There are four reasons why the biblical tithe is holy. It’s holy because it’s agricultural produce. It’s tied to the ancient land of Israel. It funded the creation of the Levitical priesthood. Finally, it replaced the Levite’s land inheritance. Considering these Bible-based factors, we also learn that the modern-day Christian tithe (10% of one’s income) isn’t holy.
Table of Contents
- Watch the Video
- Holy to the Lord
- What Holy Means
- Reason 1 – Agricultural Produce
- Reason 2 – The Holy Land
- Reason 3 – The Chosen Ones
- Reason 4 – The Land Inheritance
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Recap
- Outsmart the False Teachers
Watch the Video
Holy to the Lord
The phrase “It is Holy to the Lord” or its variation, is used in several Bible verses. It’s a common phrase describing many Mosaic Law ordinances. It was never limited to the practice of tithing. There are other practices the Lord designated as holy. Here are a few examples:
* High priest’s linen garment (Leviticus 16:4)
* Religious festivals (Leviticus 23:1-44)
* Sanctified houses (Leviticus 27:14)
* Vow offerings (Leviticus 27:9)
* Peace offering (Leviticus 19:8)
The tithe is first mentioned as holy in Leviticus 27: 30-34. This scripture introduces the tithe as a legal mandate for the ancient nation of Israel. In other words, the Mosaic Law required the ancient Israelites to pay tithes to the tribe of Levi (Levites). This lays the foundation for studying what made the biblical tithe holy.
Leviticus 27:30-32
30 “‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. 31 Whoever would redeem any of their tithe must add a fifth of the value to it. 32 Every tithe of the herd and flock—every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod—will be holy to the Lord. 33 No one may pick out the good from the bad or make any substitution. If anyone does make a substitution, both the animal and its substitute become holy and cannot be redeemed.’”
New International Version (NIV)
Leviticus 27:34
34 These are the commands the Lord gave Moses at Mount Sinai for the Israelites.
New International Version (NIV)
What Holy Means
One of the first things we must do is define what holy means. When studying this topic, a working definition gives us clarity, context, and understanding. The word holy means something or someone set apart by God for his special purpose. This is a critical point. Why? Because pro-tithe preachers claim the modern-day practice of paying God (the church) 10% of one’s income is holy. They argue that this “holy” status makes tithing mandatory for Christians.
Well, what does the Bible say about the Christian tithing Doctrine? The Bible teaches that the so-called Christian tithe is not holy unto the Lord. Why? Because it does not meet God’s criteria for what makes a tithe holy.
Reason 1 – Agricultural Produce
The makeup of the biblical tithe is the first thing that makes it holy. The Bible is clear about what constitutes a tithe. Here’s how Scripture describes the tithe:
* The grain from the soil
* Fruit from the trees
* Herd and flock
In Deuteronomy 12:17 and Deuteronomy 14:23, the Bible mentions new wine and olive oil among the tithes. What we don’t see mentioned is money. In this case, money refers to shekels (or coins) of gold and silver coins. This was the currency used in ancient biblical times. Even though money was available, the Lord did not view money as holy. With that said, the Christian tithe (10% of one’s income) can’t be holy. It doesn’t fit the agricultural produce and livestock criteria.
Reason 2 – The Holy Land
The tithe had to come from the holy land. Leviticus 27:30-34 mentions the word “land.” It may seem as if the verse refers to any or all the land in the world. After all, all the earth and everything in it belongs to God, right (Deuteronomy 10:14)? However, the land mentioned in the Leviticus verses pertains to a specific area.
Remember, the Lord promised the ancient Israelites their own land. After their exodus from Egypt, where were they headed? To the Promised Land, which was in Canaan. It was this land and this land only that the Lord deemed holy for the ancient Israelites. It was set apart specifically for them. Since the land was holy, everything produced from that land was also holy.
Now, back to the pro-tithe advocates…
The Bible again proves the Christian tithe of “paying God” from your income is not holy. The money believers earn is not grown, raised, or produced from the ancient Holy Land of Israel. Plus, the tithe never consisted of money. A monetary tithe was illegal under the Mosaic Law.
Let’s continue…
Reason 3 – The Chosen Ones
The recipients of the tithe made the tithe holy. Remember the definition of holy? It is something or someone God has set aside for his special purpose. Well, this brings us to the tribe of Levi (Levites). The Lord set the Levites apart for a specific purpose. They cared for the Tabernacle and the Temple of ancient Israel. They carried out the Law of Moses and conducted all the ceremonial ritual activities.
The Levitical priesthood comes out of the tribe of Levi. This priesthood is also known as the Aaronic priesthood because only the male descendants of Aaron (Moses’ brother) could serve as priests. The Lord sanctified the priests. He concentrated them. They were set apart. In other words, the Lord made them holy (Leviticus 8: 1-36) to carry out their Tabernacle and Temple duties.
