7. What Does the Bible Really Say About Tithing?

1. The first reference of tithing is Genesis 14: 18-20 with Abraham.
   • Abraham defeats four kings in battle and gives a tenth of the spoils to Melchizedek.
   • Abraham’s gift to Melchizedek was customary during the ancient world.Paying tribute and respect to someone in authority.
   • It was also customary in the ancient world to pay a tribute to the landowner if you were the farmer. Genesis 47:26 – Joseph made a law where a fifth of one’s crops went to the Pharaoh     
   • Abraham’s tithe was not mandatory.
   • Abraham’s tithe is a one-time thing; he doesn’t continue to tithe every year.

2. The second reference of tithing is Genesis 28:20-22 with Jacob.
   • God did not command Jacob to tithe. Nor did God say, if you tithe I will bless you.  It was completely voluntary.  It was Jacob’s act of gratitude and worship.
   • We’re missing a lot of details in the Bible.Who did Jacob give his tithe to?

3.  In the Mosaic Law, there are three mandatory tithes for the nation of Israel. 

• Israel was a theocracy where God was the President and the Law was the Constitution. In other words, the church and the government were the same thing. 
• The first tithe was for the bureaucracy of the theocracy so the Sons of Levi could accomplish their priestly duties; Numbers 18:21-23
• The second tithe was for a national celebration of God’s grace. This tithe and celebration included alcohol; Deuteronomy 14:22-24. 
• The third tithe was for the poor and destitute of the land, “the alien, the orphan, and the widow”; Deuteronomy 14:28-29.
• If you add up all of the tithes it comes out to a 23 1/3 % annual tax rate for everyone in the Nation of Israel.
• Tithes were for everyone in Israel, believers and unbelievers.
• There were non-mandatory, freewill offerings on top of tithes; Exodus 25:1-2, Leviticus 22:28-33, Leviticus 23:38; Leviticus 27:30; Leviticus 27:30-31; Numbers 15:3; Deuteronomy 12:6; Ezra 1:4; Ezra 3:5

 

4. We often take Malachi 3:10 out of context to pressure people into giving money.
   • The Book of Malachi occurs after the Jews return to the land and rebuild the temple following the Babylonian captivity
   • As Israel re-establishes itself as a nation, God reminds them of their duties to pay their tithes. And that He will bless them if they’re obedient; Malachi 3:10
   • The storehouse refers to the temple, or House of God. Israel didn’t have a national bank.  So, they stored their assets in the temple and kept a guard. 
   • This is analogous to the President reminding us to pay our taxes.

 

5. As Christians today, we’re not under the Mosaic Law, so tithing is not mandatory.
   • Tithing only mentioned in the New Testament in reference to the Pharisees who disregarded the love of God; Luke 11:42, 18:12.
   • The Bible teaches different time periods, or dispensations, with different household rules.
     • In the Church, or Age of Grace, all believers (Jew and Gentile) receive the Holy Spirit; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 4:30, John 7:39
   • We’re under grace not the law; Romans 6:14.
   • Christ abolished the entire law; Romans 10:4
   • There isn’t one verse in the New Testament that mandates tithing or giving.

 

6. Major Takeaways 
   • Avoid black and white rules (i.e. tithing) that don’t exist in the Bible.
   • Acknowledge that everyone’s at a different place on a different road.
   • Love one another, through the power of Christ in us, especially when it comes to a potentially huge stumbling block like money.
   • Recognize that motivation through fear is not love; 1 John 4:18.
   • Trust the work of the Holy Spirit, who resides in all believers. The fruits of the Spirit are “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control against such things there is no law” Galatians 5:22-23
   • Avoid making a show out of giving; Matthew 6:2-4
   • Recognize that attitude is most important when giving; 2 Corinthians 9:7
   • Take away attached strings when giving.