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4
Tithing Defined
The authors of this book have put some study into the subject of tithes and offerings, and in the area of giving. It was found through conversations on this subject that many people do not have a clear understanding of the practice of tithing or giving. The most problematic area is when Christians use the rules of tithing interchangeably with the concept of giving. The authors also learned that people who teach that Christians must “give of their firstfruits (which some say is the tithe) and offerings unto the Lord,” do not actually perform other Old Testament rituals. Moreover, they do not perform all of the rules and regulations concerning the tithe and offering rituals, but instead, pick particular parts of the rituals to perform.
The purpose of this chapter is to present a more complete definition of tithing than most people usually receive. On the other hand, Chapter 9, “Grace Giving,” defines the concept of Christian giving. Chapter 4 shows the biblical tithe had a purpose and is clearly defined in Scripture. With this definition available, it will be apparent that tithing money has nothing to do with how Christians ought to support the local church today.
As noted in Chapter 3, “Offerings Defined,” the term ‘offering’ in today’s church is different from all of the offerings described in Scripture. The Old Testament term ‘tithe’ has also been completely redefined by many of today’s believers. This term, in addition to offerings, are among the most misunderstood terms in the Bible, in that they are not performed according to their biblical definitions.
This chapter also shows that money is not accepted nor required by the Lord as a tithe from Christians. Many Christians create a form of tithes and offerings to fit into some form of a modern day giving theology. This chapter takes the unbiblical element out of tithing and defines it based on the Bible. Defining the term ‘tithing’ will help Christians understand what they are doing today, whether literally or in principle. They can then decide if the monetary tithing ritual performed in today’s church is in accordance with the Bible, or if it is simply hand-me-down tradition. The goal of this chapter is to have Christians start calling their acts of giving what they actually are - not tithes and offerings, but Spirit led giving or acts of grace.
SUBSTANCE OF THE TITHE
When asked why people should give 10 percent of their money as a tithe, some say it is because the financial situation has changed (recall Chapter 2, “Money and Occupations”). This is usually all that is stated as if the response is complete. This almost always leads to confusion, requiring a follow-up question, “What financial situation?” Tithes and offerings were never based on finances. The currency of the world changes, but animals will be animals, and crops will be crops. People become poorer or richer, but a ram is still a ram, and a dove is still a dove.
The so-called financial situation cannot change the genetic make-up of the herd and flock, the grain from the soil, or the fruit of a tree. The sacrificial items used for offerings, and the materials given for tithes, remain the same throughout the Bible, whereas the standard for money and its value has changed. Since the tithe has not changed due to a financial situation, it is important to understand what items are acceptable as tithes.
A tithe literally means a tenth, or 10 percent, of ‘something.’ If this ‘something’ could be anything, then a person giving a tithe of his possessions simply gives 10 percent of what he owns to someone or something else. So a tithe of a person’s garbage is 10 percent of the garbage. And, of course, the one everyone can relate to, a tithe of ten dollars is one dollar.
To describe the substance of the biblical tithe as only giving 10 percent of something, is actually incorrect. A tenth of garbage is actually not acceptable as a tithe according to how the Bible defines the tithe, simply because garbage is not what the Lord requires from those under the law. Neither is giving 10 percent of income to a church a valid tithe. The biblical definition of the tithe includes what is given as the tithe. Therefore, people cannot simply give what they want and call it a tithe (within the context of Scripture).
Tithe is not Money
The definitions of sacrifice, the materials used for sacrifices, the rituals performed, and the types of offerings performed are listed in Chapter 3. From these definitions, clearly no offering of money was accepted or required by the Lord as part of the sacrificial ritual or ‘blood offering.’ The offering for the Lord, on the other hand, always consists of an edible substance, and is either eaten by the priests and worshippers or burned. The required items for the tithe consist of the same items as offerings: seed of the land (crops), fruit of the trees, animals of the herd (i.e., cow or bull), or animals of the flock (i.e., sheep or goat).
Leviticus 27:30-32
A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.
If a man redeems any of his tithe, he must add a fifth of the value to it.
The entire tithe of the herd and flock -- every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd's rod -- will be holy to the LORD.
In addition to the items listed above in Leviticus 27, Deuteronomy 14:22-23 includes new wine and oil to the list of items that are used as the tithe.
It is intriguing to hear someone, including a pastor, refer to the three verses in Leviticus 27 and interpret grain from the soil and fruit from the trees as being equivalent to the money used in today’s society. By doing this, they alter the tithe to mean something other than its true definition. The grain and fruit are the same grain and fruit people grow and consume today. The New Testament does not suggest, imply, or condone, such a change for the tithe. In addition, Chapter 2 illustrates that money existed during the law, and Leviticus 27 does not require money as a tithe.
As far as the monetary tithe is concerned, here is something to consider. When was the last time money was ever referred to as being holy to the Lord (as in Lev. 27:30, 32)? In many of today’s churches it appears as if money is indeed that - holy unto the Lord. Chapter 2 points out money’s role in society during the Old Testament. Money also has a role in the tithing ritual when it comes to redeeming the tithe and is discussed later in this chapter. However, money has nothing to do with what is considered holy unto the Lord. Therefore, Christian contributions to the church should not be confused with the passages above in Leviticus and Deuteronomy.
TITHE TO BE EATEN
One of the main problems with today’s form of tithing is how it is used. It is simply given to the local church, and in many cases does not come back directly to the giver, or is not used the way it was in Old Testament times. This section demonstrates that the tithe is partially for the one who gives it, although it is required by the Lord. Note in this section how the tithe possesses an attribute similar to the sacrificial nature of offerings - it is eaten.
Deuteronomy 12:17-19
You must not eat in your own towns the tithe of your grain and new wine and oil, or the firstborn of your herds and flocks, or whatever you have vowed to give, or your freewill offerings or special gifts.
Instead, you are to eat them in the presence of the LORD your God at the place the LORD your God will choose—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levites from your towns—and you are to rejoice before the LORD your God in everything you put your hand to.
Be careful not to neglect the Levites as long as you live in your land.
The tithe cannot be eaten in a person’s own town, but rather in the presence of the Lord at a place where the Lord chooses. The tithe is eaten, similar to the sacrifices offered and described in Chapter 3, by those who bring it forward for the sacrificial ritual. This tithe is ‘offered and eaten’ by all participants during years one, two, four and five of a seven year cycle. See also Deuteronomy 12:5-7 and 14:22-23.
As mentioned earlier, the tithe is an edible substance, such as grain, wine, oil, and animals. On the other hand, money is never eaten, salted, baked, etc. How many tithers today get to ‘eat’ their tithe, or share in the tithe, as was originally intended? How many people get to ‘taste’ their monetary tithe, or get a full stomach from their monetary tithe? The point is simply this: Christians today are not really tithing, so they should stop calling their giving by the name of tithing! When they stop calling their monetary gifts a tithe, other rules and regulations governing their giving will disappear along with the word ‘tithe.’
