Are NT Christians obliged to pay the tithe, or was it only a mandate for the people of Israel for the Levitical priesthood?
No, is the short answer to the first part of that question and there is substantial proof for that in the New Testament (NT) and none in favour for tithing. And Yes is the short answer to the second part. It was only for the Levitical priesthood.
I understand that people are committed to tradition and the coffers, so irregardless of facts and proof they will continue to stand by their erroneous beliefs (like here for instance). I do find that a tad bit strange coming from believers who appear to characteristically handle the Scriptures in a Biblical and exegetical manner, but then man-centredness and personal desires sometimes stand in the way of truth. I know that people who are in support will defend their position from the Word of God, but I do not believe they are handling the Scriptures rightly divided.
The reason for this report is to show that the present day preaching by most pastors on the issue of "tithing" is nothing more than purely polluted presumptions to hold believers in bondage and gain preeminence over every aspect of their financial resources. It dovetails with the lording of many of these pastors over the flock and church that they think they own. At the same time, not all pastors that hold to tithing are of this nature. I'm not trying to characterize everyone of the same flavour that embrace this teaching. I just think both sides are equally wrong and I want to prove the below.
Some of the erroneous teachings that will adversely affect the responsibility of Christian giving secondary to the enforcement of tithing, includes: Christians perform their giving in the 'name' of tithes, offerings and firstfruits rather than giving from a cheerful heart; fear of a curse as motivation for tithing; standard based giving of 10% minimum vs giving according to what is needed; the idea that a person's “righteousness” surpasses that of the Pharisees by out-giving those who are under the law; and Financial legalism and its effect on what should be liberal, voluntary, and Spirit-led giving.
Let’s examine now what Scripture says about this, and not what evangelical or Baptist tradition says.
1. The Tithe was for the Levitical Priesthood.
The tithe was commanded and destined in support of the Levites and Levitical priesthood who were dedicated to the service of God and had not received land distribution (Num 18:21-33; 2 Ch 31:5-19). They had no inheritance in the land or paying jobs like the other tribes (Num 18:20, 24; Heb 7), for they were obligated to serve God full time in the temple and therefore the children of Israel were commanded by God to tithe, to give a tenth, of their agricultural increase:
“And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel. And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. . . . But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the Lord , even a tenth part of the tithe. And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress. Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the Lord of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the Lord's heave offering to Aaron the priest. Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave offering of the Lord, of all the best thereof, even the hallowed part thereof out of it.” (Num 18:20-21, 24-29)
The law of the tithe was fulfilled every third year in Israel and was ordained by God for the support of the “Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat in your gates, and be filled” (De 26:12). Though, as we see, it was for more persons than just the Levite, it was nevertheless administered by the Levitical priest through the Temple.
It was an obligation incumbent on every Jew, and there were repercussions when you missed a payment. Lev 27:31 and Num 18:20-32 speak to this, he shall add “thereto the fifth part thereof.” (Lev 27:31), or in other words, double the amount. The scriptural tithe was an obligation and necessity and involved all increase, from agriculture to monetary wages as noted in Lev 27:30, 32, 34, though scripture speaks mostly of agricultural:
“And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD. . . . And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD. . . . These are the commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel in mount Sinai.”
De. 14:22,
“Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.”
