The TITHE

The commands to tithe throughout Scripture are irrefutable and undeniable. Due to teachings from all ends of the spectrum, the questions many have is, “What is a tithe, when should it be given and how much?” The answers, fortunately, are and have always been in Scripture for those who seek them.

What is it and how much?

Tithe means “a tenth.” In Torah, a tithe is a giving of a tenth (10%) of all your BEST increase (gross income) as an offering to YHWH, as He commands us.

(Lev 27:30 KJV)  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.

When is it?

According to Torah, there are THREE tithes; two pertaining to the “Children of Israel” (all Believers) and one specifically pertaining to the “Levites” (Rabbis/Ministers/Pastors), the widows and the orphans.  Regarding the tithes of the people, there is a YEARLY tithe and a special THIRD YEAR tithe. Contrastingly, the “Levites” only offer their tithe on the THIRD YEAR.

The yearly tithe is supposed to be used BY YOU and YOUR FAMILY to rejoice and celebrate with YHWH during His feasts where He has chosen to “place His name* (Jerusalem)” and for good works. The special third year tithe is “stored up” (saved) and then given to the “Levites,” as well as orphans and widows and even strangers (charity). From this "third year" tithe, the Levites, orphans and widows are then able to offer their tithe, which goes to the Priest and the Temple, referred to as the “storehouse” in Malachi.

Even though it may be implied, there appears to be no “lump sum” requirement and this third year offering could be given in portions; weekly, monthly or whatever, as long as it is met fully by the end of the third year. Moreover, you can even BORROW against your tithe if money is tight, repaid with interest, therefore teaching us proper money management. Try asking for that in an "institutional" church or congregation!!!

Surprised? No doubt, this scriptural tithe is probably very different from the “tithe” many of us have been taught over the years! A tithe from the people given directly to the “Temple” (Church/Synagogue/congregation) is not scriptural. YHWH's intention was to involve us in the joy of giving and put the responsibility on our shoulders to see that our tithes are properly handled and dispersed, not upon the church. You are to be in control of your tithe, not the church or pastor!

* Since the Temple, now destroyed, is an integral part of these “Holy Convocations (feasts),” it is generally believed that the requirement to attend these feasts in Jerusalem is no longer required. We now celebrate them wherever we are as the "spiritual Temple" is within us by the Holy Spirit.

The THREE YEAR TITHE

(Deu 14:27-29 KJV)  And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee. {28} At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates: {29} And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.

(Deu 26:12-13 KJV)  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 unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled; {13} Then thou shalt say before the LORD thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them:

Although giving can be done freely anytime, every three years we are required by Torah to save up a tenth (10%) of that years BEST increase (income) and give it to the Levites (minister/pastor/rabbi), the widows, orphans and strangers (charity). From this tithe, the Levites, widows and orphans are to tithe a tenth (10%) and give it to the Priest and into the STOREHOUSE of the Temple.

This is in stark contrast to the “traditional” teachings of the tithe, even commonly taught among the Messianic community, that a tenth of our increase is to be given to the Levite (minister/pastor/rabbi) YEARLY, often divided into weekly portions. Even worse, many teach that the STOREHOUSE (congregation/synagogue/church) is to receive these tithes directly, from which the “Levite” is given a portion (salary). This is UNSCRIPTURAL and is against the teachings of Torah.

The STOREHOUSE? 

(Neh 10:37-39 KJV)  And 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. {38} And 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. {39} For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.

The “Storehouse” of Malachi 3, so often mentioned regarding our tithes, is clearly shown to us above. The STOREHOUSE is where the "tithe of the tithes" is kept for the Priest and all those who dwell in the Temple. Many have taught that the Storehouse is actually embodied in the LEVITE (Pastor, teacher, minister, rabbi) and that all our tithes should go directly to them. Scripture, as shown, does not teach this.

Moreover, it is in Deuteronomy 14, verse 29 where we see a DIRECT connection between our THREE YEAR TITHE and YHWH's blessing detailed in Malachi 3:9-12.

(Deu 14:29 KJV)  And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.

This is strong evidence that Malachi, the blessings and curses therein, specifically relates to the THREE YEAR TITHE, not the yearly tithe.

The “TITHE CLUB”

(Mal 3:8-12 KJV)  Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. {9} Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. {10} Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. {11} And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. {12} And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.

Mal 3:8:  Often called the "Tithe Club" due to its strong words.

Mal 3:9:  Here we have a curse that is applied to those who "steal from YHWH."

1 "CURSE":  The original ADAMIC curse:  Gen. 3:17-19

Mal 3:10:  The often misused "blessing" many so-called shepherds have used to receive money from people. Notice many of the words are in italics, which means they are ADDED in by translators to add context, they are not in the original Hebrew.

2 "STOREHOUSE":  What is a "storehouse" and what does it mean? It was described above.

Mal 3:11:  Here YHWH promises to "rebuke" an instrument of the Adamic curse, thereby overruling the curse placed upon the land and everything that comes from it.

3 "DEVOURER":  Loosed by the Adamic curse.

Mal 3:12:  The world will see the tangible effects of the rebuked curse and YHWH's blessings upon you.

The Bottom Line! (Financial pun intended)

Do not be deceived by shepherds who are wolves in sheep's clothing! Your blessings from tithing according to Torah, which is intricately connected with YHWH's Feasts, comes from YHWH himself! A special "Prayer Cloth" or "Jesus-Junk" gimmickry will not contain your blessing. You will never be cursed by not giving to this or that ministry, only by neglecting YHWH's "exclusionary clause" from the Adamic curse. Even then, the grace through our "perfect Torah," Yahushua, covers a multitude of sins from our ignorance of Torah.

(Mat 22:29 KJV) Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures (Torah), nor the power of God.

As for the shepherds who ROB YHWH by stealing your tithes with guilt, fear, promises of great prosperity and twisting of scripture, they will get their due reward soon enough. Many, I suspect, will be within "the Goats" that are cast away from him eternally. The TRUTH is out there! Now you have a basic understanding of scriptural tithing. Begin to tithe as YHWH has told us to tithe and you will see those Gates of Heaven open up.

May we be mindful that this world is a fallen and sinful world with the Evil One reigning over it and that the best blessings from YHWH are not monetary or "more worldly stuff," but much deeper. Be aware of it and see His blessings...

Shalom!

Robert