I’m looking forward to going to church tomorrow! I have to confess that I’ve not been the best Christian I could be this last week. On Tuesday, I ate an amazing steak, but I ate it rare. Then, on Wednesday morning, I trimmed my beard, and on Friday, it was so hot in Sacramento that I wore my new linen-cotton blend shirt to get some relief from the heat. Well, as I said, I’m glad to be going to church tomorrow for the sacrifice of the young bull we’re going to make as a sin offering.

Does all of that sound strange to you? Eating meat with the blood still in it, trimming my beard, and wearing a blended shirt violates Mosaic law which requires a sin offering (cf. Leviticus 19:19,26-27). How about this? Does this sound strange to you? I’m looking forward to church tomorrow because I’m giving my tithe. Believe it or not, tithing is also part of the Mosaic law (cf. Deuteronomy 14:22). Why do we do it then?

As Christians, the only law we have to follow is the law of Christ. What is the law of Christ? When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, this is what he said.

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 37:40 (NIV)

Therefore, the law of Christ is to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves. We don’t need to sacrifice animals, stop wearing blended clothes, or tithe because of the law. In fact, what does Scripture say about following the law?

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

James 2:10 (NIV)

This means wearing a blended shirt is just as bad as murdering someone. If I’m following the law. It also means that if I’m tithing to follow the law, then I have to obey the entire law! However, we know that Christ is the fulfillment of the law and makes all of those who believe in him righteous (cf. Romans 10:4). This means we don’t have to follow the law and try and become righteous by the things we do. Paul writes about this in Galatians.

Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.”

Galatians 2:16 (NLT)

I don’t expect that any of you who tithe are trying to follow the Mosaic law, which leads me back to my question: Why do we do it then? Before you answer that question, let me tell you a little story.

When I first became a Christian, I had been going to a certain church for years as a visitor. After being saved, I was invited to attend the same church as a member. Now, immediately after being saved, I started to read the Bible, so by the time I got invited to attend as a member, I was familiar with some of it. When I read the membership agreement, a couple of things stood out to me. First, it used the word “covenant.” I thought we didn’t need to enter into any new covenants? The second was the policy on tithing. Members had to tithe 10%. I remember balking at these two things. However, since I was a relatively new convert, I signed the agreement, but my conscience bothered me.

Tithing was hard. My wife and I didn’t agree on tithing, so when we tithed there was almost always strife associated with it. This bill or that bill didn’t get paid, and everyone was miserable. In those days, I tithed because I thought it was a requirement, and I was confused. I know this because I remember the pain of those days. I also remember it because I’m using the same Bible software I used back then. YouVersion. Therefore, I have highlights and notes over ten years old showing my thoughts and concerns about tithing as I read through the Bible. Over the years, I have “responded” to previous notes with the wisdom God has given me as I’ve matured in the Lord. One such verse that has many such comments on it is this one.

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)

I’m certain this is a familiar verse to you. This verse as well.

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV)

Over the years, I have heard both of these verses used a lot. Often, they are used on Sunday before the tithe is taken. However, Paul isn’t talking about tithing here, and we would be in error to associate these verses with following the law. As I read through my comments written over the years on these verses, something I said stood out to me.

We can tithe and follow the law in love and without compulsion. Cheerfully. The Lord says, “If you love me you will do what I command.”

When I read that today, I didn’t like what it said to me. It condones following the law (the Mosaic law). In love. However, as Christians, we don’t need to follow the Mosaic law for any reason. As I’ve said, we follow the law of Christ, which leads me back to the question. Why do we tithe?

I give a tithe out of love and thanksgiving. The funny thing is that sometimes it’s more than 10%, but I still call it a tithe. I give because what I have belongs to God, and he’s given it to me to steward it. Whether it be finances, relationships, time, or anything. If I have it, it’s because God has put it into my hands as a steward.

So, we go back to the question: why do we tithe? I know why I tithe, do you?

Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, be free from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation today:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart, and I receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

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