MY TAKE ON THE TITHING DEBATE

Abeiku Okai 

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INTRODUCTION

Some time ago I went to pray for a businessman whose business was going down. He was so frustrated that when I entered the company he began lamenting, "Pastor, I have failed God; I don't pay my tithe faithfully and that is why my business is going down."

I was very troubled in my spirit, hearing him speaking those words. I prayed for him and left. When I went home I had an impression in my spirit to go and offer him some seed money to revamp his business. I had some money that I could generously offer. 

Let me state that some of us, as pastors, give a lot but in the quiet. Many times we even give the little we have to live on with our families - and we do so willingly and joyfully because God puts the word in our spirit. We also give because it is not all the financial blessings people bring us that are for us - some are meant for us to touch the lives of those who need help from us. Therefore, whoever gives to a genuine man of God should know that he is giving to the need of several others he might not personally know. 

I went back to the man's office the next day and I offered him the money as the Lord led me. He was taken aback, he never expected it. Then I told him,

"God doesn't need your tithe to bless you. And if your business is going down it is not because you didn't pay tithe. God wants you to reinvest into your business. Take this money, it is not enough but a support from a brother." 

He was full of relief, joy, and gratitude. 

At that time my ministry was just kicking off and I did not have any doctrinal stand or better knowledge on tithing. I only knew in my spirit that it was wrong to assume God is punishing you because you fail to pay your tithe or not being diligent in tithing would bring your business down. 

Keenly, I have followed the recent tithe debate with great concern, even as both sides of the arguments seem to have strong points to drive home. Admittedly, I have been very careful about this debate because I have good friends and mature people on both sides of the issue and it will be difficult to offend any. However, I cannot also deny the knowledge I have painstakingly gathered and the foundational ground I have gained on an important subject like this just to avoid stepping on toes. Besides, I have followers who look up to me for biblical direction. I owe them the responsibility to lead with truth and conviction. Therefore, follow me with open mindedness and if you have any disagreement, ask questions. 

It is important to state that my experience with God, giving, and money, go far beyond 10%. And I know for a fact that nobody born of God can be cursed because he or she doesn't pay tithe or fails to meet tithe requirements. God would never also punish anybody or cause his business or life to go down because of lack of paying tithe. Nobody will also go to hell for not paying tithe. Similarly, nobody will go to heaven because he or she paid tithe faithfully. 

GENERAL PRINCIPLE OF BIBLICAL GIVING

A critical study of the New Covenant reveals that it matters not whether a person decides to give God 5%, 10%, 20% 30%, or even 100%. What matters is the heart behind the giving. 

"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." (2nd Cor. 9:7).  

This is a fundamental defining principle of giving throughout the ages. It began before the law, continued through the law, and is found within the New Covenant. For example,

"The children of Israel brought a freewill offering to the LORD, all the men and women whose hearts were willing to bring material for all kinds of work which the LORD, by the hand of Moses, had commanded to be done." (Exodus 35:29)

TITHING BEFORE THE LAW OF MOSES

Abraham paid tithe to Melchizedek before the dispensation of the Law of Moses but he did so voluntarily. Obviously, he was not obligated to give 10% because there was no law to that effect. He chose to do so willingly, out of the spoils of war. Probably it was the culture of his days in acknowledging, appreciating or reverencing a deity or higher authority (priest) for victory. 

"And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all." (Genesis 14:20) 

Jacob also promised to give God 10%. To whom was Jacob going to give the tithe? For there is no record of an available priest to receive the 10% from Jacob. Maybe there was an established order by which that could be done. 

"Then 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.” (Genesis 28:20-22)

It was obvious Jacob may have learnt about tithing from Abraham or from the culture of his days. 

Meanwhile, we know that Abraham did not give the tithe in order to be blessed. He did not also give it before the victory. Note also that even if he had not given the tithe, there was no way God would have withdrawn or withheld his blessings because the covenant between Abraham and God was not predicated on tithing.

TITHING UNDER THE LAW OF MOSES. 

Under the Law of Moses, we see the regularisation, not the institution, of tithing. For tithing existed before the law, as we have seen. But under the law it was established to fulfill some civic and religious arrangements concerning;

1. the sustenance of the Levites who had no property or inheritance in Israel; 

2. care for the poor, widows, orphans, and needy; 

3. release of men from bondage (debt and slavery); 

4. caring and re-fertilization of farmlands and farm produce. 

