Tithe
The word tithe means one tenth. Some people look at tithing as being under the
law. However, tithing was before the law was given. Cain and Abel used the
principle of bring offerings to God (Genesis 4:3-7). Abel brought of the first fruits
of his flock, Cain’s offering had no blood and was not the first fruits. The Bible
tells us “almost all things are by the law purged with blood, and without shedding
of blood is not remission” (Hebrews 9:22). Abraham after his defeat of the kings
that came up against Sodom and Gomorah, and freed Lot and the other captives,
gave tithes of all. Abraham paid a tithe of the spoils of war to Melchizedek
(Genesis 14:20). Jacob, after fleeing from Esau “dreamed of a ladder set up on
the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven, and behold the angels of God
ascending and descending on it” made a vow to God “if God will be with me, and
will help me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put
on, so that I come again to my fathers house in peace; then shall the Lord
Yahweh be my God. And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s
house, and of all that you shall give me, I will surely give the tenth to You.”
(Genesis 28:13-22).
Tithing was during the law “you must set aside a tithe of your crops one tenth of all
the crops you harvest each year. Bring this tithe to the place the Lord Yahweh
your God chooses for His name to be honored, and eat it there in His presence.
This applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn males of
your flocks and herds. The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to fear
(reverence) the Lord Yahweh your God (Deuteronomy 14:22-29). The prophet
Malachi who boldly declared not paying tithes was “robbing God,” promised full
barns and vats, opened windows of heaven, outpoured blessing, and deliverance
from locusts, in return for faithful tithing. This is the only place where God tells us
to test Him (Malachi 3:8-10). Providing for the temple and the priests in the
service of God remained the chief purpose of tithing, along with a wide form of
charity.
Jesus said, “when you tithe” indicating it was something to be done (Matthew 6:1-
4). The Bible makes the purpose of tithing very clear to put God first in our life.
We are to give God the first and best of what we earn. The Bible says “if the first
fruit be holy, the lump is also holy” Proverbs 3:9-10 says “Honor the Lord Yahweh
with your substance, and with the first fruits of all your increase. So shall your
barns be filled with plenty, and your vats shall burst out with new wine”. For
example, what we do first with our money shows what we value most. Giving the
first part of our paycheck to God immediately focuses our attention on Him. It also
reminds us that all we have belongs to Him. A habit of regular tithing can keep
God at the top of our priority list and give us a proper perspective on everything
else we have. In Mark 12:41-44 Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, “I
assure you, this poor widow has given more than all the others have given. For
they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything
she has”. In the Lord’s eyes, this poor widow gave more than all the others put
together, though her gift was by far the smallest. The value of a gift is not
determined by its amount, but by the spirit in which it is given. A gift given
grudgingly or for recognition loses its value. When you give, remember our tithe is
pleasing to God when it is given out of gratitude and a spirit of generosity.
Tithing was after the law, it is a principle of God (Luke 6:38) “give and it shall be
given to you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running
over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you
measure anything it shall be measured to you again”. Paul speaking about the
offering for the saints tells the church of Corinth “ but this I say, he which sows
sparingly shall reap also sparingly, and he which sows bountifully shall reap also
bountifully. Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give, not
grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to
make all grace abound toward you, that you always having all sufficiency in all
things, ma abound to every good work” (II Corinthians 9:6-8). Many people quote
“my God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”
however, Paul was talking to those who given to him “now you Philippians know
also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no
church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving but you only.
For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my necessity. Not because I
desire a gift, but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all and
abound I am full, having received of Epaphroditus, the things, which were sent
from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God”
(Philippians 4:15-19). In Hebrews says “and here men that die receive tithes, but
there He receives them, of whom it is witnessed that He lives. And as I may so
say, Levi also, who receives tithes, payed tithes in Abraham” (Hebrews 7:1-3,8-9).
Tithing should not be considered an obligation. Tithing is an opportunity to
partner with God. Just like we don’t live by the law as an outward show, but by our
new heart given to us from God. We don’t pay tithes by the law, but because we
are in union with God to get the word out around the world (Matthew 6:19-21) “lay
not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust does corrupt,
and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where neither moth nor rust does corrupt, and where thieves do not
break through and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be
also”. The devil fights against the tithe, because he knows that when people tithe,
the gospel is able to go out around the world, and many are saved. It takes
money to get the gospel out. In Galatians 6:6 Paul declares “let him that is taught
in the word communicate to him that teaches in all good things”. According to
Numbers 18:21-32 every tithe of Israel was given to the Levites in return for their
priestly service, as well as for charity given to the foreigners, orphans, and widows.
Study by: Harriet Bond