The above quotation taken from The Maxwell Leadership Bible, p.1508 epitomises the central argument of this piece which bothers on the imperatives of paying tithes to the Church of God. Interestingly, an issue that has generated heated debate recently in Christendom is the scriptural basis for tithing in the New Testament. Having followed closely different strands of arguments on same, I feel compelled to make this contribution so that committed believers may not be misled by modern day human philosophy which Apostle Paul warned us against-Colossians 2:8.
The origin of tithe emanated from Genesis 14:17-20, where Abram ‘gave a tithe of all’ to Melchizedek, King of Salem for the victory Abram recorded at battle and the accompany war booty. Since then believers had been giving God their tithes. The law about tithe had not been given, but Abram observed it and he was blessed by God. Subsequently, when God gave law to Moses, tithe became compulsory-Leviticus 27:30 God demanded “all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s”. Israelites were both farmers and cattle rearers, thus God asked for their tithes not only money but flocks and farm produce – Leviticus 27:32; Deut. 14:28.
However, with global economic changes in terms of means of exchange, money, rather than commodity became the mode of tithing. Tithe is ten percent of one’s income/profit. Even scribes and Pharisees, regarded to be hypocrites during the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ were known to be good tithers. In Malachi 3:8, God commanded all to pay tithe. To evade it like tax is to have been robbing God! (read verses 9-12). This shows the seriousness of the matter and the accompanying blessings and curses. As at the time Jesus Christ was born into the world, Israelites were paying tithe – Luke 18:12. They paid tithes of all that they possessed.
Meanwhile, the basis of the baseless controversy is amusing. First, a number of modern day Christians do not know how to handle tithe. It is not for your pastor! Rather, it must be paid directly to the church. If given to a Pastor directly, you have only given a gift out not tithe see Malachi 3:8. Not only should that tithe not be paid from loan, but from your profit. If you owe another person, it is rather preferable to settle your debt first to human being you can see to payment of tithe to God. The Lord will be happier that you make another person comfortable than rob him to satisfy God.
As a tither, don’t pay tithe from stolen money or gambling. Proceeds of unholy sources of income will not be rewarded by God. If you are to give God tithe, it must be in full. Anything less than ten percent is not tithe but rather offering in another guise. For churches of God and men of God, the scripture equally recommends payment of tithe from tithe –Nehemiah 10:38. In essence, individuals and churches are commanded to pay tithe. Virtually all orthodox and old ministries know how they do it.
Be that as it may, God will not reward tithes from a believer that is not genuinely born again. What may be frustrating is to be a tither and not recompensed by God. Only tithers that have experienced personal encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ are rewarded by him – Hebrews 13:14. However, the nexus between salvation and tithe is very thin. Ordinarily, it has nothing to do with your salvation if you pay tithe without knowledge of Christ; it is a waste of money. Tithe is for children of God alone. God desire to have our heart more than our money. This makes nonsense of the whole controversy. A born again Christian will derive joy giving to his saviour while lukewarm Christians will dissipate energy on scriptural issues without the leading of the Holy Christ.
In the final analysis, the way tithe should be expended is glaring from the scriptures. When Israelites got to the land of Cannan that God promised them, Levites were not allocated land for agricultural purposes. Reason, they were wholly dedicated to the work of God Nehemiah 10:38. In this New Testament era, only full time ministers of the gospel are entitled to be paid by the Church from proceed of tithes. A church planter is not the owner of tithe but God. Thus, they can only be drawing fixed salary from the church if they do the work in God’s vineyard on full-time basis. God’s money is not ours. In developed countries, Pastors’ don’t handle church money as if it were theirs. It is to be held in trust for the ministry.
Conclusively, there ought not to be any controversy vis-à-vis tithe. But human beings are naturally miserly which compelled God to decree that we must give liberally and at the same time no one must appear before God empty-handed –Deut. 15:16b, 17. Our tithe is a sign that all silver and gold belongs to God (Haggai 2:8). From whatever magnitude given to us by Him it must be convenient to return tithe to Him. For those who assume it is an Old Testament injunction, Jesus did not come to the world to obliterate the law but rather to give us the grace to abide by the law (See Mathew 5:17). Hebrews 7:8, 9 has put paid to the baseless agitations that New Testament does not request us to pay tithe. If mortals (human beings) collect tithe from us here on earth, it is translated in the spiritual realm and given to the immortal. Whatever you give here, assume it is unto the Lord that is not physical. The arguments that Pastors are lazy sluggard people feeding fat on your tithe do not hold water. In Galatia 6:6, we are charged to take good care of those teaching us the word of God.
May the good Lord grant us the grace to abide by His words. His commandments are not burdensome – I John 5:3. The moment any scriptural injunction like restitution, tithing or holiness is a burden to you, then you are not a lover of God.
Love Him with your substance.
Pastor Ojo is the Senior Pastor – Sanctuary of Christ Evangelical Church, Ibadan.
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