The 10% Tithing Deception

[This]

Here is an interesting article on "The 10% Tithing Deception". While I agree with donating generously as the Lord has gifted each of us, this authors points on some of the prosperity preachers misquoting Scripture to blackmail donations appear spot on. What do you all think?

HISTORY OF TITHING

Tithing is one of the most controversial topics discussed on this website. Most Christians have been brainwashed by the religious establishment that they MUST tithe 10% of their INCOMES to "God" [i.e., to the "minister" issuing the threat] OR ELSE.

Does the Bible support such menacing teaching? Does a loving God, who knows NO FEAR, want His children to be intimidated and COERCED into PAYING a FALSE "tithe"?

Hardly.

The tithe was commanded, for the first time, in the book of Leviticus. The tithe NEVER consisted of money. IT WAS 10% OF ISRAEL'S CROPS AND CATTLE.

There's NOTHING, NOT ONE VERSE, IN THE ENTIRE BIBLE that commands ANYONE - Jew or Gentile - TO TITHE 10% OF THEIR INCOME. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

Jews were to BRING (NOT "pay", but BRING) 10% of cattle, grain and produce ONLY WHILE THE TEMPLE was standing. Since there is no temple building today, even devout Jews who try their best to observe the torah, DO NOT tithe.

The tithe was obligatory for natural Israelites, AND ONLY FOR Israelites, under the law given to Moses, AS WERE 612 OTHER COMMANDMENTS.

God never required ANY other nation to bring Him tithes.

God has NEVER commanded His Church to tithe.

Tithes [crops and cattle] were brought BY NATURAL ISRAELITES to the Levite priests that served in the tabernacle, and subsequently, the temple in Jerusalem. [Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 12:7, 14:29, 26:12; and 2 Chronicles 31:5-].

Levites are THE ONLY ONES authorized by God to receive tithes. CHRISTIAN MINISTERS AREN'T [Hebrews 7:9].

NOWHERE IN THE ENTIRE BIBLE DOES IT SAY THAT CHRISTIAN MINISTERS ARE TO RECEIVE TITHES.

While the New Testament encourages FREEWILL offerings, NOWHERE in the New Testament is it taught that Christians must tithe.

Christians in the early Church NEVER TITHED, EVER.

If ANYONE on earth had the right to demand tithes it was Jesus, since He IS God.

Yet Jesus, who is God incarnate, never asked anyone to tithe to Him, nor did He EVER tithe. And He is our Supreme Example. His disciples never tithed, either.

Jesus DIDN'T tithe, the Apostles DIDN'T tithe, the early Church DIDN'T tithe.

So how did "tithing" MONEY creep into the Church?

Tithing was revived late in the 4th century A.D. by greedy religious tyrants, intent on amassing great wealth, influence, prestige and power.

They saw this part of the Old Testament law as a convenient means of fund raising. But since there were no more sacrifices to be offered, and no temple, NO LEVITE PRIESTS, and since they weren't interested in wheat and barley, or sheep and oxen, but rather cold, hard cash, they REVISED and ADAPTED this portion of the law to Christian theology, and started demanding one tenth of a person's INCOME.

This false, perverted premise was accepted by the Western Part of the Church, never by the Eastern Part. By the 6th century A.D., it had become mandatory in most of Europe, either by ecclesiastical or secular law.

By the 17th century A.D. tithing from one's income had been imposed on ALL Christians as a means of supporting the churches, both Catholic and Protestant. Eventually many countries in Europe repealed the tithe laws.

In America, tithing was never obligatory. Christians DIDN'T TITHE, but rather donated on a VOLUNTARY basis.

It was late in the 20th century [about six decades ago] when, emboldened by greed, and the wealth acquired by some emerging Christian TV "superstars", that pastors and preachers began to push it aggressively as inflexible spiritual law, accompanied by threats of a curse.

Since then, congregations and audiences have been effectively BRAINWASHED, thru the power of media, into believing the tithe is still in effect, that it's mandatory, that it consists of money, that it belongs "to the local church", and that preachers [as opposed to Levites] are authorized to receive it.

