Tithing

What the Scriptures Teach

Tithing is first done by Abraham to Melchisidek, the Most High God

Genesis 14:18-20
[18]And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
[19]And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
[20]And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he (Abraham) gave him ( Melchisidek) tithes of all.

We find that Melchisidek was God in human form, acting out the office of a priest.

Hebrews 7:1-4
[1]For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
[2]To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
[3]Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
[4]Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

Only God is without father, mother and beginning or ending of days.

We also learn from the fact that Melchisidek, being made like the Son of God and being God in the office of a priest, that the Son of God is also God manifesting Himself in another office.

We see the pattern set for giving a tenth as a tithing to God.

Tithing is not only money but other things should be acceptable.
Leviticus 27:30
[30]And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD.

Leviticus 27:32
[32]And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.

We also learn that this tithe paying is to be made through a priest. That priest is commanded to pay tithes also.

Hebrews 7:5,9-10
[5]And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
[9]And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
[10]For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

Numbers 18:26
[26]Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe.

Tithing may also be done to strangers, widows and the fatherless.

Deuteronomy 26:12
[12]When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it (tithing) unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled;

However tithing and offerings to the Lord are to be made in the place where God has put His name.

Deuteronomy 12:5,10-12,19
[5]But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:
[10]But when ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which the LORD your God giveth you to inherit, and when he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety;
[11]Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD:
[12]And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates; forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you.
[19]Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth.