Tithing is one of the most controversial topics in the Christian and Messianic worlds. Ironically, mainstream Christianity, who do not believe in the Law of God, believe in the law of tithing. On the other hand, there are some Messianic faiths who believe in the Law of God but do not embrace the law of tithing. This is a strange juxtaposition because you would expect Christians who don’t believe in the Law to not embrace the law of tithing just as you would expect Messianics who believe in the Law of God to also believe in the law of tithing. Tithing is a topic that needs to be unraveled.

After giving Law at Mt Sinai, tithes and offerings were to be given to the Levites as wages for the work they did in the Tent of Meeting (Num. 18:21). Levites had no tribal land inheritance (Deut. 10:9). Their inheritance was God. They lived in cities, but they could not own a territory. The sons of Levi merited this honor because they did not take part in the sin of the golden calf (Exod. 32:26). After receiving tithes, the Levites were required to submit a tenth of the tithe to the sons of Aaron, who were the High Priests. 

Some of whom oppose tithing argue that because the temple is not there today and the Levitical priesthood is not in operation; hence, tithing is not in effect. However, it’s important to note that tithing pre-existed the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai.

Genesis 28:22 - And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

The Law existed even before Moses, Moses only wrote it down. That is how Jacob understood what tithing meant. One could argue that during Jacob’s time, there was no temple, no Levites, no sacrificial system, and therefore no requirement for tithing. However, Jacob’s deeds on tithing would disprove that argument. Through knowledge of the Law, Cain and Abel knew what and when to sacrifice before God. This was also before Mt. Sinai.

Genesis 14:18-20 - And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the highest God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

The verse above explains that the patriarch Abraham also gave tithes to a mysterious man known as Melchizedek (translated from the Hebrew Malkitzedek, which means my king is righteous). He was King of Salem who was both a king and priest of God. The author of Hebrews explains how great Melchizedek was if Abraham gave a tenth to him (Heb. 7:4). The author points out that the Torah commanded that Levites were to receive tithes, but since Levi is an offspring of Abraham, then, in extension Levi who receives tithes, paid tithes to Melchizedek through Abraham. Levi was still in Abraham’s loins (Heb 7:9). This showed that Levitical priesthood was inferior in comparison to the priesthood of Melchizedek because when paying tithes, the lesser paid tithes to the greater. Therefore, this instance shows that Melchizedek is greater than Abraham.

Yahshua Messiah, when condemning the hypocritical nature of the Pharisees said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others” (Matthew 23:23). His point was apart from obeying the commandment of tithing; they had to practice justice, mercy, and faithfulness, which are the weightier matters of the Torah.

At one instance, the Pharisees wanted to test Yahshua, and they asked him whether it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. He answered, “Render unto Caesar (meaning government) the things that are of Caesar and unto God the things that are God’s (Mark 12:17).” In this explanation, Messiah was clearly revealing a separation of church and state in the earthly kingdom. It is lawful to pay taxes to the government and also to pay tithes and offerings to God. Why? Does God need anything from us? Isn’t the earth and all its fullness belong to Him? (Psalms 24:1)

We should realize that we belong to the heavenly Kingdom, and failure to pay tithes and offerings is to deny our citizenship in the Kingdom. Whenever we contribute, we give to the heavenly Kingdom. Interestingly, Messiah said that the Kingdom of heaven is an invisible one, and it exists within the souls of God’s faithful, only at the end of the age will it come down. “Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:20-21) Consequently, we should give to the government what is governments and unto God what is God’s because currently, we belong to both the earthly and heavenly kingdoms.

“You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” (Deut. 8:18) How does one remember as the one who gives him the power to create wealth? By giving tithe and offerings. By doing this, we recognize that He is the one who gives us talent, skill, and the ability to work. 

By failing to tithe ancient Israel turned away from God, because this impaired the work of spreading the word across the nation and to the gentiles. By not giving, Israel could not fulfill its mission of being a light to the gentiles. Giving tithes and offerings is an essential way of being a light to the nations, and it’s also a way to return to the Holy One of Israel, blessed be He.

Malachi 3:7-8 - From the days of your fathers, you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions.