Bible Studies

Should Christians Tithe

by "Leta - Message Bringer"
05/01/23
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"Should Christians Tithe?"

Faith comes by hearing and hearing comes by the Word of God. I pray as you read this article you will be strengthened by its words.  I pray the LORD will give you ears to hear, and the heart of wisdom to discern it’s meaning.

What is your doctrine on the tithe? What do you believe? What are you teaching others to believe? The scripture states that the LORD has magnified His Word above His Name.  In view of this we must respect and acknowledge that our Heavenly Father does not desire that His word be misrepresented; that is taken out of context.  Many quote scriptures in such a way (concerning various subjects).  May the LORD, according to His promise (which is stated in both the Old Covenant and in the New Covenant) teach us all things.

There is no instruction in the New Testament about the tithe (I have found no scriptures specifically addressing whether those in Christ are to tithe), nor are we to follow that law?  Allow me to interject here before I begin, that I am one who firmly believes in giving.  I believe we should and must give with a cheerful heart, and with a purpose of heart to give our best in all things: whether in money, goods, or talents.  I believe we must give above and beyond the required tithe of the Old Covenant for we live in the New Covenant, which is not the letter of the law, but the Spirit of it.  This spirit is ruled and governed by the Law of Love which our Saviour commands of us.

I recall in the book of Acts, that Paul and Peter and the other Apostles met and prayed about circumcision (whether the gentiles needed to be circumcised, or whether the gentiles (in Christ) need to follow the law in order to receive salvation. The law of tithing is a part of the Levitical Law. They sent a letter in response to circumcision stating:

To the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:

Greetings.24It has come to our attention that some went out from us without our authorization and unsettled you, troubling your minds by what they said.   25So we all agreed to choose men  to send to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to tell you in person the same things we are writing.28  It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements: 29You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.  Farewell. Acts 15:24-29

 At that point it was established (to be a member of the assembly), it is not necessary to follow the law of circumcision.   Actually, I believe I can safely say this chapter covers the whole matter of following the Law of Moses (as pertaining to the gentiles).  As well as the explanation of the position of the Law of Moses and the power of the Sacrificial Blood of Christ found in Romans chapters 7 and 8.  This clearly explains the translation from the Old Covenant to the New.

We No Longer Have the Levitical Priesthood

Paul mentions what a blessing it is for believers to give, and we should, and we must give.  This should be done happily.   As we do what is right, is to give?  We not only give of our financial blessings, but we are to give of our selves as a living sacrifice unto God. The early Church was taught to give.  Paul states, the workers of the gospel are due his/her wage, and we must not muzzle the ox. 

“Am I not as free as anyone else? Am I not an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus our Lord with my own eyes? Isn’t it because of my work that you belong to the Lord?  Even if others think I am not an apostle, I certainly am to you. You yourselves are proof that I am the Lord’s apostle.”

“This is my answer to those who question my authority.  Don’t we have the right to live in your homes and share your meals?  Don’t we have the right to bring a believing wife  with us as the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers do, and as Peter does?  Or is it only Barnabas and I who have to work to support ourselves?”

“What soldier has to pay his own expenses? What farmer plants a vineyard and doesn’t have the right to eat some of its fruit? What shepherd cares for a flock of sheep and isn’t allowed to drink some of the milk?  Am I expressing merely a human opinion, or does the law say the same thing?  For the law of Moses says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.”   Was God thinking only about oxen when he said this?  Wasn’t he actually speaking to us? Yes, it was written for us, so that the one who plows and the one who threshes the grain might both expect a share of the harvest.”

“Since we have planted spiritual seed among you, aren’t we entitled to a harvest of physical food and drink?  If you support others who preach to you, shouldn’t we have an even greater right to be supported? But we have never used this right. We would rather put up with anything than be an obstacle to the Good News about Christ.”

“Don’t you realize that those who work in the temple get their meals from the offerings brought to the temple? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings.  In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it.  Yet I have never used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that I want to start now. In fact, I would rather die than lose my right to boast about preaching without charge.  Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News!”

“If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust.  What then is my pay? It is the opportunity to preach the Good News without charging anyone. That’s why I never demand my rights when I preach the Good News.

“Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.  When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law.  When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.”

