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TithingThe paying of tithe is well established in Old Testament Scripture. First, let's consider some references on tithing in the New Testament. Jesus' Attitude of Giving EverythingJesus addressed some serious issues on the night before His crucifixion. He talked about, or demonstrated:Serving Him, Service to one another, Having a part with Him in what He was and would always be.
On Other Occasions Jesus Had Gone Over What Was Needed to Have a Place in the Kingdom of God.Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Mark 10:17-23 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? [18] And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. [19] Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. [20] And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. [21] Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. [22] And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. [23] And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! (same in Luke 18:18)
When you inherit something, you do not earn it in the traditional way of getting something. You are given that which you inherit.
Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Judgment
Jesus clearly said that judgment, mercy, and faith are more important. But He also said that tithe ought not be neglected. Why?
Tithing is all about our philosophy of life. It is one of those things that demonstrates whether our philosophy of life covers practical matters.
Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Matthew 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Oh, but some people say, my money is protected by FDIC. And our community does not have thieves.
We will eventually see how well the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation does when everything fails at the same time. When time is nearly over, then we may well wish we had faithfully used our resources for God's purposes when the money was still worth something. If you struggle with tithe and offerings, what makes you think you will be strong when God asks you stand for Him when it is unpopular to do so?
Life is a series of tests. The tests that matter most prepare us for the tests yet to come. There comes a time in a student's study life when he, or she, looks forward to being tested. Tests show us if we "have studied to show ourselves approved." 2 Timothy 2:15
John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Fathers commandments, and abide in his love.
Deuteronomy 5:10 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.
Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
This call for God's mercy is only possible because of your faith in Jesus Christ.
According to Jesus, judgment, mercy, and faith are very important and ought to be done without leaving the tithe paying undone. The law calls for all of these. The grace of God changes your heart.
People sometimes are heard to say, or at least they find themselves thinking, "It's my business. Its up to me whether or not I do it." This is true. Its up to you. Everything is up to you. It is the same way with every relationship. It's up to you. God has certainly done His part. He is reasonable in what He asks of us. He ask of us what is best for us.
When we have determined that it is God who does the asking, certainly, we will want to give of our best to Him.
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