It was practiced 430 years before the law (Gen. 14:20; 28:22; Heb. 7:1-11).

Tithing under the Law of Moses:

   1. He commanded (Lev. 27:30; Mal. 3:10)

   2. Five Purposes:

      (1) For Levites (Num. 18:21-24)

      (2) Tithes of tithes for priests (Num. 18:26; Neh. 10:37; 12:44)

      (3) Tithes of tithes every three years for the poor and the ministers (Dt. 14:27-29; 26:12-14)

      (4) To supply God's house (Mal. 3:10)

      (5) To honor God (Prov. 3:9-10)

   3. When brought: yearly, along with all other offerings for the feast (Dt. 12:6-7; 14:22-26)

   4. Belonged to God, not the people who paid them (Lev. 27:30-34; Mal. 3:8)

   5. Where brought (2Chr. 31:12; Neh. 10:38; 12:44; 13:5,12; Mal. 3:8)

   6. If borrowed: 20% interest had to be added when paid (Lev. 27:31)

   7. If exchanged: both it and the exchange must be paid (Lev. 27:33)

Tithing In the New Testament:

   1. Christ taught it (Mt. 23:23; Lk. 11:42; cp. Mt. 5:20 with Lk. 18:11-12; see Mt. 10:10; Lk. 10:7-8). This was teaching for the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 11:11-14; Lk. 16:16)

   2. Paul Taught It:

      (1) Condemned sacrilege (Rom. 2:22), or robbing temples (Mal. 3:8-10) and using holy things (Lev. 27)

      (2) Teachers to be paid (Gal. 6:6)

      (3) God ordained support of ministers (1Cor. 9:7-14; 1Tim. 6:17-18)

      (4) Christians to give as God prospers them (1Cor. 16:2)

      (5) Melchisedec priesthood is eternal and must be supported by children of Abraham (Heb. 6:20; 7:1-11,17,21)

      (6) Children of Abraham in faith must walk in his steps (Rom. 4:12; Heb. 7)

      (7) Tithing is proof of obedience and appreciation of God's blessings (Rom. 4:12; Heb. 7:6-10; 1Cor. 9:7-14; 1Tim. 6:17-18; cp. Mal. 3:8-10; Prov. 3:9-10; Gen. 14:20; Dt. 8:10-20)

Blessings of Tithing:

   1. Blessings for obedience (see above)

   2. God's house will not lack (Mal. 3:10).

   3. God's ministers will not lack (1Cor. 9:7-14; 1Tim. 5:17-18; Neh. 13:10; Mal. 3:8-10).

   4. Material and spiritual blessings (Mal. 3:8-10; Prov. 3:9-10; 2Chr. 31; Neh. 13)

Examples of Paying Tithes:

   1. Abraham (Gen. 14:20; Heb. 7:1-11)

   2. Jacob (Gen. 28:22)

   3. Levi in Abraham (Heb. 7:9)

   4. Hezekiah and Israel (2Chr. 31)

   5. Nehemiah and Israel (Neh. 13)

   6. Hypocrites (Mt. 23:23; Lk. 11:42; 18:12)

   7. Christians (1Cor. 9:7-14; 16:2; 2Cor. 7:11; 8:1-15; Gal. 6:6; 1Tim. 5:17-18; Heb. 7)