Tithing simply means giving one tenth. The Bible clearly states the truth about tithing. Sadly though, most people stumble through their Sunday routine listening to only what the pastor is saying. Or even worse, they are glued to their screens listening to these wealthy television personalities suck their life savings right out of their pockets. The truths are hard to learn because these people in leadership are using Bible verses out of context to fund their highfalutin lifestyles. These grace robbers are not teaching the truth about tithing, and whether they know it or not, they are operating Ponzi schemes where they guilt you into sending money. They are simply throwing us back into bondage, wrapping chains around our necks and throwing us overboard. Truly, the truth about tithing will set you free.
Tithing in the Bible must be understood in the context of the sacrificial system that God set up for Israel. After God led the Israelites out of Egypt, God spoke to Moses saying, Thus all the tithe of the land, 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]. Neither carpenters, bankers, doctors, lawyers, or tax collectors gave a single coin for a tithe. They kept ALL that they earned and were not allowed to give it as a tithe at all. Only agricultural crops and livestock were presented as tithes and offerings in this old system.
So many church goers are confused about the difference between tithing and giving. This is mostly because the confusion is coming from the pastors directly. Tithing and giving in the Bible need to be looked at in two parts. Part one should begin with Israel in the desert and culminate at Jesus’s death. Part two began with the resurrection of Jesus and continues to present day.
So, let’s explore a little more what the Bible says about tithing. It goes worth saying again. A tithe is merely one tenth, nothing more, nothing less. Through Moses, God established tithing in the Torah (first five books of the OT), to support the Levites. The Levites served in the temple of God as priests and performed various duties as assigned. They were not assigned any territory in the Promised Land because God declared Himself to be their inheritance. From the Levites, He chose Aaron’s sons to be priests in the Tent of Meeting.
All tribes of Israel, excluding Levi, were required to present three tithes. Yes, you heard this correctly. Two yearly tithes of 10% each of agricultural produce and livestock and a third tithe of 10% every three years of agricultural produce only. At the end of every third year you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in that year, and shall deposit it in your town. [Deuteronomy 14:28]. If you do the math, that’s a tithing requirement totaling 23.3% a year. I will talk more about the 23.3% tithe in my next blog.
I’ve heard many folks express major concerns over tithing. I’ve heard things like, “Malachi 3:10 says I should bring my tithe to the storehouse. When you tithe, God will bless you. I can’t afford to tithe.” The list goes on and on. These folks are not studying tithing truths in the Bible. Many churches have adopted a 90 Day Tithing Challenge. Ever heard of this scheme? This makes sense! Let’s put the creator of time on a time limit of 90 days. If we are not rich by the 90th day, we can ask the church for our money back. No questions asked, right?
I hear two popular questions asked all the time: “Do I tithe from the gross or the net? Do I give my tithe to my church or can I give it to different ministries?”
It is clear in the scriptures why tithing is not relevant today. Jesus became the perfect lamb to provide the means to remit sin and the path to know the Father. While Jesus was standing and breathing on this earth, tithing was practiced. The New Testament was not written yet while Jesus was alive. Yes, Jesus does mention tithing while rebuking the Pharisees. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others [Matthew 23:23] and again in Luke 11:42. That’s just it folks! Jesus said himself that tithing was a matter of the law. When He died, He fulfilled the Law. As a matter of fact, the Cross fulfilled laws beyond ANY Levitical law. Praise Jesus we don’t have to live under that sacramental law any longer!
In later blogs, I will talk about today’s standard of grace giving. Study the truth about tithing and giving with an open mind. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you on this journey, and you will see in plain sight that tithing does not apply today. Neither the Temple, nor the priesthood of Aaron exists today. Therefore, any Old Testament law prescribing a tithe has been set aside with something better.
Call or email us today if you or someone you know have questions about money or need help sorting through your finances. We’ve been there, and we are eager to help!