Tithing In The New Testament – Hebrews 7:8

“In the one case mortal men receive tithes, but in the other he of whom it is witnessed that he is alive receives them.”

Many believers in the Body of Christ today say tithing – bringing a tenth of your income and increase to The Lord in worship – is an old covenant ordinance, no longer relevant in this new covenant dispensation. Nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus Himself was a tither. Deuteronomy 26, part of the Torah, or the Law, includes God’s direction to the children of Israel on bringing their tithe before the Lord. Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish, but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17). He also said, “…I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in His love” (John 15:10). Jesus was the sinless, spotless Lamb of God, slain from the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:19-20; Revelation 13:8). He kept His Father’s commandments without spot (John 15:10; 1 Peter 2:21-22).

In Genesis 14, when Abraham returned from the slaughter of the kings who had taken his nephew, Lot, captive, Melchizedek, king of Salem, met him with bread and wine. Melchizedek was “the priest of God Most High” (verse 18). He blessed Abraham and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth: and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand. And Abram gave him a tenth of everything” (verse 19-20). Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek, the priest of God, of whom Hebrews 7:3 says he was “without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he continually remains a priest”. And Psalm 110:1, 4 speaking of the Messiah, the Anointed One to come, says, “The Lord said to my lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’ …The Lord has sworn and will not change, ‘You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

In Deuteronomy 26 The Lord commands His people to bring the tithe to the priest who shall be in those days. The children of Israel were to put their tithes in a basket and say before The Lord words of remembrance of how He had delivered them from the bondage of slavery in Egypt and express thanksgiving to Him for the abundance of all things.

According to Hebrews 7, Jesus is our High Priest in these days of the New Covenant. Verse 8m speaking of Him, says, “And here mortal men receive tithes; but there (at the right hand of God), he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. (New King James) All of Hebrews 7 is speaking of Jesus, our great High Priest, who receives our tithes in heaven because of the power of His endless life.

That settles the issue. Tithing is as much New Testament as it is Old Testament. The money is the tithe, but nothing is done with the mouth before Jesus, our great High Priest. So, when you prepare your tithe, adapt the words The Lord commanded from Deuteronomy 26 and profess with your mouth to Him your gratefulness about being in His glorious kingdom. Expect Him to take your basket (tithe) before the heavenly altar of God and worship the Father with it.

Say before The Lord, “I was a sinner, held in bondage and in darkness by satan (Ephesians 5:8). I was lost and undone, without hope and without God in the world (Ephesians 2:12). I cried unto You, Lord Jesus, the shepherd and guardian of my soul (I Peter 2:25), and You heard my cry (Psalm 34:15). You lifted me out of my affliction and oppression (Deuteronomy 26:7). You took me in and forgave me (Acts 26:18;Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14). You made me Yours through Your shed blood and gave me authority over the evil one (Matthew 10:8; 28:18-19; Mark 16:17-21; Luke 10:19). Now I have brought the firstfruits of my land that You have given me (Deuteronomy 26:10). I expect You to set it before the Father and worship Him with it (verse 4). Now, look down from Heaven, Holy Father, in Jesus’ Name and bless me (verse 15), Your son/daughter and servant, according to Your riches in glory. Bless my land (job) and cause it to flow with milk and honey (verse 15) as You have promised in Your Word. I am Your very own child. You are my very own Father (2 Corinthians 6:18).”

Rejoice and praise God for His great goodness in your life (Deuteronomy 26:11), that the devourer is rebuked for your sake, and that the windows of heaven are open to you, pouring out so much abundant blessing that there shall not even be room enough to receive it (Malachi 3:10-11).

Kenneth Copeland Study Bible

4 Replies to “Tithing In The New Testament – Hebrews 7:8”

  1. You have explained so well about Tithing. God has asked us to test Him and see whether He will not open the FLOODGATES of heaven and pour out so many blessings that you will not have room enough for it. Through tithing God has asked us to test him otherwise it is written “You shall. not put the Lord thy God into test”
    God bless you Jan

  2. In verses 11 and 12, the author mentioned that if there is a change in the priesthood, there’s also a change in the law. So the question is”is tithing not a law?”. If it’s a law then Jesus Christ priesthood has changed it, no wonder Jesus Christ the author and finisher of our faith never paid tithe, nor He’s Apostles. However, if it’s not a law, then we’re not obligated to pay tithe. Rather, we’re to give tithe from the debt of our heart cheerfully, since we’re not under the law, but doing the commandment of Jesus Christ.

    1. Rightly spocken, the change of the law,priesthood ,changes everything. Thats why paul calls for cheerful giving ,not under compulsion as the demands of the law dictate. We need to realise how the apostolic church run,financed ministry,leave alone their teaching and call to giving and tithing as opposed to modern day ephasis . Many verse are ever quoted now and then in support of tithing. Deuteronomy as quoted above but you will hardly see Deuteronomy 14:23 – 30 Highlighted. Lets see how applicable is this being tought ,how often? Is this a forgotten scriptures ? Why not Malachi??

  3. Jesus, The Son of God, Fulfilled the law. He Gave 100%, and He is not a Bill-Collector. We are not cursed when we are found in Him. Jesus Taught the importance of not judging others who do not “pay tithes”. However, because of His Grace, we also understand that 100% of money under our stewardship belongs to The Most High God. We are Free to give beyond the 10%, to give Ceasar what is due him, to Give To God what is Due, and to help others as The Holy Spirit Leads. No need for calculators. All Belong to God. Let us Study to be good Stewards.

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