Tithing: God Did NOT Command Anyone To Tithe MONEY!

Tithing; Man Wants Money But What Did God Want? This is the first lesson in the “Understanding Tithes” series.

IMPORTANT: This lesson is not intended to encourage you to stop giving to your place of worship!

caption id=”attachment_141539″ align=”aligncenter” width=”300″] God did not command anyone to tithe money. Tithing[/caption]

STM Bible Lesson

Lesson focus: Malachi 3:8-10. Bible lesson background: So many in the church believe they are required to pay tithes. Malachi 3:10 is one of the primary passages of Scripture used to support this. I, too, at one point believed that God required the church to pay tithes. Fortunately, one day God revealed the truth and set me free from this false teaching.

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Malachi 3:8-10 (KJV)

If you think this message (prophecy) in Malachi applies to you, consider checking the first verse, Malachi 1:1. Which says “the word from the Lord to Israel“. In fact, the entire message (prophecy) in Malachi was specifically addressed to Israel not the church.

Israel was commanded to tithe, but not the church

The burden of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi. Malachi 1:1 (KJV)

The portion of the prophecy that deals with this lesson’s focus is Malachi 3:6-15. Verse 6, also helps us know to whom God is speaking. This time the reference is “sons of Jacob” (like “children of Israel” or “Jews”). The audience did not change, the prophecy is still TO Israel.

Don’t forget, that God changed Jacob’s name to Israel in Genesis 32:28. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed Genesis 32:28 (KJV).

For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Malachi 3:6 (KJV)

The tithe robbery, was it money?

What was it that Israel was keeping from God? Was it money? Let’s find out what they were supposed to give God. [NOTE: all Scriptures are from the King James Version (KJV)].

The first mention of what to tithe in the Law of Moses is Leviticus 27:30 followed by verse 32.

30 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.

32 And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord.

Deuteronomy also gives more of what God wants.

12:17 Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand:

14:22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.

We find more of what God wanted in 2 Chronicles 31.

5 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the fields; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.

6 And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the Lord their God, and laid them by heaps.

The last place given that relates to tithes in the Law of Moses is Nehemiah 10.

37 And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.

What man wants vs. what God wanted

Man says you must tithe your money. But God wanted tithes from the following:

1. The seed of the land (ground) and the fruit of the tree [Leviticus 27:30, Deuteronomy 14:22, and Nehemiah 10:37].
2. Every tenth animal of the herd or flock [Leviticus 27:32 and Deuteronomy 12:6]. [If a rancher only had 9 animals, did he have to tithe? It is something to consider.]
3. Corn, wine, and oil [Deuteronomy 12:17; 14:23 and 2 Chronicles 31:5].
4. Honey and all of the increase of the fields [2 Chronicles 31:5].
5. Oxen, sheep, and consecrated holy things [2 Chronicles 31:6].

All of your increase

Man says that we must pay tithes of “ALL OF YOUR INCREASE”. But God said “Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed“…

“Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year” [Deuteronomy 14:22 (KJV)] and “And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.” [2 Chronicles 31:5 (KJV)]

Money

The Bible mentions money regarding tithing. However, God did not require that anyone pays tithes with money [Deuteronomy 14:22-29].

When the children of Israel had to travel a long distance to pay tithes. They could exchange tithes for money. Next, they had to go to the chosen place where they were to give their tithe. Once there, they could purchase, using the money, whatever they wanted to eat and/or drink. Then they (and ‘the Levite’) had to eat and/or drink it “before the Lord”.

Deuteronomy 14:24-27

And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the Lord thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the Lord thy God hath blessed thee: 25 Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose: 26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the Lord thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household. 27 And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.

Tithing in the New Testament

Jesus used the word ‘tithe’ twice and ‘tithes’ once! Each time He was speaking to Pharisees about the law.

‘PHARISEES (FARE-ih-seez) “the separate people”; they followed the Jewish religious laws and customs very strictly. Jesus often spoke against them for their religious teachings and traditions (from the New Century Version Dictionary).