“When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.  I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!  All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.  So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.  I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”  1Corinthians 9:1-27 New Living Translation

Yes, there is record in the scripture to tithe to the Levitical Priesthood in the book of Malachi; he is addressing them because they were stealing from the LORD, in the tithe, and the LORD was telling them to prove him. Prove him by tithing. Stop stealing from Him (If we read a little further the Levitical priest received food and materials as tithes.   When travel was involved, the people were to change the value of their animals etc. into money, and when they arrived at their destination it was exchanged back into animals etc. that the Law had prescribed. 

The Levitical tithe was connected to an animal sacrifice; if we are to tithe correctly, the tithe must be presented to a Levitical Priest, and two animals (I believe) must be sacrificed.  That’s a whole different study). Also, everyone was not required to tithe.  Only those with more that ten of any animals (or anything) were required to tithe the 10^th.  In other words, those with for example nine sheep were not required to tithe (where is the 10^th).

“The animal tithe (Hebrew: מַעְשַׂר בְּהֵמָה, "Ma'sar Behemah") is a commandment in the Torah requiring the sanctifying a tithe of kosher grazing animals (cattle, sheep, and goats) to God, to be sacrificed as a Korban  (is any of a variety of sacrificial offerings described and commanded in the Torah.) at the Temple in Jerusalem.

The tithe of animals was not redeemable; and if one animal was exchanged for another both became sanctified. The method of levying the tithe of animals is indicated: they were counted singly; and every tenth one that passed under the rod became the tithe animal.

“The Tannaim (views of rabbinic sages) inferred from Deuteronomy 14:22 that each tithe was to be taken of every year's produce separately, whether of crops, of cattle, or of anything else subject to tithing.   Also they fixed a particular day to mark the beginning of the year for tithing. The new year's day for the tithing of animals (Rosh Hashanah L'Ma'sar Behemah) is the first of Elul”  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_tithe

I suppose if we would like to follow that law, we could. Wouldn't that cause us to live according to the law? Then if we follow that law, then what laws should we follow for salvation?  Should we follow then all 613 of them?   Romans chapters 7 and 8 explains in depth the Law of Moses, and the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ.  Christ said that He has another flock. We are that flock.

 “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, 15just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.” John 10:14-16

There is much that is misspoken in Christendom, that we wink at (those that do realize the errors) and keep chugging a long. There is clarity in the scriptures if we take the time to search to understand by building soberly, precept upon precept. We know that when we give like Paul says to give, we store up treasure in heaven. We must remember this is not our home. We are but sojourners passing through.

Here are a few verses concerning giving and giving offerings in the New Testament/ New Covenant (as stated before there is no commandment to tithe in the New Covenant; to the Church, that I can find) of Christ in comparison to the Old Testament/Old Covenant: keeping in mind the initial four gospels in which Christ was addressing the Jews (mostly Scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees were those that doubted His words) of that day.  We must prove all things by the witness of two or three. Allowing two or more witnesses establishes what is truth according to the scripture.  Please read below to help in having a clearer view of the subject of the tithe, offerings, and giving, by allowing these scriptures bear witness of the truth.

Gifts & Offerings in the New Covenant

(I found no tithe requirement in the New Covenant)

“The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem”

Melchizedek and Abraham
(Genesis 14:17–24)

Meets:

(Hebrews 7:1-15)

1I really don’t need to write to you about this ministry of giving for the believers in Jerusalem.   2For I know how eager you are to help, and I have been boasting to the churches in Macedonia that you in Greece were ready to send an offering a year ago. In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving.  3But I am sending these brothers to be sure you really are ready, as I have been telling them, and that your money is all collected. I don’t want to be wrong in my boasting about you. 4We would be embarrassed—not to mention your own embarrassment—if some Macedonian believers came with me and found that you weren’t ready after all I had told them! 5So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly.  6Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”   8And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9As the Scriptures say,  “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” 10For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.11Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 12So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.  13As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 14And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. 15Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!  New Living Translation

1. Philippians  Chapter 4 verses 10-20  “Paul’s Thanks for Their Gifts” 

“How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.  I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.  For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.  Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty. As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this.  Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once.  I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness. At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God.  And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.  Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.”  New Living Translation

1. 1 Corinthians Chapter 16 verses 1-4 “The Collection for the Saints” 

“Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia.  On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once.  When I come, I will write letters of recommendation for the messengers you choose to deliver your gift to Jerusalem.  And if it seems appropriate for me to go along, they can travel with me.” New Living Translation

Tithes and Offerings of the Old Covenant

 Malachi Chapter3 verses 6-15 “A Call to Repentance.”

