Keystone Christian Reading Room

Tithing

After all the discussion threads I have read in forums and on doctrinal web sites it is apparent to me in many cases several scriptures have been conveniently ignored with regard to tithing or giving of a tenth part. So I am going to go over some scripture that have spoken to me about tithing, this may be a new view on this topic for many of you.

Before I get started, ask yourself, are you a Christian? You are? Great, now do you consider the Bible to be the inerrant inspired Word of God? You do? So do I. If you are among those who answer no to any of these, then you should not waste your time reading this, you will find a reason why scripture will not apply to you.

I have so much material I am not sure where to start so I flipped a coin, Jesus said in Matthew 6:1-4:

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee.

Starting with those last two words, “recompense thee”. Jesus plainly states that the giver will be recompensed. Tithing is an act of Faith you will get it back if it is done as the verses describe. Otherwise there is no reward or recompense for your tithe. Do you believe in Christ and the Truth of the Good News? Then why not give double, you are going to get it back anyway, usually with interest. It may not come back to you as money, it may return to you as property or an unexpected gift. In any case, by understanding these verses and following them you will be rewarded for your faith. An issue I have with most Christian Churches is the passing of the collection plate, how can I tithe in secret when they pass the plate? So I will mail it in or give it to the person who handles the tithing for the Church. I DO NOT put money in a plate during service and the result has been rewarding.

As for the amount, some of the billionaires in our world could donate hundreds of millions of dollars a year and still not reach the ten percent mark. And Christ also had something to say about that. In Luke 21;1-4:

And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

The amount you should tithe is ten percent, that’s basically what the word means, one part in ten. From experience and witnessing, when you give more than that you are rewarded for your devotion and faith.

Tithing should be done not because you have to do it, but because you want to do it. God does not need the money. Let me repeat that, read slowly, God does not need the money. So why does He like to see tithing? Our Father wants to see action by His children which expresses our devotion and love for Him. One of the actions we can perform is tithing. How? By giving to Him without hesitation, our most precious things, the best animals, the best of the fields, our time and money. Can you have too much money, according to what Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21, it is possible.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for your selves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also.

On top of that if you do pile up a bunch of money there will be those who try to steal it, are you casting a “stumbling block” before your brother? Causing him to covet and desire to steal from you?

Tithing or giving of the first fruits began with the sons of Adam and Eve. The first act of giving was an act of love for the Father and resulted in murder.

Genesis 4:3-5 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto Jehovah. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And Jehovah had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

We all know what happens next, Cain kills Abel. The first recorded murder is done over a tithe which was not “respected”. Why? The speculation generally offered is that Cain’s offering was of an inferior quality, not the very best of the harvest and Abel’s offering was the very best of the flock. If Cain had offered the first and finest of the fruits and grains, world history could have been substantially different. Another important point here, did you notice? Tithing was performed before the Law was ever given, a very long time before, before the flood, long before the nation of Israel existed, in other words the act of Tithing did not begin with the Law of Moses. It began as part of Praise and Worship of our Father.

Here are some more commonly referenced verses regarding tithing:

Lev. 27:30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is Jehovah`s: it is holy unto Jehovah.

Deu 12:11 Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD:

De 12:22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.

De 26:11-14 And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the LORD thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house,thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you. When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled; Then thou shalt say before the LORD thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them: I have not eaten thereof in my mourning, neither have I taken away ought thereof for any unclean use, nor given ought thereof for the dead: but I have hearkened to the voice of the LORD my God, and have done according to all that thou hast commanded me.

It is pretty plain that tithing was a regular event in the life of the Old Testament people. It is deemed necessary to receive God’s blessing. In De 26:11-14 notice that the tithe is not just to the “Church” it is also to the “Levite, the stranger, the fatherless and to the widow”. The tithe was used to express God’s love for all. What better way for God to provide for the Levite, the stranger, orphans and widows than to have His children give them food. Is not that a function of many Churches today? The food pantry, clothing ministries even financial assistance offered by most Christian churches? A special note here, the word “Levite” refers to the priests. So what you give to your church is not just used to pay the Pastor (Levite), make the mortgage on the building (don’t get me started on debt) and pay the other expenses of having a gathering place for the people. It is also used to finance these outreach programs and often these programs are used to evangelize the unchurched among us. Just a side note here, if your Church does not have an open door policy which allows access to the books so you may see how the money is spent you may want to consider finding a church that does.

Now one last set of verses, Malachi 3:7-12

Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? 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. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.

Did you notice that to receive God’s blessing the Tithe is required. As evidenced in the repeated turning away from God and then returning to God documented throughout the historical books of the Old Testament. When the Israelites honored God with their Praise, Worship and Tithing then the Israelite nation was blessed and protected from all enemies. But as soon as they turned away from God then God removed His blessing and the enemies of Israel would be victorious. In Malachi the act of withholding tithes is described as robbing God of what is rightfully His. What I want to know is where in the New Testament it specifically says the act of tithing is done away with? Not the Law, but the tithe, since tithing existed long before the Law it is a seperate issue.

Summing it up, first, Tithing existed long before the Law of Moses was established. Therefore, even though it may have been incorporated as part of the Law of Moses it is a separate issue. In fact it is part of the Praise and Worship we offer to our God, read the scriptures and you will understand Praise, Worship and Giving to God is the primary purpose of Man. Second, your Tithe is one of your actions, demonstrating your faith and trust in God. He will recompense you, if you have faith and tithe in a way pleasing to God. Third, your Tithe is between you and God, there is no need for anyone else to know whether you tithe or not and in fact it is better if only God knows.

So are you going to put some coin in the plate the next time it comes by? I hope not, remember to do it in secret, mail it in, drop it on the floor, lay it on the altar at 1am Sunday morning, find a way to slip it in when nobody is looking. You will be blessed beyond measure.

References:

Genesis 14
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was priest of God Most High.
19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth:
20 and blessed be God Most High, who hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him a tenth of all.

Lev. 27
30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is Jehovah`s: it is holy unto Jehovah.
31 And if a man will redeem aught of his tithe, he shall add unto it the fifth part thereof.
32 And all the tithe of the herd or the flock, whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto Jehovah.

Deu 12:
11 Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD:

De 12:
22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.

Deu 26
11 And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the LORD thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you.
12 When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled;
13 Then thou shalt say before the LORD thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them:
14 I have not eaten thereof in my mourning, neither have I taken away ought thereof for any unclean use, nor given ought thereof for the dead: but I have hearkened to the voice of the LORD my God, and have done according to all that thou hast commanded me.

Malachi 3:
7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10 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.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.

Matt 5
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Matt 6
1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matt 7
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Luke 21
1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.