ALL these are UNSCRIPTURAL LIES.

THERE'S NOTHING, NOT ONE IOTA, OF SCRIPTURE TO SUBSTANTIATE such FALSE TEACHING.

THE TITHE LIE BOTH VIOLATES and CONTRADICTS TRUE BIBLE DOCTRINE.

Next time some lying preacher asks you to "tithe", tell him "sure, I'll bring two sacks of barley next Sunday".

[Carl]

True old Testament worship was to bring 10% of your first fruit to the store house. I will have to study the whole giving thing again to see how those that didn't own farms gave. If we fast forward to the time of Jesus we have the widow that gave her last two mites.

New Testament book of Acts has a different type of giving. People were selling their property and bringing the money to the Apostles to take care of the poor in the church. When we look at the incident of
Ananias and Sapphira, his wife, fall dead at Peter's rebuke of their hypocrisy
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

Acts 5:1-5 (KJV)

Ananias and his wife were not slain because they didn't give all to the church it was because they lied about what they gave. Peter said that they could have given all or none of it. Only that the crime was lying about what was given.

Other Scripture points to some of the law of Moses: 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

1 Cor 9:9 (KJV)
18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

1 Tim 5:18 (KJV)

So we have giving to help the poor, and giving to support the ones that are laboring in ministry.

The only new Testament Scripture that mentions thith at all is where Jesus is condemning the church officials. It is because their hearts are wrong in how they are giving.
23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Matt 23:23 (KJV)

IMO tithing is not a church requirement. But Scriptures does indicate that it is all God's and we are managing it. So we are to keep in touch with God to know how much of God's money is to be given to the church and the Church.

Prosperity giving is a cult.

[Kenny64]

Leviticus 27:30

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 to the Lord.

Acts 2:43-47
44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church[h] daily those who were being saved.

2 Cor.8:13-15: "For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; but by an EQUALITY, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack - that there may be equality. As it is written: 'He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack'".

[Betty]

I believe the offering you give to God is a private matter between the person and God. I don't tell anyone what they should do when it comes to tithing. Pray and seek God's guidance. He will tell you what to do.
betty

[GaryArnold]

[B]
The tithe was commanded, for the first time, in the book of Leviticus. The tithe NEVER consisted of money. IT WAS 10% OF ISRAEL'S CROPS AND CATTLE.

Tithes [crops and cattle] were brought BY NATURAL ISRAELITES to the Levite priests that served in the tabernacle, and subsequently, the temple in Jerusalem. [Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 12:7, 14:29, 26:12; and 2 Chronicles 31:5-].

I agree with nearly everything you said. However, I have a couple minor points to bring out.

First, the tithe was never 10% of anything. It was the tenth. Example: If there were 18 new born animals, the tenth one counted under the rod was the one tithed. One out of 18 is 5.56%.

Next, the tithe were brought to the NON-priest Levites, not the Levite priests. Then the non-priest Levites were commanded to take a tenth of the tithe they received to the Levites priests. See Numbers 18. Once God chose Aaron and his sons to be the priests, they are no longer referred to as Levites in the scriptures.

[GaryArnold]

True old Testament worship was to bring 10% of your first fruit to the store house.

Just to make this accurate, don't try to mix firstfruits with the tithe. They have nothing to do with each other. The tithe was NEVER the first of anything. It was the LAST ONE out of every ten - the tenth.

Nehemiah 10:37-38 (KJV)
37And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.
38And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house.

In Nehemiah 10:37 we learn that the firstfruits were taken to the temple for the priests, and the tithes were taken to the Levites who lived in the Levitical cities. Therefore, we see that firstfruits have nothing to do with the tithe.

In Nehemiah 10:38 we learn that the Levites would take a tithe of the tithe to the Temple. It is this tithe, the tithe from the Levites, that went to the storehouse, not the tithe from the people. This is important to remember when we study Malachi 3:10.

[Carl]

I agree with nearly everything you said. However, I have a couple minor points to bring out.