Leviticus 8:10-13
10 Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and everything in it, and so consecrated them. 11 He sprinkled some of the oil on the altar seven times, anointing the altar and all its utensils and the basin with its stand, to consecrate them. 12 He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him to consecrate him. 13 Then he brought Aaron’s sons forward, put tunics on them, tied sashes around them and fastened caps on them, as the Lord commanded Moses.
New International Version (NIV)
The other Levites assisted the priests. They performed various tasks in the Tabernacle and Temple. These included the following duties mentioned in 1 Chronicles 9:17-21 and 1 Chronicles 15:27:
* Guarding
* Singing
* Playing music
* Carrying the Ark of the Covenant
Now, pro-tithe advocates are relentless when justifying their version of the tithe. Some say Christian pastors are the continuation of the Levitical priests. Therefore, they should receive tithes like the Levites and the priests for their work. On the surface, it sounds like a reasonable argument because of some similarities. However, tithe proponents still overlook the Lord’s criteria for the tithe.
Here are three important facts to consider:
1. The Levitical priesthood was based on bloodline. Individuals not related to Aaron could not serve as priests. Christian pastors don’t fit this criterion.
2. The Levitical priesthood was established according to the Mosaic Law Covenant. This is a covenant only made between the Lord and ancient Israel. The Levitical responsibilities were specific to the Levites and the priesthood.
If Christians want tithes, they are placing themselves under the authority of the Old Covenant. As a result, they must follow all the commandments of the Mosaic Law. They can’t just claim tithes and ignore the rest of God’s Old Covenant Law.
3. Christians live under the New Covenant (New Testament). In this Covenant, all believers are priests. All Christians belong to the royal priesthood through Christ. This means every believer, not just pastors, has been set apart to do God’s work in some capacity. Does this mean all Christians should receive so-called tithes? Just asking.
1 Peter 2:5
5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house[a] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
New International Version (NIV)
1 Peter 2:9
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
New International Version (NIV)
There’s nothing wrong with pastors receiving compensation for their service (1 Timothy 5:18). The New Testament supports financial support for the ministry but not tithing. The apostles received support in two forms: 1) The wages they earned from their trades and 2) freewill offerings from fellow believers. New Testament Christians practiced giving under grace. They did not practice tithing in any form to support their ministry.
1 Corinthians 4:12
12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;
New International Version (NIV)
1 Corinthians 9:6
6 Or is it only I and Barnabas who lack the right to not work for a living?
New International Version (NIV)
Reason 4 – The Land Inheritance
The biblical tithe is holy because it replaced the land inheritance. The Lord gave all the tribes of ancient Israel land except the tribe of Levi. Instead of land, they received tithes from the holy land of ancient Israel. The Lord made it clear the tithe was the Levite’s portion. The tithe was a substitute for the land. Since the land was holy, the tithe they received from the land was just as holy.
Numbers 18:24
But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the Lord, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.
New International Version (NIV)
Back to the pro-tithers…
The modern-day tithe (10% of one’s income) does not replace any land inheritance. In the New Testament, no land is promised to Christians. God doesn’t say Christian pastors can’t own land. Christian pastors and laypeople can own land. So, we see again there’s no biblical basis for declaring the modern-day Christian tithe holy unto the Lord.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are First Fruits Mandatory in the Bible?
There is no specific commandment in the Bible that mandates giving first fruits. However, it is a biblical practice rooted in the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament commands the Israelites to give their first fruits to the Lord as a way of acknowledging His provision and giving thanks for His blessings. For example, in Deuteronomy 26:1-11, the Israelites are instructed to bring the first fruits of their harvest to the priest and recite a confession of faith and thanksgiving to the Lord.
Recap
What makes the biblical tithe holy? It comprises only agricultural products, such as seed, grain, herds, and flocks (Leviticus 27:30-32). Two, it had to come from the holy land of ancient Israel. Third, it was set aside only for the Levites and the priests. Under the Mosaic Law, the Lord consecrated them and made them holy to carry out the Tabernacle and Temple ceremonies, rituals, and sacrifices (Leviticus 8:10-13).
Finally, the biblical tithe replaced the land inheritance (Numbers 18:24). The tribe of Levi didn’t receive land, so God authorized them to receive tithes instead. Since the tithe came from the holy land of ancient Israel, it was just as holy as the land itself.
The modern-day tithe is not holy unto the Lord. Why? Because paying 10% of one’s income to God (the church) does not fit the Lord’s holy criteria. Therefore, Leviticus 27:30-32 can’t be used to justify so-called tithing among Christian believers.
Outsmart the False Teachers
If you want to discover more tithe facts, I encourage you to get a copy of The Tithing Hoax. This book provides in-depth information on how to give the RIGHT way. It also offers helpful tips based on Scripture.
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Thanks for reading, and be blessed!
