Joyful Generosity and the History of Tithing

Over the last three weeks, I've given three messages on joyful generosity, simply expounding on 2 Corinthians 8 and 9.  You can listen to those messages here.

In the final message on October 16th, I stated I would attempt to write a post that briefly summarized the "evolution of the tithe."  So here it goes!

First, a definition:  "Tithing is the practice of giving 10% of one's income to support a religious institution or the priesthood. (and, presumably, the ministries that come from it).

Old Testament

Most would be shocked to discover that tithing evolved over the life of Israel in the OT.

Commandments in the OT on tithing emphasize the quantity, by and large.  God permits his people to produce (grain, wine, oil, livestock), so He is obviously entitled to share directly in their income.  

Yet at different times in Israel's history, varying regulations governed it!  In Deuteronomy, the firstborn of the flocks and the tithes are to be brought to the central holy place in Jerusalem.  It was difficult for many to make the journey with so much stuff, so one could sell their "tithe" before they came, bring the money, then buy some stuff to sacrifice.  But this system didn't really provide for the poor as needed, so it was later ruled that every third year, the tithe would stay in one's hometown and be distributed to the Levites (full time priests who did not produce food for themselves) and others who could not provide for themselves (sojourners, fatherless, etc.).  See Deuteronomy 26:12-15, for example.

Some interesting cultural phenomenons developed as a result of this system.

• The nature of a tithe changed from a sacrifice from one's harvest into a kind of cultic tax.
• Temples priests in Jerusalem (where all the tithing was taking place) now required a more steady, regular income.

During the exile (when Jerusalem fell), the tithe became a type of tax paid to the priests.  After the exile, tithes given were stored in storehouses (Nehemiah 10:38, Malachi 3:10).  The travel to Jerusalem did not return post exhile: rather, tithes were collected by local Levites every year, effectively making the tithe a tax.

New Testament

References to the tithe are scarce in the NT.  As I pointed out in the third of my three messages, Jesus endorsed the tithe while attacking the Pharisees for keeping it while neglecting weightier matters (Matthew 23:23).  The Pharisee in Luke 18:12 references tithing, and Hebrews 6:6-9 references Genesis 14:17-20 on this subject.  2 Corinthians 8 and 9 are the most extensive chapters in the NT on giving, but Paul is not discussing tithing, but a special offering for the Macedonian church.

Church History

The early church taught a tithe as an absolute minimum, and from one's total income (money, clothes, and all other possessions).  By the 5th and 6th centure, tithing was well established in most all of Christendom.  In the medieval period, Christians got really anal!  "Tithes were divided into predial, due from the fruits of the earth; personal, due from labor; and mixed, due from the produce of livestock..  These were further divided into great, derived from corn, hay, and wood to go to the pastor of the parish; and small, from all other predial tithes, plus mixed and personal tithes to go directly to the vicar!"  So complicated!

Yet it really got interesting after the Reformation, especially in England (our roots!) in the 16th and 17th century.  The issue of the tithe was a source of intense conflict because a state church depended upon the tithes for their livelihood.  English Puritans later sought to abolish mandatory tithes for voluntary contributions to support clergy, a passion they brought to the colonies, which in part explains where we are today.

Today

The theological and historical debate of the tithe rages still today.  I stand by my 9 principles on joyful generosity, and my three-point filter.

9 Principles

1. Giving is an act of grace developed in all Christians. All Christians give.  No stingy Christians.
2. It spreads through testimony.
3. It's consistent and perseverant.
4. It's tied to the giving of one's entire self.
5. It's rooted in the Gospel.
6. Churches should do the right thing with what is given.
7. Church leaders should be seen doing what is right with what is given.
8. "Sowing" generosity may not "reap" more money, but will reap good works, righteousness, more generosity, and worship.
9. Giving is ultimately about God, not the givers.

Three-Point Filter

1. Jesus endorsed tithing, and Paul expected full-time ministry in the church to be paid by the congregation (Matthew 23:23 and 1 Corinthians 9:13-14).
2. Ask, "How much dare I keep?" instead of "How much should I give?"
3. Wealth-building is wise, but so that we can give in fear of covetousness and greed (Hebrews 13:5, 2 Corinthians 8:13-15).

I hope this helps our congregation and God's church!