The Origin of Tithing

.....When problems over Scriptural interpretation arose, Jesus took His listeners back to the beginning, when those subjects were introduced (Matthew 19:8; Mark 7:10-13; Galatians 3:16-18). In practical terms, God  established a premise on those occasions, and further Scriptures would  expound on that meaning.

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....Likewise, God brought my question on tithing to its origin, to the story of Abraham and Melchizedek in the Book of Genesis (Genesis 14:18-20). For Abraham, in returning from his victory over the kings, had given Melchizedek a tenth of all the spoils (the Hebrew word ‘tithe’ means ‘tenth’), and the relationship between these men explains everything:

.... "Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils . . . For this Melchizedek . . . having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, [so he] remains a priest continually. He . . . received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better."

(Hebrews 7:1-7)

Here isthe truth of tithing in it’s purest form. For Abraham, with the promises of God, recognized something far greater in Melchizedek and wisely ‘considered how great this man was’. For Melchizedek was like the Son of God Himself.

......Abraham’s tithe was an act of personal homage in recognition of this man’s greatness; a fitting acknowledgment that he was better than him. A devoted relationship was formed and Melchizedek blessed him in return: "Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better." (v 7).

......The same understanding should guide our tithing today, for we have become heirs to the promise of Abraham, and Jesus is the High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (Galatians 3:29; Hebrews 5:5-6). So let us follow Abraham’s example and consider how great a person this Jesus Christ is, being the Son of God Himself; and likewise let our offerings become a pure act of worship to Him to acknowledge in a fitting way that He is greater than us.

......If we look to relationship rather than religion, tithing will always come to this conclusion; for our tithes are devoted to the Lord Himself, and not simply to the church, and the Lord blesses us in return. But let’s explore the objections of those young leaders further, and join their perspectives with this understanding.