How to Use This Commentary Matthew 6:1–4 marks a major shift in Jesus’ teaching. After showing how kingdom people relate to others in Matthew 5, Jesus now teaches how we relate to the Father. Read it in two movements: (1) the danger of practicing righteousness for people, and (2) the call to practice righteousness for... Continue Reading →
Again, thank you for taking the time to explore this topic of tithing, generosity, and biblical stewardship with me. As I reflect on this study and what I have discovered in Scripture and church history, I must admit that I am still somewhat surprised. The relationship between the Old Testament tithe and the giving of... Continue Reading →
Should Christians Tithe Today? Series Investing in Eternity: The Goal of Christian Stewardship After exploring the Old Testament tithe, the words of Jesus, the teaching of the apostles, and the development of church history, we now come to the bigger issue behind all of it: what is the goal of Christian stewardship? This final article... Continue Reading →
Should Christians Tithe Today? Series Should Christians Tithe Today? After walking through the Old Testament tithe system, the words of Jesus, the teaching of the apostles, and the history of the church, we are finally ready to answer the central question of this series: should Christians tithe today? This article brings the whole discussion together... Continue Reading →
Should Christians Tithe Today? Series How the Early Church and Church History Handled Tithing If the apostles never directly commanded Christians to tithe, why has tithing become such a normal Christian expectation? Church history helps answer that question. This article traces how Christian giving developed from the early church, through the post-Constantine era, the medieval... Continue Reading →
Should Christians Tithe Today? Series Why the Apostles Never Command Christians to Tithe If tithing was such an important part of life under the Old Testament, why do the apostles never simply tell the church, “Christians must tithe”? That question sits near the center of the modern debate. In this article, we will look at... Continue Reading →
Should Christians Tithe Today? Series What Jesus Actually Said About Tithing Jesus did speak about tithing—but not often, and not in the way many people assume. When we look carefully at the Gospels, we find that Jesus mentions tithing in contexts tied to the Mosaic Law, the Pharisees, and the still-standing temple system. At the... Continue Reading →
Should Christians Tithe Today? Series Who Actually Paid the Tithe in Israel? If the Old Testament tithe was more than a simple 10% rule, the next question naturally follows: who was actually required to pay it? Did every Israelite tithe in the same way? What about fishermen, craftsmen, hired workers, and merchants? This article helps... Continue Reading →
Should Christians Tithe Today? Series Was the Tithe Really Just 10%? Many Christians hear the word tithe and immediately think “10%.” But when we read the Old Testament carefully, the picture is more layered than that. Israel’s giving system included multiple tithes and obligations that supported worship, the priesthood, national celebrations, and care for the... Continue Reading →
The Sermon on the Mount presents Jesus’ teachings on inner transformation over external religiosity, beginning with the Beatitudes that describe the character of kingdom citizens. Jesus emphasizes the need for true righteousness, surpassing mere rule-keeping, illustrated by contrasts with traditional teachings. Kingdom citizens are called to influence the world positively.