Abstract:
The study examined tithing in the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) from the Old Testament theological perspective. The general aim of the study was to examine how the Old Testament tithing relates to the Anglican Church in Enugu Province.The main problem of the study arises from the unfaithfulness of most Christians in their payment of tithes which is as a result of lack of accountability and appropriation of the tithes by the church officials. The specific aims were to review the historical and theological background of tithing in the Old Testament in Malachi 3:8-12, with reference to other Old Testament texts to evaluate/assess the manner of tithing in the present day Anglican Churches in Enugu Province, to establish biblical basis and pattern for tithing and to proffer solution to the problems related to the payment of tithe in the Anglican Church in Nigeria. This study adopted both qualitative and quantitative research method. Data collections were done through three main sources, namely questionnaire, primary and secondary sources. The primary sources were through participants’ observation and the secondary sources included published materials in relation to the topic. The result of the analysis and interpretation of all the sources of data used showed that there were payments of tithe in the Old Testament (Israel) and that people are also paying tithes in the Anglican Church and other contemporary churches in Nigeria. The results also indicated that the Anglican Church (urban, suburban and rural) people are paying their tithes. The result of the data analysis showed that people are paying their tithes with different motives and understanding. Whereas, the data analysis and interpretation agreed that there is unfaithfulness among most Christians in their tithe payment which is as a result of lack of accountability and appropriation of the tithes by the church officials. The researcher, therefore, recommended that the Anglican church should introduce welfare packages and channel all the tithes collected in caring for the priests, the orphans, the less privileged, the indigent ones, (free medical care) and all kinds of needy as practiced in the Old Testament in the contemporary churches. There was a call to practice tithe in the Anglican Church, Enugu Province because it is a law from God as typified in Malachi 3:8-12.
