Tithing Part 1 - The Principle Preceded The Law

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” Malachi 3:10

What is a tithe offering?

Tithe means tenth of a portion. A tithe offering in the bible was a tenth of any property or produce that was set aside to give to God as a sacrifice. A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, every tenth animal that passed under the shepherd's rod belonged to the LORD; it was holy to the LORD. (Leviticus 27:20-32)

The Purpose of the Tithe

The Law of Moses required that the Israelites give ten percent of their produce/harvest to support the church and state. The tithe was given to support the priests (Numbers 18:22-24), cover the yearly expenses of the feasts, (Deuteronomy 14:22-29), and care for the poor and others who were having hard times. (Deuteronomy 14:28-15:11; 26:12)

Tithing preceded the Law of Moses

The concept of tithing was already widespread long before the Law of Moses was implemented. Before God established the laws of tithe and offerings in the nation of Israel other nations such as Ancient Babylon, Persia, Egypt, and Rome were already practicing this principle. A tenth was considered a suitable amount to pay in honor of a ruler, deity, or for religious responsibilities.

Both Abraham and Jacob gave tithe offerings before the law was given also. Jacob made a vow to God that if He would be with him, protect him on his journey, provide him food and clothing then he would present to God a tenth of everything He gave him. (Genesis 28: 20-22)

Before Jacob the first record of a payment of tithe is found in Genesis 14:20 when Abraham gives a tenth of all the goods he had recovered from the victory over Kedorlaomer to the High Priest Melchizedek. Melchizedek came out to meet Abraham with some bread and wine and blessed Abraham. For Abraham to give a tenth of all the spoil to Melchizedek was to acknowledge that Melchizedek was greater than him, because it was the practice of that day to honor someone greater by giving them a portion of harvest, surplus, and in this case spoils of victory. (Hebrews 7:4, Hebrews 7:6)

There is great spiritual meaning behind Abraham presenting this tithe offering to the high priest Melchizedek because Melchizedek is actually a pre-figure of Christ Jesus. Melchizedek is called the king of righteousness and king of peace, so is Jesus. Melchizedek was made like the Son of God in the respect that his priesthood continues forever. They both are priests chosen by God not after the law of Moses and neither are of the tribe of Levi. Both priesthoods are superior to the Levitical priesthood. (Hebrews 7:2-3, 7:15-17)

Look at Hebrews 7:8-10:

“The priests who collect tithes are men who die, so Melchizedek is greater than they are, because we are told that he lives on. In addition, we might even say that these Levites-the ones who collect the tithe-paid a tithe to Melchizedek when their ancestor Abraham paid a tithe to him. For although Levi wasn’t born yet, the seed from which he came was in Abraham’s body when Melchizedek collected the tithe from him.”

Therefore, when Abraham gave his tithe to Melchizedek he was actually acting as a representative for all his descendants. Abraham and the Levites paid tithe to a pre-figure of Christ. What a revelation!

Read part 2 now!