No Tithe In The New Covenant – NT Giving
Giving in the New Covenant – Why we are not bound to a tithe
The offering to God was from the beginning.
Gen 4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. Gen 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: Gen 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
No Evidence of a tithe or 10% here.
Here we see it called a tithe and it was of all he possessed, not just the increase.
Gen 14:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
Abraham’s practice in Gen. 14 is not a model for tithing. Abraham here paid a tithe on the spoils of war, not on his increase of land or flocks (Heb. 7:4). In middle eastern practice, a tithe of the spoils of war was often given to the king. Here, Abraham is giving a free will offering of the spoils to the king of Salem and priest of God Most High Melchizadech.
Showing the supremacy of the Priesthood of Christ being like Melchisedek it is said that the Levite priest even paid tithes to Melchisedek showing Christ to be a greater priesthood. Not an example of tithing from gain.
Heb 7:5 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. 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 was not a real tithe paid to the Levitical priests, which started after the Mosaic law for the nation of Israel; nor a tithe on the increase of the land or labor and wages or any business.
Under Mosaic law, there were different rules for offerings from the spoils of war (Num. 31:25-30) amounting to 2.2 percent being given to the priests and Levites.
Some think that all they have to give to God is the tithe just as in the OT this is what God required of His people. Well let’s look at all the tithes and offerings the OT people gave and see if you want to give that much.
As a remembrance that the Lord brought them out of slavery the 1st born of all is to be given to the Lord or redeemed by sacrifice. So we have been bought out of slavery to the devil and bondage in sin.
Ex 13:1Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; it is Mine.” NKJV
Ex 13:13-And all the firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. 14 So it shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ that you shall say to him, ‘By strength of hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 16 It shall be as a sign on your hand and as frontlets between your eyes, for by strength of hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt.” NKJV
Num 8:17- For all the firstborn among the children of Israel are Mine, both man and beast; on the day that I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them to Myself. 18 I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn of the children of Israel. 19 And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the work for the children of Israel in the tabernacle of meeting, and to make atonement for the children of Israel, NKJV
God gave no land or physical inheritance to the tribe of Levi. You might think how sad. Yet look what the get instead. God required the very best and purest of the crops and herds to be given as tithe to Him and the Levites get the best of all.
Num 18:12 “All the best of the oil, all the best of the new wine and the grain, their firstfruits which they offer to the LORD, I have given them to you. 13 Whatever first ripe fruit is in their land, which they bring to the LORD, shall be yours. Everyone who is clean in your house may eat it. 14 “Every devoted thing in Israel shall be yours.
These tithes were to support the priests because they were given no land in Israel.
Num 18:21″Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting. 22 Hereafter the children of Israel shall not come near the tabernacle of meeting, lest they bear sin and die. 23 But the Levites shall perform the work of the tabernacle of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity; it shall be a statute forever, throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. 24 For the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer up as a heave offering to the LORD, I have given to the Levites as an inheritance; therefore I have said to them, ‘Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.’”
25 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 26 “Speak thus to the Levites, and say to them: ‘When you take from the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them as your inheritance, then you shall offer up a heave offering of it to the LORD, a tenth of the tithe. NKJV
And the Levites tithe a tenth of the tithes too.
Don’t forget the Salt!
Lev 2:13 And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt. NKJV
More offerings – Peace, Sin, Freewill, Heave or Wave, etc.
Lev 3:1-’When his offering is a sacrifice of a peace offering, if he offers it of the herd, whether male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the LORD. NKJV
Lev 4:21 It is a sin offering for the assembly. NKJV
Lev 22:18 Whatever man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers in Israel, who offers his sacrifice for any of his vows or for any of his freewill offerings, which they offer to the LORD as a burnt offering — 19 you shall offer of your own free will a male without blemish from the cattle, from the sheep, or from the goats. 20 Whatever has a defect, you shall not offer, for it shall not be acceptable on your behalf. NKJV
Lev 23:15 ‘And you shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. 16 Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the LORD. NKJV
Deut 12:6 There you shall take your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the heave offerings of your hand, your vowed offerings, your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. NKJV
Deut 12:17 Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand:
More than just these tithes were given.
Neh 12:44 And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.
