The concept of "nine-tenths" is not directly mentioned as a specific term in the Bible; however, it can be understood in the context of biblical teachings on tithing and offerings, where the remaining portion after a tithe is given is nine-tenths. The principle of tithing, which involves giving one-tenth of one's income or produce to God, is a significant biblical theme that underscores the importance of stewardship, gratitude, and trust in God's provision.

Tithing in the Old Testament

The practice of tithing is first introduced in the Old Testament. In Genesis 14:20, Abram gives Melchizedek, the king of Salem and priest of God Most High, a tenth of everything. This act of giving a tithe is seen as an acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and blessing. The Mosaic Law further institutionalizes tithing as a requirement for the Israelites. Leviticus 27:30 states, "Thus any tithe of the land, whether from the seed of the land or the fruit of the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD."

The tithe was intended to support the Levitical priesthood, the poor, and the work of the temple. Numbers 18:21 explains, "Behold, I have given the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the work of the Tent of Meeting." The tithe was a means of ensuring that the spiritual and communal needs of the nation were met.

Nine-tenths as Stewardship

While the tithe represents one-tenth, the remaining nine-tenths of one's resources are also significant in biblical teaching. The Bible emphasizes that all possessions belong to God, and humans are merely stewards of His creation. Psalm 24:1 declares, "The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof, the world and all who dwell therein."

The faithful management of the nine-tenths is a test of one's stewardship and trust in God. Proverbs 3:9-10 encourages believers to "Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine." This passage suggests that honoring God with one's resources, including the nine-tenths, leads to His blessing and provision.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the principle of giving is expanded beyond the legalistic requirement of the tithe. Jesus commends sacrificial giving and the heart behind the act. In Mark 12:41-44 , Jesus observes a poor widow who gives two small coins, noting that she has given more than the wealthy who contributed out of their abundance. This teaching highlights the importance of the attitude and sacrifice in giving, rather than the mere fulfillment of a percentage.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the concept of giving in 2 Corinthians 9:7 , stating, "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver." This reflects a shift from a fixed percentage to a heart-driven generosity that encompasses all of one's resources, including the nine-tenths.

Conclusion

The concept of nine-tenths, while not explicitly mentioned, is integral to understanding biblical stewardship and generosity. It challenges believers to manage their resources wisely, recognizing that all they possess is entrusted to them by God. The faithful stewardship of the nine-tenths, alongside the tithe, reflects a life of gratitude, trust, and obedience to God's commands.8672. tesha -- a nine
... a nine NASB Word Usage 139* (1), 29* (2), 3,930* (1), 59,300* (2), 928* (1), 945*
(1), 956* (1), 973* (2), forty-nine* (1), nine (21), nine-tenths (1), nineteen ...
/hebrew/8672.htm - 6k

How to Ascertain the Will of God
... Nine-tenths of the trouble with people generally is just here. Nine-tenths
of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ...
//christianbookshelf.org/muller/answers to prayer/how to ascertain the will.htm

Preface
... in recent years by the late Mr. Charles Lawrence Ford, BA I have consulted these,
but it is only fair to myself to say that more than nine-tenths of the ...
/.../kelly/the hymns of methodism in their literary relations/preface.htm

The Gateway into the Kingdom.
... I suppose if I were to ask those in any audience if they believed that Jesus Christ
taught the doctrine of the New Birth, nine tenths of them would say: "Yes ...
/.../moody/the way to god and how to find it/chapter ii the gateway into.htm

Barabbas
... the more they said it the more they believed it; and each time the name was repeated
it sounded sweeter, until they were all shouting it, nine-tenths of them ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/barabbas.htm

Obedience Entire.
... astonishment, is generally denied. Indeed, probably nine-tenths of the
nominal church deny it. They tenaciously hold sentiments ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture x obedience entire.htm

How to Overcome Disappointment
... Nine tenths of the suffering that comes from disappointment has its root
in self-pity. You have better qualities in you; use them. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk forty-two how to overcome.htm

Redeeming the Time
... If we could only get into this, as our habitual temper and disposition, asking
ourselves what life is for, then we should have conquered nine-tenths of our ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/redeeming the time.htm

I Next have to Speak of the Books
... Nine-tenths of the Eastern Service-book is poetry. b. The Paracletice, or Great
Octoechus: in eight parts. This contains the Ferial Office for eight weeks. ...
/.../neale/hymns of the eastern church/i next have to speak.htm

Tsok: and Beth Chadudo.
... But there are some, who assign nine-tenths only, and ten miles."See the Gemarists.
Tsok, among the Talmudists, is any more craggy and lofty rock. ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 54 tsok and beth.htm

Cotterill
... "It did more," says Julian, "than any other collection in the Church of England
to mold the hymn books of the next period; and nearly nine-tenths of the hymns ...
//christianbookshelf.org/nutter/hymn writers of the church/cotterill 2.htm

Nine-tenths (1 Occurrence)
Nine-tenths. Nineteenth, Nine-tenths. Ninety . Multi-Version
Concordance Nine-tenths (1 Occurrence). Nehemiah 11:1 And ...
/n/nine-tenths.htm - 6k

Nebuchadnezzar (90 Occurrences)
... He must have possessed an enormous command of human labour, nine-tenths of Babylon
itself, and nineteen-twentieths of all the other ruins that in almost ...
/n/nebuchadnezzar.htm - 57k

Nineteenth (4 Occurrences)

/n/nineteenth.htm - 8k

Ninety (27 Occurrences)

/n/ninety.htm - 15k

Fine (184 Occurrences)
... 10. (superl.) Having (such) a proportion of pure metal in its composition; as,
coins ninetenths fine. 11. (superl.) (Used ironically.). 12. ...
/f/fine.htm - 47k

Tithe (30 Occurrences)
... the tithe (the First Tithe) was given to the Levites (of which they had to give
the tithe to the priests), a Second Tithe of the remaining nine-tenths had to ...
/t/tithe.htm - 28k

Babel (3 Occurrences)
... It is noteworthy that Q. Curtius says (vi section 27) that as much as nine-tenths
consisted, even during Babylon's most prosperous period, of gardens, parks ...
/b/babel.htm - 63k

Babylon (270 Occurrences)
... It is noteworthy that Q. Curtius says (vi section 27) that as much as nine-tenths
consisted, even during Babylon's most prosperous period, of gardens, parks ...
/b/babylon.htm - 93k

English
... the King and two or three members of the Privy Council, restricted the use of the
English Bible to certain social classes that excluded nine-tenths of the ...
/e/english.htm - 38k

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