Using the Word “Tithe” in the Way the Bible Uses It

David Sproule

Many religious groups today urge (and some require) members to give their “tithe” to the church.  How does the Bible use that word and how does it apply to us?

The word “tithe” literally means “ten, tenth.”  We first read about the “tithe” during the Patriarchal Age of the Old Testament (Gen. 14:20; 28:22).  Then, in the Mosaic Age, Jews were required to give a “tithe” of the land and livestock (Lev. 27:30-33), plus they made additional offerings (Deut. 14:22-29).  So, the Jews gave much more than a tenth, but that was their starting point (Mal. 3:10).

When we come to the Christian Age (i.e., the dispensation under which we live today), there is not a single command for Christians to “tithe” and there is not any example of early Christians “tithing.”  Every use of the term in the New Testament was a reference to the practice under Judaism, and we are no longer bound by the Old Testament law (Col. 2:14-17; Heb. 8:8-13; 10:1-11).  Some people are surprised to learn that Christians are not told to “tithe,” as they have heard that term used so prevalently in some circles.  Other folks are excited to hear that they are not required to give ten percent and will choose to give less than that.  However, lest we totally misunderstand the teachings of the New Testament, let us examine what it teaches us.

First, consider the contrast that is made in the book of Hebrews between the old covenant (which specified a tithe) and the new covenant (which does not specify a tithe).  The epistle describes the new covenant as a “better covenant” (7:22; 8:6), established on “better promises” (8:6) through “better sacrifices” (9:23) and offering a “better hope” (7:19).  If the covenant under which we live is a superior covenant with superior blessings (than the old covenant), can we willfully give a percentage that is inferior to the ten percent required under the inferior covenant?

Second, consider the manner in which God speaks about the giving we are privileged to do under the new covenant.  We are to give every Sunday (1 Cor. 16:1-2), as we “purpose in our hearts” (2 Cor. 9:7).  That heart should give (1) proportionally to how God has blessed him (1 Cor. 16:2; 8:12), (2) bountifully (2 Cor. 9:6), (3) generously (Rom. 12:8), (4) cheerfully (2 Cor. 9:7) and (5) happily (Acts 20:35).  Paul praised some brethren who, in “their deep poverty,” “abounded in the riches of their liberality” and gave “beyond their ability” (2 Cor. 8:2-3).  Why would they do that?  Because they realized how much the Lord had blessed them (2 Cor. 8:9; 9:15)!

We are not commanded to “tithe” today, so we should not use that word.  But, we have an opportunity to show the Lord “the sincerity of [our] love” by how and how much we give to Him (2 Cor. 8:8).

Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted (Mt. 5:10-12)

Wade Webster

For several weeks we have been considering the attitude that we are to have in worship (John 4::23-24). To analyze and adjust our attitudes we have been examining the beatitudes of the Bible. This week we will consider Matthew 5:10-12: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

The early Christians faced severe persecution. They were pursued to strange cities and arrested. They were falsely accused and imprisoned. They had their property seized. They were barred from marketplaces and cast out of trade guilds. They were seen as enemies of the empire because they wouldn’t burn incense to Caesar. They were beaten and stoned.. They were compelled to blaspheme their Lord and they were tortured to turn one another in. They were devoured by lions to the cheers of bloodthirsty crowds. They were covered with oil and set on fire to illuminate Nero’s parties. They were beheaded. Yet, in spite of all of these things, they gathered and worshipped; and, they did so in spirit and in truth. You better believe that these Christians knew the price of righteousness and the cost of being connected with Christ. You better believe that the hope of heaven was in their hearts and that the Old Testament martyrs were on their minds.

We face little to no persecution today. While I am thankful that we don’t, I wonder if the peace that we enjoy makes us more passive than we ought to be when it comes to worship. We are not persecuted for righteousness sake. We are not reviled or ridiculed for Christ’s sake. As a result, worship may mean less to us. There is no risk or danger associated with our assemblies. There is no real fear that a knock on the door will end services and scatter worshippers. There is no thought that we might die for our faith today and go to heaven. There is no fellowship in the sufferings of Christ. Do you recall how the apostles rejoiced when they suffered for Christ? Luke records, “So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name”:(Acts 5:41). For sure, the apostles didn’t relish persecution, but they did rejoice in the intimate fellowship that this created with their Lord. They daily denied themselves and took up their crosses and followed Jesus (Lk. 9:23). They daily defied orders and preached Jesus in the temple (Acts 5:42). Imagine what these services were like for the apostles and those who assembled with them. They were risking everything to worship; that is, everything but heaven. Paul also spoke of the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings. To the saints at Philippi, Paul wrote, “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Phil. 3:7-11; cf. 2 Cor. 1:5-7; Col. 1:24). Did you catch the references to suffering and righteousness and fellowship? Paul wanted to know the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings. I believe that you will agree that he got his wish. I am confident that he worshipped with fresh stripes on his back from being beaten, with deep bruises on his body from being stoned, and with blisters on his wrists and ankles from being shackled and placed in stocks.

As we get ready to worship this week, let’s think about the persecution of the early Christians and the sufferings of Christ. Let’s think of how they took it patiently and joyfully. Sadly, we may one day face circumstances similar to the early church. In the meantime, I think that thinking about the persecution of the past will help our attitudes to be what they need to be right now as we worship.

18 Ways to “Build Up” One Another in Worship Assemblies

David Sproule

There is no better day of the week than the first day of the week!  There is no greater blessing and privilege on the first day of the week than to worship the God of all creation, our heavenly Father!  And the New Testament emphasizes that this wonderful opportunity takes place when “the church” “comes together” each Lord’s day (1 Cor. 11:17, 18, 20, 33, 34; 14:23, 26). 

One primary purpose for the church to “come together” to worship on the first day of the week is to “build up” one another.  That is repeated throughout the fourteenth chapter of First Corinthians (14:3, 4, 5, 12, 17), where Paul concludes: “Let all things be done for building up” (14:26).  While we can certainly “build up one another” outside the worship assembly, the “building up” emphasized in this chapter is a “building up” that is particular to the assembly of the church and cannot be given or received outside of it.  So, in a practical way, what are some things that we can do to “build up” one another when we assemble together as a church on the first day of the week?  Let’s consider just a few.

1. Arrive early, well before it’s time to start.
2. Start by talking to folks while in the parking lot.
3. Don’t just go to your seat; walk around greeting people.
4. Smile.
5. Hug.
6. Shake hands, fist bump, high five, whatever.
7. Have a real, genuine, intentional conversation.
8. Look into their eyes and show sincere interest.
9. Seek out folks you don’t know as well or speak to often.
10. Say something like, “It is so good to see you.”
11. Say something like, “How have you been doing this week?” and then listen.
12. Say something like, “I prayed for you this last week,” or “I will definitely pray for you this week.”
13. Participate heartily in the worship.
14. Sing out with joy, rather than sitting silently.
15. Reflect on the cross during the Lord’s Supper, rather than carrying on a conversation or making a grocery list.
16. Engage in the sermon and show real interest, rather than being disengaged, playing on your device or looking bored.
17. Don’t rush off.  Stay late, several minutes after dismissal.
18. Take the initiative, rather than waiting for others.

What would you add?  Let us make assembling on the Lord’s Day the most encouraging time of the week.

Blessed Are The Peacemakers (Matthew 5:9)

Wade Webster

For several weeks we have been considering the attitude that we are to have in worship (John 4::23-24). To analyze and adjust our attitudes we have been examining the beatitudes of the Bible. This week we will consider Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.”

