The History of the Tithe Tithe the tenth

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The History of the Tithe • Tithe = the tenth part • History does

The History of the Tithe • Tithe = the tenth part • History does not show when giving one-tenth tribute to rulers and as religious offerings began • Tithing was practiced in ancient times among the Babylonians, Persians and Egyptians (even in China), and then among the Romans & Greeks • The earliest Biblical record of a tithe is in Genesis 14: 1720, and then in Genesis 28: 22 • Since all ancient people centered their giving around the tithe, is it likely that tithing began with Adam? • Are we to tithe today? − That’s not the law we live under, but there is much to learn!

The Mosaic Law Required Tithes There were THREE main tithes that the Jews gave:

The Mosaic Law Required Tithes There were THREE main tithes that the Jews gave: • First, the Levitical/Priestly Tithe (Lev. 27: 30 -33) − This tithe was given to support the priests, who had no inheritance in Canaan (Num. 18: 20 -24) − The Levites were to give one-tenth to the priests (18: 25 -32) − One-tenth of the flocks & herds was taken by having them pass “under the rod” (Lev. 27: 32 -33) • Second, the Festival Tithe (Deut. 14: 22 -27) − This tithe was to be eaten by the worshiper, his household and the Levites at Jerusalem (Deut. 14: 23) • Third, the Poor/Charity Tithe (Deut. 14: 28 -29) − This tithe was every third year (the first two were annual) − This was for the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless and widow (within your gates)

The Mosaic Law Required Other Offerings • The edges and corners of their fields

The Mosaic Law Required Other Offerings • The edges and corners of their fields were not to be reaped (Lev. 19: 9 -10) • Any dropped fruit, grapes or olives were not to be gathered (Deut. 24: 19 -21) − These were left for the poor, the stranger, the fatherless & the widow • They were to offer their first fruits: − Of ripe produce and juices (Ex. 22: 29) − Of cattle and sheep (Ex. 22: 30; Deut. 15: 19 -21) − Of sons (Ex. 22: 29; 13: 2, 11 -16; Num. 3: 46 -51) • There were other free-will offerings (Deut. 16: 10 -11, 16 -17) • They were to be punctual (Ex. 22: 29; Deut. 16: 16) • The Jews gave around 30% of all they had to the Lord!

The History of Israel Demonstrates and Warns • The history of Israel demonstrates that

The History of Israel Demonstrates and Warns • The history of Israel demonstrates that when God’s people were most liberal to God, they prospered most (Prov. 3: 9 -10; 11: 24 -25; Mal. 3: 10) • The history of Israel warns that God’s people are held accountable when they fail to give (Mal. 3: 812)

The Israelites and Us • We do not live under a divine law that

The Israelites and Us • We do not live under a divine law that requires a tithe − Christians are to “abound” (2 Cor. 8: 7) in their giving, as they give “bountifully” (2 Cor. 9: 6), and give with “liberality” (Rom. 12: 8), according as they “prosper” (1 Cor. 16: 2), as a “cheerful” (2 Cor. 9: 7) expression of “love” (2 Cor. 8: 8, 24) − But, God does not specify an amount or a percentage today • Scriptures truly challenge us − With those in the Patriarchal Age giving one-tenth… − With those in the Mosaic Age giving one-tenth (actually 1/3)… − Can those living in the Christian Age suppose to give any different? Any less?

The Israelites and Us • They lived under law. We live under grace. Give

The Israelites and Us • They lived under law. We live under grace. Give less? • They gave a percentage by “command. ” We give as motivated by “love. ” Give less? • Is God pleased with us if we give less than the Jew? • Any reason our giving should not begin with the tenth? • When Jews became Christians on Pentecost, do you suppose they joyed in the opportunity to give less? • The Jewish liberality should challenge me to greater depths of love and greater intensity of giving.