The Law of Tithing
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. (Matthew 23:23)
In this lesson, you will learn what tithing is, the importance of tithing, and why we should tithe. The portion that God requires of us to tithe is only ten percent. First and foremost, tithing is being obedient to God and secondary it is reveling what in our hearts.
The principle of Divine Ownership means that God is the owner of everything. Understanding the Principle of Divine Ownership helps Christians to release the problems they may have when it comes to giving and tithing. Tithing is ‘Holy’ unto God. Therefore, out of our one hundred percent, ten percent for the Lord should be set apart and given to the Lord first.
Tithing is a law that was established by God in the Garden of Eden. The law of tithing is found in the book of Genesis (Book of Beginnings) and continues throughout the Bible. Tithing is a means by which God test our obedience, tithing is putting God first, and demonstrating where our heart is. Also, tithing is a means of how His work here on earth is to be maintained or financed.
What is Tithing?
Tithing is returning ten percent of the one hundred percent of what God had blessed you with. The first portion of the 100 percent is what God has entrusted you with when you are obedient, and the ninety percent is redeemed and blessed. The tithe is simply the basic starting point in our Christian financial commitment.
The definition of tithe is derived from the Hebrew word, asair, which means to give the tenth part of according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance.
God has given mankind the exclusive right or dominion to rule over His property and world. We have not only been given the right of dominion, but we are also "free moral agents," able to make our own decisions and to determine our own actions. Therefore, man can bless God with his actions or curse God with his actions. Obedience blesses God, while disobedience is a reproach unto God. Tithing brings blessings, while not tithing obviously brings a reproach. You are cursed when the devil is able to rob you of what you have. It is obvious when you are not being blessed because God made a promise to rebuke the devil, and if you are not blessed than you must be cursed.
Divine Ownership
If this principle was understood in the hearts of all Christians, then the problems associated with giving and tithing would be over. Therefore, I will quote several scriptures to support this principle. Please take the time to read each scripture. In fact, underline them in your own Bible for future references.
I have listed several scriptures showing that God owns everything, and it has been His decision to allow us to share in part of His creation. (See Psalm 24:1, 50:10-11, Haggai 2:8, Ezekiel 18:4, 1 Corinthians 6:20, 10:26).
See God owns everything and we are merely stewards over His possessions! Based on the above scriptures and many, many others, it is clear that the entire earth, world, gold, silver, animals, and all people are God's!
The principle of divine ownership teaches us that there is nothing that does not belong to God! Whereas, the principle of dominion teaches us that mankind has been given stewardship over God's property. Not only the tithe, but everything else: 100% belongs to Him. We are simply stewards being obedient to our Heavenly Master Jesus Christ, our LORD and Saviour.
Law of Tithing
Garden of Eden: Genesis 2:15-17; And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But the tree of knowledge, of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Notice that in giving Adam and Eve stewardship of the Garden, God gave them every tree from which they could eat freely except for one. Exercising faithful stewardship of the Garden meant leaving that one tree alone.
They were not to take that fruit for themselves and consume it. Being faithful stewards meant life to Adam and Eve. By choosing to eat the fruit of the tree, they were acting like owners rather than stewards.
Isn't that precisely how the principle of the tithe operates for us? God gives us stewardship responsibility over our lives. Even though it all belongs to Him, He richly gives us all things to enjoy (see 1 Tim. 6:17). But He has asked us not to touch the first fruits. "The tithe and the first fruits are mine," says the Lord.”
When we demonstrate faithful stewardship, we show God that we realize we are stewards, not owners. We also demonstrate faithful stewardship when we tithe.
Abraham and Melchizedek: (See Genesis 14:18-20, Hebrews 7:1-10)
A full 430 years before tithing was a part of the Mosaic Law; Abraham tithed to Melchizedek. According to the book of Galatians, Abraham is our spiritual father and Melchizedek is a type of Jesus Christ (some prominent Bible teacher’s think he might even have been Jesus Christ Himself!). Melchizedek's titles were "king of righteousness" and "king of peace"- and, of course, Jesus is the true King of righteousness and peace.
We also know that Melchizedek is a type of Christ because the Bible explicitly says so. In Hebrews 5, the inspired writer says of Jesus: (See Hebrews 5:9-10)
The seventh chapter of Hebrews is devoted to showing how Jesus is the fulfillment of all the types and shadows embodied in Melchizedek. It gives particular attention to the fact that Abraham tithed to Melchizedek. (See Hebrews 1-3)
So Abraham, our spiritual father, tithed to Melchizedek, who was either Jesus Christ Himself or a symbolic representation of Christ. Moreover, all this occurred 430 years before the Law.
Patriarch Jacob: Genesis 28:22; “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.
In Genesis 28, we find the patriarch Jacob having his famous encounter with God in a dream, with a rock as his pillow. His life and heart having been changed, he rises and says: (See Genesis 28:22)
Jacob's vow to tithe came straight from his grateful heart. That's what I want you to see. True tithing comes from the heart not from a legalistic mind. I also want you to note that this promise came 400 years before the Law.
