Tithing, Part 2
Dear Phil,
Does God require New Testament believers to tithe? Isn’t the New Testament principle that everything belongs to God and we should want to give more than Old Testament believers gave? In other words, is a tithe all God requires from us in our giving? Or should we be giving more than the tithe?
Jim
Does God require New Testament believers to tithe? Isn’t the New Testament principle that everything belongs to God and we should want to give more than Old Testament believers gave? In other words, is a tithe all God requires from us in our giving? Or should we be giving more than the tithe?
Jim
Dear Jim,
In my last column, I argued that (1) everything God required of His people in the Old Testament applies to us today either directly or in principle unless He has stated or implied that it does not; (2) tithing appears to be a practice God instituted prior to the Mosaic Law; (3) tithing acknowledges God’s ownership of everything and expresses our gratitude for His blessings.
Perhaps a quick overview of OT tithing regulations will further clarify why God wants us to tithe. God set up a seven-year agricultural system in Israel. On years one, two, four, and five, the non-Levites were to tithe the increase of their harvest and livestock to the central sanctuary, i.e., the Tabernacle/Temple (Lev 27:32; Deut 12:5–7, 17–19; 14:23; 26:12). Upon arriving at the central sanctuary, they were to use their tithe to hold a meal for their family, their servants, and the Levites living near them (Deut 12:17–18; 14:23–27). This meal was to celebrate God’s blessings upon them (Deut. 12:18; 14:26). The remainder of the tithe, which would have been most of it, was then given to the Levites for their support since they worked at the central sanctuary (Num 18:21–24). If a person lived so far from the central sanctuary that he could not transport his tithes there, he was to sell his tithe, take the tithe money, journey to the central sanctuary, provide a feast as previously described, and then give the remainder of the money to the Levites (Deut 14:24–27).
On years three and six, the Israelites were to bring their tithes into their local towns to provide for the local Levites, resident aliens, orphans, and widows (Deut 14:28–29; 26:12). On the seventh year they would tithe only their livestock since they were not to plant or harvest anything that year (Lev 25:4–7). The Levites, on the other hand, were to give a tenth of the tithe they received to the Aaronic priests every year (Num 18:28–29). This was how the priests received their support.
In addition to providing for the support of the Levites and priests, the tithe provided an opportunity for God’s people to eat and rejoice in how He had blessed them (Deut 12:7, 18). It also provided for the poor, the orphaned, the widowed, i.e., those who could not provide for themselves. The reason the Lord required His people to tithe was “so that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always” (Deut 14:23 NASB), and “that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do” (Deut 14:29 NASB).
Unfortunately, God’s people often failed to pay their tithes, and the results were disastrous. Since the Levites did not receive the support they needed, they were forced to work and could not properly care for the Temple (Neh 13:10–12). As a result, the spiritual well-being of the nation suffered. Further, God considered Himself robbed and permitted “the devourer” to destroy the people’s crops (Mal 3:8–9, 11). Yet God graciously called His people to renew their love for Him and test His bountiful goodness by tithing. He promised to open the windows of heaven and pour out an overflowing blessing upon them (Mal 3:10).
I will conclude my discussion of tithing next time.
Blessings,
Phil
In my last column, I argued that (1) everything God required of His people in the Old Testament applies to us today either directly or in principle unless He has stated or implied that it does not; (2) tithing appears to be a practice God instituted prior to the Mosaic Law; (3) tithing acknowledges God’s ownership of everything and expresses our gratitude for His blessings.
Perhaps a quick overview of OT tithing regulations will further clarify why God wants us to tithe. God set up a seven-year agricultural system in Israel. On years one, two, four, and five, the non-Levites were to tithe the increase of their harvest and livestock to the central sanctuary, i.e., the Tabernacle/Temple (Lev 27:32; Deut 12:5–7, 17–19; 14:23; 26:12). Upon arriving at the central sanctuary, they were to use their tithe to hold a meal for their family, their servants, and the Levites living near them (Deut 12:17–18; 14:23–27). This meal was to celebrate God’s blessings upon them (Deut. 12:18; 14:26). The remainder of the tithe, which would have been most of it, was then given to the Levites for their support since they worked at the central sanctuary (Num 18:21–24). If a person lived so far from the central sanctuary that he could not transport his tithes there, he was to sell his tithe, take the tithe money, journey to the central sanctuary, provide a feast as previously described, and then give the remainder of the money to the Levites (Deut 14:24–27).
On years three and six, the Israelites were to bring their tithes into their local towns to provide for the local Levites, resident aliens, orphans, and widows (Deut 14:28–29; 26:12). On the seventh year they would tithe only their livestock since they were not to plant or harvest anything that year (Lev 25:4–7). The Levites, on the other hand, were to give a tenth of the tithe they received to the Aaronic priests every year (Num 18:28–29). This was how the priests received their support.
In addition to providing for the support of the Levites and priests, the tithe provided an opportunity for God’s people to eat and rejoice in how He had blessed them (Deut 12:7, 18). It also provided for the poor, the orphaned, the widowed, i.e., those who could not provide for themselves. The reason the Lord required His people to tithe was “so that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always” (Deut 14:23 NASB), and “that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do” (Deut 14:29 NASB).
Unfortunately, God’s people often failed to pay their tithes, and the results were disastrous. Since the Levites did not receive the support they needed, they were forced to work and could not properly care for the Temple (Neh 13:10–12). As a result, the spiritual well-being of the nation suffered. Further, God considered Himself robbed and permitted “the devourer” to destroy the people’s crops (Mal 3:8–9, 11). Yet God graciously called His people to renew their love for Him and test His bountiful goodness by tithing. He promised to open the windows of heaven and pour out an overflowing blessing upon them (Mal 3:10).
I will conclude my discussion of tithing next time.
Blessings,
Phil