Holy Spirit Interactive: Tithing - Why God Requires the Tithe

Regardless of to whom it was designated, the tithe is the Lord's (Lev. 27:30–32). In the Old Testament period, God assigned the tithes to be given to the Levites for their service in the congregation. Rather than choosing the firstborn of each family for His service, God chose the tribe of Levi. They became the priests and servants of God. They were the teachers and the judges of the land. It was their duty to teach Israel the laws and commandments of God (Lev. 10:11, Deut. 17:9–11; 24:8). If obeyed, these laws and commandments would bring a tremendous blessing and benefit to Israel and its posterity. The Levites were also the judges of the land (Deut. 17:8–13, 2 Chron. 19:8–11). By this means the tithe served to benefit the entire nation. Aaron and his sons were assigned to the priesthood while other Levites were assigned to assist the priests.

And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die. But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance. But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance (Num. 18:21–24).

Let us note, God owns the tithe. Because He possesses the tithe, He gave it to the Levites. The "tenth" in Israel was assigned to them. This made it possible for the Levites to serve God and the people of Israel. The purpose of the tithe, then, was for service. The Levites, in turn, tithed on what they received, even though this income did not come from crops or livestock (Num. 18:26).

The high priest was a type of Jesus Christ (compare Leviticus 16 with Hebrews 9). As a type of Christ, there is no indication he was required to tithe. But, neither did Christ. As the Son of God, Christ owned the tithes. For the services performed by the high priest and the Levites, tithes were to be received. God said the tithe is ". . . your reward for your service in the tabernacle of the congregation" (Num. 18:31). As noted above, teaching God's truth was an important function of the Levites. Even in the future when the Kingdom of God is restored to this earth, the Levites will be teaching God's commandments and laws to the nations of the world. "And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths" (Ezek. 44:23–24).

We have seen that Levites paid tithes on the tithes they received. As noted, the tithe they gave was not from what they had produced. So, the notion that only what one produced from land and livestock was tithed upon is false. Around the Feast of Tabernacles time the tithe was often converted into money and a portion given to the Levites (Deut. 14: 25–27). Money, then, was used in tithing. Gold or silver, often used for money, was determined by weight (Gen. 42:35, Ex. 35:5, 1 Sam. 9:8). The idea that only landowners tithed in the form of produce or livestock because they were the producers of crops and stock makes God a respecter of persons. How unfair to limit tithing to one class of citizens only. Those who embrace this view are touting nothing more than the egalitarian tax concept of soaking the rich. If there was ever a deterrent to a productive society, it is this kind of unfairness in assessing taxes. When it comes to tithing, what an accusation to make against God— the very epitome of fairness—that the whole tithing system was placed on the backs of landowners. God is fair. He does not require any single class of citizens to be financially responsible for tithing, from which all would benefit.


	Friday, February 10, 2012