Like his grandfather Abraham, Jacob wanted to give God the first of his First fruits, the first 10 percent. Having experienced the sweetness of God's presence and the goodness of His favor, Jacob wanted to bless Him.
Moses under the Law (Covenant): 'We see another insight into the power of tithing in Leviticus 27. We find God giving instructions to the Israelites about how to prosper in the land of promise: (See Leviticus 27:30)
God considers the tithe holy. The word "holy" means "separated" and "set apart." In other words, the first 10 percent is to be separated and set apart for the Lord. It is not for me to determine what to do with it. It is God's tithe. (See Deut 26:1-2, 13-14)
When you understand that the tithe is holy, you don't want it in your house. You want to get it to the house of God where it belongs. You don't use part of it for your vacation. You don't use it to pay for your children's school tuition. You know that holy means set apart. As we have seen through the time line of the Old Testament, please note that God is a God that changes not! God said “I change not” (See Malachi 3:6)
Jesus said “these ought ye to have done,” and not to leave the other undone.
The New Testament isn't silent about the law of the tithe either. In fact, Jesus made a very plain statement on the subject. (See Matthew 23:23)
Jesus is obviously scolding the Pharisees here. He points out that they are meticulous about tithing, but that they have neglected the weightier matters of the law. There is one other important point mentioned later in this passage that I want you to see. (See Hebrews 7:8)
According to this remarkable verse, Jesus receives tithes in heaven. When you write your tithe check, you may think you're giving it to your local church, but in a very real, spiritual sense, true tithers have their offerings received by the Lord Jesus Himself who present ministry is our High Priest. What a privilege! What a holy thing?! What a loss for those who never take the step of faith and tithe.
We are talking about the tithe as the base of God's relationship with man. The tithe is the Lord's and I'd like to establish some facts about the tithe. Not only are you commanded to tithe, but you are charged by God to see that the church functions faithfully in this matter. The promise of God is that the windows of heaven will be open for those that will walk in this truth.
Tithing isn't really giving—it's returning. It is bringing back to the Lord what is already His. Thus, the principle of multiplication is that finances over and above the tithe must be shared if they are to multiply. Also that it says Tithes and Offering.
In Matthew 25:21; Jesus tells a story of three stewards. One steward was entrusted with five talents. When accounting time came around, he returned those five talents to the Lord, plus five more. And the Lord said, "Well done, good and faithful servant".
God wants your finances to be blessed, and He wants your finances to be multiplied. But it is vital to understand that you will never see the multiplication of your finances until you understand these two principles:
We give to the Lord first so that our finances are blessed. The Tithe is to be brought into the local church. This is the means by which God take for His house. God promises to pour us out a blessing that we will not have enough room to receive.
What we give over and above our tithes is an offering because only that which is shared can be multiplied. The principles of multiplication are as powerful today as they were during the Old Testament and the beginning of the New Testament times.
Tithing is God's way of supporting His work. In your relationship with God, and to show your love for God, you will bring that which is His to Him. God will faithfully reward you for your love to Him.
The Law of tithing was before the Mosaic Law, It was practice during the time of the Law, and it is to continue during the dispensation of GRACE. It belongs to God, it is holy, and it must be brought to the church. He will bless you if you will pay your tithes, and curse you if you don't.
In the context of operating kingdom principles, you must tithe. If you fail to tithe, the principles will not work. The object of this book is to share with you the various laws within the kingdom of God and how they operate. Align yourself with the laws and enjoy the blessings of the kingdom of God. In order to flow in the Blessings of God and have manifestations of Supernatural Provision we must be in alignment with the law of tithing.
An Illustration to help understand the reason for Tithing!
To give a practical illustration from scriptures in the book of Exodus, Levities, and Numbers we see there were the Twelve Tribes of Israel were: Benjamin, Ephraim, Manasseh, Naptali, Dan, Asher, Issachar, Judah, Zebulon, Simeon, Reuben, and Gad. The Levites were a tribe of High Priests who were chosen to render service at the tabernacle; while in the wilderness, each tribe was camped strategically around the Tabernacle of God. Eleven out of twelve was to bring the tithe a tenth to the Lord. Aaron and the Levities were priest unto the Lord, and they were not too be involved in the ordinary cares of life, the other tribes of Israel’s were to bring a the tithes, to take the House of God, and the House of God and The priests and his family would be take care of the Tabernacle. (See Ezekiel 44:30; Haggai 1:5-9)
These scriptures give the indication that if the House of God and the man or women of God is not taking care of through tithing. The man or women of God is not free to bless you or your house. As we come to the modern times, we have the Church building (the church is the people of God, born-again believers) the church building is where believers meet to worship, receive instruction by the Holy Spirit via the man or women of God, to receive conformation of things reveal to them.