In this offering it was not a tithe, all give the same amount, rich and poor alike.
Exodus 30:13 This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel is twenty gerahs:) an half shekel shall be the offering of the LORD. 14 every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the LORD. 15 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.
Of this tithe on crops and herds if you needed to hold back and not pay all the tithe you had to pay an additional 1/5 extra when you paid it. The same was true for any additional thing you dedicated to the Lord.
Lev 27:30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’s. It is holy to the LORD. 31 If a man wants at all to redeem any of his tithes, he shall add one-fifth to it. 32 And concerning the tithe of the herd or the flock, of whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the LORD. 33 He shall not inquire whether it is good or bad, nor shall he exchange it; and if he exchanges it at all, then both it and the one exchanged for it shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.’” NKJV
Note all the giving going on besides all the tithes. Restitution, gifts to priests etc.
Num 5:6 When a man or woman commits any sin that men commit in unfaithfulness against the LORD, and that person is guilty, 7 then he shall confess the sin which he has committed. He shall make restitution for his trespass in full, plus one-fifth of it, and give it to the one he has wronged. 8 But if the man has no relative to whom restitution may be made for the wrong, the restitution for the wrong must go to the LORD for the priest, in addition to the ram of the atonement with which atonement is made for him. 9 Every offering of all the holy things of the children of Israel, which they bring to the priest, shall be his. 10 And every man’s holy things shall be his; whatever any man gives the priest shall be his.’” NKJV
Deut 14:22 “You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year. 23 And you shall eat before the LORD your God, in the place where He chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always. NKJV
This is a tithe for those who lived to far away to bring their tithes. They sold it and brought money. We get to spend this one on ourselves and eat it too. Did your pastor tell you about this tithe?Just invite him to dinner and let him know you just did your tithe.
Deut 14:24 But if the journey is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, or if the place where the LORD your God chooses to put His name is too far from you, when the LORD your God has blessed you, 25 then you shall exchange it for money, take the money in your hand, and go to the place which the LORD your God chooses. 26 And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household. …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:
Deut 26:12 When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled;
2 Chr 31:5 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the fields; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly. 6 And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps.
Neh 10:37 And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.
Regarding the firstfruits teaching: Firstfruits were part of a special offering that was one of three done each year that the men of Israel were to appear before God at the tabernacle and make sacrifice. Another was the season of Ingathering.
Ex 23:14 “Three times a year you shall celebrate a feast to Me. 15 You shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread; for seven days you are to eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the appointed time in the month Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt. And none shall appear before Me empty-handed. 16 Also you shall observe the Feast of the Harvest of the first fruits of your labors from what you sow in the field; also the Feast of the Ingathering at the end of the year when you gather in the fruit of your labors from the field. 17 Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord GOD. 18 “You shall not offer the blood of My sacrifice with leavened bread; nor is the fat of My feast to remain overnight until morning. 19 You shall bring the choice first fruits of your soil into the house of the LORD your God. NAS
Not only are there clearly 3 offerings made not one, but this is clearly and distinctly a part of the special sabbaths of Israel that we no longer celebrate as shadows of the coming reality in Christ who has become the first fruits of the resurrection of all of His people. And the promise is to them since the nation of Israel was to be a sign of what heaven is like; overflowing with good. No one else necessarily today is to be the sign or shadow of heaven to come. So in proverbs then we see why it speaks of honoring the Lord with from our first fruits.
Prov 3:9 Honor the LORD from your wealth, And from the first of all your produce; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. NAS
And if we even deduce a principle from this to apply to our lives it could be that it may be good to give God a portion of the first income we get rather than waiting until the end to make Him last in our giving. We may want to show ourselves and our family that God is first in our lives by giving some of the first income we get but not necessarily all of the first check of the year or some other practice devised by men seeking to extract our money from us with promise of more for doing so.
So 1st of all, the tithes were paid to the Levites. The Levite tithed on the tithe he received to the Aaronic priests. This was a pass on of the agricultural increase given to him. We don’t have Levites to pay tithes to today, or Aaronic priests to pass it on to, so I don’t know who you would pay a tithe to. If you said the ministers are now the Levites, then they could not own homes and land and must be fully dependant on the church members. And this would mean all of the tithe would go to the pastors and missionaries and none of this could be used for building fund, heating utilities, diaconal fund, or other uses. You would have to give extra for that.
