Thoughts on Tithing, Part 2

We are talking about tithing. More specifically, we are considering the relationship between tithing and followers of Jesus. Are Christians required to tithe? If so, how much? What percentage? Today I will be moving toward an answer to these kinds of questions by giving an overview of tithing as presented in the OT.

A tithe refers to the act of giving one tenth toward the work of the Lord. Now, the first time we encounter the concept of tithing in the Bible is right after Abram rescues Lot from Kedorlaomer and the other kings that had allied with him in Genesis 14. Abram defeats them and takes all their goods. After his victory, Abram meets Melchizadek, king of Salem (later, Jerursalem), who credits "God Most High" with providing Abram the victory. In direct response to Melchizadek's statement, Abram voluntarily gives Melchizadek a tenth of the spoil. It is important to note here that Abram gives this tithe voluntarily and spontaneously. He does not give a tenth out of obligation or because a law is in place. This is a spontaneous and unforced gift. And it seems to be a one-time gift. It is not a reoccurring tithe.

The next time we encounter a 10% tithe is in Genesis 28 after Jacob has a dream where he sees angels ascending and descending on a ladder. When Jacob awakes from his dream, he renames the place Bethel (i.e. house of God) out of recognition that God was in that place. Then he makes a lifetime vow to give a tenth of all that he has back to God (v.22). Similar to Abram's tithe, notice that this promise to give a tenth is voluntary and spontaneous. It was not made because of an established rule or law or because it had been commanded. Interestingly, this is also the first time we encounter a lifetime commitment to the one-tenth tithe. Whereas Abram seems to voluntarily give a tenth just after his victory, Jacob makes a lifelong pledge to give 10%.

The next time we encounter tithing is in an entirely different context. Instead of being voluntary and spontaneous, the one tenth tithe is a part of the general taxation system imposed on all Israelites in conjunction with the Mosaic Law. Israelites were required to tithe things like grain, wine, oil, and firstlings, but the one tenth tithe that the Israelites were required to give went to support the Temple and the Levites (Num. 18:21-32). A place for voluntary and spontaneous giving was provided through free will offerings and the like. Such offerings were given above and beyond general taxation and the one tenth tithe. This was now the established way of stewardship and living for the Hebrew people.

While the post-exilic community pledges to give themselves faithfully to the one tenth tithe (Neh. 10:37), we find out through the minor prophets that they neglected to follow through. In Malachi 3:1-12, God takes Israel to task for robbing him and not being faithful to the one tenth tithe. He goes so far as to challenge Israel to test his providential faithfulness--his ability to provide for them--by remaining faithful to the one tenth tithe. God's challenge here is rooted in his character. He is encouraging Israel to trust in him when they give back to him knowing that he will continue to meet all their needs.

Herein ends our review of tithing in the OT.

The obvious question that remains concerns the relationship between followers of Jesus and the law of the one tenth tithe as developed in the OT. My next post will seek to answer that question.