First, the tithe was never 10% of anything. It was the tenth. Example: If there were 18 new born animals, the tenth one counted under the rod was the one tithed. One out of 18 is 5.56%.

Next, the tithe were brought to the NON-priest Levites, not the Levite priests. Then the non-priest Levites were commanded to take a tenth of the tithe they received to the Levites priests. See Numbers 18. Once God chose Aaron and his sons to be the priests, they are no longer referred to as Levites in the scriptures.

So what you are saying is that if the total harvest is 9 there would be no tithe, but if 19 the tithe would be 1?

[GaryArnold]

So what you are saying is that if the total harvest is 9 there would be no tithe, but if 19 the tithe would be 1?

I said nothing about harvest. I was referencing the animals. Read Leviticus 27:32 - every TENTH animal that goes under the rod, whether that animal be good or bad. Not the first. Not the best.

[followerofjesus]

I believe the offering you give to God is a private matter between the person and God. I don't tell anyone what they should do when it comes to tithing. Pray and seek God's guidance. He will tell you what to do.
betty

I agree and that's exactly what I have done. The Lord put a number on my heart and that's the minimum I give each month. What you give to the Lord should be a private matter between you and Him, and no one should be forced to give under compulsion or threat.

[Faulty]

Some might find this free book interesting.
Should the Church Teach Tithing? Taboo Answer



Also a 22-part teaching on if the believe should tithe:
Should the church teach tithing? 1of22 - YouTube

[livin_in_the_Son]

I agree what I give to the Lord should be between me and God...and my husband as well, since he's the head of the household...but at the same time, the argument should be made that a tithe should be made in order for a person's home church meet it's needs, pay the mortgage, help the needy in the community, fund mission trips etc.

My home church publishes it's weekly offering, and every week it's under budget...but still has given money to 'as needed' programs, and every week I notice many people passing the bag without even putting in a dollar. At least pray to God about what to do...don't hide behide an excuse (biblical or not) to justify inaction.

[Carl]

I said nothing about harvest. I was referencing the animals. Read Leviticus 27:32 - every TENTH animal that goes under the rod, whether that animal be good or bad. Not the first. Not the best.

I will grant that the first fruit is something different than the tithe. I looked up the tithe after your post.

Lev 27:30-32 (KJV)
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.
31 And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof.
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.

Num 18:26-30 (KJV)
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.
27 And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress.
28 Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the LORD of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the LORD'S heave offering to Aaron the priest.
29 Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave offering of the LORD, of all the best thereof, even the hallowed part thereof out of it.
30 Therefore thou shalt say unto them, When ye have heaved the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the threshingfloor, and as the increase of the winepress.

Deut 12:17 (KJV)
17 Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand:

2 Chron 31:5-6 (KJV)
5 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.
6 And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps.


The tithe is the tenth part of all increase. But yes I didn't say it quite right as it is the tenth one that passed under the rod if it was an animal. Grain and fruit I didn't catch how it was divided if it was spelled out.

[GaryArnold]

The tithe is the tenth part of all increase. But yes I didn't say it quite right as it is the tenth one that passed under the rod if it was an animal. Grain and fruit I didn't catch how it was divided if it was spelled out.

Wrong. What you have done is a search for verses with the word tithe and not all are in context.

God defined His tithe in Leviticus 27:30-33, as you quoted, to be a tenth of crops and animals. NOTHING ELSE.

In Numbers 18 God gave His tithe to the Levities, who in turn were commanded to give a tenth of the tithe they received to the priests.

In Deut. 14:22-29 we find the other two tithes commanded by God, again limited to crops, but in the case of the second tithe, you add the firstlings.

In 2 Chron 31:5-6 you got the idea that the tithe was on all increase which is not true. You have taken these verses out of context. Notice in verse 6 they laid them in heaps. Read the rest of the chapter. They didn't understand correctly or they weren't told correctly what to tithe or where to take the tithe. The tithe shouldn't have been taken to the Temple to begin with. It was supposed to go to the Levites who lived in the Levitical cities. They had to take the tithe and distribute it to where it was supposed to go.

