Reference: Tithe
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A tenth, the proportion of a man's income devoted to sacred purposes from time immemorial, Ge 14:20; 28:22. This was prescribed in the Mosaic law, Nu 31:31. A twofold tithe was required of each Jewish citizen. The first consisted of one-tenth of the produce of his fields, trees, flocks, and herds, to be given to God as the sovereign Proprietor of all things and as the king of the Jews, Le 27:30-32; 1Sa 8:15,17. The proceeds of this tax were devoted to the maintenance of the Levites in their respective cities, Nu 18:21-24. A person might pay this tax in money, adding one-fifth to its estimated value. The Levites paid a tenth part of what they received to the priests, Nu 18:26-28. The second tithe required of each landholder was one-tenth of the nine parts of his produce remaining after the first tithe, to be expended at the tabernacle or temple in entertaining the Levites, his own family, etc., changing it first into money, if on account of his remoteness he chose to do so, De 12:17-19,22-29; 14:22-27. Every third year a special provision was made for the poor, either out of this second tithe or in addition to it, De 14:28-29. These tithes were not burdensome; but the pious Israelite found himself the richer for their payment, though it does not seem to have been enforced by any legal penalties. The system of tithes was renewed both before and after the captivity, 2Ch 31:5-6,12; Ne 10:37; 12:44; 13:5; but they were not always regularly paid, and hence the divine blessing was withheld, Mal 3:8-12. The Pharisees were scrupulously exemplary in paying their tithes, but neglected the more important duties of love to God and man, Mt 23:23.
The principle of the ancient tithes, namely, that ministers of the gospel and objects of benevolence should be provided for by the whole people of God, according to their means, is fully recognized in Scripture as applicable to the followers of Christ. He sent his servants forth, two and two, without provisions or purses, to receive their support from the people, since "the laborer is worthy of his hire," Mt 10:9-14; Lu 10:4-8,16. Paul also reasons in the same way, 1Co 9:13-14; Ga 6:6. For purpose of piety and beneficence, he directed the Corinthians, and virtually all Christians, to lay aside from their income, on the first day of the week, as the Lord had prospered them, 1Co 16:2. There is no reason to doubt that the early Christians gave more freely of their substance than did the ancient Jews, Ac 4:34-36; 2Co 8:1-4.
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And blessed be God the most highest, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hands." And Abram gave him tithes of all.
and this stone which I have set up on end, shall be God's house. And of all that thou shalt give me, will I give the tenth unto thee."
"'All these tithes of the land, whether it be of the corn of the field or fruit of the trees, shall be holy unto the LORD. If any man will redeem ought of his tithes, let him add the fifth part more thereto. read more. "'And the tithes of oxen and sheep and of all that goeth under the herdsman's keeping, shall be holy tithes unto the LORD.
And behold, I have given the children of Levi the tenth in Israel to inherit, for the service which they serve in the tabernacle of witness, that the children of Israel henceforth come not nigh the tabernacle of witness, and bear sin and die. read more. And the Levites shall do the service in the tabernacle of witness and bear their sin, and it shall be a law forever unto your children after you: But among the children of Israel they shall inherit none inheritance. For the tithes of the children of Israel which they heave unto the LORD, I have given the Levites to inherit. Wherefore I have said unto them, 'Among the children of Israel ye shall inherit none inheritance.'"
"Speak unto the Levites and say unto them, 'When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you of them to your inheritance, ye shall take a heave offering of that same for the LORD: even the tenth of that tithe. And it shall be reckoned unto you for your heave offering, even as though ye gave corn out of the barn or a full offering from the wine press. read more. And of this manner ye shall heave a heave offering unto the LORD, of all your tithes which ye receive of the children of Israel, and ye shall give thereof the LORD's heave offering unto Aaron the priest.
Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine and of thy oil, either the firstborn of thine oxen or of thy sheep, neither any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings or heave offerings of thine hands: but thou must eat them before the LORD thy God, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen: both thou, thy son and thy daughter, thy servant and thy maid and the Levite that is within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, in all that thou puttest thine hand to. read more. And beware that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth.
