According to Webster’s dictionary, the word “tithe” means to give a tenth part of something.Let me give you an example. What is your tithe if you have twenty apples? It is two apples, according to Webster’s definition. The tithe is based on your financial situation. Some people teach that if you have a tithe budget, you can pay six percent and it will count as a tithe, which is not right.
Furthermore, let’s compare the meaning of tithe in the New and Old Testaments.
The tithe was first mentioned in Genesis 14:20, when Abraham gave an offering to the chief of Salem, Melchizedek. The writer of Hebrews gives an account of the same event in the New Testament, and he stated that Abraham gave one-tenth (Hebrews 7:2,4).
The Holy Spirit inspired Moses to use the word “tithe” in Genesis to describe Abraham’s offering to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:20), but in Hebrews, He used one-tenth. That means it’s the same thing — one-tenth of your produce. So now you’ve known the correlations of tithe in several Bible verses, let’s learn why giving tithe in Christ is necessary.
Reasons Why We Must Give Tithe
1. Tithing builds trust in man’s relationship with God
[10] “Bring all tithes into the storehouse, That they may bring food in My house, And try me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessings that there will be room enough to receive it.”
Malachi 3:10 NKJV
For example, suppose a wealthy man has a lock in his private room. He may give the keys to his children. But why? Because his children have developed trust and obedience to Him, they’ll have access to all his personal belongings. Likewise, if we are faithful to God through our tithes, he will open the gates of divine abundance for the plans He has for us shall come to pass.
2. Tithing brings resources to the house of the Lord.
When God led the Israelites out of Egypt into the promise land, He gave a special duty to the Levites. They were priests and were to work in God’s temple. So God instructed that a tenth of each tribe’s produce should be brought to the church, which they’ll benefit from it (Numbers 18:26-27). And that signifies the tithe.
Today, this principle hasn’t changed. Although it’s not every ministry that gives pastors a monthly salary, the tithe helps to run ministries well.
That means that paying your tithe helps to provide for the needs of the ministry and the people working in the house of the Lord.
3. Paying tithe signifies and strengthens the covenant God has with man.
From Malachi 3:10, the Lord told us to try Him with tithe and see whether he will not open doors for us. So sometimes, what God wants to do in our lives is greater than what we see now. However, He may decide to wait and see commitment in our giving before He does it. Submit yourself to God, and pay your tithe. You’ll see financial progression in your life.
