Deleted Scenes: Genesis 28:10-22. Let’s talk about the tithe

The last words of Genesis 28:10-22 are Jacob’s pledge to God that “all of that you give me I will give you a tenth.” After I read it on Sunday morning, I announced, “all right, this morning all we’re going to talk about is tithing.” That comment generated a little bit of laughter (my wife would be quick to point out that it might have been pity laughter). The question is, why was it even maybe a little bit funny? Probably because tithing is clearly not the main point of the text, or even one of the 5 main points. Obviously that wasn’t going to be the sermon. But maybe there was some nervous laughter there too- “oh please no, please don’t talk about money, I invited my friend to church this week and this would be so embarrassing, I really hope that’s a joke!” Well, this is where the joke ends, because now I’m really going to talk/write about tithing. 

If you read it again, what Jacob says in Genesis 28:20-22 doesn’t sound like an admirable, strong statement of faith. Jacob’s still trying to control things, still trying to turn things to his own advantage. He says to God, if you watch over me, if you give me food to eat and clothes to wear, then you will be my God and all that you give me I’ll give you a tenth.” He’s giving God conditions! It doesn’t sound like a very mature trust, does it? And yet here we see how God is willing to work with where we’re at and move us to increasing maturity. He doesn’t wait until we’re all grown up before entering our lives or until we’ve figured everything out. That’s good news.

There is something important about what Jacob says at the end, though, regarding the tithe. This is the second time we’ve read something like a tithe in Genesis. In Genesis 14, in response to a military victory, Abraham (or “Grandpa Abe” as Jacob would have known him) had given a tenth of the spoils to Melchizedek, “a priest of God Most High”. That act was a recognition that the victory had come from the Lord. Jacob reflects the same understanding here. Everything that he has is given by the Lord: “all that you have given me”. It’s from Him. Nothing that we own truly comes about by our own power. In the end all of it is a gift from God. Jacob’s giving of a tenth is simply a recognition of that point. It’s an important reminder to himself of the source of what he’s been given and it’s an act of worship to the Giving God.

However, tithing can become twisted. We talked about that on Sunday regarding sacred spaces: a place we experience as a “gate of heaven” (28:17) becomes idolized when it becomes a way for us to control God and regulate our encounters with Him. Likewise, tithing is a good practice but if we’re not careful it becomes a way of limiting our generosity and regulating what He can expect of us. It almost seems like that’s how Jacob is treating it, as a way of getting God to do what Jacob wants Him to do. People might think that way today too: "God, if you’ll provide for me, then I promise I’ll give x amount to you." Another way people think about financial giving is that as long as you give Him a tenth, you can do whatever you want with the other 90%. Of course, a lot of people don’t give anywhere close to 10% in the first place! Regardless, I believe this is why the New Testament nowhere legislates a tithe. Instead, it urges radical generosity that is not constrained by a particular number or percentage or condition. That’s because while tithing points to an important principle, making a rule out of it can harden the heart and defeat the very principle it points to.

So here’s how I’ll put this all together. The New Testament does not order us to tithe, and I don’t believe we should use the promise of a tithe to get God to do something for us. However, God absolutely wants us to be generous, probably much more generous than we have been! Everything we have has been given to us by the Lord, and giving generously to work that glorifies Him reminds us of that and is an act of worship. So give joyfully and generously, thanking God for all that He has given you!