The tithe is mentioned only 4 times in the New Testament, three times in the gospels and once in the letter to the Hebrews. In the gospels, Jesus acknowledged that the Pharisees were very careful about tithing (Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42; 18:12) to the point of emphasizing it too much. They were so focused on tithing that they lost sight of the great objective of the Law, that is, love and justice towards our neighbor. In addition, they trusted their own to give them credit before God.

Now remember that the Pharisees were under the Law, and by law they had title. All the people of Israel were under the Law. When Jesus was crucified, he introduced the New Covenant, and the Old was finished. The tithe was established under the Law and has no place in the Church. It is not an easy thing to choose to adhere to the Law, even with a seemingly small problem like tithing. Anyone who chooses to keep any part of the Law of Moses is obligated to keep the entire Law and is therefore subject to his curse.

This point is made in the only reference to tithing in the New Testament epistles, that is, in Hebrews 7. Hebrews 7:5 says “And certainly those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive titles from the people according to the law, that is, from their brothers [Israel]”. Notice three things from this verse: 1) There was a command about titles in the Old Testament; 2) They were to be given to the OT priests (not the Church); 3) They were required by the Jews, not by the Christians.

Hebrews 7:12 points out that “When there is a change of priesthood, there must also be a change of law.” In other words, that commandment that existed under the Old Covenant has been changed, because the priesthood to which it relates now has also been changed under the New Covenant.

Hebrews 7:18 says that this commandment has now been done away. That priesthood, due to its inability to bring perfection, is now cancelled. The Old Covenant is outdated, and the laws that required Levites to be given titles are outdated. These Hebrews, that is, Jewish converts, were mixing law with grace, and in chapter 7 they were told to stop tithing! The Gentiles had no need of this message. The Gentile church was never under the law.

Is God in debt to us, or are we in his favor?

In Rom.4:4 and 11:35, Paul makes it clear that if the fact that we do any work, including tithing, means that God is obligated to us in some way, then we would not be in His favor, but He in would actually be in our debt. . Whenever you hear that you must do something for God in order for Him to hurt you, beware! If you believe this, you will be taken from the grace of God and returned to the realm of the Law. And the Law will actually become a curse for you, because even if you keep it all in one area, say tithing, but not in another, then you will experience his curse.

If we do not give a title, how will God’s work be done and how will the pastor’s needs be met?

First, let me say that there is a hermeneutical principle that has always been helpful in interpreting the Bible and it is this: Greater than greater. Jesus told 38 parables, 16 about how we should handle money. He talked more about money than heaven and hell combined. One out of every 10 verses in the gospels deals with possessions or money. In the Bible there are approximately 2,500 references to money and possessions and only 500 references to prayer and faith. It is an important theme in the Bible. Many of these verses teach us that the way we handle finances reveals a great deal about where we are spiritually. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The gospels contain more warnings about the misuse of money than any other subject. The first recorded sin among God’s people related to giving. Ananias and Sapphira fell dead giving. So how we manage our finances is a major theme in the New Testament.

Moses (the Law) said “Tithe”, but Jesus says: “Give”. The New Testament teaching was about “giving”, never about “tithing”. Giving is the result of the energy of God’s grace in our lives. Giving expresses a quality of life that reflects the nature of God. “God so loved… that he gave…” The Father loved to give all things to the Son. Jesus gave his life for the world. By doing so, he has gained an everlasting kingdom. But He, one day, will return it to the Father. God wants to have a family that reflects his nature. It is the way of the Cross. “It hurts more to give than to receive.” The Cross opens the heart, widens it, making it reach others.

When we are under the law, they have to tell us to title. We reveal our immaturity under legalism by asking childish questions, such as, “Should I tithe on my gross income or on my net income?” Grace treats us like mature children by not legislating. Grace draws us into the purposes of the heart, family and kingdom of God and allows us to be involved with Him. But our participation is not solicited by the manipulation of fear or the manipulation of guilt, but as a result of the operation of grace. energy of grace in our hearts. So what we give we do freely. God loves the one he gives with joy.

It is clear from passages like 1 Corinthians 9:7-14 that we have a responsibility to ensure that God’s servants who preach the Word are free to do so without the burden of secular work. But there is no need to legislate this yet. We approach this matter as responsible children, not as intimidated servants.