5. Personal ability to partake of religious feasts.

These were necessary arrangements for the building of the  theocratic nation of Israel. The tithes under the law are summed up thus;

1. Levitical Tithe 

2. Poor Tithe

3. Festival Tithe 

Israel were obligated to pay these tithes in a somehow contractual relationship with God under a religious-civic arrangement. That is where the concept of tithing being linked to a form of tax originated. But under the Church age, giving cannot be in a form of civic tax where failure to meet the requirement attracts sanction - or curse as Malachi puts it. 

PROPHET MALACHI ON TITHING. 

In the book of Malachi, we see the prophet Malachi speaking strongly on the transgression of the priests, which included the now controversial clause under the subject of Tithing. It surprises me that the prophet spoke of both tithe and offerings but tithe has been singled out and made to carry the clause of curse; what about the offering? For I have never heard any preacher saying if you don't give offering you are cursed. Why don't we talk the same regarding offerings? Let's read the words of the prophet;

“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In TITHES AND OFFERINGS. You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, even this whole nation."  (Malachi 3:8-9)

The Bible says, 'in TITHES AND OFFERINGS'; did we read that? So let's ask again, is it compulsory to give an offering or it is voluntary? Is offering a means by which we tax the congregation or it is an act of worship? Is a person cursed for not giving an offering? If the answer is no then why do we make tithing a burden with the clause of curse? 

I think the most important question we should be asking is, 'Who was the prophet addressing - the people or the priest?' Malachi 2:1 has the answer:

“And now, O priests, this commandment is for you." 

Scripture must be read and applied in context or else we cause serious blunders in the name of God.

The prophet was addressing the priests for their error. We should not use the verse against the congregation. And certainly he was not also talking about monetary tithe but all the tithing system the priests were desecrating. 

JESUS AND TITHING

In Matthew 23:23 we see Jesus affirming the need to pay tithe. But don't be in a rush to conclude that Jesus has commanded us to pay tithe. Let's read the verse carefully:

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone." 

First of all, Jesus was addressing the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees, who took great delight in tithing but were living a life of injustice, cruelty, and faithlessness. And Jesus clearly said those are the weightier matters. It stands to reason, therefore, that the premium we have placed on tithing is unnecessary. We should rather emphasise justice, mercy, and faith because these are the essential elements of both the Old and the New Covenant - and from eternity to eternity. 

Note also that even the people Jesus said to them that they should indeed pay tithe, he was speaking in context to the law because at the time the law was still in force, and Jesus could not have removed any of its requirements until he fulfilled them. 

Under the Law, they needed to pay the tithe to avoid curses and have the windows of heaven opened to them. They needed to pay tithe to have God rebuking the devourer for them. That is why tithing was most important to them and they neglected the weightier matters Jesus cared about. Unfortunately, we have elevated tithe to the point that the weightier matters are swept under carpet.

In Christianity we don't give to avoid curse. We don't give to obtain blessing. We don't give to gain anointing or be free from any bondage. We don't also give by civic or religious obligation which should attract sanctions for violation. We simply give because we are saved, delivered, blessed and made partaker of God's Kingdom agenda. We give in response to the grace God has shown us and our willing heart to help the poor and needy, and also to ensure the ministry work is ongoing. 

THE DISCIPLES AND TITHING. 

There is nowhere from the book of Acts to Revelation that tithe is commanded. The closest reference is in Hebrews 7. In that scripture, the writer was not commanding or directing us to pay tithe. Remember, the book of Hebrews was written to the Jews. Therefore, he used almost every aspect of the law to point them to Christ, effectively revealing to them how those elements, institutions, and legal arrangements under the law were only a shadow of good things to come. 

"For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect." (Hebrews 10:1)

Hebrews 7, therefore, brings tithing into the discussion to drive home the same fact that tithing under the law was inferior. Let's read the amplified version of Hebrews 7:8 for clarity;

"Furthermore, here [in the Levitical priesthood] tithes are received by men who are subject to death; but in that case [concerning Melchizedek], they are received by one of whom it is testified that he lives on [perpetually]." 

Note that he did not say the Apostles received tithe. He did not say Christians receive tithe. He said under the Levitical priesthood mortal men receive tithe. For at the time, unlike today in Israel, the tithe was still in force because they were still practicing the law. There were also two essential requirements in place: the Levites and the Temple. 

