What is a tithe?

The tithe was a requirement of the Law in which all Israelites were to give 10 percent of everything they earned and grew to the tabernacle/temple (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5).

What is Tithing and Tithe?

It is a tenth of your income. Leviticus 27:30, TLB. “A tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain or fruit, is the Lord’s, and is holy.”

What is tithe used for?

In the Old Testament, the tithe was used to support the priests. Numbers 18:20-21, NKJV. “Then the LORD said to Aaron: “You shall have no inheritance in their land, nor shall you have any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel. “Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting.

Does God need our tithe?

No. Psalm 50:10-12, NKJV. “For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are Mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is Mine, and all its fullness.”

Why then do we still talk about tithe in church?

Tithing is a way of teaching us that God must be our first priority. Deuteronomy 14:22-23, TLB. “You must tithe all of your crops every year. Bring this tithe to eat before the Lord your God at the place He shall choose as His sanctuary; this applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn of your flocks and herds. The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives.”

What is an offering?

An offering is that which is freely given by Christians to the work of the Lord, the local church, and/or ministries and missions. But offerings are far more than simply the check we write on Sunday. We are to offer much more to God than our monetary resources. Romans 12:1 exhorts us to offer our bodies “As living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God” as part of our worship. Furthermore, Paul states that believers should set aside a portion of their income as an offering, but this is not a tithe (1 Corinthians 16:1–2).

Should a New Testament believer tithe?

While the Bible does not require the New Testament believers to pay tithe, we believe, answer to this question varies based on spiritual maturity; personal conviction through the Person of the Holy Spirit, and an individual’s depth of the word of God, love for God and the zeal to see as many people saved.

Eternal Food Ministry believes that believers should tithe, based on the following biblical injunctions:

• In Matthew 5:17, Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” Eternal Food Ministry believes that if we pay tithe, even though we are not commanded to do so in the New Testament, we are not acting contrary to the word of God; because Jesus fulfilled all the law.
• In Luke 11:42, Matthew 23:23, Jesus, even though was rebuking the Pharisees, still recognized and lauded their practice of paying the tithe. “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.” (NIV). Eternal Food Ministry believes that we are better off to practice something that the Lord complimented.
• Eternal Food Ministry believes that a genuine believer who is totally yielded to God and is ruled by the Holy Spirit will not have any difficulty to give unto God, as a sign of their love and honor, to their Redeemer. “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase.” Proverbs 3:9. It is also a token of practicing the simple life of faith to which we have been called, and demoting the idol of money worship, which has become rife in the lives of many. “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” 1 Timothy 6:7-8.
• Eternal Food Ministry believes that a disciple of Christ Jesus who understands the enormity of eternal separation from Christ will do everything, to support the preaching of the gospel. We count it a blessing to be a partaker in the expansion of the course of the Cross, and to see that the gospel is preached physically, in print, on air, social media and many more. Isaiah 32:20, “Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the donkey.”
• Eternal Food Ministry believes that the gospel is to the New Testament believers, what the Ark of the Covenant was, to the Old Testament believers. In the Old Testament, the Ark of God was carried by the priests (Deuteronomy 31:9, 1 Chronicles 15:2). In the New Testament, Jesus said, He chose us and ordained us, to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last (John 15:16). Based on this, we believe that genuine believers ought to be the financial supporters of the preaching of the gospel. This is how unbelievers can be reached for Christ. And when a pagan is converted and becomes a believer, that is bearing fruit, fruit that will last for Christ; because the soul lives forever.
• Eternal Food Ministry believes that if the Old Testament saints who were under The Law and whose sins were covered by the blood of bulls and goats, were required to pay a tenth of all, we as New Testament saints; for whom Christ shed His precious blood to remove our sins, are much more indebted to God. “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” Luke 12:48b.
• Eternal Food Ministry believes that Melchizedek who met Abraham with bread and wine, blessed Abraham, and to whom Abraham voluntarily paid tithe (Genesis 13:18-20); was a type/shadow, or the pre-incarnate Christ. The Psalmist wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, concerning Jesus, “The LORD (YHWH) has said to Me (Jesus), You are My Son, today I have begotten You.” Psalm 2:7. John 3:18 confirms the Sonship of Christ. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” Psalm 110:4 says, “The LORD (YHWH) has sworn and will not relent, “You (Christ) are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 5:6). Since Christ has become our High Priest, as the New Testament saints (Hebrews 4:15), we believe it is therefore biblical to bring our tithes to Him, whose priesthood is forever. “Here mortal men receive tithes, but there He receives them, of whom it is witnessed that He lives.” Hebrews 7:8.
• Eternal Food Ministry primarily uses tithes and offerings to support the evangelistic arm of the ministry in printing gospel tracts that we put in our food boxes. We also use such finances to pay the bills of running all our programs online (hosting, promoting videos etc). Part of the money collected go to our food box programs, which we in turn give out for free to those who come to Eternal Food Bank for food assistance. Our food boxes are also freely given out in different outlets to those who are in food needs within the communities where our, Church @ EFEO is gathered, via our Community Group Distribution Points.

What happens if a New Testament believer does not believe in tithing?

It is strongly advised that such an individual should not even consider bringing their tithe, or any other financial support, if they still have struggles in their heart to freely, lovingly, and gladly; give to God; to advance His work, until they have resolved their ungodly and unbiblical attachment to money. God does not accept grudgingly-given gifts, because such are not gifts, but tips. The Lord knows how to provide for His own work. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19.

Does tithing has anything to do with an individual going to heaven, or hell?

Absolutely not. A ‘tither’ who only professes faith in Jesus, but fails to practice their faith through obedience to the Bible, will go to hell if they do not change. Jesus made it clear how we can make it to heaven. John 3:3, “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

What else can I know about tithe?

-Abraham commenced it- Genesis 14:18-20

-Jacob continued it- Genesis 28:18-22

-Moses commanded it- Leviticus 27:30

-Jesus commended it- Matthew 23:23

-Who am I to cancel it? – Deuteronomy 4:2, Deuteronomy 12:32, Proverbs 30:6).

“Now if anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.” “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” (1 Corinthians 11:16, 1 Corinthians 14:33).

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” 2 Corinthians 13:14.

RESOURCES:

The Holy Bible (Various versions).

Sermon Notes by Adrian Rogers- Love Worth Finding Ministry.

Contributions from Harvest Feast, -Eternal Food Evangelistic Organization, of Eternal Food Ministry.

Bible Teaching Notes from, The Bread Broadcast- Eternal Food Evangelistic Organization, of Eternal Food Ministry.

https://www.gotquestions.org/tithes-and-offerings.html

http://www.bibleinfo.com/en/topics/tithing