Tithing

[Willie White]

Malachi 3:10

This week’s topical discussion is in response to last week’s topical discussion where the question was raised, what should Christian leaders, pastors, and parents be teaching our young regarding the issues of tithing, abortion and homosexuality. Therefore, in and effort to address Biblical teachings on the requested topics, we will begin this series of discussions with tithing and approach the subject by defining tithing, the history of tithing and the benefits of tithing. The definition of tithing is “one tenth of money or possession (2 Chronicles 31:5-6).” “To tithe is to give a tenth of one’s money to God” (The Student Bible Dictionary P.227).

Research and study has concluded that tithing is obeying and worshiping God (Deuteronomy 14:22-29; Malachi 3:10) and anyone who fails to do so is robbing God (Malachi 3:8). According to the King James Bible, “the Hebrew word for “tithe” (ma’ser) literally means “a tenth part.” It can be concluded then that tithing is giving God a tenth of our earnings or possessions. Why? Because all that we acquire or own belongs to God. The question now becomes when did tithing begin? Genesis 14:18-20 is our earliest recorded history of tithing which began with Abraham where he gave a tenth of his spoils from the war of Chedorlaomer. This was Abraham’s display of his gratitude for Melchizedek’s help and grace. The concept of tithing predates the law of giving by more than 500 years.

It was God’s laws that required the Israelites to give a tenth of their cattle (livestock), what their land produced as well as a tenth of their earnings in acknowledgment of God’s blessings. Their tithes were to be used for worship and support for the priest. Another point of view on tithing is our ability to manage God’s resources given that everything belongs to Him, even man; God created man and man owes everything to God. The air man breathes belongs to God and He commands man to return to Him what was His first before entrusting it to man’s stewardship.

Now that we have discussed tithing by definition and the history of tithing, let’s discuss the blessings received from tithing. Malachi 3:10 states “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.” Giving God His tenth is in obedience and faithfully trusting God’s Word that He will give an abundance of blessings both in this life and the hereafter. Another school of thought is there are more windows in any house than doors; God’s house (heaven) has an abundance of windows. Reflect on the analogy, and then count the windows and doors of your home, and then you will see the many blessings God has waiting to give as result of tithing and being obedient to His Word and laws.

The question now becomes, why is money generally associated with tithing? Money is associated with tithing because it is common in society as in the OT and NT and it contains important principles of our stewardship. The next question is what must believers know and teach regarding our stewardship? Believers must teach and know the following regarding tithing and our stewardship:
1. Everything we have belongs to God and we own nothing but what God has entrusted us with. Therefore we have no rightful ownership of what we claim to possess. It is through His grace, love and mercy that He continues to shed His blessings upon man.
2. Believers must decide within our hearts whether to serve God or money (Matthew 6:19-24; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5). The Bible clearly states that any form of greed is idolatry (Colossians 3:5). It also teaches that “the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). Idolatry is looked upon as anything that is placed before God.
3. We are to know and teach that our giving should be in proportion to our income. Giving less is being disobedience to God’s law and in effect robbing God (Malachi 3:10).
4. We are to give generously and voluntarily. This message is taught both in the OT and NT. What is meant by giving generously and voluntarily? Consider what God done for humanity in giving His Son who willingly gave His life for man’s sins.
5. We are to give cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7); our model for giving cheerfully is recorded in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 for all believers. Let’s briefly look at the model for Christian giving that all believers and churches should follow. They are: (a) We belong to God and what we have is held in trust for the Lord (v.5). (b) Make a basic decision to serve God and not money (v.5; Matthew 6:24). (c) Our giving is to help the needy (v. 14; 9:12; Proverbs 19:17; Galatians 2:10). (d) We give to advance God’s kingdom (1 Corinthians 9:14; Philippians 4:15-18). (e) We give to store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20; Luke 6:32-35). (f) We give in reverential fear of the Lord (Deuteronomy 14:22-23). (g) As stated earlier, we give in proportion of our income (vv.3. 12; 12 Corinthians 16:2). (h) We give to show proof of our love (v 24) as this is to be done sacrificially (v 3) and voluntarily (9:7). (i) We do not give just money, but our service to reap increased blessings and faith (v 5; 9:6, 10-12). (j) We give to increase our good works (9:8; Ephesians 4: 28). (k) Finally, we give to increase our commitment to God, which activates God’s work in our financial affairs (Luke 6:38).
6. Finally, God has promise to reward man according to how we give to Him (Deuteronomy 15:4; Malachi 3:10-12; Matthew 19:21; 1 Timothy 6:18-19).
In concluding this topical discussion on tithing, it is our prayer that insight has been gained. Next week’s discussion will be on abortion.

Note: There is an article on Biblical Training for Believer go to my website under articles that bring into focus last week’s discussion.

