Discourse on tithing

 Tithing is a common practice of many Christians around the world yet it is also a highly debatable issue in the church today. Some dismiss the issue of tithing arguing that it was a commandment given under the law and is not applicable to Christians who are now under grace.
Others refrain from tithing because of ignorance; they do not understand the reasons for and the benefits of the whole practice. Still others do not tithe because they think that preachers use the money to enrich themselves instead of using it for the furtherance of the gospel.
But those who faithfully practice tithing vow that they will never stop tithing because it opens doors into financial miracles. So what is the truth about tithing? In answer to this important question I will quote conversations about tithing from veteran tithers who have practised it for ages.
Definition of tithing    
Kenneth Copeland, one of the world’s richest pastors, said in the Believers Voice of Victory magazine, April 2010 edition, “The 10 percent is the tithe. Tithing is done with words. Tithing is more than tithe itself. Tithing is not complete without a corresponding action of the heart and mouth.”
Bishop David O. Oyedepo of the Winners Chapel, who is said to have probably the world’s largest church auditorium in Nigeria, said in his book Understanding Financial Prosperity:  “The tenth of your income is not yours. That’s where to start from. So you don’t give the tithe. You only give that which is yours.
“Tithe is holy unto the Lord (Levi.27:30-32). The tithe is not yours, so there is nothing to celebrate over when you pay it. Do you celebrate that you pay your tax? Nobody asks you whether you are interested in paying your tax or not; it’s your civic responsibility. Even so is the payment of your tithe your covenant responsibility as a citizen of God’s kingdom.”
David I. Wynns, one of the men of God who witnessed the power of tithing during the liberation war  in Zimbabwe, said in his booklet Living Fruitfully: “Tithe is the first tenth before any deductions, called in Deuteronomy the first fruits. Often we refer to all money handed to the Lord’s work as giving. Truthfully, we should sometimes call it giving, but at other times, paying. The reason for this slight correction is you can’t give what is not yours. One tenth of all income is not yours, but the Lord’s. Tithing is not giving but it is returning to the Lord that which rightfully belongs to Him.”
It is clear from the above definitions that tithe is the first tenth of what you earn and the Bible teaches that it belongs to God. 
Tithe is the amount you pay to God while tithing is the process or practice of paying tithes to God. 
The origin of tithing
People argue, “But tithing was only for th-ose who li-ved under the law and not for us who are under grace.” A certain pastor answered, “If you believe that, then remember Jesus Christ said that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees you will not enter the kingdom (Mattew 5:20). The tithe sets the minimum, but only your faith can set the maximum.
“Abraham paid tithes hundreds of years before the law of was given to Moses (Gen. 14:20). Jesus Christ clearly teaches and approved tithing in His ministry (Matt. 23:23) and the writer of the book of Hebrews confirmed it (Hebrews 7:8).”
Wynns argued, “Tithing did not start or finish with the law of Moses. The Scripture shows us that 400 years before Moses and the Law, Abraham paid tithes. His grandson Jacob made an agreement with God to pay Him tithes of all (Gen.28:22). The book of Hebrews (7:8) declares, ‘Christ receiveth tithes.’ Tithing is part of the priesthood of Melchizedek which neither began nor ended with the Law.”
Tithing was started by Abraham, the father of faith, and those who belong to Christ are called the seed of Abraham. The blessings of Abraham have been promised to us; that means if we want what Abraham had, we have got to do what he did — to pay tithes. Copeland said, “Hebrews 6:20 says Jesus Christ is our High priest “after the order of Melchisedec.” Jesus has the same assignment Melchizedek had in regard to Abram in Genesis 14 — to bless us and receive our tithes.” If Christ still receives tithes then it is not time for us to stop giving Him the tithes.
What are the benefits of tithing? Consequences of non-tithing? And the best way to pay our tithes? These and other questions will be addressed in the next article.
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