Tithe Equals a Tenth

Dictionaries define tithe as “a tenth part of something” or “10 percent.”

This definition is likely taken from the Bible narrative. Tithe is simply

returning 10 percent of our income, or increase, to God. We understand

that all we have belongs to Him in the first place. The tithing legislation

given to Israel at Mount Sinai points out that the tithe is holy and belongs

to God (see Lev. 27:30, 32). God asks only for His 10 percent. Our offer-

ings of gratitude are separate from and in addition to the tithe. The tithe

is the minimum testimony of our Christian commitment. Nowhere in the

Bible do we find any indication that God’s portion is less than a tenth.

Read Genesis 14:18–20 and Hebrews 7:1–9. What was Abram’s

response to meeting Melchizedek? What does this teach us about

how far back in history the practice goes?

The first mention of tithe in the Bible is in Genesis 14, which tells the

story of Melchizedek’s meeting with Abram. The last mention of tithe in

the Bible recalls the same encounter, but the words “tenth” and “tithe” are

used interchangeably (see Heb. 7:1–9). Note in the Hebrews story that

neither Melchizedek nor Christ were of the tribe of Levi, so tithing pre-

cedes and follows the selection of the Levites. Tithing is not exclusively

a Jewish custom and did not originate with the Hebrews at Sinai.

Read Genesis 28:13, 14, 20–22. What did God promise to do for Jacob,

and what was Jacob’s response to God?

When Jacob left home, running from his angry brother, Esau, one

night he had a dream of a staircase that ascended from earth to heaven.

Angels were going up and down on it. And God stood at the top and

promised to be with Jacob and someday bring him back home. This

single young man had a real conversion experience and said, “ ‘The

Lord shall be my God. . . . And of all that You give me I will surely

give a tenth to You’ ” (Gen. 28:21, 22, NKJV).

Why is it important to understand that tithing, like the Sabbath,

was not something that originated in the ancient Israelite legal

or even religious system? What message should we, who live after

the Cross, take from this truth?