Neverthelater, as the roe and the hart is eaten, even so thou shalt eat it: the unclean and the clean indifferently thou shalt eat. But be strong that thou eat not the blood. For the blood, that is the life: and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh: read more. thou mayest not eat it, but must pour it upon the earth as water. See thou eat it not, therefore, that it may go well with thee and with thy children after thee, when thou shalt have done that which is right in the sight of the LORD. But thy holy things which thou hast, and thy vows, thou shalt take and go unto the place which the LORD hath chosen, and thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, both flesh and blood upon the altar of the LORD thy God, and the blood of thine offerings thou shalt pour out upon the altar of the LORD thy God, and shalt eat the flesh. Take heed and hear all these words which I command thee that it may go well with thee and with thy children after thee forever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God. When the LORD thy God hath destroyed the nations before thee, whither thou goest to conquer them, and when thou hast conquered them, and dwelt in their lands:
Thou shalt tithe all the increase of thy seed that cometh out of the field year by year. And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he hath chosen to make his name dwell there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine and of thine oil, and the firstborn of thine oxen and of thy flock that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always. read more. If the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it, because the place is too far from the which the LORD thy God hath chosen to set his name there - for the LORD thy God hath blessed thee - then make it in money and take the money in thine hand, and go unto the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen, and bestow that money on whatsoever thy soul lusteth after: on oxen, sheep, wine and good drink, and on whatsoever thy soul desireth, and eat there before the LORD thy God and be merry: both thou, and thine household, and the Levite that is in thy city. See thou forsake not the Levite, for he hath neither part nor inheritance with thee. At the end of three years, thou shalt bring forth all the tithes of thine increase the same year and lay it up within thine own city, and the Levite shall come because he hath neither part nor inheritance with thee, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow which are within thy city, and shall eat and fill themselves: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the works of thine hand which thou doest.
And as soon as the word came abroad the children of Israel brought abundance of first fruits of corn, wine, oil and honey, and of all manner of fruits of the field: and the tithes of all manner of things brought they in plenteously. And the children of Israel and Judah that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithes of oxen and sheep, and tithes of dedicated things which were dedicated to the LORD their God, and put them on heaps.
and carried in the heave offerings and the tithes and the dedicated gifts; even of fidelity. Over which Conaniah the Levite had the rule with Shimei his brother next to him.
and that we should bring the firstlings of our dough, and our heave offerings, and the fruits of all manner of trees, of wine also and of oil, unto the priests to the chests the house of our God. And the tithes of our land unto the Levites, that the Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our ministration.
At the same time were there men appointed over the treasure chests - wherein were the Heave offerings, the firstlings and the tithes - that they should gather them out of the fields about the cities, to distribute them unto the priests and Levites according to the law: for Judah was glad of the priests, and Levites,
for he had made him a great chest, and there had they afore time laid the meat offerings, frankincense, vessel, and the tithes of corn, wine and oil - according to the commandment given to the Levites, singers and porters - and the heave offerings of the priests.
Should a man use falsity and deceit with God, as ye use falsity and deceit with me? Yet ye say, 'Wherein use we deceit with thee?' In tithes and heave offerings. Therefore are ye cursed with penury, because ye dissemble with me, all the sort of you. read more. Bring every tithe into my barn, that there may be meat in mine house: and prove me withal, sayeth the LORD of Hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven unto you, and pour you out a blessing with plenteousness. Yea, I shall reprove the consumer for your sakes, so that he shall not eat up the fruit of your ground, neither shall the vineyard be barren in the field, sayeth the LORD of Hosts. Insomuch that all people shall say that ye be blessed, for ye shall be a pleasant land, sayeth the LORD of Hosts.
Possess not gold, nor silver, nor brass in your girdles, nor yet scrip towards your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet a staff: for the workman is worthy to have his meat. read more. Into whatsoever city, or town ye shall come, enquire who is worthy in it, and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into a house, salute the same. And if the house be worthy, your peace shall come upon it: but if it be not worthy, your peace shall return to you again. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor will hear your preaching, when ye depart out of that house, or that city, shake off the dust of your feet.
Woe be to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye which tithe mint, anise, and cumin, and leave the weightier matters of the law undone: judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to have left the other undone.
Bear no wallet, neither scrip, nor shoes, and salute no man by the way. Into whatsoever house ye enter in, first say, Peace be to this house. read more. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon him, if not, it shall return to you again. And in the same house tarry still, eating and drinking such as they have. For the laborer is worthy of his reward. Go not from house to house: and into whatsoever city ye enter, if they receive you, eat such things as are set before you,
He that heareth you, heareth me: And he that despiseth you, despiseth me. And he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me."
Neither was there any among them that lacked. For as many as were possessors of lands or houses, sold them and brought the price of the things that were sold, and laid it down at the apostles' feet. And distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. read more. And Joseph, which was also called of the apostles Barnabas - that is to say, the son of consolation - being a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
Do ye not understand how that they which minister in the temple, have their finding of the temple? And they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so also did the Lord ordain, that they which preach the gospel, should live of the gospel.
Upon some Sunday, let every one of you put aside at home, and lay up whatsoever he thinketh meet, that there be no gatherings when I come.
