I'll Tithe, But...

We've been exploring the idea of tithing for the church. We looked at one of the scriptures used to support tithing in the church prior to the Law which was Abram giving a tithe to Melchizedek. When viewing this in a sound way we see that there is no evidence to support the claim that tithing for the church should be a standard or and obligation. However, to be fair, we will now explore the second passage of scripture that certain sects of the church uses to support tithing as a standard or obligation in the church.

Genesis 28:20-22 we see some serious differences between what Jacob does and the churches approach to tithing...

• First, this appears to be a one time act and not an on going obligation or standard...
• Scripture does not reveal that Jacob ever tithed again for the rest of his life...
• Jacob’s tithe was on the condition that God first blessed and protected him...
• This tithe was voluntary...
• In all that God had promised (Genesis 28:13-15) there was no requirement made by God or nothing said by God that Jacob was obligated to tithe...
• Finally, there is no evidence in scripture the Jacob taught his sons to tithe...

Do you see the similarities with the two passages of scripture Genesis 14:15-24, Genesis 28:20-22? Although these two passages of scripture are used in the many sects of the church to support tithing as an standard or obligation, we can honestly see that what the church teaches and what we actually see in the scripture are quite different.

Just think about this one thing. Jacob’s tithe was on the condition that God first blessed and protected him. So if God does not bless and protect Jacob, then Jacob does not have to tithe. This is completely opposite to what the church teaches on tithing. It teaches that believers are to tithe first then God will bless and protect. What do we suppose the reaction would be if a believer went their pastor and said, “If God blesses and protects me first then I will tithe”. Of course that would be absurd. Believers receive blessings and protection through their faith in Jesus Christ not through tithing.

The point is, Laws keep believers from operating by grace through faith in which there is freedom. The Apostle Paul said in his letter to the church at Galatia, " Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us FREE, and DO NOT be ENTANGLED again with a yoke of BONDAGE". He was talking about freedom by grace verses bondage serving the Law.

Which would you prefer to do, tithe because as a believer that is what you are obligated to do or give cheerfully and bountifully because the grace of God is abounding on you?