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Are Believers to give financially by tithing or as they choose – Section 1?
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COMPARING AND CONTRASTING SCRIPTURES ON HOW BELIEVERS SHOULD GIVE FINANCIALLY—PART ONE
The Scriptures we’ll look at will be taken from both the Old and New Testaments. They’ll be translated initially from a nondispensational understanding and then from a dispensational mindset. Changes in meanings from one perspective to another will be highlighted in bold text. When the content repeats, you can read it again or proceed to the bold text where the changes in interpretation were made.
The two types of giving that will be studied are:
●Tithing: Giving ten percent, whether of money, farm produce, or animals.
●Free Will Giving: Giving financially as one chooses without obligation or mandate.
Something else to consider are first fruits. Are they tithes? Here’s a brief description of what they are.
●First fruits: The firstlings (first-born) of the flock are considered first fruits. There are also the first fruits of the ground, e.g., wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates called the Festival of the Harvests that were celebrated three times throughout each year. There is the Feast of First Fruits, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Each landowner decided how much was to be gathered. Just to be clear, the first fruits are not tithes.
Remember:
A non-dispensationalist will look at the instances in which tithing was intended and choose those ideas that support the perpetuation of this practice throughout human history.
A dispensationalist will look at the occurrences in which tithing occurred and determine whether Scriptures from the dispensation at hand support the practice.
Are we ready to begin comparing and contrasting Scriptures on giving financially? Let’s begin by turning our Bibles into the book of Genesis.
NONDISPENSATIONAL—And He Gave Him a Tenth of All
Suggested Reading: Genesis 14:1-24; Hebrews 7:1-2
This is the first biblical mention of tithing in the Old Testament.
Abram, a Jew, was called by God to leave Chaldea and go forth to find a geographical location according to His guidance. Accompanying him would be his family and his nephew Lot. God promised him that he’d make of him a great nation, which indicated that he would eventually have a son. As time went on, Lot and Abram separated because the land they were sharing was unable to support both of their households.
During this time, an alliance of nine Mesopotamian kings under the leadership of Chedorlaomer of Elam came to an end. Five of the kings, who remained faithful to Chedorlaomer, attacked the other four and defeated them, taking not only all of their goods and food but also Lot, his possessions, family, and servants. Someone who escaped the battle scene was able to locate Abram and tell him about Lot’s situation.
Abram and over 300 trained men and their allies attacked the five kings’ encampment at night, defeating them and recovering his relative and all that belonged to him, along with the spoils stolen from the king of Sodom. This king, along with a priest named Melchizedek, met him upon his return from the military engagement.
18-19a And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said, NASB
20-23 And he gave him a tenth of all. And the king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give the people to me and take the goods for yourself." And Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have sworn to the Lord God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, lest you should say,' I have made Abram rich.' NASB
Abraham gave Melchizedek 10% of the reward and the remaining amount to the king of Sodom. Some commentators believe that giving the tenth was a practical acknowledgment of the divine priesthood of [Melchizedek,] for the tenth was, according to the general custom, the offering presented to the Deity.35 In the ancient world, another use for the tithe was in effect, i.e., a [landowner] could collect a 10% fee, i.e., a tithe, from those who used the land for making their livelihood.36It should be of no surprise that this type of giving was included under the institution of the Mosaic Law and the protocol for giving during the Incarnation of Christ and the Church Age.
DISPENSATIONAL—And He Gave Him a Tenth of All
Suggested Reading: Genesis 14:1-24; Hebrews 7:1-2
This is the first biblical mention of tithing in the Old Testament.
Abram, a Jew, was called by God to leave Chaldea and go forth to find a geographical location according to His guidance. Accompanying him would be his family and his nephew Lot. God promised him that he’d make of him a great nation, which indicated that Abram would eventually have a son. As time went on, Lot and Abram separated because the land they were sharing was unable to support both of their households.
During this time, an alliance of nine Mesopotamian kings under the leadership of Chedorlaomer of Elam came to an end. Five of the kings, who remained faithful to Chedorlaomer, attacked the other four and defeated them, taking not only all of their goods and food but also Lot, his possessions, family, and servants. Someone who escaped the battle scene was able to locate Abram and tell him about Lot’s situation.
