How many tithes are in the bible

The tithe was their inheritance and compensation for their Temple service. The main reason for this is that it falls under the umbrella of the Levitical tithe. Basically, it is a part of the First Tithe. This is why many Bible scholars and historians acknowledge three tithes. Even Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus, only mentions three tithes in his writings. Besides those two tithes, which I have already said you are to pay every year, the one for the Levites, the other for the festivals, you are to bring every third year a third tithe to be distributed to those that want; 23 to women also that are widows, and to children that are orphans.

The Old Covenant Law required the Levites non-priests to give a tenth of what they received to the priests. This is why some writers refer to the tribe of Levi as the Levites and the priests. For instance, if the tribe of Levi received 10 figs, one fig went to the priests.

If they receive 10 Lambs, the priests receive one lamb. So, you get the picture. Additionally, the Mosaic Law reserved the best and holiest portion of the Levitical tithe for the priests. And we will bring a tithe of our crops to the Levites, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all the towns where we work. Again, three biblical tithes are typically recognized.

So, the tithes given to the Levites and the priest are viewed as one tithe. The Mosaic Law required the Hebrew people to travel to the Temple in Jerusalem during specific years. For these festivities, the ancient nation of Israel set aside one-tenth of their food, drink, herds, and livestock.

Once the Hebrews arrived at Jerusalem, they ate and drank the tithe in the presence of the Lord. The feast was like a national day of celebration for the ancient Israelites.

These feasts or festivals took place every first, second, fourth and fifth year during a seven-year cycle. One thing that stood out to me about this church was that the messages for the most part were directed at helping me as a new Christian learn how to grow spiritually.

In time, I was asked if I would consider going on staff and working as an outreach coordinator. I also grew in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. In regards to giving financially, one of the things that became more and more prevalent was the request by those in leadership for additional financial support for a ministry need. If anyone had anything of value that they could sell and give the proceeds toward, it was much appreciated.

In some cases, the leadership would ask members to consider selling their real estate e. I have to admit that when I heard this request I was taken aback. As for myself, when needs came up in the church that only could be addressed in a financial manner I had no problem selling some of my own possessions and making a donation, about which I have no regrets.

Eventually, I was asked to consider going to Bible college to obtain a certification in Christian Leadership. Off I went with my wife and newborn son to undertake a new spiritual chapter. I loved it there. There was always something going on that one could participate in, such as: worship services, Bible studies, live radio, musical concerts, rap sessions, street witnessing, etc.

It was extremely difficult though to find a good paying job. This area was economically depressed; there were not many jobs to choose from. I also became aware, as I began to meet new people on campus, that some of them had sold their houses and given the proceeds to the church with a verbal guarantee that they could live on campus rent free.

Then one day, as I was watching a softball game being played on the campus field, a loud shouting match broke out between the president of the Bible college and another man. What I could gather from what was being said was that a member of a family who was residing on campus was upset because they no longer wanted to live on campus—they were asking for some of the money back that they had given to the church from the sale of their house.

It became apparent that they were not going to receive any of the proceeds. As time went on, I noticed that this idea of church members selling real estate and donating the proceeds to the church would resurface from time to time in various messages from the pulpit. I began to wonder where scripturally this idea had come from.

I found it in Acts And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. Acts At this time, in the first century, there was intense persecution against the Christian Jews at Jerusalem, not only from fellow unsaved Jews, but also from the Roman government.

There were some in the church who sold their land or houses and brought the proceeds to the apostles, who would then disperse the money to those in need. What stood out to me as I read about this occurrence were three things. The first thing I noticed here was that this was a time of great persecution, which required financial resources. Third, it appears that those who did sell their land gave as they were led by the Spirit. My point in presenting this story is that it is one thing for a church to ask for its members to tithe.

All of us have to live somewhere. If there is a financial need in the church for whatever or whomever there is nothing wrong with letting the members know how much is needed and asking for donations. However, I believe that each member should be able to decide by means of the leading of the Spirit as to what or how much they should give. There are differences of opinion concerning the answer to this question. Those required to pay the temple tax were males of age 20 years or older, who were able to go to war.

Therefore, those who might not have been mandated to tithe were women, anyone under 20 years of age, those males that were not able to go to war, and the Levites. Then the chief of the fathers and princes…,offered willingly, Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly,… 1 Chronicles , 3, 6, 9. King David summoned all of the princes of Israel and addressed them.

These princes were the representatives of the people, the leading men of the kingdom. He designated his son, Solomon, as his successor on the throne, having exhorted him to keep the commandments of the Mosaic Law, and eventually to build the Lord a house for a sanctuary. He committed to him sketches and plans for the sacred buildings. Following this, David announced that he would be giving of his own treasures of gold and silver to this construction project, and called upon the people to likewise voluntarily make a contribution for the same purpose.

Suggested Reading: 2 Chronicles He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the Lord, and repaired them. NOW when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, 2 Chronicles Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the Lord.

King Hezekiah, at age 25, in approximately AD, becomes the next king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, which is comprised of two tribes, the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. In the meantime, the Northern Kingdom of the 10 tribes of Israel under King Hoshea, the 19th and last king, is within four years of being taken into captivity by the Assyrians. During the first month of his rule, Hezekiah has both the outside and inside of the temple at Jerusalem cleansed from idolatrous paraphernalia.

Following this cleansing, the doors of the temple are reopened, and the priests and Levites returned to its service. He decided to invite the people of the Northern Kingdom of Israel to come to the temple at Jerusalem and worship with the people of the Southern Kingdom, in particular observing the Feast of the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which had not been attended to for a long time. Hezekiah brought about a revival for worshipping Jehovah in Jerusalem. Following this joint participation the idolatrous statues and altars, which were located in the tribal areas of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh, were destroyed.

The inhabitants of Jerusalem brought tithes to the temple in order to support the high priest and Levites, so that they might devote themselves to the duties laid upon them by the Law as commanded by King Hezekiah.

Holy Days, Offerings, etc. Each king of Israel was to receive from the Levites a copy of the Law many believe this to be the book of Deuteronomy , and make a copy of it for themselves. They were to continually read it and be sure to obey it all the days of their life. Solomon was also instructed to honor the Lord with the firstfruits of agricultural produce. The firstfruits were the first part of the fields, which the people of Israel were mandated to give, when they entered the land of promise, the land of Canaan.

Firstfruits of the fields, tithes of corn, wine, and oil, and the firstlings firstborn of the herds or flocks were to be brought by them when they attended the four yearly feasts. Firstfruits were indicated as being a bundle of barley that was gathered from the beginning of the harvest and was brought to the priest in Jerusalem. The Feast of the Passover occurred on the 14 day of Abib and commemorated the final plague, which God initiated in the land of Egypt. In each house that the Jews were dwelling in, a lamb was killed and blood was applied to the doorposts.

Any house on which no blood was applied would have the firstborn male and animals killed. As a result of this plague, Pharaoh finally decided to let the people go. This feast occurred 50 days before Pentecost. Passover lasted for one day, and was followed immediately by the feast of Unleavened Bread, which lasted for 7 days. The first of field produce was bread, which was made of wheat flour.

The Feast of Tabernacles - Ingathering September-October refers to the final harvest of all the grain and the picking of the fruit in the vineyards and orchards. There is not much mentioned in specifics concerning the firstfruits of the vineyards and orchards. Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. Proverbs All the firstling males that come of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify unto the Lord thy God: thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thy bullock, nor shear the firstling of thy sheep.

Thou shalt eat it before the Lord thy God year by year in the place which the Lord shall choose, thou and thy household. What do you think? Are the firstfruits considered as a tithe? And better yet, are the firstlings of the herd or flock considered as a tithe? The firstfruits of produce or the firstlings firstborn of the flock were not considered as being a tithe, but are considered of being that which was first. In relation to animals, it was considered to be every tenth animal that passed through a small door and was selected by means of a rod whose tip was covered with red ochre.

These verses are considered to be a main proof for those churches that advocate that tithing should continue to be observed.

Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.

Malachi , The book of Malachi speaks of a time surrounding the building of the second temple. The first temple was built under King Solomon in approximately BC. Later, in about BC, the kingdom was divided into the Northern Kingdom of Israel comprised of 10 tribes and the Southern Kingdom of Judah comprised of 2 tribes. The Jews became slaves to him. Upon the return from their captivity in approximately BC, they worked on reconstructing the temple until it was eventually rebuilt second temple. The people at some point decided to no longer give of their tithes and offerings.

The Lord said that because they did not render tithes and offerings to the Levites, that He Himself suffered fraud. His ministers, constrained by hunger and penury, deserted the temple. As a result, they were no longer able to treasure up discernment. Instead, they proclaimed that everyone that did evil was good in the sight of the Lord. The Lord encouraged the people by saying to them that if they would bring their tithes of corn, new wine, and oil into the storehouse refers to a special room or rooms in the temple for keeping tithed grain , then he would open the windows of heaven provide adequate rainfall and pour out upon them a blessing an overabundance for the storehouse , and would not cause the fruits of the ground to be destroyed by locusts.

