The command to tithe comes from the Law of Moses (Leviticus 27:30-32), which we call the Old Covenant. God gave the law to his people, the Israelites as a grace. But, it was never meant to be the forever way of relating to God. Rather, the law was to be a tutor guiding God’s people into the freedom brought by Jesus (Galatians 3:24). For freedom Christ has set us free (Galatians 5:1). In Christ we don’t need the command to give, rather we give in freedom as seems best to us because we now have the Spirit who guides us.

Jesus came to establish a new family, the kingdom of Heaven as he called it. He called us sons and daughters of the most High God. He invited us to call upon God as our father. And this new family was to be filled with love, truth and justice. The whole book of Acts is about the beginnings of it. Wealthy members were selling what they had to care for those in need and they were opening up their homes as meeting places for worship and preaching. When we give, we give as members of this family in order to care for and love the family.

We acknowledge two main biblical truths when we give. First, all that we have is a result of our God’s generosity. Second, God will provide for us, His children. As Jesus taught, we need not be anxious in this life  about providing for our needs—God will provide (Matthew 6:25-34). So when we give to His family, we acknowledge the reality of God’s generosity and put our trust in His providence.