Why Eating is Misunderstood
Ironically, Christians are told ‘eating the tithe is forbidden.’ Unfortunately, many Christians are taught that eating the tithe is symbolic of keeping it for themselves. This way of thinking may come from the misinterpretation of Leviticus 27:31 in relation to redeeming the tithe, which is discussed later in this chapter. This subsection, however, covers the other verse that may lead to this misunderstanding.
Deuteronomy 26:12-14
When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied.
Then say to the LORD your God: ‘‘I have removed from my house the sacred portion and have given it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, according to all you commanded. I have not turned aside from your commands nor have I forgotten any of them.
I have not eaten any of the sacred portion while I was in mourning, nor have I removed any of it while I was unclean, nor have I offered any of it to the dead. I have obeyed the LORD my God; I have done everything you commanded me.
Verse 14 is correct in suggesting there is no reason for someone to eat the tithe at the end of the ‘year of tithing,’ which is every third and sixth year of a seven year cycle. But the preceding verses, 12 and 13, explain how this particular tithe is for the Levites, the fatherless, the stranger, and the widow, to eat until they are full. The person providing the tithe does not eat it since it is designated for someone else to eat (see also Deut 14:28-29). As stated in the passage above, even someone in mourning cannot use that as an excuse to eat this tithe. In addition, the tither is also not allowed to use the tithe to feed participants of a funeral.
The real misinterpretation of Deuteronomy 26:14 is in its application to the monetary tithe. Many misinterpret the phrase, I have not eaten any of the sacred portion, when referring to this verse. Often Christians are told not to eat the tithe in an attempt to have them give monetary tithes to the church, and to show obedience to the Lord. As noted earlier, eating the tithe is permissible and, in fact, it is a natural part of the tithing ritual. Individuals who do not read verse 14 in context, and skip the previous two verses, will not be aware that the tithe is also eaten during this time. It is only the one ‘giving the tithe’ who does not eat it.
Being told not to eat the tithe is the complete opposite of God’s intention. Today’s believers are taught that eating the tithe is wrong due to altering the definitions the words ‘eat’ and ‘tithe.’ If people were living under the law, they would be in perfect agreement with Old Testament law by eating the tithe with the appropriate participants. No matter how one studies the Bible, money can never be interpreted as being the substance of the tithe, nor has it ever bee considered a consumable item.
PURPOSE OF THE TITHE
As noted above, the tithe is supposed to be consumed, so this concept is not covered again. On the other hand, who is supposed to eat the tithe is addressed, along with any other purpose of the tithe. As a reminder, the tithe in this book is not the same as ‘giving’ to the local church. This section describes the purpose of the true tithe as defined in the Bible and not about giving to the local church - since it is discussed in Chapter 9, “Grace Giving.”
Close attention should be given to the fact that the legitimate tithe should not provide for the upkeep of any physical facility similar to the use of the monetary tithe today. Instead, the Old Testament gift and personal offerings were used to build and provide for the service of the tabernacle (recall Chapter 3, “Offerings Defined”).
Support the Levites
Besides God giving commands to tithe in Leviticus 27, what is the purpose of the tithe? The first tithe the Israelites give unto the Lord is literally given to the Levites. This is in return for the work the Levites perform as an inheritance since they will not receive an inheritance among the Israelites.
Numbers 18:21, 23-24
“I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the Tent of Meeting.
... It is the Levites who are to do the work at the Tent of Meeting and bear the responsibility for offenses against it. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. They will receive no inheritance among the Israelites.
Instead, I give to the Levites as their inheritance the tithes that the Israelites present as an offering to the LORD. That is why I said concerning them: ‘They will have no inheritance among the Israelites.’”
Here the tithe is given to the Levites for the work they perform at the Tent of Meeting. The tithe is actually given to people, not church building funds, light bills, etc. The Levite, which is not the same as a pastor, represents the Israelites at the tabernacle since the Israelites are not allowed to perform Levitical or priestly duties. There is no symbolic tabernacle or church today, however, that Christians cannot approach where a pastor is required to do something on their behalf - as the Levite does for the Israelites. Therefore, the pastor cannot require of Christians, nor should the church require of Christians, a tithe for the support of a pastor. How to correctly support a pastor, and those in the ministry, is covered in Chapter 9, “Grace Giving.”
This tithe should not be confused with the tithe mentioned above in Deuteronomy 12:17-19. The tithe mentioned there is the second tithe and comes after the first tithe mentioned above in Numbers 18. Be careful not to neglect the Levites as long as you live in your land (Deut. 12:19). The inheritance for the Levites actually comes before the tithe for the people.
Tenth of the Tithe for Lord’s Offering
As shown above, the tithe is collected by Levites as an inheritance. But a tenth of that tithe is given to Aaron the priest as the Lord’s offering. This is the best and holiest part of the tithe.
Numbers 18:26, 28-29, 32
“Speak to the Levites and say to them: ‘When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I give you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as the LORD’s offering.
... In this way you also will present an offering to the LORD from all the tithes you receive from the Israelites. From these tithes you must give the LORD’s portion to Aaron the priest.
You must present as the LORD’s portion the best and holiest part of everything given to you.’
... By presenting the best part of it you will not be guilty in this matter; then you will not defile the holy offerings of the Israelites, and you will not die.’”
The tenth of the tithe is the best part of it, or the best part of the tithe. If the tithe did consist of money, then what is the ‘best part’ of money? Spending it? With true tithing, one can identify the best of the produce, but the best part cannot be identified when using money.
Every Three Years for the Needy
Not only did the Levites receive the first tithe as an inheritance, but every third and sixth year of a seven year cycle, the fatherless, the widows, and foreigners, who live in their towns eat from the tithe until satisfied (see Deut. 26:12-13).
Deuteronomy 14:27-29
And do not neglect the Levites living in your towns, for they have no allotment or inheritance of their own.
At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns,
so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
Every third year, those who need food receive it from the tithe, which is called the ‘tithe of the poor.’ With the church expenses that exist today, it is more convenient for many churches not to use their so-called tithe to feed the needy in a similar manner. Instead, many require a ‘monetary benevolence offering’ above and beyond the ‘monetary tithe’ to fulfill this need. This is actually backward from any true and accurate biblical interpretation of tithing. In general, the tithe is shared in part with the worshipper who brings it forth, and, in the case above, it is shared with those in need.
To further show that today’s version of church contributions should not be called tithing, let us examine the case where people pick and choose certain verses of the Old Testament law they want to perform. For example, revisiting Deuteronomy 26:14, it states, “I have not eaten any of the sacred portion while I was in mourning...” This verse is referring to the tithe for the needy every third year. If the church applies this verse to the monetary tithe of today and actually not eat it, then why is the monetary tithe every three years not given to strangers, the fatherless, and widows, like it commands them to do in Deuteronomy 26:12-13 and Deuteronomy 14:28-29? After all, if Christians are supposed to obey all of the commandments of the Lord, why not obey all the commands and regulations that apply to the tithe?
