Note: this is a work-in-progress so I will be updating this page as further study and/or feedback warrants. I do not in any way claim that this is a definitive or thorough biblical-theological study on the subject, so I gladly encourage and welcome constructive criticisms.

• scripture is to be interpreted according to sound hermeneutical principles (i.e. literary-grammatical-historical exegesis) and not by "proof-texting"1;
• scripture reflects God's progressive revelation; hence each passage must be interpreted in light of its redemptive-historical setting and purpose;
• the issue of the relationship between the OT and the NT remains a hotly debated topic, and there are arguments across the entire continuity-discontinuity spectrum. Therefore, one must exercise humility and open-mindedness.

A simple scan of a concordance shows that the majority of the passages on tithing are, not surprisingly, in the Pentateuch. Therefore, our focus in this paper will be primarily on the Mosaic legislative texts as they clearly spell out Israel's covenantal obligations.

The two pre-Mosaic texts occur in the patriarchal narratives and must be carefully examined in their literary, historical, and theological contexts.

The prophetic passages and the post-exilic historical narratives on tithing reflect the common theme of the prophets as enforcers of the covenant, calling the nation to repentance and covenant faithfulness to God.

(Note: all scripture quotations are from the NASB unless otherwise specified)

A common approach that many use to argue for the continuation of the practice of tithing is to cite the examples of Abraham and Jacob as tithing before the Mosaic covenant. However, a careful examination of the context will result in a different conclusion.

If one reads the verse carefully in context, we discover that the chapter is about a war in which Lot is taken captive. Observe the following:

• this verse occurs in a narrative. As mentioned in the assumptions above, one must exercise caution in developing doctrine from a narrative. The important thing to ask is: what is the purpose of this particular narrative section (Gen. 14), especially in relation to chapters 12-13 and chapter 15? Note in particular how Abram drove the kings out of the land (14:15), possibly a significant point in light of God's promise to Abram (12:1ff) concerning the land.
• nowhere is it mentioned that Abram (Abraham) was commanded by God to tithe.
• Abram gave a "tenth of all", i.e., from the spoils of his military victory (Gen. 14:12,16,20). That is, he gave a tenth of what wasn't really his!
• nowhere else in the Bible do we read of Abraham paying tithes ever again.
• Abram's act of giving a tenth was a very common practice in the ancient Near East as a token of respect and honour, or in response to a blessing. Archaeological discoveries (e.g. the Ugaritic texts) show that the practice of "tithing" was a widespread custom of the times.
• Abram gave voluntarily, whereas under the Mosaic Law, tithing was mandatory. Clearly, then, this passage is not related to tithing as practiced by the nation of Israel under the Mosaic covenant.
• the significance of the mysterious Melchizedek is to be noted (see comments later on Hebrews 7).

Note: I have recently undertaken a more detailed study of this passage; a copy of my paper, "The Patriarch and the Priest-King: An Examination of Genesis 14:18-20 in its Historical, Literary and Theological Context" is available upon request.

Gen. 28:22

Again, let us make some observations:

• Jacob makes a vow in response to God's revelation to him in a dream.
• again, nowhere does the passage state that Jacob was commanded to give a tithe (tenth).
• Jacob's promise to "tithe" was conditional - "If God will be with me …" (vs. 20), but under the Mosaic covenant, tithing was compulsory. So we conclude that like the passage above, this verse has nothing to do with the normative teaching on tithing under the Law.
• once again, we observe the significance of the promised land: "the land on which you lie, I will give it to you and your descendants … I am with you … and will bring you back to this land …" (28:13,15), as God re-affirms the covenant He made with Abraham.
• again, it is important to consider the significance of this passage (ch. 28) in its context, and ask what biblical-theological contribution it makes in the unfolding plan of God's redemptive history. Note for example, the significance of the "stone" that is mentioned in 28:11,18,22 (cf. 29:2; 31:13,45), with which Jacob builds an altar (35:1,7,14,15) to God. This also links the narrative back to Abraham, who also built an altar at Bethel and called on Yahweh (12:8; 13:3,4). Later, Bethel was the site of the northern sanctuary. Lastly, the "ladder" incident (28:11-17) in this narrative is alluded to in Jesus' encounter with Nathanael (John 1:45-51).

