Historical Tithing, Giving Back to God
Historical God-Followers Gave God One-Tenth of What They Were Given
Since ancient times, giving back to God a portion of one’s property was considered a duty. Although devout God-followers in Old Testament times did not have churches, they commonly set aside a portion of their crops and riches for special purposes.
The Historical Precedent for Tithing Goes Back to the Beginning of the Bible
The first mention of what later came to be known as tithing is arguably Genesis 4 where Cain brought God an offering of his farm produce and Abel gave God the firstborn of his flock. The Hebrew word “minha” is used for both gifts in this passage and, according to Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionary, means to bestow a donation or offering, usually voluntarily and bloodless.
Less than two-thousand years later, Abraham gave his tithes to Melchizedek. In Hebrews 7, Melchizedek is called “priest of the most high God.” Abraham was considered to be the father of the Jewish nation so his gift is significant because it shows that everyone, regardless of status was expected to give tithes to the religious leaders.
Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, made a vow to the Lord, saying, "Of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee." (Genesis 28:21) This statement confirms the practice of giving a specific amount, ten percent, even prior to the writing of the Levitical law.
The first law regarding tithing is recorded in Leviticus 27 where it discusses the paying or redeeming of a tithe. The paying of a tithe was an important part of Jewish religious worship. Old Testament prophets sternly rebuked neglect of this duty. (Amos 4:4 and Malachi 3:8-10) When Hezekiah was king and led his people in a religious renewal, one of the first signs of their change of heart was an eagerness to bring in their tithes (2 Chronicles 31:5,6).
According to the Bible, Tithing is not the Only Form of Giving to God
It should be clarified that in Old Testament times, the giving of a tithe was by no means the end of one’s obligatory gifts to God. In Deuteronomy 12:5-6, seven different types of giving are listed. Easton’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary makes this long list look overly simplified when it states that Levitical law required every Jew to pay three tithes of his property:
- For the priests;
- For the support of the temple and the cost of the official feasts, and;
- For the poor.
Yet Numbers 18:21 says that the tithe is specifically made as payment to the tribe of Levi, the priests, for the work they do in serving the people as religious leaders. Other types of offerings were available for the upkeep of the Tabernacle and care of the poor.
The History of Tithing from Voluntary Action to Mandated Law
The sons of Adam voluntarily presented God with gifts from the work of their hands. Abraham gave his offerings to a priest who represented God. Then, Jacob defined his gift to God as being ten per cent. So in twenty generations, the actions of two brothers had become a duty with religious laws defining the amount and recipients of God’s portion of each person’s property.
Read John Wesley's Rules About Money for more information on Biblical money management.
Tithe is Paying God Back
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