What's Gods Word Say About Tithing?
Linda Newton
Linda Newton
The first time the word tithe appears in Scripture is in Leviticus 27:30 & 32, “A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the LORD. 32 The entire tithe of the herd and flock—every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd's rod—will be holy to the Lord.” The word in Hebrew is the word maasrah pronounced mah-as-raw’. It means “one tenth.” In the new testament the word for tithe is asar. It means “give a tenth.” This establishes the biblical precedent to give one tenth of what God has given to us with back to him. (Can you see why the banana concept is such a good illustration?)
Nehemiah further explains what God’s people are to do with the 10% they are offering up. Nehemiah 10:38,” A priest descended from Aaron is to accompany the Levites when they receive the tithes, and the Levites are to bring a tenth of the tithes up to the house of our God, to the storerooms of the treasury.”
As the Lord began to establish a place of worship, He planned a way to provide for it: Deuteronomy 12:11, “Then to the place the Lord your God will choose as a dwelling for his Name—there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice possessions you have vowed to the LORD.”
Proverbs 3:9-10 instructs us, ”Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops, then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” Solomon, the wisest and the richest man of his day, shares the concept of giving God the “firstfruits” of our labor. In our day that would translate to paying God 10% of our earnings, and then paying the rest of our bills. This verse informs us that we will be blessed for making God priority-one, but there is a valuable principle at play here. If we take inventory right after we get paid, give God His portion, then we are more apt think about what we are doing with the rest of our money. I have seen so many folks become far better money managers after they embrace the biblical injunction to tithe.
In Malachi the Scripture speaks about those who would “rob God.” The prophet goes on to explain how God wants to bless those who honor Him. Malachi 3: 10 says, “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.
Verse 17 reads, "They will be mine," says the Lord Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”
Trusting God an amazing challenge, but the church at large and even across the ages proves this is true. The Lord provides when we obey Him. A check shows up from an insurance claim that’s a year old, or the boss suddenly needs you to work overtime and pays you time and a half for doing it. I could go on and on! And maybe you can too! If you have a story about how God has provided for you, call me at church so you can share your story and inspire others with your blessing. The Lord says to test Him on this. He’s saying, “I can’t wait to show you how I can take care of you. Give Me a try.”
In Malachi the Scripture speaks about those who would “rob God.” The prophet goes on to explain how God wants to bless those who honor Him. Malachi 3: 10 says, “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.
Verse 17 reads, "They will be mine," says the Lord Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”
Trusting God an amazing challenge, but the church at large and even across the ages proves this is true. The Lord provides when we obey Him. A check shows up from an insurance claim that’s a year old, or the boss suddenly needs you to work overtime and pays you time and a half for doing it. I could go on and on! And maybe you can too! If you have a story about how God has provided for you, call me at church so you can share your story and inspire others with your blessing. The Lord says to test Him on this. He’s saying, “I can’t wait to show you how I can take care of you. Give Me a try.”