The Biblical Tithing

By Richard Sison | 2016

INTRODUCTION
Tithing is a practice (and tradition) of every Christians in modern society to give ten (10%) percent of their incomes to their local church. As we moved to messianic faith, the teachings about tithing never really went away and as a matter of fact it was even highlighted because we now observe the Torah, we ought to live by them, including the tithing.
Unfortunately, the misconception and false teaching about this commandment took a huge toll to people and countless souls were taken advantage in the guise of biblical teachings.  
In this study, we will consider the seven (7) T’s about tithing to shed light in this very controversial topic, to wit:

Talks about Tithing. Did you know that there are 23,145 verses in the Old Testament and 7,957 verses in the New Testament for a total of 31,102 verses while the passages that speaks about tithing is only 34?  It is barely 0.1% in the Scriptures and yet it is the frontrunner in christian teachings next only to evangelism. To top it off, there are more important words in the Bible barely mentioned by the preachers, or worse being attacked by them like “Commandment” (mentioned in 335 verses), “Sabbath” (mentioned in 149 verses), “Feasts” (mentioned in 140 verses) and “Law” (mentioned in 459 verses).

Trickery using Tithing. It is very unfortunate that a beautiful commandment is being over-emphasized while other more important things are ignored or set-aside for they don't benefit as much as they do with the former. Phrases like "If you don't tithe, you rob G-D" and "If you tithe, you will receive abundant blessings" are used to persuade people to tithe but, it is more of superstition and to some degree, gambling! Superstition because they feel that if they don't give, they will be not be blessed or worse “cursed.” Others give because they think it will multiple 10-folds or even more. Is it really the case?

Texts about Tithing. The Biblical texts teach us what, where, when, how and to whom we have to give our tithes and what is the blessing that comes from doing it in G-D´s way.

Technicalities of Tithing. In this part, we will study the way in which the tithe should be given, including the redemption of people and unclean animals. The Hebrew word of tithe is ma’aser or tenth first appeared in Gen 14:20. In the case of Abraham, he gave the “tenth” of all his war loots from the enemies including the recovered goods taken by the enemies.  What was given was not Abram’s own possession but became his when he won the war. (Gen 14:17-20). But of course this does not mean that he gave not the tithes of everything he had.

Teachings about Tithing. Let us examine the teaching of Adonai Yeshua and of the Brit Chadasha about tithing:
Giving in secret - Mat 6:1-4
Never neglect the weightier issues Matt 23:23
Learn from the faithful giver - Mark 12:41- 44
Justice over tithing - Luke 11:42
Tithing and Pride - Luke 18:9–14

Test in Tithing. The word "test" in Malachi 3:10 is in regards to judgement. It is not really about the tithing but instead a challenge for people to return to G-D by keeping His ordinances or they will be judged.

True Tithing. True tithing does not bring wealth to people contrary to the common belief.  People give their tithes because they had been blessed already.  They were blessed because they kept the commandments and not because they gave their money to the L-RD.  The L-RD cannot be bribed and He cannot be mocked.  He knows our hearts and every intention of our mind.

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