Jesus said, “If you were [truly] Abraham's children, then you would do the works of Abraham [follow his example, do as Abraham did]. John 8:39
The example has been set for us to follow. Abraham paid tithe to Melchizedek who is a pre-figure of Christ and just as he brought his offering to Melchizedek we too should bring our tithe offering to our High Priest.
I believe that the principle of tithing does not change. It was a principle that was followed before the law was given and even Jesus said that we should give our tithes. (Matthew 23:23) Although we are not obligated by law, we should bring a minimum of a tenth of our income to the house of the Lord to help support our church and the ministries under our churches umbrella just like the patriarchs of the faith did.The decrees, regulations, and instructions that the Lord gave through Moses on Mount Sinai were given as evidence of the relationship between Himself and the Israelites. Christians honoring God with their tithe offering is evidence of their relationship with God too. Tithing reflects the fear of the Lord. (Deut. 14:23) Faithful tithers know God as Jehovah Jireh-Our Provider. They know that all increase comes from Him and they show their gratitude and gratefulness for His provisions by giving Him the first 10 percent of all their increase. It’s an act of faith, love, reverence, worship, and humility not of obligation. (Leviticus 26:46, 27:30)
The benefits of tithing
The Lord promises blessings on those who will bring their tithes to Him. In fact He actually says to test Him and see what happens when you faithfully bring the tithes offerings.
“Then the Lord your God will bless you in all your work.” Deuteronomy 14:29
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in My Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put ME to the test! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe, “says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the Lord. – Malachi 3:10-12
Tithing benefits the church too. If every believer would bring their tithe offerings to the church they would be further equipped to send out more missionaries, feed and clothes the poor, expand resources to help build up the body, do more outreaches, and so much more. (2 Chronicles 31:5-10)
Reject Fear – Put God to the test!
When our family began tithing we were concerned. Fear tried to consume us. However, tithing changed our lives forever. We began to see all types of breakthroughs in our lives. More favor with our bosses, increases in our bonuses, ideas for business, spiritual breakthroughs, increase in wisdom, and a better understanding for the law of reaping and sowing. It also seemed that there was a hedge of protection around our home and material belongings. We learned to live by faith on 90 percent of our income trusting the Lord to increase our resources so that we could give even more. (2 Corinthians 9:6)
I am reminded of the story of the woman who gave her last two coins. She trusted God so much that she was willing to give all that she had to Him. She rejected fear and stepped out in faith and in love for Jehovah-Jireh. This is the same faith and trust that we should have as children of God. (Luke 21:1-4)I want to encourage you to put God to the test and see for yourself how honoring the Lord with your tithe offering will change your life. Reject fear! Trust that when you give God will generously provide all your needs. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. He is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, He will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you so that you can help even more. (2 Corinthians 9:8-10)
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the BEST part of EVERYTHING you produce, Then He will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.” Proverbs 3:9
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4 comments:
Very interesting scripture linkage. I have never before thought of John 8:39 as a scripture to support tithing.
Once the Jews were scattered, no longer offering sacrifices for their sins and no longer meeting in the synogogues, do you suppose they still used the same format, as in the Tabernacle, and still gave all of the offerings from the old law? We know that in Acts, they shared all with one another - it wasn't given to a priest, as in previous years in the Tabernacle. The apostles never talked about the church needing to give tithes, but did talk about them having offerings ready, for those in need. I'm not a student of biblical history and I just wonder how the format of giving and tithes changed after Jesus' death.
Thanks for reading Consecrated To Him and for your comment.
I was led to this scripture after reading about Abraham presenting his tithe to the High Priest. I thought it was interesting too. Not that it supports tithing but that if we are children of Abraham then we would follow his examples of faith and action. One way that he put his faith to action was with the tithe offering.
I guess your talking about the Jewish believers. They did not follow the laws of the blood offerings any more because Jesus was the ultimate offering that covered all of our sins. They did not have to live under the law anymore.
Regarding the tithe offering, I personally don't look at it as being strictly under the law because the principle of tithing and giving of first fruits exsisted well before the law of Moses was given. I believe that the principle of tithing never changed. The earlier church gave more than a tithe. They shared everything. They would sell their property and give the money to the apostles to give to those in need. The early believers would give even if they were poor because they were so full of joy that it resulted in rich generosity. They gave not only what they could afford, but far more. (Acts 4:32-37, 2 Corin 8:2-3)
Paul does not say that we do not have to tithe. Jesus however did say to the Pharisees that they should tithe. The fact that Abraham tithed to a prefigure of Christ is further confirmation to me that it is good example to follow.
What I am encouraging believers to do is to try the principle of tithing and see how God will honor that sacrifice. The principle is in His Word for a reason. I believe that when we implement the principle of tithing in our lives we are acknowledging God as our Provider and Source. As a result of this sacrifice our Lord promises to bless us tremendously.
This message is not meant to put anybody in bondage to a rule. It is meant to bring them freedom and blessings. I hope all who read this see that..
Thanks again for your comment.
Oh, I believe in tithing and in offerings, and have been participating in them all of my adult life.
I just wonder how the new Jewish believer/church handled the absence of the tabernacle, priests and sacrifices. Did they try to continue having their many offerings and feasts? Who did they give their tithes to? Did they feel the apostles were now in the 'position' of priest, and tithes were given to the apostle ~ much as the modern day church does with their pastors?
I'm just curious ~ I like knowing the details. : )
Honestly..I am not sure about if they continued with their feasts. I know that the offerings they did not. Jesus was the final sacrifice needed to cover our sins. The tithe and offerings they brought to the elders and leaders of the church.
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