Tithing vs Giving: THE CODIFIED LAW

THE CODIFIED LAW (The Written Law of Moses)

Tithing Instituted as Part of the Covenant

The Tithe Goes to the Levites

Israel was directed to tithe directly to the Levites, which was set aside as a tithe of the people to be holy unto the Lord. It was to be their payment, since they would be completely devoted to the administration and implementation of the tabernacle of the Lord and its ordinances, feasts, etc. They were to spend all of their time ministering to the Lord and to His people. The Levites were to tithe to the Lord, in the form of a heave offering, which was in turn offered to Aaron and his family, or whomever was the High Priest. THE TITHE DESCRIBED HERE WAS SET ASIDE FOR THE LEVITES AND HIGH PRIEST.

The Tithe of the Feasts

The Israelites were instructed as to where to go to give their tithes (wherever the tabernacle/presence of God was), and the manner in which they should be eaten (as a family/nation, with rejoicing, especially including the Levites). THIS TITHE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FEASTS AND FESTIVALS.

The Tithe for the Priesthood & the Poor

For those who lived a long distance from the center of the nation, they could convert their tithe (grain and animals) to their value in currency (gold and silver), take the money "to the place which the LORD chooses," and purchase there whatever is necessary to be able to celebrate the feast.

A third tithe is specified; every three years, the tithe of the year's produce (not animals) was to be put into a community storehouse. THIS TITHE WAS SET ASIDE TO REPLENISH THE SUPPLY FOR THE PRIESTHOOD AND THE NEEDY OF THE LAND.