Abram and over 300 trained men and their allies attacked the five kings’ encampment at night, defeating them and recovering his relative and all that belonged to him, along with the spoils stolen from the king of Sodom. This king, along with a priest named Melchizedek, met him upon his return from the military engagement.
18-19a And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said, NASB
20-23 And he gave him a tenth of all. And the king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give the people to me and take the goods for yourself." And Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have sworn to the Lord God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, lest you should say,' I have made Abram rich.' NASB
The dispensationalist would acknowledge that during the Age of the Gentiles, it might be construe d by the later generations of Israelites under Moses that Abram was practicing the custom of tithing and securing the blessing given to the people by the priests.37 One such example was of his son, Jacob, in Genesis 28:5-22. However, whether it was a protocol for giving in the following ages of Israel and the church would be determined if it was delineated as such during each period.
Where I’d like us to turn next is the book of Malachi. These verses are probably the most prominent ones from the Old Testament that are used to support tithing.
NONDISPENSATIONAL—Will a Man Rob God?
Suggested Reading: Malachi 2:1-17; Malachi 3:6-11
Before we talk about what was happening in the book of Malachi, here’s a brief background of the events surrounding this situation.
Moses led the Jews out of their captivity in Egypt. They arrived at Mount Sinai, where he received the Ten Commandments along with instructions concerning the building of a tabernacle, which was a portable tent-like structure that was to be used in the worship of their God (Yahweh) throughout the forty-year wilderness wanderings to the land that God promised them to inhabit, the Promised Land of Canaan. He also received instructions about an institution known as the Mosaic Law, which the Jews were obligated to obey when they entered the land of promise.
Joshua followed Moses as the next leader of the Jews. Under his leadership, they crossed over the Jordan River and entered the land of Canaan, thus becoming a nation of people. The spiritual responsibilities by which they would worship Yahweh are in full effect. The following four designations classified them.
●Testimonies—The laws directing the commemoration of certain events (e.g., seventh year Sabbath rest; the 50th year, the year of Jubilee; the ordinance of the Passover; the feast of unleavened bread; etc.). Exodus 12:43-50; Numbers 28: 16-25; Deuteronomy 25-26
●Judgments—The Social Code are the laws belonging to civil government. (e.g., dietary, marriage, military, conservation, etc., and the related consequences or punishments). Deuteronomy 14-28
●Statutes—The Spiritual Code are the ordinances of the Law (e.g., the Tabernacle, the Holy Days, the Offerings, the High Priest, the Meat Offering, the Trespass Offering, the Levites, tithes, etc. Exodus 26-31; 35-40; Leviticus 1-24; Deuteronomy 16
Commandments—The Moral Code which included not only the ten commandments called the Decalogue (honor thy father and thy mother (…) Exodus 20:12-17) but more than 600 other commandments (e.g., thou shalt have no other gods before me; the Sabbath, (…) thou shalt not do any work (…) Exodus 20:12-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21; Deuteronomy 12; thou shalt truly tithe (…) Deuteronomy 14:22
One of the tribes, Levi, was set aside by God to implement the duties of the priesthood. Tithes were collected and granted to the Levites for the use of the [sanctuary] and the maintenance of themselves and their families, as they had no other inheritance in Israel.38 With these thoughts in mind, let’s turn to the book of Malachi.
The book of Malachi speaks of a time surrounding the building of the second temple. The first temple was built under the reign of Israel’s third king, King Solomon, in approximately 1008 BC. Later, in about 937 BC, the kingdom was divided into the Northern Kingdom of Israel, comprised of 10 tribes, and the Southern Kingdom of Judah, consisting of 2 tribes. The first temple, located at Jerusalem in the Southern Kingdom, was destroyed in 587 BC by the invasion of the armies of King Nebuchadnezzar of Chaldea (the Babylonian Empire), unto whom the Jewish people were taken into captivity.
In 539 BC, Cyrus, king of Persia, defeated the Babylonian army. One year later, he allowed the Jews to return home. In approximately 516 BC, they worked on reconstructing the temple until it was eventually rebuilt.