2nd the tithes were not just 1/10 one time, there were many tithes and other offerings as well. So we can’t say 10% is what you are to give or minimally give or anything.
3rd There was no provision for a tithe on wages or income from trades, only agricultural increase, and that not even on agricultural increase outside Palestine. Tithing was only on agricultural increase in the promised land and not on labor and services or other businesses or goods.
You find no biblical requirement to give on non agricultural increase, except for special regulations in regard to the plunder of war, which is what we find in Abraham’s tithe to Melchizedek.
Orthodox Jews, very meticulous in their application of the Mosaic law, find no requirement for tithing on wages or income from trade, like blacksmiths, carpenters, etc..
If you wanted to try to apply the principle of proportional giving found in the ceremonial law, it might look something like this.
First tithe, 10% on the increase of the land and herds, given to the Levites. This is increase. If a family killed a couple sheep during the year to sustain themselves, it would not be counted in the increase for the year. So, this is ten percent of adjusted gross income (after necessities), or ten percent of increase in net worth. And, if ministers are the New Testament Levites, all of this tithe should go to them, not to the building fund or diaconal fund. So where do you get money for all the other expenses?
Second tithe, only on the increase of the soil and not herds, except first born, Deut 14:24 above.
It was to be used to visit and feast at the three required festivals in Jerusalem. So, this was for a family religious conference and feast, including the purchase of desired wine and strong drink and bullocks or whatever they want. But, if we are not required to gather in Jerusalem, where are we to have this family conference and feast? Ok, set aside at least five percent for a family vacation and attendance at a good reformed conference, but only if wine and strong drink are allowed and whatever your heart desires.
Third tithe, only every third year and on the increase of the soil, not the herds, was for the relief of the poor. This would be more like one and two-thirds percent of our income given to the diaconal fund or other relief of the destitute.
Besides this, there were required and voluntary gifts. First fruits and first born livestock belong to God. Buildings (tabernacle and temple) were constructed from free will offerings, not tithes. If a church thinks a tithe is required, and uses part of that tithe for building construction, maintenance, heating, air conditioning, pews and carpeting, it is in violation of the principle behind the first tithe. Such would only be used for paying ministers, evangelists, missionaries, and others who minister the word. So we would have to ask for 10% + freewill offerings and diaconal offerings also.
Not to mention the sacrifices for sin offerings. Well maybe we could skip those since Christ has come.
But this is what is involved in the OT tithe. It is not a simple 10% or on all income. If we are going to make application of the Mosaic tithe and other laws regarding giving, you must consider what was required in the original context.
Often we see believers in the transition time during the life of Christ or shortly after during the years of the writing of the NT scriptures still upholding OT Jewish practices. Often this was just so as to attempt to avoid offending the Jews who Paul sought to minister to, as in the case of the circumcision of Timothy in Acts 16:3. Because as Acts 15 tells us there is no need for Gentile believers to be circumcised or keep the OT civil or ceremonial laws.
The moral law as summarized in the 10 commandments of course we all still hold to as a rule for our life and faith. But the feast days, sacrifices, worship style and civil government laws are not binding. Obviously we are to obey the civil laws of whatever country we now live in so we can’t all be under Israel’s civil laws. They were for the nation of Israel while it existed as a nation and picture of heaven to come. Now that shadow or type has ended and the fullness of the final Sacrifice has come and been offered so it would be to deny Christ to offer sacrifices on an altar for sin. Now God desires our sacrifice to be that of an obedient life. Heb 9, Eph 2:15 Col 2:15, 16, 20-23
Rom 12:1 I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. NAS
Why did Israel have all the civil and ceremonial laws?
Gal 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; KJV
Gal 3:24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. NAS
Gal 4:9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. NAS
So these are the civil and ceremonial laws that have been abolished since there is no more nation of Israel that God is working through, nor being worshipped in a temple, no more Jew or Gentile we are all one body in Christ, the feasts, special sabbaths, Passover, sacrifices for sin, feast of firstfruits of harvest and feast of end of harvest, etc.
