𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗟𝗬 𝗗𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗗

TITHING RIGHTLY DIVIDED

From Abraham to Israel to the Body of Christ
Key Text: 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

INTRODUCTION

Few subjects create more confusion in the church than tithing. Many believers are placed under fear, pressure, and guilt by mixing Israel’s law with the Church’s grace.

In the Dispensation of the Grace of God (Ephesians 3:1–2), we must rightly divide Scripture to understand:
What Abraham did
What Israel was commanded
What the Body of Christ is taught

Salvation is free, and giving today is grace-motivated, not law-mandated.

PATRIARCHAL PRACTICE (ABRAHAM)
Genesis 14:18–20
Theme: Abraham’s tithe was voluntary, not
commanded.

A. Before the Law
No Mosaic Law yet existed
No command to tithe
Purely personal action
Galatians 3:17

B. Battle Thanksgiving
Tithe followed victory
Expression of gratitude
Not a religious obligation
Psalm 107:2

C. Brief & Singular
One recorded tithe
Never repeated
Never commanded to others
Hebrews 7:4

PRIESTLY PICTURE (MELCHIZEDEK)
Hebrews 7:1–3
Theme: Abraham’s tithe illustrated honor, not instruction.

A. Priest of God Most High
Not Levitical
No law attached
A prophetic type
Psalm 110:4

B. Picture, Not Pattern
Descriptive, not prescriptive
Reveals Christ’s priesthood
Not Church doctrine
Hebrews 7:15

C. Praise, Not Pressure
Voluntary worship
No curse attached
Grace-motivated giving
Romans 4:4

MOSAIC MANDATE (ISRAEL)
Leviticus 27:30
Theme: Israel’s tithing belonged to the Law.

A. Law-Based System
Commanded under Moses
Covenant requirement
Not optional
Malachi 3:8

B. Land-Centered Giving
Agricultural produce
For Levites and Temple
Linked to the land promise
Numbers 18:21

C. Levitical Support
Sustained priesthood
National system
Kingdom economy
Nehemiah 12:44

MULTIPLE MEASURES (ISRAEL’S TITHES)
Deuteronomy 12:5–7
Theme: Israel gave more than 10%.

A. Levitical Tithe
For priestly service
Annual requirement
About 10%
Numbers 18:24

B. Festival Tithe
For feasts and worship
Additional giving
Celebratory obedience
Deuteronomy 14:22–27

C. Poor Tithe
Every third year
Social responsibility
Compassion mandated
Deuteronomy 14:28–29

LEGAL LIMITATION
Romans 6:14
Theme: The Law does not govern the Church.

A. Law Given to Israel
Not given to Gentiles
National covenant
Temporary purpose
Romans 9:4

B. Law Fulfilled in Christ
Christ ended the Law
Righteousness completed
New dispensation revealed
Romans 10:4

C. Law Cannot Save
Works never justified
Grace alone saves
Faith rests in Christ
Galatians 2:16

PAULINE POSITION (BODY OF CHRIST)
2 Corinthians 9:6–7
Theme: Giving today is grace-directed, not tithe-demanded.

A. No Mandatory Tithe
Paul never commands tithing
Silence is doctrinal
Grace replaces obligation
Acts 20:24

B. Purposeful Giving
As purposed in the heart
Personal decision
Spirit-led generosity
2 Corinthians 9:7

C. Pleasure in Cheerfulness
God loves cheerful givers
No compulsion
Joy replaces fear
Romans 12:8

FREEWILL FELLOWSHIP
1 Corinthians 16:1–2
Theme: Giving supports ministry, not salvation.

A. Voluntary Support
Not taxed giving
Grace-motivated
Love-driven
Philemon 14

B. Ministry Maintenance
Supporting gospel work
Care for laborers
Partnership in grace
1 Corinthians 9:14

C. Mutual Ministry
Giving is fellowship
Shared burden
Shared reward
Philippians 4:15–17

HEART-LEVEL HERMENEUTIC
Romans 12:1
Theme: Grace changes motivation, not just method.

A. Heart Over Percentage
God looks at motive
Not fixed amounts
Willing sacrifice
Mark 12:41–44

B. Love Over Law
Love fulfills righteousness
Grace energizes giving
No threat required
Romans 13:10

C. Liberty Over Legalism
Freedom in Christ
No curse attached
Spiritual maturity
Galatians 5:1

REWARD-BASED RESPONSIBILITY
2 Corinthians 5:10
Theme: Giving is rewarded, not required.

A. Judgment Seat of Christ
Rewards evaluated
Motives revealed
Grace preserved
1 Corinthians 3:12–15

B. Eternal Investment
Heavenly treasure
Spiritual dividends
Eternal perspective
Matthew 6:20

C. Grace-Filled Return
God supplies abundantly
Not transactional
Grace over gain
2 Corinthians 9:8

CONCLUSION

Abraham gave voluntarily
Israel tithed under the Law
The Body of Christ gives under grace
Tithing is not commanded for the Church, but generosity is encouraged—freely, joyfully, and purposefully.
Galatians 5:18

CALL TO ACTION

Rightly divide Scripture
Reject fear-based giving
Give cheerfully, not compulsively
Support grace-based ministry
Acts 17:11

FINAL THOUGHTS

Context determines command
Law giving is not grace giving

Abraham’s tithe was voluntary
Israel’s tithe was mandatory
The Church is under grace
Paul never commanded tithing
God values the heart
Giving is fellowship, not fear
Grace giving honors Christ

Rightly Divided • Grace Taught • Freedom Preserved