Tithing - About Relationship Not Religion

Then Jacob made this vow: “If God will indeed be with me and protect me on this journey, and if he will provide me with food and clothing, and if I return safely to my father’s home, then the LORD will certainly be my God. And this memorial pillar I have set up will become a place for worshiping God, and I will present to God a tenth of everything he gives me.” [Genesis 28.20-22]

Although there are many scriptures in the Bible that declare God's provision for those who are His, this passage is at another level. This was a very personal vow for Jacob. Jacob is developing his own relationship with God. 

This "tithe" (10%) vowed by Jacob is the second mention of such an arrangement in the Bible. The first mention of a tenth was when Abraham had engaged and defeated king Kedorlaomer's army who had captured his nephew Lot in their conquest of Sodom. After defeating Kedorlaimer, Abraham first gave a tenth of the goods recovered to Melchizedek, the king of Salem (and a priest of God). After that, the king of Sodom tried to give Abraham all the remaining recovered goods but Abraham refused (see Stand Up And Stand Out) based on a very personal commitment to God.

The point is, both Abraham and Jacob (Israel) gave a tithe based on their personal relationship with God long before it became part of the Law of Moses. It was not a religious thing they were compelled to do. However, a precedent is established in their actions for what one might do in his genuine relationship with God without it being a "Law" thing.

And then, of course, nearly everyone is aware of Malachi's famous verse regarding the tithe:

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! [Malachi 3.10]

This verse, even after the Law, make the tithe a clear matter of relationship with God without mention of the Law. This needs to be seen and understood! 

As clearly as it can be stated, anyone who argues for or against the tithe without understanding the intimate relationship with God it depicts, has missed the point altogether. With this in mind, what Jesus said comes into focus:

“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. [Matthew 23:23]

Justice, mercy and faith are all part of an intimate relationship with God. Jesus indicated that the tithe should indeed be part of a relationship with God but it is NOT relationship with God in and of itself.

Father, thank You for clarity today regarding the tithe. May we be found in right relationship with You and may our tithe speak of that relationship and not religion.