Notice in verse 5 it was "and the tithe of all things" - the word "things" is in italics in the KJV which means they inserted an extra word not in the original text. Now look at the same verse in a literal translation:

2 Chronicles 31:5 (YLT) and at the spreading forth of the thing have the sons of Israel multiplied the first-fruit of corn, new wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field, and the tithe of the whole in abundance they have brought in.

The tithe was ONLY from crops and animals. Nothing else.

[mattfivefour]

The Hebrew word תְּבוּאָה (tebuah)—translated variously as "produce," "increase," "revenue," and "gain"—actually has the modern-day meaning of "income." It's root is בּוֹא (bow) meaning "to come," or "to come in." In its tebuah form, it refers to that which comes in to a person's possession, that by which a person is increased. It appears throughout the OT and is translated "usury" in the context of lending money at interest. Now the ancient Israelite economy operated on produce and animals; it did not operate on cash. A man's income was measured by the increase in his flocks and the fullness of his granaries and larder. And if a man was hired, his pay was measured in grain and fruit and drink and meat and shelter. Therefore the argument that the tithe applies only to crops or animals is scripturally unsupportable.

Further, there was a place for silver in the tithe, as well. Deuteronomy 14:24-25 gave instructions to the Israelite who had to travel a long way to offer up a sacrifice. The man was told to convert the tithe of his crops and his animals to silver and take that to the priests. In our economy today, where a man converts his labor directly into silver and gold (well, theoretically: it's actually only paper) there is no difference. A tenth of one's product (in-come) for the year is already in silver. If a person believes in tithing, then that tithe applies as equally today as it did then.

[doctortelco]

If a person believes in tithing, then that tithe applies as equally today as it did then.

I happen to be one of those that believe in tithing. It's one of those area where you can really exercise your faith. God honors that exercise of faith. There have been times that I had no idea how I could make ends meet without tithing much less with the tithe. Through faith I wrote that check first and God came through in miraculous ways. If you trust God then you can trust him to take care of your finances. Remember it's all His anyway, God only owns the whole universe. The only thing God didn't own is our sin, and He paid for that as well.
Scott Smith

[mattfivefour]

While I do not believe the legal requirement of the tithe applies today, nonetheless the principle of giving to the Lord liberally and unselfishly of our best does. You are quite correct in what you say, Scott. And I love your last line!

BTW, a belated welcome to RF. Glad you have joined us.

[GaryArnold]

The Hebrew word תְּבוּאָה (tebuah)—translated variously as "produce," "increase," "revenue," and "gain"—actually has the modern-day meaning of "income." It's root is בּוֹא (bow) meaning "to come," or "to come in." In its tebuah form, it refers to that which comes in to a person's possession, that by which a person is increased. It appears throughout the OT and is translated "usury" in the context of lending money at interest. Now the ancient Israelite economy operated on produce and animals; it did not operate on cash. A man's income was measured by the increase in his flocks and the fullness of his granaries and larder. And if a man was hired, his pay was measured in grain and fruit and drink and meat and shelter. Therefore the argument that the tithe applies only to crops or animals is scripturally unsupportable.

Further, there was a place for silver in the tithe, as well. Deuteronomy 14:24-25 gave instructions to the Israelite who had to travel a long way to offer up a sacrifice. The man was told to convert the tithe of his crops and his animals to silver and take that to the priests. In our economy today, where a man converts his labor directly into silver and gold (well, theoretically: it's actually only paper) there is no difference. A tenth of one's product (in-come) for the year is already in silver. If a person believes in tithing, then that tithe applies as equally today as it did then.

You are nearly 100% incorrect.

The scholars who translated for King James chose increase, not income. You totally misinterpret what the tithe was.

God never asked anyone to give back a tenth of what they earned. God only asked for a tenth from HIS increase of food from crops and animals. Nothing else. There is NO example in the scriptures of the tithe ever being money, yet the Temple Tax had to be paid with money.

