Topical Encyclopedia In the Mosaic Law, the concept of tithing is a significant aspect of the Israelites' covenantal relationship with God. The tithe, which is a tenth of one's produce, is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, reflecting the principle of giving back to God a portion of what He has provided. This practice is rooted in the acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and provision.Biblical Foundation The command to tithe is explicitly stated in the Law of Moses. Leviticus 27:30 declares, "Thus any tithe of the land, whether from the seed of the land or the fruit of the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD." This verse establishes the tithe as a sacred portion, set apart for God, emphasizing its holiness and the obligation of the Israelites to honor it. Purpose and Use The tithe served multiple purposes within the Israelite community. Primarily, it was an act of worship and obedience, recognizing God's provision and lordship. Additionally, the tithe supported the Levitical priesthood, who had no inheritance of land among the tribes of Israel. Numbers 18:21 states, "Behold, I have given the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the service of the Tent of Meeting." The tithe also provided for the needs of the community, including the poor, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. Deuteronomy 14:28-29 instructs, "At the end of every three years, bring a tenth of all your produce for that year and lay it up within your gates. Then the Levites, because they have no portion or inheritance among you, and the foreigners, the fatherless, and the widows within your gates may come and eat and be satisfied. And the LORD your God will bless you in all the work of your hands." Spiritual Significance The tithe of the seed and produce was not merely a legalistic requirement but held deep spiritual significance. It was a tangible expression of faith and trust in God's provision. By giving the first and best portion to God, the Israelites demonstrated their reliance on Him for future harvests and sustenance. This act of giving was a reminder of God's faithfulness and a call to live in gratitude and dependence on Him. New Testament Reflection While the New Testament does not mandate tithing in the same way as the Mosaic Law, the principle of generous and sacrificial giving is upheld. Jesus affirms the practice of tithing in Matthew 23:23 , saying, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former." In the early church, the spirit of giving continued, as seen in Acts 4:32-35, where believers shared their possessions to meet the needs of the community. The tithe of the seed, therefore, serves as a historical and theological foundation for understanding the broader biblical call to stewardship and generosity. Torrey's Topical Textbook Leviticus 27:30And 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. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Old Testament and Comparative Religion Resources What is seed faith? What is a seed faith offering? | GotQuestions.orgWho are the seed of Abraham? | GotQuestions.org What is the Serpent Seed doctrine? | GotQuestions.org Seed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Seed in Egypt Required to be Artificially Watered Seed: Difference Between, and the Plant Which Grows from It, Seed: Each Kind Has Its own Body Seed: Each Kind of, Has Its own Body Seed: Every Herb, Tree and Grass Yields Its Own Seed: Every Herb, Tree, and Grass, Yields Its Own Seed: Mosaic Laws Respecting: Different Kinds of, not to be Sown in the Same Field Seed: Mosaic Laws Respecting: If Dry, Exempted from Uncleanness Though Touched by An Seed: Mosaic Laws Respecting: If Wet, Rendered Unclean by Contact With an Unclean Thing Seed: Mosaic Laws Respecting: Not to be Sown During the Sabbatical Year Seed: Mosaic Laws Respecting: Not to be Sown in Year of Jubilee Seed: Mosaic Laws Respecting: The Tithe of, to be Given to God Seed: Not to be Mingled in Sowing Seed: Often Sown Beside Rivers Seed: Often Trodden Into the Ground, by the Feet of Oxen Seed: Required to be Watered by the Rain Seed: Sowing of Necessary to Its Productiveness Seed: Sowing of Often Attended With Danger Seed: Sowing of Often Attended With Great Waste Seed: Sowing of Required Constant Diligence Seed: Sowing of Time For, Called Seed Time Seed: Sowing of, Type of Burial of the Body Seed: Sowing, Illustrative of Christian Liberality Seed: Sowing, Illustrative of Men's Works Producing a Corresponding Recompence Seed: Sowing, Illustrative of Preaching the Gospel Seed: Sowing, Illustrative of Scattering or Dispersing a People Seed: Sowing, Illustrative of The Burial of the Body Seed: Sowing, Illustrative of The Death of Christ and Its Effects Seed: The Ground Carefully Ploughed, and Prepared For Seed: The Jews Punished by Its Being Choked by Thorns Seed: The Jews Punished by Its Increase Being Consume by Enemies Seed: The Jews Punished by Its Increase Being Consumed by Locusts Seed: The Jews Punished by Its Rotting in the Ground Seed: The Jews Punished by Its Yielding But Little Increase Seed: Yearly Return of Time of Sowing, Secured by Covenant Seed: Yielded an Abundant Increase in Canaan Related Terms |
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