and love with His resources (Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42).
The command to give generously is not limited to a set percentage in either the Old Testament or the New. Instead, we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves (1 John 3:16-18), just as Jesus loved us (2 Corinthians 8:9). Of course, God in his sovereign grace can choose to bless us if we give generously.
For example, the Apostle Paul taught the Corinthians that they would be blessed if they contributed to the collection for the poor, so that “they may be enriched in every way that they may be generous in every occasion” (2 Corinthians 9:11). But we should not tithe or practice any other form of giving solely for the financial benefits it may bring; our main goal should be to glorify God (2 Corinthians 9:12-15).
Posted in: CHRISTIANNEWS.COM – Cortni Marrazzo has an Associate Degree in Biblical Discipleship from Dominion College and is currently pursuing her passion for writing while running her own home-based business, Essential Excellence. – Find out daily about all the evangelical Christian news.
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