Many say that in Biblical times they didn’t have money and that the economy was based on bartering of goods and services. That is not so. The Bible shows they not only had money, but that money was used as a common way of doing business.

According to the International Bible Encyclopedia, the days of mere bartering ended before the days of Abraham.

Here are just a few examples from The Word to show they did, in fact, use money in Biblical times.

The tithing law itself proves they had both money and a marketing system for buying and selling their crops and animals (Deuteronomy 14:24-26).

THE PURCHASE OF LAND WITH MONEY BY ABRAHAM - Genesis 23:15-16

THE PURCHASE OF LAND WITH MONEY BY JACOB - Genesis 33:19

JOSEPH WAS SOLD TO THE ISHMEELITES FOR MONEY - Genesis 37:28

A MONEY OFFERING TO BE USED FOR THE SERVICE OF THE TABERNACLE - Exodus 30:14-16,

USING SHEKEL OF SILVER TO VALUE A RAM - Leviticus 5:15

THE FOLLOWING VERSES REFER TO WAGES: Genesis 29:15, Genesis 30:28, Genesis 31:7-8, Genesis 31:41, Exodus 2:9, Leviticus 19:13, Malachi 3:5, etc.

THEY HAD A MONEY STANDARD

There are several places in Scripture indicating that scales were used to weigh metals and other items. The Law of Moses, for example, commands Jews not to use dishonest standards, but instead, to use honest scales and honest weights. (See also Deut. 25:13-15; Job 6:2-3; 31:6; Psa. 62:9; Prov. 11:1; 16:11; 20:10, 23; Isa. 40:12; 46:6; and Jer. 32:10).

Leviticus 19:35-36 – Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity. Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt.

In order for money to be an exchangeable equivalent for other commodities in today’s society, there must be a standard in place. Likewise, the Old Testament also had a set standard both prior to the law and during the law. A reference to a pre-law standard is in Genesis 23:16.

Merchants in biblical times traveled from place to place conducting business. According to the written law, the standard weight for metals was set according to the sanctuary shekel (See also Ex 30:13, 24; 38:24-26; Lev. 5:15; Num. 7:13-86; 18:16).

Leviticus 27:25 – Every value is to be set according to the sanctuary shekel, …

In addition, 2 Samuel 14:26 shows that the weight standard for the shekel was set by the royal standard. No matter which era in history is studied, there existed a standard for the weight of precious metals.

Money was also used throughout the law. For example, God’s people gave money to support the tabernacle (Ex. 30:14-16; 38:24-31). There are many other examples that illustrate money’s place within the written law and indicate that money was indeed a part of everyday life. Exodus 35 provides such an example.

Exodus 35:5, 21-22 – From what you have, take an offering for the LORD. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the LORD an offering of gold, silver and bronze;

And there are many more examples to show that money was used for everyday transactions well before the Levitical tithe.

[GaryArnold]

The tithes commanded by God always came from ASSETS and never from income. Being a retired accountant and tax auditor, I realized that fact when I started researching the tithe.

The farmers made their income from selling (for money) and/or bartering their crops and animals. They had markets to buy and sell their products as proven in Deut. 14:22-27 where they were told they could sell their crops and animals for MONEY, put the MONEY in their hand, go to the place where the festival was held, and BUY, with that MONEY, the food and drink they wanted.

[GaryArnold]

Tithing came from the agriculture - the crops, and the tenth animal in herds and flocks. ONLY farmers tithed. There is no example of any other type of profession that tithed, nor are there any instructions for anyone else to tithe, yet they had various other occupations during that period of time.

Arts and Crafts: Ex. 31:3-5; 35:31-35; 2 Ki. 16:10

Baker: Gen. 40:1-2; Jer. 37:21; Hos. 7:4

Builder: 2 Ki. 12:11; 22:6; Ezra 3:10; Matt 21:42; Heb. 3:3; 1 Pet. 2:7

Carpenter: 2 Sam. 5:11; 2 Ki. 12:11; 2 Chr. 24:12; Ezra 3:7; Isa. 44:13; Matt. 13:55; Mk. 6:3

Cook: 1 Sam. 8:13; 9:23-24

Doorkeeper: 2 Ki. 22:4; 25:18; 1 Chr. 15:23-24; Jer. 35:4

Fisherman: Isa. 19:8; Jer. 16:16; Ezek. 47:10; Matt. 4:18; 13:48; Lk. 5:2

Foremen: Ruth 2:5-6; 1 Ki. 5:16; 2 Chr. 2:2, 18; Matt. 20:8

Fortune Teller: Deut. 13:1-3; Acts 16:16

Goldsmith: Neh. 3:8, 31-32; Isa. 40:19; 41:7; 46:6; Jer. 10:9, 14; 51:17

Hunter: Gen. 10:9; 25:27; Jer. 16:16

Innkeeper: Lk. 10:35

Mason - Stonemasons: 2 Sam 5:11; 2 Ki. 12:12; 1 Chr. 22:15; 2 Chr. 24:12

Merchant - Trader: Gen. 23:16; 37:28; 1 Ki. 10:15; Neh. 13:20; Ezek. 27:3, 22-23; Matt. 13:45

Musician: 1 Ki. 10:12; 1 Chr. 6:33; 9:33; 2 Chr. 5:12

Perfume Maker: Ex. 30:25, 33, 35; 37:29; 1 Sam. 8:13; Neh. 3:8

love-peddler: Gen. 38:15-24; Lev. 21:14; Josh. 6:17, 25; Judg. 11:1; 16:1; Jer. 3:1; Joel 3:3; Matt. 21:31-32; Lk. 15:30; 1 Cor. 6:15-16; Jas. 2:25

Scribe - Teacher of the law: 1 Chr. 2:55; 1 Chr. 24:6; 27:32; Neh. 8:1; 13:13; Jer. 36:26; Matt. 2:4; Mk. 2:6; Acts 4:5 (They did not tithe on any income from being a teacher or lawyer.)

Silversmith: Judg. 17:4; Prov. 25:4; Acts 19:24

Spinning - Weaving: Ex. 28:3; 35:25-26; 2 Ki. 23:7; Prov. 31:19; Acts 9:39

Stonecutters: 1 Ki. 5:15; 2 Ki. 12:12; 1 Chr. 22:15

Supervisor: 2 Chr. 31:13; 34:17

Tanner: Num. 31:20; Acts 9:43; 10:6, 32

Tax Collector: Dan. 11:20; Matt. 10:3; Lk. 5:27

There is NO example of any of the above tithing from the income they made, nor was there a provision in God's well-defined tithing command. The command to tithe was not a principle, it was a law, to be followed as it was written.

It is plain to see that giving did NOT begin at ten percent in the Old Testament. The tithe was PAID, not a gift, and paid ONLY by Israelite farmers. The others gave offerings; their giving did not begin at ten percent.

Since we are morally obligated to be givers, there is and was no ten percent guideline or starting point anywhere in the Bible. To use the OT tithe as a guide for giving doesn't make sense for several reasons. First, as already stated, the tithe wasn't giving. Next, not everyone was required to tithe - ONLY Israelite farmers, and ONLY from crops and animals.

The part of the world I live in is known as the Agricultural Capital of the World. Agriculture is what the economy is in this part of the US. Yet no pastor asks for a tenth of crops and animals - they want money, even though many church members are farmers. How can any pastor justify saying tithing on income is the principle of the OT tithe when income was NOT tithable?

[GaryArnold]

Further, there was a place for silver in the tithe, as well. Deuteronomy 14:24-25 gave instructions to the Israelite who had to travel a long way to offer up a sacrifice. The man was told to convert the tithe of his crops and his animals to silver and take that to the priests.

WHAT??
Deuteronomy 14:24 (KJV)
24And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:
Deuteronomy 14:25 (KJV)
25Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose:

Now how about reading verse 26: (KJV)
26And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,

They weren't told to take the silver to the priest. They were told to buy food and drink with that money and EAT IT - the tither, his family, and the Levites were to EAT the tithe.