Definition and Origin
The term "tithed" refers to the practice of giving a tenth of one's income or produce as an offering to God. This practice is rooted in the Hebrew word "ma'aser," which means "a tenth." Tithing is a significant biblical principle that appears throughout the Scriptures, serving as an expression of faith, obedience, and worship.

Old Testament Context
The concept of tithing is first introduced in the Old Testament. In Genesis 14:20, Abram (later Abraham) gives a tenth of everything to Melchizedek, the king of Salem and priest of God Most High: "Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything" . This act of giving a tithe predates the Mosaic Law and demonstrates the early recognition of God's sovereignty and provision.

The formalization of tithing is found in the Mosaic Law, where the Israelites are commanded to give a tenth of their produce and livestock to support the Levitical priesthood. 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 Levites, who had no inheritance of land, as well as to provide for the needs of the poor, widows, and orphans (Numbers 18:21-24; Deuteronomy 14:28-29).

New Testament Context
In the New Testament, the practice of tithing is acknowledged but not explicitly commanded for Christians. Jesus references tithing in His rebuke of the Pharisees, who meticulously tithed even the smallest herbs but neglected the weightier matters of the law: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your mint, dill, and cumin, but you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former" (Matthew 23:23).

The New Testament emphasizes generous and cheerful giving as a principle for believers. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul writes, "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" . While tithing is not mandated, the spirit of generosity and support for the church and its mission is encouraged.

Theological Significance
Tithing is seen as an act of worship and acknowledgment of God's provision and lordship over all creation. It serves as a tangible expression of faith and trust in God's ability to provide for His people. By giving a portion of their resources, believers demonstrate their commitment to God's work and their reliance on His continued blessings.

Practical Application
In contemporary Christian practice, tithing remains a common discipline among many believers and denominations. It is often viewed as a starting point for giving, with the understanding that all resources ultimately belong to God. Many churches encourage tithing as a means of supporting the ministry, outreach, and operational needs of the church community.

While the specific practice of tithing may vary, the underlying principle of generosity and stewardship remains central to Christian teaching. Believers are encouraged to give not only of their financial resources but also of their time and talents in service to God and others.(imp. & p. p.) of Tithe.

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xi. 39, "Now do Ye Pharisees ...
... give alms. And how did they give them? They tithed all they had, they took
away a tenth of all their produce, and gave it. It is ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lvi on the words.htm

The "Fraternity" of Pharisees
... derived from the Greek for "people," and so betraying the time of its introduction,
but really implying that it was "doubtful" whether or not it had been tithed ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 14 the fraternity of.htm

Good Works
... The Pharisee said he tithed mint, anise, and cummin; could he prove that God commanded
him to tithe his mint, his anise, and his cummin? Perhaps not. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/good works.htm

Caphar Hananiah. The Middle of Galilee.
... one have five sheep in Caphar Hananiah, and five more in Caphar Uthni, they are
not joined together," that is, they are not numbered to be tithed, "until he ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 61 caphar hananiah the.htm

Bethany. Beth-Hene.
... The figs of Beth-hene, and the dates of Tubni, are bound to be tithed." The Gloss
is this; "They are not mentioned in the schools among fruits, unless in ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 41 bethany beth-hene.htm

Li. Dining with a Pharisee, Jesus Denounces that Sect.
... tenth part of the seed even of the spearmint, rue and other small garden herbs,
and many contended that the very stalks of these plants should also be tithed. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/li dining with a pharisee.htm

Presbyterians.
... of belief, and modes of worship and discipline: their consciences forbade such
conformity: their ministers were displaced: their property was tithed for the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/presbyterians.htm

An Objection of Pelagians.
... in order to receive tithes, not to pay them; otherwise neither would his brethren,
who all contributed their tithes to him, have been tithed"because they too ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 39 xxv an objection of.htm

Whether the Priesthood of Christ was According to the Order of ...
... Levitical priesthood was foreshadowed in the priesthood of Melchisedech, who received
tithes from Abraham, in whose loins the priesthood of the Law was tithed. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the priesthood of christ 2.htm

How those are to be Admonished who Commit Very Small but Frequent ...
... For neither is it to be carelessly heard that, when He said that the least things
were tithed, He chose indeed to mention the lowest of herbs, but yet such as ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxxiii how those are.htm

Tithed (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Tithed (1 Occurrence). Hebrews 7:6 but he who has no
genealogy from them has tithed Abraham, and blessed him who had the promises. ...
/t/tithed.htm - 6k

Tithe (30 Occurrences)
... Of these, according to some, not only the seeds, but, in certain cases, even the
leaves and stalks had to be tithed (Ma`aseroth 4 5), "mint, anise, and cummin ...
/t/tithe.htm - 28k

Tithes (23 Occurrences)

/t/tithes.htm - 14k

Mint (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MINT. mint (heduosmon): Mentioned (Matthew
23:23 Luke 11:42) as one of the small things which were tithed. ...
/m/mint.htm - 9k

Divorce (18 Occurrences)
... taken from the same book: "The following women may be divorced: She who violates
the Law of Moses, eg causes her husband to eat food which has not been tithed...
/d/divorce.htm - 41k

Taste (46 Occurrences)
... taken from the same book: "The following women may be divorced: She who violates
the Law of Moses, eg causes her husband to eat food which has not been tithed...
/t/taste.htm - 59k

Criticism (1 Occurrence)
... the exclusive property of the Levite and it is assigned him as his source of income
(verses 25-32) and so exclusively is it his that it in turn is tithed. ...
/c/criticism.htm - 101k

Old (3966 Occurrences)

/o/old.htm - 101k

Does the teaching on tithing in Malachi 3:9-10 apply to us today? | GotQuestions.org

Tithed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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