INTRODUCTION: The word tithe comes from the Hebrew word which means one-tenth. Giving “Tithes” is a very important part of the Christian life. Today there is much confusion about the Giving of “Tithes” and because of this, many Christians are leading a defeated life. (Mal 3:7).
In Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42 Jesus referred to tithing as something that should not be neglected…
Hebrew 7:1-2, 11-17 highlighted the priesthood of Melchizedek must be superior to that of Levi and Aaron (7:4-10), descendants of Abraham who lived generations later. Abram gave a tithe to Melchizedek (Gen 14
1 Peter 2:5 – 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
Revelation 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
WHY MUST I GIVE TITHE
- To Honor the Creator. Everything we have belongs to God, and we are stewards of His goods (Psm 24:1, Ezekiel 18:4, Haggai 2:8). It is God who gives people the power to obtain wealth (Psalm 75:6-7; Ecclesiastes 5:19). We are not to glory in what God has given us, but to glory in Him (Jeremiah 9:23-24).
- To Acknowledge My Heritage.(Galatians 3:29), Abraham was the first tithe payer of record(Genesis 14:20). Abraham’s grandson, Jacob, paid tithes (Genesis 28:22). Scripture says that Levi, Abraham’s descendant and the father of the tribe from which the priesthood came, paid tithes in Abraham (Hebrews 7:9). My heritage of paying a tithe precedes the law of Moses. As a child of Abraham and an heir of the promise of Abraham. I acknowledge my family relationship by paying tithes. It would be strange to claim to be a child of Abraham and yet to neglect one of Abraham’s most fundamental and noteworthy acts. I pay my tithes as a spiritual descendant of Abraham, the father of the faithful. (John 8:39)
- To Fulfill the Covenant.(II Corinthians 3:11). In every comparison of the law of Moses and the new covenant that came by Jesus Christ, the new covenant stands supreme. The characteristic word in the Book of Hebrews is better, and everything is better about the new covenant. If the law demanded tithes, then how much more should we who are under the “perfect law of liberty” give our tithes willingly. (James 1:25). If the law is written in the fleshly tables of our hearts and we follow God’s commands not from outward rules but because of our new nature, then how quickly and how easily we should give the tenth that belongs to the Lord” (II Corinthians 3:3-6). In actuality, we honor our father and mother and we give our tithes because the principles of the law are written in our hearts by the Spirit of God. We give willingly and liberally because the Spirit motivates us to give what God has said is His. (Ex 20:12)
- To Show My Love.Love is the strongest motivation in the world. (II Sam 24:24). For someone who genuinely loves the Lord, the tithe is only the beginning of his giving. He gives not only his tithe, but also offerings (plural), not grudgingly and not of necessity, but cheerfully with love. (Luke 10:25-27,37)