The Hebrew word for tithe is “ten.” It appeared at the time of the first recorded battle in the Bible as our text indicates. Five kings banded together in a military assault against five other kings. In the process all the food supplies of the two cities Sodom and Gomorrah were taken along with Lot who was the nephew of Abram. There were 318 servants of Abram who were born in his house and became the first Army in Scripture. At nighttime he and his servants overwhelmed their enemy, freed Lot, brought back all of the bounty plus the women and others.
Upon their return, the king of Salem, Melchizedek, who was a priest of the most high God, blessed Abram. It is important to remember the name Melchizedek because the New Testament states that Jesus was a priest according to the line of Melchizedek who had no father or mother or record of birth or death. (Hebrews 7:21) Jesus was not according to the priesthood in the line of Aaron. Those priests ministered in behalf of the people the blood of animals as a sacrifice for sin. Jesus ministered in behalf of the salvation for all people his own blood as a sacrifice for sin.
It is important for us to understand the history of tithing. It is mentioned in various verses throughout the Old Testament. According to Leviticus 27: 30-33, the Israelites offered 10% of their produce and animals. Since the tribe of Levi had no land of their own, the rest of the Hebrews were to tithe for their needs. In turn, the priest would tithe on what they were given. Even from the beginning the concept was to support the ministry and service to God in appreciation for all they owned that rightfully belonged to God. However, it is not an admonition for New Testament believers to tithe. So why do we do it?
The purpose of the tithe was to honor God while understanding that God was the owner of everything. Therefore, any gain that we have in life is a gift from the Almighty. In those days and today, the payment of tithes is not a command but a matter of conscience. This was a reflection of loving the Lord with all one’s heart and soul. (Deuteronomy 26:16) Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for the manner in which they paid their tithes because they were taking pride in what they did while neglecting important principles of the Mosaic law. In some circumstances later in the postexilic life of the nation, they did not pay tithes and were accused of robbing God. (Malachi 3:8) In those days as well is
There is a difference between giving a tithe verses giving an offering. The offering is considered after the tithe. Sometimes what is called a “love offering” is giving for a special purpose like that of giving to a visiting missionary. Today the common sense of it is the need for money donated to the church whether it is a command or not. Otherwise, how are the basic bills of the church to be paid and how is the pastor to have a salary? By everyone agreeing to pay a tithe, the responsibilities for the support of the ministry is equalized among all the members. It does not matter the income of the church member. What matters is the appreciation for God’s blessings and the investment in the functions of the church. In effect, we are also robbing ourselves of God’s blessings without tithing.
Christian Writer 