Tithing

What is tithing? In Hebrew it is called MAASER (a tenth – tithe) and in Greek is called DEKATE (a tenth – tithe). The actual origin of applying a tenth to paying tribute to kings and rulers as well as for religious purposes is not known. Historically, this form of rendering a tenth was known to be practiced in ancient Babylon, Persia, Egypt and even China. The first occurrence in the Bible is in the Old Testament Gen.14:17-20; when Abraham paid tithes to Melchisedec: a tenth of all the spoil of the battle. However, it was a long time afterwards paying tithes became law (Num.18:20-32) and provided support for the Levites and priests.
Are we therefore as Christians bounded by the law to pay tithes? The answer is NO. There is absolutely no New Testament scripture requiring believers to pay tithes. In fact, there are only four scriptures that mentioned tithing in the New Testament and none of them stipulate that believers should pay tithes: Mt.23:23; Lk.11:42; Lk.18:12; Heb.7:1-9. Despite this churches continue to exact and demand a tenth of the believer’s wages. For those members who do not respond to their demand or are too poor to do so are openly rebuked and labeled as thieves and robbers as well as cursed by God. Why would a loving God curse His children when in fact Christ came and died to redeem us from under the curse of the law? Gal.3:13; 5:1; Jn.8:36.
Evidently, no one is bounded by the Mosaic Law or any other law to surrender a tenth of your earnings to any church or organization. Gal.4:4-5; 5:4; Heb.7:11-12; 11 Cor.9:6-8. NOTE: if you give less than a tenth you are chastised for breaking the law. However, if you give more than a tenth they would greedily accept it although you are also breaking the law by giving more than a tenth.
God requires of us now, “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” 11 Cor.9:6-8. How can a believer be a cheerful giver if compelled to give a tenth under the law?
Also, for the collection and giving to the saints in the church, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” 1 Cor.16:1-2.
The poor widow woman gave all her living that she had which was two mites that equal a farthing into the temple treasury. If she was obligated to give a tenth according to the law, then in fact she actually broke the law. Jesus highly commended the poor widow woman for her giving in contrast to the others who cast into the treasury of their abundance. Mk.12:41-44.
GOD LOVETH A CHEERFUL GIVER!!