TITHES TO BE PAID OR NOT, AND IF TO BE PAID, THEN TO WHO?

This topic has become a hot trending discussion and sometimes argument among Christians. Those who argued for, says it is a statutory directive from God to his people to keep his kingdom work here on earth going, while those who argued against says is an ancient laws that has been abolished by Christ but has been maintained by those who superintend the affairs of their churches as a means to enrich their selves.

But if you haven’t already taken a side, I will like you to go through your bible as that is the only source authorize in heaven and on earth to issue guideline on how to relate to things concerning the kingdom.

Before proceeding I will like to correct an impression that it was Mosaic law that introduced tithing, because according to Genesis, it was recorded that Abraham tithed and Jacob made promise to tithe too. Moses law only made it compulsory for all children of God.

Thank God the issue of tithing is not whether it is biblical, but whether we should continue observing it, even as I have observed that many who tithe still have the problem of who to render the tithe to. For this I will make references to some biblical passages, which I urge you to carefully read it through.

The accounts of Deuteronomy made us to realize there are three different period of tithing made compulsory for the children of God through Mosaic law as against the world wide norm of just 1/10. In Deut 26, the bible explained two types of tithing, ‘firstfruit’ and ‘third year’. It went further to explain WHEN TO TITHE, WHAT TO TITHE and HOW TO TITHE. In Deut 14 verse 12 precisely, it talked about another of period of tithing, the yearly tithing (1/10). Let me in brief explain further the three periods of tithing according to Deut 26 & 14.

1. First Fruit – All the proceeds of your first ever labour (be it of 1day, week, month or year) and are to be taking to the priest.

2. Third Year – Also known as The Year of Tithe. Is a tithe done with the 1/10 of all the third year harvest. That is if you are a three times a year harvest, you are to add together the 1/10 of the first harvest to the last of that year, and is to be shared among the Levites (Workers in the church), and those in need (fatherless and strangers) who do not have equal opportunity as you. None of this third year tithe according to Deut 26:12 is to be given the priest (pastor, Rev, Bishop or whatever name they choose to be called).

3. Yearly Tithing – 1/10 of every of your increase. That is whenever your labour yields, be it of 1day, week, month or year. According to Deut 14, is to be brought to the house of God, but peradventure you will not be able to make it to the house of God with your tithe, you are convert it to money and when you get to the house of God, bestow the money on whatsoever edible your heart desires so that you will eat and share with the church workers (Levite).  

It is also recorded in the bible book of Numbers 18: 25-27, that the Levites will also present to God through the Priest offering of their tithe from the tithes paid them by the people .

Having known these periods of tithing, what to tithe, how to tithe and who the tithes should be given accordingly. Should we continue in paying tithe even as Christ has redeemed us by paying the ultimate price? Again let me correct another impression of many either by omission or commission they thought tithe is a payment of debt, and such has seen their selves as not been obligated.

The bible passage of Rom 6:14 which says, “For sin shall not have dominion over; for ye are not under the law, but under grace”, but unfortunately many has misconstrued it in relation to tithing. That passage made it very crystal clear of which law it is referring to; that we can say to the power of sin depart from us and it will, because the power of grace that is above all powers is with us, and even peradventure we fall to sin we will not be held hostage anymore requiring sacrificing before been cleanse, but just by sincere confessing with our mouth and asking for forgiveness.

Lastly in Mathew 5:17 till the end, Jesus spoke of the law and grace. He never said we should stop observing the law because grace, rather he advised us on how best to even obey the law in all sincerity. He even went further to warn of the consequences that will befall any who will breaks the law. “Do not think I have come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it….if anyone breaks even the least of this law or teaches others to do so, will be regarded as the least in the kingdom of heaven, and him that keeps the law and teaches others same will be regarded great in the kingdom of heaven”.

So I urge us all to in all sincerity search the scripture. To those who have already taking the opposing side, I beg you to have a rethink, as I know many of you took that part as a result of the many “wolves in sheep clothing” who has made this well thought out plan of God for his kingdom here on earth a self enriching avenue. But I still besiege you not to ignore God’s instruction on the account of others, God is not man, he will never change and will repay all mankind according to his deeds.

There’s no easy way to the kingdom, we all both the good and the bad will pass through this road, but Christ will at the end sieve the bad out of the good that is our assurance.

God bless you as you do all your good works not for man but God.