Tithing and the New Testament

It is not that tithing is omitted in the Old Testament. Tithing is Scriptural. But the question that arises with respect to the New Testament is: How should tithing be administered? Some say tithing is no longer applicable and all contributions should be regarded as "Christian giving." We are told, we should give what "we think we can proportionally give." One problem with that, of course, is that God is not regarded as having any say in what one gives. The other problem is that contributions by most who hold to the "Christian giving" principle are usually far less than the ten percent delineated in the Old Testament. There are exceptions, of course. The question, however, is: Where did God ever give man the right to decide how much He requires? What is not recognized by many who oppose tithing is that all true worship is voluntary, and one who desires to return to God a portion of what he has received should not feel forced or coerced. A man must give to God in an attitude of willing and compliant obedience, otherwise giving is of little value.

Many who oppose tithing do so on the basis of past experiences. The approach of some churches in demanding tithes has bordered on extortion. Also, many who oppose tithing fail to find any connection between the Old and New Testaments. The fact is: The New is the continuation of the Old, expanded to the spiritual plane. When Jesus said man shall live "by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God," He certainly referred to the Old Testament, a fact seldom mentioned by tithing opponents. The tithing laws are found in the Old Testament. There is no necessity to repeat them in the New. Some insist the early New Testament Church did not tithe, that tithing originated during the centuries following the time of Christ, and was forced upon Christendom by the Catholic Church. The fact is: Tithing did not begin with the Catholic Church. It began at Creation, and was practiced by the righteous men of God long before the time of Israel. Furthermore, there is no Scripture that says the early disciples did not tithe. To attempt to prove a point by scriptural omission is not the most reliable way to prove anything. Unless one can find a clear command not to tithe, one should never assume tithing has been done away. The Bible is one complete book. The New Testament contains the same laws as the Old. Jesus did not do away with God's Law. He expanded it. He said, ". . . That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:20). The scribes and Pharisees scrupulously tithed. Tithing is an act of worship. Jesus said, ". . . Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's" (Matt. 22:21). The comparison here is obvious. Caesar had his just dues coming and so does God! The only Bible example of God's just dues is the tithe.

We have all heard of religious scams. As a result many feel compelled not to tithe as they have no confidence in any church. While there have always been religious charlatans, there have always been God's true and faithful servants. It is the responsibility of each of us to determine who are God's true servants and who are not. Jesus said, "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself" (John 7:17). Jesus said one can know the Truth, but he must first be obedient to God. In the days of Jehoram, king of Israel, the religion was corrupt. This did not stop those who feared God from giving God His dues. We read, "And there came a man from Baalshalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat" (2 Kings 4:42). The man of God was Elisha. He was not a Levite, yet the contribution was given to him, and he did not refuse it. The man who feared God sought out one he knew was a true servant of God. The notion that it was against the law to give contributions to anyone but the Levites is not supported by this example, and there is not one New Testament example showing that the Christians gave their tithes to the Levites. Furthermore, there is not one Bible command that states tithes are to be given to the Levites only. As this example illustrates, first fruits were required to be paid just as the tithe was, yet were given to a true servant of God. The same is just as true today.

The scribes and Pharisees were tithers par excellence. Obviously, many others tried to emulate them. Yet, in Mark 12:41–44, Jesus said the widow who placed a mite in the temple treasury had given more than all those who had cast in large amounts. Notice, she cast in a mite. What was a mite? It was a coin worth about a fraction of a penny. Jesus observed the rich cast in coins (see marginal rendering), so the notion that tithes had to be paid from land produce or in the form of livestock has no validity. Why? Coins were used from ancient times and we can certainly assume if contributions to the temple treasury were paid in coin, so were tithes.

Matthew 16:19 is sometimes quoted for proof that Christians should not tithe. The text states: "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." Some insist this text limits what can be bound or not bound upon Christians, and that it is God alone who has the right to bind and loose. Applied to tithing this means that no church or group of men has the right to bind tithing upon anyone and that God alone has that right. And this is absolutely correct. God decided long ago what portion of our increase belongs to Him. The Old Testament has detailed instructions regarding tithing, and God has told us accordingly. Jesus said we are to live by every Word of God. The law of tithing is a part of that Word of God. However the decision we must make, is will we be willing to obey that instruction or will we constantly try to find ways around it?

