With regard to tithing, a Christian will give in proportion to his faith.
The lifestyle of Christians has two obvious traits they give and forgive. Where did these qualities of faith giving and forgiving originate for the church? God chose Abraham to be an archetype of the New Testament Church, and He put the desire in Abraham (church) to give a tenth to Melchizedek (Christ) to be a prophetic model of a nation dedicated to Him for generations to come. Faith tithing and offerings for the cause of Christ are a choice from the heart. All faithful devotion to Christ is volitional. Faith is the attribute of God’s children in action as a witness of trust in Him. Abraham’s donation to Melchizedek is faith tithing. Faith tithing is an act of confidence; reverence and humbleness to Christ acknowledging our blessings from Him. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith, it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Everything we do is by faith in Christ.
In Genesis 14:20 it is written, “And he gave him tithes of all.” Abraham gave tithes unto Melchizedek. We are not told why he did so. It is not conveyed in the previous verses that God had commanded him to do so, but it is apparent that he was acting on God’s motivations and that he was supporting His will on the matter. Abraham’s motive is evident from the reading of the text. Is there evidence of Abraham’s faith tithing seen in his offspring of Jacob and Isaac? Abraham’s act of faith tithing is necessary to establish a “prima facie” of faith tithing for future generations of believers. The theme of faith tithing and offerings is firmly woven into the church throughout all of the scriptures. Faith tithing is not compulsory, but freely giving.
Genesis 28:19-22 “And he called the name of that place Bethel.” Remember the circumstances? “This was the night when Jacob was fleeing from Esau, a fugitive from home, fleeing to seek out his uncle Laban; and that night while he was asleep he had the vision. “And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in the way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God: 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.”
Here again, we have the tithe. Jacob vowed that in return for the Lord’s temporal blessings upon him, he would render a tenth in return unto the Lord. We are not told why he choose that percentage, but the fact that he did hints at Jacob receiving the principle of faith tithing from his father. And particularly to His people during transitions of sacred history, that one-tenth of their income should be devoted to the Giver of all. Remember, this is hundreds of years before the Nation of Israel.
Deuteronomy 16:16 “Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the LORD empty-handed. Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you. Notice, no excuses to appear before the Lord empty-handed, you can give something.
What is the lesson we can learn from the scriptures above for New Testament believers? We are to give, as we are able, but give something according to the blessings of the Lord. God knows the heart. The letter of the law kills, but the spirit of the law brings life. God understands our predicaments, and as we look to Him for our deliverance, it shall surely come. Hebrews 8: 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. It is plain he is talking about the Decalogue written on our hearts.
Let me redirect about a story to bring out a point of faith in God. I know of an individual that lost his company, his wife ran off with his child not knowing where they were, creditors banging on his door, the church split where he served as a deacon, numerous lawsuits came against him, his vehicle was repo, and many of his friends abandoned him. There is much more calamity he faced, but you get the point.
At the lowest point of his life, he kept close to his pastor for support and guidance. Also, he had to get and an immediate job at a fast food restaurant to keep a meager living of it. After taking care of his bleak circumstances from each paycheck, faith tithing of ten percent was not in the picture for the moment. However, he gave five dollars from each paycheck; soon he was giving ten, and then twenty to where within a couple of years faith tithing was no more a problem. In fact, today he is a millionaire giving to the cause of Christ much more than ten percent. Faith tithing and giving were always in his heart. Giving is a lifestyle. You see, God knows all of the migrating and culpabilities of circumstances in our lives. Will not the judge of all the earth do what is right? In others words, this man kept his trust in God as he worked his way out of a pit trusting God. He made his predicament fit back into God’s revelation of promises to his people. I might add, that over the span of several decades he has more than been generous in getting the gospel out to a dying world. God knows the heart!
Now, back to the case of faith tithing at hand. Everything we do comes from the heart for God. What is the standard that Christians should imitate? Romans 11:16-22 For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. But if you do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” Well said. Because of unbelief, they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. In other words, walk in faith by doing good to your ability.
In the Mosaic Law, we find that the tithe was incorporated into it from the Abrahamic covenant. “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the earth or the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s: it is holy unto the Lord. And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add to it the fifth part thereof. And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord” (Lev 27:30-32).
Notice the twice-repeated expression concerning the tithe, that it was “holy unto the Lord.” That is to say, God reserves to Himself, as His exclusive right, as His own, one-tenth of that which He has given us. It is “holy” unto the Lord. The tithe is that portion that separated from the whole to give to the Lord. Also, we set aside one-seventh of the week to worship the Lord. Christians’ declare as a witness of ownership to Christ by making separate devotions of worship to Him.
1 Corinthians 16:1-2: here again we find the word “tithe” does not occur, and yet once more it is plainly implied: the principle of it is there surely enough. Paul gave instructions, “Upon the first day of the week (Sunday) let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him.” Now, what does “laying by” imply? Indeed, it signifies a definite pre-determined act, rather than a spontaneous impulse, or just acting on the spur of the moment. Let us look at this again. “Upon the first day of the week (Sunday) let every one of you lay by him in store” (v.2). Why are we told that? Why is it put that way? Why use such an expression as “lay by in store”? Clearly that language points us back to Malachi 3:10. “Bring ye all the tithes into the…” Where? The “storehouse”! [sic] Paul certainly taught about financial giving as a way of funding to support the work of Christ. Could you imagine a church leader giving instructions like Paul gave above today to his members? Remember, Paul is considered the great grace preacher. Sadly, based on the responses from some Christians Paul is teaching legalism. Why do many of us miss the mark on faith giving, why do we not understand, God wants the Church to be the light in the world?
Sadly, per Muslims’ capital, they give more than Christians and Muslims’ conversion rate to Islam dwarfs American Christians evangelism. Should not pure grace have increased in these categories? Muslims are the counterfeit, but we are the true faith. Why is our faith shrinking and so weak compare to a false religion? Could it be our lack of understanding of what true grace is? Praise God, not all churches have slipped into this weak state of faith in America. In other parts of the world, Christianity faith is giving, and conversions are on the rise. My motivation is to stir up our faith to evangelize the world.
God has appointed faith tithing and giving as an antidote against the spirit of covetousness and to propagate the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is why in the Ten Commandments God incorporates, “Thou shalt not covet.” Acts 20:35 That is why Christ said to His disciples, “Beware of covetousness.” I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Don’t you want to be a blessing to others as Christ is a blessing to us? I don’t understand how a Christian can argue against what Christ is saying about being a blessing?
Whether you believe in faith tithing and offerings or not, the fact is church contributions have been dramatically falling every year and equal to it a decrease of conversions.
If American Christianity could be transported back to the dawn of the primitive Church, it would not have survived. In contrast, the early church conversions and giving were a normal way of life. These early Christians everyday living is evident in scriptures, we read: Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. Pure grace here, unlike the Christian lip service grace of today. Our early Christian brothers and sisters paid the price of sacrifice to make known the glories of Christ.
Why the controversy about tithe? I believe it is over the confusion of not understanding the historical transitions of God preparing a nation of kings and priests set apart for Him. The beginning of faith for the church starts with God giving prophetic promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob making a holy nation. Undoubtedly, making a Holy Nation requires precepts embedded in the promises. One of those precepts was giving. Genesis 26:4 And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.” What? He kept what- commandments, statues, and laws? To be a bona fide nation they must have, commandments, Statues, and Laws. That is a New Testament Kingdom reality as well. The Holy Law of God is good! We desire to follow God’s precepts because we want to, not because we have. John 10:27-28 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
Frist comes the prophetic revealed in the natural, preparing the way for its final resting place, the spiritual. Natural Israel served its purpose through the law, prophets, and history for the future coming of the Messiah. The advent of Christ ended the Levitical Priesthood and the obligatory law of tithing. However, this does not mean that the Priesthood stopped, nor faith tithing and giving ceased under Christ ministry.