Therefore the laws for not having tattoos or not shaving the hair on the side of the head etc. no longer bind us. The NT makes it clear how we are to live. Jesus taught and lived in accord with the 10 Commandments and taught us to do so. He made them clearer and in a sense stricter. Jews could have a divorce but Jesus taught that was not the intent originally and if any gets a divorce for anything other than adultery it is wrong. He taught not to murder also meant not to be angry and act harshly to a brother. And with other illustrations he clarified the moral law or 10 commands and how we are to live now. But those laws that were for Israel while it was a nation and picture of the truth to come are done away after Christ. So tithing is also a part of that old system. In fact if you want to tithe as Israel did it is more than 10%. You also have other tithes. There was also the 3rd year tithe of 10% that went into the storehouse for the Levites and Widows orphans and strangers who came to Israel and hadn’t prepared along with the feasts. There are no Levites to give a tithe to now and that is who the tithe was designed for and given to.
So there may be wisdom and principles in the OT a person or church may choose to adopt as a culture to live by, but we cannot bind any person’s conscience to have to obey some man made rule even if it was used by Israel because we no longer are living in the types and shadows of the nation of Israel before Christ, we are in the more clear fulfilling of the types. We celebrate Communion as a remembrance; no longer Passover as a looking forward to what will come. It has come and is past. We no longer get circumcised as a type to show that we are distinct and separate from the world. We are circumcised in our hearts for real. Our desires are cut off from the world and we desire the spiritual and to obey God.
In fact by the law of promise or Grace we probably ought to desire to do more than what was required in the laws for Israel. So we have to use common sense too.
We trust God first. Then we work to get food. Likewise we trust God to provide and we give. We give but we must care for our responsibilities as well. We do not let our children starve to give money to the church. We give what we can. But they do not need to be in designer clothes and we do not need the fanciest houses or new cars. The amount we give is not as significant as the desire that it comes from. For example the widow who gave 2 pennies but it was all she had at the time. That was more precious than those who gave a lot more because they had plenty. There are times we may give sacrificially. There are times we may give above our normal means. There are times God providentially brings people into our lives to care for and we take them on. We may give offerings also to God out of thankfulness and for times of special blessing.
But none of this can be legislated by others. It is by our desires and conscience.
The new reality is: God owns all our substance not just 10% and we are answerable to him for the use of everything for sustaining our family, saving, investing, and giving.
We can see some things in the OT as principles applying to our giving, like we do give to God, we do not give defective but perfect gifts. We give in faith trusting Him to provide, firstfruits, and we give in thanks for what He has provided, Harvest. We give in proportion as He prospers us. This is what the Confession teaches us when it says the OT laws for the nation of Israel are abolished with that nation and only the General Equity of those laws would be examples for us to guide us. And as we see in the following we are to have a good heart in giving not mere obedience or obligation. 1 Cor 16:2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper NKJV
A great sin is not to have a thankful heart in giving.
1 Sam 2:17 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.
Attitude and heart desire in the giving was vital. This was an offering for building the temple
Exodus 25:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. Exodus 25:3 And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass, (KJV)
Ex 35:5 ‘Take from among you an offering to the LORD. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as an offering to the LORD: NKJV
Exodus 35:21 And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD’s offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments. 35:22 And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered an offering of gold unto the LORD. 35:29 The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses. 36:3 And they received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning. 36:6 And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.
Mal 1:11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.
Mal 3:3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. 3:4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.
Mal 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Mark 12:42-44 42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
Why is this so? Because her calling at that time in her life was to trust God day by day to provide what she needed and she gave Him all that was left over beyond her need which evidences her complete trust He would provide all she needed each day. Regardless how much we give, it should be from a heart with this same trust underlying. We should be willing to give all we have if needed. There was no thought of 10% here and I doubt that was 10% of what she had that day. Some days she may have more left over and some days less. And if she got more one day did she eat an extra fish, maybe and if she had more leftover she gave more. But she did not save up to buy excessively costly extravagances.
No thought of just a tithe or 10% in these believers even under OT law.
Acts 10:2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. …4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God
Luke 19:8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
We also are told that some who gave a tithe were not accepted because of their attitude or lifestyle.
