It’s an interesting world we live in. Christian ecclesia (churches) often declare themselves "New Covenant" establishments, having moved beyond the "burdensome" regulations of the Torah. The Tanakh? Old news, they say. "We’re under grace, not the Law!" Yet, when the topic of money comes up, particularly the tithing variety, suddenly, there’s an open-arms revival of Mosaic principles. Isn’t it curious how parts of the Tanakh deemed outdated—laws about kosher food, Sabbaths, and mo’edim (feasts)—get filed away in the "ancient history" drawer, but as soon as tithing enters the conversation, these same texts spring back to life with remarkable relevance?
Tanakh (Old Testament) for the Win—When It’s Convenient
Enter the modern-day pastor, preacher, or church leader. The sermon starts with a wave of spiritual enlightenment: "Brothers and sisters, we’re not under the Law; we are free in Yeshua!" Hands rise, "Amen!" echoes through the congregation. Then, right as the fellowship is basking in the warmth of this newfound freedom from “legalism,” the tone shifts dramatically: "But remember, Malachi 3:10 tells us, 'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house.'"
Suddenly, the Tanakh is back in style. Yes, we are liberated from the "Law"—except when we’re talking about tithes! Convenient, isn’t it? Micah might as well be the honorary apostle of the modern church when the budget’s running low. Forgotten are the cries of "We’re not Jews!" when this passage is pulled from the dusty shelves of Old Testament scrolls. In that moment, Moses is practically their best friend.
A Shocking Biblical Breakthrough: Selective Torah Syndrome
Now, to be fair, perhaps what we’re witnessing is not hypocrisy but an advanced theological disorder known as Selective Torah Syndrome. Symptoms include an acute distaste for the moral and ceremonial instructions in the Torah, while simultaneously experiencing euphoric excitement when coming across any passages that mention money. Doctors have yet to find a cure for this syndrome, but church treasurers seem unbothered. They’re just happy Malachi 3 is still in the rotation.
Free from the Law, but Pass the Offering Plate!
Have you ever noticed how the Sabbath is "just for the Jews" in most churches, but "giving to God" is for everyone? It’s fascinating. The commandments about sacred times, how to live ethically, and what to eat—well, those belong to a different era, a different people. But the Torah’s teachings on giving? Somehow, they’re universal and timeless! Perhaps there’s a memo somewhere in the clouds that reads: “Effective immediately, all Torah statutes regarding giving are hereby transferred to all humanity, while all others remain strictly Jewish property.”
Where Are We Tithing Anyway?
But wait, dear friends, let’s dig a little deeper. Even if we generously concede that tithing is still a relevant command, we need to ask the obvious: tithes to what? According to the Torah, tithes were to support the Levites (Numbers 18:21), who didn’t have land of their own and were responsible for temple service. So, unless the ushers have started wearing ephods, and your local church leader is sacrificing goats out back, it might be time for a refresher on how the Torah instructed tithing to be administered.
But it gets better. The Torah mentions not only a tithe for the Levites but a festival tithe, meant to be consumed during Yehovah’s feasts, by the tither and their family (Deuteronomy 14:22-27). Oh, and don’t forget the tithe every third year for the poor (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). So, if your local congregation isn’t planning a massive feast with all its tithing revenue or regularly dispersing it to the needy, there’s a serious shortfall in their application of these "Old Testament" principles.
Grace is Free, But Tithing is Required?
What’s truly puzzling is how, on the one hand, salvation is proclaimed as free, no strings attached—"For by grace you have been saved through faith... not as a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). Yet, on the other hand, a hard-line stance emerges when it comes to the necessity of tithing. Some might even say that churches have managed to do what the Pharisees couldn’t—separate grace from the "legalism" of the Torah while keeping the parts they like. Who knew?
Can We Talk About "Cheerful Givers"?
And of course, if all else fails, the Apostolic Scriptures get called in as reinforcements. A quick hop to 2 Corinthians 9:7: "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." Not reluctantly? Not under compulsion? Sounds like cheerfulness is the real aim here. But it seems that when churches "encourage" congregants to tithe, they’re more interested in cheerful compliance than cheerfulness.
Interestingly, if "giving as led by the Spirit" is what counts, then why cling so tightly to the 10% rule? Apparently, the Spirit is quite predictable when it comes to the exact percentage of one’s income!
Yeshua and Tithing: An Honourable Mention
To round things off, we can’t forget the one passage in the Apostolic Scriptures where Yeshua even mentions tithing: Matthew 23:23. But here’s the kicker—He’s criticising the Pharisees for tithing mint, dill, and cumin while neglecting the "weightier matters of the Torah: justice and mercy and faithfulness." Even Yeshua, it seems, was not impressed by selective Torah obedience. "These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others," He says. A well-rounded Torah, anyone?
In Summary: A Sermon They’ll Never Preach
So next time you’re in the pews, waiting for that offering plate to come around, remember the curious ambivalence: the Tanakh is irrelevant… until it’s not. And when it’s tithing time, you may just hear a rallying cry to return to those "Old Testament" principles—but only that one part, and maybe skip the bit about how it’s supposed to be administered. After all, consistency is for theologians, not for Sunday mornings!
‘eBed Doulos N.D.P.
‘eBed Doulos N.D.P.