Imagine how many people would not need food stamps or welfare checks if Christians give a tenth of a year’s income to those who need it every third and sixth year. However, since Christians should not give tithes and offerings, this book presents a better and more perfect way to share in the needs of the poor. There is only one purpose for mentioning the tithe of the poor. To simply show people that they really are not tithing when they do not take care of the needy.
Ungathered Harvest for the Needy
The previous subsection shows that the tithe provides food every three years for those who need it. In addition, harvest time also provides food for the needy throughout the season, since some of the remains are left over to gather for themselves.
Deuteronomy 24:19-21
When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow.
When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow.
If the tithe is indeed monetary and comes from the increase of an occupation, it would be nice if during the harvest of that work if some money were ‘left over and not picked up.’ If all believers would cash their paycheck and ‘leave some money on the ground,’ then the fatherless and widows could come behind them and gather it up for themselves.
Unfortunately, some people even change the part of the law concerning the harvest of the produce by not participating in it. They have no problem interpreting the ‘fruit of the tree’ and ‘seed of the land’ as money. However, how much of the money (fruit and seed) is left ungathered for the poor at harvest time? This is one more example where certain parts of the tithing ritual are practiced while skipping the most important parts, which is the benefit it provides to others. See also Deuteronomy 26:12-13.
Seventh Year for You
To further emphasize how today’s church is really not tithing, let us look at the Sabbath year. As noted above, every three years the entire tithe for that year went to the needy. This alone should be enough to cause most ‘tithe requiring pastors’ to reevaluate what they are teaching. Now they know that an entire year’s worth of tithes went to the poor, and not to the local church fund, or more accurately speaking, a tabernacle fund. Well, it does not end here. It may also be troubling to know that every seventh year the tithe stays in the possession of the people since it is not required by the Lord!
Leviticus 25:2-7
“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter the land I am going to give you, the land itself must observe a sabbath to the LORD.
For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather their crops.
But in the seventh year the land is to have a sabbath of rest, a sabbath to the LORD. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards.
Do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the grapes of your untended vines. The land is to have a year of rest.
Whatever the land yields during the sabbath year will be food for you—for yourself, your manservant and maidservant, and the hired worker and temporary resident who live among you,
as well as for your livestock and the wild animals in your land. Whatever the land produces may be eaten.’”
The Lord said for six years, out of a seven year cycle, the land should be worked. In the seventh year, however, the land itself must observe a sabbath to the LORD. Nobody can claim any rights to, or use of, anything that grew by itself this year - Do not reap what grows of itself. Therefore, tithing is not performed in the usual sense because no one is allowed to work the land and claim any rights to the harvest. But what grew on its own still provides food for the owner - Whatever the land yields during the sabbath year will be food for you.
The local church does not bother to tell its tithing members that every seventh year they are free from their obligation to tithe, and whatever residual income their job produces that year is money for them. Tithers do not owe the Lord, or anybody, anything in the form of a tithe during this particular year.
Furthermore, the seventh year frees the Israelite from debt of their brother as well. Deuteronomy chapter 15, starting at verse 1, states, “At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts.” The creditor shall not require payment because, “the LORD’s time for canceling debts has been proclaimed.” As the Bible shows, the seventh year is a pretty good year for those who try to walk according to Old Testament rules and regulations! The church that teaches about tithing should not tell their congregation they owe anything during this ‘year of release,’ or the sabbath year.
Since the church does not adhere to the entire definition of tithes, it should not use any part of it to define how Christians ought to give today. It does not look good to only use selective parts of the whole definition of tithing to get Christians to support the church. Instead, simply ask the congregation, if they are willing, to support the ministries of the church. This is how it was done in the early church, and there were no needy persons among them (as in the Book of Acts).
BRING THE TITHE INTO THE STOREHOUSE
With a more complete understanding of tithes and offerings, the misinterpretation of Malachi 3:10 regarding the monetary tithe taught today can be understood. This passage says to bring the tithes into the storehouse that there may be meat in mine house. This passage is correct if not taken out of context. Unfortunately, this passage is taken out of context, therefore, this section analyzes parts of the verse for clarification.
Malachi 3:10 NIV
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.
Malachi 3:10 KJV
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house
Behind the Word Bring
The study of this verse begins with the word bring. The worshipper is to literally bring the tithe into the storehouse, which is absolutely correct. Recall earlier that the people must travel to a place where the Lord put His name, since they cannot eat it in their home towns (Deut. 14:22-23). In a subsequent section, it is shown that if the tithe is too much for the individual to carry to the destination, it can be exchanged for silver, and then exchanged for food once the person reached the destination place (Deut. 14:24-26). Once there, it is collected by the Levites, but the priest actually offers the tithe, taking it into the storehouse on behalf of the worshipper.
One Sunday a pastor thought it was correct to literally stand up and bring the tithe (money) to the front of the church because Malachi 3:10 uses the word bring. This pastor continued by saying that they will ‘symbolically’ bring their tithes as the plates were passed around! If this particular pastor believes his congregation should stand up and bring forward the tithes and does not do it, then to him it is sin (Jas. 4:17). How many people can get away with symbolically performing other such acts rather than actually doing them? Again, some believers pick and choose certain parts of particular verses to perform while ignoring other parts. The problem here is that ‘bringing the tithe’ is in reference to the real tithe, and not in reference to how Christians ought to support the church with their voluntary gifts.
Lame Tithes in the Storehouse
The next word in Malachi 3:10 that needs clarification is storehouse. The definition of this word depends on the particular verse of the Bible, and the word used depends on the particular Bible translation. The biblical definitions of storehouse are defined as follows:
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Treasure - gold or silver (2 Ki. 20:13; Isa. 39:2);
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Store - supplies of food or drink (Gen. 41:56; Jer. 50:26);
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Barn - (Deut. 28:8);
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Weapons storage - (2 Ki. 20:13; Isa. 39:2); and
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God’s storehouse - for the different elements of the earth relating to weather (Josh. 3:13, 16; Job 38:22; Psa. 33:6-7; Psa. 135:7; Jer. 10:13; 51:16).
To bring ‘storehouse’ into perspective, let us first visit Malachi chapter 1.
Malachi 1:6-8
“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the LORD Almighty. “It is you, O priests, who show contempt for my name. “But you ask, ‘How have we shown contempt for your name?’
“You place defiled food on my altar. “But you ask, ‘How have we defiled you?’ “By saying that the LORD’s table is contemptible.
When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?” says the LORD Almighty.
As noted here, the Lord is speaking through Malachi against the priests - It is you, O priests, who show contempt for my name. The priests were allowing crippled animals to be offered, and therefore, the Lord was not accepting the offerings (Mal. 1:10,13, 2:13). “If an animal has a defect, is lame or blind, or has any serious flaw, you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God” (Deut. 15:21).
In this context, the tithe of Malachi 3:10 is of livestock. Since this verse says to bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, God could not be instructing his people to load the storehouse with weapons or gold. The correct definition of storehouse here is ‘store’ or ‘barn.’ In addition, the ‘whole tithe’ means ‘without blemish’ (as noted above in Malachi chapters 1 and 2).
