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I once, years ago, wrote a paper on tithing. At the time I had never seen or heard anything but “If you don’t tithe, you are robbing from God.” Well, the fact was I had just returned from the mission field. I had quit my job (for the third time) to go, and then had moved to Pennsylvania. I didn’t know anyone there, I just felt that PA was where The Lord was sending me.
I was living in an RV and making $125.00 a month working with children in a small church. My RV was plugged up outside. I was confronted by the pastor (in a very gentle way) about not paying my $12.50 in tithe. He did the same thing to others.
Out of respect for this man of God, I did a study on tithing. Below is part of my paper. If you want much more information on the topic, all you have to do is Google the word “tithing.” You will see that there is a storm coming to the church.
I wrote most of this back in 1999 or 2000. I have since found that the King James is not as reliable as I once had thought. I re-did this today, with the idea that the Greek Interlinear should be consulted. The paper remained largely the same, with a few notations. This is what I found as I went back over my old work.
I am writing this in response to one of the last great strongholds that “the church” is holding over The Body of Christ, or the true Church. I feel The LORD Jesus Himself, as well as all of the apostles were very clear on this topic, and the only reason that the proper teaching is not propagated is because if it were, the church as we know it would cease to exist. Maybe that time has now come.
This is in no way an all inclusive paper, just what I found looking through the New Testament and searching on the topic. There are much more in depth studies on the internet if one is so inclined. Tithing is not a New Testament principal. It is an Old Testament one. I believe that The LORD came to fulfill The Law and then set a higher standard, to bring us to perfection. The “Law of Tithing” is no longer a functional law due to its final fulfillment. In this study, I’ll look at this fact in some detail.
First I looked up the word “tenth.” It occurs 5 times in 5 verses in The New. The word is used in speaking of tithing only two of those times, both of which are in Hebrews 7. These passages will be addressed here because they are often used to say tithing is still new testament. It is sophomoric at best, (and most likely dishonest) for one to say these passages exist for any other purpose than to show that Abraham was lesser than Melchizedek. This is so blatantly obvious in the text I consider it a waste of time to address it here. However, since it is the ONLY place in the new testament where the tithe is spoken of in a positive light, these passages are used to extort money from churchgoers. So, let’s take a look starting in verse one. Hebrews 7:1-6 “For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him: 2To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; 3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto The Son of God; abides a priest continually. 4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: 6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes (Greek TENthED) of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
Notice the end thought in verse seven? Very simple, very straightforward. Oh, and verse seven is there in the Greek, I checked.
Now, back to topic. The use of the word “tithe” (Greek to English TENthING), is only found in the New Testament twice. Both times the word was used by Jesus Himself, and both times it was in rebuke of the religious. Let’s take a look, first in Matthew 23: 23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, 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. 24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Now on to Luke. Here again Jesus is speaking in rebuke. This is Luke 11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 43 Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets. 44 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.
The speculation could be that this was the same incident, recorded by different authors. Now let’s look up the plural form, “tithes” in the New. It is used 6 times in 5 verses from Matthew to Revelation.
Outside of the discourse in Hebrews 7, which (again I remind you) is speaking only of the establishment of the priesthood of Jesus under a better covenant, the word (the Greek word is again apodekatoO or “TENthING”) is used only once. The LORD Jesus Himself is speaking in Luke 18. It is again in rebuke. Let’s go there now. Luke 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.
It should be becoming obvious that the religious were saying things like, “See, I pay tithes, I’m a really good [follower] of God.” Is it not just as obvious that Jesus didn’t agree with these people?
In doing this study, I learned something I have never heard preached apart from the tithe. In the New Testament we find a new word “alms”. This is not a new concept. I like the way King David said it in Psalms 19:17 “He that hath pity upon the poor lends to The LORD; and that which he hath given will He pay him again.” Alms is giving to the poor. An almshouse is a poorhouse. American Heritage Dictionary, Webster’s Dictionary, and Funk and Wagnalls’ (1946 edition). First let’s look in Matthew 6. The LORD starts with a warning, and ends with a promise. Again, that’s Matthew 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms (the word alms is actually not here in the Greek, but paying proper wages to those you hire is) before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2 Therefore (This word therefore is added as well.) when thou doest thy alms, (this “alms” is the Greek word “eleEmosunE” and is proper in verses 2-4.) do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4 That thy alms may be in secret: and thy Father which sees in secret Himself shall reward thee openly.
