Doctrine of Tithing

Tithing Before the Law of Moses:

  • It was practiced 430 years before the law (Gen. 14:20; 28:22; Heb. 7:1-11).

Tithing under the Law of Moses:

  • He commanded (Lev. 27:30; Mal. 3:10)
  • Five Purposes:
  • For Levites (Num. 18:21-24)
  • Tithes of tithes for priests (Num. 18:26; Neh. 10:37; 12:44)
  • Tithes of tithes every three years for the poor and the ministers (Dt. 14:27-29; 26:12-14)
  • To supply God’s house (Mal. 3:10)
  • To honor God (Prov. 3:9-10)
  • When brought: yearly, along with all other offerings for the feast (Dt. 12:6-7; 14:22-26)
  • Belonged to God, not the people who paid them (Lev. 27:30-34; Mal. 3:8)
  • Where brought (2Chr. 31:12; Neh. 10:38; 12:44; 13:5,12; Mal. 3:8)
  • If borrowed: 20% interest had to be added when paid (Lev. 27:31)
  • If exchanged: both it and the exchange must be paid (Lev. 27:33)

Tithing In the New Testament:

  • Christ taught it (Mt. 23:23; Lk. 11:42; cp. Mt. 5:20 with Lk. 18:11-12; see Mt. 10:10; Lk. 10:7-8). This was teaching for the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 11:11-14; Lk. 16:16)
  • Paul Taught It:
  • Condemned sacrilege (Rom. 2:22), or robbing temples (Mal. 3:8-10) and using holy things (Lev. 27)
  • Teachers to be paid (Gal. 6:6)
  • God ordained support of ministers (1Cor. 9:7-14; 1Tim. 6:17-18)
  • Christians to give as God prospers them (1Cor. 16:2)
  • Melchisedec priesthood is eternal and must be supported by children of Abraham (Heb. 6:20; 7:1-11,17,21)
  • Children of Abraham in faith must walk in his steps (Rom. 4:12; Heb. 7)
  • Tithing is proof of obedience and appreciation of God’s blessings (Rom. 4:12; Heb. 7:6-10; 1Cor. 9:7-14; 1Tim. 6:17-18; cp. Mal. 3:8-10; Prov. 3:9-10; Gen. 14:20; Dt. 8:10-20)

Blessings of Tithing:

  • Blessings for obedience (see above).
  • God’s house will not lack (Mal. 3:10).
  • God’s ministers will not lack (1Cor. 9:7-14; 1Tim. 5:17-18; Neh. 13:10; Mal. 3:8-10).
  • Material and spiritual blessings (Mal. 3:8-10; Prov. 3:9-10; 2Chr. 31; Neh. 13)

Examples of Paying Tithes:

  • Abraham (Gen. 14:20; Heb. 7:1-11)
  • Jacob (Gen. 28:22)
  • Levi in Abraham (Heb. 7:9)
  • Hezekiah and Israel (2Chr. 31)
  • Nehemiah and Israel (Neh. 13)
  • Hypocrites (Mt. 23:23; Lk. 11:42; 18:12)
  • Christians (1Cor. 9:7-14; 16:2; 2Cor. 7:11; 8:1-15; Gal. 6:6; 1Tim. 5:17-18; Heb. 7)

No scripture even mentions a substitute program for tithing in the New Testament.

Above taken from: Finis Jennings Dake , Dake Annotated Reference Bible (Lawrenceville, Georgia: Dake Publishing Inc., 1989), See note on Matthew 23:23. For more information on this book Click Here.

Tithing from the Dake Bible Matthew 23:23