Tithing
The word ‘tithe’ comes from the Hebrew word ʿāśar (transliterated) according to Strong’s H4643. It means a tenth. In scripture we see the tithe being given to the work of God, but the question is, why do we tithe? The truth is everything we see on the planet belongs to the Lord. Isn’t He the creator of the world?
Acts 7:49- “ Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?”
Psalm 50:10-12 - “10 For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. 11 I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. 12 If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.”
1 Chronicles 29:12 “Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all”.
If the earth belongs to the Lord, everything from the sea to the land, and the wood to the gold. When you grow food, technically, is it yours? If you receive a salary. Is it yours? Even the gold and silver belongs to the Lord. Haggai 2:8 “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts”.
Yes, we were given dominion over the earth, but everything still belongs to God. If I buy a house and give my son dominion over the house, does he own the house? No, whilst I’m gone or whilst I’m not there, all things are subject to him in line with my will. Should he choose to change the structure of the house without my command or the rules, I would have to correct him.
The tithe came before the law
There are some who would say that we are New Testament Christians. We don’t need to pay the tithe. They would say “we are not under the law”. This is a different issue altogether, and I encourage anyone going through this to go through at least the first three parts of the law of God, on the site. To see that the law still stands today, Paul commands the love offerings obligation upon the church out of the law of Moses.
We first see the tithe given by Abraham to Melchizedek, King of Salem (see this to learn who Melchizedek is). Genesis 14:18-20 - “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. 19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: 20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.” Now before the old covenant is established, and before the Lord makes his covenant with Abraham, notice that Abraham is paying tithes to Melchizedek. Hence, we cannot say that the tithe was only connected to the Israelites because even before Isaac was born Abraham was paying tithes.
Hebrews 7:6 - “But he [Melchizedek] whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.” Although we see the instance of Abraham tithing once, Melchizedek received multiple tithes from Abraham. Without going into too much detail… Melchizedek is so powerful that the father of the Levites had to give him tithes. Melchizedek is so powerful that Jesus becomes a high priest after HIS order. Hebrews 6:20 - “Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” This Melchizedek required tithe without the introduction of the old covenant, hence the practice of the tithe is an obligation that extends beyond covenants.
We learn that even if one held to the viewpoint that “we are not in the old covenant”, this is beside the point, as the tithe has power outside the old covenant. This means unless there has been a law explicitly stating that the tithe is no longer or the priesthood is no longer under Melchisidec, we are still obligated to tithe. The tithe is to be looked at like the Sabbath. There are seven days in a week, yet one belongs to God. A man earns an income yet 1/10th belongs to God. Does God need your time or money? No, He created your time and money. What’s it a test of? Your love and faith.
Hebrews 11:6 - “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” We will not wow God with amazing feats of our creations or talent, but what touches His heart is our obedience. How can we show Him love if there’s no opportunity to demonstrate it?
Hebrews 7:24 - “But this man [Melchizedek], because he continueth ever [eternal], hath an unchangeable priesthood.” The priesthood of Melchizedek is unchangeable! Hence if we are still under that priesthood just with a different high priest we are still obligated to tithe. If Christians are still under Melchisidek’s order and no commandment has come to change the tithe, then by not tithing, we rob God. Israel didn’t change, Christians were just brought in. Ephesians 2:12 - “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.” Now though, we are grafted into the commonwealth of Israel. Romans 11:17 - “…thou [Gentiles], being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them [Irsael], and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree.” If I go to France, can I change their laws? No, I must live by their laws. As you come into spiritual Israel, we don’t get to behave how we want, we live by the laws God set up. If God was angry in the Old Testament at Israel not paying their tithes, will He find joy with us when we don’t do it? Malachi 3:6 - “For I am the Lord, I change not…” Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”
Another illustration
Imagine you’re a parent of the household, you own the house and everything in it. This includes the kitchen, with the knives and the oven. This also includes food with onions, garlic, tomatoes, etc. Now if your child comes to use your knives, to cut the food you bought, in your kitchen and cook your food in your oven. Does the food now belong to the child? If you, being the parent, ask for a portion aren’t you entitled to it if you please. In theory, if you eat 50% of the food are you evil? No, without you there’d be no food. If you eat 30%, would you be evil? No, once again without you there’d be no food. Our Heavenly Father asks for 10%! So naturally, if we hold back our tithes, it makes sense to say we’re robbing God, right?