Again, alms is not giving to “the church“. Now let’s go back to Luke 11, right before the rebuke mentioned earlier on the first page of this study. This is Luke 11:39 And The Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. 40 Ye fools, did not He that made that which is without make that which is within also? 41 But rather give alms (Greek eleEmosunE) of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.
This doesn’t sound like a ten-percent-to-the-church-gospel to me. However, I’m not quite ready to throw out The Church yet, because our LORD didn’t. In fact, let’s follow Jesus into a lesson He set up for His disciples. This is recorded in Mark 12, and Luke 21. Let’s go to Mark, chapter 12. Mark 12:41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And He called unto Him His disciples, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
Could it be that The LORD called us to give all? It would seem to me that He did. I can here it now, “WOW, this guy has figured out a way to get all of our money!” (Don’t panic, [I’m not a pastor] the question of how to give will be addressed later.) For now, let’s take a look in Matthew, chapter 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it.
Now on to “the rich young ruler” spoken of in Matthew 19, Mark 10, and also in Luke 19. I like Mark’s recording of the incident the best, because he recorded The LORD’s love for this man, so let’s read there. Mark 10:17 And when He was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to Him, and asked Him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18 And Jesus said unto him, Why do you call Me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. 19 You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor thy father and mother. 20 And he answered and said unto Him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lack: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shall have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow Me. 22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
There are more problems in the Greek to King James here, in regard to the use of the word “good,” but I address those elsewhere. The point here is that Jesus was telling this man to sell all his belongings and give the money to the poor. Please notice that The LORD again didn’t mention giving a cent to the church, but giving to the poor. He told this man to give everything because He knew what had a hold on this man’s life. Just to drive these points home, let’s look at Luke 9:57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto Him, Lord, I will follow Thee whithersoever Thou go. 58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but The Son of man hath not where to lay His head. 59 And He said unto another, Follow Me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach The Kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow Thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for The Kingdom of God.
Jesus preached what I call a totality gospel. 100%. Now let’s go to another place. Jesus is speaking here in Luke 14:25 And there went great multitudes with Him: and He turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple.
Besides the Greek word hear being translated as “disciple” being really the more simple word “learner,” The LORD is again talking, 100%. This is even to the point of giving your life. Now let’s go read the rest of that sad story in Mark 10. We’ll pick up after the rich young ruler had just walked away from The LORD. Mark 10:23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto His disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into The Kingdom of God! 24 And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again, and said unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches (NOTE HERE: “for them that trust in riches” was not in the Greek!) to enter into The Kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into The Kingdom of God. 26 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? 27 And Jesus, looking upon them said, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. 28 Then Peter began to say unto Him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed Thee. 29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My sake, and The Gospel's, 30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. 31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
What I see being called for here is everything IN OBEDIANCE. Total is not ten percent, nor is it ninety-nine percent. It is one-hundred percent. All or nothing. Now, Here’s the safety for us all. I must point out here that “all” is what The LORD tells you to give. We’ll address this point in more detail later.
That teaching was to the Jews, before Jesus died. Now to the “us” stuff! Let’s look at the New Testament church as an example in action. We must go to Acts to see this, so let’s head to the fourth chapter. Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with The Holy Ghost, and they spoke The Word of God with boldness. 32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles (the Greek description “of The Resurrected Lord Jesus” was left out here) witness of the resurrection of The Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
It is obvious here that people still gave to The Church in order to “give to The LORD,” but The Church was giving it right back to the poor. Therefore, to give to The Church is not wrong, but The Church is to give away what it gets to those in need. This is glaringly absent in the church today. (Also, please note here that there is no mention of how the poor were under judgment for not tithing. On the contrary, I see a Church giving to those in need so that the poor could not only survive, but so no man had lack.) In fact, The Church in Galatia gave to those in Corinth that were in need. Those in Corinth gave to the Macedonians, and these last [two] gave to the poor in The Church in Rome. This is from Romans 15:25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. 26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. 27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.
