The first reference of tithing is Genesis 14: 18-20 with Abraham. Abraham defeats four kings in battle and gives a tenth of the spoils to Melchizedek. Abraham's gift to Melchizedek was customary during the ancient world.Paying tribute and respect to someone in authority. It was also customary in the ancient world to pay a tribute to the landowner if you were the farmer. Genesis 47:26 – Joseph made a law where a fifth of one's crops went to the Pharaoh      Abraham's tithe was not mandatory. Abraham's tithe is a one-time thing; he doesn't continue to tithe every year. The second reference of tithing is Genesis 28:20-22 with Jacob. God did not command Jacob to tithe. Nor did God say, if you tithe I will bless you.  It was completely voluntary.  It was Jacob's act of gratitude and worship. We're missing a lot of details in the Bible.Who did Jacob give his tithe to?  In the Mosaic Law, there are three mandatory tithes for the nation of Israel.  Israel was a theocracy where God was the President and the Law was the Constitution. In other words, the church and the government were the same thing.  The first tithe was for the bureaucracy of the theocracy so the Sons of Levi could accomplish their priestly duties; Numbers 18:21-23 The second tithe was for a national celebration of God's grace. This tithe and celebration included alcohol; Deuteronomy 14:22-24.  The third tithe was for the poor and destitute of the land, "the alien, the orphan, and the widow"; Deuteronomy 14:28-29. If you add up all of the tithes it comes out to a 23 1/3 % annual tax rate for everyone in the Nation of Israel. Tithes were for everyone in Israel, believers and unbelievers. There were non-mandatory, freewill offerings on top of tithes; Exodus 25:1-2, Leviticus 22:28-33, Leviticus 23:38; Leviticus 27:30; Leviticus 27:30-31; Numbers 15:3; Deuteronomy 12:6; Ezra 1:4; Ezra 3:5   We often take Malachi 3:10 out of context to pressure people into giving money. The Book of Malachi occurs after the Jews return to the land and rebuild the temple following the Babylonian captivity As Israel re-establishes itself as a nation, God reminds them of their duties to pay their tithes. And that He will bless them if they're obedient; Malachi 3:10 The storehouse refers to the temple, or House of God. Israel didn't have a national bank.  So, they stored their assets in the temple and kept a guard.  This is analogous to the President reminding us to pay our taxes.   As Christians today, we're not under the Mosaic Law, so tithing is not mandatory. Tithing only mentioned in the New Testament in reference to the Pharisees who disregarded the love of God; Luke 11:42, 18:12. The Bible teaches different time periods, or dispensations, with different household rules. In the Church, or Age of Grace, all believers (Jew and Gentile) receive the Holy Spirit; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 4:30, John 7:39 We're under grace not the law; Romans 6:14. Christ abolished the entire law; Romans 10:4 There isn't one verse in the New Testament that mandates tithing or giving.   Major Takeaways  Avoid black and white rules (i.e. tithing) that don't exist in the Bible. Acknowledge that everyone's at a different place on a different road. Love one another, through the power of Christ in us, especially when it comes to a potentially huge stumbling block like money. Recognize that motivation through fear is not love; 1 John 4:18. Trust the work of the Holy Spirit, who resides in all believers. The fruits of the Spirit are "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control against such things there is no law" Galatians 5:22-23 Avoid making a show out of giving; Matthew 6:2-4 Recognize that attitude is most important when giving; 2 Corinthians 9:7 Take away attached strings when giving.  

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