What does the Bible say about Tithing?

Are Christians today obligated to tithe?

What is a “tithe” or “tithing”? An Old English word that meant to pay or give a tenth part of one’s income. Hebrew: ma`aser; the tenth [part]

The Basic Argument for Tithing Goes back to the Old Testament. Goes back to the Old Testament. The Law of Moses required the Israelites to pay various tithes. The Law of Moses required the Israelites to pay various tithes. Even before the Law, Abraham and Jacob gave tithes to the Lord. Even before the Law, Abraham and Jacob gave tithes to the Lord. Since the practice of tithing appeared before the Law, it must transcend the Law and therefore is a universal standard. Since the practice of tithing appeared before the Law, it must transcend the Law and therefore is a universal standard.

Giving in the Pre-Mosaic Era First recorded offering: First recorded offering: Cain and Abel, Genesis 4 Second recorded offering: Second recorded offering: Noah, Genesis 8

The first mention of a tithe “And Melchizadek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was priest of God Most High. He blessed him and said, ‘Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.’ And Abram gave him a tenth of all” Genesis 14:19-20

Only other mention of the tithe before the Law of Moses “Then Jacob made a vow saying, ‘ If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God… and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.’” Genesis 28:20-22 Genesis 28:20-22

Notice the conditions of Jacob’s vow IF God will be with me; IF God will watch over me; IF God will give me food to eat; IF God will give me clothes to wear; and IF I return safely to my father’s house (which didn’t happen until some twenty years later…), THEN, and only then, can God have 10% of whatever He gives me. IF God will be with me; IF God will watch over me; IF God will give me food to eat; IF God will give me clothes to wear; and IF I return safely to my father’s house (which didn’t happen until some twenty years later…), THEN, and only then, can God have 10% of whatever He gives me.

The Required Tithes There were four tithes required under the Law of Moses

Tithe #1 1. The people paid a general tithe to the Levites 1. The people paid a general tithe to the Levites “I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the Tent of Meeting.” Numbers 18:21

Tithe #2 2. The Levites paid a tithe of the general tithe to the priests 2. The Levites paid a tithe of the general tithe to the priests “The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Levites and say to them: ‘When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I give you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as the Lord’s offering…to Aaron the priest…’” Numbers 18:25-31

Tithe #3 3. The people kept a tithe to pay for their annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem 3. The people kept a tithe to pay for their annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem “ Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the Lord your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the Lord your God always.

But if that place is too distant and you have been blessed by the Lord your God and cannot carry your tithe (because the place where the Lord will choose to put his Name is so far away), then exchange your tithe for silver, and take the silver with you and go to the place the Lord your God will choose. Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice.” But if that place is too distant and you have been blessed by the Lord your God and cannot carry your tithe (because the place where the Lord will choose to put his Name is so far away), then exchange your tithe for silver, and take the silver with you and go to the place the Lord your God will choose. Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice.” Deuteronomy 14:22-26

Tithe #4 4. The people paid a tithe for the poor, the orphans and the widows 4. The people paid a tithe for the poor, the orphans and the widows “At the end of every third year you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in that year, and shall deposit it in your town. And the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance among you, and the alien, the orphan and the widow who are in your town, shall come and eat and be satisfied, in order that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.” Deuteronomy 14:28-29

Voluntary Giving Voluntary giving under the Mosaic Law was done in addition to the required giving. Voluntary giving under the Mosaic Law was done in addition to the required giving. Just as before the Law of Moses, freewill giving was proportionate, generous, sacrificial, and from the heart. Just as before the Law of Moses, freewill giving was proportionate, generous, sacrificial, and from the heart.

“Moses spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, ‘This is the thing which the LORD has commanded, saying “Take from among you a contribution to the LORD; whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as the Lord’s contribution; gold, silver, and bronze.”’” Exodus 35:4-5

“Everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit moved him came and brought the LORD’s contribution for the work of the tent of meeting and all its services and for the holy garments. Then all whose hearts moved them, both men and women, came and brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and bracelets, all articles of gold to the LORD.” Exodus 35:21-22

“And they said to Moses, ‘The people are bringing more than enough for the work which the LORD commanded us to do.’ Then Moses gave an order and sent this word throughout the camp: ‘No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.’ And so the people were restrained from bringing more.” Exodus 36:5-6

Giving in New Testament Times The next logical question to ask is, “Does the New Testament teach the same giving pattern as we’ve just seen in the Old Testament? The next logical question to ask is, “Does the New Testament teach the same giving pattern as we’ve just seen in the Old Testament? The answer is an unqualified YES! The answer is an unqualified YES! In the New Testament there are still two kinds of giving: required and voluntary In the New Testament there are still two kinds of giving: required and voluntary

Tax to whom tax is due… “Render to all what is due to them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” “Render to all what is due to them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.” Romans 13:7 “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesars, and to God what is God’s.” Matthew 22:21 “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesars, and to God what is God’s.” Matthew 22:21

Freewill offerings Motivation is everything Motivation is everything “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life” “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life” John 3:16 John 3:16 Most people ignore this verse in the context of giving, but God’s giving has to be the very foundation of our giving. Most people ignore this verse in the context of giving, but God’s giving has to be the very foundation of our giving.

Notice three things about God’s giving: 1. His motivation was love. 1. His motivation was love. 2. In giving His Son, the Father gave of Himself. 2. In giving His Son, the Father gave of Himself. 3. God’s giving was in response to our need. 3. God’s giving was in response to our need.

What does the New Testament teach about giving? We need to understand that God owns us, and in keeping with that belief we are to present ourselves to Him. We need to understand that God owns us, and in keeping with that belief we are to present ourselves to Him. “I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” Romans 12:1 Romans 12:1

“Now brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability they gave of their own accord, begging us with much entreaty for the favor of participation in the support of the saints, and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord.” II Corinthians 8:1-5 II Corinthians 8:1-5

What should characterize our freewill offerings? In response to need In response to need “For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales, and lay them at the apostles’ feet; and they would be distributed to each, as any had need.” Acts 4:34-35

“Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I commanded the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.” I Corinthians 16:1-3 I Corinthians 16:1-3

Secretly and humbly Secretly and humbly “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. When therefore you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” Matthew 6:1-4 Matthew 6:1-4

According to what we have According to what we have “For if the readiness [to give] is present, it is acceptable according to what a man has, not according to what he does not have.” 2 Corinthians 8:12 2 Corinthians 8:12

Cheerfully Cheerfully “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” II Corinthians 9:6-7 II Corinthians 9:6-7

The New Covenant principle on giving – the one you and I should live by – Is not derived from some mandatory percentage. New Testament giving flows from the heart and is personally determined. Is not derived from some mandatory percentage. New Testament giving flows from the heart and is personally determined. Is based on the model and exhibits the characteristics of God Himself. Is based on the model and exhibits the characteristics of God Himself. Must ultimately stem from a relationship with the Living God. Must ultimately stem from a relationship with the Living God.