understanding tithing -theme and concept
- 1. TITHE: The practice of giving a tenth of one's income or property as an offering to God. The proportion of property devoted to religious uses from very early times. Instances of the use of tithes are found prior to the appointment of the Levitical tithes under the law. In biblical history the two prominent instances are —
- 2. TITHE: In biblical history the two prominent instances are: The first recorded instance of tithing in the Bible occurs in Gen 14:17-20. After returning from rescuing Lot and defeating his enemies, Abraham met MELCHIZEDEK, the "king of Salem" and "priest of God Most High."
- 3. The text states simply that Abraham gave Melchizedek a tithe of all the goods he had obtained in battle. Hebrews, in recounting this episode, considered the Levitical priests who descended from Abraham and who appeared centuries later as having paid tithes to Melchizedek through Abraham (Heb 7:1-10). Jacob also, long before the law of Moses, promised that he would give to the Lord a tenth of all he received (Gen 28:22).
- 4. The Law of Moses prescribed tithing in some detail. Lev 27:30-32 stated that the tithe of the land would include: 1. the seed of the land and the fruit of the tree. 2. In addition the Hebrew people were required to set apart every tenth animal of their flocks and flocks to the Lord. 3. Tithes of the flocks could not be redeemed for money, but tithes of the seed of the land and of fruit could be, but a 5 th part of the value of the tithe had to be added (Lev 27:30-31).
- 5. In Num 18:21-32 it is laid down that, 1. The tithe must be paid to the Levites. Because the Levites did not receive a land inheritance likes the other tribes of Israel. 2. The Levites, in turn, were to offer a tenth offering to the Lord (devoted to the maintenance of the high priest). This would constitute a tithe on their part of the goods which they received. The rest of the goods which the Levites received would provide their living as the reward for their work in the tabernacle.
- 6. This legislation is modified or extended in the book of Deuteronomy, i.e. from thirty-eight to forty years later. Commands are given to the people: 1. To bring their tithes, together with their pledges and other offerings and first-fruits, to the chosen Centre of worship, the metropolis, there to be eaten in festive celebration in company with their children, their servants and the Levites (Deut 12:5-18). 2. All the produce of the soil was to be tithed every and these tithes with the firstlings of the flock and herd, were to be eaten in the metropolis. 3. But in case of distance, permission is given to convert the produce into money, which is to be taken to the appointed place, and there laid out in the purchase of food for a festal celebration, in which the Levite is, by special command, to be included. Deut 14:22-27.
- 7. 4. Then follows the direction that at the end of three years all the tithe of that year is to be gathered and laid up "within the gates" and that a festival is to be held of which the stranger, the fatherless and the widow together with the Levite, are to partake. Ibid. Deut 5:28,29. 5. Lastly it is ordered that after taking the tithe in each third year, "which is the year of tithing," a declaration is to be made by every Israelite that he has done his best to fulfill the divine command, Deut
- 8. From all this we gather: (1) That one tenth of the whole produce of the soil was to be assigned for the maintenance of the Levites. (2) That out of this the Levites were to dedicate a tenth to God for the use of the high priest. (3) That a tithe, in all probability a second tithe, was to be applied to festival purposes. (4) That in every third year, either this festival tithe or a third tenth was to be eaten in company with the poor and the Levites. (These tithes in early times took the place of our modern taxes, as well as of gifts for the support of religious institutions.
- 9. PURPOSE OF TITHE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT In the Old Testament the purpose of the giving of a tenth was to meet the material need of the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless (the orphan), and the widow (Deut 26:12-13). The tithe was an expression of gratitude to God by His people. Basic to tithing was the acknowledgment of God's ownership of everything in the earth.
- 10. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT In the New Testament the words tithe and tithing appear only eight times (Matt 23:23; Luke 11:42; 18:12; Heb 7:5-6,8- 9). All of these passages refer to Old Testament usage and to current Jewish practice. However, as believers we are to be generous in sharing our material possessions with the poor and for the support of Christian ministry. Christ Himself is our model in giving. Giving is to be voluntary, willing, cheerful, and given in the light of our accountability to God. Giving should be systematic and by no means limited to a tithe of our incomes. We recognize that all we have is from God. We are called to be faithful stewards of all our possessions (Rom 14:12; 1 Cor 9:3-14; 16:1-3; 2 Cor 8:1-9:15).
- 11. FIRSTFRUITS 1. The law ordered in general that the first of all ripe fruits and of liquors, the first of first-fruits, should be offered in God's house. Ex 22:29; 23:19; 34:27. It was an act of allegiance to God as the giver of all. No exact quantity was commanded, but it was left to the spiritual and moral sense of each individual. 2. After the Passover Sabbath, i.e. on the 16 th of Nisan, a bunch of new corn was to be brought to the priest and waved before the altar, in acknowledgment of the gift of fruitfulness. Lev 2:12; 23:5,6,10,12.
- 12. 3. At the expiration of seven weeks from this time, i.e. at the feast of Pentecost, an oblation was to be made from the new flour, which were to be waved in like manner with the Passover bunch. Ex 34:22; Lev 23:15,17; Num 28:26.
- 13. 4. The feast of ingathering, i.e. the feast of tabernacles, in the seventh month, was itself an acknowledgment of the fruits of the harvest. Ex 23:16; 34:22; Lev 23:39. These four sorts of offerings were national. Besides them, the two following were of an individual kind. 5. The first-fruits of the land were to be brought in a basket to the holy place of God's choice, and there presented to the priest, who was to set the basket down before the altar. Deut 26:2-11. The offerings were the privilege of the priests. Num 18:11,4. Nehemiah, at the return from captivity, took pains to reorganize the offerings of first-fruits of both kinds, and to appoint places to receive them. Neh 10:35,37; 12:44. An offering of first-fruits is mentioned as an acceptable one to the prophet Elisha. 2 Kings 4:42.
- 14. THANKSGIVING The aspect of praise that gives thanks to God for what He does for us. Ideally, thanksgiving should spring from a grateful heart; but it is required of all believers, regardless of their initial attitude (1 Thess 5:18). We should be grateful to God for all things (Eph 5:20; Col 3:17; 1 Thess 5:18), but especially for His work of salvation and sanctification (Rom 7:25; Col 1:3-5; 1 Thess 1:2-7; 2:13). We ought also to thank God in anticipation of His answering our prayers (Phil 4:6), knowing that His answers will always be in accord with His perfect will for our lives (Rom 8:28- 29).