These two patriarchal narratives may have functioned as exemplary models for the nation of Israel to obey the Mosaic mandate to tithe. However, it is simplistic, and an injustice to these two narratives, to just lift a verse or two out of their literary context in order to impose tithing on Christians.

2. Mosaic

Now we come to the "meat of the matter" as far as OT teaching on tithing is concerned, as evidenced by the fact that the explicitly didactic treatments of tithing occur only in these 5 passages. It will be apparent that we should look at the passages in Leviticus-Numbers separately from the Deuteronomic passages, as they in fact reflect two (some would argue for three) distinct tithes that the Israelites were commanded to pay.

Furthermore, the Levites were to give a tenth of their tithes to the priests (Num. 18:26-28) who also didn't have an inheritance in the land (18:20).

What is the theological significance of this tithe? We must remember that Israel was unique as a theocracy among all the other nations. First and foremost, this tithe is to be viewed as an act of devotion to God as King by his vassal-subjects. Essentially, the tithe was rendered as a 10% "tax" owing to God as the owner of the Land. That is why it is described as "holy to the Lord", i.e. as that which belongs to, or is separated to Yahweh for a particular purpose.

Furthermore, it was to serve as a reminder to the Israelites that their livelihood depended on the blessings of God upon the land (in sending rain) and their covenantal obedience to him: "that you may learn to fear [revere] the Lord your God" (14:23b). In stark contrast to the ubiquitous fertility cults of their pagan neighbors, they were to remember that Yahweh alone is the true Lord of heaven and earth.

Lastly, as guardians and servants of God's meeting place, God himself would be the portion of the priests and Levites' inheritance. God in turn, assigned the tithe that was due to him, to the Levites and the priests, who were his representatives.

Just before his death, Moses addressed the second generation of the Israelites who participated in the Exodus event to re-affirm the covenant that God made with Israel at Mt. Sinai and to expound more specifically the stipulations associated with the covenant before they entered the promised land. This then, is largely the message of the book of Deuteronomy to which we now turn our attention.

In all three of the passages that deal with tithing in Deuteronomy (ch. 12,14, and 26), the importance of the divinely appointed location is repeatedly emphasized (Deut. 12:5,11,17,18; 14:23; 26:2). This was to prevent them from turning to Canaanite idolatry, as there were many pagan places of worship that permeated the land (cf. Deut. 12:2-5).

What we have in the Deuteronomic passages is what might be termed a "festal tithe" to be used for a religious feast/festival where families were to travel (probably once a year) to the divinely appointed place to celebrate the goodness of God together by eating their tithes: "you shall eat them [the tithes] before the Lord your God in the place which the Lord your God will choose …". It was to be a time of great joy in the presence of God (Deut. 12:7,12,18; 14:26: "rejoice") as families brought a tenth of their produce (as well as sacrifices and offerings) to remember God's gracious gift of the land, and His abundant blessings on it in yielding a good crop. Therefore it's only appropriate to have a communal celebration2, to enjoy whatever their hearts desired, including "wine, or strong drink" (vs. 26)!!

In Deut. 14:28,29 and 26:12-13, we see what may be a third tithe (a "benevolent tithe"), though it may be just as correct to see it as a special case of the second tithe which was to be practiced every third year (i.e., years three and six in the seven year sabbatical cycle). In any case, the tithes were to be stored in each town, to be distributed not only to the Levites, but also to the needy ones in society: the orphans, widows, and resident aliens; and they "shall come and eat and be satisfied" (14:29). (Notice once again, the mention of the land in vs. 2,3,9,15; in gratitude for God's gift of the land, the Israelite confessed: "I have brought the first of the produce of the ground which Thou, O Lord hast given me".)

