Christians And The "Tithe"Are Christians Required To Keep the Law of the Tithe?

Compiled By R. Francis

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse" (Mal.3:10). A tenth of your income belongs toGod and if you don't give it you are a God robber according to the Bible (Mal. 3:8). If you are notfaithful in giving your tithe, God will curse you (Mal. 3:9) and not "rebuke the devourer" (Mal.3:11)."What does the Bible really say about tithing? Are Christians under the law of the tithe? Istithing and Christian giving the same? In the following we will examine the tithe in relation to theChristian, New Testament Church.

The Tithe in the New Testament

It is truly regrettable that in all other areas of our relationship with God we are stronglyexhorted to approach our Lord according to New Testament Grace; but when giving is the topic,we are frequently instructed to return to the bondage and curse of the Law, Malachai 3:9.Although the tithe is almost universally preached in contemporary New Testament churches, itis a concept found nearly exclusively in the Old Testament. It is only mentioned in three differentcontexts in the New Testament. Twice in connection with Jews (Matt. 23:23; Luke 11:14; 18:2),and once in connection with Abraham (Heb. Ch. 7). That the tithe is not mentioned in connectionwith any Christian church or New Testament practice should cause any believer to stronglyquestion its application to New Testament believers

One can find a considerable amount ofmaterial on "giving" in the New Testament, but absolutely nothing linking the Christian with theOld Testament law of tithing.Get a concordance and look up the words "tithe" and "tenth" (and variations) and you’ll find theBible does not even suggest a Christian should tithe, let alone command him to. Paul, Peter, John,etc., could have easily mentioned the "tithe" when discussing matters of giving, but they knew ithad been abolished by the cross of Christ and was no longer valid Col.2:14. The tithe iserroneously applied to Christians by pulling the Old Testament law of tithing across dispensationsand placing it as doctrine in the New Testament. This is how most errant doctrines originate.When doctrines which are valid in only one dispensation (time period) are forced into anotherdispensation they become false doctrines. For example, many preachers quote Malachai 3:10("Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house") as if a NewTestament church is the storehouse, but the church is never spoken of as a storehouse for God’sgoods. Churches were not intended to store crops and livestock (or even money) as the passagerefers to.This is an area where otherwise sound and mature teachers will stray away from Grace. Arepastors fearful that people will not give without the motivation of fear and retribution?If these teachers were consistent and jumped dispensations to teach doctrine in other mattersthey would have Christians becoming circumcised, observing Jewish feasts and holy days,offeringanimal sacrifices, shunning unclean meats. In shortkeeping the Law of Moses. Acts 15:10.

For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness toeveryone who believes”. Romans 10:4

What About Abraham And His Tithe?

When "tithers" are confronted with teaching Old Testament Law as New Testament doctrinethey usually claim "Abraham and Jacob paid tithes before the law so believers should pay tithesafter the law," or something similar. But this is forced, reasoning and doesn’t consider the facts.For that matter circumcision began before the law with Abraham also

does that mean all maleChristians must be circumcised to be saved or in God's will? Of course not. This was the error ofthe "law-keeping" Judaizers who were quickly corrected by Peter (Acts 15: 1-11).Most pastors who teach tithing as a valid New Testament practice have no ulterior motive andare sincerely convinced of its validity. Unfortunately many preachers don’t learn their doctrinefrom personal study. They learn it from hearing other preachers or teachers. But what if theirteachers are wrong? Sincerity is no substitute for truth or knowledge (Pro. 14:12).Let’s take a closer look at Abraham’s case and see what those who appeal to him fail to mention.In Genesis 14 Abraham does pay tithes of the spoils of battle to Melchisidek, but notice theserevealing facts:1.Abraham was not commanded to tithe by God or Melchizedek. 2Abraham was not even askedfor tithes by God or Melchizedek. 3.Abraham did not tithe to keep something bad from happeningto him, but because God had already blessed him in the battle. It is recorded Abraham tithed thisone time in all his 175 years. 4.And what is most shocking, Abraham was not even saved when hetithed! Not saved according to Moses (Gen. 15:6), Paul (Rom. 4:20-22), and James (James 2:23)!The account of Abraham is no help to those who compel the law of the tithe on New TestamentBelievers. .As for Jacob, by his own accord he offers to give God a tithe after he has the dream of theladder (Gen 28:22). Like Abraham, though, he is not commanded to tithe (there is no record heever did), he offers it of his own free will.

