Thoughts On Tithing

 THOUGHTS ON TITHING

• Tithe means a tenth (10%) and God places no restrictions on what one decides to give. One may give 10%, 20%, 30% or even 5%. It is the individual's prerogative.
• Tithing is in the Bible just as polygamy or sacrificing of animals is in the Bible. However today we do not practice polygamy, neither do we sacrifice animals because those practices have been done away with and are not acceptable in the New Testament, that is under the New Covenant.
• Remember Jesus is the fulfilment of the Law and the New Testament is about Jesus and the Church (which did not exist in the OT)
• In the OT, there were 3 types of tithe:
• The Levitical tithe - collected to support the Levites and priests
• The Festive tithe - given 'to be saved back and eaten by the giver of the tithe along with his household and the Levites' (letthebiblespeak.tv/is-tithing-for-today-the-text/)
• Three-year tithe - given every three years to support the poor
• The tithes paid by the children of Israel amounted to 23.3% of their agricultural produce and animals.
• Abraham gave a one-off tithe to Melchizedek voluntarily (Genesis 14:17-20). Melchizedek did not demand tithe of Abraham. Jacob promised to give a one-off tithe to God (Genesis 28:20-22). As with Abraham, Jacob offered the tithe voluntarily. There are no other instances of Abraham and Jacob giving tithe in the Bible.
• Jesus mentioned tithe once in the Bible (Matthew 23:23, Luke 11:42). Apostles Paul, Peter, and John never mentioned tithing or commanded the NT Christians to tithe. It should be noted that Apostle Paul had been a Pharisee and Apostles Peter and John are Jews who were very familiar with the OT requirements for tithing.
• The Moral Law (Ten Commandments) is the only part of the Mosaic law that is reiterated in the NT (Matthew, chapters 5 to 7, Romans 12 and several other portions of the NT). Every commandment is repeated in some form in the NT and in some cases, a higher standard set as in the case of adultery. Just looking at a man or woman lustfully is adultery (Matthew 5:28).
• In the NT, Paul admonishes Christians to give generously:

"The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."(2 Corinthians 9:6-9, ESV). 
• Jesus stated a very important principle about giving as follows: "Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over [with no space left for more]. For with the standard of measurement you use [when you do good to others], it will be measured to you in return." (Luke 6:38, AMP)
• Generous giving is therefore commanded in the NT and that is what Jesus commanded. .

In conclusion, tithing in the 21st century is about giving 10% (because tithe means 10%) but it is not imposed on anyone. Tithing in accordance with the OT Mosaic law (Malachi 3:10-12) is not applicable in the NT.  As stated earlier, 10% is not a NT standard; generous giving from the heart is what is commanded.  It is important that we realise that God owns everything and therefore we should surrender everything to Him. Jesus said: "So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:33, AMP). 

Let the Holy Spirit minister to you on these things. It must be stated the fact that OT tithing is no longer operational according to the Bible does not exonerate us from giving. If the children of Israel could give tithes and offerings under the Mosaic law and at a time when they had to observe numerous rules and rites, what prevents us who are born again, delivered from sin, washed in the blood of Jesus, new creations, a chosen generation, a peculiar people and ambassadors for Christ giving much more? We should be giving more than 10%.

Giving is a condition of the heart and God owns everything.

Conclusion:

Giving is commanded by God but what to give is the prerogative of the believer. One's rewards are commensurate with his or her giving. Furthermore, the tithe in modern times is a tenth or 10% and although it is a good place to start with regards to giving is not mentioned or enforced in the NT. The apostles, disciples and deacons did not mention tithe. Tithing as practised under the Mosaic Law has been done away with. Jesus mentioned tithe is the context of the Mosaic Law while He was debating with Pharisees and Sadducees who were hypocrites and who disregarded their responsibilities under the Law. Let your giving be done generously, cheerfully, respectfully and in a mode of worship.