Micah 6:7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
Matt 15:5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
To claim that what you own is promised to the Lord so that it can’t be given now, as a means to avoid putting it to God’s preferred use is evil.
Matt 23:23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. NKJV
A tithe by the letter of the law is inadequate in Christ’s mind without being part of a whole heart for God.
Luke 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner.
We are told that it is more important that we clear up any offense a brother or sister may have with us before our giving to God is acceptable.
Matt 5:23 “If therefore you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your offering there before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. 25 “Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, in order that your opponent may not deliver you to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26 “Truly I say to you, you shall not come out of there, until you have paid up the last cent. NAS
The following are our examples and instruction for NT Giving.
2 Cor 8:1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as you abound in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us — see that you abound in this grace also.
8 I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
10 And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; 11 but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. 12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.
13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; 14 but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack — that there may be equality. 15 As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.” NKJV
This teaches us that a true willingness is accepted even when we can only give a little if it is all we have. But it is to our advantage to give as much as we can. Even to give sacrificially. And knowing God gives more abundance to some at times so that they may give to others in need.
In the NT how do we give? – when you meet on the 1st day and as God hath prospered him, was one order.
1Cor 16:1-3 1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 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. 3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
Another principle is we give as there is need. God is in control of need.
Acts 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Acts 4: 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.
Act 5:1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, .2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? :4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
There may be extreme times when the church goes to this extent to care for all but this is not the norm. Christianity does not teach socialism. Note that it was stated in Acts 5:4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? NKJV”
Didn’t 1/10 belong to the Lord Did and have to be given? Or all of it? No. God gives us a right to personal ownership. We do not have to give all or a certain amount. Yes ultimately it all belongs to the Lord and with that knowledge that we have nothing He did not bring to us, we should be willing to give up all of it at any time. What Jesus required of the rich young ruler He requires of all of us. He may only ask us to give some now and then, but it is all His. We are to be stewards caring for it responsibly as in the parable of the talents and willing to give it all away.
Matt 19:16-Now behold, one came and said to Him,”Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. NKJV
James 2:15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. NKJV
Nice to say I will pray for you but if you have the means today to help then help having faith God will care for you tomorrow. He is able to make all abundance flow to you.
Again though we know God wants to enrich us so we can glorify Him by giving to others, and that if we give little we may be given little, we give bountifully for the good works and glory God will get, not just so we get. But we are given this knowledge and can have trust in God that He is just and kind and may give mre to those who show they will give to His glory.
2Cor 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 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. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”
10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men, … NKJV
This giving is obedience to the gospel
We are told it is better to give than to receive.
Acts 20:35 “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” NAS
But we may do well to balance this by considering the following verse which reminds us if we haven’t received anything we have nothing to give. The more we have the more we can give.
Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. (KJV)
Note that the reason given to work here is not just to feed yourself, but to have enough to give to others in need.
Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Matt 6:1″Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. NKJV
This tells us that our giving is not something to be showy about or boast about, but this does not mean it must always be a total secret and a subject not discussed or examined in life by a standard. i.e.
When many came to the apostles and gave, others knew what was given. And they told they were giving all they had. Etc. When they did not give as they claimed they were disciplined.
We read in scripture the principle God wants us to give cheerfully and as much as we have decided for ourselves. We are not to be compelled to give or give a certain amount.
2 Cor 9:6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. 7 Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; 9 as it is written, “He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor,
His righteousness abides forever.”
10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; 11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, NAS
In this passage Jesus teaches us to give even to our enemies; and the reason why we do it. Giving where we think we will get back is no sign of spiritual work in us or of faith.
Luke 6:27 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 “Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. 30 “Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. 31 “And just as you want people to treat you, treat them in the same way. 32 “And if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 “And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 “And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, in order to receive back the same amount. 35 “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. 36 “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 37 “And do not judge and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. 38 “Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” NAS
So again the verse says to give without expecting anything in return, yet it also says know that God will give to you. It may be in this life or in the hereafter. But we will be blessed. But we do not give for the purpose of expecting to get.
We will be rewarded in this life or in heaven for our giving and other good works and we should desire that fruit be added to each others account.
Phil 4:15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. Phil 4:17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. (KJV)
There may be rewards in this lifetime for good deeds and giving to those in need.
