A Biblical and Doctrinal Teaching From Malachi, Jesus, and the Apostles

Tithing is one of the most discussed subjects in Christianity today. Some approach it emotionally, others traditionally, and others critically. However, doctrine must never be built on personal preference, denominational culture, or modern opinion. The final authority for the believer is the Word of God rightly interpreted in context.

Therefore, the real question is not:

“Do people still practice tithing today?”

The real biblical question is:

“What do the Scriptures teach concerning tithing, giving, stewardship, and honouring God under both the Old and New Covenants?”

The Bible must answer the Bible.

The Bible Is the Supreme Authority

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (KJV)

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

When Paul wrote this, the primary Scriptures available were the Old Testament writings. Therefore, the Old Testament remains profitable for doctrine when properly interpreted through Christ and the revelation of the New Covenant.

The believer must avoid two extremes:

• Legalistic misuse of Old Testament laws
• Dismissing Old Testament revelation carelessly

Jesus and the apostles never treated the Old Testament as irrelevant. Instead, they revealed its fulfilment, purpose, and proper application.

Understanding the Context of Malachi

The Book of Malachi was written after Israel returned from Babylonian captivity. Though the temple had been rebuilt, spiritual decline had entered the nation. Worship had become polluted, priests were careless, and the people dishonoured God through disobedience and covenant unfaithfulness.

Among the issues God addressed was the withholding of tithes and offerings.

Malachi 3:8–10 (KJV)

“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”

The issue in Malachi was not merely financial. It was covenant dishonour. Israel had stopped honouring God properly with what belonged to Him.

What Is a Tithe?

The Hebrew word for tithe is ma‘aser, meaning “a tenth part.”

Tithe = 1/10 = 10%

In biblical practice, the tithe represented:

• Honour toward God
• Covenant loyalty
• Worship
• Dependence upon God
• Support for God’s house and ministry

Bible dictionaries and concordances consistently define tithe as “a tenth.” In Israel, tithes supported:

• The Levites and priests
• Temple worship
• Ministry operations
• Care for widows, strangers, and the needy

Tithing Did Not Begin Under Moses

One of the most important biblical truths is that tithing existed before the Law of Moses.

Abraham Tithed Before the Law

Genesis 14:20 (KJV)

“And he gave him tithes of all.”

Abraham tithed to Melchizedek centuries before the Mosaic Law existed.

Jacob Also Practiced Tithing

Genesis 28:22 (KJV)

“…of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.”

This demonstrates that tithing was not merely a ceremonial law given through Moses. It was already functioning as a covenant principle of honouring God.

Did Jesus Abolish Tithing?

Many debates about tithing revolve around whether it applies under the New Covenant. However, proper doctrine must be based on what Jesus and the apostles actually taught.

Jesus said:

Matthew 5:17 (KJV)

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”

Jesus fulfilled the Law, but fulfilment does not automatically mean complete abolition of every principle contained within the Old Testament.

For example:

• Animal sacrifices ended because Christ became the final sacrifice
• Levitical priesthood changed because Christ became our eternal High Priest
• Ceremonial laws were fulfilled in Christ

However:

• Worship did not end
• Holiness did not end
• Honour toward God did not end
• Giving did not end

What Jesus Said About Tithing

Matthew 23:23 (KJV)

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”

Jesus rebuked hypocrisy, not tithing.

Notice carefully:

• He condemned neglecting justice, mercy, and faith
• But He also said they should not leave tithing undone

This is extremely significant because Jesus never said:

“Stop tithing.”

Instead, He corrected imbalance and hypocrisy.

The Apostles and New Covenant Giving

The New Testament does not contain any verse explicitly abolishing tithing.

There is no Scripture saying:

• “Tithing has ended”
• “Christians must not tithe”
• “Giving a tenth is forbidden”

Instead, the apostles taught:

• Generosity
• Sacrificial giving
• Stewardship
• Supporting ministry
• Cheerful giving

Hebrews and the Priesthood Connection

Hebrews 7 connects Abraham’s tithe to Melchizedek with Christ’s eternal priesthood.

Hebrews 7:8 (KJV)

“And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.”

The writer of Hebrews used tithing to demonstrate the superiority of Christ’s priesthood, not to abolish the principle of honouring God through giving.

Benefits and Advantages of Tithing According to Scripture

1. Tithing Honours God

Proverbs 3:9–10 (KJV)

“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty…”

Tithing is fundamentally about honour.

