Articles
What is a Tithe?
What is a Tithe?
Offering to God
Often, we hear about the tithe in the New Testament, and from many in the religious world today. The word “tithe” comes from the word for a “tenth,” or ten percent. This is the offering which would be given to a king or a religious institution. The idea is as ancient as can be as we see Abraham offering a tenth of everything to Melchizedek in Genesis 14:17-20. It was a ubiquitous practice in the near east of the ancient world.
As far as the Old Testament, God codified it into law in three places: Leviticus 27:30-33, Numbers 18:21-32, and Deuteronomy 12:5-6, 11, 18. Summarizing, A tenth of the crops grown, and every tenth animal belonged to the Lord, and was to be sacrificed to God without complaint or manipulation.
All this meat and vegetables did not just go to waste, but the Levites, who did not get the inheritance of the others, would use the tithe to sustain them so they might focus on being priests for the Lord. It is a system that kept the temple in service for its lifetime.
So, what about us today? Isn’t that in the old law? What about Abraham? He was before that law of the tithe was given. Why did he offer the tithe?
It’s important to note that Jesus often refers back to the time before the Law of Moses for many things we do and say in the Christian Law, an example being how Jesus refers to the evils of divorce, and how, “in the beginning, it was not so,” to be able to divorce for just any reason as in the Law of Moses. (Matthew 19:8) Abraham’s tithe is closest to what the New Testament writers speak of when they talk about giving to the church. Melchizedek told Abraham not to worry about some of the tribute, but Abraham insisted upon giving Melchizedek the tithe. The number was a tradition, but the giving was because of joy and respect for the king and high priest of God, not from obligation.
In the same way, we give “according to [our] ability” (Acts 11:29). Nobody should ask someone to give to the church in a way that impoverishes us, but we should, “contribute in generosity,” and, “with zeal,” (Romans 12:8). II Corinthians 9:7 tells us that, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Just like Abraham, we should want to give to the church and to our brethren. How much? The answer is not, “more, more, more,” or a tenth of everything, or even a pledged amount as life can change. The answer to how much each person should give is for each individual to decide. If our heart is right with God, the amount will be correct.
Examine yourself against the measure of the Bible.
Lance Byers
- What_is_a_Tithe_11-2-24.pdf (50.12 kB)
