Bible Study on tithing
Tithes -Something to think upon
( please read patiently )
The Word(s) tithes,tithing to tithe was NOT emphasized in the Epistles.
As a matter of Fact,it was only mentioned ONCE by the writer of Hebrews,the mention is no instruction rather an historical emphasis .
Hebrews 7:5-9 KJV
[5] And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
[6] But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
7] And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
[8] And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them , of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. [9] And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
This account can be found in Genesis 14:17-23.We shall refer to it later.
The Book of Hebrews wasn't encouraging to tithe as much as it wasn't encouraging to offer your son just as Abraham did .
Hebrews 11:17 KJV
[17] By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son ,
These are historical accounts with lessons to learn from ( we shall touch this later).
Some have tried to create doctrine out of the Hebrews mention of tithe .
They claim verse 8 means Jesus receives tithe .
Not so.
The phrase " he receives them " is italicized ,by implication it's not in the original text .
A contextual reading will plainly show the reader he's referring to melchelzedek as symbolic.
Back to the emphasis of tithe.
Not one mention in the Book of Acts.
Not one mention in the Pauline epistles .
None in Peters .Not John.Not Jude.
That's instructive .
They ALL taught giving .But NONE taught tithe .
Let's see Jesus's mention of the tithe .
Just twice ,one was a rebuke the other a parable
Matthew 23:23 KJV
[23] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, 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.
Audience - Pharisees and Scribes .
He expressly refers to tithe here as a matter of the law,same as mercy ,judgment and faithfulness ( written as faith ).
He is NOT instructing tithing .As tithing preceded His incarnation .
Same with Passover,and all the ceremonial sacrifices .
The other mention is a parable
Luke 18:11 KJV
[11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are , extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
[12] I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Its notable to see that the speaker is a Pharisee yet again .
On the two occasions where Jesus mentioned the tithe ,He is NOT commending the tither .
So we have two mentions by Jesus ,which is in rebuking and exposing the hypocrisy of the Pharisees ,one in the Epistles which is historical NOT an instruction .
A fundamental rule is be silent where the New Testament is silent .
That said is it wrong to tithe ?
Tithe means to give 10% of your income !earnings etc .
Since its yours,it can't be wrong .
Is it mandatory to tithe your income ? obviously since no such instruction is in the New Testament whoever makes it so is not Doing so from the scriptures .
However one key lesson we might be failing to see is the tithe was done to Honor God.
From Abraham ,He gave to honor the priest melchelzedek in the above texts.
Jacob
Genesis 28:22 KJV
[22] And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
He made a vow to tithe if God blessed him .
The two scenarios showed tithes as honor to God from whom all blessings came .
Its noteworthy that both examples depicted what was done once .
We sure have lessons from the tithe .
Romans 15:4 KJV
[4] For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Things were written for our learning .We can learn from these examples .
Let's see the Old Testament ( the law ) on tithing .
There are several texts on tithing in the law ( I did a series on each several years back ,it's recorded ,u can order if u so wish)
However the the following one is very instructive
Deuteronomy 14:28-29 KJV
[28] At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates:
29] And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.
The tithe was meant for this set of folks
1)Levite , they didn't have property in the land and were priests hence the need to support them.
Numbers 18:20-21 KJV
[20] And the Lord spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel. [21] And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Clear enough .
Since they were to be at the service of the people ,they had to be taken care of .
Paul equates New Testament ministers this way .
1 Corinthians 9:13-14 KJV
[13] Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? [14] Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
He didn't ask us to give them tithes but to support them materially ,He gave no percentages .
We are Instructed to care for our ministers .
1 Timothy 5:17-18 KJV
[17] Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. [18] For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
Double wages !Not handout .
Galatians 6:6 KJV
[6] Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
All good things.Teachers must be well maintained .
Notice tithe wasn't used,rather support ,wages ,good things .
Why ?paul had taught how to give .
2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV
[7] Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give ; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
You decide what's wages ,good things and support for your ministers .
But not grudgingly .
Ministers ought to be well cared for .
We mustn't support appetites but needs .
2) Strangers,Widows and Fatherless ,the poor / needy amongst us
This category are our responsibilities .
The epistles teach this
Romans 15:26 KJV
[26] For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
1 Corinthians 16:1 KJV
[1] Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
James emphasized it .
James 1:27 KJV
[27] Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
To visit here refers to care and support .
In The book of acts ,the church took care of the widows and the poor
Acts 4:34-35 KJV
[34] Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, [35] And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
Acts 6:1 KJV
[1] And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
The tithe of the Old Testament law was meant for this category of men .
Today our giving are for pastors ,church members who are poor and need support .
The tithe was meant to honor God.
Our giving should do the same ,all the time .
Proverbs 3:9 KJV
[9] Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
No christian finds it difficult to honor God with his income ,we believe He blessed us.
However ,no mandatory percentages are foisted on any one in the epistles .
NONE.
However paul instructs further on how to give .
1 Corinthians 16:2 KJV
[2] Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
As You prosper You give .the term " God " there isn't original,it's italicized .
