Snippet on Tithing, what you need to know

 What is the Tithe?

The word "tithe" means "one tenth." The tithe was an offering of one's AGRICULTURAL INCOME to the Lord as an expression of thanks and dedication.

In the Old Testament agricultural economy, TITHES WERE PAID NOT IN CASH, GOLD, OR GOODS but in crops or livestock, for only the agricultural fruit of the promised land was to be tithed—no other forms of income. 

Tithing what you need to know.

Abraham’s Example – Genesis 14:18-20

Abraham gave 10% of his spoil from war to Melchizedek. This was not his own money.

Abraham then gave the remaining 90% of the spoils of war to the King of Sodom.

We have seen here that Abraham only gave a tithe this once!!! There are no other examples of tithing according to Abraham’s model for giving.

Now we have seen that Abraham’s example was never used in the New Testament, nor was it used to teach Christians how much they should give.

The Bible does not mention that Abraham was commanded by God to give the tithe to Melchizedek.

Abraham’s example of tithing to Melchizedek does not set a precedent for Christians to follow.

Jacob’s Example – Genesis 28:20-22

Jacob’s promise to tithe was completely conditional. He told God that he would tithe if God would bless him. God did not ask Jacob to give a tithe. Jacob chose to promise it to Him (again, only if God would bless him).

   Jacob’s example of tithing was completely free will, conditional, and would not support the idea of giving your tithe to your local church. It also does not set a tithing requirement for Christians to follow because it was Jacob’s choice – not God’s commandment.

THE JEW AND TITHING

The Jews do not practice the paying of tithes as part of their religious system.

 The Jews do not tithe today, because there is no one to whom to pay the tithe.

Based on the law given by God through Moses, tithing cannot be accomplished today by any of the tribes (nations) of Israel, including the tribe of Judah (Jews).

Because there is no Levitical priesthood presiding in the nation of Israel, nor is there a temple in Jerusalem in which to officiate.

Note, however, that If the Levitical priesthood was instituted again, a temple was to be built in Jerusalem. then many Jews would tithe by the law.

The tithing laws: - the tithing law given to ancient Israel does not apply to the elect of God today.

The Old Covenant tithing law did not require that a person tithe on their total income, but only on the increase of the land.

The tithing law was given to a specific nation, under a specific set of circumstances, and for a specific purpose.

The law of tithing is first mentioned in Leviticus 27:30-33 and only speaks of animal and agricultural items being tithed.

The instructions that God gave are very detailed and specific:

"And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's: it is holy to the Lord. And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof. And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passes under the rod, the tenth shall be holy to the Lord. He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed" (Lev.27: 30-33 KJV).

The Israelites knew that the law of tithing only pertained to the land of inheritance. And only those who had received this inheritance could tithe.

HOW THE TITHE WAS TO BE USED: is explained in the Book of Numbers:

"And behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service when they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation" (Num.18:21 KJV).

The tenth part of all the increase of animals and produce had to be used to pay the Levites for the services they performed in the tabernacle and in the temple at Jerusalem.

in addition, the scriptures also list the stranger, the fatherless, and the widows as being eligible for extra support from the tithe that was used to support the poor (Deut.14:28-29).

TITHABLE ITEMS-ten percent ("a tithe," meaning a tenth) of the produce of the land (grain, fruit), livestock, and other increase such as

"And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's: it is holy to the Lord. And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof. And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passes under the rod, the tenth shall be holy to the Lord" (Lev.27:30-32 KJV).

THE FESTIVAL TITHE

The festival tithe (commonly called 'the second tithe') was not to be used within the Israelite's home territory: "You may not eat within your gates the tithe of your corn [grain] or of your wine, or of your oil . . ." (Deut.12:17; 14:22).

THE TITHE FOR THE POOR

"And at the end of three years, you shall bring forth all the tithe [commonly called 'the third tithe'] of your increase the same year and shall lay it up within your gates [i.e., home or property]" (Deut.14:28 KJV).

This tithe was to be laid up within the person's property and the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow were to partake of it:

"And the Levite, (because he has no part nor inheritance with you), and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within your gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do" (Deut.14:29 KJV).