The people (The Church) helped those in The Church that were in need. (Good job this time King James.) Giving to the poor is giving to The LORD, He makes no distinction between the two.
Here’s another problem for those who would claim that we should pay a tithe. Why is it never mentioned when the “code of conduct” for the gentiles was established in Acts 15? Let’s take a look, starting with verse 24. Luke 15:24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: 25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
That seems to raise a real problem for the old Law tithe, one of a simplistic Gospel. Look in Titus 2 if you will. Please note that tithing was not mentioned, just hospitality. Trying to say that it was such a fundamental thing that it didn’t need mentioning won’t fly either, because Paul addresses that in Galatians 1:6 “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into The Grace of Christ unto another Gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert The Gospel of Christ.”
Paul launches into the matter of reminder from there, with no mention of the tithe. Check for yourself. Neither is the subject brought up in 1 Timothy 4, where again Paul is calling to memory former teachings. The lack of mention of tithing in the New Testament is obvious. The only conclusion left then, is that the tithe was a non-issue at the time.
The final blow in the death of “the tithing theory” is found, oddly enough in verses you will recognize because these verses have been used to extort money from The Body of Christ for years, by those in position to do so. Let’s go to the second book of Corinthians, a bit into chapter 9 for the long awaited how and where. 2Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, he which sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.
I put the stress on the words you NEVER hear stressed! Ever wonder why you never hear it preached that way? I don’t. I think it is called the love of money. Well, well, well… But, but, but… We have to tithe or The Church will…. We are called to give what The Holy Spirit tells us in our hearts to give. That is freedom from The Old Covenant Law. Simple obedience. WOW!!! If we give more or less than He asks us to give, then we are in disobedience. Here’s an example. If The LORD tells a poor widow to give all, (say her last meal for her and her son) and doesn’t she is in disobedience. If The LORD tells a rich man to give all and go preaching, and he doesn’t, he is in disobedience. The converse is true. If The LORD has someone give to the poor, and they take, that’s His will. Let me be so bold to say here, if The LORD doesn’t tell the millionaire to give, and he does, he is in disobedience too! This is where balance must come from. Giving bountifully is simply giving 100% of what The LORD directs us to give in our hearts. I believe He will tell us both the how, and the where to give. It is not how much, or how little monetarily we give. Nor is it [almost ever] giving to “the church”. The LORD will keep us in balance if we will listen to Him. We are called to follow Him, not “rules and regulations”.
I believe that preaching “The Law of Tithing” is a bondage that is an affront to The Cross. It was an old Law that was fulfilled by The LORD Jesus, and no longer functions. Here’s an example in the physical or “scientific” world.
Scientist have what they call The Second Law of Thermodynamics. It is so well known, it is often simply called, “The Second Law”. It is said to be the most proven law in the universe. Basically it states that all things go from a state of order to a state of disorder or “entropy” (without outside intervention or work). The Bible refers to this Law as “the curse”. The LORD set the curse in place in Genesis 3. Some day The LORD will reorder the universe, and the curse, or “The Second Law” will no longer function. Nothing will ever again go towards entropy. Perfection will be the rule of law. This “passing away” has already happened with The Law. Jesus set a higher standard, He reordered those principals to better ones! For example, Jesus said, “Love The LORD first, and then love your neighbor, just as The Law says.” However, He also added, “Love your enemy. Don’t just go one mile as the Roman law commands, go two. Don’t just live for The LORD, but die for Him daily.” This is a much higher standard, and what He Himself walked out on this earth. He was not here for Himself, but for us.
Now a question. Why preach a gospel of ten percent when Jesus didn’t? I challenge you to preach and live as Christ called us to live. He WILL see to it that those who do, “abound to [do] every good work”.
I like what Paul said to the church in Philippines 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for Whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung (rubbish), that I may win Christ.
I think Paul had the right idea. Let’s win Christ, there is truly no greater reward. I have a little plaque that my mom made that says, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot loose.” My challenge is for you not to give ten percent, but to give all that The LORD asks of you. There is no greater way to live.
-------------------- Hope with abandon, all ye who enter here!
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