Kingdom Unity Part 4: Kingdom Giving | Paztuh Mike Wuebbles
- Apr 19
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 29
Kingdom Unity: Kingdom Giving -
Does tithing matter for Christians today?
Wasn’t it only for the Old Testament?
Did Jesus even talk about tithing?
So… Do I tithe or not? This question has become one of the biggest controversies in the Body of Christ. For some, the answers seem clear. For many others, they’re anything but. Are we “cursed” if we don’t tithe? How much is enough? If we’re under grace and not the law, why would tithing still matter?
In Lesson 4 of the series Kingdom Unity, Paztuh Mike Wuebbles addresses these questions head-on, walking through the full biblical picture—from Abraham and Melchizedek to the teachings of Jesus. He makes the case that tithing still matters today and explains the practical reason why.
Hebrews 8:10 (NLT): “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
At its core, tithing is a heart issue—not a “give to get” transaction. The real question is this: are you willing to trust God with your finances? Putting Him first in this area trains you to put Him first in every area of your life.
The True Heart of Kingdom Giving: A Biblical Perspective on Tithing
Introduction
Kingdom Foundations: Before diving into giving, it's essential to understand Kingdom unity and government (1 Corinthians 1:10). The goal is for the body of Christ to be trained, unified on the same page, and sent out.
A New Lens on Tithing: Tithing shouldn't be an endlessly repeated sermon meant just to motivate generosity. Instead, it must be viewed objectively through the lens of Kingdom government to understand its original purpose and present-day application.
The Definition of Tithe: Translated directly from both the Hebrew (ma'aser) and Greek (dekate), the word "tithe" simply means a tenth, or 10%.
It is impossible to understand where God wants us to go with our giving without first looking at exactly where the standard of the tithe began.
1. The Origins and Law of Tithing
Pre-Law Willingness: Tithing first appears long before the law with Abraham giving a tenth of his war spoils to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18-20). This was done purely out of a willing heart of honor and worship, not out of legal requirement.
Civic Law for a New Nation: Following the Exodus (Exodus 12:31-33), Moses led millions of freed slaves who had no established society. Tithing became a formal civic law (Leviticus 27:30)—acting as a vital social support system and government tax for a newly forming nation.
Provision for the Priesthood: The tribe of Levi did not inherit land in Canaan; instead, they were set apart to serve the tabernacle. The tithes of the land were their direct compensation for serving, teaching the word, and leading worship (Numbers 18:21).
Teaching Reverence: Beyond social support, the tithe was designed to teach God’s people practical obedience with their resources and to always revere and fear the Lord (Deuteronomy 14:22-23).
"Jesus did not come to do away with the law, but he did come to do away with enforcing it."
If the Old Testament law was established to force order and teach obedience, we must understand how Jesus transformed our daily relationship to that standard.
2. The New Covenant: From Enforcement to Willingness
Fulfilling the Law: Jesus made it explicitly clear that He did not come to abolish the law or the prophets, but to accomplish their purpose (Matthew 5:17-19).
An End to Enforcement: As seen with the woman caught in adultery (John 8:9-11), Jesus actively stopped the enforcement of the Kingdom's penal code (stoning), but He did not give permission to break the moral law ("go and sin no more").
Written on the Heart: Under the New Covenant, God desires His laws to be written directly on our minds and hearts (Hebrews 8:10). He wants our obedience to be a willing, internal choice, not a coerced external requirement.
A Willing Kingdom Tax: When questioned about taxes, Jesus affirmed giving to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's (Matthew 22:19-21). Tithing is effectively a Kingdom tax, but unlike worldly taxes, citizens of the Kingdom are invited to pay it willingly (2 Corinthians 9:7).
As we choose to willingly participate in God's economy, we inevitably run into the infamous Old Testament warnings about what happens when we withhold our resources.
3. Demystifying Malachi and the "Financial Curse"
Context of the Curse: In the days of Malachi, the Israelites had recently returned from 70 years of Babylonian exile. Instead of rebuilding God's house, they focused on their own comfort, causing the uncompensated Levites and worship leaders to abandon the temple to work the fields (Nehemiah 13:10-11).
A Redemptive Warning: The "curse" mentioned in Malachi 3:8-11 wasn't a vindictive, demonic damnation; it was God's mercy. He allowed natural economic hardship (failing crops, pests) to get their attention and realign them with His will.
Debunking the Modern Myth: Many secular billionaires practice the worldly "pay yourself first (10%)" principle and financially prosper without honoring God at all (Psalm 37:7). Therefore, a lack of tithing doesn't automatically trigger a universal financial curse upon every person.
Alignment over Affluence: For a true Kingdom citizen, God will still use the principles of giving (and sometimes the withering of our resources) to gently get our attention and keep us aligned with His specific purposes.
"You giving 10% of your income is a simple kingdom tax that you get to participate in doing willingly."
When we realize that kingdom giving is entirely about heart alignment, it drastically changes where and how we actively invest those resources.
4. Kingdom Giving in the Modern Church
The New Temple: The physical temple system was replaced by the body of Christ. When called-out citizens assemble (the ekklesia), they collectively form the church and the dwelling place of God on earth (John 2:19-21, 1 Corinthians 3:16).
Giving Where You are Planted: Just as the Israelites were instructed to bring their tithes to the specific place the Lord chose (Deuteronomy 14:22-23), believers should financially support the local church where God has planted them—not just the church they casually prefer.
The Whole Package: Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for meticulously tithing on tiny herbs while completely ignoring justice, mercy, and faith (Matthew 23:23). He instructed them that they should tithe, but without neglecting the weightier matters of the heart.
Beyond the Slot Machine Mentality: The biblical promise that giving will be returned to you (Luke 6:38, Acts 20:35) is often abused as a transactional gimmick to get rich. True kingdom giving isn't a casino; it's a profound surrender of money, time, and talent.
"Your success, your prosperity, should be for the enhancement of God's kingdom."
Ultimately, our giving forces us to honestly evaluate whether we are building our own temporary empires or investing in the only Kingdom that will last.
Conclusion
Purpose Over Prosperity: While God may call certain believers to generate significant wealth, the end goal in the Kingdom is never selfish accumulation. Every resource, talent, and hour of time is meant to be leveraged for true discipleship and Kingdom advancement.
Starting Where You Are: It is a dangerous fallacy to wait until you have "more money" to start giving. Learning to trust God with $320 out of a modest income builds the necessary spiritual foundation to trust Him with larger amounts later.
A Call to True Lordship: Giving ultimately stems from complete surrender. When Jesus is truly Lord—meaning He is fully in control—our finances, time, and talents will naturally flow toward His purposes rather than our own earthly comfort.
Reflection & Discussion Questions
How does viewing the tithe as a "Kingdom tax" that we get to pay willingly change your emotional and spiritual response to giving?
Read Matthew 23:23. Are there areas in your life where you are strictly following a "rule" (like giving or attending church) but neglecting weightier matters like justice, mercy, or faith?
If you were completely honest with yourself, does your current view of giving look more like a transactional "slot machine" to get blessed, or a genuine desire to see God's Kingdom enhanced?
Take an inventory of your current time, talents, and resources. What is one specific, actionable way you can invest them into the local body where God has planted you this week?
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