New Testament Tithing

            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 23:23 (KJV)

            It has been said that tithing is not mentioned in the New Testament and that our verse for today referred to the law so it does not apply to New Testament times. This, Beloved, is the spirit of stinginess, poverty and lack that holds the Church back from achieving its mandate to reach the world with the Gospel.

            The simple truth of scripture is easily understood when one allows scripture to explain and expand upon scripture. The following verse reveals Jesus speaking concerning this same issue; comparing the works of the Pharisee’s and Sadducee’s with those of the Christian.

            For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.   Matthew 5:20 (KJV)

            If we are honest and open to the Word of God Himself, we see that the “tithe,” which means 10% is a requirement of the law but the Christian is bound by a higher law that calls for a righteousness that exceeds that of the law. In other words, the Christian minimum “tithe” is at least 11%, but actually limited only by the heart and spirit of giving that is found in the character and nature of God.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16 (KJV)

            Christians are to be unlimited givers that make the law seem totally inconsequential. Their reward is seen below:

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Luke 6:38 (KJV)

 

George

 

Copyright (c) 2009 George M. Stover Jr.