Tithing

Prepared By Chris De Wet – Moriel Ministries (Bloemfontein)

Titus 1:11: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.

Introduction

There is a lot of confusion with regard to some Biblical  doctrines today. One of the topics is the issue, regarding tithing. Where did it originate and what does it mean today?

As soon as there is confusion on regarding a doctrine, the best course of action to take is to study the Scriptures, in their original language and culture then  to put all Scripture into its proper context. One does not have to be a Greek or Hebrew scholar to use some of the resources available.

Bibles are available that have number coded references, with a concordance to illustrate and illuminate the original meanings of the words. An example of this would be the descriptive meaning for the word “faith,” in the Scriptures. This word is mostly understood as to believe in something, but the Greek word “Pisteo or Pistis” and the Hebrew word “Emunah” describes the word “faith” in our English translations as, to have faith only while the Greek and Hebrew understanding would be to have faith but also to be. If one looks at the context of being saved through faith in the westernized way of the English literature, then the Devil must also be saved, because he also believes in God. He knows that God exists. The only problem he has is that he is not faithful. So, just to believe in God is not enough, we have to be faithful as well. A basic truth like faith, now has a broader and more descriptive and relevant meaning.