The Third Tithe!
Our modern day tithe teachers are leaving an indelible impression in the minds of their followers that the ancient Jews tithed only 10% of their gross income and demand that Christians must also tithe 10% of their gross income to their local Churches.
However, to make such an assumption is totally false and contrary to the scriptures.
There were multiple tithes prescribed in the Mosaic law contrary to popular opinion. Let us focus on the 3rd tithe in this article.
Definition of the 3rd tithe:
After the Sabbatical year, on every third and sixth year the farm owning Israelites must keep the increase of their produce within their gates and distribute it to the Levites, the widows, the poor and the strangers.
The 3rd tithe is also known as:
The Charity tithe / Tithe for the poor / Welfare tithe
Some of the distinct things about the 3rd tithe were, little to no traveling and transportation involved and this is the only tithe for which God promises to bless the works of the giver. No promises were given for the givers of the 1st and 2nd tithes in the Mosaic law. Also after paying the 3rd tithe the tithers were required to offer a specific declaration and a prayer as prescribed in Deuteronomy 26:13-15. There are no instructions in the Mosaic law to offer any specific prayer after paying the 1st or 2nd tithes.
Proof from the law of Moses (Scriptures about the 3rd tithe):
Deuteronomy 14:28
"At the end of every third year you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in that year, and shall deposit it in your town."
Deuteronomy 14:29
"The Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance among you, and the alien, the orphan and the widow who are in your town, shall come and eat and be satisfied, in order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do."
Deuteronomy 26:12 - 15
"When you have finished paying all the tithe of your increase in the third year, the year of tithing, then you shall give it to the Levite, to the stranger, to the orphan and to the widow, that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied."
Questions and Answers about the third tithe:
1. What was tithable as the third tithe?
* One tenth of the increase in the produce. Money (Shekel) is not mentioned and the cattle are not mentioned either.
2. Who were the recipients?
* The Levites, the widows, the poor and the strangers (aliens) were the recipients and the final owners of this tithe.
3. Where should they bring the tithes?
* Within their gates and within the boundaries of their town.
4. What was the purpose?
* In order that the Lord God of Israel may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.
5. How often it should be paid?
* Every third year, that was on the 3rd and 6th year from the Sabbatical year.
6. Was it redeemable?
* No, it could not be redeemed. It must be given out and no redemption option was specified in the Mosiac law. The third tithe must not be converted into money.
7. When it was paid?
* At the END of the 3rd year.
8. Were livestock involved?
* No, animals were not part of the 3rd tithe.
9. What was the difference between the third tithe and the other two tithes?
Only for the 3rd tithe a return blessing is promised in the Mosaic law unlike the first 2 tithes. Why this principle is ignored by the prosperity preachers today? Testing God in Malachi 3:10 was specific to the Jews who returned from the Babylonian captivity and not to the Christian Church!
Tithe teachers gleefully quote Jerome and Chrysostom as tithe proponents in the early Christianity but hide the fact those 2 men also believed in multiple tithes.
Christians, please understand, how tithing was practiced in the Old Testament period and be on guard against the mammon loving wolves.
How many tithes? Here is a brief description about all 3 tithes:
Tithe # 1 – Ma’aser Rishon was a tenth of the crops and the tenth animal that passes through the rod every year. The Levites were the receipients and this tithe could be eaten anywhere in Israel. Sub-tithe: A tenth of this tithe must be given to the Priests. Livestock was not redeemable but the crops were by paying 20% of money in addition to the actual value.
Other name(s): Levitical tithe, first tithe.
Tithe #2 – Ma’aser Sheni was a tenth of the crops only, not livestock. But Jews were commanded to add the firstborn animals, but not a tenth of the animals. The original owners are the receipients, could be eaten only in Jerusalem. Buy back option not available. This tithe could be converted to money for transportation purposes only but in Jerusalem the same money must be used to buy food and it must be eaten by the owners, their families, relatives and the Levites. This tithe must be paid every year in one of the 3 festivals. No sub-tithe involved.