Genesis 41:56 and 2 Chronicles 32:28 are a couple of verses illustrating that food items are actually stored in storehouses. Therefore, they support the claim that the storehouse in Malachi 3:10 is equivalent to a barn. Yet, from the definitions of storehouse above, it is also the case that money is stored in storehouses, but money is not the topic of discussion in the book of Malachi.
Grain, corn, wine, oil, and animals are all stored in storehouses, and they are the same kinds of items God commands the people to tithe. Many people say that today’s church is equivalent to the Old Testament storehouse. They believe this because of teachings stating that the storehouse in Malachi 3:10 is equivalent to God’s household in 1 Timothy 3:15.
1 Timothy 3:15
if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
There is an obvious difference between the ‘storehouse’ in the book of Malachi and the ‘church’ (ekklesia) in First Timothy. A church is the gathering of a group of people in a public place - more specifically, a group of God’s people.
Most Christians are considered people in God’s household, which is the church of the living God. Hopefully it is becoming clear how outrageous some of these misinterpretations are, and how Christians should not use Old Testament passages like Malachi 3:10 to support how they should financially give to the church.
Spiritual Food or Literally Meat
The word meat, like many other words and phrases, has also been redefined to mean something different than its original definition. Many believe the word meat is spiritual meat because people are told that the ‘spiritual meat’ mentioned here is ‘the word of God.’ The phrase, that their may be meat in mine house, is correct as stated. As noted above, the NIV translation uses the word food because it is literally something eaten and is stored in storehouses.
The word meat translates from several Hebrew words and is never used in reference to anything ‘spiritual’ or ‘the word of God’ anywhere throughout the Old Testament. The words meat and tithes always refer to something edible. On the other hand, the New Testament uses meat in the spiritual sense, and it does indeed relate symbolically to the word of God in First Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 3:1-2 KJV
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
1 Corinthians 3:1-2 NIV
Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly -- mere infants in Christ.
I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.
Reading before and after First Corinthians 2, it is evident that this particular meat, or food, is indeed the word of God. See also 1 Corinthians 10:1-4. One can plainly see in this passage that the symbolic use of meat refers to the word of God. Malachi 3:10, on the other hand, plainly refers to natural food - the items required for tithing.
Malachi 3:10 NMV
Now let us put this in perspective. If the word ‘tithe’ is money, the word ‘storehouse’ is church, and the word ‘meat’ is the word of God, then no one should have a problem with the following interpretation in the New Money Version of the Bible
Malachi 3:10 NMV
Bring 10 percent of your money into the church, that there may be the word of God in my house.
It sounds a little ridiculous to pay for the word of God so that it may come to church. Does this mean the more that is paid, the more the ‘word of God’ will appear in the local church? Or, does the ‘word of God’ require charging by the hour? If a congregation has no money, do they receive no ‘word of God?’ The bottom line surrounding the word meat in Malachi 3:10 is that meat (food) is not money and money is not meat. Therefore, Christians should not equate their monetary gifts to the church as meat, as something spiritual, or something that is edible. Nor should they equate their monetary gift as an exchangeable commodity for the word of God!
Rebuke the Devourer
It is time to take a look at who or what the devourer is as mentioned in Malachi 3:11. Many Christians are taught that this particular devourer is the same devourer mentioned in First Peter.
Malachi 3:11 KJV
And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
1 Peter 5:8
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
A vast majority of Christians probably never question whether or not the devourer mentioned in Malachi 3:11 is actually the devil. Most Christians are taught not to think otherwise, and with verses like 1 Peter 5:8 above, it is easy to see why. Most say it must be the devil. Who else could ‘he’ be referring to in Malachi 3:11 where it states he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground? The confusion starts with the word ‘he,’ and both verses above conclude by using the same root word, ‘devour.’
The agent that actually does the devouring in Malachi 3:11 is not the devil, but is in fact locusts or similar pests that feed on crops. A few clear examples of locusts and other pests devouring crops are in these passages: Ex. 10:4-6; 10:12-15; Deut. 28:38, 42; 2 Chr. 7:13; and Amos 4:9; 7:1. Also, notice the great army mentioned in Joel 2:25 (KJV) is not that little devil, but consists of locusts and other pests.
The tithe is not money, but in fact crops and livestock. Money, our children, our health, etc., are not the items devoured in Malachi as Christians are taught today. In contrast, it is the substance of the real tithe that is actually being devoured. For further clarification, look at the NIV translation of Malachi 3:11.
Malachi 3:11 NIV
“I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the LORD Almighty.
The Lord says to bring the whole tithe, a tenth of the crops of the field and livestock, into the storehouse and He will prevent pests from devouring your crops. Further review of Malachi 3:11, using other Bible translations and Bible commentaries, shows the devourer to be locusts. The devil is not the only thing that can cause problems in people’s lives, but many Christians tend to blame the devil for everything that goes wrong.
Another thing Christians are taught about the devourer of Malachi 3:11 is that this devourer causes havoc in people’s lives if they do not tithe money to the local church. Some of these misuses of what is devoured include children, financial situations, jobs, sleep, health, relationships, or just about anything that comes to mind.
It is erroneous to draw the conclusion that the devil causes havoc in any of these areas of our lives based on a correct interpretation of Malachi 3:10-11. The Lord does not say He is going to prevent the devil from doing anything in this verse, much less prevent the devil from devouring or eating crops. This is not to say that the devil cannot cause havoc in the lives of people, but misusing this passage is not the correct biblical way to illustrate this point.
If Christians do not read into this passage things that do not exist, then they can easily understand its literal meaning. If a Jewish person does not bring the required tithe into the storehouse, then it is prophesied that pests will devour the crops from which the required substance is supposed to come. Please do not misunderstand the intent of what is being explained here. The devil is indeed a pest! But that is another topic.
Robbing God of the Tithe
Before proceeding with Malachi 3:8-9, let us put this passage in context. Malachi 1:6-8 was presented earlier and shows that the prophet directed his message to the priests, not to the Jewish community at large. This is not to say that Jews can not be affected by what was said, but only to clarify what actually happened.
The first mention of the curse is in chapter 1 at verse 14. Then the prophet speaks out against the priests further in chapter 2.
Malachi 2:1-2
“And now this admonition is for you, O priests.
If you do not listen, and if you do not set your heart to honor my name,” says the LORD Almighty, “I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not set your heart to honor me.”
The priests were responsible for the actual offerings, and therefore, received the admonition. The context in which Malachi 3 is spoken is actually directed at the priests as well. Proceeding to Malachi 3:8-9, with the correct understanding of what tithes and offerings really are, one can see the true crime committed when the priest take tithes and offerings with defects into the storehouse, which are not accepted by the Lord.
Malachi 3:8-9
Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, “How do we rob you?” In tithes and offerings.
You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me.