We may now reflect on the purpose(s) of this "festal" tithe. The benevolent aspect just discussed is quite obvious; the people were to care for others, remembering how God had cared for them (e.g. in the Wilderness) and blessed their land, and to manifest the same benevolence that flows from the kind and generous heart of God.

But we may further note that another purpose of this tithe was as a preventative measure to ensure proper worship, lest the people fall prey to the multitude of pagan sanctuaries that polluted the land. We have already alluded to the fact that all three of the passages in Deuteronomy place much emphasis on a divinely appointed place of worship, where they were to eat this tithe as a covenant community in celebration of God's mercy and His mighty redemption that He accomplished in delivering them from their bondage in Egypt through the Exodus (see Deut. 26:3-11).

Furthermore, as an act of corporate worship, the eating of this sacred "festal" tithe by the nation would help to strengthen the unity and community of the twelve tribes.

As also mentioned, the eating and enjoyment of this tithe served to remind the Israelites that their prosperity was not due to their superior agricultural techniques or irrigation methods, but on the grace and generosity of God alone.

In conclusion, both tithes served as a constant reminder that Yahweh was their faithful, covenant-keeping God (who fulfilled his promise to Abraham in giving them the land) as well as Redeemer (who delivered them from Egypt) and Creator/Sustainer (in providing rain for the land).

It was a time of religious apostasy, moral decay, social injustice, and political corruption in which Amos was sent by God to preach against the northern kingdom.

In Amos 4:4,5, God employs sarcasm and mockery to expose the false worship of the wayward Israelites. Notice how God refers to the tithes as "your tithes" rather than "My tithes" (which they rightfully were) to express his displeasure at their mere outward ritual. The hyperbolic demand to bring the tithe "every three days" instead of annually may indicate that the people were lulled into thinking that increased giving would somehow merit God's favour. But God sees through their hypocrisy, for they are worshipping him (through sacrifices, offerings, and tithes) with false motives and for personal show (vs. 5).

Notice again, how God warned that he would withhold the blessings of rain on the land (4:7) as well as sending other curses upon the land (4:9).

This passage is a description of the re-installment of the Levites and priests to their temple duties, which had lapsed under the wicked reign of Ahaz. It follows the cleansing and consecrating of the temple (ch. 29) and the celebration of the Passover (ch. 30).

Once the temple had been purified and the Levites and priests organized once again, it was now time for the people to fulfill their obligations to God in bringing the tithes and offerings. The people brought so much that Azariah exclaimed, "…we have had enough to eat with plenty left over …" (vs. 10) and as a result, storage rooms (cf. Mal. 3:10) had to be built in the Temple to store the leftovers.

The Chronicler wrote to the post-exilic Israelites, and he undoubtedly hoped that the account of Hezekiah's reforms would encourage and exhort them to be faithful to God. Unfortunately, as we shall see from Malachi's message, the people eventually became indifferent.

Ezra and Nehemiah record the efforts of the returning remnant of Judah from Babylonian exile, to rebuild the temple, repair the wall, and reform the social and spiritual condition of the post-exilic nation. Along with the post-exilic prophets, their main theme was covenant renewal. The remnant, having been brought back to the land from which they were exiled, had to be reminded that they must obey the covenant stipulations or once again face God's judgment.

With this background in mind, in 10:32-39 the remnant promised to fulfill and obey the covenantal duties pertaining to worship, which of course included giving "the tithe of the ground to the Levites" (vs. 37).

In Neh. 12:44, arrangements are made for the care of the Temple storehouses (chambers) for the tithes and offerings. Notice that the writer reminds his readers that the tithes were "required by law for the priests and Levites". Once again, we see the mandatory nature of the tithe under the Mosaic Covenant.

The mention of tithes in 13:5 is incidental, as the passage has to do with an improper use of one of the Temple chambers. In verse 13:12, the people are rebuked for failing to render the tithes to the Levites who had previously served in the Temple.

Note: the disagreements about the historical order of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Malachi does not significantly impact the argument.

It would seem that the reforms initiated by Ezra and Nehemiah had begun to wear off, and hence, Malachi is sent to rebuke the priests (1:6-2:17) and the people (3:6-12) for their sins.

Notice how Malachi alludes to the Land motif implicitly in the opening of the book, as he describes the inheritance of Esau (Edom) as a "desolation … for the jackals of the wilderness" (1:3). Since he says, "I have loved Jacob; but I have hated Esau" (1:2b, 3a), the implied statement is that the promised land is just the opposite. Ironically, the book closes with a threat to "smite the land with a curse" (4:6), in keeping with the Mosaic covenant-curses (see Deut. 28:18, 21-24, 38-40, 42).

The passage we are considering begins with a declaration of God's immutable covenant faithfulness (vs. 6) in contrast to the nation's unfaithfulness (vs. 7). In light of the Pentateuchal passages we have examined on tithing, it is no wonder that God asks rhetorically and bluntly, "Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me!". The people in their insolence and indifference dared to ask, "How have we robbed Thee?" The answer was plain: "In tithes and offerings", as required by the Law.

God then demands that the whole tithe be brought into the Temple storehouse (vs. 10) so that there would be enough food for the priests and Levites. How faithful and unchanging is God! Despite the sins of the Levites and priests, God remains true to his word (Num. 18:24,28). If the people will repent and respond in obedience, then God promises to bless3 the Land by:

• removing the "curse" (cf. vs. 9) so that the "destroyer" (possibly locusts and/or blight ?) would not destroy the produce of the Land (vs. 11; cf. Deut. 28:4);
• opening the "windows of heaven" (vs. 10) and pouring out the blessings of refreshing rains upon the Land, as promised in the Mosaic covenant: "The LORD will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season" (Deut. 28:12a).

Then the Land will become "delightful" (vs. 12) !!

Summary of OT Teaching

• tithe means one-tenth.
• tithing was applied to seed, grain, oil, wine, and the firstlings of the herds and flock.
• the tithe is closely linked to the God's gift of the Land. Especially important is that the entrance into the Land was preceded by God's gracious redemptive act of the Exodus. The Land motif is an interesting and important theme in the OT, but it is outside the scope of this paper to develop a complete biblical theology of the Land. Suffice to say that those who dogmatically assert that the OT practice of tithing remains binding upon the believer under the New Covenant do so at the expense of wrenching the passages from their vital connection to the Land motif.
• there were two (possibly three) tithes in the OT. The first tithe was for the support (i.e. sustenance) of the Levites who, unlike the other tribes, received no inheritance in the Land. The second tithe was the "festal" tithe to eaten corporately in a joyful religious feast. Lastly, every 3^rd and 6^th year the tithe was to be used for benevolent purposes. (I tend to see this as a special application of the second tithe, though it could be argued that it is a separate tithe.)
• the tithe(s) were given only annually (once a year).
• in addition to the compulsory tithes, there were also the first-fruit offerings as well as free-will offerings. Though important, these do not bear directly on our subject of tithing, so will not be discussed here due to space (and time!) limitations.
• some try to "spiritualize" the OT teaching on tithing in an effort to maintain their abiding and binding role for today's Christian under the New Covenant, but this is not a proper approach to applying scripture. Having said that, it is true of course that the Israelites lived in an agrarian society, and so God naturally used the products of the land and agricultural animals from which to teach them about tithing or giving. Certainly we can learn from this that everything we have is ultimately a gift from God, and that it is incumbent upon us to return a portion of it back to him. However, while this is true, one still cannot ignore the fact that tithing was given within the context of the land, the Levites (who had no inheritance in the land), the Aaronic priesthood, and as a practical expression of the great commandment to love God and one's neighbor. ⁴

The polemical context of this passage in Matthew's gospel (and the parallel in Luke) concerns the "woes" that Jesus pronounces upon the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. In Matt. 23:23,24 Jesus condemns the Pharisees' hypocrisy in their failure to understand the spirit of the Law. They went beyond the requirements of the Law in tithing even garden herbs (some of which are exempt from tithing in later rabbinical writings), while failing to practice the "weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness" (cf. Mic. 6:8).

