(The following account is a narrative of Jesus in Mark 12:41-44 KJV).

Jesus walked into the courtyard of the temple and sat down, observing the people. Truly, it was a mixed multitude. There were men within the court doing business, buying and selling and taking advantage of the people who had to buy animals. Jews from far places, dusty and tired from traveling, prepared to bring their sacrifices to the priests. Pharisees strode proudly through the throng of people, praying in loud voices and extolling their own virtue. Others, humbled to be in the house of God, had a glow of worship as they offered their petitions of prayer and sacrifice to the Lord God.Read more

Scripture Reading:

I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. —Acts 20:35

Summary:

Tithing was an obligation commanded in the Old Testament. The new covenant introduced a system of giving freely, sacrificially, and from the heart. New Testament giving is not regulated by a percentage of income but by the love and sacrifice of one’s spirit.Read more

History of Tithing

Tithing is an Old Testament doctrine which was replaced in the New Testament in favor of freewill, voluntary offerings to the Lord. It is instructive to know and understand the history and scriptural teaching on the subject.

Before the law of Moses was given, there are two recorded instances of people paying a tithe. In Genesis 14:17-20, Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizedek, king and priest of Salem. The tithe was not from income or the increase of crops but was from the spoils of a victorious battle. In Genesis 28:20-22, Jacob made a vow to God in which he promised to give God a tenth if the Lord would provide for him. In neither of these instances did God command the tithe, but they were acts of voluntary giving and commitment.Read more

What is the acceptable manner of Christian giving?

“When thou doest thine alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth” (Matthew 6:1-4). Children of God are not to give to receive recognition or praise of man, but are to give, as much as possible, anonymously and in secret with much humility and love.Read more

“The Lord established the principle of tithing among the Israelites by referring to the method by which shepherds counted the sheep [Leviticus 27:32].

When sheep were herded into a sheepfold at night, the shepherd stood by with a rod saturated with dye. He marked every tenth sheep with this dye as they entered the pen. This enabled him to do a quick count to determine if any were missing.”

(Knight, George W. 2007. Bible Customs & Curiosities, p. 56).