Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8400 The tasks of the believer  »  8488 tithing

The practice of offering to God a tenth of the harvest of the land and of livestock, as holy to the LORD. The idea is also used in a more general sense, meaning offering one-tenth of one's income to the Lord.

Tithing was practised before the giving of the OT law

Genesis 14:18-20 Abraham offered a tenth of the goods taken in battle, apparently in thankfulness to God for victory. See also Genesis 28:22; Hebrews 7:1-3

Tithing under the law

Tithing extends to all kinds of produce and livestock

Leviticus 27:30-32 Cereal and fruit offerings could be commuted to money. See also 2 Chronicles 31:5-6; Nehemiah 10:35-38; Nehemiah 13:12

All tithes were paid to the Levites

Numbers 18:21-24; Nehemiah 10:37-38; Hebrews 7:5

Tithes were to be paid in a designated place

Deuteronomy 12:5-6; Deuteronomy 14:22-29; Deuteronomy 26:2 Tithes were paid in Jerusalem, or every three years in towns where the tithe feast was eaten.

Levites offered a tenth to the LORD

Numbers 18:25-29; Nehemiah 10:39

Uses of the tithe

Support of the Levites

Numbers 18:21 See also 2 Chronicles 31:4

The tithe meal

Deuteronomy 14:23

A three-yearly gift to the poor

Deuteronomy 14:28-29

Tithing of minor items must not lead to neglect of major matters

Matthew 23:23 See also Luke 11:42; Luke 18:9-14

Freewill offerings were made in addition to the tithe

They were given freely

Exodus 36:3 See also Leviticus 7:12-18; Numbers 15:3; Ezra 1:4; Psalm 54:6; Ezekiel 46:12

They were given according to ability

Deuteronomy 16:10 See also Deuteronomy 16:17; Acts 11:29; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 8:12 There is no specific command in the NT for the church to tithe, but many commands to give generously and to support the Lord's work.

Blessing promised to those who tithe

Malachi 3:10 See also Proverbs 3:9-10

Failure to tithe and abuses of the tithe

Malachi 3:8-10 See also Leviticus 27:33; 1 Samuel 8:15,17; Nehemiah 13:10

See also

4442  firstfruits
5375  law
5412  money
5446  poverty
5577  taxation
7366  freewill offering
7402  offerings
7550  Pharisees
7766  priests
7912  collections
8260  generosity
8434  giving