In today's Israel or Judaism, the tithe is not paid because there is no temple and there are no ordained Levites and priests to offer temple services. 

Note carefully that the Apostles were not Levites and so they never received tithe. Paul was from the tribe of Benjamin and, therefore, he never received tithe, even though he expended his whole life into the work of ministry. We pastors are also not Levites, and certainly, our priesthood is not after the order of the Levites but Christ. Christ never received tithe because he was from the tribe of Judah. He only took offering and received supports from his followers for the ministry work.

"And certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who PROVIDED FOR HIM FROM THEIR SUBSTANCE." (Luke 8:2-3)

Therefore, we don't have to pay tithe and we don't have to receive tithe. 

You would argue the writer of Hebrew mentioned that Abraham paid tithe and so we must pay tithe. Let me say that what we follow is not what Abraham did but rather the faith of Abraham. For example, the building of altars and sacrificing of animals began before the law. Abraham built altars and sacrificed animals. Must we do the same thing today? Abraham slept with his wife's servant and had Ishmael. It was never recorded as a sin. Must we do the same? Abraham, out of fear, said his wife was his sister. Must we also throw our wives into danger to save our lives from death? Meanwhile, Abraham was so rich that he could have paid tithe from his riches to Melchizedek but he paid it rather from the spoilt of war. So if we are to strictly follow Abraham, have we gone to war to use the spoils from war to pay the tithe? 

The writer of Hebrew had only used the tithe illustration to prove to his audience that even the tithe requirement in the law was fulfilled by Abraham long before the law, to accentuate that the Levitical priesthood was only temporary. Therefore, he summed it up by saying,

"Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law...For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. (Hebrews 7:8-9; 18-19). 

Following the faith of Abraham is not doing what Abraham did; it is trusting God for our righteousness just as Abraham did. The Bible says,

"And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness." (Genesis 15:6). 

We also believe God as Abraham did and we are made righteous just as he was made rightoues. This has nothing to do with tithing; after all we don't tithe to gain righteousness before God. 

MY CONCLUSION

The first act of giving in the church was voluntary to supply the need of the entire church. The believers gave far more than 10%. The Bible records specifically the giving of a Levite and I want to believe it was mentioned for a good reason;

"Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet." (Acts 4:34-37). 

A careful study of the Apostles, the early church, and the epistles would reveal the following:

1. Generous giving is encouraged:

"Therefore, I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation." (2nd Cor. 9:5)

2. There is no percentage required in giving but purposeful giving with a cheerful heart;

"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." (2nd Cor. 9:7)

3. Cheerful giving opens doors, not as a reward but as grace towards you. 

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work." (2nd Cor. 9:8)

4. Giving helps supply the need of the saints and results also in many thanksgiving to God. 

"For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God." (2nd Cor. 9:12)

5. Giving is not for the purpose of being blessed but because we are already blessed. 

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ." (Ephesians 1:3)

6. Blessing does not mean material gains though material gains cannot be ruled out. Joy and happiness are included in blessing. So when we give generously we are more joyful than when we receive. Only true givers understand the gravity of joy that embraces the heart when you give to the poor and needy. Hence the Bible says, 

"I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” (Acts 20:35)

7. It is a necessity to give to your Bible teachers or pastors - and the ministry because it sustains the pastor and helps the work of ministry. 

"Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them." (Galatians 6:6 NLT). 

8. Even in your extreme poverty you must give generously and cheerfully. Remember the widow's mite. 

"And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity." (2nd Cor. 8:1-2)

9. God is first interested in you, not your money. So give yourself first to God, before your money or offering. 

"And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God." (2nd Cor. 8:5)

10. Your riches are tied to the sacrifice of Christ, not your giving. Since Christ died for you and took your place of poverty, you are at liberty to work hard, be diligent and submit your life to the life of productivity and good management without fearing any curse or spiritual setback in your business and finances. 

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich." (2nd Cor. 8:9). 

NB: Meanwhile, if a person decides to call his giving tithing or whatever, or to give whatever amount below or above 10%, of his income or gifts, so long as he is not coerced or motivated by guilt and fear, his giving is well accepted and worth it. Thus we should not fight or make issues over names and mathematics. Let's focus on the weightier matters: Justice, Mercy, and Faith. 

BIC Abeiku Okai

Anathallo Chapel Int.

(General Steward)

(+233) 0249287855 (WhatsApp)