Tithe or tithing is one perennial
issue in Christianity that has garnered several controversies among various
churches and denominations. But should it be an issue in the first place? Or is
it the case of compulsion, volition or that it shouldn’t be paid at all that
draws this much polemics about it?
Tithe or Tithing in the Old Testament
Going down Biblical memory lane,
we find the initial shadow of tithe paying in Genesis 4:3-7, where Cain and
Abel presented a portion of their toils’ harvests to God. We see also in
Genesis 14:1-20, the first instance where tithe was mentioned and observed by
Abraham to Melchizedek, king of Salem (who was a foreshadow of Christ – Hebrews
6:19-20, 7:1-28).
The second instance surfaced in
Genesis 28:10-22, where Jacob made a vow to give a tenth of all that God gave
him. These instances captured were before the law given to Moses and they are
so mentioned that we may understand the genesis of tithe or tithing. However,
the emergence of the law gave a clearer explanation on who is entitled to
tithes and how it should be administered. It is in this regard, I believe, the
misconceptions on tithing ensue.
An argument raised by Christians
who are on the opposing side of tithe paying is that, according to the law,
tithes were meant for the Levites (Priests), and in our current dispensation of
grace and not of law, where the supposed place of the Levites (Priests) no
longer exists, there should be no need to pay tithes.
But what they fail to realize is
that from inception, tithes weren’t for the Levites (Priests) but for God, and
though the Old Testament’s priesthood was a presage of what Christ was to
accomplish, the advent of the new covenant didn’t nullify the validity of tithe
or tithing.
Leviticus 27:30-33 says, “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…” So, we understand that tithe
was and is for God and no one else. That is why we see God in Malachi 3:8
requesting from the people of Israel and the Priests is due – “Will a man rob
God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes
and offerings.”
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