Faith tithing started with Abraham continuing in the covenant of faith in Christ. In reality, the church has always been in the mind of God through the representation of (Abraham) and the church devotion to the High Priest Melchizedek (Christ). Faith, as it was with Abraham to Melchizedek, so it is with the Church to Christ. All that we do is by faith, which places a higher demand on believers of Christ. Faith is a greater force than legalism as it is accomplished by love in obeying Him. How can the ministry of Christ and the advancement of the Kingdom of God advance without allegiance to Christ? Faith without actions is dead.
Of course, many practices of Israel ceased, but that does not mean the principles of those practices ended. We know that the sacrifices of animals for the Day of Atonement ended because Christ became the perfect sacrifice offering now a perpetual atoning for sins from His finished work on Calvary. Hebrews 8:13 In that He says, “ A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. Certain aspects of giving ended as well, but not the principle of giving.
Genesis 14:18-20
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;
And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” and he gave him a tithe of all.
In several locations in the Old Testament, you find typologies relating to the New Testament. A nominal Christian would first recognize “bread and wine” in the above scripture as a typology of Jesus’ body and blood of the New Covenant. Luke 22: 19-20 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Likewise, He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. The translation of Melchizedek King of Righteousness and Salem means Peace. Melchizedek is a typology of Christ and Abraham is a typology of the Church.
Galatians 3:1-11 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Therefore, He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? — just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” If our patriarch gave a tenth to the shadow (Melchizedek) of what was to come, Christ; is He not deserving of the tenth as well? The author of Hebrews Chapter 7 believes so.
What law is the writer talking about above? Jurisprudence covers various categories. The system of legislation includes moral, civil, ceremonial, tradition and positive laws that should reflect laws of nature to benefit its citizens. Positive laws are derived from the advancement of civilization, but natural law shines its light on it to reveal if it is just. The intent of the moral law of God is not for salvation, it is to reveal that we are sinners, but faith in Christ gives us the enablement and desire not to be lawbreakers. Law and Grace are inseparable, for Grace given to us is the faith in Christ to be obedient to the Law of Love.
In building God’s house the ingredients are found in: Ephesians 2:20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Aristotle held that if you want to know what something is, you have to know four things about it: its matter, its form, its power, and its end or purpose. “Consider a chair: its matter is what it is composed of—wood; its form is its pattern—a seat attached to a back and supported by a base; its power is what brings it into being—carpentry; its end is what it is for—providing something to sit on. He continues…the matter of the City is a particular group of human beings, separate from others, whom we call its citizens. Its form is a partnership in a way of life, under the regulation of laws, which are directed toward justice. Its power is the need, for people first come together in Cities just to live in mutual security. Its end is the good, or perfection, of its members.”
The matter of the Kingdom of God is its spiritual citizenry opposed to an earthly Kingdom. The form of this Kingdom is spiritual laws’ that promote the highest good for all, as we are obedient to King. The power is to secure the lives of its peoples by faith and action in Christ. Its end is a Holy Nation of Christians that loves God and one another. Our kingdom is not of this world, but we are a reflection of His light that the fullness of His kingdom awaits us on the other side. Below is His kingdom here on earth – the Church.
Hebrews 7:1-5
For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually. Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham…
Tithing in the New Testament is by faith as it was with Abraham 490 years before the Israel was plucked out of Egypt as a nation unto God. His government was, is and will forever be by faith through Christ. The Old Testament is a pre-shadow of the arrival of Christ and the initiation of the universal church.
Galatians 3:26
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Dr. Samuel Kirk Mills commented on tithing, “Gloriously, Christian tithing is a celebration of the heritage that believers in Christ have in their father Abraham concerning their citizenship in the kingdom of God as the obedient sons of God. Christian tithing is an expression of great joy and gladness in Christians for discovering how God had mercifully and graciously elected and adopted them to be partakers in the eternal glory that He had set in His Son, Jesus Christ.”
As already mentioned, Melchizedek is a typology of Christ and Abraham is a typology of the Church as expressed in Hebrews chapter seven. What are the implications of this for the New Testament Church? As Abraham (church) gave a tenth to one greater than him Melchizedek (Christ), so the church gives a tenth to Christ, who is the greater. A tenth belongs to Christ and freewill offerings toward other needs.
