Tithing is an Old Testament law. Under the law, the Israelites were commanded to give not merely one-tenth, but much more of all their cattle and crops to the Lord. The Levites (of the tribe of Levi) were appointed by God to receive the tithes, and they in turn paid one-tenth to the High Priest. Then during certain feasts the law demanded a second tithe of their crops. This was commanded under the law. (Read Leviticus 27:30-34.)
The New Testament plan of giving unto the Lord is one that is determined by the heart. Jesus Himself pointed out that the tithe should be paid, but tithing is by no means your whole duty to God. In Matthew 23:23, we read, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cum min, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” This plan for giving is clearly set forth as we can see by the following Scriptures: “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him … ” (1 Corinthians 16:2); “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
There can be no doubt but that Christians under grace should give as much, if not more, than the Israelites gave under the law. But our giving must be according to the heart. If it is not given from our heart, it will be done ” … grudgingly, or of necessity … ” which is hateful to God, for God loves a “cheerful giver.”
Many believers are afraid to trust the Lord. They say that they are too poor to tithe and to give to the Lord’s work. But God’s Word promises that if we honour Him, He will honour us. God is no man’s debtor. In Deuteronomy 8:18, we read, “But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth … “ If we believe John 3:16, we should just as readily believe this. You remember the Lord with your tithes and offerings, and He will remember you.
Proverbs 3:9-10, “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 11:24-25, “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdest more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.”
Malachi 3:10, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith 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.” (Also carefully read Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35; and 2 Corinthians 9:6.) God has worked out the system of tithing whereby His people may prosper. In 3 John 2, we read, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” We all agree that God is able to help us in our physical and spiritual needs. We can trust Him to prosper us financially for His own glory. The test is, are we willing to believe what God says He will do?
Five Blessings You Will Receive
- The joy you have from knowing that you are a partner with God. Your reward will be given in Heaven when you see the Saviour face to face.
- The amount of money you have for the Lord’s work.
- The thrill of seeing your own needs met with the nine-tenths you have left.
- The deepening of your love for the Lord, and your entire spiritual life will prosper.
- The ease of going from one-tenth to a larger amount in order to further the Lord’s work.
DOES IT MATTER?
It does to God and His work. In Nehemiah 13:10-11, we read, “And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them; for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field. Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place.” The work of God is team-work. Some are called to preach the Gospel. Others are called to give in order that the Gospel might go forth.
We give Thee but Thine own
Whatever the gift may be.
All that we have is Thine alone,
A trust, O Lord, from thee.
The Gospel Standard