Tithing Under The Mosaic Law

The majority of references to tithing in the Bible are found in the Mosaic law. Under the Law avoluntary, freewill tithe like Abraham’s is unheard of. To the Jews the tithe was essentially acompelled national income tax for the upkeep of the tabernacle and support of the Levites.Refusal to pay it COULD lead to the destructions of the "devourer" mentioned in Malachai 3:11.Furthermore, from careful examination of the Scriptures there appears to be not one but

THREEtithes under the Law

, each given at different times:

1st Tithe

: The annual tithe for the maintenance of the Levitical Priesthood (Num. 18:21-24).Since the tribe of Levi received no inheritance (Num. 18:20; Deut. 12:12, Deut. 14:27), and wassegregated from the rest of Israel in order to serve the Lord (Num. 3:5-10, 3:39-45, 8:14-19),the first tithe was necessary for their support.

2nd Tithe

: Another tithe was brought to Jerusalem for festival purposes (Deut. 14:22-27).

3rd Tithe

: The third tithe was required every third year to assist the poor (Deut. 14:28-29). This year was called "the year of tithing," (Deut. 26:12-14). When the Israelites had completed tithing

of the increase of the land, they were to give this tithe to the Levites, strangers, orphans, andwidows.All the tithes put together would consist of around

23%

of a persons income per year. Far shortof the single 10% many call a "tithe" and boast of paying.For the most part the tithes of the Old Testament were of crops and livestock. Each Jew was toseparate out his tithes from his labors for God’s use, but notice what the scriptures say inLeviticus 27:31. If a Jew redeemed his tithe (sold it for money) then he was to add 20% more toit totaling 12%! This shows God would rather have us give goods than money. How many times have you heard that preached? How many pay their "tithes" in goods today? If they pay in money theycan’t even call it a tithe unless they add a "fifth part" of the tithe to it! So, essentially, today atithe is

12%

of one’s income and not

10%!

The law is an unforgiving taskmaster and tolerates nothing but obedience. How many of thosewho boast of tithing, besides not paying 12%, don’t tithe on ALL their increase or pay threedifferent tithes? Beware all ye who boast of tithing because the Bible will show you a liar. Godcould show you a thousand places where you have failed to tithe. Do you tithe your garden cropsor anything else you grow or raise? Do you tithe all interest of any form you accrue from savingsaccounts or capital gains? Do you tithe the yearly increase of the value of your home, jewelry orother assets? Or if you sell your home or any other property do you tithe any increase in value?(A home bought in 1970 for $20,000 may sell today for $80,000, leaving the "faithful tither"$7200 to tithe! [12% of $60,000]) Do you tithe the value of any gifts you receive (Christmas?),the benefits you receive from your job (value of health insurance, profit sharing, retirement,etc.) or any unexpected or extra income no matter how small from any source? And you call yourself a tither? Some deluded souls actually believe they are tithing if they give 10% of theirincome after taxes and deductions! The "tithe" comes off the top (Lev. 27:30; Deut 14:22), notafter convenient deductions lower the "tithable" income.It should be clear from above, the Law only brings bondage; but, glory to His name, Christ by Hisblood freed us from the curse of the Law (Gal 3:13).Whether it be the Law’s requirements offeasts and sacrifices or of tithing, Christ has made us free. It is amazing how many preachers willshout "Ten percent belongs to God" when they should realize 100% belongs to God. All Christiansare God’s property two-fold, by creation and by redemption by Christ’s blood.

The New Testament Method

This article is not meant to be a discourse on Christian giving but on the misuse of the OldTestament law of the tithe as a rule for New Testament Giving. As we have seen the tithe wasprimarily a tax on Israel to support Judaism and is not mentioned in connection with the NewTestament believer. The New Testament method of giving, however, is not under the threat oflaw and retribution but from thanksgiving and heartfelt desire (2 Cor. ch. 8-9). "God loveth acheerful giver" and one who is compelled to give doesn’t give in the purest sense and is seldomcheerful about it.

The simple fact is Christians are not commanded to tithe

. The Bible strongly exhortsChristians to give, but never stipulates a percentage. Since 10% was the basis for giving in theOld Testament law, a Christian could spiritually use that amount as a basis for his giving, but he