When, I would like to know, have NT saints practiced this in the manner described above, as the Word of God demands? I have never seen grains, fruits, vegetables, oil, calves, pigs, sheep, etc, being brought into the storehouse of the church, nor have I personally obeyed this. I'm not trying to construct a red herring. Tithing of foods is exactly what the Bible teaches concerning the tithe Neither have I ever been convicted over the matter because there is neither command or principle to be applied to the subject in the NT. Those who push for the tithe to be administered in the local church, conveniently leave this aspect of the tithe out and other aspects such as tithing in the third year and doubling the tithe if it is missed for whatever reason. Or they argue it away with silly and confounding statements such as “Yes, you should tithe on all your increase. So take the dollar value of what you make from a garden and give at least 10% of it in money, or bring 10% of it to a church meal.” (source). Where does the Bible say this is what the tithe is? Nowhere is absolutely correct. That same individual, the author of the aforementioned article, argued this point using “Deut. 14:22, 28; 26:12; 2 Chr 31:5” “to ‘tithe’ on your ‘increase’” but that is simply not true. The “tithe” by the Jews on the “increase” noted in these passages is not just monetary increase — it’s also “the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year” (De 14:22) and out of the “abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.” (2 Ch 31:5). This is not translating physical gain into monetary worth and then giving that monetary amount, but actually tithing the physical fruits of the fields. I know of no NT believer that has obeyed this. And when have NT believers tithed in NT churches of all their “increase the third year, which is the year of tithing” (De 26:12)?
If you want to establish the tithe, then at the very least do it according to Scripture (Num 18:20-32; Lev 27:30-34; De 14:22, 28; 26:12; 2 Ch 31:5). Yet, even in so doing, you are transgressing Gods Word, because the tithe was commanded and given by the LORD to the “children of Levi” (Num 18:21) and NOT to the NT believer. Even the NT in Heb 7 tells us this fact, it was administered under the law for the levitical priesthood.
Heb. 7:1-12 declares succinctly what Lev 27 and Num 18 teach, what the tithe was for, and that it was abolished with the Levitical priesthood:
“And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: . . . And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.” (vv. 5, 9-12)
Here we note that "the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:" (v. 5). When the Lord Jesus Christ came, the "priesthood . . . changed" and thus "there is made of necessity a change also of the law." (Heb. 7:12). The Levitical priesthood does not exist today. It was abolished by the Priest after the order of Melchisedec, the Lord Jesus Christ. Since the “priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law,” which law was “the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham,” — the “commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law,” has changed. NT saints are now the “royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;” (1 Pet 2:9a) and since the Levitical priesthood does not exist anymore, the tithe does not exist anymore either.
2. The Tithe is Abolished in the NT, Replaced by Giving.
The NT teaches giving, not tithing and there is a huge difference. Nowhere in the NT are Churches commanded to pay tithes and nowhere do we see it practiced. Really. Only freewill offerings are mentioned in the NT and the general principles are outlined in 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9. Hence why those who embrace this unBiblical practice have no choice to quote the OT or privately interpret Matt 23:23 (covered next point), especially Malachi is a favourite, to make people believe that is mandated for Christians, but do not mention that it was for the people of Israel, with whom God had made this covenant, and that we are not Jews, but (mostly) Gentile believers of the New Covenant, nor are we Levite priests but rather of the “royal priesthood” (1 Pet 2:9), which is all of us, not just pastors. As I noted in the last point, Heb 7 deals with the tithe under the New Covenant and makes it clear that its done away with, so those who must establish it, have to do so on the back of OT passages, even though they are transgressing God’s Word in so doing. I find it interesting that the same people typically who do this, will treat other doctrines in the same fashion, such as divorce and remarriage, falsely dividing the word of truth and privately interpreting Scripture -- both practices congruent with the behaviour of false teachers (2 Pet 1:16-2:3; 3:16-17).
The tithe was mentioned only once by Jesus in Matt 23:23 and then Paul the apostle covers giving over three chapters, 1 Cor 16, 2 Cor 8 and 9, making not one mention of the tithe. 1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor 8 and 9 are silent about tithing and what is written buttresses giving, not tithing. Paul speaks of what NT saints are to do: give according to their ability, NO set amount, and certainly NO tithe.
1 Cor. 16:1-2 says,
“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”
If putting aside a tenth was required, it would most certainly be stated here. Likewise, 2 Cor. 9:6-7 makes it absolutely clear that NT saints do not tithe:
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
Give, is the new command, not tithe. Tithing is a command, but giving is voluntary. A born again believer is to give “as God hath prospered him” (1 Cor. 16:1-2). There is a big difference between tithing and giving, even as noted in the underlying Hebrew and Greek words. The NT believer is under the perfect law of liberty (2 Cor. 3:17; Jam. 2:12) while the tithe produces bondage to the law. Giving to God is a grace and Paul desired that believers “abound in this grace also” (2 Cor 8:7).
