Is Tithing A Mandate Or Human Tradition?

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” (Colossians 2:8 NIV)

Too many Christians feel guilty and Tithe out of obligation rather than love. Some have been taught that if they don't Tithe, they will suffer divine retribution. Others teach that Tithing is ‘seed-faith’ and will result in financial and spiritual blessings.

The original Tithe in the Old Testament (OT) was not money but a system of support for the Tribes that was based primarily on agricultural harvesting. It was not a sacred tax owed to God out of obligation. God instituted it to support the community and sustain the Levites (Priests), to provide for the poor, and to promote worship among the people. The Levites were the only tribe that did not receive any land inheritance or animals to raise. Their responsibility was to serve in the Temple and intercede for the people in the tribe.

Tithing Before Moses

The first reference to the Tithe in the Bible is when Abraham tithed to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:19-20). The word ‘Tithe’ means 10% and is discussed in Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Abraham gave 10% to the Priests and then gave the remaining 90% away. The Bible makes no mention of why or where the 90% went. It was God who said, “Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws” (Genesis 26:5). Later, Jacob promised to give God “a full tenth” (Genesis 28:22).

The Tithe was a legalistic requirement of the Law in which the Jews were to give 10% of the crops they grew and the livestock they raised to the Tabernacle/temple. They delivered the Tithe to the Levites (who didn’t receive a regular inheritance of land like the rest of the tribes (Numbers 18:21-24). The Levites then Tithed from this contribution, giving 10% to the Priests.

Some have said that the man Melchizedek, a priest, was the pre-incarnate Christ, and since Abraham gave him a Tithe, then Jesus should receive Tithes today (See Genesis 14). Unfortunately, there is zero support for this theory in the Bible. However, the Bible does say that Jesus was a “priest forever in the order (Heb: ‘dibrah’ meaning style, in the cause/manner reason of) “of Melchizedek” (See Pslam11:1-7).

Abraham did not practice the law of Tithing. His giving of 10% was a type and shadow of Tithing, just like John the Baptist was a type and shadow of Elijah. There was no law of Tithing (Moses or Levitical priesthood) at that time and no Scripture that Melchizedek ever came for a Tithe again.

The Law was a Guardian until “Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian” (Galatians 3:24-25 NIV). Christians are no longer slaves under the Law and are to “pursue by faith not works” (Romans 9:32 NIV).

The Purpose of Tithing in the Old Testament

Tithing had three main components.

1. Caring for the poor and supporting widows, orphans, and foreigners to show God's concern for the vulnerable, as well as ensuring that no one in the tribe went without basic needs being met (Deuteronomy 14:28-29).

2. Worship and celebration (Deuteronomy 14:22-27). The people were to use a portion of their Tithe to celebrate before God their recognition that all provisions came from Him. Tithing was meant to be a joyous act of communal care and worship, gratitude, and fellowship with one another. It was not a burdensome duty under the threat of curses or punishment.

3. It was not a financial transaction but rather included crops, livestock, and other agricultural produce. If someone did not have harvest or livestock, they were not required to Tithe.

Tithes sustained religious practices and care for the community's welfare and were far more comprehensive than just money. It was a comprehensive approach to worship and stewardship.

There were three types of Tithes in the OT.

1. Levitical 10% Tithe (Numbers 18:21-24) This supported the Levites, the priestly tribe set apart as caretakers of the Temple duties, and was considered sacred and consecrated to God.

2. Festival/Feasts 10% Tithe (Deuteronomy 14:22-27) to fund religious festivals and for the use of the Temple and Feasts. It included a portion of income to celebrate religious festivals and pilgrimages, and the person who earned it kept it.

3. Poor 10% Tithe (Deuteronomy 14:28-29), and every third year, another 10% Tithe was collected for the poor, orphans, and widows. God ordained that in two out of three years, the Jews were to take 10% of their income and spend it on themselves and their families in a special manner, giving honor to God for His goodness, joining the Levites and all Israel in celebration and reverence before the Lord.