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For years there has been much talk and disagreement over the adopted practice of tithing in the church. Some discussion dealt with what people thought the Bible instructed while others say tithing is outdated and not for today. But, for the most part, the true biblical instruction is not mentioned. Now is the time to know and practice what God wants, not what we want. Let's check a few scriptures on the matter.
The word 'tithe' in the Hebrew (according to the Strongest Strongs) appears as two different spellings - [may-as-ayr']-tithe, a tenth part, payment of a tenth part; [awsar']-to tithe, take the tenth part of, give a tithe, take a tithe. In order to get the proper understanding of scripture we need to understand what the origional words meant.
The first mention of giving a tithe (or tenth) is found in Gen. 14:20 when Abram gave 'tithes' of all to the king of Salem: Melchizedek. This was long before God established as law for the Isrealites. This event was significant enough the the writer of Hebrews wrote about the tithe of Abram, noting that Melchizedek was someone to be recognized as an authority figure, more superior then Abram himself, and more spiritual, then Abram he himself being a patriarch.
The second mention of tithing (a tenth) is found in Gen. 28:22 when Jacob promised God that he would give a tenth of everything to God for the rest of his life. God did not command Abram nor Jacob to give a tenth (tithe) to Him.
Tithing became a law in Lev. 27:30-33, then it is mentioned again in Numbers chapter 18, then in Deut. chapters 12 and 26. It should be noted that the law was a law to be upheld and had to be done whether a person wanted to give a tenth or not.
Tithing is mentioned several times throughout the Old Testament. Some referred to tithes and offerings signifying that the two are different giving for seperate purposes.
In Malachi 3:8 God asked the question: "Will a man rob God?" Then He answers this: "In tithes and offerings." In verse 9 God says you are cursed for not giving in tithes and offerings. Is not the Whole Bible for our benefit and instruction? Think about it!
There isn't any word in the New Testament as 'tithe', or 'tithing', but there are scriptures that indicate that the practice continued in the first and second century Christian Church.
First, it is noted that Judas Iscariot carried the bag with the money Jesus collected. Where did the money come from? Mark helps answer this question in chapter 12:41-44. Jesus sat by the treasury watching people put their money in it. He condemned the rich for their way of thinking. Was this a tihe or was it an offering? The scripture doesn't say, but it was people giving money to Jesus ministry. (John 12:4-6, John 13:29)
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Jesus ridiculed the religious leaders in Matthew 23:23 of not carrying out parts of their duties. He didn't say not to tithe here, but doing one thing and forgetting the other was wrong. Jesus knew about tithes. He never said not to tithe.
Now let us focus on the ministry of the apostle Paul. In 1 Corinthians 16:1-3 Paul writes this to the church at Corinth: "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 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. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem." Paul gave this same instruction to the churches in Galatia: to put back money (a collection).
In 2 Cor. 9:6-7 Paul admonishes us this way: "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." If there is no tithes or offerings to be collected then what did Paul refer to?
Jesus instucted His disciples as He sent them out not to take money with them (Matthew chapter 10) on their journey. How were they to survive? The cheerful giving of other people sowing into their ministry. Luke 10:7 helps explain this further when Jesus said "a laborer is worthy of his hire".
Now let's switch back to the apostle Paul again as he wrote this in 1 Cor.9:11 "If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?" So, if ministers of the gospel sow spiritual things, is it not proper for us to sow into them as in carnal (temporal, material) things, such as money.
Lastly, Paul writes this in his second letter to the church at Corinth: "I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service. And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself." - 2 Cor. 11:8-9. Paul took money given to him by other churches to come visit the church at Corinth because the church there did not see it worth their time to give to him. How did he have that money? through tithes and offerings.
Now it is time for us to please God, not by obeying a "Law" but by obeying our "Heart". God will bless the giver!
Bishop M.D. Baughman
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