“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.” (Malachi 3:8) Notice that the word 'tithes' is plural. There are three different tithes set out in the law of Moses.
- Levitical Tithe
- Poor Tithe
- Rejoicing Tithe
The first is the Levitical Tithe and is what most people think about when they talk about tithing. This was a 10% tithe of the increase during the year.
LEVITICAL TITHE
- "Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the LORD's; it is holy to the LORD. (Lev 27:30 ESV)"
- "You shall tithe all the yield of your seed that comes from the field year by year. (Deut 14:22 ESV)"
- "To the Levites I have given every tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service that they do, their service in the tent of meeting (Num 18:21 ESV)
This tithe was also used for the daily operations of the tabernacle/temple.
POOR TITHE
"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. (Deu 14:28-29 ESV)
There are those who suggest (demand) a 3.33% yearly tithe for this purpose. But that's not part of the Levitical System. We need to free ourselves from Armstrongism and learn to give freely without duress and from a joyful heart for this is what pleases our Father.
REJOICING TITHE
"You may not eat within your towns the tithe of your grain or of your wine or of your oil, or the firstborn of your herd or of your flock, or any of your vow offerings that you vow, or your freewill offerings or the contribution that you present, but you shall eat them before the LORD your God in the place that the LORD your God will choose, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, and the Levite who is within your towns. And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in all that you undertake. (Deu 12:17-18 ESV)
Under the Levitical System and Mosaic Law, every male Israelite had to appear before the L
ORD three times a year (Ex 23:17). There are some today who interpret this as a command to pay tithe to themselves. Again, not part of the Levitical System. And speaking of which --that system, in its entirety, has passed away.
Following such ideas necessarily includes the well known problem of
"being guilty in one point means being guilty of all," a burden that is impossible for us to carry without Jesus who took it from us.
Also, take note that it is also in the 14th chapter of Deuteronomy that we see prohibitions against unclean meats. How can we take up one part of a system but not another? Strict interpretation of the tithes that God commanded the Children of Israel to pay means at least 23.33%. And the Poor Tithe was used to help support the poor among the Israelites. This tithe was payable every third and sixth year out of a cycle of seven years. Do you celebrate the Year of Jubilee? The bible prohibits jail sentences for periods longer than 7 years and commands that we leave our land fallow every 7 years (Ex 23:11). There is much to learn about celebrating and giving but above all, about R
EST.
So, Why JUST Lift Tithing Out Of The Law? The very concept of taxing (tithing) so that the rich could get richer would be total anathama to the true intention(s) of the Levitical system. The original system was terribly legalistic of course, but a legalistic system is exactly what we are discussing here. Tithing is just ONE PART of an entire system. Unclean meat prohibitions can also be found in the 14th chapter of Deuteronomy. And what about offering of bulls? For all such things, Christians may consult Hebrews 13:15,
"Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that openly profess his Name."
2 Corinthians 9:7 prohibits tithing under compulsion. So, again I ask, why just lift tithing out of this system, a system which Hebrews 8:13 plainly tells is now obsolete??!! My conclusion is simply this: We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit wherein there is no excess. That's all, folks. Nothing more to it but to let Him do it. The Lord has released (taken) the burden and declared, "
Come to
me,
all who labor and are
heavy laden, and I will give
you rest (Mt 11:28). We are required to rest. We are required to put on His white robe and to make ourselves ready for the celebration. Have you not heard? Jesus is going to get married! Today is not a time of burdens or laws and rules but a time of rejoicing.
"Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?"
And Jesus said to them,
"The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they?
The spirit of Elijah spoke through John the Baptist to declare,
"Make straight the path," and we knew the King was coming. The book of Malachi is commonly quoted as the book about tithing. But look at the end verses. Hear the cry that heralds his return. Turn our Hearts, O Lord. The hearts of the fathers unto the hearts of the children. Mend our land.
"But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall." (Mal 4:2 ESV)
