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Genesis 14 · a question people ask

Abram gave a tenth before the law of Moses. Does that make tithing binding on Christians?

Interpretation

Abram "gave him a tenth of all" (14:20), and Jacob later vows a tenth (28:22), both before the law. Both views below call Christians to give; they differ on whether a tenth is the standard.

How Christians read it

Where Christians differ, Favor sets out the main views side by side and doesn't pick one.

The tenth still stands

Tithing began before the law (14:20; 28:22), so it isn't only part of it. Malachi calls God's people to "bring the whole tithe" (3:10).

Genesis 14:20 · Genesis 28:22 · Malachi 3:10

Generous giving, not a fixed tenth

The only tenth Genesis 14 records was given from the spoils of war: Hebrews calls it "a tenth out of the best plunder" (7:4). The New Testament teaches giving "according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion" (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Genesis 14:20 · Hebrews 7:4 · 2 Corinthians 9:7

The verses

“Blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Abram gave him a tenth of all.”
Genesis 14:20 · World English Bible
“then this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, will be God’s house. Of all that you will give me I will surely give a tenth to you.””
Genesis 28:22 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Genesis 14

Genesis 14: Priest of God Most High

Abram rescues Lot and meets two kings. Melchizedek, the first person the Bible calls a priest, brings out bread and wine, blesses Abram and receives a tenth of all, the Bible's first tithe; the king of Sodom offers riches and Abram refuses. Hebrews sees in Melchizedek a picture of Jesus, a priest forever.

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions