18/12/2019
CHRISTIAN TITHING
There has been some confusion in recent times concerning this biblical issue—the tithing aspect of the kingdomnomics. Some ministers and students alike have been asking me to clarify what some teachers now teach the body of Christ that there is no tithing mandate in the New Testament. Let us lay this matter to rest once and for all.
The main thesis of these teachers is that tithing is an Old Testament practice—not, commanded, demanded or practice in the New Testament apostolic time. As a result, it is not necessary or compulsory for the New Testament believers. Reading the Bible correctly, we find that this assertion is not true. Tithing was a common custom in the ancient world, one probably well-known before Israel's history began. It was practiced by the patriarchs. The tithe is mentioned and paid in the New Testament as you shall see in this article.
Let the following be noted:
1. Tithing is one of the imperatives of the Scriptures. The Greek word translated as tithing is a compound word apodekatoute. Apo means “away from”, “out of”, “take out” or “to remove”; Deka is “ten” (remember Decalogue, ten commandments); and toute meaning “you.” Literally, it means, “You take the tenth part of, and give it away.” The term is, therefore, an imperative, a command, not an admonition.
It was with this understanding that Abraham whom we all refer to as “father in faith” paid tithe. His descendants continue the practice. When Jacob made his covenant with God at Bethel it included payment of tithes (Gen. 28:16-22).
2. That tithing was written and practice in the Old Testament, not promulgated in the New Testament, there is the need to understand biblical continuity and discontinuity concerning doctrines. First, by discontinuity, we mean that some issues started in the Old Testament and ended there as well. For instance, the ceremonial laws, dietary laws (Acts 10:10-15), some practices and sacrificial systems have all ended with the Old Testament. They are no longer practiced in the New Testament era. The Jews are no longer observing them; the Temple is no longer existing; Jesus made the last sacrifice acceptable to God. However, some things continue until now. E. g. the decalogue in Exodus 20 is valid and relevant to all because it is universal in nature and contents. Loving the Lord with everything in us is still valid (Deut. 6:4-5; Matt. 22:37-40).
Tithing is part of the scriptural continuity because:
A. Tithing is never stopped, abolished or condemned anywhere in the Bible. The two times Jesus talked about tithe was when He rebuked the Pharisees who were claiming perfection in tithing but neglecting “the weightier matters” such as justice, mercy, and faith.” The Pharisees tithed not only the products of the field but also what was produced in the spice garden (Matt. 23:23). They were certainly not rebuked for tithing. The Pharisee in Jesus’ parable of Luke 18:9-12 claimed to pay tithe. He was not rebuked for tithing but for self-righteousness. This clearly shows that even during Jesus’ time people were paying tithe. The Apostles did not stop or condemn tithing at any time. Although not mentioned in the early church, if people like Barnabas could sell their land and gave the money to the church, and they lived as recorded in Acts 2:41-47, 4:32-37, certainly tithing was not a problem to them.
B. As of the close of the Old Testament canon, in the Book of Malachi, God rebuked the people for not paying their tithes. He rebuked them, calling them thieves, placing a curse on disobedience to tithing. He then promised blessings if only they continue paying their tithes (Mal. 3:8-10).
C. The church all over the world has been paying tithes for more than two thousand years now. No one has convinced her that tithing has no place in the New Order. One wonders where this condemnation of tithing suddenly comes from. The majority of churches in Nigeria, orthodox and evangelical alike, believe and collect tithe and have used it to advance the kingdom of God. We have not been hearing the contrary. It is strange seeing some teachers condemning what the church has been doing over the centuries with approval and success.
D. Tithing is the surest means of financing God’s work then and now. It is the only specified amount mandated by God for every believer to contribute to His work. An offering is not specified; it is left to the discretion of every individual especially according to one’s financial power
E. Every Christian who appreciates what Christ has done and the enormous responsibility He left for the church should count it a privilege to contribute his little token of tithe which the Lord requires for the advancement of His kingdom on earth. Certainly, the condemnation of tithing is one of the signs of the end-time—to discourage the gospel. It is also a way of robbing the believers of their promised blessing ((Mal. 3:10-12 read it).
Let us not be confused. Tithing has sustained the kingdom's work from the beginning until now. Endless arguments about tithing are always from spiritual babes and selfish Christians who find it extremely difficult to contribute to the Master’s wealth, just like the unprofitable servant of Matthew 25:24-30. Our fathers in faith paid tithes faithfully to the end without being weary. We too shall surely reap the harvest if we do not grow weary.
(Rev. Dr. J. A. Kaseem has a chapter on The Stewardship of Tithe in his book entitled Christian Stewardship.)
