Monday, January 16, 2012

What is the ordinance of tithing?

What is tithing?  Most churches tend to teach one of three main tithing concepts – believers are commanded to give a tithe (a tenth) of their gross income to the local church, believers are to follow the example of giving a tithe of their income (either gross or net) as a guideline or a starting point for supporting their local church, or tithing is no longer applicable to the local church.  So where does the ordinance of tithing originate?  What is the actual wording of the tithing ordinance, commonly referenced by many churches?   
The ordinance of tithing originates in the Old Testament and was specifically directed by God toward the Israelites, not the New Testament church.  The actual wording for the tithe referenced by most churches is found in the Old Testament Books of Leviticus and Numbers.  The wording of the ordinance clearly states the following:   
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Speak to the Levites and say to them: When you receive from the Israelites the tithes I give you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as the Lord’s offering…From these tithes you must give the Lord’s portion to Aaron the priest.  You must present as the Lord’s portion the best and holiest of everything given to you.’” (Numbers 18:25-26, 28-29 NIV) 
In addition, Scripture clearly explains that the Israelites were instructed to give a tithe of everything from their land, herds and flocks to the Levites.  God made it clear that this ordinance was specifically directed to the Israelites and this tithe was restricted to everything from the Israelites’ land, herds and flocks…not money earned from any of their crafts or skills.  
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Speak to the Israelites and say to them…A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord…The entire tithe of the herd and flock – every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod – will be holy to the Lord.’” (Leviticus 27:1-2, 30, 32 NIV) 
God originally commanded the nation of Israel to give a tithe of everything from their land, herds and flocks to the Levites for their work in the temple and their inheritance, since the Levites did not inherit any land. (Numbers 18:23-24)  The tithe to the Levites consisted of a tenth of everything from the land, whether grain or fruit, as well as every tenth animal from the herd and flock that passed under the shepherd’s rod. (Leviticus 27:30, 32)  In addition, the Levites were commanded to give a tithe, of the best and holiest part, of all of their received tithes to the priests. (Numbers 18:26, 28-29) 
The purpose of the tithing ordinance served a vital role for the Levites by ensuring that they had food for their families as well as for the Aaronic priests, since they did not inherit any land and were responsible for part-time rotational temple duties in Jerusalem.  The Levite servants’ and Aaronic priests’ homes were located in various communities around Israel and their families had to take turns going to Jerusalem one week out of every twenty four weeks for performing temple duties according to the regulations of Aaron, since their families were broken down into twenty four different courses.  (I Chronicles 24)  These same temple duties continued prior to the birth of Jesus Christ, evident by the priest Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth serving in the temple.  Saint Luke records how Zechariah belonged to the priestly division of Abijah and his wife Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron, both of whom who observed all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly.  (I Chronicles 24:10, 19; Luke 1:5-6)
The ordinance of tithing to the Levites has obviously encountered many changes throughout the history of the Old Testament.  The original wording of the tithing ordinance clearly states that the Israelites were commanded to give a tenth of everything from their land, herds and flocks directly to the Levites, who in turn gave a tenth of their tithes to the priests.  Scripture records how the tithing ordinance was ignored by a few kings of Israel who later ordered that the Levites’ tithes go directly to the king or to the priests in the temple in Jerusalem. (I Samuel 8:10, 14-17; I Chronicles 23:1-5; II Chronicles 31:2, 4-6)  Likewise, Scripture also records how the Israelites later reverted back to the original wording of the ordinance by bringing their tithes directly to the Levites in the cities where they lived and worked around Israel. (Nehemiah 10:36-37)  Nevertheless, the tithe, commonly referenced by many churches for supporting their tithing doctrines, was always restricted to a tenth of everything from the Israelites’ land, herds and flocks…not their monetary income.

No comments:

Post a Comment