February 25: Tithing

People get pretty uncomfortable when you start talking about tithing. Well, that’s just the kind of topics we like to discuss at Thursday Night Life! Let me just start this by letting you know that we do not collect a tithe. We do accept donations. Especially in the form of food! If you have been to one of our meetings, you know that we always have awesome food. With that out of the way…

Here are the questions:
Why do we tithe?
Do we have to tithe?

The New Testament doesn’t mention tithing as much as the Old Testament does. But, Jesus does mention tithing here...

Matthew 23:23 (New International Version)
23"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former."

Clearly Jesus is giving a lesson in mercy kindness and faithfulness. He is also letting us know that these traits are not interchangeable with tithing. It’s safe to say that Jesus is promoting tithing in this passage.

The next verse is from the Old Testament. It is a personal favorite of mine because God says that we can test Him:

Malachi 3:8-12 (New International Version)
8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. 12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.

First, let me say that calling people God robbers is not something I would advise doing. This is from the Old Testament and as Christians we are no longer under that Law. However we can still have faith in this promise from God. If we tithe He will give it back to us “press down shaken together and running over.” (Luke 6:38)

While I think it is safe to say that tithing is not going to affect our salvation, it is an important part of the Christian life. God promises us great things if we give. I understand that times are financially tough for many families. But, I can tell you from experience that if you decide that you’re going to be obedient to God and give that he WILL bless you beyond what you think is possible. You might consider what blessing you’re missing out on by not giving back to God.