The law of tithing was given to the children of Israel through Moses, as recorded in Numbers 18:24. With the coming of Yeshua, however, Scripture teaches that the priesthood changed, requiring a corresponding change in the law as well.
Hebrews 7:12 says, “For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.”
This passage makes it clear: with the new priesthood through Yeshua—who comes from the tribe of Judah, not Levi—the law that supported the old priesthood must also be set aside.
Hebrews 7:18 adds, “For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.”
Hebrews 8:13 teaches: “In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.”
To be apostolic means following only what was taught by the apostles. Paul instructs the church about law and grace, as well as practical care for ministers:
1 Corinthians 9:9-14:
“For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn... Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written... If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? ... Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? ... Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”
Paul’s teaching clarifies that ministers should be supported, but he never uses the word “tithes”; tithing was Old Testament practice for the support of the Levites, along with care for widows, orphans, and strangers in the land.
Paul expands on New Testament giving in 2 Corinthians 9:6-12:
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; ... Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver...”
This is not about tithing, but free and willing giving, based on what a person has and purposed in his heart.
Yeshua also addressed tithing under the law in Matthew 23:23:
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”
He acknowledged tithing under the law’s requirements but emphasized that mercy, judgment, and faith were greater priorities.
Many reference Malachi’s words about robbing God and tithes. However, notice how Malachi specifically addresses the priests:
Malachi 2:1-2:
“And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you... If ye will not hear... I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: ... because ye do not lay it to heart.”
Malachi 3:8-10:
“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. ... Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house...”
Notice that in the biblical context, tithes were goods and food to provide for priests, Levites, widows, and those in need—not money.
When people point to Abraham’s tithe, remember there is only a single record:
Genesis 14:20: “And he gave him tithes of all.”
Abraham gave a tenth only of the spoils after a specific victory, and the rest back to the king of Salem.
Jacob also made a vow to tithe:
Genesis 28:20-22 records Jacob’s conditional promise to give God a tenth if God would bless him, protect his journey, and bring him home in peace.
As the law developed, tithes were clearly for the Levites because they had no inheritance of land:
Numbers 18:20-21, 24:
“And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land... And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service... But the tithes of the children of Israel... I have given to the Levites to inherit.”
Some claim tithing today goes to ministry, but biblically, tithes went only to Levites. With the priesthood change, and no Levites serving today, collecting tithes as in the Old Testament is not biblically supported.
Paul’s only expectation is that pastors are cared for, never commanding tithing in the New Covenant. Nowhere do the apostles instruct the church to pay tithes in Yeshua’s priesthood.
If pastors collect tithes and do not use them as originally intended, it changes the teaching from the original scripture.
The Old Testament tithe was never commanded as money, except in rare cases for travel—then, even that money was used to purchase food and share with the Levite:
Deuteronomy 14:24-27 details if the distance was too great, the tithe could be converted to money, but later used to buy food and eaten in the presence of the Lord, with the Levite included.
The New Testament church is not commanded to pay tithes, but to give generously, cheerfully, and as each is able.
If teaching tithing cannot be shown to be apostolic, is it truly apostolic doctrine?
Scripture commands correction when false doctrine arises:
2 Timothy 3:16-17, 4:2
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness... Preach the word... reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
If you disagree, show where the apostles taught New Covenant tithing. Otherwise, teaching what scripture does not instruct is misleading.
Revelation 2:2 warns against accepting false teachers, and Revelation 21:8 warns that “all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
All who love Yeshua must seek to do His will and obey His commands—not traditions of men. If we are under the law, Paul would be in error when he teaches not to give “grudgingly, or of necessity” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Remember, Old Testament law included many other requirements—do we keep them today? Law said not to touch swine, to keep the Sabbath religiously, and to walk only a certain distance. If we claim tithing, do we also claim all the other aspects of Torah?
Some people teach tithing out of greed or tradition, but tithing today is not biblically required or regulated.
When the law required tithing, it was for food—not for money.
Deuteronomy 14:24-27 again makes it clear: the tithe could be exchanged for money only to buy more food, never to collect cash or wealth.
In the New Covenant, there are also no Levites to receive tithes, and the biblical system cannot truly be replicated.
To teach New Covenant tithing as law is misleading—Paul only discussed freewill giving for ministry needs.
Matthew 10:10: “Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.”
Yeshua affirmed ministers should be cared for, not that a tithe must be collected.
If you wonder why some hold this view while many popular voices teach tithing, remember: numbers are not proof of truth.
Romans 3:4: “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.”
We will each give account to God. Stand on the word, not tradition.
Seek truth, obey His voice, and desire to please Him—never men.
If you desire to pay tithes in the manner of Abraham, it’s critical to understand the biblical context. Abraham’s tithe was a unique event, not a recurring obligation. After rescuing his nephew Lot and recovering the spoils of battle, Abraham encountered Melchizedek, priest of the Most High God, and gave him a tenth of all the goods he had taken in victory.
Scripture records:
Genesis 14:23: “That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich.”
Abraham gave a tenth to Melchizedek and then refused to keep any remainder, returning the rest of the goods to their rightful owners, so there could be no confusion about the source of his wealth. Thus, Abraham’s tithe was a single act of gratitude after deliverance, not a model for ongoing personal tithing. Unless someone is giving away the spoils of battle, Abraham’s example cannot be literally replicated.
If you wish to emulate Jacob, remember his vow was conditional:
Jacob promised God a tenth only if God would bless and protect him. This was a personal act, not a universal command for all believers.
Paul’s teaching clarifies New Covenant giving:
2 Corinthians 9:7: “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
This means giving is voluntary and heartfelt—not required out of obligation or law.
The only direct New Testament command regarding support for ministry is found in:
1 Corinthians 9:14: “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”
Tithing, while historically significant for Israel, is not instructed for those under the grace of Christ. Giving under the New Covenant should be generous, joyful, and directed toward gospel ministry and genuine needs, not as a legalistic requirement