The tithe belongs to God

A tithe is ten percent of income, of a crop or of the profits an investment gives. Throughout the Bible we see that those who fear God give tithes of everything to the Lord. The first person who is mentioned in the Bible as giving tithes is Abraham:

Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. (Gen. 14:18-20)

It is important to notice that the tithe was given to Melchizedek who was God’s representative and a picture of Christ (Heb.7:1-17). It is also important that it was Abraham, who is the father of all believers, who gave a tithe of everything. We are called to imitate his faith. Abraham gave a tithe as a response to the blessing with which Melchizedek blessed him. In Jesus Christ we have received a share in this blessing (Gal.3:14) and our response is to give him our tithes.

Jacob, who understood that it is God who blesses the work of our hands and allows us to gain riches and prosperity, said,

“…of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.” (Gen.28:22)

Moses gave the people of Israel many rules about tithing. Here are two simple examples from his teaching:

A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. (Lev.27:30)

I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving in the Tent of Meeting. (Num.18:21)

When the people of Israel experienced renewal and revival they began to give tithes again. King Hezekiah, who feared God, is one of those who helped them to get this organised:

He ordered the people living in Jerusalem to give the portion due to the priests and Levites so that they could devote themselves to the Law of the Lord. As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously gave the firstfruits of their grain, new wine, oil and honey and all that the fields produced. They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything. (2 Chron.31:4-5)

We find the same thing take place under the restoration led by Nehemiah among the Jews who returned from captivity (Neh.10:37-39).Even today when God brings refreshing and restoration to his people, the practice of tithing is revived once again.

In Jesus’ time tithing was common practice among the Jews. Jesus emphasised in his teaching that it was right to give tithes, but he condemned the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and their legalism in connection with tithing:

“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practised the latter without leaving the former undone.” (Luke 11:42)

In Hebrews 7:1-17 we also have a passage which talks about tithing. Two priesthoods are compared here - that of Levi and that of Melchizedek. Melchizedek was greater than Levi, because when Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek (who is a picture of Christ,) Levi was also, in effect, giving tithes as he was Abraham’s descendant. Jesus is a priest like Melchizedek. He represents a new and better priesthood than that of the Levites. So today we pay our tenth to Christ, who is our high priest.

Where do we pay our tithe today?

Based on the teaching of the Bible we can say that we should pay our tithes to those who represent God’s authority over us and are our spiritual covering - those who are our leaders in the church (Deut.26:12; Num.18:21; 25-28; Neh.10:37-39; 12:44; 13:5). The Bible says that we should bring the whole tenth into the “storehouse” - the House of God (Mal.3:10) - where it was kept for the priests. It was used to provide for those who taught the people from God’s word and guided them. Today’s tithe should also be used to support those who preach God’s word and lead the church (see Gal.6:6; 1.Cor.9:3-14: 1.Tim.5:17).

It is important to understand that we are not free to send our tithes anywhere and everywhere to support all kinds of good projects. God has said very clearly in his word that the whole tithe must be brought to the church where we receive our teaching in God’s word and our spiritual covering, protection and supervision. Once the whole tenth is brought to God’s house we are free to give to as many good projects as we might wish.

Do not steal from God!

“Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse - the whole nation of you - because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” (Mal.3:8-10)

The tenth belongs to the Lord. When we do not pay our tithes regularly we are, in fact, stealing from God and then there is no blessing on our economy. When we pay our tithes God has promised to bless us in all we do.

Notice also the expressions “the whole tithe” and “a tenth of everything”. It is possible to pay a partial tithe, to pay a tenth of part of your income but not of all of it. The question is however, on what basis do we reckon out our tenth? Who comes first, the Inland Revenue or God? The amount of your tithe is a good indication of this. We can never give too much and God is no man’s debtor.

“Test me in this,” says God. “Bring the whole tithe to God’s house, the church, and blessing will follow!”

Honour the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. (Prov.3:9-10)

Tithing is fairly straightforward for wage earners and producers of crops. It can however, be more complicated for the self-employed or those who are very wealthy to define their income.

If we understand that all we own and all that we live on is a loan for which we are stewards, we will be generous when we give our tithes. From the one who has much, much will be expected and from him who has little, little will be expected accordingly.

Exercise:

What blessing have you experienced in your life because of tithing?

Is it really possible to steal from God? How? What are the consequences?

Are we free to pay the tithe to any Christian ministry or organisation?

Where are we supposed to pay the tithe?

Continue to memorise and add this verse:

of all that you give me I will surely give you a tenth. (Gen. 28:22)