The true story of tithes in Israel began when God instituted His food tithe laws in the Levitical priesthood. Prior to this time, there were no tithe laws in Israel. God did not give Abraham a tithe law. The Levitical tithe was a part of the Mosaic Law and remained in force until it was abolished after the death of Jesus.
However, some Christians believe Abraham’s tithe of war spoils to Melchizedek (Genesis 14) is older than and superior to the tithe approved by God in the now abolished Mosaic law. They see it as also binding on New Testament Christians today.
Why would a doctrine not recognized or practiced by ancient Israel be binding on Christians today? To understand why neither Israel nor the Early Church recognized Abraham’s tithe as a doctrine, read the 10 Facts about Abraham’s Tithe.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN ANCIENT ISRAEL…
God chose the tribe of Levi out of the twelve tribes of Israel and decreed that they were to henceforth become His tribe of ministers. God also chose the family of Aaron to become Israel’s family of priests from the chosen Levites. The Levites were to bear the burden of the tabernacle (Numbers 18:1-7).
He instituted a food tithe law and commanded the other eleven tribes in Israel to provide food for the Levites by giving them a tenth of their annual harvest of crops and animals.
This approved food tithe law in Israel permitted only Jewish crop farmers and animal herders to pay tithes (Leviticus 27:30-34).
Money was in use at this point in history and was widely used for business and personal transactions. However, it was NEVER used in the payment of tithes in the Holy Bible.
Crop farmers were required to pay a ‘fifth part’ levy in addition to the monetary market value of any crop tithe they want to redeem or buy back (Leviticus 27:31).
The law did not permit owners of livestock to redeem or buy back their tithes. In cases where the tithe (every tenth animal when the annual yield is counted) is disfigured in any way, the farmer may decide to give a better animal as tithe. The farmer is however not allowed to take back the sick or disfigured animal. He ends up giving both the disfigured animal and the better animal as his tithe (Leviticus 27:32-33).
For tithes meant for the Lord’s feasts, the tithe payers were permitted by the law to eat such tithes at the venue of the feasts. Those who had to travel long distances to attend such feasts were permitted by the law to turn their tithes into money and use such money to buy and eat whatever they desired at the venues of the feasts (Deuteronomy 14:22-27).
God promised to bless those who fully obeyed all the commands in the law of Moses (Deuteronomy 28:1-14).
Curses were placed on those who disobeyed any of the commands in the law of Moses (Deuteronomy 28:15-68).
THE YEARLY TITHES OF FARMERS…
YEAR 1: The farmers pay 10% of their annual harvest to the Levites. The Levites in turn pay the best 10% of any tithe received from the other eleven tribes to the Chief priest (Numbers 18:26). This is the only tithe that gets to GOD’S STOREHOUSE (Nehemiah 10:38, Malachi 3:10). The chief priest does not pay tithes. The Farmers also set aside another 10% (tithe) of their harvest for the Lord’s feasts. God commanded the tithe payers to eat their tithes on getting to the venue of such feasts. Total tithe for the first year amounted to 20% of the harvest.
YEAR 2: The farmers pay 10% of their annual harvest to the Levites. The Levites in turn pay the best 10% of any tithe received from the other eleven tribes to the chief priest (Numbers 18:26). This is the only tithe that gets to GOD’S STOREHOUSE (Nehemiah 10:38, Malachi 3:10). The chief priest does not pay tithes. The Farmers also set aside another 10% (tithe) of their harvest for the Lord’s feasts. Total tithe for the second year amounted to 20% of the harvest.
YEAR 3: The third year is referred to as the year of tithing. The farmers pay 10% of their annual harvest to the Levites. The Levites in turn pay the best 10% of any tithe received from the other eleven tribes to the chief priest (Numbers 18:26). This is the only tithe that gets to GOD’S STOREHOUSE (Nehemiah 10:38, Malachi 3:10). The chief priest does not pay tithes. The 10% (tithe) intended for the Lord’s feasts is kept at home in the third year. The Lord commanded it to be shared with the orphans, widows and strangers around. This tithe is usually referred to as the tithe for the poor of the land. Total tithe for the third year amounted to 20% of the harvest.
This three-year tithe cycle is practiced by the Israelites except in the seventh year when there is a ban on all farming activities (Exodus 23:10-11). There are also no agricultural activities in the year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:10-55).
This practice continued in Israel till the end of God’s old covenant with Israel.
The Levite’s tithe given to the chief priest, which is a tenth of the tithes received from the other eleven tribes in Israel is the only tithe stored in God’s storehouse (Nehemiah 10:38).
This is the true story of tithes in Israel. Tithing ended with God’s old covenant with Israel. It was never part of the new covenant. Christians today who pay 10% of their money as tithes are practicing a man-made tradition. They should not forget the fact that money was never used for payment of tithes in the Holy Bible. They should also be aware that they are neither practicing the abolished Levitical tithe nor Abraham’s onetime tithe which God neither recognized nor made into a law.
