Understanding Tithing in Kind: Lessons from Israel
Explore the historical significance and biblical instructions on tithing in kind in the nation of Israel, from their departure from Egypt to settling in Canaan. Delve into God's commandments regarding tithing in Leviticus and the concept of holiness and ownership in the context of tithe offerings.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. Download presentation by click this link. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
SID Stewardship Workshop 8-9 JULY 2020 Pastor C. MPOFU
Introduction This lesson will look at the issue of tithing in kind in the nation of Israel from the time they left Egypt until their settlement in Canaan. It a will also look at God s commandment on tithing in kind and how Israel responded.
The First Biblical Written Tithing Instruction We get the first tithing in kind commandment in the book of Leviticus. It is the third book of the Torah. Both Jews and Christians have believed Leviticus to be the work of Moses. It outlines fundamental principles of worship and holiness. Holiness is mentioned 91 times.
Gods Command Lev 27;30 Lev 27: 32 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's: it is holy unto the Lord. And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord.
2. To call humanity to holiness as God is holy 1. To emphasize God s ownership of creation Tithe
Defining Tithe Tithe - m. n. tenth part, tithe, (root; to take a tenth part )
God is the Owner Gen 1:11 Gen 1:25 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
God is the Owner Psalm 50:12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine. Psalm 50:10 For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. Psalm 50:11 I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine.
God is the Owner The system of tithes and offerings was intended to impress the minds of men with a great truth, that God is the source of every blessing to his creatures, and that to him man's gratitude is due for the good gifts of his providence. RH September 10, 1889, par. 3
Call to Holiness Leviticus 20:7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God. Wenham G.J. Holiness is the essence of God s character which mankind is expected to emulate .
Call to Holiness Be holy for I am holy is mentioned four times in Leviticus; 1. Lev 11:44 Be holy for I am holy 2. Lev 11:45 Be holy for I am holy 3. Lev 19:2 Be holy for I the Lord your God am holy 4. Lev 20:26 Be holy unto me ; for I the Lord am holy
Tithe is Holy; it is the LORDS Leviticus 27:30. And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's: it is holy unto the Lord. V 32 . And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord.
Tithing in Kind in Israel Deuteronomy 14:22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.
Tithing in Kind in Israel And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always. Duet 14:23
Bring all Tithes Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. KJV Malachi 3:10
Prayer after Giving Deut 26:15 Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey. Deut 26:12, 13 When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase 13Then thou shalt say before the Lord thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: Deut 26:14 I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them: I have not eaten thereof in my mourning, neither have I taken away ought thereof for any unclean use, nor given ought thereof for the dead: but I have hearkened to the voice of the Lord my God, and have done according to all that thou hast commanded me.
Hezekiahs Spiritual Reformation 2 Chron 31:5 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the first fruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.. 2 Chron 31:6 And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the Lord their God, and laid them by heaps.
Nehemiahs Reformation Period Nehemiah 13:12 Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries.
Jesus and Tithe in Kind Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
One tenth was set Apart for God In the Hebrew economy one tenth of the income of the people was set apart to support the public worship of God. Thus Moses declared to Israel: All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's: it is holy unto the Lord. And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, ... the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord. Leviticus 27:30, 32. PP 525.1 Leviticus 27:30, 32
For Every Dispensation Such [referring to the experience of Abraham and Jacob in paying tithe] was the practice of patriarchs and prophets before the establishment of the Jews as a nation. But when Israel became a distinct people, the Lord gave them definite instruction upon this point: "All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's: it is holy unto the Lord." This law was not to pass away with the ordinances and sacrificial offerings that typified Christ. As long as God has a people upon the earth, His claims upon them will be the same. CS 67.1
Tithe of the Seed of Land and Fruit of the Tree And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's: it is holy unto the Lord. Leviticus 27:30. FLB 244.
A Tithe of Flocks and Herds The consecration to God of a tithe of all increase, whether of the orchard and harvest field, the flocks and herds, or the labor of brain or hand; the devotion of a second tithe for the relief of the poor and for other benevolent uses, tended to keep fresh before the people the truth of God's ownership of all and of their opportunity to be channels of His blessings. It was a training adapted to kill out all narrowing selfishness and to cultivate breadth and nobility of character. Education, p. 44. ,WM 274.2.
Tithe Law did not Pass Away. This law was not to pass away with the ordinances and sacrificial offerings that typified Christ. As long as God has a people upon the earth, His claims upon them will be the same. CS 67.1
By Tithing in Kind We are saying the God who Created is our God We are responding to God s call to holiness We are saying tithe is holy and it belongs to God We are saying the tithing law did not pass away with the types at the cross.
Conclusion The Bible portrays the children of Israel giving tithes in kind, and we should continue doing the same. As Leaders we should continue to encourage members to return tithes and give offerings in kind. Promoting giving in kind will increase the participation of our members in stewardship. However members can give in the form that is convenient to them. Tithe in kind should be handled well to avoid discouraging church members from giving.
