It
seems that there's been a lot of discussion lately over tithing.
Let's look at some things, shall we?
The concept of tithing was
established prior to the giving of the Mosaic Law.
“And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all” (Gen 14:20).
“To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace” (Heb 7:2).
“And this stone, which I have set for
a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I
will surely give the tenth unto thee” (Gen 28:22).
Tithing is a big deal.
“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have
robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and
offerings” (Mal 3:8).
“Woe unto
you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and
anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of
the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and
not to leave the other undone” (Mat 23:23).
You are not required to give 10% of
your increase. . . that's a minimum. You're given another option:
that of offering more.
“Let the elders that rule well be
counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the
word and doctrine” (1 Tim 5:17).
Your tithe ought to be at least 10%
of your increase (money earned that you actually see), not 10% of your
pre-theft gross.
“Thou shalt truly tithe all the
increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year
“At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates” (Deut 14:22, 28).
“At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates” (Deut 14:22, 28).
“Honour the LORD with thy substance,
and with the firstfruits of all thine increase” (Pro 3:9).
God's principles are different than the world's principles. If you have an increase, then you can afford to tithe because this is God's world, not the imaginary mechanistic world of the secular humanist.
“There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty” (Pro 11:24).
There is an argument that we are not required to tithe because “that was the Old Testament.” On the contrary, Paul argues in 1 Corinthians 9 that our respective Christian ministers are to be supported in much the same way that the Levites and priests were in the Old Covenant system.
“Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
God's principles are different than the world's principles. If you have an increase, then you can afford to tithe because this is God's world, not the imaginary mechanistic world of the secular humanist.
“There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty” (Pro 11:24).
There is an argument that we are not required to tithe because “that was the Old Testament.” On the contrary, Paul argues in 1 Corinthians 9 that our respective Christian ministers are to be supported in much the same way that the Levites and priests were in the Old Covenant system.
“Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
“Even so hath
the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of
the gospel” (1 Cor 9:13-14; cf. Isa 62:2, 66:20-21).
When Paul makes his case for tithing to the Christians in Corinth and to Timothy, where does he go for support of his assertions? Well, one of the places was an Old Testament law.
“Thou shalt
not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn” (Deu
25:4; cf. 1 Cor 9:9, 1 Tim 5:18).
Indeed, you and I are obligated
before God to take care of our elders.
“no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food” (Mat 10:10).
“And remain in the same house, eating
and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages.
Do not go from house to house” (Luk 10:7; cf. 1 Tim 5:18, Lev19:13).
“Let the one who is taught the word
share all good things with the one who teaches.
“Do not be deceived: God is not
mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
“For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal 6:6-10).
“For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal 6:6-10).
. . .and taking care of our elders
means tithing—a word that means “one-tenth.” God is not
mocked.
“Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation” (Mal 3:9).
In summary, of all the money that our King has given us, the only thing He requires back is one-tenth of our increase. With that in our minds, let us offer Him this modest tribute with joy in our hearts and thanksgiving on our lips.
“Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation” (Mal 3:9).
In summary, of all the money that our King has given us, the only thing He requires back is one-tenth of our increase. With that in our minds, let us offer Him this modest tribute with joy in our hearts and thanksgiving on our lips.
Amen! Thanks for writing this. I've come across so many confused questions on this subject, some of which I have asked myself at various times. Definitely good to read and consider.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Sharyl!
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