The Strand Study Bible

MALACHI “MINI” SERIES The Doctrine Of Tithing

I. The Biblical Definition of Tithing

Lesson #1. What is tithing? (Gen 14:20 & 28:22)

God’s will for our life is that we tithe (Exo 23:19, Lev 27:30 and I Cor 9:1-14) and, as God has prospered us (II Cor 8:1-4 & 9:7 ), give from our hearts a “willing” offering ( Exo 35:5,21-22,29 ). God then chooses to take what we “owe” Him, and give it to those whom He has called to do His work (Num 18:21-24). Elmer Towns in Tithing is Christian notes: The minister receives a salary from the tithes and offerings. He is to live from the gifts of God’s people because he is set aside to do God’s work. 1 According to both the Old (Lev 27:30-32) and New Testaments (Lk 11:42), the tenth of all produce, flocks, and cattle was commanded to be set apart for God, who strictly speaking is the owner of the land and the producer of the ground. To withhold the tenth from God was to renounce His sovereign authority and to defraud Him of what was rightfully His. Although the law did not specify the various fruits and trees that were to be tithed upon, the Maaseroth included everything edible (Mt 23:23). The law stated that every tenth beast, whether good or bad, that passed under the staff when the shepherd counted his flock, was to be set apart for the LORD (Lev 27:32-34). Thus, this law forbade any attempt to substitute one animal for another. Even if the person offering the animal wished to give God a “better” animal than the one that had passed under the staff, he was not allowed to substitute it (Lev 27:9-10). Why? Because God just wants what’s rightfully His, which is the tenth. *The tithe is mentioned for the first time in the OT in Genesis 14:17-20 (c. 1908 BC), when Abraham tithed to MELCHIZEDEK (King of Salem, i.e., Jerusalem), after his victory over Chederlaomer. The tithe is mentioned for the second time 152 years later (Gen 28:20-22 - 1756 BC), when Jacob promised God that he would give back a tenth of all that God had given to him. Therefore, according to Genesis 14:18-20 & 28:22, tithing is defined as giving back to God a “tenth” of what He has allowed you to earn by way of “labor.” Thus, for the first 2,513 years of human history (from Adam to the time of Moses) God’s people practiced giving a tenth of their earned income to God. The tithe was clearly understood by the Genesis saints. The tithe was first instituted in the life of God’s people in the OT (Exo 22:29-30 & 23:16,19 & 34:26, Lev 27:30-34 and Num 18:20-32), when Moses gave the Law to God’s people. The first instructions concerning the tithe (and how it was to be given) are found in the book of Deuteronomy (Deut 12:5-7,11-12,17-18 & 14:22-29 & 26:10-14). According to these passages, there were two kinds of required tithing: 1. The yearly tithe (Exo 22:29-30 & 23:16,19 & 34:26, Lev 27:30-34, Num 18:20-32, Deut 12:5-7,17-18 & 14:22,27 & 15:19-22 & 26:1-11 and Neh 10:34-39 & 12:44) 2. The Year of Tithing (Deut 14:27-29 & 26:12-14) *The tithe is mentioned for the first time in the NT in Luke 11:42 (AD 31), when Jesus scathed the Pharisees for tithing, yet ignoring the judgment and the love of God. The tithe is mentioned for the second time one year later (Mt 23:23 - AD 32), when Jesus supported the tithing of all one’s labors. The institution of the tithe was mentioned for the first time in the NT in Matthew 10:10 (AD 30), when Jesus sent out His twelve disciples to preach the Gospel (the workman being worthy of his meat - Deut 25:4, I Cor 9:7-14 and I Tim 5:17-18). The tithe was reemphasized one year later (Lk 10:7 - AD 31) for the same reason. Instructions concerning the tithe is reemphasized for the first time in the NT in I Corinthians 9:1-14 Four questions concerning tithing 1. Does God need us to tithe? Answer - No! According to I Samuel 15:9-22, all God needs is our heart, i.e., our obedience. 2. Does God want us to tithe? Answer - Yes! According to Numbers 18:24, God wants us to tithe. 3. To whom does the tithe belong? Answer - God! According to Numbers 18:21, God says the tithe is His to give. 4. Why does God want us to tithe? Answer - Two reasons: * God wants our heart (Mt 6:19-21) * God wants those who work for Him to be cared for (Num 18:21-24)

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