09/04/2022
The Truth About TITHING
The subject of Tithing is one that has brought much controversy over the years. Differing views exist about the matter with some believing and teaching tithing as compulsory and a way to get God's blessings and prevent the devourer. Some teach also that unfaithfulness in tithing is a sin and can land you in hell.
Others believe and teach otherwise, that tithing is not valid nor compulsory since we are in a new testament.
I will urge you to read till the end and patiently so, as we consider objectively,some important biblical truths on tithing and at the end, draw our conclusion as based on correct and unbiased bible interpretation.
----------------
A "tithe" simply means 1/10 of a whole. It means a tenth part. It is not exclusively a Bible word as even secular literatures,dating thousands of years ago,had mention of it in their writing.
It is therefore illogical to claim you give 20% tithe because the word "tithe" already means 10%. If it is not exactly 10% (whether more or less), it can't be called a tithe. That said, let's move on and consider some facts about tithing as found in the Bible.
The first mention of the word "tithe" was in Genesis and later on,the Jewish system of tithing was instituted under the Law.
Let's see some facts about that system of tithing:
#1 – According to the Bible,the tithe was NEVER MONEY. It was ONLY ALWAYS Agricultural produce; Edible items.
Every single biblical and historical reference to tithing either directly or indirectly limited it to only Agricultural produce.
See; Lev. 27:30, 32, Num. 18:27, Num. 18:28, Deut 12:17, Deut. 14:22, Deut. 14:23, Deut. 26:12, 2 Chron. 31:5, 2 Chron. 31:6, Neh. 10:37, Neh. 13:5, Mal. 3:10 & Matt 23:23
For many years, proponents of Christian tithing taught that God’s insistence on Agricultural produce was because money did not exist. Well, that's not true.
We have many evidence,both from the bible,Jewish and secular history, that money already existed at that time. Well over 400 years before Moses, Abraham had to buy a portion of land with a cave in it for use as a burial place and paid money in exchange for it. – Genesis 23: 12-16 (NKJV). Even Joseph was sold for money by his brothers.
So money existed at least four centuries before Moses! God was aware of this, so was Moses and the rest of the Hebrews. Yet every single reference to the tithe, throughout the bible, directly or indirectly indicates its content; agricultural produce.
Money was mentioned in connection with tithing in Deuteronomy 14: 24-26 (NKJV) and it was in connection with the tithe that was to be eaten by the Israelite himself. If he had too much items to carry to Jerusalem,he was allowed to sell them and with the money,buy whatever he wanted to eat and eat it. He wasn't to give the money to the Levites either
God never required the Jews to give money as tithe.
So those who claim to be giving or collecting tithes as money are definitely practicing something else,and not Bible tithing as it was under the law, because the system of compulsory tithing in the bible was never money.
#2 – The second tithe could only be eaten IN Jerusalem.-Deut 14:23 (NKJV) .
If we are to enforce tithing in the church today,then we have to travel periodically to eat our tithe in Jerusalem. Some persons have taught that our church buildings have replaced the temple in Jerusalem and so we can give our tithes in church. That's not true.The Bible clearly states it's our body,not the church building that has replaced that temple in Jerusalem (1 cor 6:19).
#3 - Levites were not the only recipients of the tithe, Tithe( the third) was also given to widows,strangers and the poor.
28 “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. 29 “And the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do. – Deut 14:28-29 (NKJV) .
God instructed that neighbouring Levites, the poor, the needy and vulnerable of society who couldn’t afford to tithe be made recipients of the third tithe (Deuteronomy 26: 12-13).
#3. -The Levites Gave a Tithe of the Tithes
The people were instructed to give their first tithe to the Levites, who in turn gave a tenth of it – the best tenth of all the tithes they received – to the Aaronic priests. – Neh 10:35-37 (NKJV).
So the people were to hand over their first tithe to the Levites. The Levites in turn were instructed to give the best 10% of the tithes they received from the people, to the Aaronic priests. The priests were entitled to all the offerings and “holy things” the people brought directly to the temple, as well as the tithe of tithe brought to the temple by the Levites.
