Numbers 18:21 *I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting*
One of the most debated topics in the body of Christ today is the subject of tithing. I have heard several teachings on this subject in recent years. Some are extreme (this happens to almost all bible subjects when the preacher/teacher did not interpret scriptures properly) while some are balanced.
Also, I saw the hand of Satan in the debate. You may ask me how? The debate raised some to believe everything about tithe is a fraud and some stopped giving to their church and missions. Some categorically said that any pastor taking tithes is thief. This bred hatred for the church, tithing and preachers. While I agree that certain extremes have been taught by some preachers, that doesn't nullify the truth about tithing.
*What is tithe?* Tithe simply mean "one-tenth". It is the 10% of your income. The Jews call it "Ma'aser" and there are three types of tithes given in the old testament and they are:
*Ma'aser Rishon*: This is tithe (10%) given to support Levites / Priests . Numbers 18:21
*Ma'aser Sheni*: This is tithe (10%) eaten by the owner in Jerusalem during festival. It is called festival tithe. Deuteronomy 14:22-26
iii *Ma'aser Ani*: This is tithe (10%) given to the poor, widows and orphans every 3rd year.This is more like a social welfare system. Deut 14:28-29.
*Where did tithe originate from*?
Tithing did not start in the bible times as many think. Though Abraham was the first man who tithed in the bible but that practice of giving 10% to deity predated him. Before Abraham was born, giving 10% to gods, kings and temples was common practice of honour and worship.
Babylonians, Greeks, and Romans all gave 10% to temples or rulers as a form of honour and worship. They saw that portion as sacred portion that belongs to the deity/ king. One would wonder how pagans had a sense of honouring their idols with a portion of their income.
Paul says, *"Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it*"( Romans 2:14 NLT).
In the bible, the first man to tithe was Abraham. He gave 10% to Melchizedek (Gen 14:20). No one told him to do so neither was he forced or coerced. Knowing that God deserves to be honoured from a man's increase, he did it to honour and worship Yahweh. The same principle that drove the pagan to tithe is the same thing that made Abraham to tithe.
The pagans in the time of Abraham honoured their idols with 10% of their income, He also decided to honour the true God with 10%. He was not forced or coerced to do it. It was a choice he made willingly. Jacob also understood that God deserves to be honoured so he vowed to give God 10% ( Genesis 28:22).
It was during the Mosaic era that God commanded Israel to give tithe. Lev 27:30, *"A tithe of everything... belongs to the Lord*". God demanded for it as a form of honour to Him, and to support the Levites, priest, poor and widows.
Now, let us wrap this up. The basic principle behind tithing is honour and worship. This is what I want us to see. Satan has blinded the hearts of many anti-tithing crusaders to this truth. They focus on the extremes about the subject of tithing and ignore the principle behind it. This is the work of Satan.
You will notice that it is only in Christianity giving is debated yet other religions in the world have one form of honorary giving. If they don't give, how are their leaders& missionaries cared for? How do you think Islam and other religions in the world is expanding? It is obvious some people are giving to support. There are no two ways about it. They do it as a form of honour and worship.
Islam stresses so much on a form of giving called "Zakat". It is one of the pillars of Islam that determines acceptability of worship. They also encourage "Sadaqah". You will never hear muslims debate these because they understood it from the standpoint of worship&honour.
Inherently, man knows there is a supreme being that deserves honour. Even unbelievers still say "Thank God" when things go their way. How much more those of us who know the living God, the whole of our lives should honour God including our substance.
That is why I teach giving from the standpoint of worship instead of legalism. Honour/ worship is not an old testament concept, it is a transtestamental concept of relating with God. Honour&worship is taught in both testaments.
The moment we take honour/ worship out of tithing and other forms of giving, it becomes invalid.
Tune your mindset to give tithe or more as a form of honour and worship to God. He deserves it.