There is no grace in the tithing we find in Scripture. Tithing was demanded, commanded and entirely of necessity. It was law because of the land-less Levites, which is how God had established it. LAW. Law is NOT grace. Grace is NOT law. The tithe was under the Old Covenant, because it was entirely connected to the Levites and the Levitical priesthood. Giving is under the New Covenant because the OT law of the tithe has been done away with (Heb 7:5-12). And this is PRECISELY what Paul was teaching in 2 Cor 9:7 and its context of vv. 6-15:
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”
We are to give “as God hath prospered” (1 Cor 16:2) and another principle is that the poor should not be burdened by giving. Whatever we give must be from a heart of love for Christ and His servants. Nobody should put pressure on any saint to give:
“For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality” (2 Cor 8:12-14)
Tithing is certainly giving out of necessity’—thou must tithe 10%!’— and a real possible burden to the tither, while giving is done “as he purposeth in his heart,” which comes forth from “a cheerful giver” which is what “God loveth”. Incidentally, what these men are enforcing is not loved by God. It’s a form of Phariseeism.
I cannot find any NT support for the Biblical practice of tithing, which is giving out of necessity and could very easily result in giving grudgingly, something I have in fact personally encountered. Under the Mosaic Law as a member of the Temple, you didn’t have a choice in the matter. The tithe was commanded. But that is not the case anymore, as the first point clarifies clearly. Hence, why we see the tithe never mentioned again anywhere in the NT epistles. Were the tithe still relevant and applicable to us, it would most certainly be mentioned in chapters such as 1 Cor 16, 2 Cor 8 and 9 which deal with monetary giving, located in epistles penned by Paul the Apostle, who once was a Pharisee of the Pharisees who was indoctrinated heavily in the Mosaic Law. He understood the tithe as well as anyone in that day and better than anyone that enforces it today in NT churches, but zero mention of it by him.
Paul doesn’t bring tithing up even once. He does speak about sacrificial giving but that only involved a number of starving believers in Jerusalem (i.e. a specific cause), not some general collection called “tithe.” And that was sacrificial. These clear facts buttress what Heb 7 is teaching.
3. What About Matthew 23:23?
What about that one isolated private mention of tithing in Matt 23:23? This is the only passage that they can attend to in the NT, privately interpreting it in the process and completely corrupting its meaning. Nothing like cherry picking verses. Typically the same individuals who make much ado about not privately interpreting the scriptures will then do the same to support their unbiblical push for tithing. Shame on them. We cannot be biased in our opinions and hypocritical in how we deal with Scripture, but allow the Word of God alone to guide them.
Christ’s mention of the tithe in Matt 23 was to the Pharisees under the Mosaic law. The conversation took place prior to Christ’s fulfilment of the law. When Jesus said “ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, 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” (Matt 23:23), the Mosaic law was still in place. Jesus was speaking to Pharisees who were yet under the OT Levitical priesthood. Furthermore, the entire purpose of this reproof was to show their hypocritical lost estate in exposing their outwardly adherence to a law while inside dead man’s bones. The “weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith” leads to salvation in Christ Jesus. They hadn’t done that but had gone “about to establish their own righteousness,” and “not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” (Rom 10:3-4). It was meant to be reproof of their hypocrisy, NOT to establish the tithe, as the passage is frequently abused today.
Using Matt 23:23 to prove “tithing” for the NT believer is a very serious red herring. It is also manipulating scripture to fit a purpose, by proof-texting a doctrine and private interpretation. Matt 23:23 is only applicable to unsaved Pharisees, the subject of Christ’s rebuke. Upon Christ’s resurrection and ascension, He became our High Priest and the Levitical priesthood was done away (Heb 7:9-19). The law has changed, but people continue enforcing the law on the back of Matt 23:23, as if they know better than God Himself.
