WHY TITHE?

The principle of tithing is one of the most misunderstood, misdirected and misapplied principles in the Bible. Believers who either tithe or don't tithe are often largely uninformed as to the intensity of scripture in favor of the application of this principle uniformly in both the old and new covenants. Tithing is not a matter of law, although the principle was part of Levitical law, but a matter of love, gratefulness, faith and the heart.

HISTORY OF TITHING

The principle of giving is first established in Genesis 4:3-7 as Cain and Abel bring their offerings before the Lord. Cain ....."some of the fruits" and Abel....."fat portions from some of the firstborn of the flock." Cain's offering did not find favor with God, but Abel's did. This tells us the kind of offering, the specificity of the offering and the attitude in the offering are very important to God. Cain gave a random offering without much thought, but Abel gave the first and best portion of what he had to the Lord. His offering was so much better that it provoked Cain to jealous anger, leading to Abel's murder. God has established that any kind of offering (tithe included) must be first and best.

The first tithe was given over 400 years BEFORE the law, and it was done because of gratefulness for the victory in the redemption of Lot's household. (Genesis 14:16-20.) This tithe (tenth, or 10%) was given to Melchizedek, King and Priest of Salem (Jerusalem). This is a Christophany which is the appearance of the always existing Christ in the OT. (Hebrews 6:20 & 7:1-28) Melchizedek represents a living priesthood without beginning or end, an eternal priesthood. Therefore, our tithing is perfected or made perfect only under Jesus' priesthood. We see that Abram tithed not to a Levitical priesthood, but to a greater priesthood......the priesthood of Jesus. Abram, the father of us all, set the example! Since we have a better covenant, how could we do less?

Abram's grandson, Jacob (Israel), who is a prophetic representation of the church, makes a vow on behalf of all of us. This vow becomes the inheritance of our provision. (Genesis 28:20-22) "Then Jacob made a vow, saying, 'If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father's house, then the Lord will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.' " This stone is the cornerstone of Jacob's covenant with God, upon which he poured oil (anointed) and called the place Beth-El or House of God. To us, this means there is an anointing on our tithing. In Chapter 35:9-15 Jacob and the Lord affirm this covenant again in the same place 30 years later when Jacob's name is changed to Israel.

NOTICE THAT THE TITHING PRINCIPLE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED WITH THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB THRU THE PRIESTHOOD OF JESUS.....ALL BEFORE THE INSTITUTION OF THE LAW

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The Levitical law simply reiterated what was already in place and assigned the Levites to collect the tithe. Leviticus 27:30..."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." In other words the tithe is sacred to the Lord. 10% of our paycheck is sacred. 10% of allowances or birthday gifts of cash are sacred. 10% of any financial blessing is sacred. The idea that the tithe is holy to the Lord should change our perspective on it and how we treat our giving.

Tithes being paid by the people of God constitutes a practical confession and acknowledgement that the land and possessions belong to the Lord. The Lord alone has given them to us to enjoy. As we look over the discussion of giving in the NT, there is an embarrassment of giving that outdistances the expectation of the tithe. (1st Corinthians 9:3-13 and 1st Corinthians 16:1-3). The poorest church in the NT, the church at Macedonia, was commended by Paul for their radical giving. The tithe then is just a good place to START.

Moses even spoke to the priesthood who collected the tithes to tithe to the high priest, Aaron. They were to give the first and best of what they had collected. (Numbers 18:25-29) The pattern is clear that even Pastors should tithe to one greater than themselves; that is beyond the local church. This may be to a denomination or to a network of churches or an association where they draw their sustenance and receive their covering and oversight. It may even go to a man who oversees the work beyond the local level (Apostle, Bishop, Superintendent or other Overseer).

Full provision in the house of God is dependent on ALL believers tithing. Hezekiah ordered the people of Jerusalem to give the portion (tithe) due the priests and Levites so that they could devote themselves to the Law of the Lord.  2nd Chronicles 31: 4-5; "Moreover (Hezekiah) commanded the people who dwelt in Jerusalem to contribute support for the priests and the Levites, that they might devote themselves to the Law of the Lord. As soon as the commandment was circulated, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of grain and wine, oil and honey, and of all the produce of the field; and they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything."  There was more than enough in the storerooms of the temple. When we covenant together to tithe, there is never a lack in the household of faith.

