As Christians, we are called to tithe – giving 10% of our income to the church. But what is tithing in new testament? This is a question that has been debated for centuries, and there is no one right answer. Some people believe that tithing is simply giving a percentage of your income to the church, while others believe that tithing is giving something extra beyond the ordinary.
Regardless of what you believe, teaching tithing to your congregation is an important task. This blog post provides answers to some of the most common questions about tithing in new testament, as well as tips on how to make tithing easier for your congregation.
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
What is Tithing in New Testament
What is the Tithe
Giving back is a great way to feel good about yourself and connect with God. The tithe is the tenth of your income that you give to God as a thank you for all he has done for you. Tithes are not optional—they are an important part of being a Christian and following Jesus Christ.
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.
However, it appears that there are three tithes in the Old Testament, two of which are paid yearly and a third of which is paid every three years, or an average of 23.3 percent of one’s annual yield from the land. Today, we typically think of the tithe as “10 percent.”
The tithe was never paid in isolation because there was also room for personal donations and freewill gifts.
Abraham and Jacob both gave tithes (Genesis 4:17–20; Genesis 28:22); tithes were established in the God-given law through Moses (Deuteronomy 12; Deuteronomy 14; Deuteronomy 26); and the prophets chastised the Israelites for neglecting to contribute the tithe to God (Malachi 3:8).
Although the concept of the tithe is still there in the New Testament (Matthew 23:23), believers are never specifically mentioned in connection with it. As a result of the gospel of the Lord Jesus, which is built on faith in God as Provider, the vast majority of Christians are instead exhorted to more extravagant freewill giving (2 Corinthians 9:6-10).
Read more about tithing in the new testament in our article here: Tithing in the New Testament – Why is it Important?
Tithing is a Heart-Centered Issue
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:21
Let’s first examine the meaning and motivation for the tithe. The fundamental idea behind tithing and charitable giving is that our actions with money reflect the state of our hearts. Where your treasure is, your heart will be, according to Matthew 6:21.
Giving away 10% or more of our income rather than keeping it for ourselves demonstrates that our hearts are not attached to our finances and that we value God above material possessions.
More than 800 times in the Bible are references to money, and more than half of all of Jesus’ parables dealt with it. Why? mostly because a lot of people trip over there!
Money doesn’t grasp us as tightly when we are able to give at least 10% of our income back to God because we understand that He is in charge of our finances. We keep in mind that He is the source of everything we possess.
Even though the majority of us likely work for the money we earn each month, God is still involved since He has endowed us with the skills necessary to perform our jobs. The majority of people who genuinely understand what God has given them tend to concur that 10% doesn’t even feel like enough!
Is tithing required
The idea that tithing is “necessary” or “mandated,” as if it is something that puts believers in bondage, offended several readers who reacted. But do God’s requirements really hold us captive?
Tithing is a benefit and something that will enhance our lives, just as God commands us to love one another, keep sex inside marriage, and put His kingdom first (as well as help the lives of others).
Since salvation is not by works, skipping a tithe won’t necessarily condemn you to hell but will instead help you live a better life and deepen your relationship with God.
We also recognize that there may be some church leaders who attempt to guilt-trip and pressure members into giving, but research indicates that the majority of church leaders glorify God in this regard by wanting to share God’s best with the members they care about and are entrusted with shepherding.
Read more about this section in our article here: Is There Tithing in the New Testament – Why Tithing Is Not Required Now
Old Testament Law vs New Testament Practices
The most contentious question is undoubted whether the tithe applies solely to Old Testament verses or if it also applies to New Testament verses.
Although Malachi 3:10–12 in the Old Testament is the passage that mentions the tithe most frequently, the tenth is also mentioned in the New Testament.
In Matthew 23:23, Jesus addresses the Pharisees and chastises them for paying their tithes down to the last penny while ignoring the more crucial matters of justice, kindness, and faith.
Then he continues by advising them that while they should tithe, they shouldn’t disregard the more crucial matters. Jesus understood the significance of paying the tithe, and so should we.
Although many of the Old Testament’s customs are incomprehensible to us today, many of them are included in the New Testament’s law of grace as part of Christ’s promise to not do away with the law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17).
