Tithing - Is If For Today
As I have presented this to people before they got totally the wrong impression of what my intentions are so I am going to begin this paper explaining a little bit of what I intend. This paper isn’t written to come down on anyone who is tithing because they are led of the Lord to tithe. If God has led you to tithe then keep tithing, but don’t tithe with the attitude that you’re trying to keep the law. Giving to the church is a good thing and I encourage those that can to give to the church and give to the poor. Many pastors teach that tithing is necessary. Many of those pastors have good intentions and believe they are doing the right thing. Don’t turn against your pastor just because he teaches you to tithe if after reading this paper you no longer believe in tithing. If God leads you, you should talk to your pastor about it, maybe his heart will be convicted and be changed. The intention of this paper isn’t to cause division but to lead people out of a deception that is going on in the church. I want to present this paper in love and hope others that believe this view point will do the same.
To understand tithing we need to look how it was used originally and look at the law that was established in the Old Testament. Many people use Abraham’s tithe to justify tithing for today.
Abraham’s Tithe
Genesis 14:16-24 So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people. And the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley), after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him. Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And 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 he gave him a tithe of all. Now the king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the persons, and take the goods for yourself." But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, "I have made Abram rich’-- except only what the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion."
Many preachers will use Abraham’s example to tithe. There are several problems here. First of all, Abraham was tithing from the spoils of war, not from his income. Abraham said none of it was his in the first place and that it all belonged to the King of Sodom. It is also a one-time act of tithing for Abraham. Never is there an example of Abraham tithing from his income. We don’t see it as a commandment of God for him to tithe. By the way the text is written, we are led to believe that Abraham willingly tithed. Some argue that since Abraham did it, tithing was practiced before the law and therefore should be practiced today. Sacrificing animals was also done before the law and that isn’t practiced today. In fact, Abraham’s type of tithe probably would not be allowed under the law considering it was the spoils of war he tithe and not a tithe from his herd or field. More to come on this later when we discuss Hebrews 7
Jacob’s Tithe
Genesis 28:20-22 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 this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.”
First of all, notice the ‘ifs’ in Jacob’s tithing: “If God will be with me”, if “God keep me this way that I am going,” if God “give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father’s house in peace.” Today we are taught that we can’t have any “ifs” when we give tithes. Many preachers avoid using Jacob’s example of tithing because of the “ifs,” or just simply don’t read it word-for-word. This would give the tither with an excuse not to tithe so they have to avoid this Scripture. God also did not chastise Jacob for using ‘ifs.” He still got his blessing and tithed from it. Remember though, Jacob tithed before the law. Remember it was Jacob’s vow, not ours. Jacob didn’t do it out of greed like many people today that would make vows to God. Jacob did it to show he was serious with God. If you read the context, God had made these promises to Jacob without asking him to tithe in a dream he had.
Genesis 28:13-15 And behold, the LORD stood above it and said: "I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you."
We see that Jacob’s tithe is voluntary. Next, where did Jacob’s tithe go to? I mean, there were no temples around at the time. There was no Levitical priesthood, but yet he tithed. Jacob’s tithing would still match up with the other Scripture on tithing. First, we are taught the tither ate his tithe while fellowshipping with God. It is likely that Jacob used his tithe for this since the tithing was directly between man and God. Also, tithe was given to the needy that was around. Jacob probably gave to those that were in need so they would have something to eat.
Tithing under the Law
Leviticus 27:30-33 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 to the LORD. If a man wants at all to redeem any of his tithes, he shall add one-fifth to it. And concerning the tithe of the herd or the flock, of whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the LORD. He shall not inquire whether it is good or bad, nor shall he exchange it; and if he exchanges it at all, then both it and the one exchanged for it shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.
First, notice that the tithe was taken either from the land or from the herds. There is nothing here about giving money. The tithe from the land was even redeemable. Nowhere in the Bible will you see them practice the tithing of money. Also, how did the ones that didn’t have herds and didn’t grow plants tithe? Another thing to point out, since the tithe of the land was redeemable and the tithe of the herds was not redeemable, doesn’t this leave out the tithe of money since it doesn’t say if it is redeemable or not? This Scripture seems to imply that tithe only came from herds or from the land. You will see this theme run throughout Scripture.
Numbers 18:21-24 "Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting. Hereafter the children of Israel shall not come near the tabernacle of meeting, lest they bear sin and die. But the Levites shall perform the work of the tabernacle of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity; it shall be a statute forever, throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. For the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer up as a heave offering to the LORD, I have given to the Levites as an inheritance; therefore I have said to them, "Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.""
In Old Testament times Levites were not allowed to have jobs. They not only were the priests but were a government-like set up. Today’s taxes are similar to the tithe given to the Levites back in the law. They needed to be supported. This is the tithe that seems to be enforced in churches today. For some reason, it is one of the Old Testament laws that was reestablished to the church in 567 AD. There is absolutely no evidence that the New Testament church in the Book of Acts used this law.
Deuteronomy 12:11-27 Then there will be the place where the LORD your God chooses to make His name abide. There you shall bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the heave offerings of your hand, and all your choice offerings which you vow to the LORD. And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your sons and your daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levite who is within your gates, since he has no portion nor inheritance with you. Take heed to yourself that you do not offer your burnt offerings in every place that you see; but in the place which the LORD chooses, in one of your tribes, there you shall offer your burnt offerings, and there you shall do all that I command you. "However, you may slaughter and eat meat within all your gates, whatever your heart desires, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you; the unclean and the clean may eat of it, of the gazelle and the deer alike. Only you shall not eat the blood; you shall pour it on the earth like water. You may not eat within your gates the tithe of your grain or your new wine or your oil, of the firstborn of your herd or your flock, of any of your offerings which you vow, of your freewill offerings, or of the heave offering of your hand. But you must eat them before the LORD your God in the place which the LORD your God chooses, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, and the Levite who is within your gates; and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in all to which you put your hands. Take heed to yourself that you do not forsake the Levite as long as you live in your land.
"When the LORD your God enlarges your border as He has promised you, and you say, "Let me eat meat,’ because you long to eat meat, you may eat as much meat as your heart desires. If the place where the LORD your God chooses to put His name is too far from you, then you may slaughter from your herd and from your flock which the LORD has given you, just as I have commanded you, and you may eat within your gates as much as your heart desires. Just as the gazelle and the deer are eaten, so you may eat them; the unclean and the clean alike may eat them. Only be sure that you do not eat the blood, for the blood is the life; you may not eat the life with the meat. You shall not eat it; you shall pour it on the earth like water. You shall not eat it, that it may go well with you and your children after you, when you do what is right in the sight of the LORD. Only the holy things which you have, and your vowed offerings, you shall take and go to the place which the LORD chooses. And you shall offer your burnt offerings, the meat and the blood, on the altar of the LORD your God; and the blood of your sacrifices shall be poured out on the altar of the LORD your God, and you shall eat the meat.
Since in Numbers it says all of the tithe of Israel was given to the Levites, this must be talking about a second tithe. Notice in this Scripture that the tither eats his tithe in the presence of God. If he is too far from the place where God puts His name, he may eat the tithe within his gates. This tithe was communion with God. Tithing was never about giving to receive or to have blessings poured on you. It was about thanksgiving and fellowship with God, helping the Levite, and giving to the poor as we shall see later. A good earthly father would not require us to give him a percentage of our money but would rather have communion with his children. There was no money involved during a tithe, just animals. Do you find it funny that the only form of Old Testament tithe practiced today is the Levite tithe, but not the tithe you eat before the Lord. If we are to practice one form of tithing, shouldn’t we practice all the forms of tithing in the Old Testament? I believe we are not under the Old Testament law of tithing as we shall see later but are required to give what we can.
Deuteronomy 14-22-26 - "You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year. And you shall eat before the LORD your God, in the place where He chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always. But if the journey is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, or if the place where the LORD your God chooses to put His name is too far from you, when the LORD your God has blessed you, then you shall exchange it for money, take the money in your hand, and go to the place which the LORD your God chooses. And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household.
Tithing was done on a financial increase. It wasn’t still required when someone was slipping into debt.
Would a good earthly father require payment from his children when times are tough? What makes you think God would require that?
Here we also see that tithing was not about money. If the journey was too far the tither would have to sell his tithe in exchange for money, go to the place where the Lord desires, and then buy what ever his heart desires to eat before the Lord even if it was wine or similar drink. How many churches do you know of where the members are required to eat their tithe in the presence of the Lord?
Deuteronomy 14:27-29 You shall not forsake the Levite who is within your gates, for he has no part nor inheritance with you. "At the end of every third year you shall bring out the tithe of your produce of that year and store it up within your gates. And the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.