The church building is supposed to be the light house of the community; but many times the neglect houses in the community are taken care of better than the House of God.
Executive members of the Body of Christ (Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and teachers) are to neglect neither physical needs nor ministry if the word.
Jesus gave Apostles; and some, Prophets; and some, Evangelists; and some, Pastors and Teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ (See Ephesians 4:11-13, Acts 6:1-7)
Again we come to the modern times, we have the Church building (the church is a living organism of born-again believers) the church building is where believers, the living organism come to worship. The church building is supposed to be the light house of the community, be support by the tithes of the believers; but many times church organism (born-again believers) are more concern of their house, or home that they neglect the houses of God in the community, and are taken care of better than the House of God.
Some benefits (Rewards) of tithing:
I have also included Scripture references for you to check out.
God is pleased by your obedience. Regular giving is a sign of obedience to Christ. We prove our lover for Christ by obeying his commands. (See Malachi 3:10; Isaiah 1:19)
God is honoured by your faithfulness. Proverbs 3:9 He deserves our faithfulness. (See Proverbs 3:9-10)
Tithing helps to keep your priorities straight. Matthew 6:21 I believe that giving to the Lord is the number one priority for a believer. (See Matthew 6:21)
You are eligible for a blessing. The blessing is not always monetary, but very could be a business opportunity, and invention, to write a book, and etc. God has blessed with a Covenant that promises “health and wealth” to the Christian that part of Salvation provision that must be claimed and beyond we as believers have an Inheritance. (See Malachi 3:10)
Guards Christians from selfishness. Tithing reminds us that ultimately our money does not belong to us. (See Acts 20:35)
God loves a cheerful giver. Are you excited about the opportunity to serve God with your finances? (See 2 Corinthians 9:6-12)
Tithing supports the Great Commission. Your tithe should go to your local church and God has chosen to work through the church during this ages. (See Matthew 28:19,20)
Tithing ensures that your needs will be met. God has promised that our needs will be met. Needs – but not necessarily “wants”. (See Matthew 6:33)
Tithing helps to meet the needs of God’s people. Hopefully your church seeks to use at least a portion of its budget to help those less fortunate. (See 1 Corinthians 16:1,2)
Tithing reminds us that God is the true owner and giver of all that we have. All we have belongs to God and the tithe helps to remind us of this fact. (1 Timothy 6:17,18)
I believe that tithing is a commandment, although it is not listed with the Ten Commandments does not dismiss the significant of it or make it a suggestion, We have 613 biblical laws that were given, but we see that Abraham pay tithes before the Laws was given. The reality is that the tithe is just the beginning of your obedience to Christ.
I have been asked many questions like what about giving my tithes to help a family that is in trouble rather than give my tithes to my local church? Or can I give my tithes to a charitable organization like the Red Cross? No! The tithes are specifically to be given to the local church, again this is how God finance the work of His kingdom. Please note this that you don’t know why some people are in the predicament that they are in, and if you help them in their mess, you can cause their mess to come to your house.
After you have paid your tithes then you are to give and offering or sow your seeds and then you can be blessed, because then and only then can you be blessed, because you know at the point where God has something to work with. If you are trying to sow seed and reap a harvest it’s not gone to work because without PAYING your tithes you are robbing God.
Given to the local charitable organization; I don’t because God has raised up local ministries organizations and as the Holy Spirit leads I give to them. Jesus said the world will take care of itself. Look at how many millions were given by the world for the victims of the World Trade Center bombing, Boston bombing victims, and etc. I am not saying that you shouldn’t give to charitable, but I give to Ministries Organization that God has setup for that purpose. The tithes are for a specific purpose and that is the local church.
Is there a Penalty for not tithing? (See Malachi 3:8-12)
I have a question? Do you think an unrepented thief or a robber will be allowed to enter Heaven? Statistics stated that only 12% of the Body of Christ are tithers, what do you think will happen to the 88% of non-tithers?
Summary
“What hast thou that thou didst not receive?” (See 1 Corinthians 4:7)
God gives us so much! And, out of all that he gives and blesses us with, He only asks us for us to tithe (Tenth) back to Him a measly ten percent. Tithing shows our love and obedience to the Lord. Tithing is also Kingdom Laws and Principles. Trust and believe that when you tithe, God will pour you out a blessing that you will not have room enough to receive. See it is through the law of tithing that we Yoke up with Jesus and the Kingdom of God Government, and receive that blessing that He promised. This is the means by which Kingdom work is financed in the here now earth, and He will bless with even more. If you are not a tither put God to the test!
The biblical references which address the tithing issues are: Genesis 14:20; 28:22; Leviticus 27:30-32; Numbers 18:20-28; Deuteronomy 12:6,11,17; 14:22,23,28; 26:12; 2 Chronicles 31:5,6,12; Amos 4:4; Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42; 18:12; Hebrews 7:5-9.
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