If we take a closer look at the popular passage on tithing in Malachi 3, we find that the tithe being referred to there was evidently the tithe of the tithe brought in by the Levites and stored in the temple storerooms so there would be food in the Temple, for the priests.
So the people were not the culprits being rebuked because they never brought their tithes directly to the temple storehouse in Jerusalem – the Levites were
Neh 10:38 And the priest, the descendant of Aaron, shall be with the Levites when the Levites receive tithes; and the Levites shall bring up a tenth of the tithes to the house of our God, to the rooms of the storehouse.
Malachi 2:1 makes it clearer
And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you.
The commandment that was been given by God went on till chapter 3 where the issue of tithing was addressed. The commandment were addressed directly to the priests and not the people.
People shouldn't be threatened with this scripture and/or coerced to give
------------
So, we've seen that Tithing was NEVER MONEY, even though it was present at that time.
Also, tithing was an instruction specifically to the jews ONLY.
There were several laws guiding tithing. Many of which people who try to practice tithing today, know nothing about.
We are not under the law so the institution of tithing wasn't for us.
We weren't even Jews in the first place.
Some persons however argue that even though Christians are not under the law,they should still tithe compulsorily because tithing started before the law with Abraham.
First,there were many things that started before the law like sacrifice of animals and yet we don't do that today. Just saying because tithing started before the law and hence we must do it, is not a valid enough reason. We don't live just by what started before the law, but we live by the instructions addressed to us the new testament church as contained in the Epistles.
Also, God never commanded Abraham to tithe. He simply showed honor to priest Melchizedek he met on the way by giving a tenth part of the spoils of war to him. Abraham didn't even tithe out of his personal valuables. He gave only a tithe of the spoils of war.
Genesis 14:16-20
Jacob on the other hand only made a vow of him giving a tithe if he returns. It's not stated in the Bible if he fulfilled it or not. That's all we have for tithing before the law. No commandment was given by God for it to be done and we can only comfortably account for it being done once.
Some persons also claim that tithe still needs to be compulsorily given today because Jesus didn't speak against it. They quote Mathew 23:23 to defend this. Let's see what that verse says:
Mathew 23;23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cu**in, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone
So we see clearly Jesus was addressing the pharisees,scribes and hypocrites. The law was still in operation at this time and so Christ spoke to them as to people who were under the law.
So Christ told them to pay their tithe and not neglect also the weightier matters of THE LAW because under the law the Jews (which you are not) were to compulsorily pay tithes. Moreover, all the items of tithe He listed out, the anise and mints and cu**in were all food products. Money was never given as tithe.
This wasn't a command by Christ for Christians to pay tithe. He wasnt even addressing us neither had he died yet. He was addressing those under the law and spoke to them as such.
We understand that Christ didn't come to destroy the law, but rather to fulfill it and until He fulfilled it,He didn't water it down or destroy it and hence, he still told them to keep the law,while showing them the real intent for it.
He went on to fulfill it and end that system. For Christ has become the end of the law...(Romans 10:1). So we don't live by the requirements of the law any longer,for Christ has ended that system.
The Epistles (Romans-Jude), which were letters written to us ( the church),regulates our practices and beliefs as new testament believers.
No where in the Epistles did any Apostle command the church to give a compulsory tithe. None at all.
Compulsory Tithing is not an Apostolic practice.
Now that's something very major.
No single instruction for any of the new testament churches or believers to compulsorily tithe.
They were only always admonished to give as they willed ( which is also very important).
Some others quote Hebrews 7 with emphasis on verses 8 to say that Christians today should still pay compulsory tithes. Again,that is not true.
The chapter of Hebrews 7 is not an instruction on tithing. It was simply an historical account of the tithe Abraham gave and to show how it signified the superiority of the priesthood of Jesus over that of Levi.
Some quote Hebrews 7:8 to say Jesus receives tithe in heaven. I find that quite ridiculous because you do not travel to heaven to give him tithe. So how does he receive it? Let's see what that verse says
Heb 7:8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
If you have a good KJV Bible, you'll notice that the words "receiveth them" is italicised. This means it wasn't in the original translations. We shouldn't build doctrines on italicised words(that weren't originally present). Thats bad practice!
So removing those words and reading again should give you an idea of what was being said there.
