READ:
LEVITICUS 30:34
An issue
that is going through some debate within Christian circles in tithing. Many
have argued that it has gone away with the law and we should be free from its
'bondage.' Even some Christians who pay it find it difficult to do it in the
prescribed manner, so they end up leaving it as a 'convenience issue' payable
when they feel their finances can accommodate it.
Actually, tithing came before the law was given to Moses. In Genesis 14:17-20, Abraham met Melchizedek on his return from battle “And he gave him a tithe of all.” Leviticus 27 is a command of the law given to Moses which is further established in Malachi 3:8-12. In Matthew 23:23, Jesus says: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters to the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”
Jesus approved tithing in this passage, but rebuked the scribes and Pharisees who regularly paid their tithes, and charged them to balance things up by ensuring justice, mercy and faith so that their tithes would be received. Malachi 3:10 says: “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse.” Part tithing is as good as no tithing, the same way half-obedience amounts to disobedience before God (1 Samuel 15:1-23). it is not your job to share your tithe into parts and distribute it to places as you feel it is needed. Just pay your tithe in full into God's storehouse – where you worship regularly and feed spiritually. Leave the minister do the rest.
Your tithe is one tenth of your income. It does not belong to you. It is God's money in your care. You should not spend out of it. If you rob God in tithing, the devourer will come and rob you too. If you have spent out of your tithe, then you must return it with 20% interest (Leviticus 27:31). You should not tithe because you are forced to, but because you love God and desire to always do his will. Henceforth, ensure your tithe is paid before you spend your money.
Actually, tithing came before the law was given to Moses. In Genesis 14:17-20, Abraham met Melchizedek on his return from battle “And he gave him a tithe of all.” Leviticus 27 is a command of the law given to Moses which is further established in Malachi 3:8-12. In Matthew 23:23, Jesus says: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters to the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”
Jesus approved tithing in this passage, but rebuked the scribes and Pharisees who regularly paid their tithes, and charged them to balance things up by ensuring justice, mercy and faith so that their tithes would be received. Malachi 3:10 says: “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse.” Part tithing is as good as no tithing, the same way half-obedience amounts to disobedience before God (1 Samuel 15:1-23). it is not your job to share your tithe into parts and distribute it to places as you feel it is needed. Just pay your tithe in full into God's storehouse – where you worship regularly and feed spiritually. Leave the minister do the rest.
Your tithe is one tenth of your income. It does not belong to you. It is God's money in your care. You should not spend out of it. If you rob God in tithing, the devourer will come and rob you too. If you have spent out of your tithe, then you must return it with 20% interest (Leviticus 27:31). You should not tithe because you are forced to, but because you love God and desire to always do his will. Henceforth, ensure your tithe is paid before you spend your money.
MEMORIZE:
LEVITICUS 27:30 -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 to the LORD.