How is it that faith tithing and other doctrinal statements have been debatable? First, doctrines of faith have been divisive since the early church. Here is a simplification of a heretical teaching that crept into the early church; the Gnostics sowed themselves amongst the beginning of the churches teaching that Christ came in spirit only. Your spirit is saved, but not your flesh. If you commit deeds of the flesh, you are still in right standing with God, as your spirit is saved not your flesh. This neo-grace has been taught over the last fifty years in America as well. The results have weakened the Church. My motive is to stir the Church to come out of our sleepiness to get the cause of Christ done – Go into the entire world and make disciples.
1 Thessalonians 5:6-10 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
Dr. Harry Conn stated, “If any ideology, philosophy, theology discharges men from their duties of responsibilities toward God and others it should be rejected.” Over the years, tools have been devised to curtail heretical credos. Hermeneutics is such a tool to use to unblemished some of the most difficult doctrine debates. The atonement is one debatable doctrine in churches.
There are sixteen views on the atonement of Christ that have been espoused over the centuries. They all cannot be true. However, embedded in most are elements of truth. One such belief came in the fifteenth century from Socinus an Italian theologian claimed that Christ’s death was only a moral influence, and he did not recognize Christ as the Son of God who is the Savior of the world. Some believe this today – I am saved without any obedience to Christ.
Should not Christians’ be reflecting the character of Jesus? The evidence of Christ teaching to be givers and forgivers is overwhelming throughout Old and New Testaments. All giving and forgiving are obedience to Christ from a heart of love that is detached from this world. How can we fulfill the command to go into the entire world to preach the gospel without these two traits, of giving and forgiving that mirror Christ?
Even if you discard faith tithing or any form of giving, I respect your decision. However, a Christian will give equally to their faith. Let me make this simple, so it cannot be misunderstood, Christians are givers. These are the words of Jesus our Savior. Why not listen and obey Him on what He says about giving.
Jesus said, in Luke 6:37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Another scripture, Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Whatever you sow you will reap- are you getting it? The character of a Christian is one of giving. They want to give not because they have to give. No one is forcing them to give, for faith is voluntary.
Malachi 1:1-4 “Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, In whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,” Says the LORD of hosts. “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire And like launderers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the LORD An offering in righteousness.
“Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem Will be pleasant to the LORD, As in the days of old, As in former years. Above the Holy Spirit, was prophesying about the future New Testament Christians giving offerings in righteousness or faith. Also, implied is His second coming to judge the world.
The point of clarification: If anyone has a wicked heart are they not separated from God? Another way of putting it is found in Malachi 3:8 …“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. you are cursed with a curse… He is addressing their hearts. A person can write a check every week to the church, but if his motive is selfish, God will not look on that offering as righteous. The story above about the man giving five dollars was righteous before God because his heart was trusting God through his predicament. God is just as He weighs the heart of everyone; His scales are not unjust. God isn’t a Mafia boss to exact punished against those that are growing in faith. What is the standard for Christians to live by? Is it not our faith in Christ that is growing from glory to glory, as we trust Him?
Case in point found in Luke 19:8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Jesus attached Zacchaeus giving to being a son of Abraham. Remember, Abraham represents the church. Abraham recognized as a giver – it was his lifestyle. If you still want to strain gnats about faith tithing, I respect your decision, though I disagree. Christians give sacrificially for the cause of Christ.
Conclusion:
A. W. TOZER quoted, “The man of pseudo faith will fight for his verbal creed but refuse flatly to allow himself to get into a predicament where his future must depend upon that creed being true. He always provides himself with secondary ways of escape, so he will have a way out if the roof caves in. What we need very badly these days is a company of Christians who are prepared to trust God as completely now as they know they must do at the last day.”[sic] Tertullian said, ‘The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church’; ‘The unity of the heretics is schism’; ‘I believe because it is absurd.’[sic]
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” (Galatians 6:7–8, NKJV)