"And here men that die receive tithes; but there he of whom it is witnessed that he liveth".the message doesn't look so obvious from KJV
Other versions makes it clearer for us.
Heb 7:8 Mortal men collect tithes, but we are informed by Scripture that Melchizedek keeps on living (ISV).
So we see Hebrews 7:8 wasn't talking about Jesus receiving tithe in heaven. It was speaking of Melchizedek.
Going through the whole Bible,we can't find scriptures that mandates tithing for believers.
God doesn't bless the believer because he paid his tithe or not.
What tithe did we pay for God to give us his greatest blessing in the person of Jesus? Nothing.
We got it freely, for the Gifts and blessings of God are free! ..And if God gave us his best gift for free, then surely , the lesser gifts will be free also.
There's no compulsory fixed percentage to give anylonger.
In the new testament, you give as you will and purpose.
There is NO special blessing tied to a certain 10%
Under the new covenant we are to give as every man purposes in his heart and that includes you deciding the percentage or amount to give
2Co 9:7 Each of you must give what you have decided in your heart, not with regret or under compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver (ISV)
Out of a heart of gratitude and honor to God,you are to give whatever percentage or amount you purpose..
So is it wrong to give a tithe( 10% of an amount) today?
Of course not.
I can't force you on a percentage to give or not to give, else,I'll be putting you under the law again.
It is the Jewish system of compulsory tithing which some Christians today still try to enforce,that must be spoken against.
If you however choose to cheerfully give 10%( a tithe), it's very fine.
In the new testament, giving is incumbent on the believer.
You give as you purpose in your heart whether 10%( a tithe) or 15% or 100% as the case may be.
No threats of curses if we don't tithe... Christ has become a curse for us already.
There's no curse left for the believer even if he wanted to be cursed. Christ has taken everything already.
Now we give bountifully not to get blessed,but Because we are already blessed by God.
The new testament admonishes us to excel in the Grace of giving.
We give bountifully not out of fear of punishment or trying to twist God's hands to get blessings, but rather we give out of love,honor and a sense of responsibility.
God is your father
He loves you, and ALL his gifts are Free.
God bless you.The Truth About TITHING
The subject of Tithing is one that has brought much controversy over the years. Differing views exist about the matter with some believing and teaching tithing as compulsory and a way to get God's blessings and prevent the devourer. Some teach also that unfaithfulness in tithing is a sin and can land you in hell.
Others believe and teach otherwise, that tithing is not valid nor compulsory since we are in a new testament.
I will urge you to read till the end and patiently so, as we consider objectively,some important biblical truths on tithing and at the end, draw our conclusion as based on correct and unbiased bible interpretation.
----------------
A "tithe" simply means 1/10 of a whole. It means a tenth part. It is not exclusively a Bible word as even secular literatures,dating thousands of years ago,had mention of it in their writing.
It is therefore illogical to claim you give 20% tithe because the word "tithe" already means 10%. If it is not exactly 10% (whether more or less), it can't be called a tithe. That said, let's move on and consider some facts about tithing as found in the Bible.
The first mention of the word "tithe" was in Genesis and later on,the Jewish system of tithing was instituted under the Law.
Let's see some facts about that system of tithing:
#1 – According to the Bible,the tithe was NEVER MONEY. It was ONLY ALWAYS Agricultural produce; Edible items.
Every single biblical and historical reference to tithing either directly or indirectly limited it to only Agricultural produce.
See; Lev. 27:30, 32, Num. 18:27, Num. 18:28, Deut 12:17, Deut. 14:22, Deut. 14:23, Deut. 26:12, 2 Chron. 31:5, 2 Chron. 31:6, Neh. 10:37, Neh. 13:5, Mal. 3:10 & Matt 23:23
For many years, proponents of Christian tithing taught that God’s insistence on Agricultural produce was because money did not exist. Well, that's not true.
We have many evidence,both from the bible,Jewish and secular history, that money already existed at that time. Well over 400 years before Moses, Abraham had to buy a portion of land with a cave in it for use as a burial place and paid money in exchange for it. – Genesis 23: 12-16 (NKJV). Even Joseph was sold for money by his brothers.
