Tithing is emphasized in some Christian churches because it serves as a sign of obedience and faith, a demonstration of trust in God's provision, and a way to support the church's ministry and outreach. It is also seen as a means to counter materialism, foster generosity, cultivate gratitude, and align with God's principles of stewardship and community support, with biblical references including Malachi 3:10 for blessings, Proverbs 3:9 for honoring God, and 1 Corinthians 9:14 for supporting ministry.  

 

*9 reasons for Tithing*

 

1. Demonstrates Faith and Trust: Tithing is an act of faith that demonstrates trust in God as the ultimate provider of all your needs and blessings. - Hebrews 11:6 says God rewards those who diligently seek Him. 

 

2. Honors God and Shows Love: Giving a tithe is a way to honor God by acknowledging Him as the source of all wealth and showing your love and obedience to Him. - Proverbs 3:9 instructs, "Honor the Lord with your wealth...". 

 

3. Fights Materialism: Tithing helps prevent people from becoming greedy or placing their hope in wealth, promoting a focus on spiritual riches over material possessions. - Timothy 6:17 encourages believers to put their hope in God, not in wealth. 

 

4. Supports the Local Church and Ministry: Tithes provide financial resources for the church to pay staff, maintain facilities, fund missions, and meet the needs of the community. - 1 Corinthians 9:14 says, "...those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel". 

 

5. Encourages Generosity: The practice of tithing helps cultivate a generous spirit, aligning with the biblical principle that giving brings its own blessings. - 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 teaches that "the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully". 

 

6. Brings God's Blessings: God promises an outpouring of blessings to those who faithfully tithe, although these blessings are not solely monetary but also include spiritual protection and contentment. - Malachi 3:10 says, "Bring the whole tithe... and see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and bless you with such abundance that there will not be room enough to receive it". 

 

7. Fosters a Sense of Stewardship: Tithing serves as a reminder that all possessions belong to God, and believers are called to be faithful stewards or managers of His resources. - 1 Corinthians 10:26 reminds believers that the earth and its fullness belong to the Lord. 

 

8. Upholds God's Plan for His Church: Tithing is viewed as God's chosen method for funding the work of the local church, which is considered His primary vehicle for changing the world. - Acts 4:34-35 shows how early believers pooled their resources to support the community of faith.

 

9. Promotes Joy in Giving: Giving cheerfully is a hallmark of true worship and is rewarded by God's favor. - 2 Corinthians 9:7 states, "God loves a cheerful giver". 

 

While the emphasis on tithing is not inherently "negative," it can be negative when used as a legalistic obligation to control or extort money, which is contrary to New Testament principles of voluntary, cheerful, and proportional giving guided by love and faith.

 

*10 negative reasons for  Tithing*

 

1. Legalism Over Grace: It can promote a system of legalism where salvation or God's favor is seen as earned through monetary compliance, rather than a gift received through grace by faith. 

 

2. Fear-Based Control: Churches may use fear of financial curses (as seen in Malachi 3:9) to pressure members into tithing, creating a transactional rather than a loving relationship with God. 

 

3. Misplaced Financial Burden: An overemphasis can shift focus from spiritual principles to financial obligation, creating undue financial stress on members, especially those in difficult circumstances. 

 

4. Focus on Quantity Over Heart: Tithing can foster a focus on the "10% minimum" rather than on the spirit of giving, neglecting the principle that giving should be proportional, voluntary, and cheerful. 

 

5. Missed Discipleship Opportunities: A strong emphasis on tithes can distract from the deeper discipleship call of self-denial and radical generosity, as exemplified by Jesus' teachings on sharing and compassion. 

 

6. Transactional Relationship with God: It can create a "God owes me" mentality or a view of God as a service provider to be paid, instead of an all-powerful Creator who owns everything. 

 

7. Misinterpretation of Old Testament Law: Applying the Old Testament tithing law, which funded the Levitical priesthood and national government, directly to the New Testament church is a misapplication of the Law of Moses after Christ's fulfillment of it. 

 

8. Promotes Stinginess in Giving: The fixed "10% rule" can become a ceiling for giving, whereas New Testament principles encourage Christians to give generously as they are able and according to what is in their heart, often exceeding 10%. 

 

9. Exploitation by Corrupt Leaders: Misplaced emphasis can become a means for unscrupulous leaders to siphon funds, enriching themselves rather than using resources for genuine ministry and the propagation of the gospel. 

 

10. Ignores New Testament Alternatives: The New Testament doesn't mandate a specific percentage but encourages systematic, generous, and cheerful giving as a response to God's love and grace, as seen in 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 and 2 Corinthians 9:7. 

 

*Do you know that tithe is not for the men of God alone?*

 

Tithing is Three-Circle or Three Types

 

1. The Levitical tithe to support the Levites and priests - Numbers 18:21, 24: "Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting... For the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer up as a heave offering to the Lord, I have given to the Levites as an inheritance."

 

2. The Festival tithe used to fund religious feasts in Jerusalem and from which the giver partake or eat -  Deuteronomy 14:22-27: "You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year. And you shall eat before the Lord your God, in the place where He chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstlings of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always. ... And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before the Lord your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household."

 

3. The Poor tithe given every three years to provide for the needy, such as widows and orphans. - Deuteronomy 14:28-29: "At the end of every third year you shall bring out the tithe of your produce of that year and store it up within your gates. And the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.". Deuteronomy 26:12-13: "When you have finished laying aside all the tithe of your increase in the third year, the year of tithing, and have given it to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your gates and be filled, then you shall say before the Lord your God: ‘I have removed the holy tithe from my house…’"

 

Read Leviticus 27:30-32, Numbers 18:26, Deuteronomy 14:22-23, Proverbs 3:9, Malachi 3:10, Genesis 14:20, Genesis 28:22, 2 Chronicles 31:5-6, Nehemiah 10:37, and Hebrews 7:4.

 

Do the right thing as it is due for right worship, devotion, dedication, and care of the community of God's children.

 

 

Be Blessed