Understanding The Law Of Tithing

What is tithing? Are we to tithe in this present dispensation? These and many more are the questions bugging the hearts of many Christians. And this post is aimed at answering these questions and throwing some light on this spiritual law of tithing.

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 to the LORD. And concerning the tithe of the herd or of the flock, of whatsoever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the LORD – Leviticus 27:30, 32 (NKJV)

Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings – Malachi 3:8 (NKJV)

But woe to you, Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone – Luke 11:42 (NKJV)

Tithing is a spiritual law of God that is recorded in the scriptures. The issue of tithing is one topic that many people would desire not to discuss. But it is one topic you should understand well enough to decide whether to obey it or not. 

What is tithe?

Tithe is ten percent of all your increase and it belongs to the Lord. It is holy to Him (Leviticus 27:30). In the time of the scriptures, the people were mainly farmers, both of crops and animals, and so the tithe was described based on seeds and livestock. However, the principle remains the same: tithe of all your increase (Deuteronomy 14:22).

So, if you are a salary earner - ten percent of your income; a business person –ten percent of your profit; and a farmer – ten percent of your harvest or increase in livestock. And if you need to exchange it for money, it is still accepted (Deuteronomy 14:25)

Tithe is either ten percent of all your increase or it is not tithe at all. Anything less than ten percent is an offering. 

Scriptural origin of tithing

Tithe was first mentioned in the scriptures in Genesis 14:18-20, when Abraham gave Melchizedek king of Salem a tithe of all, after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him. Read more...