God deals with human beings according to the dispensation in which they lived or are living (Romans 2:11-12; Isaiah 30:18; Psalm 96:13). In every dispensation, God has rules that He wants people to operate within.
The most pronounced dispensations we often refer to are the times of “LAW” and “GRACE”, and it is important not to mix the two, otherwise error arises (Mark 2:22).
THE LAW
Scriptural References: Exodus 20–23; Leviticus 27:30-32; Numbers 18:8, 20-28
The Full Implementation of the Law: Deuteronomy 12:10-11, 18 (Old Testament/Covenant).
God chose the Levites, and no one can question God’s choice (Daniel 4:35; Exodus 32:26-28; Luke 14:26; Numbers 25:7, 11; Hebrews 1:8-9; 1 Samuel 2:30; Matthew 10:33).
The Levites were chosen to serve the Lord in the Tabernacle and, therefore, had no inheritance of farmland (Leviticus 6:12-13). To ensure the continual fire in the Tabernacle, God commanded the other tribes of Israel to give one-tenth (10%) of their farm produce to the Levites. The Levites, in turn, were to give one-tenth of what they received into the storehouse for the sacrifices, while they lived on the remainder.
DID ABRAHAM PAY TITHE?
Scriptural Reference: Genesis 14:13-24
Abraham gave Melchizedek one-tenth (10%) of the spoil from war. David also had spoil from war (1 Samuel 30:18-20, 26), which was a common practice when conquering nations—except where God explicitly forbade it (Joshua 6–7).
Abraham did not give 10% from his farm products, nor did he touch the remaining 90% of the spoil. He built several altars to God, but there is no record of him paying anyone a regular tithe.
If God is just, the Law of tithing, which was given during the time of the Law, cannot apply to Abraham, who lived before the Law.
Conclusion: The tithe existed in principle, but God only instructed the children of Israel under the Law on how to collect and spend it, with the Levites living off it (Hebrews 7:1-5; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6).
DID JACOB PAY TITHE?
Scriptural Reference: Genesis 28:12-22
God is referred to as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. However, some who want to justify tithing in the modern sense often jump from Isaac to Jacob. Jacob made a vow to give 10% of his possessions to God with an unbelieving mind, and there is no record of him actually paying 10% to God, as he gave part of his goods to his brother Esau.
Additionally, God was speaking of eternal, spiritual matters, while tithing deals with temporary, physical things.
LESSONS FROM HABAKKUK AND PHILIPPIANS
Habakkuk 3:17-18 teaches us to praise God in all situations, and Philippians 4:4 commands us to rejoice always, showing that obedience and devotion to God go beyond financial giving.
WHAT ABOUT MALACHI 3:10?
The battle today is not just between God and Satan, but also between God and Money (Matthew 6:24). The law of sowing and reaping is universal (Galatians 6:7).
Prophetic books like Malachi address the past, present, and future, sometimes specifically for the nation of Israel. While there are lessons for us, we must be careful not to derive doctrines solely from historical events (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Romans 15:4).
Highlights from Malachi:
Chapter 1: God condemned the offering of defiled animals. Lesson: Give cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:6).
Chapter 2: Priests causing people to stumble; poor treatment of spouses. Lesson: Manage your home and relationships well (1 Timothy 3:12).
Chapter 3: Verses 8-10 discuss tithes to priests from Levites, meant for the poor and strangers. Verses 13-15 address honoring God above earthly wealth (James 2:1-9). Verses 16-18 encourage those who serve God faithfully despite hypocrisy (Revelation 22:12).
Chapter 4: Warning against pride and wickedness (Psalm 9:17); encouragement to the righteous (Revelation 22:12).
DID JESUS COMMAND TITHING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT?
Scriptural References: Matthew 23:23; Luke 1:5-9; Luke 2:21-24; Luke 5:12-14
Jesus lived most of His life under the Law (Old Covenant). His rebuke of the Pharisees in Matthew 23:23 was directed at those under the Law, not New Testament believers.
CHANGE OF COVENANT
Scriptural References: Hebrews 7:1-18; 8:13; Romans 7:6
Early Apostolic Practice: Acts 2:42-45; Acts 4:32-37; 2 Corinthians 9:6; Romans 12:1
Before anything, one must be born again and have a relationship with God. Remember: we cannot bribe God (Proverbs 15:8; 21:27; Jeremiah 6:20; Malachi 1:10).
The wicked may claim there is no God, but truth prevails (Psalm 14:1; 2 Corinthians 8:5).
WHY THIS ISSUE OF TITHE?
Following the Law of tithing obligates one to follow the entire Levitical Law, otherwise, one is a transgressor (James 2:10).
The Law cannot justify anyone; it is for those under it (Romans 3:19-20; Galatians 2:15-16; Galatians 3:11).
Continuing under the Law nullifies Christ’s death (Galatians 2:21).
Those under the Law are under a curse and still in bondage (Galatians 3:7-10; 5:1-4).
Whosoever confuses the people of God with legalistic tithing shall bear the penalty, regardless of their position in any denomination (Galatians 5:10; 1:8).
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