WHAT IS TITHING?
Tithing is the act of giving your first tenth to support the work of the church and those in need. Anything less than that is not a tithe. And anything beyond that is not a tithe but rather a “freewill offering” or “generosity”. So, is tithing still relevant today? And if so, why is tithing important?
In this article, we’ll explore the biblical origins of tithing, its significance in the life of a believer, and how it reflects our relationship with God. Jump to different topics around tithing below, whether you're curious about the concept of tithing or seeking to understand how to apply this in your life.
WHAT DOES THE NEW TESTAMENT SAY ABOUT TITHING?
Since the New Testament doesn’t talk about tithing, we don’t need to tithe right? Isn’t tithing just an Old Testament thing? To answer these questions, we need to first consider how the Old and New Testaments relate to one another and apply to believers.
The New Testament wasn’t meant to erase the Old Testament, so that only what has been re-written and repeated is to be obeyed as God’s law. In the New Testament, Jesus came to not loosen the law but rather fulfill the law. To understand and know how these Old Testament commands apply to us today, whether applying exactly as stated or applying in a different way, we’ll explore the four types of laws within the Mosaic Law in the Old Testament: theocracy laws, temple/worship laws, separation laws, and moral laws.
Ultimately, Jesus came to bring fuller fulfillment to the four types of Mosaic law in the New Testament. Tithing fell into multiple of these categories since the time of Moses, but it even preceded the Mosaic law in practice. In fact, we learn that in the New Testament, Jesus calls us beyond the tithe to generosity.
Shane Farmer
Serves as the Lead Pastor of Revolution Church. He and his wife, Wendy, have three sons: Josiah, Charlie, and Marshall.
Rebekah Layton
Serves as the Associate Pastor of Revolution Church. She and her husband, Josh, have one daughter, Zuriel.
Learn More About Revolution Church
Our GoalS
1. Steward Revival for Maximum Impact
We believe the tsunami of God’s next great move is approaching shore and are committed not to reject the new thing God is doing, but to participate in the full acceleration His Spirit’s moving brings. We do not exist to sustain or maintain what is, but believe status quo has got to go to make way for Kingdom advancement.
2. Sustain the Gain for a Lifetime
We seek to sustain an open heaven for a lifetime, and therefore, desire to be very diligent about the intersections of Worship and Prayer, Word and Spirit.
3. Raise Up Titans of the Faith
We feel called to pursue power over prevalence, purity over prominence and perseverance over popularity. We believe Christ commends a pure and spotless bride, not a bloated bride. We have a goal of raising up tomorrow’s spiritual giants who are wholly devoted to His person, His praise and His purposes, as we know the Lord’s eyes look throughout the earth seeking to show Himself strong to those whose hearts are wholly devoted to Him (2 Chr 16:9). We believe the church exists to comfort the afflicted but also to spur one another on to love and good deeds, not to coddle each other in partial obedience.
4. Pure Praise
We long to be King Davids of the Kingdom, leading the way for pure praise that catches the attention of heaven, elevating worship as the chief end of the church.
5. Catalyze a Prayer Movement
We want to be driven and directed in dependence lived out through intercessory and inquiring prayer. We intercede because we believe God is, God answers and God acts. We inquire out of a desire to be led by Him, not trusting our own skills, strategies or schemes but His guidance.
6. Raise Up a Joshua and Caleb Generation
Only two of approximately two million had the faith to persevere in pursuit of God’s promise. We know what God has revealed about the test of faith coming to the next generation and we are burdened to pass on a baton of persevering faith to the future generation.
7. Fight for Every One
We refuse to leave our community uncontended and uncontested, but instead, we are unapologetically on mission for every life and every eternity.