So money existed at least four centuries before Moses! God was aware of this, so was Moses and the rest of the Hebrews. Yet every single reference to the tithe, throughout the bible, directly or indirectly indicates its content; agricultural produce.
Money was mentioned in connection with tithing in Deuteronomy 14: 24-26 (NKJV) and it was in connection with the tithe that was to be eaten by the Israelite himself. If he had too much items to carry to Jerusalem,he was allowed to sell them and with the money,buy whatever he wanted to eat and eat it. He wasn't to give the money to the Levites either
God never required the Jews to give money as tithe.
So those who claim to be giving or collecting tithes as money are definitely practicing something else,and not Bible tithing as it was under the law, because the system of compulsory tithing in the bible was never money.
#2 – The second tithe could only be eaten IN Jerusalem.-Deut 14:23 (NKJV) .
If we are to enforce tithing in the church today,then we have to travel periodically to eat our tithe in Jerusalem. Some persons have taught that our church buildings have replaced the temple in Jerusalem and so we can give our tithes in church. That's not true.The Bible clearly states it's our body,not the church building that has replaced that temple in Jerusalem (1 cor 6:19).
#3 - Levites were not the only recipients of the tithe, Tithe( the third) was also given to widows,strangers and the poor.
28 “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. 29 “And the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do. – Deut 14:28-29 (NKJV) .
God instructed that neighbouring Levites, the poor, the needy and vulnerable of society who couldn’t afford to tithe be made recipients of the third tithe (Deuteronomy 26: 12-13).
#3. -The Levites Gave a Tithe of the Tithes
The people were instructed to give their first tithe to the Levites, who in turn gave a tenth of it – the best tenth of all the tithes they received – to the Aaronic priests. – Neh 10:35-37 (NKJV).
So the people were to hand over their first tithe to the Levites. The Levites in turn were instructed to give the best 10% of the tithes they received from the people, to the Aaronic priests. The priests were entitled to all the offerings and “holy things” the people brought directly to the temple, as well as the tithe of tithe brought to the temple by the Levites.
If we take a closer look at the popular passage on tithing in Malachi 3, we find that the tithe being referred to there was evidently the tithe of the tithe brought in by the Levites and stored in the temple storerooms so there would be food in the Temple, for the priests.
So the people were not the culprits being rebuked because they never brought their tithes directly to the temple storehouse in Jerusalem – the Levites were
Neh 10:38 And the priest, the descendant of Aaron, shall be with the Levites when the Levites receive tithes; and the Levites shall bring up a tenth of the tithes to the house of our God, to the rooms of the storehouse.
Malachi 2:1 makes it clearer
And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you.
The commandment that was been given by God went on till chapter 3 where the issue of tithing was addressed. The commandment were addressed directly to the priests and not the people.
People shouldn't be threatened with this scripture and/or coerced to give
------------
So, we've seen that Tithing was NEVER MONEY, even though it was present at that time.
Also, tithing was an instruction specifically to the jews ONLY.
There were several laws guiding tithing. Many of which people who try to practice tithing today, know nothing about.
We are not under the law so the institution of tithing wasn't for us.
We weren't even Jews in the first place.
Some persons however argue that even though Christians are not under the law,they should still tithe compulsorily because tithing started before the law with Abraham.
First,there were many things that started before the law like sacrifice of animals and yet we don't do that today. Just saying because tithing started before the law and hence we must do it, is not a valid enough reason. We don't live just by what started before the law, but we live by the instructions addressed to us the new testament church as contained in the Epistles.
Also, God never commanded Abraham to tithe. He simply showed honor to priest Melchizedek he met on the way by giving a tenth part of the spoils of war to him. Abraham didn't even tithe out of his personal valuables. He gave only a tithe of the spoils of war.
Genesis 14:16-20
Jacob on the other hand only made a vow of him giving a tithe if he returns. It's not stated in the Bible if he fulfilled it or not. That's all we have for tithing before the law. No commandment was given by God for it to be done and we can only comfortably account for it being done once.
Some persons also claim that tithe still needs to be compulsorily given today because Jesus didn't speak against it. They quote Mathew 23:23 to defend this. Let's see what that verse says:
Mathew 23;23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cu**in, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone
So we see clearly Jesus was addressing the pharisees,scribes and hypocrites. The law was still in operation at this time and so Christ spoke to them as to people who were under the law.