4. What About the Fact that Abraham was Tithing Before the Law?
This is probably one of the most common arguments but its eisegesis and fanciful dreams. Its also a straw man argument. It is claimed that God instituted the "tithe" long (400 years) before God brought the children of Israel under the covenant of the Law of Moses. Therefore, since the "tithe" preceded the Law of Moses it is still relevant (instituted) in the New Covenant. Concerning this claim of strict obedience to a law, or ordinance that precedes the Law of Moses, consider the Seventh Day Sabbath. The Sabbath was instituted during creation week. (Gen 2:2-3). If it can be claimed that the "tithe" is binding in the NT because it is a pre-law ordinance, should it not also hold true to the Seventh Day Sabbath? Why don't the percentage preachers attempt to put believers back into bondage, "all the way”? We all know that Abraham gave to Melchizedek, the priest of the most high God, "tithes of all" (Gen.14:20). Many proponents of NT tithing are using this verse to "prove" tithing is valid (as some "eternal principle") for the church today, because Abraham, the father of our faith, established the principle. Abraham gave 10% to the priest, which was Jesus Christ incarnate (Heb 7). Abraham gave from the spoils of war he repossessed from the enemy kings. Abraham gave the remaining 90% to those to whom the goods belonged in the first place. Abraham gave only once in his lifetime (as far as the Bible recorded). Abraham had not touched his own property or income (he was exceedingly wealthy). Using Abraham as an argument is misusing and abusing the Scriptures.
Though Abraham practiced the tithe ONCE before the law (Gen 14:20) and though he was exceedingly right of which we never read that he tithed from, it was not established nor continually practiced but it did point to the law coming later since Abraham is the father of the Jews from whence the law came and was established for, and then later it was established by the law but then done away with when the law was abolished by Christ, something clarified by Heb. 7:5, 12:
“And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: . . . For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.”
For those who make the argument that the tithe came before the law, when Abraham tithed to Melchisedec, what about circumcision of the flesh? That also started with Abraham but was regulated under the law. Why don't you circumcise everyone in your congregation Mr. Pastor, thereby staying true to the OT law and Abraham's practice?
For those who demand the tithe, you need to know you are doing so unscripturally and hypocritically.
5. How About Malachi 3:8-10?
Here we have the tithing teachers' favourite verse in the Bible. On this verse they hang most of their doctrine and practice.
Mal 3:8-10 says,
“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
Apparently according to many pastors and others today, a Christian who does not tithe 10% of everything he earns is robbing God. As mentioned, the tithe was according to the Law of Moses in giving a tenth of your products in animals or food once a year, which were taken to the storehouse. The tithe, that belonged under the Old Covenant, was abolished by the New Covenant. Furthermore, the tithe was given once a year, not every month, fortnight or week (De 14: 22-29). And “into the storehouse” is NOT into the church or even the Temple. It is exactly what it’s saying: a storehouse. A place where you store things. Food is stored in a storehouse. “Meat,” which is food, is stored in a storehouse.
This text dovetails with what Nehemiah is teaching: "And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house." (Neh 10:38). The Hebrew word for “treasure house” (“outsair”) is the same word translated “storehouse” in Mal 3:9.
Why was it stored in a storehouse? For the very reason the Hebrews were to tithe: to give the necessities of life to the Levi Priests, who were not allowed to own land or work jobs. NONE of this applies to the NT saint or church.
The whole thrust of Malachi could be summarized in Mal 4:4, “Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.” Those who will desire to be under the law of the tithe commanded in the book of the law, have a problem.
Gal 3:10 declares,
“Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.”
Mal 3 is thus wrested from its meaning when applied to Christians. Its referring to the Levitical priesthood serving God in the temple and it refers to the tithing and offering of food items, which is crystal clear, something conveniently left out by modern day tithe enforcers, even though that is what the tithe actually consisted entirely of in the OT.