Our God is a God of peace. Five times in the New Testament, He is so designated by inspired writers (Rom. 15:33; 16:20; Phil. 4:9; 1 Thess. 5:23; Heb. 13:20-21). Consider the closing words of Hebrews: “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” (Heb. 13:20-21). God wants His sons and daughters to be like Him. Rather than sowing discord, something that He hates (Prov. 6:16-19), God wants His children to sow peace (Jam. 3:17-18). Rather than striving about words that won’t profit men, God wants His children to strive after the gospel of peace which is profitable for all men (Rom. 10:15; 2 Tim. 3:16). Perhaps, you are thinking, “What does this have to do with worship?” How does being at peace or not being at peace with others affect our worship of God? Well, I’m glad you asked. You see, we are not only commanded to love God, we are commanded to love our neighbor (Mat. 22:37-39). We cannot truly love God and hate others at the same time (1 John 4:20-21). We cannot curse men and bless God with the same mouth (Jam. 3:9-10). If we are not at peace with others, then we cannot be at peace with God. Our prayers and our worship will be rejected by Him because we are rejecting His word concerning how we are to treat others (Prov. 15:8; 1 Pet. 3:7). No doubt, this is why Jesus said what He did in the Sermon on the Mount. He declared, “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Mat. 5:23-24). Please notice the instructions. First, be reconciled to your brother and then offer your gift. We must be at peace with our brother before we can present our gift to God. If we get all the way to the worship altar and then remember a problem with a brother, we are not to finish up worship and then go to our brother. We are to go to our brother and then return to worship. We can’t have war in our hearts for our brother and worship in our hearts for God at the same time (Psa. 120:7). Sadly, I fear that many are trying to do so.

As we get ready to worship this week, let’s make sure that we are peacemakers. Troublemakers, gossips, hotheads, and others like them can’t love and worship God properly until they change their hearts.

Blessed Are The Pure In Heart (Matthew 5:8)

Wade Webster

For several weeks we have been considering the attitude that we are to have in worship (John 4::23-24). To analyze and adjust our attitudes we have been examining the beatitudes of the Bible. This week we will consider Matthew 5:8: “Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.”

God certainly wants our hearts in our worship. However, He doesn’t just want any heart. He wants a pure heart. Those are the ones who can draw near Him and see Him. The Greek word translated as pure is a very beautiful and rich word.

First, the word translated as pure means clean. God desires clean hearts. David knew this. Following his sin with Bathsheba, a sin where he had lusted in his heart for another man’s wife, David asked God to make his heart pure or clean again. Literally, he asked for God to make him a new heart - a clean heart. We read, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psa. 51:10). David knew that if there was iniquity in his heart that God would not hear him or receive him (Psa. 66:18). Connected with the idea of clean is the idea of purifying with fire. No doubt, you recall how the refiner in Bible times used fire to remove the impurities from precious metals like gold and silver (1 Pet. 1:7; Rev. 3:18). In like manner, David wanted God to burn away the dross that had been deposited in his heart. Connected with the idea of clean is also the idea of pruning. A vine is pruned or cleansed that it might be fruitful. Jesus declared, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you” (John 15:1-3). David wanted God to prune his heart that he might be fruitful again.

Second, the word translated as pure means free from the admixture of what is false. In other words, what is true. God wants our hearts to be true. The writer of Hebrews declared, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water”(Heb. 10:22). To draw near to God, our hearts cannot have an admixture of what is false. Many of the Jews of Jesus’ day failed in this regard. Jesus declared, “Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ” (Mat. 15:7-9). Their hearts were not free from error. They were defiled with the doctrines of men.

Third, the word translated as pure refers to that which is free from corrupt desire. As you know, God looks on the heart (1 Sam. 16:7). He examines the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Heb. 4:12-13). He knows if our motives are corrupt and will not receive our prayers or worship if they are. James wrote, “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures” (Jam. 4:1-3).

As we get ready to worship this week, let’s make sure that our hearts are pure. Let’s cleanse them from all unrighteousness. Let’s burn away the impurities and prune them that they might be fruitful. Finally, let’s remove what is false and selfish from them.