Week 2(b) - Tithing (Tyler Murphy)

One of the best ways I am able to express my views about tithing is doing a quick survey of what the Old and New Testaments talk about regarding the tithe.

The first example of tithing that is found in the Old Testament is in Genesis 14:18-20: “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything”. From that first moment on sense, a ten percent tithe is made by Jacob and Aaron all the way through the prophets. The tithes were made to the priests that governed the temple. The tithe included everything from land, animals, and money. Around the time of the Israelite kings, there were specific people that were appointed to collect the tithes and place them in the designated chambers and storehouses. Finally, around the time of the minor prophets, there appears to be a cause and effect related to God and tithing. Malachi rights that one must give to God in order to be blessed and if one refuses, they will be cursed.

Tithing in the New Testament followed the traditions and trends of the Old Testament with a few caveats. After Christ came and died and rose again, the Church was faced with the issue of continuing the Jewish practice of tithing or disregarding it and doing something else. They began to move toward a more “spontaneous offering” system rather than a timed ten percent. There is no specific command to tithe in the New Testament, but it is mentioned a few times. Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42 are two instances in the New Testament where Jesus actually mentions tithing. While this is not a direct command to tithe given by Jesus, it is evidence that tithing existed and was practiced during that day.

The concept of a tithe, however, became more about providing for the sustenance of the staff behind the pulpit than it did about being a traditional act required by God. Many will argue that tithing is simply a Jewish custom and not something that should be practiced by modern day Christians. However, throughout the New Testament, there is evidence of tithing being performed by both Jews and Christians. The idea of tithing has since transformed to include not only food gifts (as they were in the Old Testament), but also money (as is found commonly in the New Testament). This progression has also changed the terms used for “tithing”. Tithing is now more commonly referred to as “giving” and urges weekly giving that supports the needs of Christian workers both locally and internationally.

I believe tithing should be at least 10%, but then attempt to increase that number every time. Tithing is not a stagnant thing. It should be a constant increase of giving. And by giving that which God has put on your heart, I believe that we would be shocked to see how much God has put on our heart.