Jesus' remark that they should have done these things "without neglecting the others" (i.e. tithing) is quickly seized on by proponents of tithing. But in determining the meaning of any passage in the Bible we must ascertain the historical setting, audience, and intent of the author. In the passage before us, Jesus is speaking to a Pharisee living under the Law (the Mosaic covenant was still in effect). As such, it is only natural that Jesus should say that the Pharisees should not neglect tithing as tithing is mandatory under the Law. Furthermore, Jesus is not concerned here about the abiding validity of the OT practice of tithing; he's simply saying that if the Pharisees want to be scrupulous in their religious practices, that's fine, as long as they aren't hypocrites and forget about the more important matters.

However, Christ's death/resurrection has inaugurated the New Covenant, having fulfilled the Law's righteous demands that sinners could not keep. As such, the old Mosaic covenant has been abrogated and is no longer binding upon us (see Hebrews 8-10). As we have seen in our examination of the OT passages, the tithe was inextricably linked to the Levitical priesthood and the tabernacle/temple. However, the book of Hebrews makes it plain that this priesthood was only transitory and that the whole OT system of sacrifices and the tabernacle were just copies of the heavenly reality as revealed in the person and work of Christ (Heb. 9:23-25).

Therefore, understood in its redemptive-historical context, Jesus' remark to the Pharisees in Matt. 23:23 and Luke 11:42 cannot be used to insist that tithing is binding on New Covenant believers.

This verse is part of a parable concerning a Pharisee and a tax collector, where tithing is mentioned incidentally as one of the things that the Pharisee boasted of. The whole point of the parable has absolutely nothing to do with tithing, and as such, is not relevant to our discussion.

In chapter 7, the writer's purpose is to demonstrate the superiority of the Melchizedekian priesthood over the Levitical/Aaronic priesthood, and to argue therefore, that Christ's priesthood is superior and eternal. In establishing this, as part of his argument he quotes from the Genesis narrative concerning Abraham's encounter with Melchizedek. It is clear that the passage in Hebrews has nothing to do with tithing at all, other than to show that since Melchizedek the priest-king received a tithe (a tenth of the spoils of war) from Abraham and representatively speaking, from the Levites (since Abraham was their ancestor), therefore, his priesthood is superior to the Levitical priesthood.

Hebrews 7 is not instructing Christians to follow the example of Abraham, but rather, expounds the superiority and eternality of Christ's priesthood and the finality of his sacrifice. Christ alone is our Great High Priest forever "who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom and priests" (Rev. 1:5,6; cf. 1 Peter 2:5,9).

Jesus is the true Temple of God (John 2:21; cf. Acts 7:46-50) and we as Christians are also the Temple (1 Pet. 2:5; 1 Cor. 3:16,17 [corporately]; 1 Cor. 6:19 [individually]) by virtue of our union with Christ. Of course, the physical temple itself was destroyed in 70 A.D.

Lastly, the NT goes beyond the promise of physical land as our inheritance (cf. Gen. 12:7). In fact, even Abraham looked beyond the earthly Promised Land to an eschatological home, desiring "a better country, that is a heavenly one" (Heb. 11:16; see also vs. 13-15). Our inheritance is a heavenly one "that can’t be destroyed, corrupted, or changed" (1 Pet. 1:4; ISV). Rather, we look forward to a renewed cosmos (Rom. 8:19-22), where we will experience resurrection life in the New Heavens and New Earth.

With Christ alone as our High Priest who offered himself as the final, sufficient sacrifice, and we together with Christ as the true dwelling place of God which the earthly temple pointed to imperfectly, and with the promised land also only a type of the true inheritance of the saints, we ask: how can one argue for the continuing practice of tithing (which is linked to the land, the Levitical priesthood, and the tabernacle/temple) under the New Covenant (Heb. 8:13)?

