DIVINE COUNSEL ON BIBLICAL TITHING!
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DIVINE COUNSEL ON BIBLICAL TITHING!
Billy Graham, and a few other misguided ministers, spearheaded the confusions going on in the Church today about the concept of Tithing. The question is, “Was TITHING ever a biblical principle to God’s true worshippers? When was it abrogated?!”
Truth or tradition. Tithing is biblical, everything else is an anti-scripture advocacy!
Certainly! Here’s a balanced, well-referenced Biblical exposé on **Tithing**, reflecting the biblical perspective and the mind of God on the matter. You may tag it as:
*Biblical Exposé on Tithing: A Reflection of God’s Mind*
*Introduction*
Tithing, the practice of giving one-tenth of one’s income or produce to God, is a biblical principle rooted in the Old Testament and reaffirmed in the New Testament. It is often understood as an act of worship, obedience, and acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty. This exposé aims to present a balanced view, examining the biblical basis, the spiritual significance, and the New Testament perspective on tithing.
1. The Origin and Command of Tithing in the Old Testament.
*a. The Practice of Tithing in the Law of Moses.*
Tithing originates from the Old Testament law given to Israel. God commanded His people to set apart a tenth of their produce and livestock to support the Levitical priesthood and the work of the Tabernacle/Temple.
– *Genesis 14:18-20* (NIV):
*“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying… ‘And praise be to God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.’ Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”*
*Note:* Though this predates the Law, it establishes the precedent of giving a tenth.
– *Leviticus 27:30* (NIV):
*“A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.”*
– *Numbers 18:21* (NIV):
*“I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting.”*
– *Deuteronomy 14:22-23* (NIV):
*“Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields’ produce each year… so that you may learn to revere the Lord your God always.”*
*b. The Purpose of Tithing*
– Support for the Levitical priesthood (Numbers 18:21).
– Worship and acknowledgment of God’s provision (Deuteronomy 14:23).
– Assistance to the poor (Deuteronomy 14:28-29).
2. The Spiritual Significance of Tithing.
*a. Recognition of God’s Sovereignty.*
Tithing is an act of worship that recognises God as the ultimate Owner of all resources (Psalm 24:1). It is an acknowledgment that everything belongs to God, and humans are stewards.
*b. Faith and Obedience.*
Giving a tenth demonstrates faith in God’s provision and obedience to His commands (Malachi 3:8-10).
*c. Blessings Associated with Tithing.*
Malachi 3:10 (NIV):
*“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”*
This verse emphasises God’s promise of blessing in response to faithful tithing.
3. The New Testament Perspective.
*a. Absence of a Prescribed Tithe.*
The New Testament does not command Christians to tithe, specifically. Instead, it emphasises generous, cheerful giving.
– *2 Corinthians 9:6-7* (NIV):
Remember this: *“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”*
*b. Higher Standard: Grace Giving*
Jesus and the apostles teach that giving should be motivated by love and grace, not legalistic obligation.
– *Matthew 23:23* (NIV):
*“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness.”*
Here, Jesus criticises the Pharisees for their outward religious acts while neglecting inner righteousness, indicating that strict tithing alone is insufficient.
*c. Giving as an Act of Worship.*
– *Romans 12:1* (NIV):
*“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”*
Giving is part of worship, but it must be motivated by love and observance of God’s will through the ages.
You’re very insightful to ask this question about whether Jesus, in *Matthew 23:23* negates the act of Tithing.
The Lord’s rebuke of the Pharisees in Matthew 23:23 does *not* mean that Jesus negates or condemns the practice of tithing itself. Instead, it highlights a critical principle: *outward religious acts, such as tithing, must be accompanied by inner righteousness, justice, mercy, and faithfulness*.
Key points to understand:
*1. Tithing as a Good and Biblical Practice.*
– Tithing was commanded in the Old Testament and was considered an act of obedience and worship. God has not changed his personality since then. There is no shadow of turning in the one who gave that law!
– Jesus Himself, in Matthew 23:23, references tithing to acknowledge that it was a practice of the religious leaders, but He criticises their neglect of *weightier matters* of the law— *_justice, mercy, faithfulness._*
*2. The Heart of Jesus’ Message.*
– Jesus emphasises *inner righteousness*—the attitudes, motives, and character of the heart—over mere external compliance.
– His rebuke is *never* about the act of tithing itself but about *doing it mechanically or hypocritically* while neglecting the essential virtues that should accompany religious acts. For instance, The Pharisees’ prefer a person to die at the Sabbath to offering a lifeline (or a miracle) to save the dieing! This is an extreme compliance to a loving divine instruction to keep the Sabbath holy.
*3. The Balance Between Outer Acts and Inner Heart.*
– The biblical teaching encourages a *balanced approach*: obedience to God’s commandments (like tithing) should be rooted in genuine love for God and others.
– Jesus affirms the validity of tithing (as practiced by the Pharisees) but criticises *legalism* and *neglect of the heart*.
Summary:
*Jesus did not negate tithing* but calls for a *holistic righteousness* that encompasses both outward acts and inward motives. Jesus did not come to abolish any law of God, but to fulfil them. The essence of His teaching is that *religious acts should flow from a sincere heart*, motivated by love and justice, not merely outward conformity.
Final thought:
*In practical terms*, believers are encouraged to uphold biblical principles *_like tithing_*, but always alongside a heart genuinely committed to justice, mercy, and faithfulness. The outward act of giving should reflect inner sincerity and love for God and neighbour. Not for ostentation or “show off”.
We can further explore more biblical passages or theological perspectives on this topic!