Malachi 3:8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, 'How have we robbed Thee?' In tithes and offerings. NASB
Unfortunately, the Jewish people decided to no longer give their tithes and offerings. The Lord said that because they didn’t render financial support to the Levites, He suffered fraud. His ministers, constrained by hunger and penury, deserted the temple.39 As a result, they could no longer treasure discernment. Instead, they proclaimed that everyone who did evil was good in the sight of the Lord.
10-12 "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the Lord of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. "Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it may not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes," says the Lord of hosts. "And all the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land," says the Lord of hosts. NASB
Then, the Lord encouraged the people, saying that if they’d bring the whole tithe (of corn, new wine, and oil, etc.) into the storehouse (treasury; great chamber), they’d test (prove) Him in keeping the following promise that he’d open the windows of heaven (provide adequate rainfall) and pour out upon them a blessing (an overabundance for the storehouse) and would not destroy (by locusts) the fruits of the ground.
2 Corinthians 9:6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. NASB
By analogy, believers who tithe or sow bountifully (give generously) will be blessed by God, who will return back to them an overabundance of financial prosperity.
DISPENSATIONAL—Will a Man Rob God?
Suggested Reading: Malachi 2:1-17; Malachi 3:6-11
Before we talk about what was happening in the book of Malachi, here’s a brief background of the events surrounding this situation.
Moses led the Jews out of their captivity in Egypt. They arrived at Mount Sinai, where he received the Ten Commandments along with instructions concerning the building of a tabernacle, which was a portable tent-like structure that was to be used in the worship of their God (Yahweh) throughout the forty-year wilderness wanderings to the land that God promised them to inhabit, the Promised Land of Canaan. He also received instructions about an institution known as the Mosaic Law, which the Jews were obligated to obey when they entered the land of promise.
Joshua followed Moses as the next leader of the Jews. Under his leadership, they crossed over the Jordan River and entered the land of Canaan, thus becoming a nation of people. The spiritual responsibilities by which they would worship Yahweh are in full effect. The following four designations classified them.
●Testimonies—The laws directing the commemoration of certain events (e.g., seventh year Sabbath rest; the 50th year, the year of Jubilee; the ordinance of the Passover; the feast of unleavened bread; etc.). Exodus 12:43-50; Numbers 28: 16-25; Deuteronomy 25-26
●Judgments—The Social Code are the laws belonging to civil government. (e.g., dietary, marriage, military, conservation, etc., and the related consequences or punishments). Deuteronomy 14-28
●Statutes—The Spiritual Code are the ordinances of the Law (e.g., the Tabernacle, the Holy Days, the Offerings, the High Priest, the Meat Offering, the Trespass Offering, the Levites, tithes, etc. Exodus 26-31; 35-40; Leviticus 1-24; Deuteronomy 16
Commandments—The Moral Code which included not only the ten commandments called the Decalogue (honor thy father and thy mother (…) Exodus 20:12-17) but more than 600 other commandments (e.g., thou shalt have no other gods before me; the Sabbath, (…) thou shalt not do any work (…) Exodus 20:12-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21; Deuteronomy 12; thou shalt truly tithe (…) Deuteronomy 14:22
One of the tribes, Levi, was set aside by God to implement the duties of the priesthood. Tithes were collected and granted to the Levites for the use of the [sanctuary] and the maintenance of themselves and their families, as they had no other inheritance in Israel.40 With these thoughts in mind, let’s turn to the book of Malachi.
The book of Malachi speaks of a time surrounding the building of the second temple. The first temple was built under the reign of Israel’s third king, King Solomon, in approximately 1008 BC. Later, in about 937 BC, the kingdom was divided into the Northern Kingdom of Israel, comprised of 10 tribes, and the Southern Kingdom of Judah, consisting of 2 tribes. The first temple, located at Jerusalem in the Southern Kingdom, was destroyed in 587 BC by the invasion of the armies of King Nebuchadnezzar of Chaldea (the Babylonian Empire), unto whom the Jewish people were taken into captivity.
