Tithing

The word for “tithe” in Hebrew (maser) and the word in Greek (dekatos) both mean a tenth.  So, whether the tithe is for today or not, we should agree “tithe” means a tenth.

The two main views on the tithe, of course, are that it is for today or it is not.  Simple, you say, but not so simple to explain.  I’ll try to give some arguments I’ve heard for each side objectively and let you decide what you think God is telling you to do.

There are two basic arguments in favor of the tithe not being for today I am aware of.  The first is the tithe is no longer binding since it is not repeated as an instruction in the New Testament, and secondly, the Mosaic Law where it does appear has been fulfilled.  We are free from the Law.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”  (Matthew 5:17)

So, if the Law has been fulfilled by Christ, we should no longer be shackled to the tithes of the Old Testament.  Even worse, if you add up all the tithes of the Old Testament, you’ll end up with much more than 10%.  The total comes to more like 23%.  The average church member would have great difficulty being cheerful giving 23% (2 Cor. 9:7). 

I hope I’ve stated the arguments for this well.  Now let’s look at the arguments in favor of the tithe.

The first tithe was given by Abraham to Melchizedek in Genesis 14:18-20

¹⁸ And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) ¹⁹ And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; ²⁰and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

There is a lot to study in this passage: “bread and wine,” “priest of God Most High.”  Many believe Melchizedek was either the pre-incarnate Christ or a type of Christ.  Either way, this passage tells us the tithe was a practice prior to the Mosaic Law.  So, the argument goes, this should remain as the standard.

Another passage that comes into play here is when Jesus is discussing a point of behavior with the Pharisees:

“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others (Luke 11:42).

Jesus commended the Pharisees for tithing mint and rue, etc. saying “These you ought to have done, . . .“  So, Jesus may well have been endorsing tithing.

To be fair, this was during Old Testament times when Jesus said this, but so was nearly all of what He said since the Old Testament period didn’t end until Passion Week.

Why is this important?

Some rely on 2 Cor. 9:7 saying “I only need give a little to make me happy,” but look at the verse prior:

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Without wanting to sound like some of the TV hucksters, our blessings often depend on our sacrifices. 

Some become legalistic concerning tithing.  “It must be 10% or nothing,” they might say.  That’s not good either and lends itself to legalism.

We as Christians seek to please God and no one else.  Whether, like the widow in Mark 12:41-44, we give all we have or give exactly what our spirit prompts, our concern should be to please our Lord God.  What we give is nobody’s business but ours:

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you (Matt 6:3-4).