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Tithing was initially practiced by Abraham when he gave Melchizedek a tithe of the goods he recovered from the war. (Genesis 14:17-20). The Lord gave the law of tithing to the Israelite, so that they can imbibe the habit of giving to the needy. (Numbers 18:26)

I chose to write on tithing, because of the growing numbers of new converts in the church whose faith had being affected by the exaggerated teachings of some greedy Preachers. Tithing has nothing to do with your salvation in Jesus Christ.

 

What does the Bible Say about Tithing?

God adopted the strategy of tithing as a way of establishing abundance in the temple, and as a source of help to the poor Israelite. The Bible explained the full details of how tithing should be done in the Old Testament.

 

Deuteronomy chapter 26 verse 12 to 15 says: “When you have finished laying aside all the tithe of your increase in the third year-the year of tithing-and have given it to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your gates and be filled, then you shall say before the LORD your God: ‘I have removed the holy tithe from my house, and have given them to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all Your commandments which You have commanded me; I have not transgressed Your commandments, nor have I forgotten them…”

If you had spent more than three years in a church that believes in tithing, then the Pastor must not collect your every third year tithes from you. You are to share the tithing as described in Deuteronomy 26:12-14. Any contradiction to that law by anyone is a sin.

If you worship in a church which is under the law of tithing, then don’t allow greedy Pastors or false doctrines to put you into trouble. You must follow the law to the letter by sharing your every third year tithes among your pastor and poor people in your area.

The Bible also mentioned the importance of tithing in Malachi chapter 3 verse 10a: “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house …”

God does not eat human food, but He does not want the Priests and their family to die of hunger in the temple.

 

The Promises of God to Tithe Givers

God understands that tithing must come from a joyful heart. So, He chose to reward every tithe giver as a way of encouraging them to do more.

Let’s read the promises of God to tithe givers in Malachi chapter 3 verse 10b -12: “…And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the LORD of hosts…”

Tithing in the New Testament

My careful study of the Old Testament shows that tithing had been the major source of income for the priests. The tithes from the successful farmers are also the source of help for the poor in the community. I searched the New Testament to find out if tithing is a continuous law for the Christian, but I noticed something more interesting than tithe.

Tithing in the Old Testament was a peripheral of the act of giving generous offering in the New Testament. Jesus Christ did not give any teaching on tithing, unlike other commandments recorded in the book of Mathew chapter 5, 6 and 7.

Jesus made a reference to tithe when He scolded the Pharisee for practicing tithing without a righteous lifestyle. Mathew chapter 23 verses 23 says: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”

 

Generous Offering is more valuable than tithing

Tithing is giving one-tenth of your income. But, g