In Malachi Chapter 3 the context of the tithing issue is again related to Jesus. The messenger of verse one is none other than John the Baptist. It is the Lord (Jesus) who comes to his temple to purify and refine the priesthood so that men will bring offerings to the Lord in righteousness. This speaks of the heart and not the law. The Lord has not changed his mind about the tithe even under the new covenant...verse 6. He declares that withholding the tithe is robbing Him. Not only that, but withholding offerings is also robbing Him. If we do this, we are under a curse, not a blessing. This is one place where God says test Him. If we tithe and offer and not withhold....He will bless and the nations will see it! He also commands to Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, which means the local temple. The full 10% goes to the local church, which is our storehouse.

Tithe splitting is not Biblical.

Jesus said to the Pharisees that they needed to love God and justice, but that He expected them not to leave tithing undone. (Matthew 23:23 and Luke 14:42) The context is this..."You should tithe."

Galatians 3:25 says that we are no longer under the supervision of the law, but we are under the supervision of faith. The law demands that we tithe, but the law of faith prompts us to tithe because of our love relationship with the Lord, and because we are grateful for our salvation and the local body that the Lord has put us in. The tithe is investing is what Christ loves and gave His life for....the Church. How can we honestly do less? The tithe is a great test of our faith. Are we going to depend on God for all of our provision? Do we NOT tithe because we are fearful that, if we do, we will not have enough for our own needs (worry and anxiety)? Or are we holding back to feed our own wants and futures (unbelief and selfishness)?

KINGDOM FINANCES

Tithing is the evidence of where our heart is.

Matthew 6: 19-21...."Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Tithing is giving to a vision; not a program. Giving to a vision builds up the whole body. Giving to a program only has "us" in mind.

Tithing is a measure of our commitment to the vision of the church. God plants a church with a vision and gives it a mission to accomplish that vision. Example: “to be a healthy empowered church for the advancement of the kingdom of God thru the gospel of Jesus Christ” (vision) “ thru equipping, maturing, inspiring and releasing the generations” (mission). To accomplish God's purposes it takes money. "Money is the answer for everything." (Ecclesiastes 10:19.) Where our finances go determines the degree of commitment we have to a vision that is bigger than ourselves.

Tithing declares emphatically that my provision is from the Lord. "Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord." Psalm 121:1-2.

Tithing is a faith issue. If you find that you do not have enough faith to tithe, ask God for it. His son is the author and finisher of our faith. Often times people are encouraged to watch their faith grow as they increase their % of giving each month until they are at 10% routinely. They start at 1% increase each month and in 10 months they are there. Jesus taught so often on finances that what we do with them is an obvious barometer of our faith.

Tithing is a response; not and assessment. An assessment is the same no matter how much or how little we make. The taxes on a house are always the same and usually increasing. Whether personal income increases or decreases the obligation is still the same. Even if unemployed, the state expects those taxes to be paid or you lose the house. Our tithe is a response to how God has blessed us. The amount is determined by 10% of what He puts in our hands. If we have increase, our tithe goes up. If we have decrease it goes down. God is an equitable god.

Tithing is joyful and not manipulative. We do not "give to get." We give because "we have gotten." We don't give to make God respond to what we want. God loves a cheerful giver.

WHAT MONIES DO WE TITHE ON?

Tithing is based on those finances that we are the gatekeeper for.

Gross salary, bonuses, dividends, inheritances, gifts of money, tips, allowances, profits from rents, capital gains, interest, conversion of assets (minus expenses) into dollars, commissions, social security, disability, unemployment, life insurance policy payouts, contest winnings of cash and tort settlements. Hopefully, a tithe is not based on proceeds from gambling winnings or drug sales or monies obtained in an illegal manner.

Optional considerations might include tithing on all proceeds of a business. Many businessmen do that to honor the Lord because He has blessed their endeavor. Other options for tithing; tax rebates, homestead rebates, insurance rebates, and yard sales.

Wives, who have husbands who do not wish for them to tithe on the household income including her portion, are exempt, because the higher principle is to be subject to him who is head over her. However, she can tithe on those portions that are allotted to her personal use. This honors the Lord on both accounts.

(Remember the gatekeeper principle.)

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What does the word tithe mean? A tenth.

