Biblical Answer

The Concept of Tithing in the Old Testament

The Old Testament principle of giving was the tithe. It was a flat tax, where everybody in Israel had the same proportionate responsibility. The tithe was 10 percent of annual earnings, and it was required by divine mandate. The people of Israel were required to bring this tithe to the Lord, and it was to be shared among the Levites, aliens, fatherless, and widows. The tithe was also intended to provide for those who were needy, demonstrating the Lord's care.

There were multiple tithes in the Old Testament, but they were not separate from each other. Instead, they were complementary descriptions of a single tithe. The initial tithe went to the Levites, who in turn gave a tithe of the tithe to the priests. The law of the tithe has a long-standing precedent in the Ancient Near East, and it is found in Leviticus 27:30-33 and Deuteronomy 14:22-29. The tithe was also intended to provide for the poor, and it was a way for the Israelites to acknowledge that the Lord was their King and had provided for their material needs.

The objection is sometimes heard that the tithe was an Old Testament principle that has no bearing upon the Christian community today. However, Jesus accepted the tithe as proper, but he also emphasized the importance of justice and mercy. The tithe was not the most important part of the Law of God, but it was a part of it. Therefore, while the tithe may not be a requirement for Christians today, it is still a relevant principle of giving and a way to demonstrate our commitment to God's work.