As we can see, tithing was very prominent during the Age of Israel. This final plague would result in Pharaoh allowing the children of Israel to leave Egypt. Eventually, they arrived at Mount Sinai, where the people were numbered in a census. One of the 12 tribes, the tribe of Levi, was not counted in the numbering. At a bare minimum, they gave 23 percent a year, but there was no ceiling on their generosity. They could—and frequently would—give exorbitantly out of their excess.

And before the Lord your God, in the place that he will choose, to make his name dwell there, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always. Part of their tithe went to preparing for festivals and celebrations! At the end of every three years you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in the same year and lay it up within your towns.

And the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance with you, and the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, who are within your towns, shall come and eat and be filled, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands that you do.

The first tithe taken annually was used to support the Levites. Every third year a special tithe was taken for the distinct purpose of supporting orphans, widows, and strangers. Interestingly enough, this included caring for people from outside of their community. Rather, it was a payment they owed to the Creator of all things.

Whatever they had, 10 percent went to God right off the top. On top of that, Israelites were encouraged to give voluntary offerings. These were an expression of thankfulness and gratitude. So, we can think of the tithe as a tax that Israel paid to God, and they were also encouraged to give above and beyond that out of their own willingness. And he commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion due to the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to the Law of the Lord.

As soon as the command was spread abroad, the people of Israel gave in abundance the firstfruits of grain, wine, oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field. And they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything. How do you tithe when tithing means setting aside 10 percent of your grain, wine, oil, honey, and produce? Bringing in your tithe is quite an affair when you realize that it entails exacting division of actual goods and livestock, and then the responsibility of bringing them to the storehouse.

We obligate ourselves to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of every tree, year by year, to the house of the Lord; also to bring to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God, the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, as it is written in the Law, and the firstborn of our herds and of our flocks; and to bring the first of our dough, and our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the wine and the oil, to the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and to bring to the Levites the tithes from our ground, for it is the Levites who collect the tithes in all our towns where we labor.

At this point, many Israelites had lived their entire lives in captivity. And while the stories and traditions were kept alive verbally, they no longer knew what it was like to live under the law.

Here we have the reestablishment of the Law in regards to offerings and tithes. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

The challenge is that one must have the faith to give sacrificially to see if the Lord keeps his word. In a passage that is thematically echoed by Jesus in Matt. Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Throughout the Old Testament, an offering was something you gave, but the tithe was something you owed. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.

And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts.

Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts. In his mercy, God desperately wants to use the carrot rather than the stick. In verse 10, the Lord reiterates the problem; the storehouses are empty. If they would only be compliant, there would not only be a full larder, but they would experience an overabundance of provision and freedom from want. Their abundance would also be proof that God was in Israel, making them the envy of nations.

Jesus set Himself at odds with the religious establishment. A lot of this tension revolved around the tendency to follow the law but to ignore its spirit. They ignored justice and mercy, and their idea of faithfulness revolved around an extreme focus on the minutiae of the law.

So when Jesus specifically talks about the tithe, He focuses on being rigid in following the tithe while ignoring the weightier matters of what it means to follow God. But when He brings the topic up, His instruction is not that they should have neglected tithing, but rather that they should have also focused on what was really important. Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

The terrible thing about our acts of devotion is how easy they are to twist in order to put our faithfulness on display. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.

The picture here of the religious person carefully measuring out their spices to ensure that their tithe is exact while ignoring justice and mercy is powerful. And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box.

Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.

Obviously, the point of this passage is in the faith of the widow to give what she had out of poverty. What is also interesting here is the fact that Jesus went out of his way to sit and watch people give their offerings.

He recognizes more than we do how our faith is revealed in our habits of giving. But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted. The Pharisee in this parable finds his value and justification in his devotional acts.

As we have seen, the tithe tied Israel together. For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.

The author of Hebrews argues that, although the tithe was supposed to be paid to the Levites, Abraham gave a tenth of his spoils to the priest Melchizedek.

And that, through this act, the Levites also metaphorically tithed to Melchizedek. Not only did the priest take a tithe from Abraham, he blessed him. It was an intentional practice that God used to teach Israel about his sovereign ownership of everything. Instead of being consumers of their blessings, they had to stop and think through just how much blessing they had. This was the issue that Jesus took with tithing and other empty spiritual practices. For instance, Jesus took issue with the way people handled fasting and prayer.

He called people out for using these practices as a performance to draw attention to how spiritual they were. Their bodies and actions were like a billboard for their religious superiority.