Offering lame animals results in not giving the Lord His required tithes. In this case, the first part of the crime mentioned here does take place, that of not giving whole tithes - resulting in the Lord not accepting them. Since God does not want money, not giving a tenth of it to God does not subject anyone to the curse (even if that person is under the law).
A further crime is committed when tithes and offerings are not given. The tithe is not only given because it is required by the Lord, but it is also eaten by the one giving it, his family, and the Levites who received it as their inheritance. The tithe also takes care of the temple workers (Neh. 13:10-12). As for the priests, they receive a tenth of the tithe. In addition, every third year the tithe goes to the stranger, the widow, the fatherless, as well as the Levite.
Since the tithe is a food substance ‘consumed’ by many, robbing God, as it relates to the tithe, is, in effect, actually robbing those with whom God commanded his people to share. Compare this to how Jesus describes righteous people in Matthew 25:35-40.
MONEY AND ITS RELATION TO TITHING
This section focuses on situations where money is mentioned in relation to the tithe. Chapter 3, “Offerings Defined,” shows that money has a role in the trespass offering (Lev. 5; 6:1-7), personal offering for the tabernacle (Ex. 30:11-16), and in the dedicated items used in vows (Lev. 27:1-29). This chapter shows that money has a similar use with the tithe.
Tithe Too Much to Carry
Deuteronomy chapter 14 shows a clear example of the tithe and money being two distinct entities. In this illustration, one is given permission to actually exchange his tithe for money.
Deuteronomy 14:24-26
But if that place is too distant and you have been blessed by the LORD your God and cannot carry your tithe (because the place where the LORD will choose to put his Name is so far away),
then exchange your tithe for silver, and take the silver with you and go to the place the LORD your God will choose.
Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice.
The individual in this passage was blessed so much by the Lord (v24) that he could not carry his tithe to the designated place. If this place is too great of a distance to travel that it is impractical to carry the tithe, it can be sold for silver (money). The money is then carried to the designated place and used to purchase replacement food (v26).
If Christians are required to tithe today, then nothing about the passage above makes sense if the substance for the tithe is already money. In this passage, the tithe could not be carried, but the money could be carried. This means the tithe could not be money in the first place since the tithe in this passage was exchanged for money. In addition, it simply does not make sense for a monetary tithe to be exchanged for money. Finally, the tithe mentioned here is eaten in the presence of the LORD your God, so once again, the tithe is not money since people do not eat money.
Some authors feel that the tithe sold here required a 20 percent redemption fee. This is not correct in that the 20 percent fee is applied only if the person possessing the tithe wants to buy it back from the Lord. In the passage above, however, the person sold it to ‘someone else’ so replacement food could be purchased once he reached the designated place. Leviticus 27:27 says in a similar situation, “If he does not redeem it, it is to be sold at its set value.” Therefore, the tithe in this case is not purchased by the owner himself, and thus, no redemption fee is necessary.
Redeeming the Tithe
Taking a closer look at Leviticus 27, pay particular attention to verse 31. This verse, like many others, is almost always taken out of context. Many interpret Leviticus 27:31 as a penalty for one who keeps something that belongs to the Lord. Therefore, this person needs to repay (monetarily) the original monetary tithe, and then add a 20 percent penalty.
Leviticus 27:30-31
A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.
If a man redeems any of his tithe, he must add a fifth of the value to it.
To a certain extent, the previous argument is correct. The tithe does indeed belong to the Lord, and an additional 20 percent value is required if the person chooses to redeem the tithe from the Lord. The point that needs clarification is the following: the person giving the tithe has the ‘option’ to purchase or redeem the tithe with a monetary amount equivalent to the tithe, where the value is determined by a priest. If one exercises this option, then this person simply adds an additional 20 percent to the value of the tithe.
Redeeming the tithe is not a penalty as if one were in some sort of trouble. Verse 31 should be viewed as a choice provided under, and in accordance with, the Old Testament law. This verse should not be interpreted to mean that if a person does not pay a monetary tithe on time that the person has to repay the money at a later time with a 20 percent penalty.
The reason people do not realize that this verse is talking about two different concepts, i.e., the tithe and the redemption of a tithe, is because they do not take literally what the preceding verse states. Verse 30 states, A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD. This verse clearly indicates items suitable for a tithe and what is holy to the Lord. Money is not mentioned here as being holy to the Lord.
The main point to remember when reading through the following subsections on ‘redeeming the tithe’ is the following: the person who redeems or purchases the tithe actually receives something in return, and that is the ‘tithe’ itself. If someone goes to market to buy something, the person expects to actually have something in his possession after the sale. This is also the case with purchasing the tithe. So if someone redeems a tithe of grain, this person gave the monetary equivalent of the tithe, plus a fifth of its value (20 percent), to the priest. In return for the money, the tither actually receives the grain, as opposed to offering it to the Lord.
Redeeming Dedicated Items
To further emphasize the need to read Bible passages in their entirety for a better understanding, let us continue to analyze Leviticus 27:31. Many of today’s believers do not read all of Leviticus chapter 27 to really understand what is being said in this one verse. If they did, they would understand that other items are dedicated unto the Lord that could also be redeemed (purchased), not just the tithe from the land.
Leviticus 27 is not referring to redeeming money for money, or eating and not eating dedicated items. Instead, it is referring to redeeming dedicated persons, dedicated animals, dedicated houses, dedicated fields, and the tithe from the land. When viewed in its entirety, chapter 27 shows that other redeemable items such as a person, animal, house, and field, are not translated into money, nor are these items symbolically referencing money. This is also the case for the seed of the land and the fruit of the tree, which are not symbolic of money either.
The money used to buy back these items in Leviticus chapter 27 is the same money that is used in everyday living as discussed in Chapter 2, “Money and Occupations.” See Numbers 3:45-51 and 18:15-17 for other examples of redeeming.
What Are Tithers Redeeming Today?
Jewish people have the opportunity to redeem the tithe with the monetary value of it, plus an additional 20 percent of that value. As stated earlier, money is not required from the Lord as a tithe, but rather, the required items are produce and livestock.
What does the Lord require today that is in a person’s possession and can be redeemed with money? Are tithers receiving wheat or corn in return for money, or a dedicated person, field, or house? The problem is that Christians hand over money and call it a tithe. But as recorded in Leviticus 27:30-31, when an individual gives the priest money, that person receives something tangible in return. When Christians give money during a tithing transaction, are they receiving something tangible in return? No. This is clearly not what the Lord has in mind. There is no choice today to keep anything in exchange for the money given, but instead, Christians are simply told that to be obedient they must give monetary tithes.
Some tithers claim to receive a ‘spiritual blessing’ in return for their tithe. If this is the case, this spiritual blessing must be something required from the Lord. It must also be in the person’s possession to begin with since a person can only tithe something that the Lord has blessed him with. In addition, the person must be given the ability to redeem the spiritual blessing with money, all of which must be defined somewhere in Scripture. This is obviously not the case.
