The issue of tithing, which is literally giving a tenth portion to God, remains a subject that sparks great debate amongst Christians.

The tithe, which is separate from offerings and giving of alms, is first mentioned in Scripture in Genesis 14:18-20 when Abraham, considered by Christians as the father of faith, gave a tenth of everything he had won in war to the high priest, Melchizedec.

One sect of Christians embrace the teaching on tithe whilst others argue that tithing does not apply to contemporary Christians as it is a commandment God gave to the children of Israel in the Old Testament.

Bishop Kambalazaza of the Charismatic Redeemed Ministries International says tithe is not an Old Testament command as it began with Abraham even before the Old Testament was given.

"Tithe came with Abraham before the Law of Moses. It covers the whole Bible, Old and New Testament. God calls everyone who does not tithe a robber," he said.

According to him giving tithe is non-negotiable for Christians as those who fail to do so risk eternal condemnation as no robber can enter paradise.

"Let us adhere to this spiritual law. It may seem scary but why neglect the Word of God? If it is really God's law then it would be too late to repair it after death," he said.

As world governments tax their citizenry, Kambalazaza says heaven is also an eternal government whose tax is called the tithe.

"Tithe is the 10 percent of your income which is always God's money given back to Him as you earn while tax is government money," he said.

Brother Val Boyle in his paper titled To tithe or not to tithe? which can be accessed on http://bible-truths-revealed.info, however argues that what God says on tithing in Malachai 3:8-11, which he says is one of the Scriptures that those who argue for tithing usually uses , does not apply to New Testament Christians.

"God rebuked the Jews who were under the law and obligated to tithe. New Testament Christians are not under the law because it has been fulfilled in Christ, and they have been redeemed from its curse," reads the essay in part.

Boyle further says that compulsory tithing under the law in the Old Testament does not translate to giving under grace in the New Testament.

"The New Testament does not compel Christians, but rather invites them to give generously in response to the needs of others, and as an expression of their love for God," argues Boyle in his essay.

Reverend Seyila Mitha of the Malawi Assemblies of God however begs to differ with arguments such as those advanced by Boyle saying tithe is not confined to Christians in the Old Testament only but also applies to Christians today.

"Jesus recommends the tithe in the New Testament when he spoke the parable of the Pharisee and tax collector in Luke 18:9-14,"Mitha said.

According to her giving tithe is not an option for Christians today but rather an obligation.

"Everyone should pay tithe. It does not belong to us. It belongs to God. If we fail to pay tithe, we are sinning against God," she said.