Author’s contact:
Emails: [e-mail], white32852sbcglobal.net.
Blog: http://willie-writing.blogspot.com.
Website: www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com

[Anna]

Part of your original question was:

This week’s topical discussion is in response to last week’s topical discussion where the question was raised, what should Christian leaders, pastors, and parents be teaching our young regarding the issues of tithing, abortion and homosexuality.

Why are you not as equally concerned about keeping the Sabbath of the 10 commandments, which God clearly says we are to "remember", as you are these other sins/issues?

[Anna]

Sis Willie:

Here are the texts you inquired about. Please reread them for yourself. These texts give in essence all the items on which God required a tithe and to whom the tithes can be given.

Note, the Levite recieved a tithe because he had NO OTHER INHERITANCE. Do pastors, evangelists, prophets today fit this description of being Levites with no other inheritance??? Since there are still widows and fatherless, shouldn't they be recipeints of the tithes you collect?

Here are the texts in question:

#1) Leviticus 27:30-32 (King James Version)

30 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.

31 And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof.

32 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.


#2) Numb. 18: 20 - 24: 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.

21 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.

22 Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die.

23 But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance.

24 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.

#3) Deut. 14:22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.

14:23 And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.

14:24 And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:

14:25 Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose:

14:26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,

14:27 And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.

14:28 At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates:

14:29 And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.


#4) Leviticus 27:30-32 (King James Version)

30 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.

31And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof.

32 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.
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As I mentioned before, the tithe as given to Moses for the Children of Israel, is an agricultural tax, on the fruit of trees, on the crops of the land and on domestic livestock. Only the Levite by bloodline. the fatherless, stranger widow could recieve of this tithe.

Based on which of these texts do you include today's Preachers as a recipient of the tithe, coming from an individual's wages?

[Lonnie Kluttz]

Gid bless all brothers and sisters,

I asked this question to get what people thought on it. But let's look at what tithing was. First lets start with Abraham. He gave Melchizedek a tithe of his spoils. In other words, something that wasn't his. The next time it was mentioned was with Jacob. Jacob told God that if You bless me, I will give a tithe of my blessing. But lets really look at when God put it into the law we are to follow. Deut.14: 22-29. God clearly gives specific instructions on how to tithe, when to tithe, where to take the tithe, who to give it to, and what to do with it. Now the rule of thumb is that we are to tithe with money because they didnt have money. But that's absolutly wrong. Deut. 14:25, 26 clearly states that if the trip was too far for you, you are to exchange the tithe for MONEY, go to where I told to go and buy what ever you want to tithte.. Are we doing that when we tithe? The answer is NO. God give specific instructions on how to do it. You will not find one scripture that God said to change how we tithe.

Next, are we teaching people that God said you can buy back your tithe. Once again the is No. And yes, God said you can buy back your tithe. Can you buy back money... and the answer is No. In Lev 27:30-32 God said you can buy back your tithe.

God clearly shows that when there is no temple and no Levitical priest in place, we were not to tithe. The scriptures are 2 Chron 31 entir chapt. and Neh. 10: 28-39. Hezekiah and Nehemiah had to rebuild the temple and put priest in place to receive the tithe. When did God tell us to give it to someone else... He didn't. The storehouse was actually a storehouse. The storehouse was first build in 2 Chron.31:7-11. The prople brought so much that the FOOD was lying in the middle of the streets. So he had the priest build a rooms to store it in.

Finally, Lets look at Malachi 3. The whole text of Malachi was written to the sons of Jacob, But mostly to the sons of Levi. The sons of Levi were not given God the best of what the people gave and was giving God the lame and the sick animals for the offerings ( Malachi 1:7,8). But mostly lets look at Chapt. 3. My question is when did God say that tithe and offerings was money and then more money. He didn't. Now the we talk about vs. 10. Opening the windows of heaven and pouring out a blessing that there would not be room enough to receive it. That statement " opening the windows of heaven" is only mentioned four times in the bilbe. And ever time it is mention it talks about raining. And the devourer is insects. That is from the Strong Con. Tithe and offering was not money on top of money. Offering is refering to your sin offering, peace offering, burnt offering, etc.

We have gotten so far away from God, we act like He isn't going to do what He said he will do. 1 Tim. 6:5 states people will confuse godliness with financial gain. We are so focused on money, we have forgotten what really matters. GOD matters. You can't give God enough money to be blessed. But you can do what's in Matthew 22:36-40 and truly be blessed.

With great love

[Willie White]

Thanks for your interest in tithing. While researching the various dictionaries, did you find the Hebrew word for "tithe"? Did you research Genesis 14:18-20, Leviticus 27:30-32; Numbers 18:21,26; Deuteronomy 14:22-29; and Leviticus 27:30 note (King James Version of the Bible) and the scripture texts that was referenced in the article.
It is OK to disagree becuase that is your right, however, I do not write or teach "my theology" it is based on sripture (KJV), and I always provide my scripture references.

