What is the Correct Biblical Injunction on the Tithe for the New Testament Church?—Part 1
A personal testimony of God’s faithfulness
Introduction
In contemporary discussions within the Church, there's a pervasive debate surrounding the practice of tithing. This controversy delves into whether Christians should adhere to this ancient practice and if it holds relevance in the New Testament. Questions arise: Should Christians still tithe? Did not the New Covenant annul the Old Covenant, including the concept of tithing? Why do Christians reference the Old Testament if it is seemingly outdated?
Before addressing the tithe debate, it is essential to differentiate between the various covenants in the Old Testament. For example, there were the covenants God made with Noah and all living things, Abraham, Israel, Phineas (the son of Eleazer), and David, among others, during the Old Testament era. However, when we refer to the Old Covenant, we speak of God’s covenant with Israel in the wilderness, also called the Law. However, the Old Testament documents the eras of the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms, which also include the period from the Book of Joshua to the Song of Songs (Luke 24:44).
So, while the Old Covenant with Israel is no longer in effect, the Old Testament remains a valuable resource for understanding God’s principles for our edification (Romans 15:4). Besides, the New Testament references the Old Testament to elucidate its relevance to Christianity.
The tithe debate
The debate on tithing in the modern Church revolves around two main perspectives: those in favour of tithing and those against it.
Proponents of tithing argue that tithing is a biblical injunction rooted in the Mosaic era, designed to sustain the Levites and priests. They contend that today, ministers of the gospel serve as the spiritual heirs of the Levites and should be supported through tithes. They can sometimes be extreme in stating that not paying tithe would keep one out of God’s eternal inheritance.
Opponents of tithing assert that it was an Old Testament practice and should not have been carried into the New Testament Church. They highlight instances of misuse of tithes, leading to the enrichment of ministers at the expense of the impoverished congregants. They also cite poverty among the congregants who continue to tithe to support the ostentation of the ministers and their families, while the ministers only pay lip service to alleviate the conditions of the poor, if at all they do. These opponents of tithing in the New Testament Church are vehement about the nullification of Old Testament practices, including the tithe, with the introduction of the New Covenant.
My position on the tithe debate
I was once an ardent supporter of tithing and propagated an entire theology around it, such as the postulation that non-payment of tithe results in demonic oppression and the curse of God on a defaulting Christian. However, a deeper understanding of the New Covenant through the Holy Spirit’s elucidation, revealed to me that tithing, along with other Old Testament practices, has been abolished.
In this series, I will guide you through a scriptural journey from the first mention of tithes in Genesis 14 to the last in Hebrews 7, to reach a scripturally sound position on the New Testament Church and the tithe. In embarking on this odyssey, I am guided by the apostle Paul’s statement in Philippians 3:14-16, where, inspired by the Holy Spirit, he states:
"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind." (NKJV)
Thus, we must demonstrate a spirit of maturity in addressing differences without causing strife. We can learn from the Early Church’s response to the erroneous and controversial teaching on salvation through circumcision as documented in Acts 15. Indeed, we must seek resolution through scripture and apostolic teachings.
The wrong doctrine of salvation through circumcision had confused Gentile believers, and some had even succumbed to circumcision to be accepted as Christians. These legalistic Jews were spreading this wrong doctrine, weakening the faith of the Gentile believers. The matter thus needed to be addressed.
A conclave was convoked in Jerusalem. At that time, Peter, a foremost apostle, attested to God’s acceptance of all peoples regardless of their circumcision status, citing the conversion of Cornelius and his household (Acts 10). Also, reference was made to Old Testament prophecies on God’s desire to call people from every nation, tongue, and tribe into His kingdom. Eventually, the matter was resolved in favour of salvation by grace alone, without circumcision.
God did not command Christians to pay tithes! The two words I have highlighted are crucial to the tithe debate. Is the tithe commanded of the New Testament believer, who is not under Law but under grace? Certainly not. For it is written in Romans 6:14,
“For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” (NKJV)
One talking point among ministers of the gospel and church leaders when the relevance or otherwise of tithes in the New Testament Church is raised is how the work and ministers of God will be sustained in the absence of tithes. Contrary to concerns about sustenance without tithes, we must understand that the New Covenant Church is sustained through faith and obedience to God's word. Living by a different financial model equates to turning tithes into an idol. King Hezekiah had to destroy the brazen serpent that Moses had made in the wilderness, centuries later, because the people were worshipping it, even after it had outlived its usefulness (2 Kings 18:4). I shudder to think of what we would have done today, had that brazen serpent still existed. I bet some people would go on a pilgrimage to Israel as some do today, just to touch or gaze upon that “Nehushtan” as Hezekiah called it. Meanwhile, the brazen serpent in the wilderness was a symbol of Christ’s death on the cross for the salvation of humanity (John 3:14-15).
After the Holy Spirit enlightened me about the tithe—in doctrine and practice—not being a part of the New Testament Church, I stopped it in the church I was pastoring at the time. It was tough initially for some—habits take a long time to overcome. But once the people had weaned off tithing, some sadly, saw it as a savings on their expense and stuck to the pittance they continued to give as an offering and nothing more. This impacted both church and personal finances. But because I was confident that God had spoken to me on the matter, I knew I needed to trust and depend on Him for the church's finances and my sustenance. And to the glory of God, ever since, God has been faithful in meeting all our needs. New Testament believers must understand that they have been called to a life of faith—trusting and depending on God for everything including their finances.
In the upcoming parts of this series, we will explore the biblical history of tithing, its transition from the Old to the New Covenant, and examine Jesus’ and the apostles’ teachings on New Testament sustenance of ministers and God’s work. Ultimately, we will address the question of financial sustenance for ministers and local churches in the absence of the tithe.
I approach this discussion without accusing anyone but with the aim of dispelling misconceptions. It is crucial to recognise that some may lack a full understanding of what the Bible teaches about tithing, leading them to resort to outdated practices.
May the Lord illuminate our understanding of this subject.
Shalom.