Regarding the 20 percent interest, how does the church calculate how much this should be? If one is truly tithing today as defined in Scripture, the monetary amount given should be equivalent to the tithe, as determined by the priest, plus 20 percent. Since Christians have no legitimate tithe to offer - produce of the land for example - they cannot properly calculate what a true exchange should be for the tithe. Hence, Christians distort the whole tithing process and settle for 10 percent of how much money a person makes as an acceptable tithe. This is definitely not based on the Bible.
Today’s tithers are told they cannot redeem or eat the tithe, but someone under the law can both redeem and eat the tithe when appropriate. And, when they give money to redeem the tithe, they actually receive something tangible in return, which is the tithe itself. In contrast, when Christian tithers give money, sad to say, they get short changed.
TITHE AS A TAX
Although most people, including tithers, do not really enjoy paying taxes, there is at least one author who sees the tithe as a tax. This author says the tithe is God’s tax collected from Christians for living on Earth. This is an interesting way of viewing the monetary tithe and another good reason for not paying it today.
Is today’s monetary tithe similar to a tax, or more specifically, similar to the temple tax? After all, a tax is collected to support a government run agency or to meet one’s organizational expenses (recall Chapter 2, “Money and Occupations”). According to some, the temple tax is the atonement money collected in Exodus 30:11-16, which is used for the service of the tabernacle. Today, the tithe is used for the service of the church. The temple tax or atonement offering was instituted by the Lord, and the tithe of today is mandated by church leaders. Jews are required to give a specific amount of money for the service of the tabernacle. Similarly, Christians have a minimum amount of money they are required to give for the service of the church.
The authors are in agreement that today’s version of the tithe is like a tax. It is indeed used by many churches to partly or fully fund the service of the church - the actual facility and support of the church workers. When church leaders require their members give a minimum of 10 percent of their money to the church, then a tax exists.
The question is, “Do Christians have to pay this tax?” This section shows that Christians do not have to pay this ‘tax,’ the monetary tithe, for the service of the church. However, financial support for the church is a necessary work that should continue, but without the ‘mandatory requirements’ or ‘minimum strings’ attached (this is discussed further in Chapter 9, “Grace Giving”). Since this other author did not provide Bible verses to support his idea of the tithe being a tax, there is not any discussion concerning his reasons for coming to this conclusion. Nevertheless, Bible passages are provided to refute this theology.
The King’s Tenth
There is an example in 1 Samuel 8 about a tenth of the fields and a tenth of the sheep collected by a king. This took place when Israel chose to have a king rather than continuing to have judges. This passage seems appropriate to discuss here because many believers associate giving a tenth with giving a tithe.
1 Samuel 8:14-17
He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants.
He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants.
Your menservants and maidservants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use.
He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves.
At this point in history, the elders of Israel were not satisfied with how Samuel’s sons were conducting themselves, and therefore, wanted a king like other nations. Samuel did not want the children of Israel to consider having a king, and prayed to the Lord. In response, the Lord told Samuel to give them what they wanted because they had rejected Him. Samuel then informed the people what a king would require from them, and a portion of the requirements are listed above in 1 Samuel 8:14-17.
Giving a tenth of anything to the king’s officials and attendants is not the same as giving the tithe unto the Lord. The king’s tenth was not holy, whereas the tithe given unto the Lord is holy (Lev. 27:30, 32). Likewise, the government collects more than a tenth of a person’s income from many people today, but this does not constitute tithing to the government. When Israel started giving a tenth of their fields and sheep to the king, they were not tithing either. Instead of wanting to follow the law of Moses, they wanted to be like other nations - to have a king judge them and fight their battles (1 Sam 8:20). Therefore, they knowingly went away from the rule of the written law to have a king govern them instead (1 Sam. 8:7-8).
The tenth given to the king does not replace the tithe given to the Lord. Just because the children of Israel rejected the Lord does not mean the law was abolished and a new tithe instituted. They simply chose to follow a king, an earthly leader, and subsequently, they had to pay taxes to support their king.
Sons Are Exempt From Taxes
Romans 13:1-2 states that Christians are to obey those in authority because they are put there by God. See also 1 Peter 2:13-14. No governing power is in place that God does not want there, as they play roles in shaping world events, including biblical events. Paul continues with this letter to the Romans by pointing out the need to submit to these authorities because they are God’s servants. People may not like the government they live under, but they need to pay all taxes actually owed (Rom. 13:5-7).
As mentioned earlier, the author of a certain book claims that the tithe is God’s tax required of Christians for living on Earth. This is nothing more than another example of an honest mistake many people make when taught non-scriptural theology. The Bible does not point out everything that Christians want to know, but it contains enough to guide everyone along the narrow path. If there is an example in the Bible, apply it when appropriate, and there is such a passage concerning the tax issue.
Many view the following passage from the book of Matthew as a ‘Jesus paying the temple tax’ story, but it is more than that. Please read it carefully (this passage is also quoted in Chapter 2 when discussing taxes in the New Testament).
Matthew 17:24-27
After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”
“Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes -- from their own sons or from others?”
“From others,” Peter answered. “Then the sons are exempt,” Jesus said to him.
“But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
Most probably do not realize that this passage holds the answer showing that God does not require a minimum or a mandatory amount of money from Christians for the support of the church. In this passage, Peter was asked if Jesus paid the temple tax. Peter replied, “Yes, he does.” It is the dialogue that takes place inside the house that provides a very profound revelation. Before Peter could ask Jesus anything, Jesus asked the first question, “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes -- from their own sons or from others?” Peter responded by saying, “From others.” Then Jesus followed with, “Then the sons are exempt.”
Notice that Jesus asked a question concerning earthly kings, although the tax collectors came for the temple tax. Jesus is the Son of God; therefore, He was explaining to Peter that He is exempt from paying this tax because of His sonship (see Jn. 1:14, 18; 3:16-18). The children of Israel were not referred to as sons and daughters like Christians are today. Jesus is the first son, and after His death and resurrection, believers in Christ are also sons and daughters (see Rom. 8:15-17; Gal. 4:4-7).
In Matthew 17:24-27 above, Jesus used earthly kings and sons to illustrate a spiritual parallel relationship between Him and His Father, the God of the temple. Jesus was saying that He did not have to pay the required amount of taxes, or money, to His Father because sons are exempt from such taxes! Since the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, followers of Christ are also sons and daughters of the living God. Consequently, Christians also do not have to pay any required amount of money to God in the form of a tax, much less a tithe as a tax - Then the sons are exempt. However, in order not to offend the tax collectors, Jesus instructs Peter to go to the lake and get the required tax from the mouth of a fish.
The New Temple
Another reason Christians are not required to pay any form of a tax for the service of the tabernacle, temple, or church, is because there exists a new temple. This new temple is not made of hands, but is of flesh, and is in fact the human body. The first body that was referred to as a temple made of flesh was the body of Jesus (Jn. 2:21).
Jesus was accused of plotting to destroy the temple of God - the physical building - and then rebuild it in three days (Matt. 26:60-64; 27:40). Those He spoke to did not realize Jesus was speaking of His own body, and the disciples did not realize this either until after Jesus was raised from the dead (Jn. 2:22).
