Gary Wainwright Follower of Jesus Christ, Husband, Father, Civil Engineer

Nowhere in the New Testament does it state that Jesus or any of His apostles ever collected tithes or instructed believers to pay tithes.

The apostle Paul did not teach that everyone is obligated to tithe or to even give, however he teaches that giving is completely voluntary (2 Corinthians 9:7 NLT “You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”). The first apostolic council in Acts 15 does not say that Gentile believers should title either. There is absolutely no evidence that any Gentile Christian in the First Century ever tithed anything. 

Tithing in the Law of Moses was never about giving as there was nothing voluntary in tithing. Failure to tithe would have resulted in a violation of the Law. 

New Testament believers are no longer under the Law as stated in Romans 7:6 NLT “But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.” and Galatians 5:1 NLT "So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law."

January 05 2014 • 10 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jason Anderson

I have tithed my whole life and find a million personal examples of why it is good. Of course it isn’t law, but why wouldn’t I be so thankful to my God for freely giving me everything? Why wouldn’t I release promises that respond to principles in the word? (Mal 3) Certainly I can have everlasting life without tithing, but why not enjoy it while I’m here by having a blessing poured into my world in so much a portion that I cannot contain it? 

Of course it is voluntary, but so is every decision we make. For the law does nothing but amplify sin, and it is the grace of God that affords me all things. Yet it is still a good idea not to live a life led by my sinful nature, doing what seems right to me and ignoring the wisdom of God.

I used to also believe the New Testament didn’t mention tithing. I think it is because I was just doing “word searches” instead of really reading it over and over. I have found the more I read it the more I don’t know about what the New Covenant is teaching or asking.

So here we go:
Hebrews 7:8 (NIV) In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living.

The first portion of this scripture is the tithe collected under the law, collected by Levites, and leading unto death since the Old Covenant has been replaced. Here you tithed because if you didn’t you were headed towards curses and death. (Deut 28).

The second half of this interests me greatly. It is in the present tense, meaning not only did it happen to Abraham (before the law and under grace), but it is ongoing today. Jesus is still collecting the tithe, and apparently, will continue to do so as long as He is living. He can’t be speaking of the priest that Abraham tithed to, but instead, the metaphor, the idea of Christ who lives in us today. 

He is still collecting the tithe. Hmmmm. Still doing it today. Right here in the New Testament. He is in you, and 10% of all your increase belongs to the Lord. The cross did not remove God’s portion or partnership in your wealth. He freely gives us all things, and then Jesus quietly with in us is prodding, “Be generous. Help me advance the Kingdom.” I think we get so angry about tithing after years of resisting that voice. It creates stress. It is just so much easier to recognize that if a voice in you is telling you not to give, that voice is not the voice of God. For God expresses love in giving, and Satan expresses himself as the taker. (Thief)

That is my 2 cents. I don’t know if it will mean anything to anyone. Ultimately, just put your faith in Jesus, make Him Lord, trust God, and everything else starts to click in life. 

Peace to all.

February 21 2019 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report