Tithing for Today: A New Testament Principle (Genesis 14:17-24; 15:1-2; 28:20-22; 33:20; Hebrews 6:20; 7:3,17,21; Psalm 110:4; Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42; 1 Corinthians 9:13)

TREMENDOUS TRAGEDY

The tremendous tragedy is that over 85% of Evangelical Christians do not read the scriptures on a regular basis, and yet statistically, the average North American, including Christians, watches in excess of 40 hours of television; movies; etc., on a weekly basis.

Even though the scriptures encourage us, not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed, by the renewing of our mind, [Rm.12:2], it is obvious that the overwhelming majority of those classified as "born again", have embraced values; attitudes; and sadly, lifestyles that demonstrate no separation from the world, but rather agreement with, and a joining to worldly thinking and standards. It is, therefore, no surprise that when the subject of tithing is approached, many respond with either cold indifference, or at times, hostile aggression, towards biblical values and teaching.

TITHING

First of all, to clarify, ALL ancient peoples and civilizations, during Abraham's earthly walk, actively engaged in tithing. It was not a principle that Abraham initiated when he tithed to Melchizedek. [Gen.14:17-24]. However, the basis of tithing is established in that encounter.

Tithing represents two important factors:

1) Who you tithe to is your God, that you have made a conscious choice to follow; worship; etc., [14:19]

2) Who you tithe to is your Deliverer; Savior; your Source. [14:20], that you look to for reward, or increase and provision. [15:1-2]

JACOB

In the account of Jacob, you not only have the principle of tithing, but the strong suggestion that Jacob was tithing, just not to God. He bargained with God, that:

 1) if God would be with him

 2) keep him in all his ways

 3) provide all his basic needs, and,

 4) bring him again home safely, then God would be his God. (Gen.28:20-22).

These are the basic provisions of tithing. Jacob said that if God fulfilled these requirements "... of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee." (Gen.28:22) If we don't believe God fulfills these requirements in our lives, then perhaps we need to be serving some other god(s), as many choose to do.

BEFORE THE LAW

Secondly, "the covenant that was confirmed by God, in Christ, the law, which was 430 years after, cannot annul, that it should make the promise of no effect". Tithing is part of the covenant that Abraham made with God, when Melchizedek met him, and they had a covenant meal, [ "..he brought forth bread and wine.." ] (14:18) and Abraham made a covenant with Melchizedek, the priest of the Most High God. [ "...I have lifted up mine hand unto the Lord, the Most High God, the possessor of heaven and earth..." ].

OWNERSHIP

[On a side note, if God owns heaven and earth, then He can give it to whomever He chooses, and He chose to give it to Abraham and his seed - Christ - forever...("..the promise that he [Abraham] should be heir of the world..." Romans 4:13) ].

OUR HIGH PRIEST

Scripture clearly indicates that Melchizedek is like unto the Son of God, abiding a priest continually. (Heb.7:3) Jesus is after the order of Melchizedek (Heb.6:20), and receives the tithes of the covenant made with Abraham, 430 years before the law. Again, scripture says that Jesus is forever our high priest after the order of Melchizedek. (Ps.110:4; Heb.7:17,21), to receive our tithes.

To refuse to tithe is to reject the Lord Jesus Christ as our high priest. Tithing is one of the signs that you are in fact in covenant relationship with the Most High God, and serve Him, and Him only, and that He is your exceeding great reward! (Gen.15:1).

FEAR & LACK OF KNOWLEDGE

For the most part, those that are holding back the tithe, due so out of a lack of knowledge, or fear. [ Of course, there are those who claim to be Christian, but are rebellious in their hearts, and so do not tithe, because they truly do not serve the Lord and Savior, as is evident from their unwillingness to allow the scriptures to be their guide, rather than their opinions. ] Those that do not give tithes out of fear, have a faulty concept of God, and do not embrace the fact that God is GOOD, and He is always trying to get something to us, not take something from us.

The scripture says to taste and see that the Lord is GOOD! (Ps.34:8) [ He does not change (Mal.3:6), He is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. (Heb.13:8) ].In fact, EVERY good givng and every perfect gift comes from Him, and He doesn't change or vary His ways. (Ja.1:17). Be encouraged, and give the tithe, and make God, your God.

New Testament Examples:

JESUS

Even Jesus, when rebuking the scribes and Pharisees, said, "... you tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, justice, mercy, and faith; these ought you to have done, AND NOT TO LEAVE THE OTHER UNDONE!" (Matt.23:23; Lk.11:42). The point being that Jesus, our Lord and Savior, implicitly stated that they ought to still have tithed, but obviously not neglect justice; mercy; and faith.

PAUL

Again, Paul, by the Holy Spirit, argues for his right to receive financial support referring to himself as equivalent to those who minister about holy things, living of the things of the temple, and they wait at the altar and are partakers of the altar. (1 Cor.9:13).This is a clear reference to tithing, in much the same language that is used in Hebrews 7. In other words, Paul was saying he had a right to receive the tithes from the Corinthians, since he had founded the church there. (9:2).

TITHING: A NEW TESTAMENT PRINCIPLE

What is clearly evident, and in direct contradiction to the critics, tithing is both taught and expected for the New Testament Christian. Tithing is no more an Old Testament precept than the promise to Abraham was an Old Testament precept, in fact both the promise and tithing supersedes the law. (Gal.3:17).

DIGGING DEEPER:

Genesis 28:22 literally reads, " surely tithing I will tithe...", or, "..giving the tenth, I will give the tenth..." What is strongly suggested, is that Jacob was already tithing, just not to God. God had not really become his God, and it was only after God fulfilled the demands of tithing to Jacob, that not only was He the God of Abraham and Isaac, but He became the God of Jacob, renamed Israel. Jacob erected an altar, and called it El-Elohe-Israel. [ Literally, " God, the God of Israel"] (Gen.33:20).

The purpose of this, and all the word studies is to provide help and insight to those who want to move forward in their relationship with God, and to be and do all that they can for Him. Any insight offered is revelation that has been beneficial to myself in answering questions that I too struggled with on the road to obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. God's richest blessing to those of you who choose to follow Him with all you are and all you have.

[See More Money Than You Can Count: Tithes and First Fruits (Part 1 and 2) to understand and enjoy the financial benefits and blessings of tithing and the first fruits].

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours.