The Tithe
First, the word tithe means 10 % or a specific amount.
Second, the tithe is to be the first fruits of all increase. God does not come 2nd, 3rd or 4th.
The debate on whether tithing is New Testament or not is absolutely ridiculous. Anyone who understands the Bible or truly prays knows that tithes are and always will be an everlasting part of our relationship with God. The first recorded act of tithing is in Genesis 4:3-7. Notice verse 3 says, “Cain brought an offering”; verse 4 says, “Abel brought first fruits.” God respected Abel’s offering and rejected Cain’s. Why? Abel gave to God a specific offering and Cain did not. Verse 7 basically says Abel did well but Cain sinned. This took place about 1300 years before the Law. In Genesis 14, Abram gives to Melchizedek the tithe. This was 1100 years before the Law, and in Hebrews 7 (New Testament) Paul writes that Melchizedek was in place to represent Christ. Hebrews 7:5 says the priests are commanded of the Law to receive the tithe, but verse 6 says Abraham did the better by giving tithe not under the Law. In Genesis 29, Jacob said he would give a tenth unto God, 800 years before the Law.
So how did tithing come to be a law? Because, after so long, God’s people had to be taught right from wrong; their hearts grew cold and rebellious. And just because it was a law doesn’t mean it didn’t come from the heart. Look up II Samuel 24:24. Now remember, Christ did not come to change the Law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). Malachi, the last book in the Old Testament, Chapter 3 and verses 1-12 clearly foretell of the coming of Christ and Him bringing God’s people back to righteousness and our giving once again pleasant to God, because it comes from our heart, out of our spirit.
Now for the New Testament—in Luke 11:42 Jesus scolds the Pharisees for only paying tithe and says to not forget God’s judgment and love, then it says, yes you should tithe, but don’t forget the other (notice Jesus said). In Acts Chapter 5, Ananias and Sapphira sold some property and kept back part of the price, meaning a specific amount. Anyone with sense knows what that is—the tithe. A lot of people need to read verses 3 thru 5. Satan continues to fill peoples’ hearts with lies and they listen. People want to see the word tithe in the New Testament, but how silly is that? Remember the Bible is just one story, not many. I understand that what we were in the beginning—Abel, Abraham and Jacob—is what God wanted us to be. I understand we failed., but I also understand that, through Christ, God brought us back to a heart condition once again.
Remember, the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10); it causes people to leave the faith. Don’t listen to lies; give God what is His—ALL OF IT!
May God bless you,
Pastor Keith Conard
P.S. Matthew 22:21 says, “Give God what is His,” that’s a specific amount— the tithe
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