Tithing

Malachi 3:10

"'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.'"

 

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Here are ten key Bible verses related to the topic of tithing and giving, spanning both the Old and New Testaments:

1. Genesis 14:20

   "And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

2. 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."

3. Numbers 18:21

   "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."

4. Deuteronomy 14:22

   "Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year."

5. Deuteronomy 14:28-29

   "At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns, so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands."

6. Proverbs 3:9

   "Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops."

7. Malachi 3:10

   "'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.'"

8. Matthew 23:23

   "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."

9. 1 Corinthians 16:2

   "On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made."

10. 2 Corinthians 9:7

    "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

 

Tithing in Scripture: A Journey from Law to Grace

The concept of tithing, the practice of giving a tenth of one's increase, is a significant thread woven throughout the biblical narrative. Its expression and understanding, however, evolve distinctly from the patriarchal accounts to the legal codes of the Old Testament and are ultimately re-envisioned in the teachings of the New Testament. While deeply rooted in ancient Israel's worship and societal structure, the modern application of tithing is a subject of ongoing theological discussion, informed by the entirety of the scriptural witness.

Before the Law: Voluntary Acts of Worship

The first instances of tithing in the Bible predate the formal institution of the Mosaic Law. These were not commanded obligations but spontaneous acts of gratitude and reverence.

Abraham's Tithe to Melchizedek: Following a victorious battle, Abraham, the patriarch of the Israelite nation, gives a tenth of the spoils to Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High (Genesis 14:18-20). This act is presented as a voluntary offering in recognition of God's blessing and Melchizedek's priestly status.

Jacob's Vow: Fleeing from his brother Esau, Jacob makes a vow to God at Bethel. He promises that if God will be with him, protect him, and provide for him, "of all that you give me I will give you a tenth" (Genesis 28:20-22). This vow demonstrates a personal commitment to honor God in response to His anticipated faithfulness.

These pre-Mosaic examples establish tithing as a principle of acknowledging God as the source of all provision and as an act of worship.

The Mosaic Law: A System of Support and Celebration

With the establishment of the nation of Israel and the giving of the Law through Moses, tithing transformed from a voluntary practice into a divinely mandated system with specific purposes. The Old Testament outlines a multifaceted tithing structure:

• The Levitical or First Tithe: As detailed in Numbers 18:21-24, this tithe consisted of a tenth of all agricultural produce and livestock. It was given to the Levites, who were not allotted a tribal inheritance of land and were dedicated to the service of the tabernacle and later the temple. In turn, the Levites were to give a tenth of what they received—a "tithe of the tithe"—to the priests (Numbers 18:25-28). This system provided for the sustenance of those who ministered before the Lord.

• The Festival Tithe: Deuteronomy 14:22-27 describes a second tithe that the Israelites were to set aside each year. This tithe was to be brought to the central sanctuary and consumed in a celebratory feast before the Lord. The purpose was to teach the people to revere the Lord and to rejoice in His blessings. If the journey was too long, the tithe could be converted to money to purchase food and drink for the feast. The Levites were also to be included in this celebration.

• The Tithe for the Poor: Every third year, the festival tithe was to be kept in the local towns and distributed to the Levites, as well as to the "sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow" (Deuteronomy 14:28-29; 26:12-13). This practice ensured that the most vulnerable members of society were cared for, reflecting God's concern for justice and compassion.

These tithes were not merely a religious duty but formed the economic and social fabric of ancient Israel, supporting the priesthood, fostering national worship, and providing a social safety net.

The Prophets: A Call to Faithful Obedience

The prophet Malachi, writing in a period of spiritual decline, delivered a powerful rebuke to the people of Israel for their unfaithfulness in tithing. He frames their neglect as "robbing God" (Malachi 3:8). The context reveals that the priests were being neglected, and the temple had fallen into disrepair due to the people withholding their tithes and offerings. Malachi's message was a call to return to covenant faithfulness, with the promise of God's abundant blessing for those who obeyed: "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more n¹eed" (Malachi 3:10).

Jesus and Tithing: The Weightier Matters of the Law

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the practice of tithing, most notably in his denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees. In Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42, he criticizes them for meticulously tithing "mint and dill and cumin" while neglecting the "weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness." He affirms that they "ought to have done these, without neglecting the others."

Jesus does not abolish the tithe but places it in its proper perspective. He highlights that outward religious acts, including tithing, are meaningless without a heart of love, justice, and faithfulness. His teaching shifts the focus from a legalistic observance to the underlying principles of righteousness.

The Apostle Paul and the Book of Hebrews: A New Covenant Perspective

The Apostle Paul, in his letters to the early churches, does not command a strict 10 percent tithe. Instead, he champions a different model of giving, one that is rooted in grace, generosity, and cheerful willingness.

In 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9, Paul encourages the Corinthian believers to give generously to the collection for the impoverished saints in Jerusalem. He points to the example of the Macedonian churches who, despite their own poverty, gave sacrificially and joyfully. Paul's emphasis is on giving that is:

• Proportional: "as he may prosper" (1 Corinthians 16:2).

• Willing and Cheerful: "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).

• A Demonstration of God's Grace: Giving is seen as a response to the ultimate gift of God's Son (2 Corinthians 8:9).

The book of Hebrews revisits the story of Abraham and Melchizedek to establish the superiority of Christ's priesthood. In Hebrews 7, the author argues that Abraham's tithe to Melchizedek signifies the greatness of Melchizedek's priesthood over the Levitical priesthood, as Levi was "still in the loins of his ancestor" Abraham when the tithe was given. The primary purpose of this passage is not to legislate tithing for Christians but to exalt Christ as the great High Priest in the order of Melchizedek, who receives not a temporary, earthly tithe, but the full and final offering of our lives.

In conclusion, the scriptural narrative of tithing reveals a progression from a voluntary act of worship to a comprehensive legal system under the Old Covenant, which served to support the priesthood and care for the needy. With the advent of the New Covenant, the focus shifts from a legalistic requirement of a tenth to a heart-motivated principle of generous and cheerful giving. While the tithe can serve as a benchmark for Christian stewardship, the New Testament ultimately calls believers to a lifestyle of sacrificial generosity, fueled by the grace of God and directed by the needs of the church and the world.