So Christ told them to pay their tithe and not neglect also the weightier matters of THE LAW because under the law the Jews (which you are not) were to compulsorily pay tithes. Moreover, all the items of tithe He listed out, the anise and mints and cu**in were all food products. Money was never given as tithe.
This wasn't a command by Christ for Christians to pay tithe. He wasnt even addressing us neither had he died yet. He was addressing those under the law and spoke to them as such.
We understand that Christ didn't come to destroy the law, but rather to fulfill it and until He fulfilled it,He didn't water it down or destroy it and hence, he still told them to keep the law,while showing them the real intent for it.
He went on to fulfill it and end that system. For Christ has become the end of the law...(Romans 10:1). So we don't live by the requirements of the law any longer,for Christ has ended that system.
The Epistles (Romans-Jude), which were letters written to us ( the church),regulates our practices and beliefs as new testament believers.
No where in the Epistles did any Apostle command the church to give a compulsory tithe. None at all.
Compulsory Tithing is not an Apostolic practice.
Now that's something very major.
No single instruction for any of the new testament churches or believers to compulsorily tithe.
They were only always admonished to give as they willed ( which is also very important).
Some others quote Hebrews 7 with emphasis on verses 8 to say that Christians today should still pay compulsory tithes. Again,that is not true.
The chapter of Hebrews 7 is not an instruction on tithing. It was simply an historical account of the tithe Abraham gave and to show how it signified the superiority of the priesthood of Jesus over that of Levi.
Some quote Hebrews 7:8 to say Jesus receives tithe in heaven. I find that quite ridiculous because you do not travel to heaven to give him tithe. So how does he receive it? Let's see what that verse says
Heb 7:8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
If you have a good KJV Bible, you'll notice that the words "receiveth them" is italicised. This means it wasn't in the original translations. We shouldn't build doctrines on italicised words(that weren't originally present). Thats bad practice!
So removing those words and reading again should give you an idea of what was being said there.
"And here men that die receive tithes; but there he of whom it is witnessed that he liveth".the message doesn't look so obvious from KJV
Other versions makes it clearer for us.
Heb 7:8 Mortal men collect tithes, but we are informed by Scripture that Melchizedek keeps on living (ISV).
So we see Hebrews 7:8 wasn't talking about Jesus receiving tithe in heaven. It was speaking of Melchizedek.
Going through the whole Bible,we can't find scriptures that mandates tithing for believers.
God doesn't bless the believer because he paid his tithe or not.
What tithe did we pay for God to give us his greatest blessing in the person of Jesus? Nothing.
We got it freely, for the Gifts and blessings of God are free! ..And if God gave us his best gift for free, then surely , the lesser gifts will be free also.
There's no compulsory fixed percentage to give anylonger.
In the new testament, you give as you will and purpose.
There is NO special blessing tied to a certain 10%
Under the new covenant we are to give as every man purposes in his heart and that includes you deciding the percentage or amount to give
2Co 9:7 Each of you must give what you have decided in your heart, not with regret or under compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver (ISV)
Out of a heart of gratitude and honor to God,you are to give whatever percentage or amount you purpose..
So is it wrong to give a tithe( 10% of an amount) today?
Of course not.
I can't force you on a percentage to give or not to give, else,I'll be putting you under the law again.
It is the Jewish system of compulsory tithing which some Christians today still try to enforce,that must be spoken against.
If you however choose to cheerfully give 10%( a tithe), it's very fine.
In the new testament, giving is incumbent on the believer.
You give as you purpose in your heart whether 10%( a tithe) or 15% or 100% as the case may be.
No threats of curses if we don't tithe... Christ has become a curse for us already.
There's no curse left for the believer even if he wanted to be cursed. Christ has taken everything already.
Now we give bountifully not to get blessed,but Because we are already blessed by God.
The new testament admonishes us to excel in the Grace of giving.
We give bountifully not out of fear of punishment or trying to twist God's hands to get blessings, but rather we give out of love,honor and a sense of responsibility.
God is your father
He loves you, and ALL his gifts are Free.
God bless you.