Matt 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
We know God is a rewarder of those who give, but we do not give to get back. We give selflessly. We trust God to provide our needs so we don’t need to worry. But this is not an excuse to be foolish or negligent and irresponsible in giving.
We can not be sure how much God will reward our giving or even if He will specifically reward a particular instance of giving. It is our heart and lifestyle that He rewards not necessarily just once instance of giving anyway, though He may. Contrary to popular teaching, God is not bound to respond on a one to one basis for any good act we make. There is no merit in our works, yet He often rewards those who live lives of good works; but sometimes He allows them to be persecuted. We do not earn anything by our works or giving, anything God gives us even the desire to give and the doing of the good works is from His grace. Our only certain reward will be in heaven. We can not expect God to give us more just because we give. We do not give as a mechanism to get blessed from Him. Our motive is to be unconditional love, trusting God, and thankfulness. Not giving from a desire to get God to do for us.
Yet at the same we are aware that God does reward those who give. He cares for those who care for others. Often modern professing christians mix this up. They tell us to give as if it was some means to make God have to give us more. This is not the case nor is it to be our motive for what we do, even though we may know He does reward and care for those who give.
Hopefully this distinction is clear: though the general principle is there in the temporal earthly rewards and we can have some expectation if our good works flow from thankfulness, gratitude and service, not from a desire to sow seed to get back. That is an unbiblical twisting of scripture.
Mark 10:29 So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, 30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time — houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions — and in the age to come, eternal life NKJV
Though this is about the fruit of the labor of preaching the gospel it may show how God does not bless each work the same but as He chooses. Matt 13:23 “And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit, and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.” NAS
Now Paul in 2Cor 9 did want to remind the young Christians that God was faithful so not to fear they would be at a loss if they trusted God and their new desires to help out the needy by giving. He wanted them to know the character of God so they would be free to give as they desired to. But He did not mean it as a method to get God to give them more.
The same is true of verses like Prov 22:9 He who is generous will be blessed,
For he gives some of his food to the poor. NAS
Regarding the firstfruits teaching: Firstfruits were part of a special offering that was one of three times in a year that the men of Israel were to appear before God at the tabernacle and make sacrifice. It was a part of the season of Harvest.
Ex 23:14 “Three times a year you shall celebrate a feast to Me. 15 You shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread; for seven days you are to eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the appointed time in the month Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt. And none shall appear before Me empty-handed. 16 Also you shall observe the Feast of the Harvest of the first fruits of your labors from what you sow in the field; also the Feast of the Ingathering at the end of the year when you gather in the fruit of your labors from the field. 17 Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord GOD. 18 “You shall not offer the blood of My sacrifice with leavened bread; nor is the fat of My feast to remain overnight until morning. 19 You shall bring the choice first fruits of your soil into the house of the LORD your God. You are not to boil a kid in the milk of its mother. NAS
Not only are there clearly 2 offerings made, not one, but this is clearly and distinctly a part of the special sabbaths of Israel that we no longer celebrate as shadows of the coming reality in Christ, who has become the first fruits of the resurrection of all of His people. And the promise is to them since the nation of Israel was to be a sign of what heaven is like; overflowing with good. So this is why we can understand Proverbs speaking to the Jews of honoring the Lord with from their first fruits and getting a “reward”.
Prov 3:9 Honor the LORD from your wealth, And from the first of all your produce;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. NAS
But no group of people today is to be the sign or shadow of heaven to come as the Jews were, so the typology is no longer there.
And if there is a principle to deduce from this and apply to our lives today it may be that it is good to give God a portion of the first income we get, showing our trust in Him to continue to provide, rather than waiting until the end to make Him last in our giving. We may want to show ourselves and our family that God is first in our lives by giving some of the first income we get, though not necessarily all of the first check of the year, or some other practice devised by men whoa are just seeking to extract our money from us with promise of more for doing so.
Some focus on the words: it is better to give than to receive. Acts 20:35 “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” NAS
We may do well to consider the following verse which reminds us if we haven’t received anything we have nothing to give. The more we have the more we can give.
