Tithing

Most churches expect it to some degree, and all will accept it. It is Gospel, according to most, that 10% is what God requires us to give to our church.

But is it really? I found a verse used by those who believe tithing (as most modern churches use it) is required.

Genesis 14

Then Melchizadek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything (Genesis 14:18-20).

I can see why they use that one, it'd work if you give someone just that verse alone. Reading a bit more however...in verses 22-26 of Genesis, it is clear that Abram doesn't own any of what he just gave away.

There are other verses that mention tithing; such as Genesis 28:20-22, in which Jacob makes a very conditional promise to give 10%. Things like "If God feeds me, clothes me and return me safely to my father's house' My thought on that is; "God- give me a Maserati- then I shall give you 10% of my earnings..."

I can fully understand why tithing was necessary in the Old testament. They had to pay the Levites (like the Public Service in Israel) Tithing was more like a tax I suppose? Then the Levites paid the Priests too. There were other 'taxes' also called tithing.

This next bit (in purple) is from another website (that appears to have moved)

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows” (Malachi 3:10).

Here we have the tithing teachers’ favourite verse in the whole Bible. On this verse they hang most of their doctrine. But if we take a close look at the verse, we will find something very interesting.
Remember that there were four tithes in Israel under the Old Covenant. Which one is referred to here?

And the priest, the son of Aaron, shall be with the Levites when the Levites receive tithes, and the Levites shall bring up the tenth of the tithes to the house of our God, to the chambers of the storehouse (Nehemiah 10:38).

[ Note: The word ‘storehouse’ is translated as ‘treasure house’ in the KJV. The Hebrew is the same in both Nehemiah and Malachi, outsair, meaning a treasure or a store house. ]

Which of the four tithes is in view in Malachi?
The tithe payable by the Levites, not the tithes payable by the people. Malachi is not rebuking the people, he is rebuking the Levites.
When our modern day tithing teachers point this verse at the people, they are really pointing at themselves — except that most of them are too ignorant to recognize the fact.

If you want to understand the book of Malachi, read Malachi 4:4, “Remember the Law of Moses…” That is the whole thrust of Malachi.
But we do not live under the Law, we live under the grace provided in Jesus Christ. If you choose to submit yourself to even part of the Law of Moses, you have a problem.
For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the Law, to perform them” (Galatians 3:10).
If you choose to place yourself under the works of the Law, you are under a curse for the simple reason that you cannot keep the Law of Moses. Your fallen, sinful nature will see to that.
The purpose of the Law is to act as our tutor, or “school master”, to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith (Galatians 3:24).

So basically, it was Moses' law at the time that required tithing. But...we don't live under that Law any longer. So we tithe because...?

Personally, I like this verse;

Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). So if you feel the need to give money to your church, give what you want, not what they want. Otherwise your gift is pretty much worthless in God's eyes.

That said, mightn't we be better serving to Christ by giving to a reputable charity? Rather than ensuring church leaders can afford things like; a new sound system for the Sanctuary, the entry fee for a sporting competition for church-members, or matching robes for the choir. Do those things actually matter? If so, do they matter as much as; starving children, natural disaster relief, or even contributing to research funds for a cancer cure...?

Thought to ponder.