6. Other Passages Used to "Prove" Tithing.
1 Tim 5:18. The say that tithing is required because Paul quotes Jesus in that the labourer is worthy of his hire – in the context of providing for a faithful pastor’s financial needs. What does that have to do with tithing? Indeed a labour is worthy of his hire and a faithful pastor should be financially provided for, but that has nothing to do with tithing. This is a straw man and stretch, because tithing has zero support in the NT, and most of the people who push this nullified law are doing so against their conscience.
7. Conclusion.
Interestingly, the Friends (Quakers) sect of the Protestants were severely persecuted for holding to the belief that tithing was a command to the Jews only. Foxes Book of Martyrs reports:
"About the middle of the seventeenth century, much persecution and suffering were inflicted on a sect of Protestant dissenters, commonly called Quakers: a people which arose at that time in England some of whom sealed their testimony with their blood. For an account of the above people, see Sewell's, or Gough's history of them. The principal points upon which their conscientious nonconformity rendered them obnoxious to the penalties of the law, . . . 2. Their refusal to pay tithes, which they esteemed a Jewish ceremony, abrogated by the coming of Christ." (Source).
If NT pastors want to follow the OT law, they should also follow the further commands associated with the tithe and other traditions that the levitical priesthood had to do, such as giving tithes to Levites, strangers, orphans and widows, and not eat pork, fish without scales or fins, eagles, insects, etc (Lev. 11:3-23), and not use certain types of textile fibres, and continue the tradition of the Sabbath (Saturday) instead of the Lord’s day (Sunday).
Because we are specifically told that the law of tithing with the Levitical priesthood is abolished (Heb 7), then we know that we don’t need to follow this command from the OT. Furthermore, there is no passage in the NT that commands tithing. Not even giving for that matter. Giving is to be done willingly, voluntarily, and not grudgingly or out of necessity. Nobody should put pressure on any saint to give. Giving should be according to need. The tithe produces bondage to the law, so those who demand tithing are promoting bondage. Many times the terms tithing and giving are used interchangeably by those who push for the tithe, but that is sinful, dishonest and manipulative; they are two VERY different things and concepts. They are also placing NT believers under bondage.
Whether tithing is acceptable since giving is good is not the question and should never be the question, for its a straw man argument. If tithing is a command under the law and for a specific people only and not for the NT Christian, and we know that it’s clearly been done away with, then it’s wrong to teach and demand the tithe. Thats what we should look at. And that is exactly what we find. It is not for the NT Christian because tithing was under the Mosaic Law for the Levitical priesthood. 1 Cor 16:1-2, 2 Cor 8 and 9 speak specifically against tithing.
The concept that the local church is God’s storehouse and that Christians must give 10% of their gross wages is totally without Biblical authority. Tithing is totally without biblical Authority. Those that demand this of their congregants, are transgressing Gods Word, because the tithe was commanded and given by the LORD to the “children of Levi” (Num 18:21). NT saints are not the “children of Levi.”
Pastors and others are deliberately twisting scripture and ignoring scripture to force the tithe. Unsurprising, many of these churches that enforce tithing, also teach Faith Promise Missions Giving, which is promising to give money not "according to that a man hath," but rather "according to that he hath not," which is the EXACT opposite of what 2 Cor 8:12 is teaching. Therefore it is NOT "accepted." These men do the exact opposite of what Paul the apostle did, "For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:" but that the pastors and missionaries "be eased" and the promise giver "burdened." I don't think its a coincidence that this reproof of what is being practiced today as Faith Promise Missions Giving is found in the exact context of instructions concerning giving, which opposes tithing: "For if there be first a willing mind," (2 Cor 8:12a). Tithing is NOT giving with a willing mind but giving "grudgingly, or of necessity" (2 Cor 9:7).
Faith Promise Mission Giving is closely related to tithing. We answer the question at the following link as to whether “Faith Promise Mission Giving” is Bible-Based?
Misusing and abusing Scripture is not amusing to the Lord.
God has commanded His saints to rightly divide the word of truth, and upon doing so, it becomes very evident that the tithe has been done away. Embrace the truth. Reject man-made traditions that have been done away.
