Seven Bible Passages to Meditate on the Meaning of Tithes

A tree grows beside a lake.
A tree grows beside a lake. (photo: 699pic.com)
By Elsie HuSeptember 7th, 2017

Abraham giving a tenth of everything to Melchizedek king of Salem was regarded as the origin of tithing. Moses later gave his law that all the tithes in Israel should be given to God to support the ministry of the Levites. Those were the early tithes.

Man does not live on money alone and Christians are not saved by wealth. What's more, money becomes nothing when we die. So Christians need to understand the real significance of tithes: It's not God who needs it, but us. God wants us to obey his word and live a life of freedom and victory by storing up treasures in heaven, free from the bondage of earthly treasures.

Below are seven passages about tithes and offerings Christians should keep in mind to think about the meaning of tithes and God's grace:

1. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. (Malachi 3:10)

2. "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." (Leviticus 27:30)

3. Honor the Lord with your wealth,
    with the firstfruits of all your crops;
      then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
    and your vats will brim over with new wine.
(Proverbs 3:9-10)

4. "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."(Luke 6:38)

5. 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. (2 Corinthians 9:7)

6. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written:
"They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
    their righteousness endures forever."
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
(2 Corinthians 9:8-11)

7. "Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.
"But you ask, 'How are we robbing you?'
"In tithes and offerings."
(Malachi 3:8)

- Translated by Karen Luo

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