Five Things We Will Learn
- Why tithing begins with Abraham in Genesis 14—before the Law ever existed.
- How Sinai codified the tenth without inventing it (Leviticus 27; Numbers 18).
- How Deuteronomy 14 frames tithing as celebration with God and care for Levites, widows, and orphans.
- Why Malachi 3 doesn’t create a new rule but confirms Abraham’s faith-pattern—and invites us to “test” God.
- How Paul (Galatians 3; Romans 4) shows the promise to Abraham still governs our giving as a response of faith, not a tax.
Tithing Begins Before the Law (Genesis 14)
Should you tithe? Let’s walk through Scripture together, step by step. It begins before the Law ever showed up. In Genesis 14:18–20, Abram—later Abraham—meets Melchizedek, priest of God Most High, after routing those kings. Abram gives him a tenth, no questions asked. No commandment. Just reflex: God fought for me, here’s what I’m returning. That’s the seed.
Sinai Codifies What Faith Began (Leviticus 27; Numbers 18)
Then comes Sinai. Leviticus 27:30, Numbers 18:21—suddenly tithes are codified. Every tenth of seed, fruit, flock, it’s holy to the Lord. Priests eat, temple runs. But the Law doesn’t invent tithing—it recognizes and orders what faith already practiced.
A Feast with God and Care for the Vulnerable (Deuteronomy 14:22–29)
But wait: it’s still voluntary at heart, right? Because Deuteronomy 14:22–29 says bring it, eat it, celebrate—oh, and give to the Levite, the widow, the orphan. Same law, layered love. The tithe is worship that turns into a shared table and practical mercy.
Related:
- New Testament Giving: The Tithe, the Promise, and the Heart of a Disciple
- Should You Tithe? Promise Before Law, Faith Afterward
- The Argument for Not Just Tithing, But for Giving All
- The Lesser Gives to the Greater: Tithing in the Faith of Abraham
- What Does Jesus Say About Tithing?
Malachi Confirms the Abraham Pattern—“Test Me” (Malachi 3:8–10)
Centuries later, Malachi 3:8–10—Israel’s skimping, calling God’s gifts a burden. He shoots back: rob me? In tithes and offerings. Bring it all in, and I’ll pour you out a blessing there shall not be room enough to receive it. Echoes Abraham exactly: give first, trust first, and heaven cracks open. See? The prophet’s not inventing—he’s confirming what started in Genesis. You do what the father of faith does, you tap the same promise.
The Promise Stands Beyond the Law (Galatians 3; Romans 4)
Paul seals it in Galatians 3:17—law, four hundred thirty years later, doesn’t annul the covenant God swore to Abraham. That promise? Seed of blessing to every nation, yours by faith. Romans 4:16: Therefore, the promise comes by faith, that it may be by grace, to be guaranteed to all the offspring—not only to those of the law, but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. We’re his kids now. We don’t earn; we respond.
So, Should You Tithe?
Tithing? Not a tax. Not salvation. But if Abraham’s your dad in spirit—and Scripture says he is—then yes, lead with the tenth like he did. Not to pay God, but because He already paid everything. And when Malachi calls that bluff—if you hold back, you’re robbing yourself—why gamble? Test Him. Open the gate. Let the flood come.