What is my tithe? 10%

What is the difference between tithe, offering and alms? The tithe is 10% of the gross. Offerings are above that and can be for any ministry, mission or work. Example: Love offering for a visiting minister; offering for a sound system; Sunday school offering; missions offering, etc. Alms are benevolence offerings to minister to the needs in the body first and then to those that are without.

Do I really have to tithe? No. We are free moral agents. However, it is a demonstration of loving God and the brethren, an issue of the heart, an issue of faith, and an issue of selflessness. Remember, Jesus told the Pharisees that they should not leave tithing undone. Above all, we tithe to the Lord, thru the local church. We are rendering unto Jesus our high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Do I tithe on the gross or the net? You tithe on the gross, because that is what God has put in your hand. You are able to pay taxes because of the gross, not the net. If you tithe on the net, your are putting your taxes above the Lord's portion. The government taxes you on the gross; we should pay tithes on the gross.

Do I tithe on my income tax refund? No...if you tithe on the gross. The return is for monies that you have already tithed on. However, consult the Lord as to offerings on this blessing. Yes, it is a blessing to get a refund.

Do I tithe on the money that my parents, or others, gave me for a specific purpose. No. If the money is given for a specific reason or situation, your parents expect you to use all of it for that purpose. "Honor father and mother" is the higher principle in this case. Examples may include down payment monies; debt reduction monies, monies for children's orthodontia etc. If you have extra personal money and would like to tithe, then do so as long as that amount given for a purpose is fully used for that purpose. But above all, consider this all in prayer.

Can I designate my tithe to missions or some church project? No. If you do that then you retain "ownership" of the tithe. The tithe is the Lord's and the elders are His designees at the local church level to determine, with great fear and trembling, where and how to use these for the benefit of the whole body. Biblical precedent is that the tithe is given unrestricted.

Can I designate offerings? Absolutely. However, if the elders feel that the designation is inappropriate, they will consult with you and tell you why. This is very rare, but occasionally needs to be done so that God's overall purpose is not violated or compromised.

Can I split my tithe? No. If you do, you again retain "ownership" over it. The tithe is the Lord's and the biblical precedent is that the whole tithe is brought into the local storehouse. There are good reasons for this; so that there is no lack in the local church, it secures the watchmen, provides for daily ministration, allows the elders to account for all the tithes and makes sure that there is spiritual food in the household of faith that you are a part of.

Should children tithe? Yes. Early training makes a lifelong habit and teaches them to trust in God for their provision. God proves himself radically to tithing children. Children can tithe on birthday and Christmas monies or any monies received as gifts or for odd jobs. When they get in the work world, it is awesome to see them tithe on that first "big" check.

Should Pastors tithe? Yes. As an example (1st Timothy 4:12) to the church. If the Pharisees were not exempt neither are Pastors (Matthew 23:23) The principle is this....Abram gave to one greater than he. Abram was the lesser blessed by the greater (Hebrews 7:7) It is important that Pastors lead by example in giving to something greater or bigger than they are. This is how Pastors truly get blessed.

Is anyone exempt from tithing? Yes. That person who has had nothing put in their personal hand by the Lord. Ninety nine and 44/100ths% of the time a person has gotten something in their hand they can tithe one. If they found a dime, they can tithe a penny.

I'd like to tithe, but my wife won't let me. The husband is the head of the household, as well as head of the wife. He dishonors her head if he does not take headship in this area. His insistence must be loving, redemptive and caring; not reactive and angry. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." God will prove his faithfulness.

My wife and I both have incomes, should we both tithe? Yes. It is a "one flesh" issue. No matter who they come thru, God has provided all of your finances. Not his or hers, but ours before God. Caution should be exercised in regards to an unsaved wife. Gods wisdom is really needed here.

Do I tithe on rebates? No. Rebates are a return on a purchase that was bought with money that has already been tithed on.

SUMMARY

The Kingdom's economy is based on two things and is not subject to economic winds. God giving to us and us giving to God. The kingdom runs at top efficiency, when all believers tithe, support the work of God thru offerings and meet special needs thru alms, first to the household of faith and then to others. It is hoped that you are encouraged in your giving and understand the blessings of God that go with it. We serve a wonderful King and Priest, who is Faithful and True. It is Him that we ultimately bless with our tithes, offerings and alms.