Covenant of Tithing

Why Do We Give?

Ken

The Hebrew word for tithe signifies the tenth part. Long before Jehovah gave the Law to Moses, commanding Israel to set aside a tithe of all their increase or income (Deuteronomy 14:22) for the support of the Temple, the Levites, the resident foreigners, the widows, and orphans (Deuteronomy 26:12), long before that, Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:20). Tithing was an homage to God, acknowledging supernatural help in our natural world. If the word tithe is barely used in the New Testament, why should we tithe? Certainly God does not need the money, but the care of God’s work does require our assistance (Malachi 3:19). We give because we desire to support God’s ministry, since we know faith without the works of our tithes and offerings is only a profession. Ask Jesus about the significance of the widow’s offering of the two small copper coins (Luke 2:1-4).

I was newly married over fifty years ago, and I heard the pastor of our church preach about bringing the tithes into the storehouse. My wife and I, in our exuberance, gave considerably more than our tithe. She had a good job as a telephone operator. And, I was just completing an undergraduate degree at Cal State. A few months after I filed my first joint income tax with the IRS, I was audited. I don’t blame them. My father was the church treasurer. But, they finally decided I didn’t do anything wrong. What is my point? Don’t give to receive either praise or condemnation from man. “That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret Himself shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:4 KJV). 

Father, You own the cattle on a thousand hills; yet, for our benefit, You require us to support Your work with our tithes and offerings, promising us to pour “out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive” (Malachi 3:10). Cause us to be generous with our giving, as You are generous with us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen.

Tithe Belongs to the LORD

Ken

The tithe was in existence before the OT Mosaic Law, since Abram paid tithes to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:20). “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 unto the LORD” (Leviticus 27:30 KJV). A “tithe” (27:32) represents a “tenth [1/10]” (27:32). All our income belongs to God, since we belong to God. But, the tithe is especially set apart for the service of the LORD or dedicated for the LORD’s purposes, since it represents our covenant of trust with Him. What we are saying when we tithe is, ‘I take care of Your business, LORD, and You look after my business.’ As Jacob said, “And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that Thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto Thee” (Genesis 28:22). Though tithing became part of OT Law, under the New Covenant, we still have an understanding of trust with the God of Abram. “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat [food] 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” (Malachi 3:10). LORD, we take great delight in being called ‘one who tithes.’ We trust our tithe to You is not income lost, since we give from love and not necessity. Prosper Your servants, who tithe. Flourish the work of Your hands far beyond anything humans can accomplish. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen.