LET'S TALK ABOUT TITHE: A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE Pt.3

In the first two parts of this teaching, I explained the principle of tithing( honour&worship) and the three fold purposes of tithing: to support the ministry of Levites/priests, to support the poor and for worship/celebration.

We know the principles behind tithing is transtestamental, but are the purposes of tithing still in the new testament? That is what we want to examine today.

i. *SUPPORT FOR LEVITES= SUPPORT FOR FIVE FOLD MINISTERS*

Under the old covenant, the Levites were the ministers of that time. They served in the temple fully. They got the tithe because they had no farm land`(Num 18:21). Their salary, emoluments were drawn from the tithe of the people.

In the new testament dispensation, we do not have Levites but we have those God has called into the fivefold ministry (Eph4:10-11). If God instituted tithing to support old testament ministers (of death, 2 Cor 3:6), do you think He will do less for the ministers of life and grace?

From the giving of the people (tithes inclusive) their welfare is to be supported. That is why Paul says:

*"Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple... In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel*"(1 Corinthians 9:13-14).

Galatians 6:6 says, *"Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches*". This is God's word. We have to accept it as it is. Let's not become philosophical but biblical.

*It is not right for preachers of the Gospel to lack. It distracts them from their core assignment. God has made provisions for their welfare, why subject it to needless debate*?

*TO CARE FOR THE POOR AND NEEDY*

Just as there were poor people in the old covenant (Dt14:28-29) whom God cared for through the tithes, so there are poor people even in today's church. Jesus said, *"You will always have the poor among you...*"( Mt 26:11, NIV).

The early church continued with the same tradition of providing for the welfare of the poor through the generous giving of the people. The early church did not demand tithe because the people gave generously (more than 10%). We'll come to that later.

Acts 2:44-45 says, *"And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need*".

In the new testament, care for widows, orphans and poor is a key tradition.  1 Timothy 5:3-16 gave detailed instructions to care for widows. 2 Corinthians 8-9 is about giving( poor inclusive).

James 1:27 says, *"Religion that is pure... is to visit orphans and widows in their affliction*".

*FOR WORSHIP AND CELEBRATION*

Under the old covenant, "Festival tithe" was eaten before the Lord as a form of worship&celebration(Deut 14:22-26).  

In the new testament, generous, willing, uncoerced & joyful giving is worship on its own.

2 Corinthians 9:7 says, *"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver*".

In the new testament, percentage of giving is not fixed, rather, we are to be generous( lavish) in our giving. That is seen as a form of worship.

This is the major distinctive between giving in the old testament and new testament: the former emphasized a percentage, the latter doesn't but stressed on a higher dimension of giving.

However, the new testament doesn't nullify or criminalize giving with fixed percentage as long as the giver is willing and gives it joyfully. The principle and purposes for it still exist in our time. If your church's system thrives on it, do it willingly and even give more. It is not a sin.

In my opinion, giving 10% is the minimum required to be given. Anyone that is not discipline with giving(10%) may struggle to give generously as expected of new testament believers. That discipline is what God is teaching the Jews when he commanded 10%. If they had given more, God would have accepted it but 10% is the benchmark.