Tithe: A tenth of the produce of the earth consecrated and set apart for
special purposes. The dedication of a tenth to God was recognized as
a duty before the time of Moses. Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek
(Genesis 14:20; Hebrews 7:6) and Jacob vowed unto the Lord and said, "Of all
that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee." The
first Mosaic law on this subject is recorded in
(Leviticus 27:30-32)
Subsequent legislation regulated the destination of the tithes
(Numbers 18:21-24,26-28; Deuteronomy 12:5,6,11,17; 14:22,23) The paying of the
tithes was an important part of the Jewish religious worship. In the
days of Hezekiah one of the first results of the reformation of
religion was the eagerness with which the people brought in their
tithes
(2 Chronicles 31:5,6) The neglect of this duty was sternly rebuked by
the prophets
(Amos 4:4; Malachi 3:8-10) It cannot be affirmed that the Old
Testament law of tithes is binding on the Christian Church,
nevertheless the principle of this law remains, and is incorporated in
the gospel
(1 Corinthians 9:13,14) and if, as is the case, the motive that
ought to prompt to liberality in the cause of religion and of the
service of God be greater now than in Old Testament times, then
Christians outght to go beyond the ancient Hebrew in consecrating both
themselves and their substance to God. Every Jew was required by the
Levitical law to pay three tithes of his property
1. one tithe for the Levites;
2. one for the use of the temple and the great feasts; and