Your giving should be proportional to your income .
Notice again Paul hasn't mentioned tithe .
He need not use percentages for Men born of the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:3,6 KJV
[3] Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. [6] Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
We are of the Spirit
We are born givers.
Our Father is .
The law was Made for men in the flesh .
1 Timothy 1:9 KJV
[9] Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
We are told to give because we are born to give .
Blessed to give .
Examples in the book of Acts shows the New Testament spirit .
Acts 2:45 KJV
[45] And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men , as every man had need.
If u did this in some places ,you will be termed manipulated !
But its scriptural .
New testament .to sell property to give .to give cars and houses .
Many don't give because of the appetites of some clergy .
When your pastor says he wants to be the richest man in the world ,not because he runs his own business like paul ( acts 20:34)but based on your giving to him ,such words can discourage .
Ministers mustn't be greedy nor covetous .
1 Timothy 3:3 KJV
[3] Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
Not a lover of money .
1 Timothy 6:10-11 KJV
[10] For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. [11] But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Some have erred from the faith to be rich ( err from the faith here refers to doctrinal error ).
Paul warned Timothy to flee!
That said .
It's no excuse to be stingy ,and not give .
You will be disobedient to scriptures .
For every money loving pastor there are several who are decent ,faithfull.
Don't take your fury for the bad apples out on everyone ,
Your pastor deserves decent accommodation ,mode of transportation ,good holidays ,his kids and family well taken care of.
It's your duty .
However,same with the needy in your church .
They deserve good accommodation etc as well.
It's our duty too .
However where a preacher starts to teach in greed .
Starts to attach money to blessings .
Money for grace,Seed for anointing.
Dangerous seed for power .
Stay away from him !
Change church fast.
1 Timothy 6:5 KJV
[5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
Withdraw yourself.
leave the church ,stop listening to the minister !
There are preachers I stopped listening to their teachings when I noticed this kind of emphasis .
evil communication corrupts good manners
1corinthians15:33).
Also when the " poor" are mere idle folks don't support them ,
2 Thessalonians 3:10-11 KJV
[10] For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. [11] For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
Don't support anyone not willing to work .
Don't support bad habits.
Even for widows .
1 Timothy 5:9,11,13 KJV
[9] Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
11] But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
13] And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
That's clear enough .
Are we meant to tithe in the New Testament ? No.
Are we instructed to set apart part of our income to support our ministers and the poor,needy etc
Yes!
If u are a strong advocate of the New Testament you aren't unwilling to go beyond any percentages be it 10% or more at every time to do this ,
Hope this is clear enough ?
Tithes -Something to think upon
( please read patiently )
The Word(s) tithes,tithing to tithe was NOT emphasized in the Epistles.
As a matter of Fact,it was only mentioned ONCE by the writer of Hebrews,the mention is no instruction rather an historical emphasis .
Hebrews 7:5-9 KJV
[5] And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
[6] But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
7] And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
[8] And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them , of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. [9] And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
This account can be found in Genesis 14:17-23.We shall refer to it later.
The Book of Hebrews wasn't encouraging to tithe as much as it wasn't encouraging to offer your son just as Abraham did .
Hebrews 11:17 KJV
[17] By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son ,
These are historical accounts with lessons to learn from ( we shall touch this later).
Some have tried to create doctrine out of the Hebrews mention of tithe .
They claim verse 8 means Jesus receives tithe .
Not so.
The phrase " he receives them " is italicized ,by implication it's not in the original text .
A contextual reading will plainly show the reader he's referring to melchelzedek as symbolic.
Back to the emphasis of tithe.
Not one mention in the Book of Acts.
Not one mention in the Pauline epistles .
None in Peters .Not John.Not Jude.
That's instructive .
They ALL taught giving .But NONE taught tithe .
Let's see Jesus's mention of the tithe .
Just twice ,one was a rebuke the other a parable
Matthew 23:23 KJV
[23] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, 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.
Audience - Pharisees and Scribes .
He expressly refers to tithe here as a matter of the law,same as mercy ,judgment and faithfulness ( written as faith ).
He is NOT instructing tithing .As tithing preceded His incarnation .
Same with Passover,and all the ceremonial sacrifices .
The other mention is a parable
Luke 18:11 KJV
[11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are , extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
[12] I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Its notable to see that the speaker is a Pharisee yet again .
On the two occasions where Jesus mentioned the tithe ,He is NOT commending the tither .
So we have two mentions by Jesus ,which is in rebuking and exposing the hypocrisy of the Pharisees ,one in the Epistles which is historical NOT an instruction .
A fundamental rule is be silent where the New Testament is silent .
That said is it wrong to tithe ?
Tithe means to give 10% of your income !earnings etc .
Since its yours,it can't be wrong .
Is it mandatory to tithe your income ? obviously since no such instruction is in the New Testament whoever makes it so is not Doing so from the scriptures .
However one key lesson we might be failing to see is the tithe was done to Honor God.
From Abraham ,He gave to honor the priest melchelzedek in the above texts.
Jacob
Genesis 28:22 KJV
[22] And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
He made a vow to tithe if God blessed him .
