truth regarding the tithe
what is a tithe?
Is a payment of a tenth part or 10% of something. 0The Bible 1st speaks of the Tithe in Genesis 14th chapter when Lot, the brother of Abram (later named Abraham) is taken captive after the 1st battle in named in scripture. Four kings on one side and five kings on the other. Lot was taken with those of Sodom and when Abram was told he armed his men 318 and pursued, overcame, and slew the armies of Chedorlaomer and the other kings. Upon return, the King of Salem (Melchizedek) brought forth bread and wine (he was the priest of the most high God),and blessed Abram. The Bible says that Abram gave Melchizedek (Tithes of All) See Hebrews 7:4. These tithes were not given out of the goods that were recovered, because they were already given back to those whom the enemy had stolen from. These were taken from the spoils that were taken from the enemy to show respect for Melchizedek and to show thankfulness to God for the victory. This was imitated by heathens such as Tarentines, who received a victory over the Peucetians, sent a tenth of the spoil to Delphos. Abram was the 1st in the world to begin to tithe.
​
Likewise, Abraham taught his grandchildren to tithe. "And Jacob vowed saying, if God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on so that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God...and of all that thou give me, I will surely give the tenth unto thee;" Genesis 28:20-22.
WHY DO WE TITHE TODAY?
I was told by Bishop Henry Brown Jr. that, "How can we afford not to?" That quote resonated with me. What if God took the 90% and left you the 10%? Don't you know He can still make a way for you?!?!?!
The Levitical tithe is the only tithe that is yet binding upon us today. It is for every man in every age and dispensation. It was neither instituted by the dispensation of law nor terminated by the dispensation of grace. It was neither given by Moses nor abrogated by Jesus Christ. Tithing was incorporated into both the law of Moses and into the New Testament Church. It is important to note that the only thing for which Jesus ever commended the Scribes and Pharisees was their tithing - thus approving the practice, Matthew 23:23. Malachi 3:1-12 reads: "For I am the Lord, I change not; ...even from the days of your fathers ye are gone from mine ordinances and have not kept them...Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offering. 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 saith 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. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground: neither shall your vine cast her fruit before her time in the field, saith the Lord of Hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land said the Lord of Hosts." This passage shows us the cause of the spiritual impotence and material poverty that existed during the times of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Malachi. It is difficult for any Christian to escape the weight and power of its moral teaching. Now, for fear we may think that tithe paying was for Israel only, let us consider the words written in Galatians 3:29. "And if ye be Christ's then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." The spirit of Christ will constrain us to do whatsoever Christ says ought to be done. The tithing system should be broadened to include the various areas of church activities. The Church Of God In Christ International believes that the ministries of the Lord as carried on in the local churches should be supported by the members. From this fund the temporal support of the pastor is provided. Any person who refuses to give a tithe and offering will be considered contrary to the doctrine of the Church Of God In Christ. I Timothy 5:17. "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine." For the scripture saith, “Thou shall not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn, And, the laborurer is worthy of his reward." Galatians 6:6. "Let him that is taught in word contribute (Communicate ) unto him teacheth in all good things.” First Corinthians 9:7-14, "Who goeth a warfare anytime at his own charges? Who planteth a vineyard and eateth not of the fruit thereof? Or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?... Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? And they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so the Lord hath so ordained that they which preach the gospel should live the gospel."
