Is Tithing A New Testament Requirement?

 A.C.Pike

Introduction

In this article, I will address the subject of Tithing and see if it is still binding on Christians, Today? Some Pentecostal churches require their members to tithe money to their Pastor. Even some Presbyterian churches require their congregants to tithe money as part of the Minister salary? But what does the Bible say?

Old Testament Tithing

In the nation of Israel, there were Tweleve Tribes of Israel. Each of these tribes could be traced back through Jewish History to Abraham and the Patriarchs. Jesus was/is of the tribe of Judah. Hence his title 'The Lion of the Tribe of Judah.' Of these Twelve Tribes, Eleveen of them had secular jobs. The Twelth Tribe (The Levites) worked all day in the Temple offering up sacrifices for the people. This was a full-time job for them. Due to this, they could not go out to work and earn a living, and they could not go into the field to plant, harvest, and pick crops. So they needed some kind of means to sustain and feed themselves. So the Jews (the other Eleveen Tribes) were required to make a ten percent tithe of what they had to the Levites so that the Levites had a source of living (Numbers 18:21-32).

What Did The Jews Tithe?

It is surprising to learn that the Jews (the other Eleveen Tribes) never tithed money! That's right, they never gave a monetary donation as a source of income to the Levites. So what did the Jews tithe? Here is a list of some of the things that the Jews tithed to the Levites:

1) Corn (Deuteronomy 14:23).

2) Oil (Deuteronomy 14:23).

3) Wine (Deuteronomy 14:23).

4) Herds/Flock (Deuteronomy 14:23).

5) Seed (Leviticus 27:30).

6) Fruit (Leviticus 27:30). 

7) Grain (2 Chronicles 31:5).

8) Honey (2 Chronicles 31:5).

9) Dough (Nehemiah 10:37). 

10) Jesus mentions herbs and spices being tithed (Matthew 23:23).

So as we can see, a tithe was a food item given to the Levites as part of a means of living. 

Christian Giving

As Christians, we are no longer under the Ceremonial or Judicial Laws that were once a part of the nation of Israel. We no longer have a Levite class offering up sacrifices for our sins. We no longer have to provide food for the Levites while they are offering service in the Temple. 

As Christians, we give to those in need (2 Corinthians 9:1), and we do this out of the goodness of our hearts (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Quotes

All quotes taken from the Authorised Version (king James) Bible