Conclusions

After an examination of all the passages in the Bible on tithing, I submit the following observations: tithing was a custom that was prevalent in the ancient Near East (cf. Gen. 14:20; 28:22). These two texts do NOT give any indication whatsoever that God had commanded Abraham or Jacob to tithe. tithing, as practiced under the Mosaic Law, meant giving a tenth of the produce of the land (seed, grain, oil, wine) and the firstlings of the herds and flock. under the Mosaic Law, tithing was ordained for the support of the Levites and priests who received no inheritance in the land after the Conquest. As well, tithes were eaten together at a religious feast for all of Israel. Lastly, tithes were used to feed the needy ones: orphans, widows, and resident aliens. the tithes were given only annually. there are only four passages in the NT that speak of tithing, and none of them teach tithing as binding upon believers under the New Covenant. since the inauguration of the New Covenant, the entire OT sacrificial and worship system (which includes tithing) has been fulfilled in Christ, and hence, is no longer binding upon believers today. giving under the New Covenant is to be done voluntarily ("not under compulsion", 2 Cor. 9:7) while under the Mosaic Covenant, tithing was mandatory. This is not to say that the New Testament has nothing to say about one's possessions. On the contrary, just as God was sole owner of the promised land which he gave as a gift to Abraham and his descendants, so too, God owns all that he has blessed us with. Of course, ultimately, everything is God's, since he is the Sovereign Creator of the universe. Unfortunately, this paper is far too long as it is, so I cannot look at the various NT passages on possessions and giving (e.g. Matt. 6:19-21; Luke 12:33; Acts 2:45; 2 Cor. 9:6ff, etc.). However, such a study would also require a comprehensive study of the broader themes of discipleship and stewardship. In the final analysis, it is Christ and his redemptive act on the Cross upon which all of my Christian life is based, and as far as giving is concerned, 2 Corinthians 8:9 is the paradigmatic passage for me. I would therefore sum up my understanding of giving as "Grace Giving": gratefully: for all that God has blessed me with, especially for redeeming a sinner like me generously: sacrificially because of 2 Cor. 8:9 graciously: cheerfully not grudgingly (2 Cor. 9:7) globally: in keeping with the Great Commission graduated: proportionately according to what God has blessed me with Therefore, even though I cannot agree that the OT teaching on tithing remains binding upon Christians today, I affirm emphatically that the NT teaching on giving and material possessions is far more radical in its demand. As such, I am responsible to be a faithful steward of all that God has given me, including my treasures, time, and talents; and by God's grace, I shall seek to be obedient to his Word and its teaching on giving (including hospitality, an oft-neglected topic). (It is interesting and instructive to consider how the church changed its view on material possessions in the early post-apostolic period, but this is beyond the scope of this paper. 6) Perhaps the most deplorable aspect of the vigorous promotion of tithing is the damage done to the total concept of stewardship. Whenever the church intensifies the obligation of tithing to the level of divine law, it is almost inevitable that tithing will become the dominant form of stewardship … The theology of stewardship is buried under the legalism of tithing. Marvin Tate, "Tithing: Legalism or Benchmark?", Review & Expositor 70 (Spring 1973): 161

Questions for Further Reflection & Dialogue

• why the great emphasis on tithing by this church in light of its relatively minor significance in Scripture compared to other "weightier matters"? Why is tithing singled out and not something more important like "I agree with the Statement of Faith of the [name withheld] Church" ?
• is it an issue to divide over, or elevate to a test for membership in a church?
• in all the churches I've been a part of, tithing has never been singled out. I've never seen tithing stipulated in any church statement of faith or creed.
• are we willing to re-examine beliefs and practices in the light of scripture to see if they are the traditions of men or the truth of God?
• are we willing as Christians to discuss our differences of interpretation in a calm and gracious spirit with a willingness to listen to each other?