Tithing - The New Testament

After reviewing all of the tithing passages recorded in the Old Testament, one will realize the apparent lack of tithing emphasis in the New Testament. It should also be realized that tithing Law never changed throughout the Old Testament, and when it is mentioned in the New, the same Law applies. Because so few tithing passages are found in the New Testament, all passages will be focused upon in this one chapter.

Matthew 23:23

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.

Christ’s most vitriolic discourse pronounces seven woes against the Pharisees in Matthew 23. One of those
judgments concerns tithing. A few things should be noticed.

1. Who is tithing? The Scribes and Pharisees. They were never commanded to tithe, unless they owned land. Some of them invariably did own land, and were tithing, but Christ still pronounced a woe upon them.

2. Their tithes were not money! Mint, Anise, and Cummin can all be purchased at any local grocery store today.

3. Tithing was still a command, but it would not remain in effect for much longer as all of the Law was about to be fulfilled within approximately two weeks’ time when Christ was crucified.

4. Tithing was never a major focus, Christ wanted the weightier matters of the Law to be followed. Instead, the “religious” tithed to portray some outward goodness, even though they were inwardly wicked. This is still undoubtedly an issue today.

Luke 11:42

11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Luke’s recounting of Christ’s woes is much the same as Matthew’s record. Not much is different. The Pharisees were tithing of their agricultural goods, but the big issues were forsaken, therefore the woe.

Luke 18:10-14

18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Luke has another tithing passage, but it is a pejorative rather than a superlative account. What is illustrated is the haughty hubris that is evident amongst ancient and modern religious lost alike. Both do things that seem to be good, both believe themselves to be better than others, and both are condemned by God.

The Pharisee illustrates what occurs in modern churches, when someone gives a glowing testimony about how he tithed, and God blessed because of his tithing goodness. In other words, “I did good, and because I was so good, God blessed me, as I was so worthy. Those of you who don’t tithe need to, so you can be as blessed as I am.” Granted this thought process does not portray everyone, but it does reveal a serious issue, that of God blessing, because you did something to earn it. Step back into the
Old Testament passages to figure out if this logic is Bible based or not. It is not, especially because the manner of tithing is not scriptural.

Secondly, God blessed Israel in spite of their wickedness, not because of their goodness. God promised to take care of the righteous, and that care exceeds any monetary, materialistic notion. It was after such blessing that tithes were expected and given, not to earn any blessing. Reread the chapter on Nehemiah for context.

Finally, God abased such arrogant claims. He does not want to share the credit, especially with an arrogant person. All goodness done by, in, and through any true believer is done through the Spirit, who will always reflect Christ, and deflect praise to Him only. If I am taken care of, it is not because of anything I’ve done, it’s because of His mercy and goodness.

Hebrews 7:1-10

7:1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;

7:2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

7:3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

7:4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

7:5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

7:6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

7:7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

7:8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

7:9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

7:10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

The final New Testament passage is actually Old Testament history. Hebrews 7 restates the Genesis 14 occurrence. There is nothing new in this passage that has not already been seen, but one thing should be pointed out that was not clearly stated in Genesis 14, but was specifically defined in the Law – that Levites were in charge of the tithe. Levites take tithes according to the Law, did the Law change? No. So are tithes still to be food? Yes. Can only Levites take tithes? Yes. Are Levites pastors? No. Does the New Testament anywhere change tithing status from food to money? No. Therefore, the modern local church practice that exacts a tithe from its congregation is unscriptural. There is no way around this
truth. Scripture in both the Old and New Testaments proclaim what tithing is, and by default what it is not. Please, study the passages closely again if need be, and free yourself from this ungodly burden that is not Biblically tenable.

Granted, after such chapters, other questions arise, such as – If you don’t tithe, how do you pay the pastor, church bills, programs, etc… What about the “storehouse”? Or even, God blesses me when I give. I will continue the series by applying scripture to each of this and other issues.