For instance, we no longer give animals as sacrifices, but as believers, we are still commanded to make a living sacrifice of ourselves (Rom 12:1). Men are no longer obliged to undergo circumcision, but the Holy Spirit has given us all a circumcision of the heart instead (Rom 2:29).
While the majority of us lack the produce and grain to contribute to the storehouse, we do have incomes that we can donate the first tenth of to the church. To put it another way, just because something is written in the Old Testament doesn’t mean it doesn’t have some relevance for us now.
While it is true that we are no longer subject to the old law and are instead under the grace of God, we must not lose sight of the fact that grace exists to assist us in living for God and carrying out His will. According to Romans 8:4, Jesus did not come so that we may completely ignore the law’s righteous requirements but rather that they would be fully satisfied in us.
Romans 3:21–31 also explains that we are justified by faith, not by keeping the law, and verse 31 adds “So, does our faith render the law invalid? In no way! We uphold the law instead.” We have the opportunity and ability to tithe because of God’s grace!
How to Explain Tithing to Your Church
Make careful to cite Matthew 23:23 while discussing the value of tithing during service because it says that doing so should go hand in hand with being faithful.
It’s also critical to communicate the basic notion of tithing, which is to acknowledge and believe that God already owns everything.
You should start early when explaining the value of tithing to your church. The youngest members of your congregation can learn the importance of tithing during Bible study and Sunday school.
Interviewing a few devoted churchgoers during the service or bringing them up in your sermon is another great teaching technique.
Discuss how long they have been tithing, if it was difficult to begin tithing, and any advise they would provide to church members who might be on the fence about tithing or worried they can’t pay it.
They must be truthful in their responses if they are to assist individuals who are struggling to make a tithing commitment in their own life.
Above all, be sure to convey tithing in its most basic form:
Giving to the church enables it to do greater good in the world, which is exactly what God has commanded of us. The church can reach out and instruct more individuals about God when we tithe.
It is a straightforward yet potent statement.
When Is Tithing At A Church Appropriate?
In the end, it’s up to you where and when you decide to invest your money. There are a few broad guidelines we like to follow when considering whether or not to give to a church in the form of tithes.
To begin with, avoid contributing to a church out of guilt or if they make you feel sorry. There is absolutely no condemnation for those who believe, according to Romans 8:1. Therefore, churches should refrain from using shame or condemnation as a means of obtaining financial support from their membership.
If you are visiting the church, for example, we prefer to state that you are not required to give. When the pastor calls for an offering, they are speaking with the regular churchgoers. Give if their message touched you or if you feel moved to do so. But just because you went to one service doesn’t mean you have to tithe.
There are many good arguments against tithing to a religion. Here are three fundamental principles you should confirm are true for you and your church before you tithe in order to make things a little easier.
- You wholeheartedly support the church’s mission and those in charge.
- You are committed to the congregation’s growth and regular attendance.
- You tithe joyfully because you genuinely want to, not because you have to or are required to.
Even though this isn’t a perfect system, adhering to these fundamental guidelines will allow you to decide how much and where to tithe. We believe that donating in a pleasant and healthy way is the most enduring kind of help a church can receive.
Are Online Donations possible
Many churches now offer text, mobile, and internet giving, and studies show that all of these choices are really increasing donation amounts.
Churches that accept tithing online increase overall donations by 32%, according to the research.
If your church doesn’t provide this choice, you might wish to suggest a few resources that will enable them to do so. To name a few:
Conclusion
Tithing is an important principle in the New Testament and is a sign of faithfulness. By giving 10% of your income to God, you are giving back what He has given you. Tithing is a matter of the heart and is something that should be practiced by everyone, regardless of their religious beliefs.
Teaching tithing to your congregation is easy with the help of this blog post. Simply provide them with the information they need to tithe effectively and watch the positive impact it has on their lives and the church as a whole. Thank you for reading!
I am a popular Bible Prophecy Teacher who has lived in New York City and taught at Life School since 2010. I prophetic message reaches thousands of people via live webcasts every month and my books, teachings, and DVDs are sold worldwide.
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