Other name(s): Festival tithe, feast tithe
Tithe # 3 – Ma’aser Ani every 3rd year of the 7 year cycle. Windows, orphans, Levites and the poor were the receipients and it should be only eaten within the gates of the city. No sub-tithe involved.
Other name(s): Welfare tithe, charity tithe, poor tithe.
The total of all three tithes = 20% over a 7-year period / 23.3% over a 6 year period as follows:
Year 1 = 10% (Tithe #1) + 10% (Tithe #2) = 20%
Year 2 = 10% (Tithe #1) + 10% (Tithe #2) = 20%
Year 3 = 10% (Tithe #1) + 10% (Tithe #2) + 10% (Tithe #3) = 30%
Year 4 = 10% (Tithe #1) + 10% (Tithe #2) = 20%
Year 5 = 10% (Tithe #1) + 10% (Tithe #2) = 20%
Year 6 = 10% (Tithe #1) + 10% (Tithe #2) + 10% (Tithe #3) = 30%
Year 7 = 0% – the seventh year land Sabbath
140% / 7 = 20% – in 7 years
140% / 6 = 23.3 % – in 6 years
Our modern day tithe teachers are leaving an indelible impression in the minds of their followers that the ancient Jews tithed only 10% of their gross income and demand that Christians must also tithe 10% of their gross income to their local Churches.
However, to make such an assumption is totally false and contrary to the scriptures.
There were multiple tithes prescribed in the Mosaic law contrary to popular opinion. Let us focus on the 3rd tithe in this article.
Definition of the 3rd tithe:
After the Sabbatical year, on every third and sixth year the farm owning Israelites must keep the increase of their produce within their gates and distribute it to the Levites, the widows, the poor and the strangers.
The 3rd tithe is also known as:
The Charity tithe / Tithe for the poor / Welfare tithe
Some of the distinct things about the 3rd tithe were, little to no traveling and transportation involved and this is the only tithe for which God promises to bless the works of the giver. No promises were given for the givers of the 1st and 2nd tithes in the Mosaic law. Also after paying the 3rd tithe the tithers were required to offer a specific declaration and a prayer as prescribed in Deuteronomy 26:13-15. There are no instructions in the Mosaic law to offer any specific prayer after paying the 1st or 2nd tithes.
Proof from the law of Moses (Scriptures about the 3rd tithe):
Deuteronomy 14:28
"At the end of every third year you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in that year, and shall deposit it in your town."
Deuteronomy 14:29
"The Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance among you, and the alien, the orphan and the widow who are in your town, shall come and eat and be satisfied, in order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do."
Deuteronomy 26:12 - 15
"When you have finished paying all the tithe of your increase in the third year, the year of tithing, then you shall give it to the Levite, to the stranger, to the orphan and to the widow, that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied."
Questions and Answers about the third tithe:
1. What was tithable as the third tithe?
* One tenth of the increase in the produce. Money (Shekel) is not mentioned and the cattle are not mentioned either.
2. Who were the recipients?
* The Levites, the widows, the poor and the strangers (aliens) were the recipients and the final owners of this tithe.
3. Where should they bring the tithes?
* Within their gates and within the boundaries of their town.
4. What was the purpose?
* In order that the Lord God of Israel may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.
5. How often it should be paid?
* Every third year, that was on the 3rd and 6th year from the Sabbatical year.
6. Was it redeemable?
* No, it could not be redeemed. It must be given out and no redemption option was specified in the Mosiac law. The third tithe must not be converted into money.
7. When it was paid?
* At the END of the 3rd year.
8. Were livestock involved?
* No, animals were not part of the 3rd tithe.
