For the past few months, the issue of tithing has been a lead topic on the internet with people disagreeing and agreeing with the fact that tithing is a necessity for Christians. As a Christian I'd like to share my own personal view on tithing with illustrations from the bible to back them up.
TITHING IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
According to the bible, the first tither was Abraham in the old testament when he gave a tenth of everything he had (Gen. 14:20). Tithing came as a law from God to Moses on mount Sinai for the Israelites in the book of (Lev. 27: 30-34). The book of (Deuteronomy 14 :22-29) also gives a clear view of what tithing was in the old testament.
The book of (Lev. 18:21) describes tithe as being established for the Levites. Now the Levites served a special function in Israel, they ministered before God as Israel’s priests. At God’s command, the Levites didn’t share in the other tribes’ inheritance. The Lord was their portion and inheritance.
From there we see the tithe was a payment to the levitical priests for their services. In the book of (Num. 18:26) we see that the Levites were also to give ten percent of the tithe they received from the other times of Israel to God as tithing too.
TITHING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
In the new testament, Jesus talked about tithing only three times which were in the books of (Matt 23:23, Luke 11:42 and Luke 18:12) where he actually rebuked tithers, in all three instances he reduced the importance of tithes and other matters of the law and says that they are not nearly as important as matters of the heart such as: Justice, mercy, faith, righteousness, kindness and humbleness. (Matt. 23:23)Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders (hypocrites)! For you give a tenth of your mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected and omitted the weightier (more important) matters of the Law–right and justice and mercy and fidelity. These you ought [particularly] to have done, without neglecting the others.
Tithing was a law of the old testament which was given to Moses and was replenished after the death of Christ.The new testament Christians are not under the law of the old testament, remember Apostle Paul said In the book of (Romans 7:6) "But now we are discharged from the Law and have terminated all intercourse with it, having died to what once restrained and held us captive. So now we serve not under [obedience to] the old code of written regulations, but [under obedience to the promptings] of the Spirit in newness [of life]".
The new testament hence teaches us to give but not according to the law of the old testament but rather generously as we think in our heart is right. (2 Corinthians 9:7)Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving]. Tithing is in the old testament was a law (a generic term which can refer to the Divine commandments (primarily the Decalogue), the Old Testament in general or, most specifically, the Torah). Tithing was an involuntary giving, the new testament urges us to give according to the willingness of our own hearts according to our prosperity.
Righteousness should be the lead topic in the churches, tithes won't give anyone a ticket to heaven neither will it stop anyone from making heaven.
(Luke 18:12-14) [12]I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I gain. [13]But the tax collector, [merely] standing at a distance, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but kept striking his breast, saying, O God, be favorable (be gracious, be merciful) to me, the especially wicked sinner that I am!
[14]I tell you, this man went down to his home justified (forgiven and made upright and in right standing with God), rather than the other man; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Give to the lord what you feel is right. The law of tithing was the mosaic law has been now been replaced, we now practice the law of giving.
