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

A Divine Plan

From the beginning of creation, God had a plan for humanity. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, God was working to bring mankind to a place of full redemption. The fullness of His design was not immediately evident; but over the course of hundreds of years, the beauty and power of the ultimate plan of salvation was revealed through the coming of Jesus Christ.

Covenants of God

The Bible is a book about man’s journey and his relationship with God. Through the various dispensations of time, God has required different things of different generations. It is vital to understand the system and principles under which God is dealing with mankind today. The foundational systems from which God deals with mankind are referred to in the scripture as “covenants.” The scriptural covenants from God were much more than a mutual agreement between God and man. A covenant signified more accurately God’s promises and counsel by which He conveyed His favor and blessings to man.Read more

Divinely Called

It is the Spirit of God that qualifies and calls apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. The ministry is given for “the perfecting of the saints…for the edifying of the body of Christ. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God” (Ephesians 4:13). Jesus commissioned His disciples, as He still does today, to go into all the world and preach the gospel (Mark 16:15-16). It is a serious commission to minister the Word of God, for eternal souls are at stake. “If a man desire the office of a bishop [elder/minister], he desireth a good work” (1 Timothy 3:1). It is not an office to be taken casually or loosely, but ministry is to be the result of a divine call and the anointing of the Holy Spirit in one’s life.Read more

Modest: Restrained by a sense of propriety; not forward or bold; Not loose or lewd. Decent; orderly. Moderate; not excessive or extreme; not extravagant..

Sobriety: Temperance or moderation; seriousness; sedateness; sober.

Shamefaced: Very modest; bashful or shy.

Called Out of Darkness

The Church of God in this generation is still a holy nation. God’s people are separate from the world as Christ Himself was in the world but not of it. Every child of God has been called “out of darkness into his marvelous light”(1 Peter 2:9). It is not only a responsibility, but the privilege, of God’s people to let their light shine that others might see the holiness of God (Matthew 5:14-16). Although many churches today have compromised the scriptural teaching on modesty and dress, God’s Word has not changed. The world places much importance on clothes and appearance. There is great pressure on people today to dress fashionably or in ways that place the physical body on display. The Word of God gives instruction and guidance on issues of the outward appearance.Read more

Foundation of Love

Jesus stated that the greatest commandment was to love God and secondly was to love others as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40). Love is more than a theoretical concept.  It is a decision, a heartfelt choice, a responsibility, a purpose, and that which motivates to action. Love for God is exemplified through obedience to His word. Love for our neighbor is exemplified though deeds of kindness and charitable acts. Without this kind of love, people will not be pleasing to the Lord nor fulfilling their God-given purpose in life. The life of a saint should be full of deeds of charity.Read more