Bible Question: What is tithing? |
Bible Answer: Hi. The paying of a tenth to kings to whom one owed dues in the ancient world was standard practise (Genesis 14.20). It is testified to archaeologically. God applied the practise for the purpose of maintaining those who served Him. On top of the stipulated offerings and sacrifices that the people had to make to God, and the offering to Him of all the firstfruits, together with abundant freewill offerings, the people of Israel had to set aside one tenth of all their yearly produce, both of cattle, sheep and goats, and of what was grown. This was then (putting it simply) used as follows. Each year the tenth went to the levites. One tenth of that tenth was given to the priests. The remainder maintained the levites. But every third year the tithe was set aside for the poor of the land (Deuteronomy 14.28-29). This was probably stored by the levites and distributed on application. The levites would also probably help the people in their understanding of God and ensure the fulfilment of God's laws in various ways. For that reason they were scattered throughout the nation. The gathering of the tithes and ministering of them would have taken up a great deal of their time, and not a little tact. There would no doubt be many attempts by people not to pay their dues. But the huge benefit that resulted from it both religiously and socaially cannot really be doubted Best wishes Jonp |
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tcl | ||
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mzavala | ||
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jlhetrick | ||
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jonp | ||
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jesusfreaklap9 | ||
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notsherlock | ||
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notsherlock | ||
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notsherlock | ||
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notsherlock | ||
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DocTrinsograce | ||
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mouzehug | ||
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SATNJ |