If you are just joining us, I am studying the topic of Money.  In July, I posted the Intro to this series so please start there. 

Last time, we discussed the definition of money and how some feel about it.  I also told a bit about my personal history with money.  Toward the end I mentioned the 10/10/80 rule and posed a question that should give insight into that first 10 in our formula.  Many financial gurus will tell you that you should give away 10% of your income.  Depending on the guru, the answer to the question below can be quite varied.  Since I am a believer in Christ Jesus, I hope to answer that question from a Biblical perspective. 

I'll go ahead and prepare you ahead of time, this question opened a can of worms in my own personal study life and I decided I couldn’t fit all that needed to be shared in this one post.  So, the part one segment will only scratch the surface of unearthing the answer, but I just felt this was the direction we were to go with it.

Why should we give it away?

The answer to that question is a rather complicated one.  I’m thinking a dedicated series on this topic alone still wouldn’t answer it to the satisfaction of some.  However, we are going to begin with the dreaded “T” word and get on with this already.  You know what word I mean, the one that makes so many squirm in their seats when it’s mentioned in a church service.  Yes, it’s “tithe”.

The Hebrew word used most often in the Old Testament is ma’aser which means “tenth part” or “payment of a tenth part”.  In the Old Testament this was typically a Tenth of their crops and livestock.  Today it’s mostly referred to money because that’s our modern day “increase”.  This word really has gotten a bad rap over the years.  Somehow the church has split into these two primary extremes over this term:  the guilt-laden and the passive.  One group is guilt-tripped into giving (or just perpetually lives in guilt because they choose not to) and the other shuns the act altogether because they claim its “Old Testament Law”.  So, which group is right?  Hmmm, that's a very good question.

Let’s begin by taking a little trip back to Genesis where we find the “pre-law” (or pre-Mosaic Law) people of God.

“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said: 'Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.'  And he gave him a tithe of all.” 
Genesis 14:18-20

This reference to tithe is the same Hebrew word I mentioned earlier – ma’aser.  The surrounding text suggests that Abram (Abraham) gave to the priest, a tenth of the spoils from a recent battle against kings who had taken his nephew (Lot) captive.  It is not mentioned whether tithing was a frequent practice for Abraham and in fact this passage would lead us to believe that God did not require this act of giving but that Abram did it voluntarily.

We can also make note of another pre-law instance where Jacob, having received a promise from the Lord, vows to give a tenth back to the Lord of everything God gives to him.  Here again we do not find God commanding this of Jacob but rather this display is voluntary.

“…And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.” 
Genesis 28:22

The voluntary giving in the Old Testament comes to a halt with the establishment of Mosaic Law.  I’ve read various commentaries and opinions on what exactly the “tithe(s)” part of the law entailed as well as the scriptures these summaries are based upon.  The disagreements on whether it was one tithe or up to three separate tithes are numerous.  The common thread though, is that part of God’s purpose in this was to compensate the Levites for their priestly service as their inheritance and to care for the sick, elderly, poor, widowed…etc.

Here are some scriptures about tithing where the law is concerned:

Leviticus 27:30-33

Numbers 18:21-24

Deuteronomy 14:22-29

Nehemiah 12:44

In some ways these tithes even resemble our modern day tax system.  We pay taxes to the government to support the running of the nation.  In addition, we know a portion of our tax goes to programs for those in need (unfortunately it also goes to unworthy causes as well).  These Old Testament tithes appear to be not for purely giving purposes but for the stability of the whole nation.

Despite these observations, I have no desire to begin a theological debate on the tithe of the law.  So, let me just admit right now that I don’t have a clear picture of what God commanded specifically from the Israelites in regard to tithe.  I figure stating my personal beliefs on that matter would contradict someone’s devout beliefs and I’m not really certain it’s critical enough to draw a distinction…and ultimately debate.  One thing I will state, which is painfully obvious no matter how you interpret the “details”, this practice, under Mosaic Law, was not voluntary.  It was commanded and those who didn’t adhere to it were cursed per Malachi 3:8-12.  Note though, they weren’t just cursed for not tithing…offerings were included in that.  I’m going to use this later, so keep it in the back of your mind somewhere.

I believe this is plenty of information for one post.  So far we’ve covered briefly pre-Mosaic and Mosaic law from the Old Testament in regard to tithe.  You may be wondering, “Ok, but what about New Testament law?”  Well, that’s where we’re headed next.  So, while you wait for part two, grab your Bible and start reading the scriptures in this post and their surrounding context.

 to be continued…