This appears to be a third tithe offered every 3 years. Josephus, a Jewish historian supports the view point that this is a third tithe as do other Jewish commentators. This tithing was given to the poor. The Levites were poor since they had no inheritance and so were the fatherless and the widow. The tithe was put in the storehouse to help the poor. Remember, the storehouse is a place where food is stored up; the storehouse isn’t a modern day church. In the story of Joseph, the storehouse was where they stored the food for the upcoming famine. You don’t see churches taking up a tithe every third year for the poor in modern day churches. It makes you really wonder if we should even be obligated to tithe the Levitical tithe since the other 2 tithes are not practiced.
Deuteronomy 26:11-13 So you shall rejoice in every good thing which the LORD your God has given to you and your house, you and the Levite and the stranger who is among you. "When you have finished laying aside all the tithe of your increase in the third year--the year of tithing--and have given it to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your gates and be filled, then you shall say before the LORD your God: "I have removed the holy tithe from my house, and also have given them to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all Your commandments which You have commanded me; I have not transgressed Your commandments, nor have I forgotten them.
This is a repeat of the tithe in Deut. 14:27-29. The tithing was used to feed the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. Not to build the biggest church with the most programs. The children of God are to take care of the less fortunate. The tithing principal has been reversed today to steal from the poor, not give to the poor.
The Bible says, “You can’t serve God and mammon.” It seems to be believed nowadays that the power of getting the Gospel out lies in the power of mammon but it is actually in the power of the Holy Spirit that the Gospel should be getting out.
Also notice that the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow were not required to tithe. If they were tithed to because they didn’t have enough food, why would they be tithing? God doesn’t mention anything about them being under a curse for not tithing. He took care of them by having others give their tithe to them. In fact, it seems as though the ones who raised animals and grew plants were the only ones able to produce the tithes. They probably gave a tenth to the Levitical priest hood, supplied the tithe to be eaten before the Lord for all within their gates and gave a tithe to the poor. The ones to raise animals and grow plants were probably the richer people of that day since the Bible says all who were in their gates.
Nehemiah 12:44 And at the same time some were appointed over the rooms of the storehouse for the offerings, the firstfruits, and the tithes, to gather into them from the fields of the cities the portions specified by the Law for the priests and Levites; for Judah rejoiced over the priests and Levites who ministered.
Notice in this text how the tithes were specified by the law. Under the law it was required to give a tithe, which it was different in Abraham and Jacob’s day because they chose to tithe. Today, since we are no longer under the law we can choose to tithe like Abraham and Jacob did but we are no longer required to.
Malachi 3:8 “‘Will a man rob God?’ Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed you?’ In tithes and offerings.”
This Scripture is often used by church leaders today to accuse their congregations of robbing God when they don’t pay tithes. Let’s take a look and see what this Scripture is talking about.
The first question you must ask yourself is, “if God is a Spirit, how is it possible to rob Him of natural substance?” If God cannot be robbed of natural substance, then perhaps this Scripture is referring to Spiritual substance. Notice how it says tithes and offerings. Since tithes is used in a plural form is it talking about all 3 types of tithe that were required under law. Secondly, offerings is mentioned in the same context. The offerings talked about is in the first few chapters of Leviticus which are burnt offerings, grain offerings, peaces offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings. These offerings were primarily animal sacrifices. We no longer practice animal sacrifices today but tithing is practiced widely in the church. Why would we still practice tithing and not animal sacrifices when they are mentioned together in Malachi 3:8. Of course most churches somehow switched the definition of offering to mean the amount you give to their church after you give your tithe. I don’t know where this is Biblical.
Malachi 3:9-10 “You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.”
Notice the word ‘food’ in here. The original word for food in this context is meat. We know God is not a meat eater and since he is not going to eat meat, who will? Remember, the tither was required to eat his own tithe, give a tithe to the Levite, and every third year give a tithe to the poor.
So what was being robbed from God? It was his Glory. God was given Glory when His people would feed the widow, orphans, Levites, and strangers. God was given glory when His people would bless those in need around them. He was also robbed of the intimacy and fellowship He desired from His people.
Now that we know that God is being robbed of the Glory that should be given to Him and that He was being robbed of intimacy and fellowship let’s take a look at who was robbing God.
We have to go back a few verses to see who he addresses.
