TITHE A MANDATORY OBLIGATION (Hebrew 7:1-2, 11-17, 2 Cor. 9:7)
INTRODUCTION: In Hebrews 7, Paul explains that the change in the priesthood to the ministry of Christ—who descended from Judah, not Levi—necessitated a change of the law. What law? The tithing law, which had to be in effect to be changed in its administration to the New Testament ministry of Christ.
WHY MUST I GIVE TITHE
- To Fulfill an Obligation. We“Ye pay tithe…: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone” (Matthew 23:23). Jesus did not criticize the Pharisees for paying tithes. He commanded them. He said it was something they “ought” to have done. The word ought expresses an obligation or duty. It is one of the strongest words in the English language. To pay tithes is something every Christian ought to do. The word ought has three meanings: It is desirable for him to pay his tithes, he is expected to pay his tithes, and he has a duty to pay his tithes.
- To Proof our Stewardship. (Psalm 24:1, Deut 16:17, James 1:17, 2 Cor 9:7, Mat 6:19-21, Col 3:23-24), Giving is a spiritual issue and in fact, a relational issue with God. In order to truly yield to God’s ownership of our possessions, we must evaluate carefully what may be the most telling evidence of our stewardship – the part we give. we must also have to decide how much money we will give. Even to give nothing is a decision. Stewards are accountable for each decision to please the owner.
- To Enjoy God’s Blessing.(Philipp 4:15-19, Gen 22:16-17, Prov 18:16, Luke 6:38,2 Cor 9:6-7). An amazing benefit of giving as stewards is that it releases us from the real burden of our own financial needs. As we learn to trust God through giving, we can live confidently on what is left because we know that God is taking care of that. Giving is a freeing experience as it connects us more closely to God rationally. The ultimate outcome is that those who give as stewards experience a sense of intimacy with God that all followers of Christ long for. Giving becomes worship. Giving becomes a way of saying thanks to God for His grace and promised provision. Giving becomes a deep part of our personal connection to God.
The Bible says that there will ALWAYS be seedtime and harvest (Gen 8:22). What we sow, we will reap. If we give, it will be given back to us in good measure. So the bottom line is that there is undoubtedly a blessing that comes to givers.
Is Tithing a New Testament Principle?
Many believers who don’t want to tithe, they are of the view that there are no scriptures in the New Testament that tell us we (must) tithe. And I say there weren’t any scriptures for Abram and Jacob either. Why would there be scriptures to repeat for us to do something that God has ALREADY said can be done of one’s FREE WILL in exchange for a blessing? ( Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42)