Bible's Teaching on Tithing: Divine Requirement & Blessings

The Bible clearly teaches that tithing is a divine requirement and a fundamental moral principle established by God for our spiritual good and the advancement of His work on earth. It is a plan of heaven to teach us our place as subjects of Christ's kingdom, and it carries both blessings for faithfulness and consequences for neglect. 🙏

Let's explore what God's Word reveals about this important principle:

🌟 Tithing: An Ancient and Enduring Principle

The concept of tithing did not originate with the law given to Moses but reaches back to the earliest times.

• Abraham's Example: We see Abraham, the father of faith, giving tithes to Melchizedek, the priest of the Most High God, long before the Mosaic law was established Genesis 14:20. This act was a spiritual expression of gratitude and recognition of God's sovereignty.

• Jacob's Promise: Jacob, in a moment of profound spiritual awakening at Bethel, promised the Lord, "Of all that You shall give me I will surely give the tenth to You" Genesis 28:22. This demonstrates an understanding of God's claim on a portion of all increase.

• God's Ownership: The Lord unequivocally declares, "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. The tithe of the herd or flock is also holy to the Lord Leviticus 27:32. This confirms that the tithe is not ours to begin with; it belongs to God.

💰 The Purpose and Administration of Tithes

God has a specific plan for the use of tithes to sustain His work and care for His people.

• Support of Ministry: The first tithe was specifically designated for the support of those who ministered in sacred things, ensuring that those serving the Lord had the means to carry out their duties. "I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation" Numbers 18:21. This principle extends to the support of Christ's ministers in all gospel ages.

• A Second Tithe for Feasts and Charity: In addition to the first tithe, a second tithe was instituted. For two years, this tithe (or its monetary equivalent) was to be used by the offerers for religious feasts, where the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow would participate, fostering community and instruction in God's service Deuteronomy 14:23, 29+1.

• Charity and Hospitality: Every third year, this second tithe was to be kept at home to provide a fund for charity and hospitality, ensuring that the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow within their gates could "eat and be satisfied" Deuteronomy 26:12. This generous provision reveals God's heart for the poor and vulnerable.

⚖️ Blessings for Faithfulness, Consequences for Withholding

God's Word is exceptionally clear about the outcomes of our obedience or disobedience in tithing.

• Robbing God: The Lord asks, "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed me. But you say, Wherein have we robbed you? In tithes and offerings" Malachi 3:8. Withholding what belongs to God is a serious offense that incurs a curse Malachi 3:9.

• Material Consequences: When people withhold from God, they may experience financial difficulties and lack of prosperity. "You have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but you have not enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earns wages earns wages to put it into a bag with holes" Haggai 1:6. The heavens may be "stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit" Haggai 1:10.

• Abundant Blessings: Conversely, faithfulness in tithing brings immense blessings. God invites us: "Bring you all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house, and prove me now herewith, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" Malachi 3:10. He also promises to "rebuke the devourer for your sakes" Malachi 3:11 and bless your land. Honoring God with our substance leads to our "barns be filled with plenty" Proverbs 3:9-10.

• Spiritual Prosperity: Beyond material blessings, faithfulness in giving helps develop character and reveals the true state of the heart. It strengthens our connection with God, as we acknowledge Him as the giver of all good things 1 Chronicles 29:14.

💖 The Heart of True Tithing

Tithing is not merely a legalistic obligation, but a spiritual act stemming from love and gratitude.

• Christ's Affirmation: Jesus Himself affirmed the practice of tithing, even while rebuking hypocrisy. He told the Pharisees, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these you should have done, and not to leave the other undone" Matthew 23:23+1. He stressed that both physical acts of obedience and heart-service are essential.

• Voluntary and Willing: God does not compel anyone to give. All offerings must be voluntary, flowing from a willing heart 2 Corinthians 9:7. He does not desire offerings given unwillingly or grudgingly.

• Support for the Gospel Commission: Faithful tithing and offerings provide the necessary means to carry out Christ's commission to "Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" Mark 16:15. It supports ministers and missionaries who proclaim the truth, reaching those who are perishing for lack of knowledge.

• Self-Denial and Love: A true spirit of self-sacrifice and love for Christ moves us to simplify our personal wants and give generously, rather than spending extravagantly on ourselves Proverbs 19:17+1. Our happiness is proportionate to our unselfish works, prompted by the love of Christ. "God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ" 1 Thessalonians 5:9. In gratitude for this, we return to Him a faithful tithe and offerings, recognizing that "all things come of You, and of our own have we given You" 1 Chronicles 29:14.

By faithfully honoring God with our tithes and offerings, we not only ensure the advancement of His work but also deepen our own spiritual experience, demonstrating our love for Him and our commitment to His kingdom. May we all consider our ways and bring to God a faithful tithe, trusting in His promises of abundant blessing! 💖