IS TITHING AN OLD TESTAMENT PRACTICE?
By Dominic Kirera
Many questions are asked about tithing. Is it an old testament or new testament practice. I believe this is the biblical position on this subject.
Is tithing an old testament practice? Was it practiced by early church?
Here are my findings from Malachi 3:8-12
God says...
1. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me: Because God’s people did not give as He commanded, God did not bless them materially or spiritually the way He would have otherwise. Their stingy hearts proved that their hearts were far from God because God is the greatest giver (John 3:16).
i. Many people with financial problems fail to do the most important thing first: obey and honor God with their resources. When we put God and His kingdom first, He promises to meet our other needs (Matthew 6:33).
2. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse: This was the answer to their problems – to actually do what God commanded them to do, and to bring all the tithes to God. It wasn’t that they didn’t give anything to God; they simply did not bring all the tithes to Him. They must not fall short in giving God everything that He asked for.
i. Under the New Covenant, are we under a similar command to tithe? The New Testament nowhere specifically commands tithing, but it certainly does speak of it in a positive light if it is done with a right heart (Luke 11:42).
ii. It is also important to understand that tithing is not a principle that depends on the Law of Moses. Hebrews 7:5-9 explains that tithing was practiced and honored by God long before the Law of Moses.
iii. What the New Testament does speak with great clarity on is the principle of giving. 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 makes it clear that our giving must be:
· Periodic (done at regular periods).
· Planned (thought of in advance to the giving).
· Proportional (giving in proportion to our blessings).
· Private (not done to make us known as generous givers).
iv. As well, 2 Corinthians 9 tells us that giving must be:
· Generous (giving more rather than less).
· Freely given (not done out of guilt or manipulation).
· Cheerful (given happily and with rejoicing in God).
v. Since the New Testament doesn’t emphasize tithing, one might not be strict on it for Christians (though some Christians sadly argue against tithing on the basis of self-interest). Nevertheless, giving is to be proportional so we should give some percentage so ten percent is a good benchmark. For some, 10% should really be the beginning of their giving.
vi. If our question is, “How little can I give and still please God?” then our heart isn’t in the right place at all. We should have the attitude of some early Christians, who essentially said: “We’re not under the tithe – we can give more!” Giving and financial management are spiritual issues not only financial issues (Luke 16:11).
3. That there may be food in My house: The purpose of the tithe was primarily to support the priests who ministered before the LORD. When the people did not bring their tithes, the priests were not properly supported and there was not enough food for them in the house of the LORD.
i. The tithe in Israel was also to be used to help the poor, and once every three years some of it was put aside for that purpose (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). Still, the main purpose for the tithe was to support the tribe of Levi and the priests (Deuteronomy 14:27).
ii. The same principle carries over in the New Testament. Some claim that a paid minister is an abomination before God, but Paul made it clear that not only do ministers deserve to be supported by those they minister to (1 Timothy 5:18, 2 Corinthians 9:4-14) but also that their support is even more worthy than the poor (1 Timothy 5:17).
4. And try Me now in this: It’s hard to find a comparable passage of Scripture – where the LORD commanded His people to test Him. Here, in regard to giving and His blessing of it, He told His people “try Me now in this.” It was as if God said, “See if you can give to Me and be the poorer for it. See if you can out-give Me.”
i. “The context for God’s words about tithes is the teaching that God is faithful. The matter of tithes is only an illustration of that teaching.” (Boice)
5. Open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it: This is the response God promised when His people give as He told them to. He would bless them both with provision and protection (I will rebuke the devourer).
i. The reference to the windows of heaven reminds us of the glorious account of provision in 2 Kings 7, when God provided in a completely unexpected way. God has resources that we know nothing about, and it is often of no help to try and figure out – or worry about – how God will provide.
God bless you.
[Dominic Kirera holds a Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies from Nairobi International School of Theology, ILU. He is currently senior pastor at Nairobi Chapel, Kiambu Road, Nairobi.]
