This is the second part of the series “Understanding the Biblical Principle of Tithe or Tithing”. In this part two, we shall be looking at what tithing is and when the practice of tithing was started in the bible?
I hope you have read part one of the series? If not, ensure that you read part one first for a better understanding of part two. CLICK HERE to read part one.
Until you have correct working knowledge and understanding about tithe and equally view tithe in its correct perceptive, you may end up wasting your resources in the name of paying tithe. Tithe or Tithing first appeared in the Bible in Genesis 14:20 to 22. Here we are told that Abraham gave Melchizedek a tithe of all.
And in Genesis 28:22, Jacob defined what tithe is all about from the vow he made to God. It says, “And this stone which I have set as a pillar, shall be God’s house, and all that you give me I will Surely Give a tenth to you.”
So we see from the above scriptures that tithe or tithing started in the Book of Genesis even before the law was given, or before the law came into force in Exodus. This means that tithing existed before the law was given and is therefore not a law or commandment.
Having seen that tithing is not a law or commandment, what then is the spiritual meaning and essence of tithing?
Tithing is simply a covenant obligation that those in the covenant do practice to appreciate God. This is equally to acknowledge that the resources that they are paying tithe from came from God, “and all that you give me, I will surely give a tenth to you” (Genesis 28:22).
In other words, tithing is about the covenant or is rooted in the covenant relationship with God. That means that when you pay your tithe, you are simply expressing your dependence on God. You are telling God that you acknowledge that he is the one that gave you the resources or the power to get the wealth of resources from which the tithe are being paid.
That is to say, when we pay our tithes, we are expressing our total dependency on God and acknowledgment of HIM as the sources of the resources we are paying tithe from. Those who are not paying tithe are simply saying in their heart, “My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.” (Deuteronomy.8:17).
When you pay your tithe, you are saying or remembering the Lord your God. It is God who gives you the power to get the wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your father as it is this day.” (Deuteronomy 8:18)
Simply put it or illustrate it: Paying tithe is just like you buying a packet of biscuits for your boy and as your boy opened the packet to eat it, you requested him to give you one piece of biscuit from the packet of ten. How do you feel if the boy refuses to give you or decides to give you half instead of one full?
You didn’t request the boy to give you not that you are hungry or want to eat his biscuit, but you want to prove what is in the heart of the boy. In other words, God is not demanding a tithe from you, not that He is hungry or in need of your money or resources.
God wants to prove what is in your heart, whether you acknowledge Him as the source of that resource from which He is demanding tithe payment. One thing that is worth mentioning is that tithing is never in the mind of GOD as an avenue to raise money or to put food on the table for ministers, as many hungry pastors have bastardized it.
Rather, tithing is partnering with God and once you fulfill your own part of the agreement, God will daze you with His blessings. It is highly unfortunate and that is why you always see such ignorance, lazy and hungry pastors always on the pulpit begging their members to pay tithe.
Tithe payment must flow from one’s heart voluntarily in appreciation and acknowledgment of God, not that one is coerced or compelled to do so.
No one who has a correct understanding of the tithe could ever be pleaded to pay one’s tithe. End Of Part Two Of The Series, Watch Out For Part 3 (Three).
