Tithing in the New Testament is not optional
I fully believe that Christians are not justified by the Law of Moses and should not lean on it for salvation. However, tithing as a principle was practiced even before Moses received the commandments or Laws on Mount Sinai.
Abraham was the first example of a tither. Hebrews 7:6 mentions that Melchisedec, the priest of the Most High God, “received tithes of Abraham.” Though only one incident of Melchisedec receiving tithes from Abraham is mentioned (Gen14:20), we cannot rule out that Abraham gave tithes on other occasions too.
Abraham’s grandson, Jacob could not have come out to make a commitment to tithe on a consistent basis to the Lord if his grandfather only tithed once and stopped there. Jacob made a lifelong commitment to tithe when he told God that, “of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee,” Genesis 28:22.
Abraham and Jacob lived approximately 400 years before Moses the law-giver was born. Their tithing lifestyle cannot be ignored on the pretext that they were under the law since there was no law at that time at all. Since Abraham was the father of us all, as born again Christians, we have to emulate his tithing spirit. One of the benefits that Abraham received from his lifestyle of tithing was financial prosperity - “Abraham was very rich in cattle, in silver and in gold” (Genesis 13:2).
Since the Old Testament tithing system changed with the establishment of the New Covenant, the recipient of the tithe also changed. Someone else took up the office of the priesthood of Melchisedec, “Even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec” (Heb 6:20). Jesus now continues to receive the tithe from Abraham’s children, those who have believed in Jesus Christ for salvation (Heb 7:8).
In a practical sense, the tithe is received by Jesus Christ through the Church and especially through the church leadership that includes the apostles, prophets and pastors (Eph 4:11). Just like the Levites ministered in the temple and received tithes that were brought to the temple, that same right belongs to the church leadership today.
In Matthew 23:23, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for neglecting judgment, mercy and faith but at the same time commends them for being faithful tithers. Jesus clearly says that tithe is one of the things that a believer ought to do.
Behind the mask of being the “gallant defenders of the faith”, those who oppose tithe are actually bound by a selfish, miserly and stingy spirit that is inconsistent with the generous faith of the New Testament (Acts 4:34, 2 Cor 9:6-7). The motive that ought to prompt liberality in tithing as a service to God ought to be greater now than in Old Testament times, hence Christians ought to go beyond the ancient Hebrews in consecrating both themselves and their substance to God.
A Christian who does not tithe is not a non-believer but is a disobedient child of God who is actually opposing the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ through withholding resources over which God has made them stewards to further the preaching of the gospel through the church.
Apostle Edward Ssewanyana
