Tithing

Tithing is the act of giving 10% of our income to the local church to support the pastor and ministry. The Bible discusses the tithe in both Testaments and it is a worthwhile part of Christianity. There are arguments as to whether or not the tithe is based on gross salary or net salary, but that is a personal matter.

Old Testament Tithing

The tithe was first mentioned in Genesis Chapter 4 when Cain – a farmer- and his brother Abel- a rancher- presented some of their “wealth” to the Lord. Cain offered some of his crop while Abel offered the best and the first of his flocks to the Lord. The Lord accepted Abel’s offering but He rejected Cain’s offering. The Lord was teaching Cain that things will go well if we listen and obey the Lord.

In Old Testament times, tithing was required. It provided a way for people to show their trust in the Lord for further provision. It also reminded the people that it was God who gave them the ability to make wealth in the first place. The intent of the tithe is still the same even though the church doesn’t require it today. It helps us understand the Lord imparted us with our intelligence, good breaks and work ethic and it is through Him that we have money to begin with.

Genesis chapter 14 is the second mention of the tithe:

“Then Abram gave Melchizedek 1/10th of all the goods he recovered.”(Gen 14:20b)

The third mention of a tithe is in Genesis chapter 28 in the story of Jacob, who had a dream about a stairway to heaven. The Lord told Jacob that He would bless him by giving him the land he was lying on, a multitude of descendants and protection. The stairway depicted angels coming down from heaven to help and protect the people of the Lord.

Jacob’s response to this amazing, all encompassing blessing was to set up a memorial pillar as a place of worship. Jacob promised the Lord a tenth of everything he received in gratitude for these blessings. (Gen 28:10-22)

The fourth mention of the tithe is in the book of Leviticus 27:30, “A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord: it is holy to the Lord.” God would never take from His people and make them live in scarcity. He set up the tithe to allow the people of Israel to show their faith in His further provision.

The most well known mention of tithing is in the last book of the Old Testament.

“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 there will not be room enough to store it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. (Malachi 3:10-11)

This verse tells us that God Himself will pour out a great blessing on those who tithe. God will protect the harvest from drought and pestilence to ensure a full harvest. In our day, this would be an abundance of provision from the work of our hand and He will protect our current source of income.

New Testament Tithing

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”(Matt 23:23)

The New Testament teaches that tithing is important. Equally as important however is justice, mercy (towards others) and faithfulness to God’s Word. Therefore, in order to be in right standing with the Lord we must accept Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins. After this choice to be born again, the Holy Spirit convicts us of the teachings of the Lord. Only the Holy Spirit living within us can change our grip on our money, time and focus and lead us to live in love rather than selfishness.

Tithing is important because it allows Christian churches to continue to be a beacon of light in the world. We must not forget however, that it is our heart God desires. When we give our heart to the Lord we will be lead to do things that are uncomfortable. But we must remember with God at the helm of our life we will receive far more than we give away.

As role models to our children, teaching children to give both to the church and others will create a legacy of giving. God blesses those who bless others it is a biblical fact.

“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 6:37-38)

Food For Thought,

Lisa