Some Thoughts About Tithing

Some Thoughts About Tithing

Tithing in the church is never taught in the New Testament. 

What?  Are you surprised?

The New Testament only referred to it a few times as a historical reference but not as a requirement for the church.  Tithing, in the Old Testament, was meant to be a system of taxation to fund the government and its religious activities and welfare needs. 

The nation of Israel was a theocracy, ruled by God through priests.  When the conquered land was given to the twelve tribes of Israel, the tribe of Levi was taken out because they were the priestly tribe and they were not allowed to own any land.  The tribe of Joseph was then split into two tribes, Ephraim & Manasseh, to make up the twelve tribes of Israel.

Tithes were therefore an Old Testament taxation system to support their religious system of government, in addition to other voluntary giving like first-fruit giving & free-will offerings.

The word tithe literally means one-tenth in Hebrew.

There were 3 types of tithes in the Old Testatment :-

a) The 1st Tithe (known as the Lord’s Tithe, or Levitical Tithe) (Leviticus 27:30, Numbers 18:21~32)

10% of agricultural produce and livestock goes to sustain the Levites and priests who had no inheritance in the Promised Land.

b) The 2nd Tithe (known as the Festival Tithe)  (Deuteronomy 14:22~27)

Another 10% of agricultural produce and livestock to be consumed at the national festivals, in God’s presence, in nationwide celebration of God’s provision.

c) The 3rd Tithe (known as the Poor Tithe) (Deuteronomy 14:28~29)

Every 3^rd year, 10% of agricultural produce are to be collected to be given to the poor (aliens, fatherless, widows, etc..)

So, if a Christian wants to practise Old Testament tithing, then he has to tithe at least 23.3% of his income, in addition to other voluntary, free-will offerings!

The New Testament, however, teaches on free-will giving from the heart.

We are to give :

1)  In response to need (Acts 4:35, 11:27~29, Romans 12:13)

2) In a systematic and purposeful manner (1 Corinthians 16:2~3)

3)  In a secret and humble way (Matthew 6:1~4)

4)  In a cheerful manner (2 Corinthians 9:7)

5)  As a form of worship (Philippians 4:18, Proverbs 3:9)

In fact, one of the main purposes of giving is to support the work of the local church, the preaching of the gospel, to pay the church worker’s salary, to pay the utility bills, and meet the needs of the community.

Giving is not about the money – it is about the heart.  God loves us when we give and when we don’t give.  It is a way to show that we trust God with our lives and our finances.  It reminds us that we do not own anything in this life. God is in control, and we are only managers of what He has given us.

Even though the New Testament does not specify how much we are to give, I have personally used 10% as a guide.  Try not be legalistic.  God sees the heart of the giver rather than the size of the gift. (Mark 12:41~44)

I got serious about giving when I started working way back in 1982.  Back then, when I got my salary, straight away I would take out 10% and put it in an envelope reserved for giving to God’s work.  (We were paid in literal cash during those days; the older ones will remember).  I was earning about RM300 then, so I put aside RM30.  I am glad that I adopted this habit from young, at a time when my salary was so little.  Because as my salary increased over the years, the value of the 10% also increased, and it was not so difficult for me to give more.

Let me explain:

It is easy to give RM30 if you are just earning RM300. But to give RM500 when you are earning RM5,000, you may want to think twice about it…!  However, if we have disciplined ourselves to be faithful in little, it will not be difficult to be faithful in much (Luke 16:10).

My wife and I are average wage-earners.  In good times and in bad times, we try to honour God in our giving.  There were times of financial emergencies and additional expenses in the family when we were tempted to cut back on our giving.  But God has always honoured our obedience and faithfulness (Matthew 6:33, 1 Samuel 2:30).  From 2018 to 2019, I did not receive any salary from my employer for ten months.  We trusted God and lived on my wife's salary, our savings and some part-time work and we continued giving to God.  Praise God, came CNY of 2019, I was paid back in full the salaries owing to me.

God is no man’s debtor.

“For I will honour those who honours me…..” (1 Samuel 2:30)

“Honor the Lord with your wealth,

    with the firstfruits of all your crops.” 

(Proverbs 3:9)

"And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that 
     in all things 
       at all times, 
          having all that you need, 
             you will abound in every good work." 
(2 Corinthians 9:8)

As at this time of writing, my employer has again owed me 4 months' salary.  He promised to pay me once the MCO is lifted.  

Am I worried, with the news of many employees getting pay-cut and losing their jobs during this MCO?  Well, maybe, just a bit..... 😁

But,

I will encourage myself in the Lord, as David did (1 Samuel 30:6)
I will recall God's faithfulness and goodness in the past and how He has never failed us, just like the Psalmist did.
I will trust His heart when I sometimes cannot discern His hand.
For the Lord sits enthroned over the flood (Psalm 29:10)

Our God is a good God!

Postscript
4th June 2020 - Praise God! I have received my 4 months' salary owing to me. :D