Tithing

Tithing was practised before the giving of the OT law

Abraham offered a tenth of the goods taken in battle, apparently in thankfulness to God for victory.

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Tithing under the law

Tithing extends to all kinds of produce and livestock

Cereal and fruit offerings could be commuted to money.

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All tithes were paid to the Levites

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Tithes were to be paid in a designated place

; ; Tithes were paid in Jerusalem, or every three years in towns where the tithe feast was eaten.

Levites offered a tenth to the Lord

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Uses of the tithe

Support of the Levites

Numbers 18:21 NLT

As for the tribe of Levi, your relatives, I will compensate them for their service in the Tabernacle. Instead of an allotment of land, I will give them the tithes from the entire land of Israel.

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The tithe meal

Deuteronomy 14:23 NLT

Bring this tithe to the designated place of worship—the place the Lord your God chooses for his name to be honored—and eat it there in his presence. This applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn males of your flocks and herds. Doing this will teach you always to fear the Lord your God.

A three-yearly gift to the poor

Deuteronomy 14:28–29 NLT

“At the end of every third year, bring the entire tithe of that year’s harvest and store it in the nearest town. Give it to the Levites, who will receive no allotment of land among you, as well as to the foreigners living among you, the orphans, and the widows in your towns, so they can eat and be satisfied. Then the Lord your God will bless you in all your work.

Tithing of minor items must not lead to neglect of major matters

Matthew 23:23 NLT

“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.

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Freewill offerings were made in addition to the tithe

They were given freely

Exodus 36:3 NLT

Moses gave them the materials donated by the people of Israel as sacred offerings for the completion of the sanctuary. But the people continued to bring additional gifts each morning.

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They were given according to ability

Deuteronomy 16:10 NLT

Then celebrate the Festival of Harvest to honor the Lord your God. Bring him a voluntary offering in proportion to the blessings you have received from him.

See also ; ; ; There is no specific command in the NT for the church to tithe, but many commands to give generously and to support the Lord’s work.

Blessing promised to those who tithe

Malachi 3:10 NLT

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

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Failure to tithe and abuses of the tithe

Malachi 3:8–10 NLT

“Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

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