Let him that is taught in the word, minister unto him that teacheth him in all good things.
Easton
a tenth of the produce of the earth consecrated and set apart for special purposes. The dedication of a tenth to God was recognized as a duty before the time of Moses. Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek (Ge 14:20; Heb 7:6); and Jacob vowed unto the Lord and said, "Of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee."
The first Mosaic law on this subject is recorded in Le 27:30-32. Subsequent legislation regulated the destination of the tithes (Nu 18:21-24,26-28; De 12:5-6,11,17; 14:22-23). The paying of the tithes was an important part of the Jewish religious worship. In the days of Hezekiah one of the first results of the reformation of religion was the eagerness with which the people brought in their tithes (2Ch 31:5-6). The neglect of this duty was sternly rebuked by the prophets (Am 4:4; Mal 3:8-10). It cannot be affirmed that the Old Testament law of tithes is binding on the Christian Church, nevertheless the principle of this law remains, and is incorporated in the gospel (1Co 9:13-14); and if, as is the case, the motive that ought to prompt to liberality in the cause of religion and of the service of God be greater now than in Old Testament times, then Christians outght to go beyond the ancient Hebrew in consecrating both themselves and their substance to God.
Every Jew was required by the Levitical law to pay three tithes of his property (1) one tithe for the Levites; (2) one for the use of the temple and the great feasts; and (3) one for the poor of the land.
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And blessed be God the most highest, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hands." And Abram gave him tithes of all.
"'All these tithes of the land, whether it be of the corn of the field or fruit of the trees, shall be holy unto the LORD. If any man will redeem ought of his tithes, let him add the fifth part more thereto. read more. "'And the tithes of oxen and sheep and of all that goeth under the herdsman's keeping, shall be holy tithes unto the LORD.
And behold, I have given the children of Levi the tenth in Israel to inherit, for the service which they serve in the tabernacle of witness, that the children of Israel henceforth come not nigh the tabernacle of witness, and bear sin and die. read more. And the Levites shall do the service in the tabernacle of witness and bear their sin, and it shall be a law forever unto your children after you: But among the children of Israel they shall inherit none inheritance. For the tithes of the children of Israel which they heave unto the LORD, I have given the Levites to inherit. Wherefore I have said unto them, 'Among the children of Israel ye shall inherit none inheritance.'"
"Speak unto the Levites and say unto them, 'When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you of them to your inheritance, ye shall take a heave offering of that same for the LORD: even the tenth of that tithe. And it shall be reckoned unto you for your heave offering, even as though ye gave corn out of the barn or a full offering from the wine press. read more. And of this manner ye shall heave a heave offering unto the LORD, of all your tithes which ye receive of the children of Israel, and ye shall give thereof the LORD's heave offering unto Aaron the priest.
but ye shall enquire the place which the LORD your God shall have chosen out of all your tribes to put his name there and there to dwell. And thither thou shalt come, and thither ye shall bring your burnt sacrifices and your offerings, your tithes and heave offerings of your hands, your vows and free will offerings and thy first born of your oxen and of your sheep.
Therefore, when the LORD your God hath chosen a place to make his name dwell there, thither ye shall bring all that I command you: your burnt sacrifices and your offerings, your tithes and the heave offerings of your hands and all your godly vows which ye vow unto the LORD.
Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine and of thy oil, either the firstborn of thine oxen or of thy sheep, neither any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings or heave offerings of thine hands:
Thou shalt tithe all the increase of thy seed that cometh out of the field year by year. And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he hath chosen to make his name dwell there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine and of thine oil, and the firstborn of thine oxen and of thy flock that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.
And as soon as the word came abroad the children of Israel brought abundance of first fruits of corn, wine, oil and honey, and of all manner of fruits of the field: and the tithes of all manner of things brought they in plenteously. And the children of Israel and Judah that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithes of oxen and sheep, and tithes of dedicated things which were dedicated to the LORD their God, and put them on heaps.
'Ye came to Bethel for to work ungraciousness, and have increased your sins at Gilgal: ye brought your sacrifices in the morning, and your tithes unto the third day.
Should a man use falsity and deceit with God, as ye use falsity and deceit with me? Yet ye say, 'Wherein use we deceit with thee?' In tithes and heave offerings. Therefore are ye cursed with penury, because ye dissemble with me, all the sort of you. read more. Bring every tithe into my barn, that there may be meat in mine house: and prove me withal, sayeth the LORD of Hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven unto you, and pour you out a blessing with plenteousness.
Do ye not understand how that they which minister in the temple, have their finding of the temple? And they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so also did the Lord ordain, that they which preach the gospel, should live of the gospel.
But he whose kindred is not counted among them, received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.