In 539 BC, Cyrus, king of Persia, defeated the Babylonian army. One year later, he allowed the Jews to return home. In approximately 516 BC, they worked on reconstructing the temple until it was eventually rebuilt.
Malachi 3:8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, 'How have we robbed Thee?' In tithes and offerings. NASB
Unfortunately, the Jewish people decided to no longer give their tithes and offerings. The Lord said that because they didn’t render financial support to the Levites, He suffered fraud. His ministers, constrained by hunger and penury, deserted the temple.41 As a result, they could no longer treasure discernment. Instead, they proclaimed that everyone who did evil was good in the sight of the Lord.
10-12 "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the Lord of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. "Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it may not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes," says the Lord of hosts. "And all the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land," says the Lord of hosts. NASB
Then, the Lord encouraged the people, saying that if they’d bring the whole tithe (of corn, new wine, and oil, etc.) into the storehouse (treasury; great chamber), they’d test (prove) Him in keeping the following promisethat he’d open the windows of heaven (provide adequate rainfall) and pour out upon them a blessing (an overabundance for the storehouse) and would not destroy (by locusts) the fruits of the ground.
2 Corinthians 9:6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. NASB
The dispensationalist would agree that tithing was the protocol for giving during the Age of Israel. However, they’d counter that giving in this manner during the Church Age was not the case, as evidenced by the following verses from the book of Acts.
Suggested Reading: Acts 15:1-30
1 And some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." NASB
There were certain men of the Pharisees, who some believe had become Christians, who were teaching that the Gentile Christians needed to be circumcised (proselytes to their religion were circumcised as well as native-born Jews, and they held it to be indispensable to salvation)42 after the custom (manner) of Moses to be saved (for justification; to be made righteous).
Paul and Barnabas decided to go to Jerusalem to discuss this matter with the apostles and elders.
5 But certain ones of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed, stood up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses." NASB
Some of the Jewish believers who attended the meeting stood up and not only reiterated the need for the Gentile believers to be circumcised but also that they were required to observe the Law of Moses (by that, [circumcision] a man was made debtor to the whole Law, to observe all its rites and ceremonies).43
23-25 and they sent this letter by them, "The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, greetings. "Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls, NASB
After much discussion, it was determined that an epistle be written and given in the care of four men, Paul, Barnabas, Judas, and Silas, who would go to the Christian churches of Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia and present it to them.
28-29 "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell." NASB
This letter made it clear that there were four essentials that the Gentile believers needed to refrain from: the pollution of idols, fornication, things strangled, and blood.
●Idols
Eating things offered to idols at pagan festivals or temples.
●Fornication
All illicit sexual intercourse.
●Things strangled, and blood.
They were asked not to drink blood or eat animals whose blood had not been strained because these practices were forbidden by the Jewish dietary laws. This was a contentious issue, especially when the church members would meet together for group meals, called agape feasts, at which time food and drink were to be shared amongst one another.
The content of the epistle to the Christian churches clarified that the Gentile believers were not under any obligation to keep any of the tenets of the Mosaic Law, especially regarding salvation. Otherwise, they would have clarified such. As for the Jewish Christians, whatever commands were required under the Law would be sorted out. If they wanted to continue to observe some or all of their yearly feasts, choose to tithe, observe the Sabbath, etc., that was up to them. However, as they learned more about the new faith they entered into, they’d understand how the tenets of their Jewish faith pointed to their future Messiah, Jesus, whom they believed in, along with the changes under grace concerning their walk with God.
Where I’d like us to turn next is the book of Matthew.