The two scenarios showed tithes as honor to God from whom all blessings came .
Its noteworthy that both examples depicted what was done once .
We sure have lessons from the tithe .
Romans 15:4 KJV
[4] For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Things were written for our learning .We can learn from these examples .
Let's see the Old Testament ( the law ) on tithing .
There are several texts on tithing in the law ( I did a series on each several years back ,it's recorded ,u can order if u so wish)
However the the following one is very instructive
Deuteronomy 14:28-29 KJV
[28] At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates:
29] And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.
The tithe was meant for this set of folks
1)Levite , they didn't have property in the land and were priests hence the need to support them.
Numbers 18:20-21 KJV
[20] And the Lord spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel. [21] And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Clear enough .
Since they were to be at the service of the people ,they had to be taken care of .
Paul equates New Testament ministers this way .
1 Corinthians 9:13-14 KJV
[13] Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? [14] Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
He didn't ask us to give them tithes but to support them materially ,He gave no percentages .
We are Instructed to care for our ministers .
1 Timothy 5:17-18 KJV
[17] Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. [18] For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
Double wages !Not handout .
Galatians 6:6 KJV
[6] Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
All good things.Teachers must be well maintained .
Notice tithe wasn't used,rather support ,wages ,good things .
Why ?paul had taught how to give .
2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV
[7] Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give ; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
You decide what's wages ,good things and support for your ministers .
But not grudgingly .
Ministers ought to be well cared for .
We mustn't support appetites but needs .
2) Strangers,Widows and Fatherless ,the poor / needy amongst us
This category are our responsibilities .
The epistles teach this
Romans 15:26 KJV
[26] For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
1 Corinthians 16:1 KJV
[1] Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
James emphasized it .
James 1:27 KJV
[27] Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
To visit here refers to care and support .
In The book of acts ,the church took care of the widows and the poor
Acts 4:34-35 KJV
[34] Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, [35] And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
Acts 6:1 KJV
[1] And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
The tithe of the Old Testament law was meant for this category of men .
Today our giving are for pastors ,church members who are poor and need support .
The tithe was meant to honor God.
Our giving should do the same ,all the time .
Proverbs 3:9 KJV
[9] Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
No christian finds it difficult to honor God with his income ,we believe He blessed us.
However ,no mandatory percentages are foisted on any one in the epistles .
NONE.
However paul instructs further on how to give .
1 Corinthians 16:2 KJV
[2] Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
As You prosper You give .the term " God " there isn't original,it's italicized .
Your giving should be proportional to your income .
Notice again Paul hasn't mentioned tithe .
He need not use percentages for Men born of the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:3,6 KJV
[3] Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. [6] Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
We are of the Spirit
We are born givers.
Our Father is .
The law was Made for men in the flesh .
1 Timothy 1:9 KJV
[9] Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
We are told to give because we are born to give .
Blessed to give .
Examples in the book of Acts shows the New Testament spirit .
Acts 2:45 KJV
[45] And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men , as every man had need.
If u did this in some places ,you will be termed manipulated !
But its scriptural .
New testament .to sell property to give .to give cars and houses .
Many don't give because of the appetites of some clergy .
When your pastor says he wants to be the richest man in the world ,not because he runs his own business like paul ( acts 20:34)but based on your giving to him ,such words can discourage .
Ministers mustn't be greedy nor covetous .
1 Timothy 3:3 KJV
[3] Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
Not a lover of money .
1 Timothy 6:10-11 KJV
[10] For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. [11] But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Some have erred from the faith to be rich ( err from the faith here refers to doctrinal error ).
Paul warned Timothy to flee!
That said .
It's no excuse to be stingy ,and not give .
You will be disobedient to scriptures .
For every money loving pastor there are several who are decent ,faithfull.
Don't take your fury for the bad apples out on everyone ,
Your pastor deserves decent accommodation ,mode of transportation ,good holidays ,his kids and family well taken care of.
It's your duty .
However,same with the needy in your church .
They deserve good accommodation etc as well.
It's our duty too .
However where a preacher starts to teach in greed .
Starts to attach money to blessings .
Money for grace,Seed for anointing.
Dangerous seed for power .
Stay away from him !
Change church fast.
1 Timothy 6:5 KJV
[5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
Withdraw yourself.
leave the church ,stop listening to the minister !
There are preachers I stopped listening to their teachings when I noticed this kind of emphasis .
evil communication corrupts good manners
1corinthians15:33).
Also when the " poor" are mere idle folks don't support them ,
2 Thessalonians 3:10-11 KJV
[10] For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. [11] For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
Don't support anyone not willing to work .
Don't support bad habits.
Even for widows .
1 Timothy 5:9,11,13 KJV
[9] Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
11] But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
13] And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
That's clear enough .
Are we meant to tithe in the New Testament ? No.
Are we instructed to set apart part of our income to support our ministers and the poor,needy etc
Yes!
If u are a strong advocate of the New Testament you aren't unwilling to go beyond any percentages be it 10% or more at every time to do this ,
Hope this is clear enough ?
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