Page 639 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

TITHE

14:28-29). The Israelites also gave the following matter how small, the parent teaches him to give 10%
offerings to God in addition to the tithe: (1) to God. When tithing becomes a habit from childhood it
Redemption money (Le. 27:3-7). (2) The firstborn is easy to continue in adulthood. (2) The tithe should be
animals were not to be worked or sheared, but given from “all thine increase.” This means that
sacrificed before the Lord (De. 15:19-20). (3) Firstfruits whenever we earn or receive money we should give a
(Ex. 23:19; De. 26:1-4).(4) Sacrificial offerings (Le. tithe unto the Lord from it. (3) God promises to bless
1-6). (5) Corners of their fields for the poor (Ex. 23:11; those who tithe. This promise is repeated in Scripture
Le. 19:9-10; De. 24:19). (6) Freewill offerings and vows because God wants to emphasize that it is certain. We
(Le. 22:17-19; 27:1-29; Nu. 6:13-21; De. 12:6, 11; can trust God’s Word!
23:21-23). (7) Sabbath of the land every seventh year New Testament Passages on Giving: Luke 6:38. Here
(Le. 25:1-7). (8) Year of Jubilee every fifty years (Le. Jesus stated a wonderful promise about giving. He is not
25:8-34). talking about tithing in particular, but about giving in
Lessons from Malachi 3:8-12: (1) God says that those general. God loves a cheerful giver. It is something that
who keep the tithe are robbing Him. This is because He takes note of and abundantly blesses. 1 Corinthians
under the Law of Moses God commanded the tithe and 16:1-2. In this passage we see that the believers in the
it belonged to Him. Whether or not one considers the first churches took up collections when they assembled
exact tithe an obligation on the New Testament believer, on the first day of the week. This particular offering was
it is sure that the believer does have many financial a special offering that Paul was collecting for the
obligations in the church and to fail to fulfill them is to Christians in Jerusalem that were suffering because of
rob God. (2) God promises to bless those who tithe. The famine (Ro. 15:26). Even in this case Paul taught them
believer can get by in life far better by giving tithes and to give “as God hath prospered.” This means the giving
offerings and living on what is left than he can by not was to be proportionate. That is the same principle as
giving to God and trying to live on 100% of his income. the tithe. Those who earn more give more. 2
This is because it is better to live with God’s blessing on Corinthians 9:6-7. This passage refers again to the
my life than to live without it. Thousands of believers special offering that Paul was collecting for the believers
have learned that God does indeed bless those who at Jerusalem. We see that such offerings are free-will,
tithe. When God says He will rebuke the devourer, it meaning that each believer makes his own decision
means that He will not allow things to happen to us that about how much to give (2 Co. 9:7). Paul promises that
can rob us of our money. This does not mean that those God will bless their giving.
who tithe will never have trouble, that their roof will Tithing and Faith: The only way to practice tithing
never leak or their equipment will never break down or effectively is to practice it by faith. We must believe
their children will never get sick. It means that many God’s promises even during times of difficulties. And we
things that would otherwise happen will be stopped must remember that God tests faith to see if it is real
because of God’s blessing. (3) The tithe should be and to make it grow stronger (Ja. 1:2-4). Many times if
brought into the storehouse. In the Old Testament, the a Christian decides to begin tithing, he will have some
storehouse was the temple in Jerusalem. Today the financial problem to test his decision. John R. Rice told
church is the house of God (1 Ti. 3:15). In the first about an evangelist named Kuykendahl in Texas in the
church, the people brought their gifts and laid them at early 20th century. He had a circuit riding ministry and
the feet of the leaders (Ac. 4:34-35). That is the his offerings were very small, so much so that his large
example for us today. The church has much more work family had a difficult time. One year a wealthy
than the Old Testament temple had. The church has businessman visited the area to share his testimony in
been commanded to preach the gospel to the ends of several churches, and evangelist Kuykendahl was his
the earth (Mt. 28:18-20). This is a very expensive host, transporting him from meeting to meeting in his
endeavor, and the expenses are to be borne by God’s buggy. Among other things, the businessman challenged
people. The preachers of the gospel are to be supported the people to tithe. As they were traveling along one
by the churches (1 Co. 9:14; Tit. 3:13-14; 3 Jn. 5-8). day, the businessman asked the evangelist if he believed
Lessons from Proverbs 3:9-10: (1) Parents are to teach in tithing. He replied, “Yes, I would love to tithe, but I
their children how to tithe. Consider verse 1, where we am very poor and must take care of my large family.”
see that this chapter contains the instruction of a father The businessman responded, “I will make you an offer.
to his son. Parents can’t teach their children to tithe If you will tithe for an entire year, I will guarantee you.
unless they have first learned to tithe themselves. When If at any time during the year you find that you can’t
the parent teaches a child to tithe, he first gives him a meet your obligations and don’t know where to turn,
small amount of money to put into the offering each just contact me and I will send you the necessary money.
week. When the child starts earning his own money, no I am a wealthy man, and I am a man of my word.”

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity 639