NONDISPENSATIONALIST—I Am Not Come to Abolish the Law
Suggested Reading: Mathew 5:1-20
1-2 And when He saw the multitudes, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. And opening His mouth He began to teach them, saying, NASB
17 Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. NASB
Jesus is in Galilee near Capernaum, and is teaching the crowds from the location of a mountain (small hill). As about the Mosaic Law, He said that he didn’t come to abolish (destroy; do away with; deny the divine authority of) the Law, but to fulfill it (to fulfill the many sacrifices and rites by the offering of Himself as a sacrifice to God) and the Prophets (to fully accomplish their many predictions respecting his coming and death). These were all to be fulfilled and fully accomplished by [His life and His] sufferings.44
18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished. NASB
He also added that His fulfillment of the Law would extend to its smallest letter, the jot, and the smallest stroke of a letter, the tittle. He would obey the Law perfectly, which He did in His birth, life, teachings, death, and resurrection, until all is accomplished (not one part of the writing of the [Law will be destroyed before everything happens as the Law] says it will, not as long as heaven and earth last45).
With that said, the nondispensationalist would advocate what the following quote expresses. It is the enduring stability, then, of the great truths and principles, moral and spiritual, of the Old Testament Revelation which our Lord thus expresses.46
19 "Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and so teaches others, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. NASB
Jesus continues in his delineations about the Law. He says that whosoever (implies religious leaders; the Pharisees) annuls (breaks; refuses to observe) the least of these commandments (those precepts which in reality are the least important47; which are still binding) and teaches others to do the same, will be considered the least (of no esteem) in the kingdom of heaven (the kingdom of the Messiah). Likewise, whoever keeps and teaches them shall be considered great (of high regard) in the kingdom of heaven (the kingdom of the Messiah).
The Mosaic Law is still binding for Christians. Therefore, tithing is the protocol for giving in the New Testament church.
DISPENSATIONALIST—I Am Not Come to Abolish the Law
Suggested Reading: Mathew 5:1-20
1-2 And when He saw the multitudes, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. And opening His mouth He began to teach them, saying, NASB
17 Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. NASB
Jesus is in Galilee near Capernaum, and is teaching the crowds from the location of a mountain (small hill). As about the Mosaic Law, He said that he didn’t come to abolish (destroy; do away with; deny the divine authority of) the Law, but to fulfill it (to fulfill the many sacrifices and rites by the offering of Himself as a sacrifice to God) and the Prophets (to fully accomplish their many predictions respecting his coming and death). These were all to be fulfilled and fully accomplished by [His life and His] sufferings.48
18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished. NASB
He also added that His fulfillment of the Law would extend to its smallest letter, the jot, and the smallest stroke of a letter, the tittle. He would obey the Law perfectly, which He did in His birth, life, teachings, death, and resurrection, until all is accomplished (not one part of the writing of the [Law will be destroyed before everything happens as the Law] says it will, not as long as heaven and earth last49).
With that said, the dispensationalist would advocate that the teachings of the Law remain true or genuine. There remain some future prophecies to be fulfilled. However, in the next dispensations, new laws or commands will be brought forth.
19 Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and so teaches others, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. NASB
Jesus says that whoever (religious leaders) annuls (breaks; refuses to observe) the least of these commandments (not to old laws, but to those which he was about to lay down50) and teaches others to do the same will be considered the least (of no esteem) in the kingdom of heaven (in the church which he is about to establish51). Likewise, whoever keeps and teaches them shall be considered great (of high regard) in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. NASB
Then, he discloses a spiritual reality that could only occur in the next dispensation, the Church Age. Unless their righteousness (the outward and formal righteousness) surpasses the teachers of the Law, they will not enter the kingdom of heaven. The righteousness Jesus was referred to, unbeknownst to them, must be inward, vital, [and] spiritual.52
Romans 3:10 as it is written, There is none righteous, not even one; NASB
Romans 3:19-23 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; NASB
This righteousness can only be received through faith in Jesus Christ.
The Law still has some prophecies yet to be fulfilled. Therefore, it is still in effect in that sense until all comes to pass. However, during the Church Age, new laws or commands will be enunciated and answer such questions as: What is salvation? What is sanctification? If someone in leadership sins, how should this be handled? What is the modus operandi for giving financially? etc. If these issues were handled the same way in the Old Testament, then it’s obvious that the Law and some of its commands would still be in effect.
Well, what do you think? Is tithing the protocol for giving by believers of the New Testament church? In the following chapter, we’ll look at Scriptures from the four gospels, the book of Acts, the Epistles, and the book of Revelation. But before we do, I’d like to leave you with a surprise article on tithing.