Jesus foretold of a new kind of temple in John 2:21. Would people pay for service on a building if they knew it would be replaced soon? This could be another reason why Jesus was not eager to pay this temple tax of Matthew 17:24-27. Jesus knew things were about to change dramatically, but since Jesus did not want to offend them, He paid the tax (Matt. 17:27).
All Christians are recipients of this change in temple. For the bodies of all Christians are temples of God - temples of the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?
If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
This new temple is sacred, so Christians should take care of their temple like people used to take care of the temple of God made with hands. God mandates that Christians Honor God with your body. In other words, if you want to pay a temple tax, then take that tax money and use it for the service of this new temple. For example, Christians can buy a comb for their hair, clothes to hide their nakedness, toothpaste to clean their teeth, soap for a bath, and perfume or cologne to hide what the soap missed! If there is a temple tax today, it should be spent for the upkeep of each person’s temple! Although this book mentions how Christians can spend their temple tax dollars, there are other ways Christians can honor God with their bodies, such as keeping in good health, not using drugs, watching what is said to one another, etc.
No New Taxes
Are today’s Christians tithing money as if it were a tax so they will not offend someone? Perhaps this person is their spouse, their friend, or maybe their pastor. “No new taxes” may sound like a political slogan, but church leaders should stop taxing followers of Christ.
Today, the tabernacle, or the temple of God, is not used by Christians to perform Old Testament rituals. Therefore, the upkeep of an earthly man-made temple is not a requirement. The new temple is made of flesh and Christians are required to keep it holy. Earlier parts of this chapter demonstrate that the church is not equivalent to a storehouse. Likewise, the church is also not equivalent to the temple or tabernacle.
Are Christians paying tithes to the church the way they pay taxes to a government? People pay taxes to the government and expect the government to solve their problems. This mentality has carried over into Christianity by giving the so-called required tenth of a person’s income to the church as if it were a tax. As a result of giving this tenth, Christians act as if God will solve all of their problems, as well as the problems of their communities. However, if people do not allow God to use them to solve the needs of their communities, then it is very possible that many needs will never be met.
For those individuals who want to pay a tithe unto the Lord as if it were a mandated tax, they should check their new family tree and see whether their Father is in heaven or on Earth. If in heaven, then these individuals are tax exempt (Matt. 17:24-27). Otherwise, like the children of Israel, one may pay a monetary tithe, or tax, as if it were paid to a king and fall into the same situation that Israel did. “When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day” (1 Sam. 8:18).
Christians need to get out of the ‘tax mentality,’ and start giving from the desires of their hearts. If Christians want to really do something positive, they ought to become New Testament givers as discussed in Chapter 9, “Grace Giving.” In fact, some Christians are probably already giving to the church according to the way of the gospel. Any required form of tax unto the Lord, or unto the Father, is totally unbiblical and should not be mandated by church leaders.
OTHER MISUSES OF THE WORD TITHE
Christians give a tenth of their money to the local church and call it a tithe. Many also give additional money to the church, evangelists, TV ministries, etc., and call that an offering above and beyond the monetary tithe. Let us look at additional misuses of the word tithe to see how far from the true definition of tithing Christians have strayed.
Tithing Time and Talent
There is the misconception that Christians can actually tithe their time and talent, which is just as misleading as the monetary tithe itself. This section starts off by asking, “How does one actually tithe time and talents to the Lord?” If people tithe their time, do they literally give 2.4 hours of every day to the Lord? Or do they make up the time for a whole week by giving the entire 16.8 hours to the Lord on Sunday?
When Christians tithe talents, what talents do they actually perform? Does the 16.8 hours a week include singing, ushering, helping with the church finances, etc.? Do not forget that a tithe is literally 10 percent of something. What happens if someone gives 20 hours of time and talent to the church for an entire week? Is the additional 3.2 hours considered an offering above and beyond this tithe? Should the first 16.8 hours be declared a tithe and the rest declared an offering before the Lord will accept the 3.2 hours as an offering? The more one searches God’s word, the more confusing today’s tithing theology becomes.
People cannot give only 10 percent of their talent to the Lord. For example, if someone has the talent to sing, this person should not spend 10 percent of his ‘singing time’ singing for the Lord, and the other 90 percent of his ‘singing time’ singing for Satan. A second example would be the one who wants to lead a Sunday school class. Nobody can measure the amount of time needed for preparation, and the actual time giving the lesson, and possibly come out to 10 percent of their time per day per week.
The individuals who say they tithe their time and talents to the Lord are actually giving, and not tithing, their time and talents to the Lord or to the church. It is very difficult to regulate 10 percent of someone’s time and talents for the Lord’s use, so Christians are urged to stop trying to regulate their spiritual walk. Chapter 8, “New Testament Commands,” will provide additional information concerning a Christian’s daily walk in the Spirit.
Tithes Representing Time and Talent
Stated above are ways some Christians claim they can tithe their time and talent. Equally as unbiblical is the notion that the monetary tithe can actually represent time, talent and energy. According to the biblical definition, this is simply not possible. The Lord does not give those under the law the option of exchanging time with the required tithing items. Nor did He allow the use of talent and energy as replacements for the original tithe. The only way these items can replace the required tithed items is if there is truly a new way to tithe. Since there is no biblical passage to validate this change in the tithing requirements, this can only be of human origin and tradition, and should therefore be terminated.
Some of God’s people do have the gift of giving, so let them give accordingly. But in general, using the monetary tithe to represent time, talent, and energy is the lazy person’s way of not participating in the work of the church. The kind of tithing mentioned here furthers the mentality that if a person goes to church and pays a tithe, then this person has done his job until the next paycheck - he has given his time, talent and energy to the church through his monetary tithe. It also furthers the ‘Sunday only’ Christian mentality. What about the rest of the week? The local body, as well as the church in general, needs everyone’s time, talent, and energy throughout the week - not just on Sunday. Giving money to the local church is not going to clean the sanctuary or take care of the community’s needs. It takes everyone’s time and talent to accomplish these tasks.
Tithing More Than 10 Percent
There are occasions where stories are told of people being blessed, and because of this blessing, they tithe more than 10 percent of their income. But if people wait long enough during the same conversation, these individuals will also say a tithe is only 10 percent of one’s income, thus contradicting themselves before they even finish.
A pastor once told a story of a person who had a business. The businessman tithed from the revenue of the business. Every two years he increased his tithe by 10 percent. Thus, he started off by tithing 10 percent, then 20 percent the third year, 30 percent the fifth year, until he reached a point where he tithed 100 percent of the revenue from the business. The pastor also added that during this time the person made investments into other money-making ventures, so he did not rely on his earnings from this particular business. This same pastor also mentioned earlier in his sermon that “you cannot tithe 9 percent or 11 percent,” but contradicting himself, he said this particular individual tithed 100 percent of his revenue!