The Levite's Tithe: To support the Levites, who served in the temple and had no land inheritance (Numbers 18:21).

Remember that:

The tithe was of produce or animals. There is no reference in the Bible to a tithe of monetary income, the selling or trading of wares, or any other source of income.

The law of tithing was designed for the following reasons:

• To support the priesthood and other Levites in God's service
• To be used to enjoy the annual observances and festivals
• To help the widows, orphans, and strangers in times of need
• Supporting the Levites: Providing for their needs as they served God and the community.

• Temple Upkeep: Contributing to the maintenance and operations of the place of worship.

• Acknowledging God's Ownership: Recognizing that all blessings come from God and returning a portion to Him.

• Teaching to Put God First: Deuteronomy 14:23 mentions learning to "revere the Lord your God always" as a purpose.

The first covenant with the nation of Israel has been canceled by God and a new one has been established through the sacrifice of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, there are now a whole new set of circumstances for the worshiper of God (Heb.8:6-10). 

Those who are called under the new covenant to participate in the first resurrection are not under the laws and rules of the first covenant in the same way ancient Israel was.

Indeed, many of the terms, conditions, and laws of the first covenant were placed in the new covenant.

However, the law of tithing is not one of them. It is impossible for Christians today to conform to the law of tithing as set forth under the agreement with national Israel because the circumstances have changed.

Today, the nation of Israel does not exist under the rule of God, and there is no Levitical priesthood officiating at a place where God has placed his name.

WILL A MAN ROB GOD?

⁸ Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

⁹ Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

¹⁰ Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

¹¹ And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.

¹² And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.

(Mal.3:8-12 KJV).

God is addressing the entire nation (House of Judah) when he says that they had robbed him. The covenant their forefathers had ratified at Sinai specifically stated they would obey whatever he asked them to do (Ex.19:5-8). One of the things he asked them to do was to give a tenth of their increase to him for the support of the Levites.

This was not a universal law look at verse ⁹ Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. It was specifically speaking to the nation of Israel the house of Judah!!!! Look what happens in verse  ¹² And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts. NOTE all other nations will call the house of Judah blessed!!!

No Direct Command for a Fixed Percentage: The New Testament does not explicitly command believers to give a strict ten percent of their income

So, Teaching Christians that they will be blessed if they tithe or cursed if they don’t pay tithes would totally ignore Christ’s sacrifice on the cross!!!

We are no longer under “the curse” of the Law but have been freed from death by Christ’s blood. Therefore, Christians will not be cursed if they do not tithe, and the promise of blessing in this passage does not apply to us. It was for the Israelites only.

Did Jesus Teach Tithing? – Matthew 23:23 & Luke 11:42

Jesus was under the Law and so were the Pharisees He was speaking to. The New Covenant did not begin until after Jesus died, so He would not have taught the Pharisees to break the Law. However, Jesus never taught Gentiles to keep the laws or statutes that applied specifically to the Israelites (like tithing and ceremonial cleansing rituals). Christians are not under the Law of Moses; therefore, we are not required to tithe.  The tithe still only contained food and never money.

Jesus was not advocating tithing for all His followers for all time. He was speaking to a specific group of people who were under all the laws of Moses. He used this time to teach us that love trumps giving every time. It is foolish to think that tithing will save us or that failing to tithe will condemn us.

Change of the Priesthood, Change of the Law – Hebrews 7

This is the only time tithing appears after Jesus’ death. Jesus’ high priesthood is superior to and replaces the Levitical priesthood.

Since the Levitical priesthood has been replaced so has the Law that was instituted under it. Christians are not under the Law of Moses.

 We have a better hope through the high priesthood of Jesus and His sacrifice.

 We have a better hope for salvation that comes through faith in Jesus – not in keeping the Law of Moses. And we have a better hope for giving that’s based on a close relationship with God through prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit – not on percentages.

God has created a better covenant with Christians that allows us to draw near to Him through Jesus.

We shouldn’t place ourselves under the statutes of an inferior Old Covenant when God desires a deeper relationship with us through His New Covenant.

Freely give!!!!

Note this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 ESV.

8 Heal the sick, [a]cleanse the lepers, [b]raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10:8 KJV

References

The Holy Bible