On Tithing
I remember being a young girl and knowing when the pastor would say tithes and offerings, someone would pass me a dollar or a few coins to put in the offering plate. Back then, I had no understanding of tithes. But as I got to high school, I started understanding tithes more.
But you may be wondering what’s a tithe and why do we have to do it. You may even feel like it’s a scheme of pastors to heckle their members for money. Or maybe you’re one of those who believe you can tithe something non monetary like time or service. So let’s turn to the authority on tithes: the Bible!
First, tithe means “tenth” in Hebrew. Let’s start with the Old Testament. Please note this devotional is not exhaustive by any means but hopes to shed light on tithing.
In Lev. 27:30; Num. 18:25–28; Deut. 14:22–24; 2 Chron. 31:5–6, the Israelites are mandated by the Lord to give a tenth of their income. Back in those days, their income was through crops and cultivating the land. But whatever they earned was supposed to be given back to the Lord whether grain, land, etc.
One of the most interesting scriptures in my opinion in the Old Testament is Malachi 3:
Do Not Rob God
8 “Will a man rob God?
Yet you have robbed Me!
But you say,
‘In what way have we robbed You?’
In tithes and offerings.
9 You are cursed with a curse,
For you have robbed Me,
Even this whole nation.
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.
11 “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,
So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,
Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,”
Says the Lord of hosts;
12 “And all nations will call you blessed,
For you will be a delightful land,”
Says the Lord of hosts.
In Malachi 3, we see the Lord telling the people that NOT tithing is robbing Him. Imagine being charged with robbing God! But on the flip side, we see the Lord promise 4 promises to those who do tithe: 1) Open the windows of heaven for blessings so much that you can’t receive it all, 2) rebuke the devourer (Satan) for your sake, 3) your vine shall not cast before it’s time, and 4) all nations will call you blessed (Malachi 3:10-12)
So, reading the Old Testament, we see that tithing is a principle God establishes (not man, not pastors). By not tithing, it is disobedience likened to stealing. But those who do tithe, experience supernatural blessings. Saints, please do not believe the hype that tithing is optional or a scam. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen on social media that tithing is a scam. *face palm*
Also, you cannot tithe your time. While the Lord is not opposed to you serving your community and ministry, that is not what He asked concerning tithes:
Proverbs 3:9-10
9 Honor the Lord with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
So now we know we are to give a tenth of our income. But the human fleshly side of us may say the following:
I cannot afford to tithe.
I don’t want to tithe because I want to keep all of my income!
Why does God need my money?
Friends, these are all things that center oneself at the conversation of tithing instead of God. God is the reason you have all that you do! So why take the approach that it is yours? Furthermore, the Word tells us that the earth is the Lord and the fullness thereof (Psalm 24:1), meaning everything belongs to God. The Word also tells us that all good gifts come from Him (James 1:17). Which leads us to the New Testament. In Acts 2:40-47, we see the church growing and the new Christians taking tithing to the whole next level:
A Vital Church Grows
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this [l]perverse generation.” 41 Then those who [m]gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ [n]doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added [q]to the church daily those who were being saved.
The Christians were giving up all they had for the cause of Christ, sharing with one another, and giving to those who had needs among them! Which circles back to the Old Testament when the Lord said in Malachi to bring tithes so there would be food in His House. In other words, unlike the flesh that causes us to be stingy or arrogant with our possessions, they were sharing and going beyond the required minimum of 10%.
May we all gleam from them.
If you have not been tithing, I encourage you to tithe! Tithe to the ministries that feed your spirit, whether that’s your church, a ministry to you watch on Live, or even Selah amd JITA Publishing and Ministries. 1 Corinthians 9:9-12 encourages us to not forget those who sow into our spiritual growth:
9For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it oxen God is concerned about? 10Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? 12If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more?
And if you have had the stingy feeling in your heart, ask for forgiveness and repent. This is not the time to convince yourself that you have been tithing when you have not. Look at what happened to Ananias and Sapphira for lying about tithing:
Acts 5:1-11
New King James Version
Lying to the Holy Spirit
5 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.
7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?”
She said, “Yes, for so much.”
9 Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. 11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
And lastly, do not give out of obligation. The Lord knows when you are giving cheerfully versus when you give begrudgingly: So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7) and Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God (1 Peter 4:9-10).
Be blessed with the knowledge of tithing and the blessings it brings, not only to yourself but to the community of Saints!