Should Christians Tithe?

SHOULD CHRISTIANS TITHE?

By Ezekiel Kimosop

Should Christians tithe?

The following questions should perhaps guide our thoughts and responses when addressing the above question.

1) Do you think that the preacher adequate handled this issue in the Biblical context or has he exaggerated the concept of tithing?

MY RESPONSE

The preacher has rightly raised legitimate concerns over the neglect of the tithing practice by God's people in the church age. He has however not given a biblical authority for his exhortation.

He should perhaps have quoted the relevant Scriptures in support of his message. It is also possible that the clip was part of a longer message that carried more details.

2) Should we (believers) tithe from practically EVERYTHING we receive?

MY RESPONSE

Deuteronomy 14:22 says "You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year."

This is also emphasized in Deuteronomy 26:12. This principle is reflected in Genesis 14:20 where Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the war spoils. It is also mentioned by Jacob under his vow recorded in Genesis 28:20-22.

This affirms that the patriarchs practiced tithing long before the law of Moses came. We can therefore confirm that tithing is based on the increase of our resources, whether incomes, profits, or farm produce.

3) Should we also set aside 10% of our time each day for worship and service to God. Is this practicable?

MY RESPONSE

Whereas it is a godly thing to set aside daily time for prayer and the devotional study of God's word, and even to serve God with our skills, talents and abilities, there is no instruction or command in the Bible that compels believers to tithe their time. 

4) How should we interpret the tithing concept in the light of the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 23:23?

MY RESPONSE

Matthew 23:23 says "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 others undone." (KJV). 

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for taking the Scriptures out of context. They had stretched the practice of tithing to irrelevancy. God does not demand that we tithe from everything but from what He has revealed in Scripture. For instance, there is no reason to tithe from Bank loans because this is not an increase but a financial debt which must be repaid by the borrower.

I also find no reason to tithe from a gift or allowance. This does not constitute an increase in the context of Scripture. However, each believer should follow their convictions on areas that are less clear.

5) Is it compulsory for Christians to tithe or is it a free will giving just like offerings?

MY RESPONSE

This is a difficult question that has divided Christian societies for ages. Let us examine both sides of the argument.

ARGUMENT AGAINST TITHING

Those who consider tithing as an Old Testament command argue that they do not find a compelling theological reason to tithe. They say that tithing is a legalistic practice that ended with the coming of Christ who has fulfilled all laws. They cite the instructions in 2 Corinthians 8-9 as evidence of the standard guide for Christian practice.

We should however bear in mind that 2 Corinthians 8-9 related to collection of donations meant for Christians in Judea who were facing severe famine (2 Cor 8:16). These donation did not constitute regular church giving. Whereas we can borrow important principles on giving from the passages (see 2 Cor 9:6-8), this incident does not present the full picture of congregational giving among New Testament Christian communities. It does not imply that tithing was not practiced.

ARGUMENT IN SUPPORT OF TITHING

Those who recognize that the tithing principle preceded the law of Moses will argue that tithing is a universal and timeless divine principle that could not have ended with the Old Testament period. They insist that there is no command from Jesus or any New Testament Scripture that forbids tithing. They cite Matthew 23:23 as evidence that Jesus tacitly approved tithing but condemned the misapplication of the practice outside its divine boundaries.

Besides, proponents of the tithing practice also observe that the teaching of Malachi 3:8-12 was futuristic in scope given that this Book concludes with a prophetic look into the Messianic age and is the last Old Testament canonical writing that immediately precedes the New Testament Scriptures.

CONCLUSION

My concluding view is that tithing is a legitimate practice for God's covenant people in all ages. It is therefore a legitimate giving for the church in the same way that offerings are. However, no believer is compelled to give God anything. Those who chose to withhold the tithe should not be condemned. They should follow their convictions.

We should support our churches financially, not out of compulsion but in submission to Christ and to the glory of God. Malachi 3 addressed both tithes and offerings (Malachi 3:8). If the practice of tithing ended with the Old Testament period, as claimed by critics, then offerings should cease as well! How will the gospel be advanced without our giving?

I concur with the view that tithing preceded the law and cannot have been extinguished by the fulfillment of the law in Christ. It is a noble Christian practice that calls for sacrifice and discipline.

Giving to God, whether by tithes or offering should be done on a free will basis in the knowledge that God's blessings are available to those who lovingly serve God.

Malachi 3:10-12 says "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.

“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;
“And all nations will call you blessed,
For you will be a delightful land,”
Says the Lord of hosts."


Shalom




© Ezekiel Kimosop 2020

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The writer is a Ph.D. student in Theological Studies at Africa International University.