Malachi 3:8-10 - “8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
As it is a sin to steal, how much more from God? We see the first reason for the tithe is to help the house of God, in fact, the Lord says you can prove Him on this point. You’ll notice as you tithe, you are able to retain more of your money. Why? Look at what the Lord says in verse 11.
Malachi 3:11 - “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.” The Lord will rebuke the devourer for our sakes, you ever notice those unexplainable accidents that eat into your finances? When we don’t pay our tithe, we give control of our goods to Satan. We read in Job:
Job 1:12;19 - “12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. 19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.”
When Satan has control over your possessions or your gain, you stand to lose more than if you had even paid your tithe. Although, we should be giving our tithes out of love and obedience and not fear of loss. In the case of Job, he was to be tried, to demonstrate the purity of his love to God. The use of this passage is to illustrate what Satan can do to your increase when you give him ownership. Furthermore, it’s a nice thought to know that God doesn’t tempt us with more than we can handle.
1 Corinthians 10:13 - “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” However, if we sin against God by robbing him of his tithe, he will not rebuke the devourer.
Who can receive the tithe?
The Lord reveals unto us who was to take the tithe; it was the Levites. Numbers 18:24 – “But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the Lord, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance”. Notice something here … this also means that the Levites were only to be priests. In other words, one cannot be a priest and banker. One can’t have dual employment. You can’t work full time for the Lord and the world.
However, the tithes would also go into supporting those who are working in the house of God full-time. 1 Chronicles 9:33 - “And these are the singers, chief of the fathers of the Levites, who remaining in the chambers were free: for they were employed in that work day and night.” We see further evidence of this in Nehemiah 11:19-23 - “Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren that kept the gates, were an hundred seventy and two.’ 20 And the residue of Israel, of the priests, and the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance. 21 But the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha and Gispa were over the Nethinims. 22 The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, the singers were over the business of the house of God. 23 For it was the king's commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day”.
Who do the priests tithe to?
Numbers 18:26 - “Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the Lord, even a tenth part of the tithe.” The Levites were to leave a tenth of the tithe for the Lord. This increase can only be used for church completely or they may choose to tithe to another ministry (which is on the same page). However, the priest (or pastor) cannot eat that 10% as it doesn’t belong to him. Should the pastor eat that 10% he has done the same as the congregant who eats his 10%.
Was it expected that the church contributes finances (love offerings/free will offerings) to the work?
Paul sends a letter to the Corinthians and he deals with many issues. He was instrumental in setting up the church with Apollos. However, the Corinthians became restrictive with their finances to the work of God. Here we’re dealing with love offerings (freewill offerings in the Old Testament). 1 Corinthians 9:7 - “Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?”
Does any soldier go to war with their own wages or does the state supply? Does anyone plant a vineyard and not eat of it? Does anyone who raises cattle not have a right to drink the milk of it? The point is clear, he that labour is worthy of his reward.
1 Corinthians 9:8-9 “Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?”
There are two points to be made here. Firstly, Paul quotes “the law of Moses”. If the law has been done away with, why is Paul quoting the “mosaic law” to this New Testament church? Under what authority does he have to enforce that which has been done away with? Well, that’s because it wasn’t done away with. Showing that if this law still stands, the law of the tithe which is also in the law must still stand.
The second point is that Paul mentions that the law backs his earlier point of the labourer being worthy of his reward. He quotes Deuteronomy 25:4 which says “Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn”. Indicating pastors should reap the carnal things of their flock. Paul makes it clear that Deuteronomy 25:4 is spiritual! It was never about literally muzzling an ox… He cements this with a rhetorical question. “Doth God take care for oxen?”.
1 Corinthians 9:9-10“9 …Doth God take care for oxen? 10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.”
Paul states that the verse “about muzzling the ox” was for humans and he that ploweth, that is to say, the planter of the church (he who the Lord uses to lay the foundation), and he that thresheth, which is to say assisting pastors who further labour in the word, should be partakers of the same hope, which is reaping their just reward.
The ploughman would break up and prepare the field, whilst those who thresh out the corn (representing the ox), should also receive their just reward. The Corinthians, however, were muzzling the ox (the pastors who helped the church to grow in the word).