Malachi 3:6-7 "For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob. Yet from the days of your fathers You have gone away from My ordinances And have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,"Says the LORD of hosts. "But you said, "In what way shall we return?""
It was the sons of Jacob that was robbing God. The sons of Jacob can only refer to Israel. It was Israel that would be cursed with a curse, not Christians today who have been redeemed from the curse of the Law. The church is never referred to as the sons of Jacob but instead it is referred to as the descendants of Abraham. (Galatians 3:6,7)
The storehouse mentioned in Malachi is referring to where the tithe was brought to give to the Levite priest and to the poor. There is no evidence here speaking of the storehouse being the modern day church as is what a lot of church goers believe.
To tithe according to the Old Testament you would have to give up your job and own and farm so you could raise animals and grow crops to tithe with. You’d have to find some Levitical priests to give your tithe to. You would have to celebrate the Old Testament festivals and eat your tithe in the presence of the Lord. For 2 years you would have to give 20% of your herds and crops to God and on the 3rd year you would have to give another 10% to the poor totally 30% in tithe that particular year. If you do all this you will be keeping the law of tithing totally. Now as we go into the New Testament we will see that we are no longer under the Law, which means we are no longer told to tithe but to give according to our heart.
New Testament
Ever notice that Jesus never asked for money like the churches do today. You never heard Jesus say, “Give to this ministry and you will received a hundredfold,” or “please send a donation to help get the gospel out,” or “My ministry depends on you and your heart to give,” etc. You never see any example of the New Testament saints tithing or asking for tithes. Let’s look at some of the Scriptures used to get people’s money.
Mark:12:41-44 Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood."
This Scripture is often purposely used to get money from the poor. They will call it planting a seed. There is no indication of a return promise to this woman. Jesus never said she would get a 100-fold return for doing this. Her act proved that she knew God and was totally dependant upon Him. She was humble and not selfish. Many people nowadays are told to give what they have so they can get it returned at greater amounts. People aren’t giving because they love God like this poor widow woman, they give out of their own selfish desires thinking that they are going to get more in return.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.
This Scripture is often used by preachers saying to give money to the church and it will be given back to you. There is nothing here to show that Jesus was talking about money. Jesus was always more focused on the Spiritual than the natural. Not once did he tell people to give into His ministry. He did not pass around a money plate after saying this. If this isn’t talking about money, then what is it talking about? It’s talking about the more we give of our love, forgiveness, grace, kindness, mercy, then we would receive it in returned. It is almost like the golden rule said with different wording. If Jesus told us hate money, why would he tell us ways to be able to get it? It is a contradiction to think like that. There is no promise by Jesus in Scripture that when you become a Christian you will inherit material riches. Let’s take a look at this Scripture in context so you can really see what it is talking about.
Luke 6:20-38: Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: "Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets. But woe to you who are rich, For you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full, For you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, For you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets. But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."
The first thing talked about is the poor. They will be blessed, not with material riches here but they will enter the Kingdom of God. Verse 24 speaks of the rich. In fact, it speaks against the rich. Many preachers will justify being rich (in a selfish manner) but the scriptures are clear. Continually afterwards Jesus tells us to be kind to one another, giving without expecting return. The last few Scriptures just before 38 tell us to be merciful, not to judge and condemn, forgive and that when we give these things they will all be returned to us. By the time we get to verse 38 our minds shouldn’t even be thinking on material riches but on Spiritual principals. If you give forgiveness, it will be given to you, if you give mercy it will be given to you, etc. Not in any of the above passages does it say if you give money it will be given to you. In fact, anything that is said about material in the above Scriptures says not to expect it back. This totally contradicts what many preachers say today about giving money and expecting a return.
Matthew 23:23-25 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence."
(A similar passage can be found in Luke 11:42) Another Scripture that is used to get tithes. If you look though, he was talking to the Pharisees who were the Jewish religious leaders of the day. They were practicing the Mosaic law so Jesus said this as if he were talking to ones that were under the Mosaic law. The Pharisees were practicing the Old Covenant, not the New Covenant. The New Covenant wasn’t in operation yet. The law was still in practice since all things hadn’t been fulfilled through Jesus yet (Matthew 5:17). He even said that tithing isn’t one of the more important issues like it seems to be today in the church. Also, the Pharisees didn’t tithe money. They tithed mint, anise, and cummin which are all plants. I encourage anyone reading this to look up each of these words in the Strong’s Concordance.
