Riff's Christian Journal

Christians today hear a lot about giving a tithe of their income, but is tithing even mentioned in the New Testament?

In the Old Testament the first mention of a “tithe” is found in the following two verses.

Lev_27:30  (KJV)  And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S: it is holy unto the LORD.

Lev_27:32  (KJV)  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.

I won’t tell you what these two verses say. You read them and you can see what a tithe was, and why a tithe is given. It was not about money.

In this next verse you can read what the reason was for giving a tithe.

Deu_26:12  (KJV)  When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled;

Throughout the whole of the Old Testament there is not one mention that a tithe is of money. The verse right above is the only reason for tithing. Now is this something you can do today. Only if the one to whom you are giving the tithe is willing to accept it.

In the New Testament Epistles, tithing is never mentioned at all. Jesus did mention tithe twice in the Gospels, but never in connection with giving money. See Mathew 23:23 and Luke 11:42 for how Jesus used the word tithe – it was not about money. Interesting is it not? However, offerings and giving are mentioned as we see here in the following verses. Tithing of money is never mentioned.

The Collection for the Saints

1Co 16:1  Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 

1Co 16:2  Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 

1Co 16:3  And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. 

 The Cheerful Giver

2Co 9:6  But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 

2Co 9:7  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 

 Php 4:15  Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 

Php 4:16  For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 

Php 4:17  Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. 

Php 4:18  But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God. 

Php 4:19  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 

Php 4:20  Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 

The Apostle Paul talks about the collection for the saints in Jerusalem, and about receiving the gifts that were sent to him, but it does not mention whether it was money, goods or both. The giving by the Christians could be from what they have that would help others in need, and the giving would be from the heart, and they were glad that they could give of what they had.

That is what God wants. Gifts from His children from what they had and felt good about what they were giving. They were giving not because of being made to believe they had to give of a certain amount but because they were giving willingly and happily from the heart.

God wants a cheerful giver. One who feels glad to give to help others. No specific amount is required, for God will work in they whom He wants to use to give of their abundance as He has already blessed them.

From they who have little and still give something, and are happy in so doing, God is just as loving of that person as He is of they who give much. You see, they had given of what they had, what they purposed to give and are happy that could give as God asked.

In the New Testament tithing for the Christian is never mentioned. When money is mentioned it is rarely in a positive light or in connection, in any way, with tithing or the giving of a 10% offering.

Tithing for Christians, or giving a tenth of what one has, is not required today, regardless of what we are told. That is not what God wants. Anything one can give – of money, of goods or of themselves – to help with their church, helping the needy, supporting a ministry by what God instills in them to give, they will willing do in giving from the heart in a most cheerful and happy way.

That is all that God wants. For God loves the cheerful giver…