1.  “I am the LORD, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed.  Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.  “But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’  “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’“  You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.  You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me.  Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!  Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease.   Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.  “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.  “You have said terrible things about me,” says the LORD.  “But you say, ‘What do you mean? What have we said against you?’  “You have said, ‘What’s the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the LORD of Heaven’s Armies that we are sorry for our sins?  From now on we will call the arrogant blessed. For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them suffer no harm.’”   New Living Translation

Verse 10 is used to enforce the reason why we as Christians should tithe.  When looking at it in the complete scope of its content, the LORD was addressing and admonishing the Nation of Israel because they were stealing the required tithe.  They had forsaken Him not only in tithing, but their hearts had been removed from Him, He was telling them (as a Nation) to return to Him so that they can resume the Covenant He had established with their forefathers.  This covenant was a covenant of blessings if they would follow the Laws of the Covenant.

1. Leviticus Chapter 27:30-34 “Thus any tithe from the land, whether from the seed of the land or the fruit of the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.  If a man wishes to redeem part of his tithe, he must add a fifth to its value.  Every tenth animal from the herd or flock that passes under the shepherd’s rod will be holy to the LORD.    He must not inspect whether it is good or bad, and he shall not make any substitution. But if he does make a substitution, both the animal and its substitute shall become holy; they cannot be redeemed.’ ”  These are the commandments that the LORD gave to Moses for the Israelites on Mount Sinai.”  Berean Standard Bible 


2. Deuteronomy 26:13-15  “Then you shall declare in the presence of the LORD your God, “I have removed from my house the sacred portion and have given it to the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all the commandments You have given me. I have not transgressed or forgotten Your commandments.  I have not eaten any of the sacred portion while in mourning, or removed any of it while unclean, or offered any of it for the dead. I have obeyed the LORD my God; I have done everything You commanded me.  Look down from Your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless Your people Israel and the land You have given us as You swore to our fathers—a land flowing with milk and honey.” Berean Standard Bible

The Promise For Obedience

Obey the LORD’s Commands

Deuteronomy 26:16-19 “The LORD your God commands you this day to follow these statutes and ordinances. You must be careful to follow them with all your heart and with all your soul.  Today you have proclaimed that the LORD is your God and that you will walk in His ways, keep His statutes and commandments and ordinances, and listen to His voice.  And today the LORD has proclaimed that you are His people and treasured possession as He promised, that you are to keep all His commandments, 19that He will set you high in praise and name and honor above all the nations He has made, and that you will be a holy people to the LORD your God, as He has promised.”  Berean Standard Bible

There are more laws concerning the tithe and offerings and first fruit, but for time sake I just noted a few.  In today’s technology, this subject can be easily googled, and you will find lists of references pertaining to this subject.  Also, you will find many opinions.  I believe the subject has been settled and the opinion of the matter was concluded over 2,000 years ago when the early church was established.  I believe we must search diligently, and be whole heartedly willing to adjust our views and mindset to that of what is written in the scripture and what thus saith the LORD.

Yes, We Do Have Promises 

The Lord says that when we forsake all and follow him… “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, 30will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”  Mark 10:29-31.  New Living Translation

His message has always been clear and to the point, and always will be. Trust in the LORD. He knows that we have needs and has prepared for those things before the foundation of the world for them who love Him. Everything that we have, everything that we need, is right there. I have realized recently that I barely open my mouth, and He has already answered that prayer. I am quickly reminded by the Spirit that those things have already been provided for me, and all I need to do is believe, because the Lord is there for me.  The Savior loves us and will give us all things.  God the Father did not spare his own son, who cried and was in agony and stress so much that he bled drops of blood and said, Father, if it's possible, please remove this cup from me. But he did not. If he spared not his own son and allowed Him to suffer as a sacrifice to save those that would be saved, to wash away our sin and through any by him re-establish a relationship with Him, why would he not give us everything? Read Romans 8:31-32  

If you believe these words, then what must we all do? We must have a relationship with the Father and our Savior Jesus Christ. This is found in John 17: 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. Have a relationship with the Father and with Christ. Love the LORD with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. Love your neighbor as yourselves and love the body of Christ like Jesus love the church. This is what we must do. We don't have to give money to receive blessings from the LORD.  He freely gives us all things. What we must do is support those that labor among us.

