The Giving of Tithes

Everything belongs to God. God does not need our money.

God owns everything on the face of the earth (Psalm 24:1). He is no man’s debtor. God does not need our money but He wants us to recognise and acknowledge that he is Jehovah Jireh – our provider and we must worship him with what he has blessed us with. He also uses us as vessels to bless others and His work on earth.

What are Tithes?

A tenth of all that we receive – salary, bonus, gifts, etc. (Genesis 14: 20, Deuteronomy 14:22, Deuteronomy 26:12)

• Tithe is a share Reserved for a King (1 Samuel 8: 15, 17)
• It Belongs to God (Leviticus 27:30); not giving tithes or giving only part of the tithes is robbing God (Malachi 3:8 – 10). Tithing is therefore acknowledging the giver.
• It is Holy to the Lord – Leviticus 27:30

Should I tithe my gifts? The Levites who served in the tabernacle and did not have an inheritance of their own also tithed from what the Israelites offered.  (Numbers 18:25 – 29)

Should I tithe from my gross salary or net salary? We are to tithe from ALL that we get which would be the gross amount. Taxes, employee funds, etc. have to be seen as other expenses after the first share goes to God.

The Purpose of Tithes

• For the work of God on earth
• For the people who have dedicated themselves to the work of God – like the Levites in the Israelite community (Numbers 18: 21, Deuteronomy 14:27). We are not to ignore the needs of those who have dedicated their service to God and have no other income of their own (Deuteronomy 12: 19). But many pastors today work and don’t need our tithe! Even if pastors choose both work and ministry, the church still works from the tithes that people give. Working pastors too will themselves tithe to the church. Also, all men who serve God deserve our support financially and emotionally to spur them on in their service to God. Even among the Levites, there could have been some who got other income, for instance from the sale of family possessions, but they continued to have equal share among the Levites (Deuteronomy 18:8)
• For those in need  – the destitute, the homeless (Deuteronomy 14: 29)

The Promise that follows

The Spiritual principle is that we will receive as we sow.  It is an absolute surety – Give, and it WILL be given to you. (Luke 6:38). In fact this is one area where God challenges us to test him and see the rewards. (Malachi 3:8 -12)

• God will bless the work of our hands (Deuteronomy 14: 22 – 29, Proverbs 3:9 – 10).
• He will give us more than we can contain; more than enough; plenty to spare – A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. (Malachi 3:10, 2 Chronicles 31:10, Luke 6:38)
• Prevent us from financial and economic downturns; keep us safe during those times (Malachi 3:11)

Disclaimer 1: Tithing is not a means to salvation. (Ephesians 2:8 – 9)

Disclaimer 2: Tithing alone will not bring financial rewards. While it is a step of faith and the beginning, it is also important to manage our money well, budget and spend wisely, cut down on unnecessary expenses and work hard.

When did the practice of tithing begin?

We hear of tithing right from Abraham’s time (Genesis 14:20). Jacob also tithed (Genesis 28: 22). So this is a practice that was present from the time of the early father of faith.

It was commanded to the Israelites (Numbers 18:21, Deuteronomy 14: 22 – 29), under the Mosaic covenant. The Israelites had three types of tithes –

1. The general tithe which was paid to the Levites (Numbers 18:21) , who in turn had to give a tenth of that to the priests (Numbers 18:26)
2. The tithe associated with the sacred meal involving offerer and Levite (Deuteronomy 14:22 – 27)
3. The tithe paid every three years to the poor – a tenth of that year’s produce to be stored in the towns (Deuteronomy 14:22 – 27)

There is no specific mention of tithing in the New Testament but we see that the Early church too gave generously in proportion to their income (Corinthian Church – 1 Corinthians 16:2) and even beyond their ability (Macedonian Church – 2 Corinthians 8:2 – 3).

So, is tithing relevant for us, who are under the New Covenant?

There are many arguments suggesting that tithing is an Old Covenant practice and under the New Covenant, there is no minimum requirement or compulsion to give and one can give as one is able and willing. However, I strongly believe that we who are under a better and more glorious covenant must tithe and even if the Bible does not specifically mention tithing in the New Testament, I would rather tithe and give freely from what I have been given rather than hold back!

• We are the seed of Abraham and we give as our forefathers gave before the Mosaic Law came into place
• Though we are no more under the Mosaic covenant, it does not mean that God’s commandments to His people then holds no value for us today!
• We are now under a higher covenant and our tithing must be a bare minimum we give back to God. In fact, Jesus is said to be the High Priest who collects in the tithes (Hebrews 7:8)
• Jesus while talking to the Pharisees mentions that tithing must be done (Mathew 23:23). Some commentators argue that at this time, we were still under the Mosaic Law and therefore Jesus endorsed this.
• When Paul writes to the Corinthian church asking them to set aside money every week to give to those affected by the famine, he asks them to set aside ‘in keeping with their income’ or a proportion of what they earn (though he does not mention a tenth) and not ‘as they please’

Where do I give my tithes?

