Is Tithing Biblical in the New Testament?

Recently, there have been a lot of discussions about “is tithing Biblical in the New Testament”. The answer to this question is complicated and depends on a number of factors, such as the specifics of the New Testament scripture in question. That said, at its core, tithing is simply giving back to God what is rightfully his—your income.

So while it may not be explicitly mentioned in the New Testament, giving back to God is something that is deeply embedded in both Jewish and Christian scripture. In short, if it’s something that you believe in and wants to follow, then by all means do!

Before we continue deeper, you can check out our article about tithing on our blog. Maybe you will find the answer to your question about it. Go to: Tithes New Testament – A Guide

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What is Tithing

The Old English root of the term “tithe” denotes “one-tenth.” It is the standard English translation of the Hebrew word group asar from the Old Testament. The tithe was a gift made to the Lord out of gratitude and devotion derived from one’s agricultural revenue.

Tithes were paid in crops or cattle rather than money, gold, or other things in the Old Testament agricultural economy because only the agricultural produce of the Promised Land was to be tithed—not other sources of income.

Many believe that followers of Christ should tithe, which is defined as contributing 10% of one’s income, and many worship sessions refer to “tithes and offerings.” Others share the same conviction that Christians are not compelled to give tithes.

Which perspective is truer to God’s Word?

No, believers shouldn’t sever ties with one another on this issue. Love is much more significant than how we feel about tithing (1 Cor. 13).

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Tithing in the Old Testament

What is said about tithing in the Old Testament? Hebrews makes reference to Abraham’s gift of a tenth of his battle loot to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:20) in order to argue for the superiority of Melchizedek’s priesthood over Levi’s (Heb. 7:4–10).

Jacob made a covenant with God when they first met at Bethel, and the patriarch agreed to give God a tenth of all the blessings he received (Gen. 28:22).

Israel gave the Lord a tenth of its seed, fruit, and flocks (Lev. 27:30–32; Deut. 14:22–24; cf. 2 Chron. 31:5–6; Neh. 13:5, 12). The Levites were supported by the people by the giving of a tenth (Num. 18:21–24; compare Neh. 10:38; 12:44), and the Levites were required to provide a tenth to the chief priest (Num. 18:25–28). Those who did not tithe were promised a blessing, while those who did so were threatened with a curse (Mal. 3:8–10).

It’s challenging to determine how much Old Testament Israel gave, despite our tendency to presume that they contributed a total of 10%. We can’t go into great detail in this short essay, but some people believe that the Israelites paid 14 tithes during a seven-year period, while others say they paid 12. However, when we total up the necessary tithes, the sum unquestionably exceeded 10%. In actuality, the rate was probably over 20 percent annually.

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Is Tithing Biblical in the New Testament

There is a lot of debate surrounding the topic of tithing in the New Testament. Is tithing biblical in the New Testament?

“If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and who, when they have chastened him, will not heed them, then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city, to the gate of his city.

If someone has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him, his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the gate of his town. They shall say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.” Then all the men of his town are to stone him to death. You must purge the evil from among you. All Israel will hear of it and be afraid. Deuteronomy 21:18-21.

He disclosed to the congregation that Mr. and Mrs. Tunde George’s son had been disobedient. All of the options for counseling him have been explored by the parents and the church. They’ve come to the decision that he can no longer be saved.

The pastor regrets to inform the congregation that their only option is to demand that the boy be stoned to death in accordance with the Law of Moses.

Without further ado, this stoning will occur in the parking lot after the service. To ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn, all parents should make an effort to attend with their kids.

Read more about tithing in the new testament in our article here: Tithing in the New Testament – Why is it Important?

Tithing deception

What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!, according to the New Testament. 6:15 in Romans

The New Testament contains absolutely no verses urging Christians to give alms. Jesus once made reference to the practice, but he wasn’t speaking of New Testament Christians; he was referring to Pharisees who were still following the Law of Moses.

