The Truth about Tithing

Bishop Riggen teaches from Leviticus 27:30-32 that tithing is a matter of submission to apostolic authority, not merely an Old Testament obligation. He emphasizes that while the tithe belongs to God, Scripture shows men receive it (Hebrews 7:8) for the support of spiritual leadership. Withholding tithes signals a rejection of that authority. He argues that the entire Old Testament, including Malachi 3:6 ('I am the Lord, I change not'), remains profitable for doctrine, and that tithing predates the Mosaic Law. He cites examples from Acts and the apostles using the Old Testament to establish New Testament doctrine. The bishop contrasts the Law of Moses (parts of which are not binding) with eternal principles God established before Moses. He illustrates his point with Uzzah touching the ark—a warning against mishandling what belongs to God. He distinguishes between offerings (for church bills) and tithes (for leadership support), urging believers to give more than 10% as love demands. He laments that December, celebrating Christ's birth, is historically the lowest month for giving, calling believers to examine their priorities. The core message is that tithing is not legalism but a revelation of submission to God's order, and that a true revelation produces unwavering conviction that mere understanding cannot. He prays for divine revelation on this subject, asserting that God's nature and claims on His people do not change.