1 Corinthians 9:11-12 “ If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless, we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.”
Whilst Paul makes it clear, that it’s not a big deal for them to reap the carnal things of the church, he and a few other pastors had not used this power. However, this became a problem for the pastors that did work in the church, as the Corinthians ended up not being liberal with their finances toward the work of God. They did not at first use this power, which helped to silence the critics, lest they should come up with accusations of preaching for gain against him. We see this in the beginning of this same chapter.
“Have we not power” means “don’t we have a right”
1 Corinthians 9:3-6 - “Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, 4 Have we not power to eat and to drink? 5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? 6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?”
Paul states to the critics of the work: don’t we have a right to eat and drink? Or to have a wife like the other apostles and courting a sister in the faith he and Barnabas? Or doesn’t he have the power to stop working? The reason Paul has the power to stop working is that those that preach the Gospel should live off the Gospel.
1 Corinthians 9:13-14 - “Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”
Those that preach the Gospel, should live off it, but how would they live off the Gospel if none contribute their tithe or offering to the Gospel? It’s our Christian duty to give to the things of the Lord.
Although Paul had the right to command for love offerings from the church (which is finance on top of the tithe), he had not used this power to not be chargeable to any man.
1 Corinthians 9:15 - “But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.”
Some may take the “I have used none of these things” and say in their hearts “Well Paul didn’t use these things why should pastors today use these things”. This type of thought comes from the love of money and shows one’s heart towards the things of God. Paul then says “neither have I written these things”. Paul makes it clear that in the past he didn’t write these things and in verses 18-19 gives the reason why.
1 Corinthians 9:18 - “What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. 19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more”. Although Paul didn’t use this power before, by writing these things now, he’s clearly using that power now. The church of Corinth did not benefit from this liberty but rather withheld more and more till the point where Paul had to now use this power. In fact, a few chapters later, Paul directly uses this power.
1 Corinthians 16:1-2 - “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” Some use this to say this was a Sunday service but Paul says “that there be no gatherings when I come”. Indicating the main purpose is just to collect the love offerings.
The verses in Corinthians show that our Christian duty in giving to the things of the Lord extend even past the tithe into love offerings, such as when we have brothers or sisters struggling. The pastor has the right and authority to collect offerings from the church to aid those struggling. The attitude of the church towards money should be that it’s a tool to help the work of God progress.
How much did the early church give?
Acts 2:44-46 - “And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart”. Those who complain that giving 10% or 20% to the things of God could not handle being in the early church where they gave 100%. Whilst you’re not being called to give 100% (yet) this is just a self-examination that needs to be made. Could you have been part of the church Jesus set up? Should Jesus ask for your 100% will you go away sad and grieved or are you getting nearer to the point where you can dedicate your life to the Lord? This is something we should all take heed to and consider.
Mark 10:21-23 - “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. 23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!”
For can we serve two masters? Luke 16:13 - “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
What happened to some of the “Christians” who tried to join the church still loving money?
Acts 5:1-5 - “But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.”
With what attitude are we to give to the things of God?
2 Corinthians 9:7 - “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” Doesn’t God give us things cheerfully? Should we moan and complain when we give to Him what is His?
Whilst money is a necessary thing in the world, should we love it?
1 Timothy 6:10 - “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
Money is not evil; however, the love of money is the root of all evil. Most major plots, the upheaval of nations and organised crime can all be made sense of by “following the money”. The devil uses money to set up evil systems so complex, sometimes you’d think those in control of such systems are all working together and text messaging each other on what to do next (in some cases this is true). However, in a lot of cases, you’ll find that it’s only because there is a financial incentive for all parties involved that they have any cohesion. The devil knows this, and he uses money to control humans, the same way humans can use sugar to control a colony of ants.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 - “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.”
How do you know if you love money?
Do you trust that your riches can save you?
Proverbs 11:28 - “He that trusteth in his riches shall fall; but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.”
Do you spend your riches to look good?
Proverbs 13:7 - “There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing [spending for show]: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.”
Do you try to get money by unjust methods which disproportionately affect the poor classes? (multi-level marketing schemes, scams etc.)
Proverbs 22:16 - “He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.”
Proverbs 28:8 - “He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.”