There are many New Testament examples of the use of money in both contributing to the work of God and in giving to the poor. The fact is: Paul clearly stated that the ministry has a right to be supported by contributions (1 Cor. 9:13–14). He said the shepherd had a right to the milk of the flock according to the law (verses 7–8). What law was he talking about? The Old Testament law of tithing, of course! There was no other. The Levites, he said, lived "of the things of the temple"—the tithes and offerings. While Paul did not choose to exercise this right at that time, he made it plain it was a right assigned to the New Testament ministry. Paul said the Lord ordained that they who teach the gospel should live of the gospel. What does ordained mean? It means to appoint or give an order. If each one determines for himself to give as much or little as he pleases, there would be no need for an order. What has been God's requirement from the beginning? The tithe, of course! The notion that one should give what he can proportionally to God is a direct repudiation of God's instruction regarding the tithe. God has never given man the right to decide the amount. God has already decided that. What He does is give us the right to decide whether or not we will follow His instruction. The fact is: Anything less than ten percent is not a tithe. A tithe is ten percent.

There is no need to repeat the tithing law in the New Testament. Like the Sabbath law, the tithing law was presupposed. There are several texts in the New Testament that demonstrate the requirement to return to God His due. "His due" is used to support His true ministry. Take Galatians 6:6 for example. In the King James Version it reads: "Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things." The text is much clearer in The Living Bible. Here we read: "Those who are taught the Word of God should help their teachers by paying them." Paul went on to say in Galatians 6:7 that we reap what we sow. The implication is clear. Those who refuse to support His true work will reap little spiritual help. Without the help of God, man stands no chance of ever attaining eternal life. Tithing or supporting the work of God is an act of worship. It is the responsibility of each of us to know and recognize God's true ministers. It is then our duty to support them.

Take a look at 1 Corinthians 9:11–14, mentioned in part earlier. Here Paul speaks of sowing and reaping. The ministry sows spiritual things by teaching the Word of God, while reaping physical things from those they teach. Those who sow to the flesh, that is, they have no interest in spiritual things and see no value in returning to God His due, shall reap the corruption of death. By putting to practice the spiritual principles of God, which include returning to God His due, they store up treasures in heaven. Jesus said, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matt. 6:19–21). When they sow to the Spirit, they reap life everlasting. "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting" (Gal. 6:8). The Word of God is clear on this. Those who have little interest in the things of God have little interest in returning what He claims is His.

This same principle is seen in Romans 15:26–27. The Gentile Christians were able to make a contribution to the needy brethren in Judea. Why? Paul explains, ". . . For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things" (v. 27). God's Word was committed to the Jews. The Jewish Christians were the ones who took the gospel to the Gentiles. The Gentiles had profited immensely in the spiritual blessings of the Truth. Christianity is, both historically and spiritually, the religion of the Jews. The saints in Jerusalem had contributed much to help spread the gospel. Now in a time of need, it was their turn to be helped. The principle of providing physical remuneration to those who render spiritual service is seen in this example.

Philippians 4:15–19 reveals that the Apostle Paul received financial support from the Philippians. He refused to do so in Corinth because "evil workers" were receiving contributions under false pretenses. Paul did not want to be lumped together with this unsavory lot.

To the Philippians Paul wrote:

The book of Philippians was written from Rome where Paul was imprisoned. Yet, the Philippians continued to support him financially.

Paul mentioned more than once that he, along with other workers of the gospel, had the authority to forbear working (1 Cor. 9:6, 2 Thess. 3:9). Brethren were reminded not to become slack or weary in their obligation to support the ministry (Gal. 6:9).

Paul told the Corinthians:

Paul was determined to undermine the claims of those false ministers who would not preach except for money. Paul was dedicated to the Truth and preached in Corinth regardless of the lack of support there. None of the true ministers in Corinth took support from the Corinthians at that time (2 Cor. 12:17–18). But, that did not mean they were not deserving of that support. We have seen this demonstrated clearly from the Scriptures. Paul proved he was a true minister sent from God, and at times was willing to go without in order to preach the gospel (1 Cor 4:1–2). The true ministers of God could not be accused of preaching for money.

That elders are to receive financial support from the flock they serve is seen in 1 Timothy 5:17–18. We read, "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward." The word "honour" in verse 17 means "price" and refers to a sum of money. The Living Bible makes the meaning very plain in verse 17. "Pastors who do their work well should be paid well and should be highly appreciated, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching." These verses clearly demonstrate that true ministers should be given sustenance and support. The laborer is worthy of his reward.

Next: Hebrews 7 and Tithing

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