Why give Tithes and offering?

The word tithe means “a tenth.” More specifically, giving back to God a tenth of what He has bestowed upon you. The Scriptures make the purpose of tithing very clear, to put God first in our life. Tithing is a clear way to demonstrate our priorities. We are to give God the first and best of what we earn. For example, what we do first with our money shows what we value most. Giving the first part of our paycheck to God immediately focuses our attention on him. It also reminds us that all we have and the tithes we give belong to God. “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S: it is holy unto the LORD.” - Leviticus 27:30

The biblical history of Tithes and offering

Tithing is an act of worship that began with the patriarch Abraham, who gave tithes to Melchizedek, acknowledging that he was a representative of the Most High God (Genesis 14:20; Hebrews 7). Abraham’s grandson Jacob vowed to give God a tenth of all he received from the Lord (Genesis 28:22), so the principle of tithing preceded the Law of Moses.

Upon entering the land of promise, tithing was officially incorporated into the Law of Moses as a part of Israel’s worship. God’s people were to bring a tenth of their substance, i.e., produce, livestock, harvest, etc. to the Lord to support the temple ministry of the Levites (Leviticus 27:30–34). The Levites then gave a “tithe of the tithe” to the priests (Numbers 18:25–32). The Jews were also to give a tithe off the 90 percent that was left and take it to the temple for the annual feasts (Deuteronomy 26:1–11). In addition to these two tithes was added a third tithe, received every third year for the poor (Deuteronomy 26:12–15; 14:28–29). In bringing the tithes and offerings, the people were not only supporting the ministry of the temple, but they were also giving thanks to God for His bountiful provision for their own needs.

In the New Testament, the principles of giving under grace are explained in 2 Corinthians 8—9 (note the repetition of the word “grace”). We must not be content simply to give tithes (10 percent), but we should bring offerings to the Lord out of a heart saved by grace and filled with God’s Love. We are stewards of God’s wealth and must make wise use of what He shares with us (4:1–2). If God’s Old Testament children could bring three tithes, how much more ought we to give today who live under the new covenant of God’s abundant grace? (2 Corinthians 8:7-9).

Regarding the church, the principle of giving is clearly emphasized in Scripture by the Apostle Paul, “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 Corinthians 16:1-2. Apostle Paul admonished the Saints at Corinth to practice systematic giving by assembling, on the first day of the week (the Lord’s Day), the Saints (the Lord’s people) were to bring their offerings (the Lord’s tithes and offerings) to the church meeting (the Lord’s house), to support the spiritual ministry of the local church.  Paul further explained the principle of giving in Galatians 6:6–10; Philippians 4:10–19; and 1 Timothy 5:17–18.

Tithing can be a great blessing, but those who tithe must avoid these three dangers:

1. Giving with the wrong motive – For someone to give grudgingly, or out of a sense of obligation, is to miss the blessing of giving. Giving must be from the heart, and God loves a cheerful giver. Our hearts should be both faithful (obedient) and cheerful, because only from a right heart, will we give the right gift with the right motive. When you give, no matter how small or large your income, your tithe is pleasing to God when it is given out of gratitude and a spirit of generosity
2. Not giving offerings (along with tithes) - “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.” - Malachi 3:8. We must not be content simply to give a tithe (10 percent of one’s gross income), but we also want to bring offerings to the Lord out of hearts filled with love as an expression of gratitude. Our tithes and offerings aren’t “payment” to receive God’s blessings. But they’re evidence of our faith and obedience to Him to supply both our natural and spiritual needs.
3. Robbing God - How can I rob God? By giving “partial” tithes or not giving to God at all. Actually, any amount less than 10 percent of your gross income is not tithes at all. In light of all that God has done for us, how can we rob Him of the offerings that rightly belong to Him? In fact, we are also robbing ourselves of the spiritual blessings that money can’t buy, i.e., grace, healing, protection, etc. The blessings He bestows on those who faithfully trust His Word.

What does “cursed with a curse” mean? - “Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.” - Malachi 3:9. Is this curse bad? There are no details in the Bible as to what this curse entails but when God expresses His displeasure about something it can’t be good! If obedience to God’s commands results in increased blessings, choosing to disobey His command would only result in an absence of God’s blessings and favor, i.e., a curse.

Finally, Jesus Christ said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” - Acts 20:35. People who lovingly give tithes and offerings to God find that whatever is left over goes much further and brings greater blessings into their lives. Giving is an act of faith, and God rewards that faith in every way when giving becomes a normal, consistent, and joyful part of our lives.