When we think of tithing, we automatically focus on 10% of our weekly earnings. Did you know this was and wasn’t the case under the Mosaic Law? You might be thinking, I don’t see what you’re talking about. It has to do with what some term the Shemitah farming cycle. Enjoy.
TITHING IN THE SEVEN-YEAR FARMING CYCLE
In the Jewish agricultural cycle, there are three tithes that are given at specific times during the seven-year sabbatical [cycle] or shmita:
First tithe
Given annually after an offering, this tithe is one-tenth of the agricultural produce given to the Levites.
Second tithe
Given in years 1, 2, 4, and 5, this tithe is one-tenth of specific agricultural produce. The owner kept this [tithe] but had to eat it at the Temple. If it was difficult to bring the tithe to Jerusalem, the owner could redeem it for money to buy food at the Temple.
Poor tithe;
Given in years 3 and 6, this tithe is one-tenth of specific agricultural produce given to the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows. This tithe was also known as the ma'aser ani.
In the seventh year, private agriculture was prohibited, and no tithes were taken. Instead, crops that grew were considered ownerless.53
There are a couple of things to consider. First, this cycle’s final or 7th year was known as the Shemitah. All crop farming was to stop. The land was to remain fallow. All debts were forgiven. People and animals were allowed to harvest the free-growing crops. I don’t know if you noticed it; there’s one more alarming fact. Any idea what this is? It’s contained in the article.
What is it?
It’s our concept of tithing. Most teachings from the pulpit stress 10% giving. In other words, it appeared to be the norm for the Jewish economy. However, according to the 7-year farming cycle, there were two tithes given during each of the first six years and one tithe during the final year. This would mean that 19% (first tithe of 10% and 10% of the remaining 90%, which is 9%) was given most of the time. Below are the scriptural supports for each of the tithes.
●Levite Tithe: Given every year to support the Levitical priests in their Levitical city.
Suggested Reading: Numbers 18:21-32
Numbers 18:21 "And to the sons of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they perform, the service of the tent of meeting. NASB
●Festival Tithe: Brought by families to Jerusalem to be eaten by them during certain years for the three pilgrimage festivals (feasts) of Passover (observed with the Feast of Unleavened Bread), Pentecost, and Tabernacles.
Suggested Reading: Deuteronomy 12:5-14; 14:22-27
5-8 But you shall seek the Lord at the place which the Lord your God shall choose from all your tribes, to establish His name there for His dwelling, and there you shall come. And there you shall bring your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the contribution of your hand, your votive offerings, your freewill offerings, and the first-born of your herd and of your flock. There also you and your households shall eat before the Lord your God, and rejoice in all your undertakings in which the Lord your God has blessed you. NASB
●Poor Tithe: Given to the poor and those in need.
Deuteronomy 14:28-29 "At the end of every third year you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in that year, and shall deposit it in your town. And the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance among you, and the alien, the orphan and the widow who are in your town, shall come and eat and be satisfied, in order that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do. NASB
Endnotes
35Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament Pc Study Bible version 5, 2005.
BIBLESOFT. WEB. 6 January 2025
˂http://www.biblesoft.com>.
36Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament.
37UBS Old Testament Handbook Series Pc Study Bible version 5, 2005. BIBLESOFT. WEB.
6 January 2025
˂http://www.biblesoft.com>.
38Adam Clarke’s Commentary.
39Barnes’ Notes.
40Adam Clarke’s Commentary.
41Barnes’ Notes.
42Barnes’ Notes.
43Adam Clarke's Commentary.
44Barnes’ Notes.
45UBS New Testament Handbook.
46Jamieson, Faucet, and Brown Commentary Pc Study Bible version 5, 2005. BIBLESOFT.
WEB. 8 January 2025
˂http://www.biblesoft.com>.
47The Pulpit Commentary.
48Barnes’ Notes.
49UBS New Testament Handbook.
50The Pulpit Commentary.
51Barnes’ Notes.
52Jamieson, Faucet, and Brown Commentary.
53“Tithing in the seven-year farming cycle,” AI 9 January 2025
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