Tithing, by definition, means 10 percent or one-tenth of something. According to the Old Testament, a tithe is one-tenth of livestock, produce, oil, etc. Today the tithe is considered 10 percent of one’s income. Moreover, stories are told of how blessings come as a result of tithing and as blessings continue, the tithe increases to more than 10 percent.
This kind of giving leads many to believe that all giving should be done at the local church - tithing up to 100 percent of one’s income. This is especially harmful if the church does not help the needy in its community. Are people supposed to tell their neighbor they have no extra food to give because they saved money on the food bill in order to tithe more at the church?
If Christians only give money to support traditional church activities, then they have not yet experienced the true joy of giving. The true joy of giving is when a person gives to someone else at the ‘individual’ level, or on a personal, one on-one-basis. In addition, until all Christians participate in giving at the individual level, it is very likely that the needy will continue to be overlooked in favor of traditional church expenses.
Another problem with the concept of tithing more than 10 percent is the idea that the amount of the tithe can change. Further problems arise when the tithe is not only interchanged with firstfruit, but also with the offering. The later interchange exists despite the fact that the monetary offering is taught to be above and beyond the monetary tithe. This is very confusing to new and old believers alike, especially when the terms tithing, offering and giving are used interchangeably. To summarize this accurately, a tithe is a tenth of the required items offered; an offering is regulated by the particular offering performed (Chapter 3); and Christian giving is not regulated at all (Chapters 8 and 9).
The Pharisees Gave Tithes
Many say Jesus had the opportunity to tell the scribes and Pharisees not to tithe in the book of Matthew. Instead, He told them this is what they ought to have done. If tithing should not be practiced today, why did Jesus not tell them to discontinue tithing? The answer is simple. The Pharisees were under the law, therefore, they had to tithe. The complete explanation is provided in Chapter 9 as to why Jesus did not tell the Pharisees to stop tithing.
The real question here is whether or not the Pharisees were actually offering real tithes, or doing what Christians do today - giving a monetary tithe. Since many pastors read only the King James translation, two versions of Matthew 23:23 are presented here. Although the New International Version is a little more self-explanatory, many people still miss what Jesus is saying due to traditional teaching on the monetary tithe.
Matthew 23:23 KJV
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
The King James Version uses the word ‘pay’ which misleads some into thinking the tithe of the Pharisees was money. Since today money is used to pay for goods, and since the word tithe is misinterpreted to mean the phrase ‘10 percent of one’s income,’ Christians automatically think Jesus told the Pharisees to continue paying 10 percent from whatever means they had of making a living. Now look at the New International Version.
Matthew 23:23 NIV
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices -- mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law -- justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
Let us take a closer look at what was actually being tithed. They were not tithing money of any kind, but in this passage, they gave a tenth of their spices - mint, dill and cummin. Yet, many believers do not see that the Pharisees gave a true tithe which came from the seed of the land, not the money earned from an occupation. Old Testament law commands them to do this, and everyone knows they followed the letter of the law.
Today’s monetary tithing practice does not have anything in common with the true act of tithing as performed by the Pharisees and others in the Bible. Therefore, to quote Matthew 23:23 in order to support today’s form of monetary tithing would actually be quoting this verse out of context (along with many other passages in the Bible).
NO NEW TITHE
Many churches today require Christians to give 10 percent of their money to the local church and call it a tithe. But as shown by definition in this chapter, the tithe is not, was not, and should never be, interpreted as 10 percent of a person’s income. The passages referenced in this chapter clearly show that the tithe is literally from what a person’s fields produce each year, as well as livestock. It is an edible substance such as wheat or bulls. It does not take an agriculture expert to realize that the field produces such things as corn and wheat - not money. After all, money does not grow on trees! Moreover, nobody should add to or take away from the commands given by God (Deut. 4:2; 12:32). “Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar” (Prov. 30:6).
This chapter covered quite a few items concerning the Old Testament practice of tithing, starting with the word tithe. Tithing, according to Old Testament law, is a tenth of the grain of the soil, of the fruit of trees, of the herd and flock, and of new wine and oil. In years one, two, four, and five of a seven year cycle, the tithe is not to be eaten in the hometown of the person supplying the tithe. Instead, it is eaten at a place God chooses. The worshipper, his family and servants, and the Levites participate in the eating of the tithe, as it is always something that can be consumed.
The purpose of the tithe is to support the Levites, and every three years to support the needy and the Levites. In addition, when gathering the harvest, crops are left over for those who are in need. Also, a tenth of the tithe collected by the Levites is presented to the priest as the Lord’s offering, and every seventh year the tithe is not required by the Lord at all. In comparison with today’s version of tithing, tithing in biblical times provided more support for people than does the monetary tithe of today!
This chapter also covered a few common misinterpretations such as ‘eating the tithe,’ ‘bringing the tithe into the storehouse,’ ‘tithe as a tax,’ and ‘redeeming the tithe.’ The following clarifications were made: eating the tithe is, in fact, supposed to be done; the phrase to ‘bring the tithe into the storehouse’ is often used out of scriptural context; Christians tithe as if it is a tax and was declared not necessary because of their sonship; and the 20 percent redemption fee is not a penalty for not tithing, but it is part of an option under the law to purchase the tithe wherein 20 percent is added to the value of it.
It should also be noted how offerings were not given or performed ‘above and beyond a tithe.’ For example, the giving of the tithe was not required before the ritual of the burnt offering, the peace offering, or the sin offering. In addition, the one responsible for providing an offering can purchase it. This clearly implies that this particular person must not have been able to tithe of this item. Today, Christians are told they are not true givers until they enter the realm of monetary offerings, which comes after a monetary tithe unto the Lord. Chapters 3 and 4 show, by the definitions of offerings and tithing, that this is not biblically based.
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Christians should be liberal givers, but the method Christians have adopted, in the form of monetary tithes and offerings, does more harm than good. It is very confusing when Christians replace the tithe with money. Proceeding into the later chapters of this book, the harm caused by giving monetary tithes and offerings is demonstrated further. This includes the strict nature of tithes preventing Christians from being led by the Spirit in the area of giving. It is simply an unacceptable Christian practice if one is to walk in the Spirit.
It is time to stop the tradition of monetary tithing and the monetary offering because tradition is what makes the commandments of God of no effect (Matt 15:3-9). Hopefully this book has shown, and will continue to show, that today’s version of the tithe is man made and passed along by tradition.
To date, Christian giving has been disguised as tithes and offerings, and as a result, people have added unnecessary regulations to it. These unnecessary rules prevent Christians from experiencing true Spirit led giving. Tithing is simply one of the many rituals performed under Old Testament law, and like the other rituals, is not required of Christians (Chapter 6, “Freedom Through Death”). Giving, on the other hand, is required of Christians and is covered in Chapter 9, “Grace Giving,” where the Spirit led way to give is discussed. It also shows that Christians should be liberal givers without limits. The only exception is that which is stated in 2 Corinthians 8:12 where the limit is ‘according to what one has.’