Bible Study Seattle

The word comes from tenth, which is what it means. There is an interesting history. The first tithe was established after the Hebrews crossed the Red Sea. The tithe was modified when the Jews crossed into the promised land so that the Levites wouldn’t become more prosperous than their brothers. Only the tithe of the third and sixth years went to the Levites. On the first, second, fourth, fifth, and seventh years it went to the poor.

It is interesting to note that Jesus and the disciples never demanded the tithe. They were not Levites and not authorized to receive it. They depended on free will offerings and never even asked or passed the plate! The tenth Abraham gave to Melchizedek was purely voluntary. Yet the disciples spread the good news throughout the entire Roman world in less than three years without a budget!