Tithing

"You shall surely tithe all the produce from what you sow, which comes out of the field every year." (Deut 14:22)

"8 Will a man rob God? For you are robbing Me!" But you say: 'How have we robbed You?' "In the tithe and the offering." … 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse. Then there will be food in My House. Now test Me in this," says ADONAI-Tzva’ot—"if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out blessing for you, until no one is without enough." (Mal 3:8, 10 TLV)

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you pay tithes of mint and dill and cumin, but you have neglected the weightier precepts of the Torah: judgment and mercy and faithfulness. Moreover, you were expected to do these, the others not to be neglected." (Matt 23:23 BR)

Definition

Tithing means giving a tenth of personal property or its equivalent in money to God. The practice is based on the general principle that a person must not appear before God empty-handed (Ex 23:15; 34:20; Deut 16:16). In other words, the intention to engage in worship of God necessitates presenting an offering to God. Scripture has strong condemnation of being stingy, called having an "evil eye," in spite of God's blessing and provision for our needs (Deut 15:9; Prov 11:24-27; 23:6; 28:22; Luke 11:34). The positive principle of Yeshua is that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35).

Objection

Some Christians object to tithing and offer various reasons for abstinence:

● Yeshua canceled the laws of Moses.

● Tithing was required of Jews, but not Gentiles.

● There is no command for Christians to tithe.

The reality is that many churches struggle financially because of a lack of resources. New believers may assume the church has plenty of money and doesn't need it. Add to it a teaching criticizing the practice of tithing and the incentive for giving may be diminished. In addition, many believers simply have not developed a discipline of sacrificial giving to the church, even though they might spend extravagantly on acquiring personal property or enjoying various kinds of pleasures.

Some churches of necessity resort to traditional fundraising methods in order to finance programs and operating expenses. The lament of Haggai is appropriate for today: "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?" (Hag 1:4).

Yeshua and the Torah

Popular Christian interpretation is that Yeshua "ended the Law," that is, ended the authority of the commandments God gave to Israel. This assumption is categorically false. Yeshua did not cancel the Torah. See my commentary on Matthew 5:17. Those who say Yeshua did not expect tithing ignore the plain words of Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42. Thus, the law of the tithe is still in force.

It's a sad fact that many Christians don't want to be bound by God's commandments, just as the ancient Israelites (cf. Jdg 17:6; 21:25). Thus, the view that the Torah has been canceled reflects an antinomian bias, is patently in error and alien to the teaching of Yeshua and the apostles. See my article Law vs. Legalism.

Torah Requirement

Israelites were commanded to bring a tenth of crops and livestock to provide support for the priests and Levites who were prohibited from owning hereditary land (Lev 27:30–33, Num 18:21-24). In addition, the Levites were to give a tenth of the tithes they received to the high priest (Num 18:26-28). A second tithe was to be brought every year and consumed by the owner in Jerusalem (Deut 14:22–27). Then another tithe was to be brought every third year to benefit the poor, including sojourning Gentiles or resident aliens (Heb. ger) (Deut 14:28-29).

From the beginning God intended that Israel be a commonwealth of nations (Gen 17:4-5; 35:11; Eph 2:12). Gentiles were included among the Israelites that were delivered from Egypt and received the Torah at Mount Sinai (Ex 12:38; Lev 17:8). The Gentiles that lived among the Israelites were expected to tithe in accordance with the principle of "one law" (cf. Ex 12:48; Lev 16:29; 18:26; 19:34; Num 15:15-16, 29).

Biblical Precedent

Since Christians believe themselves to be "sons of Abraham" (Gal 3:7), then Abraham's example should be followed. He gave a tenth to Melchizedek, King of Salem and priest of El Elyon (Gen 14:20). Giving to Melchizedek was equivalent to giving to Yeshua (cf. Heb 6:20; 7:1-3). The action of Abraham demonstrates that tithing was practiced long before the commandments were given at Sinai, just as observing the Sabbath (Gen 2:2-3; Ex 16:23). Yeshua challenged the Pharisees with the demand, "If you are Abraham's children, do the deeds of Abraham" (John 8:38). Christians should strongly consider this principle.

Even the apostle Paul stressed to congregations that included Gentile members the importance of compliance with Torah commandments (Rom 8:3-4; 15:4; 1Cor 7:19; Heb 10:16). To object to tithing reflects a callow attitude that expects all the benefits of heaven with minimal commitment.

Discipleship and Money

The disciple recognizes God's ownership of all he possesses and that he has a stewardship responsibility for God's property as depicted in the parable of the talents (Matt 25:14-30). The parable depicts the Lord conducting an audit when he returns, making us accountable for the measure of wealth and prosperity distributed to us. How does the Lord expect us to use these resources? Investing in spreading the good news of the Kingdom is the most important use of our money and the percentage of our wealth donated to the Kingdom should reflect that priority. How might the Master react if someone failed to invest in his Kingdom work?

Besides faithful stewardship of assets Yeshua called his disciples to sacrifice money and possessions. He gave this general principle:

33 "Sell what you are possessing and give alms; make yourselves money-bags not wearing out, an unfailing treasure in the heavens, where a thief does not come near nor moth destroy. 34 For where your treasure is, there also your heart will be." (Luke 12:33-34 BR)

The willingness to sacrifice demonstrates genuine commitment to Yeshua. A person cannot serve the accumulation of wealth and God at the same time (Matt 6:24; cf. 1Tim 6:10, 17). God has not given the ability to create wealth (Deut 8:18) just to have larger portfolios, build bigger houses, buy more expensive cars or spend on hobbies and entertainments. Early disciples were exhorted to give of their means generously, not miserly (Luke 6:38; 2Cor 9:6-8). Personal sacrifice also demonstrates appreciation for Yeshua's sacrificial atonement. God gave everything for our eternal benefit. What do we owe Him in response?

Principles and Priority

Scripture teaches that those who provide ministry, such as priests and pastors, be supported by those who benefit from their ministry (Ex 20:15; 25:2; Num 18:28; Deut 18:3-5; Neh 12:44; Jer 22:13; Ezek 44:30; Matt 10:10; 1Cor 9:4, 7, 10-11; Gal 6:6; 1Tim 5:17-18). Indeed, early congregations were known for sacrificial giving to support ministry (Acts 2:44-45; 1Cor 16:2; 2Cor 8:3; Php 4:14-18).

Believers typically ask about or even debate the basis for the tithe. The simple biblical approach to tithing is to give ten percent of what is actually received in one's hand or bank account, the "first fruits." Money received includes wages from employment, pension distributions, government payments, insurance payments and the value of tangible or intangible property sold. Some believers advocate giving "on the gross," that is a person's designated salary before taxes. The biblical principle is that tithing was not determined on the "seed sown" but on the actual harvest.

Israelites were expected to present an offering and their tithes every time they came to the central place of worship for the required festivals (Deut 16:16-17). For the modern believer the local congregation where he worships should be the primary recipient of the tithe (cf. 1Cor 16:2). While money should be given to support independent charities that benefit the poor or engage in evangelism, the tithe should go to the believer's house of worship.

Conclusion

God promised His people that He would respond to tithing with abundant blessing, both material and spiritual (2Chr 31:5-6,10; Prov 3:9; Mal 3:10). If the obligation is canceled so would be the blessing. Since the obligation is still in force so is the promised blessing.

Copyright © 2024 Blaine Robison. All rights reserved.