1. Matthew 23:23, Jesus was in the temple warning the scribes and Pharisees about their conduct in following the law. 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 [Matthew 23:23 (KJV); read Matthew 23:1-36].
2. Luke 11:42, He was in the house of a Pharisee and gave another warning about following the law. 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 11:42 (KJV); read Luke 11:37-54].
3. The final time was a parable of the Pharisee and tax collector. Jesus repeats what the Pharisee said in Luke 18:12. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess [Luke 18:12 (KJV); read Luke 18:9-14].

You be the judge. Did Jesus say, teach, or imply that the church should pay tithes? More importantly, did He say anything about tithing money?

Also in Hebrews

The only place (other than in Matthew and Luke) in the New Testament that mentions ‘tithes‘ or tenth as in paying tithes is in the book of Hebrews. The tenth is used in reference to Abraham giving a tenth of the recovered items to Melchisedec [Hebrews 7:2 and 4]. Tithing is mentioned in Hebrews 7:5, 6, 8, and 9. You decide if any of them tell you to tithe money.

Abraham’s tithe

1. Abraham gave a tenth of the items that he reclaimed for Lot, Sodom, and Gomorrah to Melchisedec. He promised to give the items back to the original owners. It was not his increase, or of his possessions, and he gave a tenth of the reclaimed items ONCE. NOTE: there is no mention of Abraham paying tithes of his personal belongings in the Bible.
   • Hebrews 7:2 and 4 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; Hebrews 7:4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. (KJV).
2. The descendants of Levi, who become priests, are commanded by the law of Moses to collect tithes from the people. That is, people that are under the law, aka the children of Israel. Not those that are under grace.
   • Hebrews 7:5-9 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: 6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. 8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. 9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. (KJV)

That’s it, there is no further mention of tithing in the New Testament.

The Wrap Up

Make no mistake, money did exist during this time. In fact, God commanded the children of Israel to pay a mandatory amount of money as ransom for their lives. But it was not used in or for tithing. More details provided in a future lesson…

And thou shalt take the atonement money** of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the Lord, to make an atonement for your souls. Exodus 30:16 (KJV)

** All the men 20 years old or older were counted. Each man had to pay a tax of 1 beka* of silver. (Using the official measure, 1 beka* is 1/2 shekel.) There were 603,550 men. So they collected about 7550 pounds of silver. Exodus 38:25 (ETR)

Therefore, you must know, if God wanted money for tithes, he would have said so. Stop letting your pastor or anyone tell you otherwise.

Recap

Clearly, it is safe to say God did not command anyone, including you, to tithe money! Let’s review what was revealed.

1. Malachi’s prophecy was to the children of Israel and not the church. So, God is not telling the church to bring all the tithes into the storehouse…
2. The Bible (God) does not COMMAND the Church to pay TITHES. Also, no place in the Bible tells you, the church, to give a tenth of your increase. However, the Law of Moses did command the Jews (children of Israel) to tithe.
3. God commanded the children of Israel to tithe edible things from the land. That is from land in Canaan, their covenant land (Exodus 6:4-8).

Now that you have completed this lesson you can continue tithing if you want. Are you convinced that God does not require that you (the church) tithe MONEY?

Remember, God did NOT command anyone to tithe MONEY! I pray that you have enjoyed and will make the most of this Bible lesson. Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim. ☺

Related studies/lessons/snacks for further Spiritual growth:

Law to Grace; No Longer Under the Law But Under Grace – an estimated 21-minute read.

Truth Can Make You Free – an estimated 5-minute read.

Pay Your Tithes, God Wants You To Eat Them! – an estimated 5-minute read.

Prosperity, 7 Simple Lessons On True Wealth God’s Way – an estimated 35-minute read.

When You Tithe You’ll Need A Levite And Priest! – an estimated 5-minute read.

See what is available on the Sound Truth Ministry website.

Reference Scriptures

Note: parenthesis (#) encloses the key verse(s).

Malachi 3:6-15; Leviticus 27:28-33 (30); Deuteronomy 12:5-7, 15-19, 14:22-29 (22-23). 2 Chronicles 31:1-10; Nehemiah 10:35-39 (37). Matthew 23:1-36 (23-24); Luke 11:37-54 (42) and 18:9-14 (12); Hebrews 7:1-19 (2, 4-6, and 8-9). Exodus 6:1-13 (4-8); 30:11-16 (16) and 38:21-31 (24-28).