DO YOU TITHE? (PART 3)
TEXT:
"Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings." (Malachi 3 verse 8, King James Version).
One of the reasons given by those that preach or speak against paying tithes in the Church is that the New Testament does not teach it. Like I said in part 1 of this series, this is not true. Those that preach or speak against tithing are at best exhibiting their ignorance of the Word of God.
For instance, the Lord Jesus spoke about tithing in Matthew 23 verse 23 to the end that attention to the smallest points of the law of God is proper, but that this should not interfere with the higher and more important parts of that law. He said this while upbraiding the Pharisees for their hypocritical attitude. Hear Him,
"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 verse 23). Here, according to the Lord, the ”other” not to be left “undone” is the tithing “of mint and anise and cummin”. Here, it's obvious that the Lord Jesus wasn't demeaning the former (tithing) for the latter (judgement, mercy and faith); or vice versa. According to Him, “these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”
With this statement of the Lord Jesus alone, how could anyone say or teach that tithing wasn't taught in the New Testament? Looking at Matthew 23 verse 23, I would categorically say that the Lord Jesus tacitly approved, encouraged and spoke in favour of tithing. To hold otherwise is to display ignorance at its highest.
Perhaps, had the tithes antagonist of these last days taken time to consider and compare other Bible translations, they could have come to a different conclusion.
Now, let's consider a few of these other versions of the Bible, for a clearer understanding of the Lord's statement in Matthew 23 verse 23. In the New International Version, the translators puts it thus:
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”
Did you notice what the Lord said? He said, "You should have practiced the latter (ie, justice, mercy and faithfulness), without neglecting the former (ie, tithing).”(Emphasis added). Isn't this clear enough? By this statement, hasn't the Lord Jesus favoured tithing?
Again, considering the Contemporary English Version, the Lord's Word was translated thus:
“How terrible it will be for you legal experts and Pharisees! Hypocrites! You give to God a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, but you forget about the more important matters of the Law: justice, peace, and faith. You ought to give a tenth but without forgetting about those more important matters.” Again, did you notice what the Lord said? He said, "You ought to give a tenth ...”. That's the Lord Jesus speaking! I believe that He has made Himself clear enough on this matter. What's more, other versions of the Bible are of similar rendering.
I believe sincerely that anyone teaching or speaking against tithing, in spite of the Lord's clear Word in support thereof, is differently inspired; and such a person can be said to have departed "from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;" (see 1 Timothy 4 verse 1). Let's resist the devil's schemes as he aims to set the Church against God and to keep her in perpetual curse, poverty and bondage. Satan's intention in all of these is to make Christianity contemptuous, odious and repulsive to men. He will never succeed, in Jesus' name.
PRAYER:
Father, You have asked for a tenth of Your blessings on my life. You deserve it and I give it to You willingly, in Jesus name.