Do you make it a goal to become rich?
Proverbs 23:5 - “Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.”
Proverbs 22:1 - “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.”
Proverbs 15:27 - “He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.”
It is not a sin to be rich, but it is a sin to make money your God. To follow money as your predominant focus. Will we not get to a point in time where we cannot buy and sell?
Revelation 13:17 - “And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. What good will our riches be then? What will be the value of an investment portfolio in the soon to come mark of the beast?”
Where should we lay up our treasure?
Matthew 6:19 - “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:”
Why is it Good to give to the things of God?
Matthew 6:21 - “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
What is a Christian’s duty if they are rich?
1 Timothy 6:17-18 - “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.”
Some are ordained to be rich. The rich in the church have been given their riches by God, hence they should also be ready to distribute. The poor are also required to give. A lesson for this is seen in the woman who gave her last two mites (Luke 21:1-3).
Will God give you more if you hold back that which you have?
Luke 16:10-11 - “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?”
Proverbs 22:4 - “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.”
If we aren’t faithful with our finances to the work of God, will He give us the true riches of eternal life? He can give His life for us, but we can’t give paper money, gold or silver for Him?
Luke 16:12 - “And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?”
What should be our predominant focus?
Matthew 6:33 - “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”
Is God aware that we need money down here to survive?
Matthew 6:30-32 - “Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?” 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.”
Why should we tithe money if they didn’t tithe money in the Old Testament?
Haggai 2:8 “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts”. This simple question is answered by the fact that the way the economies work over time has changed, however, the principle of increase hasn’t. Deuteronomy 14:22 - “Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.” In the system of economy used in times past, they would also use goods as well as currency to trade. This is known as a barter economy. In such an economy one can trade animals for grain directly. The problem with such an economy was that perishable goods can cause problems in trade. Furthermore, the traders involved may not have the item the other party needs I.e. If I have goats and you have sheep, but you want grapes, but I have not grapes for the sheep, you won’t accept my goats. In the modern economy to remedy this issue we use money that can be accepted by anyone. Now in city centres they did use money. Typically, silver or gold or a variation of metals as a standard. In these modern times, if you received all your increase as gold, you’d tithe one-tenth of that gold. Should all your reward be wheat then you’d tithe a tenth of that wheat. However, due to the current economic system, it would make more sense to tithe in the generally accepted currency of the state or land. However, if one did live in a land where this system of economy still stands, the author cannot condemn that church for tithing in the manner the children of Israel did of old, because it is about the heart that gives the tithe. If I was thrown into the past and I tried to tithe 10% of my increase in British pounds in Israel, I’m sure many would clearly see I don’t care about the Lord’s house as they can’t use that for anything. Likewise if you’re in an economy where currencies are used as money why will one choose to tithe goats? (assuming one has the heart to tithe). If the one tithing cares about the work of the Lord, shouldn’t one tithe in something that can be used by the church for the ministry. Shall we accept wages, buy wheat, to give to pastors, so they sell the wheat and receive the money?
Abraham tithed with goods, the spoils of war even Genesis 14:20 “And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. 21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself. If the spoils of war are acceptable unto God, why not our money? It’s about the heart”.
Explaining Deuteronomy 12 and 14.
In the tithing system God would direct where the children of Israel would tithe year to year.
Deuteronomy 12:5 “But unto the place which the Lord your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come: 6 And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks. 7 And there ye shall eat before the Lord your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the Lord thy God hath blessed thee”.
They could not eat their tithes and offerings wherever they wanted
Deuteronomy 12:17-18 “Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand. 18 But thou must eat them before the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the Lord thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto”.
The part the children of Israel ate was of the freewill offering (Hence why God said bring your tithes and offerings)
Deuteronomy 12:6 “And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, [Levites] and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks”.
Deuteronomy 12:17 “Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe [Levites] of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand”. The freewill offering was for the poor.
In the third year instead of bringing the tithe to the place God chose, they could lay up the tithes and the freewill offerings at home.
Deuteronomy 14:28 “At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates: 29 And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest”.
I pray this study has blessed you and that you will fulfil your Christian duty in contributing to this great work in these last days with your tithes and offerings. If you’re looking for a church to tithe to that isn’t preaching error, I invite you to checkout the donate link. Maranatha!
