- Oct 6, 2008
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I've always been involved in "tithing," but always thought of same in connection with Christianity. I understand by that Jewish folk were very active in philanthropy, but just read a publication which reminded me that it is based on the Old Testament, is both religious- and politically-based ....and that it required more than ten percent!
You might find it interesting.
1. " Tithing is an Old Testament practice. God accepted the tithes of Abraham and Jacob (Genesis 14:18-24; 28:20-22). Later, he used the tithing system to finance the religious and secular needs of his people, the nation of Israel (Numbers 18:21; Leviticus 27:30).
a. . Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand. Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything (Genesis 14:18-20). Giving God back a tenth of what is his was a way of recognizing Gods ultimate ownership of everything.
2. Tithing, in patriarchal times, was an act or expression of worship. Tithing is not again discussed in the Pentateuch until the time of Moses with the establishment of a priesthood in Israel. Mosaic law required the Israelites to pay tithes to the Levites, who did not own land, the usual means of support (Numbers 18:21-24). The Levites, in turn, gave one tenth of what they received to the Aaronic priesthood (verses 25-32).
3. Although the Levites received tithes, it did not belong to them. The tithe belonged to God. It was holy (verse 32), sanctified for Gods use and purpose. God was simply defining how his tithe was to be used.
4. God also instituted a program to help the needy, such as orphans and widows. Those who had the means were to set aside a tithe every third year (Deuteronomy verses 28-29)."
Tithing in Israel | Grace Communion International
5. "The Mosaic Law required the children of Israel to pay three different tithes: Israelites were commanded to pay upwards of ~23% in tithes, not a mere 10%.
a. The levitical tithe (Lev 27:30-32; Num 18:21,24), The levitical tithe was the standard tithe. It required all Israelites to give 10% of their increase (crops, fruit, livestock) to the Levites.
b. The annual festival tithe (Dt 14:22-27), The festival tithe was to be paid annually when the Jews gathered in Jerusalem for one of the national festivals. The worshipper was instructed to take 10% of his annual increase to Jerusalem and consume it together with his family and the Levites, at the festival. They feast would consist of grains, meat, and drink.
c. And tri-annual poor tithe (Dt 14:28-29). The poor tithe was paid every three years. Like the festival tithe, this tithe was intended to feed others, including Levites. Unlike the festival tithe, however, this meal was intended to feed foreigners, orphans, and widowsnot at Jerusalem, but within ones own city. Rather than tithing on the past three years, the worshipper only had to tithe on his increase for the year in which the poor tithe was required.
6. How much do all these tithes add up to over a three year period?
It depends on how it was calculated. If the festival and poor tithes were based on what remained after paying the levitical and festival tithes, then for the first and second year every Israelite would pay 19% in tithes, and for the third year they would pay 27.1%, for an average of 21.7% per year.
If the festival and poor tithes were based on ones gross increase, then for the first and second year every Israelite would pay 20% in tithes, and for the third year they would pay 30%, for an average of 23.3% per year.
7. We should give according to need, and according to our ability (Acts 11:29; 2 Corinthians 8:3; 9:7). As Paul said, Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully (2 Corinthians 9:6, ESV)."
Tithing Cost Israelites More than 10% Under the Mosaic Covenant | Theo-sophical Ruminations
You might find it interesting.
1. " Tithing is an Old Testament practice. God accepted the tithes of Abraham and Jacob (Genesis 14:18-24; 28:20-22). Later, he used the tithing system to finance the religious and secular needs of his people, the nation of Israel (Numbers 18:21; Leviticus 27:30).
a. . Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand. Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything (Genesis 14:18-20). Giving God back a tenth of what is his was a way of recognizing Gods ultimate ownership of everything.
2. Tithing, in patriarchal times, was an act or expression of worship. Tithing is not again discussed in the Pentateuch until the time of Moses with the establishment of a priesthood in Israel. Mosaic law required the Israelites to pay tithes to the Levites, who did not own land, the usual means of support (Numbers 18:21-24). The Levites, in turn, gave one tenth of what they received to the Aaronic priesthood (verses 25-32).
3. Although the Levites received tithes, it did not belong to them. The tithe belonged to God. It was holy (verse 32), sanctified for Gods use and purpose. God was simply defining how his tithe was to be used.
4. God also instituted a program to help the needy, such as orphans and widows. Those who had the means were to set aside a tithe every third year (Deuteronomy verses 28-29)."
Tithing in Israel | Grace Communion International
5. "The Mosaic Law required the children of Israel to pay three different tithes: Israelites were commanded to pay upwards of ~23% in tithes, not a mere 10%.
a. The levitical tithe (Lev 27:30-32; Num 18:21,24), The levitical tithe was the standard tithe. It required all Israelites to give 10% of their increase (crops, fruit, livestock) to the Levites.
b. The annual festival tithe (Dt 14:22-27), The festival tithe was to be paid annually when the Jews gathered in Jerusalem for one of the national festivals. The worshipper was instructed to take 10% of his annual increase to Jerusalem and consume it together with his family and the Levites, at the festival. They feast would consist of grains, meat, and drink.
c. And tri-annual poor tithe (Dt 14:28-29). The poor tithe was paid every three years. Like the festival tithe, this tithe was intended to feed others, including Levites. Unlike the festival tithe, however, this meal was intended to feed foreigners, orphans, and widowsnot at Jerusalem, but within ones own city. Rather than tithing on the past three years, the worshipper only had to tithe on his increase for the year in which the poor tithe was required.
6. How much do all these tithes add up to over a three year period?
It depends on how it was calculated. If the festival and poor tithes were based on what remained after paying the levitical and festival tithes, then for the first and second year every Israelite would pay 19% in tithes, and for the third year they would pay 27.1%, for an average of 21.7% per year.
If the festival and poor tithes were based on ones gross increase, then for the first and second year every Israelite would pay 20% in tithes, and for the third year they would pay 30%, for an average of 23.3% per year.
7. We should give according to need, and according to our ability (Acts 11:29; 2 Corinthians 8:3; 9:7). As Paul said, Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully (2 Corinthians 9:6, ESV)."
Tithing Cost Israelites More than 10% Under the Mosaic Covenant | Theo-sophical Ruminations
- Jeri
