The word ‘tithe’ comes from an old English word meaning 10 percent or a tenth. A tithe is 10 percent of one’s income, and when the Bible talks about tithing, it refers to setting one tenth of your increase aside for God. It is a form of worship showing God respect, and for which we are promised blessings: “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine” (Proverbs 3:9-10).
Tithing is first mentioned as part of worshiping and honoring God in the context of Abraham, who is called “the friend of God” (James 2:23). After Abraham rescued his nephew Lot, who had been taken prisoner by regional warlords, we are told Abraham gave Melchizedek a tithe, or a tenth of his possessions: “…Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine…, ” and pronounced a blessing on Abraham, and then Abraham,“… gave him a tithe of all” (Genesis 14:18-20). Abraham recognized that he was blessed by God Most High, who made his victory and all his blessings possible. (For further information about who Melchizedek was read the previous article in this issue: ’A Mystery Solved: The Identity Of Melchizedek’)
Jacob followed the example of his grandfather Abraham, and when God reconfirmed the promises He had made to Abraham Jacob promised God that “of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You” (Genesis 28:20-22). Tithing has always been part of God’s plan: “All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord” (Leviticus 27:30). God had the right to claim 10 percent of everything produced from the land because He owns everything: “The earth is the Lord’s and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1; Exodus 19:5; Job 41:11).
We humans tend to think what we possess has come about because of our human efforts. God recognizes this tendency and told Moses to warn the Israelites not to think, “My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.” Instead they were to “remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:17-18). God expects us to give back to honor Him and to acknowledge that He gives everything to us.
Jesus Himself also clearly upheld the practice of tithing. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the other things undone” (Matthew 23:23). Christ plainly confirmed that tithing should indeed be practiced, along with sincere adherence to the “weightier” spiritual matters the scribes and Pharisees were obviously neglecting.
In the New Testament the followers of the Gospel message gave monetary and other aid to Jesus, to His disciples and, later, to other laborers in the Church to support them in doing the work Christ had given them to do. (Luke 8:3; 10:7-8; 2 Corinthians 11:7-9; Philippians 4:14-18).
God commands us to tithe to support the work He is doing here on earth. The Church has a divine commission to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God (Matthew 28:18-20), and God has not left this most important work without a means to be financed. Paul explained that, as those ministering in the temple were supported by the offerings given at the temple, so those ministering in the Church should receive support from the members of the Church. “Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel,” he wrote (1 Corinthians 9:13-14).
Although God equates withholding tithes with robbing Him (Malachi 3:8-10), He does not force anyone to tithe. A decision to tithe is a matter of faith, and it should be given willingly. Tithing demonstrates a deep faith and reverence toward God, recognizing Him as the source of our existence and blessings. Jesus Christ said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). God encourages us to step out and put God to the test in this matter which will result in great blessings (Malachi 3:10-12).