9. What was the difference between the third tithe and the other two tithes?
A 65-year-old wheelchair-bound woman with congestive heart failure was kicked out of her church because she was not paying her tithe, NBC 4 reported. Loretta Davis told NBC 4's Mike Bowersock she was shocked when she received a letter saying she was no longer considered a member of her church, The Living Word Tabernacle. Davis made an agreement with the church that she would give 10 percent of her income. Then she became ill and stopped making payments, so the church revoked her membership. "Since Jan. 5, I've been in the hospital 15 times," Davis said. "I've suffered with cellulites since I've had the open heart (surgery)." Davis is no longer paying the church $60 per month from her $592 per month Social Security check, Bowersock reported. "I have my tithes that I was supposed to pay, but I have not paid them since this has went on," Davis said. "In the time of (Davis') need, they should be caring, supporting, asking what she needs -- help her if she needed help," said Teresa Meeks, who is Davis' daughter. "I was so hurt on what they did to her." The church moved out of its building in Waverly earlier this year and Davis' dismissal has become the talk of the town, Bowersock reported. In a letter to the editor of the local paper, the former pastor said it is true that Davis lost her membership for not paying her tithes. In the same letter, he said Davis was not kicked out of the church for not paying her tithes. The Rev. Paul McClurg, who started the church, said Davis is still welcome to attend church but is not allowed to be a member. The issue upset Davis' 83-year-old mother so much that she quit the church. The members have been holding services in a Lion's Club hall while waiting to build a new church. There are at least two former members who will not be attending with them."
Only for the 3rd tithe a return blessing is promised in the Mosaic law unlike the first 2 tithes. Why this principle is ignored by the prosperity preachers today? Testing God in Malachi 3:10 was specific to the Jews who returned from the Babylonian captivity and not to the Christian Church!
Tithe teachers gleefully quote Jerome and Chrysostom as tithe proponents in the early Christianity but hide the fact those 2 men also believed in multiple tithes.
Christians, please understand, how tithing was practiced in the Old Testament period and be on guard against the mammon loving wolves.
How many tithes? Here is a brief description about all 3 tithes:
Tithe # 1 – Ma’aser Rishon was a tenth of the crops and the tenth animal that passes through the rod every year. The Levites were the receipients and this tithe could be eaten anywhere in Israel. Sub-tithe: A tenth of this tithe must be given to the Priests. Livestock was not redeemable but the crops were by paying 20% of money in addition to the actual value.
Other name(s): Levitical tithe, first tithe.
Tithe #2 – Ma’aser Sheni was a tenth of the crops only, not livestock. But Jews were commanded to add the firstborn animals, but not a tenth of the animals. The original owners are the receipients, could be eaten only in Jerusalem. Buy back option not available. This tithe could be converted to money for transportation purposes only but in Jerusalem the same money must be used to buy food and it must be eaten by the owners, their families, relatives and the Levites. This tithe must be paid every year in one of the 3 festivals. No sub-tithe involved.
Other name(s): Festival tithe, feast tithe
Tithe # 3 – Ma’aser Ani every 3rd year of the 7 year cycle. Windows, orphans, Levites and the poor were the receipients and it should be only eaten within the gates of the city. No sub-tithe involved.
Other name(s): Welfare tithe, charity tithe, poor tithe.
The total of all three tithes = 20% over a 7-year period / 23.3% over a 6 year period as follows:
Year 1 = 10% (Tithe #1) + 10% (Tithe #2) = 20%
Year 2 = 10% (Tithe #1) + 10% (Tithe #2) = 20%
Year 3 = 10% (Tithe #1) + 10% (Tithe #2) + 10% (Tithe #3) = 30%
Year 4 = 10% (Tithe #1) + 10% (Tithe #2) = 20%
Year 5 = 10% (Tithe #1) + 10% (Tithe #2) = 20%
Year 6 = 10% (Tithe #1) + 10% (Tithe #2) + 10% (Tithe #3) = 30%
Year 7 = 0% – the seventh year land Sabbath
140% / 7 = 20% – in 7 years
140% / 6 = 23.3 % – in 6 years
