A tithe is a mathematical expression referring to one part of every ten parts of the blessings God gives us. It is not specifically commanded in the New Testament neither is it condemned nor contemned. The New Testament does not record Jesus practice of the tithe, but then, not everything Jesus did is recorded (John 21:25).
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices mint, dill and cummin. But you neglected the more important matters of the law – justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practised the latter, without neglecting the former (Mathew 23:23) see also (Luke 11:42; 18:12; Hebrews 7:1-10).
According to the above text, tithe should be paid, but it does not replace living justly, being merciful and faithful to God. The phrase “you should have practised the latter, without neglecting the former” suggests that tithing should be paid alongside justice, mercy and faithfulness”
The summary is “practise the latter” (justice, mercy and faithfulness), “without neglecting the former” (tithing). This text clearly shows that Jesus taught tithing in a New Covenant post-law context. If Jesus had neglected His tithe, the Pharisees would have pointed it out.
To the early Christians, tithing was not a new doctrine. The only Bible they used was the Old Testament. The New Testament did not begin to exist until over thirty years after the ascension of Christ. It took long before the followers of Jesus wrote because they were busy doing evangelism and were expecting His imminent return. Also, there was the oral tradition that was considered authoritative and reliable particularly when the eyewitnesses were still alive.
Those who limit tithing to those under the law of the Old Testament should realise that the bible is not divided rather it comprises of both the Old and New Testaments as the singular word of God (II Tim.3:16).
The moral restraints of the Old Testament did not lose their effect when the New Testament was produced. From earliest times, all Christians have accepted both testaments as canonical and normative for faith and life.
The tithe was not introduced under the law, it was merely regulated under it. Some persons that paid tithe in the Bible were not coerced to pay it. They simply but voluntarily paid it out of gratitude to God for His blessings. Such persons include Abraham (Genesis 14:20) and Jacob (Genesis 28: 20-22).
In conclusion, tithing is not a condition for salvation. There is no direct command to pay tithe in the New Testament, but then, it is not a licence for careless giving, nor advocation for its cessation. Deductively then, tithe must not be a legalistic requirement and whether to tithe from one’s net or gross income is not answered in the Bible.
If you do not want to pay tithe, leave it, but if you have made up your mind then pay because nothing is wrong in giving ten percent unless you do not have the grace to give. Many Christians are willing to pay their tithes but a good number of them are jobless and poor. May God help you to do legitimate things that will bring you money.
Practically, every church helps its members. Few churches that have aircrafts use them for evangelism. Pastors must not use their sermons to flog their church members and make them guilty over tithe matters. Every pastor should have something doing that brings him money, in addition to preaching. This has become necessary so that when the tithes cease, the life and ministry of the pastor will not come to an end.
Please, all forms of innuendoes, sarcasm, invectives and insults on this issue should cease. If you are a child of God, listen to His voice and do whatever He tells you.
Rev. Dr. Clifford Anumaka is a lecturer at LIFE Theological Seminary Ikorodu.
Quite enlightening; not condemning but rather instructive. - Jesuloluwa OA
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