What Does the Word Say About Giving?
“Tithes and Offerings, Giving, Giving Our of Our Necessities, and Giving All”
Tithes and Offerings:
These have their root in the Tenakh (Old Testament) which we, as followers of Messiah, believe is still for today. And they are mentioned by Yeshua in the Brit Chadashah (New Testament). So let’s take a look and see what the Word says concerning these things.
Tithes are first mentioned in Genesis 14 as Abram (pre-name change) rescues Lot and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. He is met by Melchizedek, blessed by Melchizedek, and Abram “gave him tithes of all.” Our text does not say that Abram gave unto him a tenth of the spoils of war. It says that he gave tithes of all. But we read in Hebrews 7:4-9 that Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. So it was a tithe of his increase. And by proxy, Levi paid tithes in Abraham.
The next occurrence of tithing is Jacob, Abraham’s grandson, makes a vow to give a tenth note the word in the Hebrew is “ma’asar” when Abram gave the tithe and the tenth used by Jacob is “asar.” The former by Abram was a tenth out of what he had. The usage from Jacob deals with what he would accumulate and return with. So it is a vow that says of what ever You bless me with when I return here again then I will pay a tenth.
Tithe/Tithes are not mentioned again until Leviticus and then it became a command to tithe. And it was not simply a tenth. There are multiple tithes required and it averages 23-25% of all things tithed from, for and to.
A First Fruit offering is not a tithe. It is the first of what comes in given in faith for that which is to come. Many intermingle these two and it causes confusion. There are tithes which are to be “eaten” by the priests and Levites. And there are those which are eaten by those who bring them as they share with those they brought with them.
In the days of Hezekiah the king we read, “And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.” (2 Chronicles 31:5) Note that the firstfruits and the tithe are separate. They are not the same sacrifice. They are separate yet, in this case, they are brought in at the same time.
Do we need to look at 2 Chronicles or Nehemiah for more? Perhaps you, the reader, should. For brevity’s sake we will press on.
Most of us have heard those sermons, you know those “we need your commitment, pledge, vow, or monies” sermons. What is their text? Malachi 3:8-11. Let’s look at this in its context.
Mal 3:6-12
(6) For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
(7) Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?
(8) Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
(9) Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
(10) Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
(11) And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
(12) And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
Restoring the Tithes and Offerings was proof, fruit, or a work of repentance. this is what releases the hand of the Almighty to open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing so great that it cannot be contained. And then, He will rebuke the devourer for our sakes. We will be called blessed of all nation and the land will be “delightsome.”
Some might ask, isn’t this only for the nation of Israel? Hmmm… Who is Israel? Others might ask, “Isn’t this for the land (only to be observed when in Israel)? May I ask a question? Today, what is the land spiritually?
Enter Yeshua. When He was rebuking the scribes and Pharisees (See Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42) did He say, “away with your tithes?” No. He said these things (judgment, mercy, faith, and the love of God) “ought ye to have done, AND, not to leave the other (tithes) undone.” He knew how to open heaven’s windows and how to rebuke the enemy!
On Giving…Generously…out of Necessities…Giving All:
More on tithes? That is up to you to undertake. Offerings? Let’s do a little research. In Exodus 35-36 the people are told to bring in their “freewill offerings.” And they gave so lavishly that they had to be told to stop. They gave above and beyond what was necessary or required. If we are to learn from their example, why do we forget their example on giving?
Enter Yeshua, again. What was He doing watching the people giving their offerings in mark 12? And He called to the disciples when the widow gave 2 mites and told them that she gave more than all the rest. They gave out of their abundance. She gave of her want and gave all “even all her living.” She had nothing left over.
But are there examples of people giving like those in Exodus 35-36 or the widow in the NT? Yes. Read John 6 about the lad who gave his lunch and Messiah fed 5,000+! And read 2 Corinthians 8-9. We will look at these chapters here.
2Co 8:1-5
(1) Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
(2) How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
(3) For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
(4) Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
(5) And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
What was the “grace” being discussed here? The grace of giving that Elohim put on them. These were the people in Philippi. And they were the lowest of the low. Beggars and yet they gave with an abundance of joy despite their deep poverty. And they not only gave finances (more than once) they started by giving themselves wholly unto the Master and unto apostle Paul and those with him. They stepped into the offering plate, the Tzedakah box, and said all of me, then gave all they had.
Then in chapter 9 is where were read about sowing sparingly and generously. And Paul did not expect the Corinthians to follow wholly the example of the Macedonians by giving themselves and all that they had or of their necessities. But to give liberally and cheerfully.
Enter Yeshua, the third time. Where do the tithes, offerings, and what is given go? When He sent out the disciples and told them to take no gold or silver or brass aka money; did He tell them to live as beggars? No. He told them that the “workman was worthy of his meat.” By the way how was Yeshua’s ministry supported? By women. Think about that for a minute or two.
Back to Paul. Remember how he said he ministered unto the people in Corinth?
2Co 11:8-9
(8) I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
(9) And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
He robbed other assemblies, took wages of or from them so he could minister to them. And who supplied his needs when he was in Corinth? The brethren that came with him from Macedonia; those in deep poverty. Yes, there was a season when he made tents to supply the needs.
We have Paul teaching about the support of those who minister in several places. First, let’s look at 1 Corinthians 9:9-15
(9) For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
(10) Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
(11) If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
(12) If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
(13) Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
(14) Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
(15) But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
Still, when he returned unto those in Corinth, they were spiritual babes when they should have taken upon themselves to see to the support of Paul and those who travelled with him. That is why he exhorts them to become generous givers in his second letter.
Again Paul teaches in Galatians 6:6-9 that every man bears his own burden and those who are taught are to “communicate” or share all that is good with those who teach. And those who do so should see their communication as sowing seed and expect a harvest.
(5) For every man shall bear his own burden.
(6) Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
(7) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
(8) For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
(9) And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Lastly, as Paul instructs his son Timothy, about the elders we read,
(17) Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
(18) For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
~(1 Timothy 5:17-18)
The elders, those with whom Yah has entrusted the care of your spiritual needs such as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, bishops, and elders. These He has entrusted you with the ministry of caring for them. Do not muzzle them. They are not only worthy to receive of/from you. They will also give an account of you before the Throne of Grace.
I will no longer sit quietly by knowing that there is much that needs to be accomplished and say nothing about sowing financial seed into this ministry. Have you been blessed by this teaching and others? Then consider communicating a gift by sowing into this ministry. Here is your link:
~Selah
