What Does The Bible Say About Tithing?
The Bible discusses the tithe both in the Old Testament and the New Testament and it is a worthwhile part of Christianity.
We can support our local church by giving 10% of our income. There are arguments as to whether or not it is based on gross salary or net salary, but that is a matter to take up with the Lord so I will not speak to that.
Old Testament Tithing
The tithe was first mentioned in the Old Testament in Genesis Chapter 4 when Cain – a farmer- and his brother Abel- a rancher- presented some of their “wealth” to the Lord. Cain offered some of his crop while Abel offered the best and the first of his flocks to the Lord. The Lord accepted Abel’s offering but He rejected Cain’s offering. The Lord was teaching Cain that things will go well if we listen and obey the Lord.
Tithing was required in the Old Testament. It provided a way for people to show their trust in the Lord for further provision and remind the people that it was God who gave them the ability to make wealth in the first place.
The second mention of tithing is found in Genesis chapter 14.
“Then Abram gave Melchizedek 1/10th of all the goods he recovered.”(Gen 14:20b)
The third mention of a tithe is in Genesis chapter 28 in the story of Jacob, who had a dream about a stairway to heaven. The Lord told Jacob that He would bless him by giving him the land he was lying on, a multitude of descendants and protection. The stairway depicted angels coming down from heaven to help and protect the people of the Lord.
Jacob’s response to this amazing, all encompassing blessing was to set up a memorial pillar as a place of worship. Jacob promised the Lord a tenth of everything he received in gratitude for these blessings. (Gen 28:10-22)
The fourth mention of the tithe is in the book of Leviticus 27:30, “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.” God would never take from His people and make them live in scarcity. He set up the tithe to allow the people of Israel to show their faith in His further provision.
The most well known mention of tithing is in the last book of the Old Testament.
“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 there will not be room enough to store it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. (Malachi 3:10-11)
This verse tells us that God Himself will pour out a great blessing on those who tithe. God will protect the harvest from drought and pestilence to ensure a full harvest. In our day, this would be an abundance of provision from the work of our hand.
The Tithe In The New Testament
The Lord broadenes our view of tithing in the New Testament to include being merciful, just and faithful. He explains that giving money or material possessions is actually the easy part. Forgivness, mercy and acting in a just manner are all part of giving to the Lord, walking in His ways and spreading the kindness of Jesus in this world. Acting this way will, in effect, bless our lives.
Matthew 23:23 NIV
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”
The bible is clear, when we give we need not worry about lack.
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”(Luke 6:37-38)
For more on this visit The Bible Project
Food For Thought,
Lisa
