What Is the Purpose Of The Tithe?
September 5, 2008 – 6:16 amDeuteronomy 14:23 (NIV, from BibleGateway.com)
22 Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year.
23 Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the LORD your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the LORD your God always.
Tithe means “tenth”, and essentially refers to giving the first tenth of you income to the Lord. Based on this passage from Deuteronomy, the purpose of the tithe is to put the Lord first in your life. This is something I struggled with for quite a while, and the Lord really convicted me in this area. I admit that I still struggle though, and a lot of times it’s difficult to write that check. The fact is that God has blessed us all, and I am by nature a selfish being. Tithing, and giving in general, helps me break free from my selfish feelings, and I know that by being faithful I am taking one step further in the training program God has layed out for me.
Tithing isn’t about being saved. I believe Jesus was the Son of God and died for my sins, and therefore I am saved through His sacrifice. I also understand that we should give cheerfully, but on the flip side of that command we are also called to be obedient. I understand obedience, but I’ll still working on being cheerful. 
Do you believe in tithing? Have you experienced major changes in your life once you started being faithful in this area?
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6 Responses to “What Is the Purpose Of The Tithe?”
I do think that tithing is extremely important. It is the act of the ultimate surrender when we can live a Matthew 6:24 life. Tithing is a symbolizes are ability to detach from the illusion of money!!
By Bob Brooks on Sep 5, 2008
There were 3 different tithes. The first went to the Levites who gave a tenth of their tithe to the priests. You only mentioned the the 2nd tithe.
Although money was very common and essential for worship it was never included in tithes. See my site for over 150 articles at http://www.tithing-russkelly.com
By Russell Earl Kelly, PHD on Sep 5, 2008
The easiest way is to just make it a recurring charge on your credit card or bank draft from your checking account. We set up a recurring billpay to give to our church and we don’t miss the money anymore.
By thebaglady on Sep 5, 2008
Tithing is part of the Mosaic law … the law that acted as a tutor leading to Christ. The law was fulfilled by his sacrifice. We are no longer under the law.
Therefore we are no longer under obligation to “tithe.” But we do know that God appreciates a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:7).
Originally, tithing was to give physical support to the priestly tribe of Levi which was given no inheritance of land. The other tribes were to tithe so that the Levite families could meet the needs of daily life.
In the Christian congregation, every member is expected to work for their food (1 Thess 3:10). Tithing is no longer necessary. There is need for support of buildings, printing, missionary activities, etc. but according to scripture, we now give what we can in accordance with what we have resolved in our hearts.
By Hilary on Sep 6, 2008
Thanks for the comment Hilary. I have struggled with your point quite a bit, and I still do at times. I believe that Christ came to fulfill the law, and that He calls us to a higher standard now than before.
Regardless of whether you believe in the tithe per se, do you (and do I) really feel that we are giving to Lord adequately? Most of us are blessed beyond measure, yet the average American Christian gives only 2-3% of their income per year.
I think all too often people, myself included, try to rationalize withholding in this area, and we’re all missing out on blessings and the opportunities to help others and help fulfill the great commission. We also rationalize our “needs”, like larger houses and larger cars, and end up leaving giving somewhere after everything else. Surprise surprise, there usually isn’t much left for God and others when we’re done pleasing ourselves.
By todd on Sep 6, 2008
@baglady. Great idea. I’ve thought about this and am still unsure if this would be best for me. I like the idea of making it automatic (like saving and investing), but I also like the idea of having to take a specific action when giving. This allows me to make sure my head and heart are in the right place.
I’m not sure how I feel about churches accepting donations via credit cards, as I think it sends the wrong message. Autodraft sounds like a good plan though, especially if a person is forgetful or time crunched. Just my 2 cents though.
By todd on Sep 6, 2008