Tithing - Smith's Bible Dictionary

These tithes in early times took the place of our modern taxes, us well as of gifts for the support of religious institutions

Tithe or tenth, 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--

1. Abram presenting the tenth of all his property, or rather of the spoils of his victory, to Melchizedek. (Genesis 14:20; Hebrews 7:2,6)

2. Jacob, after his vision at Luz, devoting a tenth of all his property to God in case he should return home in safety (Genesis 28:22;) The first enactment of the law in respect of tithe is the declaration that the tenth of all produce, as well as of flocks and cattle belongs to Jehovah and must be offered to him that the tithe was to be paid in kind, or, if redeemed, with an addition of one fifth to its value. (Leviticus 27:30-33;)

This tenth is ordered to be assigned to the Levites as the reward of their service,

and it is ordered further that they are themselves to dedicate to the Lord a tenth of these receipts, which is to be devoted to the maintenance of the high priest. (Numbers 18:21-28;)

Only the priests performed the true "worship" rituals in the Holy Place or the Most Holy place. The Levites did the SERVICE which was HARD BONDAGE connected with bearing burdens.

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 votive 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. (Deuteronomy 12:5-18;)

2. All the produce of the soil was to be tithed 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. (Deuteronomy 14:22-27;)

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. (Deuteronomy 5:28,29;)

5. Lastly it is ordered that after taking the tithe in each third year, "which is the year of tithing,"

an exculpatory declaration is to be made by every Israelite that he has done his best to fulfill the divine command, (Deuteronomy 26:12-14;)

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, us well as of gifts for the support of religious institutions. --ED.)

Malachi 3:9 "You are cursed with the curse, for you are robbing Me, even this whole nation.

3:10 Bring all the tithes into the STOREHOUSE, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of Heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

"The Scripture that most preachers use is the one in Philippians 4:17 "Not that I seek or am eager for [your] gift, but I do seek and am eager for the fruit which increases to your credit the harvest of blessing that is accumulating to your account]." They use this to control and manipulate you into giving money. If you research the Scriptures in this chapter you will find that Paul was in jail. What did he need money for in jail? The things that were given were probably a coat, maybe food, but not a big offering as is taught."

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Tithing - Smith's Bible Dictionary - Tax + Religion