However, he emphasized that even in terms of the law, tithing was not a significant issue. 23:23 in Matthew. The only other passage in the New Testament that mentions tithing states that people can only receive tithes “according to the law.” (5: Hebrews 7). Then it makes clear that the entire law was repealed, including the tithe.

The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. Hebrews 7:18-19.

But there is one passage of scripture that stands above all others. It is a preachers’ favorite. It is said endlessly. However, the Old Testament also serves as a foundation for the scripture.

The LORD of hosts says, “‘Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this, If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.” according to that verse. (Malachi 3:10).

We’re sure that many Christians have already heard this verse used in reference to them in a church setting. The ingenuity of today’s pastors lies in their capacity to dupe churchgoers into thinking that while verses like Deuteronomy 21:18–21 are no longer applicable under the New Testament, Malachi 3:10 still applies and is thus still required.

Robbers and thieves

Because of this, let us declare it unequivocally: every pastor who takes tithes from his congregation is a thief and a robber. It is clear why this is the case. Pastors of Christian churches, who are purportedly governed by a New Testament constructed upon better promises, have no business collecting tithes if Jewish rabbis, whose frames of reference remain the Old Testament from Genesis to Malachi, do not.

Pastors cannot assert that Christians are no longer subject to the law in one breath while maintaining their insistence on tithe payments in the next. The legal obligation to pay tithes is a duty.

Jesus chastised the Pharisees for observing only a portion of the law. Pastors that collect tithes today expect Christians to do that. However, if they demand that tithes must be paid, they also need to urge that the rest of the law be upheld. James points out:

“Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10.

Pastors ought to abstain from eating pork if they insist on giving tithes. Adulterers should be stoned, homosexuals executed, Sabbath violators should be stoned, animals should be sacrificed, and the impoverished should be allowed to harvest the corners of their fields.

Given the unique teachings about the kingdom of God, it would now be wrong to practice any of these, hence Jesus cautions against trying to put new wine in an old bottle. Matt. 9:16–17

Even more deceit

By arguing that although Christians are no longer subject to the law, the payment of tithes predated the law, pastors attempt to cover up this discrepancy. Abraham and his grandson Jacob are both given as excellent examples of people who paid tithes prior to the adoption of the Law of Moses.

These arguments are deceptive, though. Tithing was only an example and not a commandment prior to the law. Pastors also neglect to explain that Abraham only tithed once throughout his life. When he did, he not only tithed the proceeds of battle, but also his personal money.

He offered Melchisedec, the king of Salem, 10% of the loot he captured in exchange for saving Lot. The remainder, however, was all given back to the king of Sodom (i.e., 90%), and he did not even keep the remainder.

Jacob, on the other hand, only tithed once. He accomplished this by a “let’s make a deal” agreement he had with God, an arrangement that hardly sets a precedent for righteousness.

“Jacob made a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God. And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.’” Gen 28:20-22.

Any sincere believer cannot use this game of tit-for-tat with God as a benchmark.

Jerusalem Council

Regardless, the Jerusalem Council put the final nail in the law’s coffin. The disciples of Jesus sent a circular stating that they were not required to follow the Law of Moses when a disagreement emerged on whether Gentile Christians had to be circumcised in accordance with the law.

“It seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.” (Acts 15:28-29).

There is no reference to tithing because it is no longer necessary. They were given the power to make such an order by Jesus. They heard him say: “Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” (Matthew 18:18).

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Conclusion

Thanks for reading! In this blog, we will be discussing the topic of tithing in the New Testament. By doing so, we hope to provide you with a concise overview of the biblical teaching on tithing and answer any of your questions. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

First and foremost, tithing is an Old Testament practice that is found in Leviticus 19:26–27. This scripture states: “You shall tithe of all that your land produces in the year of jubilee. You shall give to the LORD your tithe of the first fruits of your land, and of the increase of your herds and of your flocks. And you shall eat no fat or blood.”