Where to give the tithes is also a matter of much debate because many people believe they have the freedom to choose and give to those who are really in need. Let us look at how it has been practiced in the Bible -

• Abraham offers his tithes to Melchezidek – the High Priest, A Royal Priesthood (Genesis 14:20)
• Israelites were to bring it to the Sanctuary, the House of God and nowhere else – because there were many Canaanite worship sites as well; after the desert wanderings Moses established a central place of worship in the city of Canaan  (Deuteronomy 12:5, 17, 18, Deuteronomy 14:23, Deuteronomy 26: 2).
• The tithe brought in every three years was also brought to the storehouses in the towns (Deuteronomy 14:28). It was then divided – share for the Levites, those in need, etc. (Deuteronomy 14:29)
• Once the temple was built in Solomon’s time, there were storehouses or treasury rooms in the sanctuary to which all the tithes and contributions were brought (2 Chronicles 31:12; Nehemiah 13:12). Trustworthy men were then put in charge of it to distribute it from there (Nehemiah 13:13).
• During the reign of Hezekiah, we see how the people brought in their tithes to a central place and piled it up forming heaps and they were blessed (2 Chronicles 31: 5 – 8 )
• In the Early church, during the famine in Jerusalem, churches were asked to set an amount proportionate to their income (1 Corinthians 16:1 – 3). Since it was to be given on the first day of the week, the day for worship, it was most probably brought to the church and not set side at home. It was then sent to Jerusalem through men who were selected and approved by the church. In the Early Church, Deacons (spirit filled and wise men) were appointed by the church to ensure needs were met fairly (Acts 6:1 – 5)

I believe our tithes must go to the local church to which we belong and on a personal level, I have found it a better practice because –

• That has been the practice throughout the Bible – in the times of our forefathers, during the Old Covenant, in the Early Church, and that is the pattern for us to follow.
• We must not neglect the House of the Lord. The work of the church and furthering God’s Kingdom on earth is our foremost priority. Most churches rely primarily on the contributions from its people so I believe we must give the basic minimum that God has stipulated into the church and the work there. If we as believers who belong to church do not give, who else will? But I don’t trust it to be used wisely and judiciously. If I belong to a church, I must trust the people there and those who handle the money and know that God will work through them to give to the right places and use the money for the right purposes. If I do not trust the church or do not approve of how they use money, I would rather find a better church where I am comfortable.
• We need to support ministers and other church staff – those who spend their time in serving the Lord, like the Levites in the Old Testament (Nehemiah 13:10 – 11, 1 Corinthians 9:11 – 12)
• Tithe is not the only contribution we are to make. While this is the minimum that goes to the local church, we also give offerings and alms – for other ministry work or those in need. This must not be confused with the tithes. So let the tenth go to the local church and then you give beyond that to meet other needs as God leads you to.
• There is a danger of using the tithes for just about anything and everything – perhaps even gifts to people we know only because they are economically disadvantaged. This is ‘robbing’ God of what is due to him and we limit our generosity in giving to this ten percent when God expects us to do more. Remember – the more we give, the more we will receive!
• From a practical standpoint, I am able to ensure my tithes go in time and the whole amount is given regularly because I am not hunting for the ‘suitable need’.

When do I give my tithes?

We must practice tithing regularly and on time so that it is not accumulated and later forgotten or even spent! In the Old Testament, there were rules and regulations on when to bring in the offerings. Though we do not have such clear directions now, I think the most practical way is to tithe as soon as we receive (A good order for handling our finances – Receive – Tithe – Budget – Save – Spend). This way you are first acknowledging the giver before using that money for other needs and you also ensure that you tithe before the money gets used for other purposes. Let us not stand in debt before God just because he does not charge a fat interest!

What is the right attitude to giving tithes?

• Cheerfully and not under compulsion – God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7)
• Rejoicing and giving thanks for all that God has given (Deuteronomy 26:11). The church must rejoice in the tithes that come in – giving thanks to God for the blessings in the church, his people, just as the Levites rejoiced along with the people.
• Give expecting blessing (Deuteronomy 26:15). The Israelites prayed for blessing upon their land after presenting their tithes. It is absolutely fine to expect a blessing and pray for financial breakthrough and blessing because that is the promise that we have in God.

Verses to remember

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Luke 6:38)

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” (Malachi 3:10)

Resources –

Classics Devotional Bible – NIV – Zondervan Bible Publishers

The NIV Study Bible – Zondervan Bible Publishers

www.christianpf.com

www.freemoneyfinance.com