“ARE WE COMMANDED TO TITHE?”

 The Most Misunderstood Verses in Scripture, part 6

A sermon outline based on Leviticus 27:30-34, et al.

Hillcrest CRC, August 10, 2025, 9:30am

Rev. Curt Walters

1. Where did tithing originate? 

• The Hebrew word for “tithe” in Genesis refers to a voluntary gift. (Genesis 4:3-5, 8:20, 28:20)
• Abram gave the first recorded tithe. (Genesis 14:20)
• The Lord commanded his people to give him a tenth of everything. (Leviticus 27:30-34) 

2. The first 10% tithe was given to the Levites. (Leviticus 27:30-33, Numbers 18:8-32)

3. The second 10% tithe was the festivals tithe. (Deuteronomy 12:10-18,14:22-26) 

4. This third 10% tithe was the benevolent tithe. (Deteronomy 14:28-29)

5. This didn’t include other taxes, sacrifices and offerings.

• The profit-sharing tax.  (Leviticus 19:9-10)
• Every 7 years there was to be a sabbath rest for the fields. (Exodus 23:10-11) 
• There was an annual temple tax. (Matthew 17:24)
• There were five required offerings. (Leviticus 5-7)
• There were three voluntary offerings. (Leviticus 22 and Numbers 15)

6. What does the New Testament teach about tithing?

• It says almost nothing about tithing.
• Giving is voluntary. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
• Giving is a matter of the heart. (Matthew 6:21, Mark 10:17-31)

 Next steps...

• If you were to measure your love for the Lord in terms of the percentage of your income that you give to Him, how much do you love Him?
• Read and reflect on what Paul says about giving in 2 Corinthians 8&9.
• Develop a plan for how you can increase your giving to the Lord.