The Bible teaches that the Law was a shadow of things to come with the realities they pointed to found in Christ (Hebrews 10:1, Colossians 2:17). While some of the principles under the Law differ in how they are fulfilled under the new covenant (e.g. blood of animals replaced with the blood of Jesus – Hebrews 9:11-12), some are carried out or fulfilled in just the same way as under the Law. For example, it was forbidden to steal under the Law (Exodus 20:15) and the same command is issued under the new covenant (Ephesians 4:18). Therefore to ignore any truth in the Old Testament, simply because it’s found in the Old Testament, without ascertaining what it points to and how it translates under the new covenant is to set yourself up for error.
The opposition to tithing may be traced to three underlying factors: (i) sincere ignorance of what the Bible teaches on the subject, (ii) the love of money, and (iii) pride – exalting personal opinions above what the Bible teaches. However, we are given the following admonition in 2 Peter 3:17: “You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness”. We are shown how to do this in Acts 17:11: “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). Being like the Bereans, is how we will save ourselves from the deception, which Jesus gave as the first sign to precede His coming (Matthew 24:3-4).
In Hebrews 7, the Bible emphasizes the two forms of priesthood: the Levitical priesthood, with its foundation in the Law and the Melchizedek priesthood, which is established by the power of an indestructible life (Hebrews 7:1-28). Within the Chapter, the two priesthoods are compared and contrasted so that to consider Hebrews 7 as simply referring to a historical event is to misunderstand the present reality of the Melchizedek priesthood under which Jesus currently serves as High Priest for His church (Hebrews 4:14-15, Hebrews 7:17) and the superiority of this priesthood to the Levitical priesthood which is demonstrated in the same chapter (Hebrews 7).
In verse 8 of Hebrews 7, the tithe is used as the basis for comparison and contrast. It is important to note that the original Greek text did not base the comparison and contrast on names of persons. Rather the Bible literally says, “In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on” (Hebrews 7:8). The only case in the entire chapter where it is reiterated that mortal men receive tithes is the case of the order of priesthood after Levi (Hebrews 7:5, 25). Thus, the Scriptures clearly establish that the case being compared and contrasted in Hebrews 7:8, is the “order of priesthood”, specifically the Levitical priesthood versus the Melchizedek priesthood (e.g. Hebrews 7:8, Hebrews 7:11). Here, the Bible emphasizes that in the Levitical priesthood, mortal men receive tithe, but in the Melchizedek priesthood, one of whom it is witnessed that he lives on receives the tithe (Hebrews 7:8). Now, the Scriptures in multiple places declare that God has made Jesus Christ a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:6; Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 7:17). By being appointed to serve as a priest in the order of Melchizedek, the Scriptures clearly establish that Jesus in His priesthood order under the new covenant receives tithes – as receiving the tithe is a biblically established characteristic feature of the Melchizedek priesthood, from which Jesus serves as priest for His church (Hebrews 4:14-15; Hebrews 7:17; Hebrews 7:8).
It is also worth noting that the word “tithe” used in Hebrews 7:8 is directly referenced to a tenth of one’s increase given by God’s people as a sacred offering unto God; that which is holy and belongs to God (e.g. Leviticus 27:30; Hebrews 7:8, Malachi 3:10) – just as children were commanded to obey their parents under the Law for long life (Exodus 20:12) and the same is directly established under the new covenant (Ephesians 6:1-2). By this, the Bible affirms that under the Melchizedek priesthood of the new covenant, the tithe is deemed as a sacred portion that belongs to God. Jesus also gave this instruction: “Give to God what belongs to God” (Mark 12:17). This was not a suggestion but a command from Jesus which is eternally true. Since the tithe belongs to God, and Jesus receives the tithe in His current position as a priest after the order of Melchizedek, and God’s people are commanded to give what belongs to God to Him – which includes the tithe, how could we even entertain the thought of hording the tithe? Now, if we decide to take for ourselves that which belongs to another, what do we suppose we are? Any wonder God called those who refuse to give their tithe thieves?
Hebrews 7:12 says “For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also”. Therefore, because the Levitical priesthood has been replaced with the Melchizedek priesthood, we are not bound in the new covenant to give our tithes according to the laws that were given for the Levitical priesthood, e.g. physically sending our tithes to certain geographic areas to make it acceptable (e.g. Deuteronomy 14). Rather, under Jesus’ Melchizedek priesthood of the new covenant, the Scriptures only establishes that Jesus receives the tithes (Hebrews 7:8), which is referenced to a tenth of one’s income or increase given by God’s people as a sacred portion that belongs to God (Hebrews 7:8; Leviticus 27:30). And Jesus Himself has put some in His church as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers as His representatives who leads the church and can also receive the tithe for His work (cf. Ephesians 4:11-12; Hebrews 13:17; Colossians 1:25; 1 Corinthians 12:27, Malachi 3:10).
The establishment of the tithe under the Melchizedek priesthood of the new covenant is biblically undeniable (Hebrews 7). To refuse to tithe is simply to disobey a very direct command from Jesus and His Word (Hebrews 7, Mark 12:17). This is where the sin lies – disobedience, which may be rooted in ignorance of what the Scriptures teach. Ignorance however, does not justify sin (Luke 12:48). So while the New Testament indeed exhorts us to give our free will offering to the Lord just as it was in the Old Testament (e.g. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, Leviticus 23:38), so does it establish tithing under the new covenant (Hebrews 7). To only highlight 2 Corinthians 9 (free will offering) as the only standard of giving under the new covenant is biblically inaccurate as it ignores the establishment of tithing under the Melchizedek priesthood. Moreover, although the Bible reports that the early church, at some point, shared all things in common (Acts 2:44, Acts 4:32), that is not given in Scripture as a doctrine or practice the church must follow (cf. Acts 5:4), and the early church certainly did not keep this as an established custom for the church (e.g. 2 Corinthians 9). Some may however choose to do so and that is praiseworthy since it is commendable to go two miles if asked to go a mile (cf. Matthew 5:41). However, what is clearly established in the New Testament is the free will offering, given as one purposes in their heart (2 Corinthians 9:6-7) and the tithe – the tenth which belongs to God, which we are commanded to give to Him (Hebrews 7, Mark 12:17).
Among all the idols men may knowingly or unknowingly worship, Jesus specifically warned against the worship of mammon, which is also translated as money (Mathew 6:24). Our obedience to God’s instruction to tithe under the new covenant is part of our new covenant duty to obey God (John 14:15, Matthew 22:37-39) and is also key in making our possessions and finances subservient to God as we ought. We are also warned thus: “But realize this, that in the last days… men will be lovers of self, lovers of money…, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God… Avoid such men as these” (2 Timothy 3:1-5). Even so, let him who thinks He stands beware, lest he falls (1 Corinthians 10:12).
-Kwadwo Omari, PhD
© 2018, 2021.