My argument is NOT to justify not giving, but rather, like all other doctrines and practices, to prove what Gods Word says about this subject. There are many teaching today that tithing is commanded, some even going as far as saying that if you neglect the tithe for "non-emergency" reasons (i.e. sinful choices, negligence, a lack of planning, laziness or even paying bills), then you must give double, using Lev 27:30-31 as their support. This is end result of false dividing of God’s Word and wresting of the Scriptures. That might sound far fetched but we attended a church for many years that taught this.
There is a lot of spiritual gymnastics that occurs by the tithe pushers to “prove” tithing is a NT doctrine that must be followed. I’ve always wondered why, out of all the 600+ OT laws, why the one involving money is the one most targeted by pastors to hammer home on their flock? These same leaders will say those who don’t tithe are greedy, disobedient and other pejorative terms used on the beat down and guilt run. It could be said that people talk the most of what is closest to their hearts (which the Bible says: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” - Pr 23:7a), and it's seems that a lot of the time it is money. “Money” is the “big stick” used to drive the flock or being used as the ultimate measuring stick to measure one’s “spirituality.” In a church we recently attended the pastor refused to deal with the open sins and error and evil behaviour of a man in the church because he was a big tither. If the laity or attenders have to be beaten with the “big stick” of tithing to pay the bills, the salary, mortgage payments on the new SUPER building (or not) thats due, then very possibly this work wasn’t the will of God to begin with. In fact, the Bible does indicate that many of these modern “churches” that practice tithing are not in the will of God at all, but are harlot and Laodicean-type churches filled with unregenerate heretics, from the pulpit to the pew.
I understand that some might argue against tithing because they don’t want to be obligated to give. That’s not my argument however and nor should it be required so as to enforce giving, as so often happens today. I believe a desire to obey 2 Cor 9:6-7 out of of love for the Lord and for the brethren, will result in giving as a person can, and sometimes that may even be more than a tenth. That’s a cheerful giver and not tithing because he has to out of necessity, which is the purpose behind the tithe.
Many saints have proved that the Lord is faithful and have rejoiced to be able to give to God’s work, God’s servants, and to those around us in need. “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Ac 20:35).
It ought to be one of the greatest joys in the Christian life to be able to share our material wealth with those in need especially with those who have gone out to the mission field or into some other ministry. We need wisdom to exercise this gift and not to waste our limited resources on people or churches that fail to present the whole counsel of God, that fail to earnestly contend and fight for the faith (Eph 4; Ti 1; 1 and 2 Tim; Jude; etc) and that faith to preach the one true Gospel of Jesus Christ that includes true Biblical repentance and Christ’s Lordship to lost sinners including those with a profession but not the evidence in accordance to 1 John and many other passages.
Giving is a paradox. The more you give, the more you have:
"There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself." (Pr. 11:24-25).
"There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches." (Pr. 13:7).
"And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating." (Ex. 16:18).
This passage is quoted in the NT:
"As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack." (2 Cor. 8:15)
Many saints have proved God’s faithfulness in the supply of their material needs and of the blessing of giving to God, without enforcing the unBiblical demand of tithing. God is no man’s debtor!
The tithe has a very specific and focused meaning in the Bible. It was for the Levites. It was meant to support the Levitical priesthood since they did not have an income and the Levites because they had no land. It was not just money (in fact money is rarely mentioned) but all increase agriculturally. Have you done that, out of your garden or fields or fence? It was a command for the Jew and established by the Levitical priesthood. It doesn’t exist anymore, but yet we continue hearing about its existence in church practices today. If you care about the right thing, then reject the continuation of the law of the Levitical priesthood, or institute the tithe according to the actual law of tithing, which requires instituting the Levitical priesthood and building a storehouse and tithing with agricultural means and giving of the tithe to the poor and widows in your congregation. Also, don’t be a typical Independent Baptist or Evangelical by refusing to hear correction over this issue.
Pr 15:31-32 warns,
"The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding."
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