WHY CHURCHES MUST EXPLAIN TITHE THOROUGHLY ?

 WHY CHURCHES MUST EXPLAIN TITHE THOROUGHLY ?

By David Maclaren KIIZA
The Bible speaks about tithing differently in the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Old Testament
The tithe (meaning "a tenth") was part of the Law given to Israel.
Key purposes included:
Supporting the Levites, who had no land inheritance (Numbers 18:21–24).
Supporting the priests who served in the tabernacle and later the temple.
Funding religious festivals and worship (Deuteronomy 14:22–27).
Caring for the poor, widows, orphans, and foreigners (Deuteronomy 14:28–29).
Important passages:
Leviticus 27:30 – "A tithe of everything... belongs to the Lord."
Numbers 18:21 – Tithes given to the Levites.
Malachi 3:8–10 – "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse."
New Testament
The New Testament does not command Christians to tithe as a legal requirement under the new covenant.
Jesus mentioned tithing when speaking to Jewish religious leaders who were still under the Mosaic Law:
Matthew 23:23 – Jesus said they tithed but neglected justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
After Jesus' death and resurrection, the emphasis shifted from a required tenth to generous, willing giving.
Key teachings:
2 Corinthians 9:7 – "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Acts 2:44–45 – Believers shared their possessions to meet needs.
1 Corinthians 16:2 – Believers were encouraged to set aside money regularly according to their income.
Summary
Old Testament
New Testament
Tithing (10%) was required under the Law of Moses.
No command requires Christians to give exactly 10%.
Supported Levites, temple worship, and the poor.
Giving is voluntary, generous, cheerful, and according to one's ability.
It was a legal obligation for Israel.
It is an act of worship and love, not a legal requirement.
Different Christian traditions interpret these passages differently. Some churches teach that tithing remains a good guideline for Christians, while others teach that believers are free from the Old Testament tithe and should instead give generously and willingly according to God's leading.



The timing and frequency of tithing differ between the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Old Testament
Under the Law of Moses, Israelites gave tithes regularly as their crops and livestock were produced, which generally meant annually after each harvest. There were also different kinds of tithes:
Annual tithe – Given to support the Levites (Numbers 18:21–24).
Festival tithe – Set aside each year for worship and religious celebrations (Deuteronomy 14:22–27).
Poor tithe – Given every third year to support the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows (Deuteronomy 14:28–29).
So, under the Old Testament law, tithing was tied to agricultural income and specific occasions, not to a weekly or monthly schedule.
New Testament
The New Testament does not specify a required frequency or percentage for giving.
Instead, it teaches believers to give:
Regularly – "On the first day of every week, each of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income" (1 Corinthians 16:2).
Willingly and cheerfully – Not under compulsion (2 Corinthians 9:7).
According to one's means – As God has prospered them.
Many Christians today choose to give weekly, monthly, or whenever they receive income, but this is a matter of personal conviction rather than a New Testament command.
In summary:
Old Testament: Tithes were generally connected to harvests, with annual and every-third-year requirements depending on the type of tithe.
New Testament: There is no command to tithe at a specific interval; believers are encouraged to give regularly, generously, and cheerfully.

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