From the passages we looked at last week, what were these “tithes” to be used for? You might have to consult some of your commentaries for help: ______________________________________________________
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Now consider three other “offerings/contributions/etc”.
Lev 19:9-10: ___________________________________________
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Ex 23:10-11: ___________________________________________
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Neh 10:32: ____________________________________________
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So, what is a tithe? ☐ 3.33%, ☐ 5%, ☐ 10%, ☐ 14.28%, ☐ 23%
☐ More than 23%.
☐ Other, please explain: _________________________________
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Which ones were considered voluntary? Which ones were considered mandatory? Were some considered gifts/contributions? Were some considered taxes?
Where ever you come down on this, you will notice that we are in the Old Testament. Is tithing (however you decide to define it) still applicable in the New Testament (today )? There is a contingent among us who would like to leave tithing in the OT. Interestingly, Jesus addressed this issue in Math 23:23. What was His conclusion? ______________________________________________________
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On top of all this “giving” we have been reading/talking about, the Romans imposed a variety of other taxes. Jesus was clear about payment of taxes, read Math 17:24-27. Would the IRS approve of Jesus’ position on payment of taxes? ☐ Yes, ☐ No, ☐ Not Sure
It is interesting to note that tithing was a common pagan custom as well. The number 10 symbolized completeness to them (pagans) so giving a tenth was a sign of giving everything. Don’t you just love that logic? The lack of sound teaching in many churches today on the subject of tithing/giving is somewhat akin to this. Those who do actually tithe (and there aren’t all that many who do) feel satisfied that they have somehow met their obligation to God in the giving department.
Well, we still haven’t answered that question everybody wants an answer to. That is,
HOW MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We’ll take another stab at it next week. See you then.
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Lev 19:9-10 ‘Now when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field, neither shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10 ‘Nor shall you glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather the fallen fruit of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the needy and for the stranger. I am the Lord your God. NASB
Ex 23:10-11 “And you shall sow your land for six years and gather in its yield, 11 but on the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, so that the needy of your people may eat; and whatever they leave the beast of the field may eat. You are to do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove. NASB
Neh 10:32 We also placed ourselves under obligation to contribute yearly one third of a shekel for the service of the house of our God: NASB
Matt 17:24-27 And when they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma tax came to Peter, and said, “Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?” 25 He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?” 26 And upon his saying, “From strangers,” Jesus said to him, “Consequently the sons are exempt. 27 “But, lest we give them offense, go to the sea, and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a stater. Take that and give it to them for you and Me.” NASB
Matt 23:23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. NASB