Money is nothing to the LORD (man created money, not God.).  Obedience is everything to Him. Obedience is better than sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of rams. Recall what Paul said. I believe, he was addressing the solution. He said that he's glad to see that now you are sending me some things for my needs. Not that he needed anything, he says. Because in all things he's learned how to be content. Because I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me, but for your sakes... and so that you can be blessed. Yes, I'm happy that you sent me things according to my needs. So that you can store up, gifts, treasures in heaven.

Abraham Paid Tithes to Melchizedek

Finally, if you recall Abram paid tithes to Melchizedek. Yes, he did.  Study on it. You will notice that it was not a tithe of gold or silver, it was of goods. He had discussed with the king of Sodom concerning receiving anything from him; because he did not want anyone to say that they had caused him,” Abraham,” to become rich because of what he had received from them.  Thus, the tithe he paid to Melchizedek was not paid to the Levitical Priesthood.

Melchizedek and Abraham
(Genesis 14:17–24)

meets:

(Hebrews Chapter 7)

“This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,  and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness.” Then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.”  Without father or mother or genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest for all time.  Consider how great Melchizedek was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder.  Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.  But Melchizedek, who did not trace his descent from Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises.  And indisputably, the lesser is blessed by the greater.  In the case of the Levites, mortal men collect the tenth; but in the case of Melchizedek, it is affirmed that he lives on.  And so to speak, Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham.  For when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the loin of his ancestor.

A Superior Priesthood

“Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron? For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well.  He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.  For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, a tribe as to which Moses said nothing about priests.  And this point is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears,  one who has become a priest not by a law of succession, but by the power of an indestructible life.  For it is testified:

“You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

“So the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.  And none of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath,  but Jesus became a priest with an oath by the One who said to Him:

“The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind:  ‘You are a priest forever.’ ”

Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office. But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completelythose who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself.  For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.”

We must take care in how we study.  We must be careful. We must study and be thoroughly convinced about what we speak and what we believe. Study. Make sure what you're teaching and what you believe is the truth. Be assured that what you hear and what you apply to your life as well as to those you teach, is the truth, and that it can be confirmed scripturally.  Confirm that nothing in your finding is taken out of content (no matter what the subject). If it's material from someone else. Verify it. Vet everything. Are we not held accountable for what we believe and what we proclaim.

In light of it all shouldn’t we give beyond the tithe???

Shouldn’t our giving be that of not questioning, but giving out of a sincere and pure heart to those who serve and are called to pour out of themselves to further the Kingdom and gospel of Christ?

My appeal is this:  If we say we love the gospel, if we say we love Yeshua (Christ our Savior), If we say we love the Father, and if we say we love those that minister the gospel and work among us; should not our heart’s desire be towards them?  Shouldn’t we look to the needs of all brothers and sisters?  Shouldn’t we regard everyone higher than we regard ourselves?   

Should not we look beyond the Levitical Law; and rest in the priestly office of Melchizedek: the king of Righteousness and then King of Peace, ie: the Priest of God Most High, who came before the law (that is Melchizedek), and was given this office by our Father to Yeshua our Salvation? This is the Father’s Unchangeable Oath. Hebrews 6:19-20 and Hebrews 7:1

Every message should be rooted in Christ, and in this message I have attempted to pose that He is showing that he has made provisions for his ministers of the Church, just as he made provisions for the Levitical Priesthood of the Israelites.

I give thanks to the Holy Spirit who teaches us all things, for granting me the grace to research such a sensitive matter and to be able to present it in such a way, which I prayerfully hope is easy to understand, yet with enough detail to comprehend the root of the matter.  By this, I am not stating that I am an authority.  I am simply presenting what I have been shown in the scripture by the Spirit of our Lord.

Shalom and blessings to you all.  Amen