By Jesse Fuqua

In Genesis 14:18-20 we find the word ‘tithe’ is first mentioned. You will notice it was bread and wine that was brought by Melchizedek and given to Abram.

The second time the tithe is mentioned is in Leviticus 27:30-32, it says:

30 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.
31 And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof.
32 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.

First, it is clear from this chapter that the tithe was to be either produce gathered from the land or an animal from the flock. There was not a money amount associated with the tithe. Shekels of silver and money are mentioned earlier in the chapter when talking about vows and sanctifying(setting apart) things to the Lord.

Second, this command was given to the children of Israel under the law. It was to provide food and sustenance for the priestly Levitical tribe that did the service for the Lord and had no inheritance in the land.

This passage is where many preachers give their congregations the idea that believers today should give 10% of their income(v.32 also Numbers 18:26,28).

Cudgel for Church Leaders

A popular passage that preachers like to pull out of their back pocket when the giving gets low in their congregations is Malachi 3:8,10 (many conveniently skip over verse 9).

8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

With just a simple reading of the context of these verses, one will realize very quickly that Malachi was not writing to or about the church the Body of Christ today. He is speaking to and about the nation of Israel, who were under the Mosaic law.

Grace Giving

So what should be the basis of why we give today? First, we must remember we are not under the law, but under grace (Rom 6:14).

Also, the church the Body of Christ is not promised earthly blessings based on the law, but are told we are already blessed (grace)with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph 1:3, 2:6).

Paul, our apostle, tells us in 2 Cor 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.”

In our day, giving should be done with an attitude of grace and cheerfulness, as we purpose in our heart, not under the burden or fear of judgment and loss of blessing(law).

So as you see others around you that have needs and you have the means and desire to meet it, give. If there are ministries that have blessed you and you agree with their mission and message, give, not grudgingly, nor of necessity, but out of a cheerful heart.