Also, if we are to take this Scripture and apply it to us today, we also must also apply the Scripture where Jesus tells the leper to go offer a sacrifice commanded by the Mosiac law.
Matthew 8:2-4 And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus said to him, "See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."
New Testament Giving
Acts 3:33-35 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
Wait a second, aren’t we told when we go to the church with a need that we must tithe to receive our need? If we lack aren’t we supposed to tithe? Not according to Scripture. Scripture clearly indicates that the ones who did not lack sold their lands and houses and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold and laid them at the apostles’ feet. They then gave to the needy and NO ONE LACKED. Looking at the church today do we see those that lack? We definitely do. People go to church and ask for a need only to be told that they need to give more to the church. What a lie! I know a guy that went up for prayer at church because he was struggling with finances. No one offered to help him, instead he was told that he needed to give tithes and offerings. Show me one Scripture in the New Testament where someone came to the apostles with a need and the apostles told them that they must start giving the church tithes and offerings in order to receive their needs. You can’t show a Scripture on this because it is not there. God worked through the apostles to give to the needy. Not once do the apostles tell the church that if they don’t get money then the Gospel won’t be preached. Everything laid at their feet went to the needy so no one lacked.
Acts 11:37-39 And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.
Here we see that the disciples were asked to help out in a famine going on in Jerusalem. Instead of asking the disciples to sacrifice what they didn’t have, they were told to give “according to his ability.” In other words, if you can give, then give, if you can’t then you can’t. People gave what they could. They didn’t ask the poor to give. This Scripture implies not to give beyond your ability like most preachers now days teach, but to give according to your ability.
I Corinthians 16:1-3 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem.
Another Scripture that teaches people to give as they prosper. The ones that couldn’t give weren’t put on some kind of guilt trip for not giving. The collection also wasn’t used to give Paul money. It was for the saints. Most likely saints that were lacking in that day. Once Paul arrived, he didn’t even want a collection taken up. Nowadays it seems like every time an evangelist comes from out-of-town, there are 2 or more offerings taken up while he is here. The collection for the evangelist usually goes to the evangelist. This is usually accompanied by must pressure to give whether you are poor or rich. I have known people who left churches because of this.
Here is something to think about. Imagine you are a parent and your son or daughter has just asked to borrow money. They said they would pay it back on a monthly basis. At first things seemed to work out but after a while you see that they aren’t making full payments and sometimes not even making the payment. One day when you decide to go visit them you see them struggling with food, wearing torn and ragged clothing, see them with bills and lawsuits because they don’t have the money to pay them off. Would you still require a full monthly payment? You wouldn’t, in fact, you would probably consider it a heartless thing if you saw someone else still require the money from someone in that situation. What makes you think that God is even more heartless to asked from His children 10% when they are struggling as it is? It is almost a blasphemous way to think.
2 Corinthians 8:1-15 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7But as you abound in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us--see that you abound in this grace also. 8 I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. 9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. 10And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; 11but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. 12For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; 14but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack--that there may be equality. 15As it is written, "He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack."
Here is another example of where giving was optional. It was not required by those already in lack. Paul even states that this isn’t a commandment in verse 8. No one is forced to give. Verse 12 speaks of the giving going according to what one has, not what he does not have. When a preacher tells you things like “if it is not enough to meet your need, it is your seed” it contradicts verse 12. We are not asked to give what we don’t have.
2 Corinthians 9:5-13 5Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation. But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9As it is written:
He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever." Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men
Here Paul tells us to give out of generosity, not as a grudging obligation. In the New Testament, giving is a thing from the heart, not a 10% giving law. Most people when tithing more than they can handle give it grudgingly. I’ve seen people be faithful tithers yet always complain about lack of money. They will complain about lack when it comes to helping feed someone else. Where is God’s glory in all this? The Bible makes it clear that we are not under the law of tithing anymore. God would rather have you give 5% cheerfully than 10% grudgingly. Preachers need to quit condemning those that don’t give 10% and allow all to give from their hearts.
Hebrews 7:1-22 1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated "king of righteousness," and then also king of Salem, meaning "king of peace," 3without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually. Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. 5And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; 6but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. 8Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. 9Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, 10for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him. Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? 12For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. 13For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. 15And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest 16who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. 17For He testifies: "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek." For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, 19for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath 21(for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: "The LORD has sworn And will not relent, "You are a priest forever (According to the order of Melchizedek"’),by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.
