It is no secret that not all Christians understand why they give tithes. Many do this as an act of obedience to their pastors, but they do not have personal revelation and knowledge of this matter. Some people easily give even more than just a tithe, others do not do it at all. Today we will discuss the benefits of tithing in the Bible.
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What is tithing?
One-tenth of all that man produces with his labor was understood as tithing "And every tithing on earth is from the seeds of the ground or the fruits of a tree belongs to the Lord" (Leviticus 27:30).
What is tithing in the Bible?
Tithing is first mentioned in Genesis. 14:20: Abraham gave a tenth of all that he had to Melchizedek, the priest. Tithing was also practiced in other nations during the time of the biblical patriarchs.
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The firstborn of the people were dedicated to God, and the firstborn of animals were offered on the eighth day as a sacrifice to God. In the Old Testament, Levites stood holding a baton in their hands, counted out every tenth animal and took it as tithe regardless of the state of the animal, and if the owner intervened and tried to replace the good with the bad or vice versa, both the chosen and the substitutes were taken.
Redemption of items of tithing, that is, the replacement of products with cash equivalent, was unprofitable since another 5% tithe needed to be added. Thus, God showed the Jewish people that tithing required the fruits of labor itself and not money.
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Bible verses about tithing
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There are more than 30 tithes in the bible verses. Here are the most commonly used tithing in the bible verses:
- Genesis 28:22
This stone, which I have set up as a pillar, will be God's house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.
- Malachi 3:6-10
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. "For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed. "From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statutes and have not kept them Return to Me, and I will return to you," says the LORD of hosts. "But you say, 'How shall we return?
- Leviticus 27:30-33
Thus all the tithe of the land, of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S; it is holy to the LORD. 'If, therefore, a man wishes to redeem part of his tithe, he shall add to it one-fifth of it. 'For every tenth part of herd or flock, whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the LORD
- Genesis 14:18-20
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. He blessed him and said, Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth.
Tithing and the New Testament
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What replaced tithing in New Testament time? Apostle Paul does not determine the specific amount or part of the income that Christians should collect for the needs of the Church, but suggests: "On the first day of the week, let everyone ... save some of the money from his earnings" (1 Cor. 16: 2).
The Corinthians had to think in advance about how much they could donate and regularly save a certain amount so that when Paul arrives, not to feel forced to give because in this case, someone would give reluctantly or under the influence of emotions. Every Christian himself had to determine how much he would give, "as he decided in his heart" (2 Cor. 9: 5-7).
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To "generously reap," the Corinthians needed to "generously sow." Never had to give everything to the last. Donations were “accepted with special favor,” depending on what a person has and not on what he does not have (2 Cor. 8: 12-13; 9: 6). In his later letter, the apostle warned: "But if someone does not care about the needs ... of his household, he denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever" (1 Tim. 5: 8). Paul did not encourage sacrifice in such proportions that would violate this principle.
It should be noted that Paul conducted "collections for the saints," who were in need. Nowhere in the Bible do we read that Paul or other apostles collect funds or tithes as payment for their ministry (Acts 3: 6). Although Paul accepted gifts from the congregations with appreciation. (1 Thess. 2: 9; Phil. 4: 15-18).
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