The scriptures contain strong cautions against withholding the tithe:
“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, in what way have we robbed You? In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation” (Mal. 3:8,9).
God rebuked the nation of Israel for their disobedience in withholding the tithe. As His covenant people, they were to demonstrate their love, trust and commitment to Him by faithfully giving the first fruits of their increase through which the Levitical priesthood and it’s mediatorial sacrifices could be maintained. Selfish withholding of the tithe demonstrated lack of union with His purposes and was viewed as spiritual thievery. The same principle holds true with the members of His new covenant. As Christians we should seek to honor God through the tithe, purging out all self-seeking attitudes in our heart that would cause us to selfishly withhold from Him in order to focus on our own needs or desires.