This Scripture isn’t telling us to tithe but it is referring to a new priesthood. In this Scripture we see Abraham giving Melchizedek a tithe from the spoils of war. Remember, it was from the spoils of war that the tithe was given, not 10% of Abraham’s income. Abraham gave him nothing from his own hand but from God. If you remember the Levite priest were to accept nothing that was blemished or defiled but Melchizedek accepted what was blemished and defiled. Since Melchizedek is compared to Jesus, then when we come to Jesus what do we give him? The only thing we have to offer is the spoils of war from our war torn life torn apart by our sin. This Scripture has a great spiritual significance. This Scripture shows the superiority of Christ and has nothing to do with Christian giving. If you want to tithe according to what this Scripture says then we must do it the way it was done by Abraham. We can’t earn it by our own hand and it must come from the spoils of war. There is nothing here about tithing from our own income. There is no indication that Abraham tithed regularly and that Melchizedek received tithes regularly. There was no command for Abraham to tithe.
The reference to the tithe here is a historic reference made by the writer of Hebrews. In Hebrews 8:13-9:1 and 9:8-10 talk about sacrifices. This obviously doesn’t mean that we need to sacrifice if we are under the New Covenant, it is a historic reference. In fact, there it is mentioned that we aren’t under the Old Covenant because it is ready to vanish away.
Galatians 3:10-13 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them." 11But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith." 12Yet the law is not of faith, but "the man who does them shall live by them." Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"
The Bible clearly states that Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law. If you are still operating under the law of tithing, you are then still under the curse of the law. If you are still tithing because of the law and not out of your heart after Jesus died on the cross you are saying his sacrifice isn’t enough. The apostles didn’t work under the curse of the law. In fact, there is no evidence that tithing was performed by Christians until the it was instituted by the Synod of Tours in 567 AD. I’ve even seen those that believe in tithing recognize that the Synod of Tours instituted tithing for New Testament believers. Tithing is not based at all on the example of the early church.
Galatians 5:4 4You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
The Bible says that those who try to be justified by the law are enstranged from Christ. If you are trying to redeem yourself from the curse mentioned in Malachi by tithing you are attempting to justify yourself with the law. The Bible says if you attempt to do that you have fallen from grace and have become enstranged from Christ. If you are tithing, make sure you are doing it as free will or because the Lord laid that amount upon your heart not because you are trying to escape the curse mentioned in Malachi or because you want to keep the Mosaic law of tithing.
Here is "tithing never was banished in the New Testament" argument
Some claims that since tithing was never directly banished in the New Testament, then it must still be for the church today. There is a major problem with this theology though. There are other practices in the Old Testament that were never specificly banished in the New Testament that aren’t practiced today. We have already seen how tithing isn’t practice exactly like it was in the Old Testament since certain tithes were eaten by the tither and every 3rd year a tithe was given to the poor. These were also never specifically banished in the New Testament. However, I can’t find one church that practices the Levitical tithing practice this form of tithing. Let’s look at one other practice in the Old Testament that was never specifically banished:
Deuteronomy 15:1-4 1 "At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release of debts. 2And this is the form of the release: Every creditor who has lent anything to his neighbor shall release it; he shall not require it of his neighbor or his brother, because it is called the LORD’s release. 3Of a foreigner you may require it; but you shall give up your claim to what is owed by your brother, 4except when there may be no poor among you; for the LORD will greatly bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance
Here we see that every 7 years a person that owed a debt would be released from it. This was to help decrease poverty. This command under the law was never specifically banished from the New Testament, yet you don’t see tithe believing churches practice it today. You don’t see this preached nor practiced anywhere.
Historical quotes on tithing from the first few centuries
Let’s take a look at what some of the early church writers believed about tithing. A few quotes we are going to take from Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Tertullian.
