Ten Percent


Some people are confused about tithing because they've read or heard a Bible teacher says that the” tithe” was of the law and that it doesn't apply to the church today.

I think that every Christian would undoubtedly say that we should serve God with all we got - give Him 100% of us – "He gave it all for us, so we should give our all for Him."

However when it comes to the practical act of actually giving to Him real dollars in this real world many are not that enthusiastic.  Giving God 10% through the local church seems too much, too hard, or too legalistic – "that was Old Testament law; now we are under grace" some would claim.

But prior to the law, Abraham established the tithe (10%) as the standard for giving to God.  After rescuing his nephew (Lot) from the armies that took him captive, and having defeated them and taken their stuff (booty) he offered to God 10% (Gen. 14:20).

How do we know that this marked a standard to be followed by God's people for all time?
  • His grandson Jacob promised to give God 10% of all the wealth he would accumulate in Haran (Gen. 28:22)
  • 10% was made part of the law of Moses (Lev. 27:30)
  • Jesus Christ reaffirmed the tithe while also exalting the values of compassion (Luke 11:42) 
10% is the biblical standard of giving in any era. 

Paul reminded believers that just as the priests and Levites received their living from the people’s giving, so the churches’ leaders were to earn their pay from the giving of the saints.

13 Don't you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
1 Cor. 9:13-14

Notice the words “In the same way”.  Just like in the Old Testament the tithe was used to support God’s ministry, so in the church-age it is to be used to support Christ’s ministry and his ministers.

10% is the biblical standard to show devotion, worship, and love for God and provide for the practical demands of moving forward His kingdom. 

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