Eph 4:28 Let him who steals steal no longer; but rather let him labor, performing with his own hands what is good, in order that he may have something to share with him who has need. NAS
I love the beauty of this passage that teaches us we not only want to earn enough to take care of ourselves but even to have extra to give to those in need. We do not live selfishly just for ourselves. So we want to seek to earn enough so we can have the privilege to give and help others who are temporarily in need. Also having the attitude of the next verse.
Phil 2:2 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. NAS
Luke 6:30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. NKJV
Scripture Points:
1. Giving to God has always been done. It was given as a complex series of tithes and offerings for the nation of Israel as part of the civil and ceremonial laws that all ended with the end of the nation, as did their other laws. Gal 4:9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? NKJV
2. It is giving the way God wants that is important. Thankful obedient heart desire, willfully, sacrificially as needed by others are the requirement more than how much, or else this verse would have to say, but minimally 10% or you are in sin. 2 Cor 8:12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have. NKJV
3. But saying we have a desire alone and not doing it is inadequate. 2 Cor 8:10 And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; 11 but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. NKJV
James 2:15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? NKJV
4. It is a blessing to us and will be rewarded.
5. Jewish History points that in time of revival the tithe was paid. In times of desolation it was not. So giving is a sign of vitality spiritually.
6. If the tithes had changed for the nation of Israel to only one 10% amount, it would have been made clear in the NT. But there is little law in the NT. God desires us to give from the heart and as He prospers us. We do not legislate morality in all aspects as Christians. We provoke each other to love and good deeds from the heart.
7. Not all are able to give 10% all the time. And if you are in debt, you would not be giving your money, you would be stealing and giving what you should pay to the one you owed. This would not include where scheduled payments have been agreed to and you are making those.
8. Let all be done decent and in order. It is good to give a consistent amount regularly for the operation of the church to plan and depend on. But people can lose jobs, change pay or move; so there is no more certainty in requiring 10%, actually less than in teaching people to give what is needed now, even sacrificially.
9. References to lay up in store in the NT are concepts of OT Malachi.
10. Having a specific amount to give could be like one day in seven set apart helps us remember the time is the Lord’s; the tithe may help us remember all is the Lord’s and it is from Him for us to be stewards of. And to keep us from the love of money. But the more clear revelation written on our heart is 100% is the Lord’s, seek first the kingdom.
11. Some say how can we discipline people if there is no minimal amount. How can you discipline them for any other area of conscience, whether to watch TV and how much or what shows or recreation, sports, reading fiction etc. If they are not giving they are not converted. They will have a desire to obey and please God. They may need practical help with finances but they will want to give, they won’t need a law.
Conclusions & thoughts to ponder:
1. Doesn’t it make sense that we under Grace should offer even more than the OT by law? At least the farmers gave way more than 10%, clser to 33% + freewill offerings. So to think you have done your duty by giving 10% is first errant interpretation and secondly legal as opposed to spiritual. It is to seek to go back under law. We walk by the Spirit.
2. The tithes and offerings of the OT are examples of how and why to give, not a specific amount to give. . 3, 3. 3. Where there was a need, up to all that one had, was given.
Other considerations:
1.Where do we give? On our own or to a local church? I once heard “ pay where you are fed”.
We have cited examples of it being given to apostles rather than directly to the needy.
It seems that the church collected it and sent to Paul’s support not just individuals giving directly.
2.But is it only this way? No we give to others directly also esp. in times of crisis or hospitality. The centurion in Acts 10 commended for giving to people. Perhaps give 1st to the local church as it has need, then where ever else you desire.
3. There were special offerings where all were told to give the same amount; but generally it would be the more you are prospered the more you would give.
So give joyfully, willingly and out of thankfulness and love to God and man.
We should not have our security in savings. Nor our hearts set on them. Nor worry about our needs.
Examination: If we do worry or have our minds occupied about these things or have a need for amassing savings as security we have a serious spiritual problem. Medidtate on these passages and ask the Spirit to help you use your faith to trust in God’ to provide what He wants for you. There is no retirement mentioned in the Bible so no need to save up for it. Work 6 days is our command. This is not a playland for us. And if you stop working at a job then you would be full time missions working for the advancement of kingdom.
Matt 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be .
Matt 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment? 26 Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value then they?
Luke 12: 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