"And we afterwards continually remind each other of these things. And the wealthy among us help the needy; and we always keep together; and for all things wherewith we are suplied, we bless the Maker or all through His Son...Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Ghost. And on the day called Sunday, and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succours the orphens and widows and those who, through wickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need." - Justin Martyr, THE FIRST APOLOGY OF JUSTIN, CHAP. LXVII., WEEKLY WORSHIP OF THE CHRISTIANS
"3. …and instead of the law enjoining the giving of tithes, [He told us] to share(7) all our possessions with the poor; and not to love our neighbours only, but even our enemies; and not merely to be liberal givers and bestowers, but even that we should present a gratuitous gift to those who take away our goods." - Irenaeus, AGAINST HERESIES, BOOK IV., CHAP. XIII., CHRIST DID NOT ABROGATE THE NATURAL PRECEPTS OF THE LAW, BUT RATHER FULFILLED AND EXTENDED THEM. HE REMOVED THE YOKE AND BONDAGE OF THE OLD LAW, SO THAT MANKIND, BEING NOW SET FREE, MIGHT SERVE GOD WITH THAT TRUSTFUL PIETY WHICH BECOMETH SONS
"2. And the class of oblations in general has not been set aside; for there were both oblations 485 there [among the Jews], and there are oblations here [among the Christians]. Sacrifices there were among the people; sacrifices there are, too, in the Church: but the species alone has been changed, inasmuch as the offering is now made, not by slaves, but by freemen. For the Lord is [ever] one and the same; but the character of a servile oblation is peculiar [to itself], as is also that of freemen, in order that, by the very oblations, the indication of liberty may be set forth. For with Him there is nothing purposeless, nor without signification, nor without design. And for this reason they (the Jews) had indeed the tithes of their goods consecrated to Him, but those who have received liberty set aside all their possessions for the Lord’s purposes, bestowing joyfully and freely not the less valuable portions of their property, since they have the hope of better things [hereafter]; as that poor widow acted who cast all her living into the treasury of God." - Irenaeus, AGAINST HERESIES, BOOK IV, CHAP. XVIII., CONCERNING SACRIFICES AND OBLATIONS, AND THOSE WHO TRULY OFFER THEM
"On the monthly day, if he likes, each puts in a small donation; but only if it be his pleasure, and only if he be able: for there is no compulsion; all is voluntary." - Tertullian, THE APOLOGY, Chapter XXXIX.
Conclusion
We have seen in the Old Testament how the tithe was eaten by the tither in order to fellowship with God, given to the levites and used for the poor. It was never given to make the wealthy wealthier. Tithing was always done with animals or the things with the field. It was never done with money. We have seen how the New Testament church operated by putting their money together and giving to the poor. We have shown how the Holy Spirit is not into submission to money and therefore doesn’t need it to get the gospel out. We have seen how Malachi was talking to Israel and not to followers of Jesus today. We have seen how we have been redeemed from the law and whoever tries to keep the law is under a curse. We have seen how tithing wasn’t officially instituted in the church until 567 AD. The only conclusion we can come to is that tithing was done away with at the cross and is not necessary for New Testament believers.
So, what are preachers who don’t have any other income beside what they make through the collection plate supposed to do. They must rely on God fully for their income. The Holy Spirit will direct people to give. If it is God’s will for the ministry to continue there will be nothing to worry about. I’ve heard that preachers that stop preaching tithes end up becoming more blessed as a result. Let’s quit robbing the poor and giving to the rich. We need to give to each other so no one lacks.
Another thing to consider is the fairness of tithing. If a man makes $1,000,000 and gives a $100,000 tithe, then he will have $900,000 left over. If he goes and spends it all on himself he would be able to buy a lot of material goods. Wouldn’t this man, even though he gave his tithe still be considered by God a lover of money? Now take for instance a man that makes $10,000 a year and tithes $1,000. With $9,000 left he barely makes his rent payments and has to feed his children less as a result. Is it right for him to take away from his children’s mouth in order to tithe? The way tithing is used by the modern day church is a very unfair method. Would God be this unfair? I don’t think he would be. I wonder if the poor in the Old Testament were required to tithe when they were the ones receiving the tithe.
Remember, when a preacher tells you that he needs your money to get the Gospel out he is saying that the Holy Spirit is subject to money and couldn’t do it without money. The Holy Spirit doesn’t need money. God can get his will done without money. He doesn’t need the money of the poor to get the gospel out. Don’t let these tithing preachers steal your money only to build a bigger church and more fancy clothing to preach in.
I’m not saying not to give. A rich person should be giving above and beyond 10%. A poor person should be concerned with giving his children food and making sure his family survives. The rich should be helping those that struggle and help support the church. If you have the money to give then give where God leads you. We should all give the amount that God puts in our heart. He may even require a certain person to give 10% in order to begin to break the bondage of money, but not all are required to give 10%.
There are many Scriptures that tell us to give all. We must realize that not only 10% of our income belongs to the Lord but 100%. We must seek the Lord with what he wants us to do with all our finances.
