Is Tithing Mandated in the New Testament?

Tithing, giving a tenth of one's income or resources, has been a long-standing tradition in many religious communities. In Christianity, tithing is often seen as a way of supporting the church and its ministries. However, there has been an ongoing debate on whether tithing is a biblical mandate for Christians. While some argue that tithing is a biblical requirement, others point out that the New Testament does not explicitly mandate it.

In this article, we will explore the concept of tithing in the New Testament and argue that it is not mandated but voluntary. The article is not meant to attack the practice of tithing but rather to challenge the use of Malachi 3:8-10 as a tool for cursing or scaring people into giving. Instead, we will examine the New Testament's teachings on giving and argue that Christians should give willingly and cheerfully, without any sense of obligation or fear. We hope this article will help provide a more nuanced understanding of tithing and giving in the Christian faith.

It is worth noting, however, that some church fathers criticized the legalistic approach to tithing and emphasized the importance of giving from the heart rather than following a set of rules. For instance, Augustine of Hippo, a prominent theologian in the 4th and 5th centuries, wrote in his commentary on the Sermon on the Mount, "Let the Christian, then, liberally give to the poor and make use of his wealth as a good steward, not as an owner. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21). Therefore the New Testament Church encourages giving but does not mandate the legalistic approach employed under the old dispensation.

The origins of tithing can be traced back to the Old Testament in the Bible. In the book of Genesis, we see Abraham giving a tenth of his spoils to the priest Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18-20). Later, in the book of Leviticus, the practice of tithing is further established as a requirement for the Israelites. Leviticus 27:30 says, "A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord." Based on these passages, many Christians believe that tithing is a biblical mandate that should be followed today. However, others argue that tithing is not a requirement for Christians under the New Covenant established by Jesus Christ.

Proponents of tithing often point to the Old Testament as evidence that tithing is a biblical mandate. They argue that since God commanded the Israelites to tithe, it must be a universal principle that applies to all believers. However, there are several problems with this argument.

First, it is important to note that tithing was specifically tied to the Old Covenant, which was established between God and the Israelites. This covenant was based on the law and required strict adherence to a complex system of rituals and sacrifices. Under the New Covenant established by Jesus Christ, believers are no longer bound by the law (Galatians 3:23-25). This means that the Old Testament practices, and ceremonies, including tithing, are not necessarily binding on Christians today. The New Testament shifted the focus from external rituals to internal morality.

Second, even within the Old Testament, tithing was inconsistent. While the Israelites were commanded to tithe, they were not required to tithe on their income. Instead, they were instructed to give a tenth of their crops and livestock (Leviticus 27:30-33). Further, tithing was not always done voluntarily. In some cases, it was enforced by the priests and Levites, who were responsible for collecting and distributing the tithes (Nehemiah 10:37-39).

Critics of tithing argue that it is not a biblical mandate for Christians today. They argue that while the practice of tithing may have been relevant in the context of the Old Testament, it is not necessarily applicable to the modern church. Instead, they argue that Christians should give generously and sacrificially, but not necessarily a set percentage of their income.

One of the key passages cited by opponents of tithing is 2 Corinthians 9:7, which says, "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." This verse suggests that giving should be voluntary, done out of a sincere desire to honor God rather than a legalistic obligation.

Another argument against tithing is that it can become a form of legalism, where Christians feel pressured to give a certain amount to meet a perceived standard of righteousness. This can lead to guilt and shame if one cannot meet the tithe requirement. Critics argue that this is not a healthy or biblical approach.

Notwithstanding, the Proponents of tithing typically cite several biblical verses to support their position. Here are some of the most commonly referenced passages:

Leviticus 27:30-32: "And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's: it is holy unto the Lord. And if a man at all redeems ought of his tithes, he shall add to that the fifth part thereof. And concerning the tithe of the herd, or the flock, even of whatsoever passes under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord."

Malachi 3:8-10: "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, said 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."

Matthew 23:23: "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."

Luke 11:42: "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."

The book of Hebrews does not explicitly mention tithing as an ongoing requirement for Christians. However, some proponents of tithing argue that Hebrews 7:1-10 provides a biblical basis for tithing. This passage refers to the story of Abraham giving a tenth of his spoils of war to Melchizedek, a priest of God. The passage states that Melchizedek was "without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he continues a priest forever" (Hebrews 7:3, ESV).

We, therefore, need to treat these Scriptures one by one in our subsequent writings. We will carefully scrutinize, examine, and test the biblical evidence through various exegetical methods to uncover the text's intended meaning and significance.