Be blessed

[Anna]

Encyclopedic References regarding the history of Tithing as understood and practiced in the NT church:

The Encyclopedia Americana (s.v. "tithe"):
"It (tithing) was not practised in the early Christian church but gradually became common (in the Roman Catholic church in western Europe) by the 6th Century. The Council of Tours in 567 and the 2nd Council of Macon in 585 advocated tithing. Made obligatory by civil law in the Carolingian empire in 765 and in England in the 10th Century... The Reformation did not abolish tithing and the practice was continued in the Roman Catholic church and in Protestant countries (until it was) gradually replaced by other forms of taxation. The Roman Catholic church still prescribes tithes in countries where they are sanctioned by law, and some Protestant bodies consider tithes obligatory."

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Catholic Encyclopedia of 1912 p. 259 (s.v. “tithe”):


In the beginning [provision] was supplied by the spontaneous support of the faithful. In the course of time, however, as the Church expanded and various institutions arose, it became necessary to make laws which would insure the proper and permanent support of the clergy. The payment of tithes was adopted from the Old Law, and early writers speak of it as a divine ordinance and an obligation of the conscience. The earliest positive legislation on the subject seems to be contained in the letter of the bishops assembled at Tours in 567 and the Canons of the Council of Macon in 585.

The New Catholic Encyclopedia (s.v. “tithe”):
The early Church had no tithing system ... it was not that no need of supporting the Church existed or was recognized, but rather that other means appeared to suffice.

The New Catholic Encyclopedia (p.12):

"In the Deuteromic code the tithe is limited to grain. wine and oil (Deu. 12:6, 11, 17; 14:22). These texts more or less equate the tithe with other ritual offerings and sacrifices." [223] "No law of tithing is found in the New Testament, although the principle of church support is laid down in Matt. 10:10 (see also Luke 10:7) and echoed in 1 Corinthians 9:13-14."

The New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia (re: tithing history):
In the Christian Church, as those who serve the altar should live by the altar (1 Cor., ix, 13), provision of some kind had necessarily to be made for the sacred ministers. In the beginning this was supplied by the spontaneous offerings of the faithful.

[Please note that according to Catholic sources based on historical documentation, the saints including any leadership were supported solely by freewill giving, not the tithe, from the time of the Apostles and for about 500 years, until the Catholic church reinstituted it. They in fact became the appointed priesthood and in many places that were controlled by the Catholic church. It became a state or provincial law that tithing was required.

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According to can. 222 §1, in the Code of Canon Law, "The Christian faithful are obliged to assist with the needs of the Church so that the Church has what is necessary for divine worship, for the works of the apostolate and of charity, and for the decent support of ministers."

[Anna]

Please show us scripturally where God required a tithe on "Earnings".

Malachi 3:10 states “Bring ye all the tithes into the ***storehouse***, that there may be meat in mine house

The "Storehouse" spoken of in Malachi, is the Temple in Jerusalem, not every church or Bible study group, in any given city around the world!

Please check out the Hebrew word *meat* in Malachi 3:10, and you will find that the word means "food*, edibles, this is what was brought to the temple as tithes!

Please use what "is written" for your proofs on this subject, not sources that agree with your theology.

To know how the tithe got into the Christian church, just do a search on this subject and you will find that the Catholic Church under the council of Macon in the 500s who declared that earnings be tithed and brought to their priests. The Protestant churches just followed suit as they did on many other of the man made doctrines.

The tithe was an agricultural tax, like the first fruits. No income earner paid a "first fruits".

Also only the sons of Aaron, the priests could recieve a tithe, since they had no other inheritance, YHWH gave it to them as a reward for their faithfullness, at Mt Sinai. Which pastor today can trace his roots back to tMt. Sinai, and justify that he should recieve a tithe? If he cannot, he has no right to the tithe.

Rabbis did not receive a tithe, since it would have been unlawful for them to do so if not of the lineage of Aaron.

Jesus did not ask for tithes since he was not of the seed of Aaron.

The Apostles, Peter, Paul, James etc., did not ask for Tithes since they also were not of the lineage of Aaron.

The Baker, the fisherman, the seamstress etc., did not pay tithes.

Giving freely and cheerfully was commanded in both the First and Last Testament.

Those of you who teach that the law is done away, and therefore violate God's holy Sabbath, the 7th day, which is part of the 10 Commandments, how can you somehow try to retrieve the "Tithe" and claim that believers are somehow under this law?

Also the tithe MUST be given to the WIDOW, ORPHAN and STRANGER.

It was not set up for ministerial wages. If you disagree please provide your Bible texts.

If those who collect tithes are not giving the tithe to widows as well, THEY ARE ROBBING the recipients that God appointed to recieve the Tithe.

I challenge these churches who continue to teach that the law of tithing is applicable, to study ALL the scriptures that deal with tithes, and if they are not a son of Aaron, to stop taking tithes and give the needy the widows and orphans etc, the tithes that are due to them....