It acknowledges:

• God as Source
• God as Owner
• God as Provider

2. Tithing Demonstrates Trust in God

Malachi 3:10 (KJV)

“…prove me now herewith…”

Tithing requires faith because it places God before personal security.

The tither declares:

“My confidence is not in money but in God.”

3. Tithing Supports the Work of God

Malachi 3:10 (KJV)

“…that there may be meat in mine house…”

In Scripture, giving supported:

• Priests
• Temple operations
• Worship
• Ministry
• Care for people

Today, faithful giving helps sustain:

• Churches
• Missions
• Evangelism
• Ministry work
• Kingdom advancement

4. Tithing Breaks Greed and Materialism

Money can easily become an idol.

Jesus warned:

Matthew 6:24 (KJV)

“…Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

Tithing weakens:

• Covetousness
• Self-dependence
• Fear of lack
• Materialism

It trains the believer to put God first.

5. Tithing Builds Financial Discipline

Faithful giving develops:

• Stewardship
• Planning
• Self-control
• Order

Many believers struggle financially because they lack disciplined stewardship. Tithing teaches prioritization and accountability.

6. Tithing Positions the Believer for Divine Blessing

Malachi 3:10 (KJV)

“…if I will not open you the windows of heaven…”

The “windows of heaven” symbolize divine supply and favour.

Biblical blessing includes:

• Provision
• Sufficiency
• Favour
• Opportunities
• Peace
• Fruitfulness
• Spiritual prosperity

The blessing of God is broader than money alone.

7. Tithing Brings Covenant Preservation

Malachi 3:11 (KJV)

“And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes…”

In Israel’s agricultural setting, this referred to destructive forces against harvests.

For believers today, many understand this principle as God’s preserving hand against waste, destruction, and unnecessary loss.

8. New Testament Giving Goes Beyond the Tithe

The New Testament standard is not lower than the Old Testament standard.

Grace should not produce less devotion than the Law.

2 Corinthians 9:6–7 (KJV)

“He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly…
God loveth a cheerful giver.”

The early church often gave sacrificially beyond ten percent.

Acts 4:34–35 (KJV)

“…as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them…”

Under grace:

• Giving becomes worship
• Stewardship becomes spiritual
• Generosity flows from love and revelation

The New Covenant does not encourage stinginess. It produces greater surrender.

Common Errors About Tithing

1. Treating Tithing as a Means to Buy Miracles

God cannot be bribed.

2. Giving Without Obedience

God desires both the heart and the offering.

3. Reducing Blessing to Financial Wealth

Biblical blessing includes spiritual, emotional, relational, and material dimensions.

4. Rejecting Tithing Simply Because It Appears in the Old Testament

Many truths carried into the New Testament originate in the Old Testament.

The key issue is:

“How does the New Testament interpret it?”

The Balanced Biblical Conclusion

The strongest biblical position is neither legalistic pressure nor careless dismissal.

The Scriptures reveal:

• Tithing existed before the Law
• Jesus acknowledged it positively
• The apostles emphasized generous giving
• Hebrews connects it to Christ’s priesthood
• The New Testament elevates giving into sacrificial generosity

Therefore, we can conclude that tithing remains a valid biblical principle of honouring God, supporting His work, and practicing covenant stewardship, and giving should always flow from faith, love, willingness, and devotion to God rather than empty religious compulsion.

Final Exhortation

Everything the believer has ultimately belongs to God.

Psalm 24:1 (KJV)

“The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof…”

True biblical giving says:

“Lord, all I have came from You, belongs to You, and must be used for Your glory.”

Luke 6:38 (KJV)

“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over…”

Faithful giving is not merely about money. It is about worship, covenant honour, stewardship, trust, obedience, and love for God.

Every faithful tither has a testimony of God’s faithfulness to share. Not because God can be bought, but because He honours His Word and watches over His covenant.

I am a faithful tither, and I have my testimony.

Tithing is not merely about giving money. It is about honouring God, trusting Him as Source, putting Him first, and walking in covenant obedience.

Malachi 3:10 (KJV)
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse… and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing…”

Over the years, many believers can testify of:
• Divine provision
• Supernatural help
• Open doors
• Preservation
• Unexpected favour
• Financial wisdom
• God making a way where there seemed to be no way

Sometimes the testimony is not sudden wealth, but consistent faithfulness of God through difficult seasons.

The issue has never been about legalism. The issue is honour, trust, stewardship, and covenant relationship with God.

God remains faithful.

The Message Bearer, Cornelius Bella