Analysis of Tithing in Deuteronomy and Malachi

 Biblical Analysis of Tithing in Deuteronomy and Malachi

1. Introduction The practice of tithing has been interpreted and applied in various ways throughout time, especially within modern religious contexts. However, a textual and contextual analysis of relevant biblical passages, particularly Deuteronomy 14:22–29 and Malachi 3, reveals a different image than that promoted by many current denominations.

2. Annual Tithe: For Oneself and the Feast Before God Deuteronomy 14:22-26 establishes that the annual tithe was of grain, new wine, oil, and the firstfruits of livestock. This tithe was not given to the priests or any institution, but was consumed by the offerer and his family in a place God chose, as part of the celebration of the sacred feasts. The main purpose was "to learn to fear the Lord your God always."

3. Triennial Tithe: For the Needy Deuteronomy 14:28-29 specifies a second type of tithe that was collected every three years. This tithe was not taken to the temple, but kept in the cities for the support of:

·         The Levites (who had no inheritance)

·         Foreigners

·         The orphans

·         The widows

This act of social justice was rewarded with God's blessing on the people's works.

4. Malachi: Rebuke of the Priests The book of Malachi is clearly addressed to the priests (Mal. 2:1). In Malachi 3, when it says, "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse," the context indicates that the priests were acting unjustly, appropriating the tithe and neglecting the needy. Malachi 3:5 reinforces this idea by speaking of those who defraud the hireling, the widow, and the orphan.

5. The Myth of the Three Tithes Some modern doctrines teach the existence of three different tithes, which has no direct textual basis. The evidence suggests that there were only two tithes: an annual one for personal celebration with God, and a triennial one to help the needy. The first was a saving for the feast; the second, a charitable act.

6. Tithe of Produce, Not Cash. The biblical tithe referred exclusively to agricultural and livestock products, not to monetary income. There is no mention of tithing of wages in cash, which calls into question the modern application that requires 10% of believers' salaries.

7. Conclusion If the biblical tithe were applied literally today, only agricultural and livestock products would be tithed, once a year for celebration and every three years for social assistance. There is no mention of a continuing weekly or monthly obligation, as taught in many churches. Consequently, the modern use of tithing as a constant financial requirement finds no direct support in the original practice of God's Law.

 Addendum 1

 Addendum 2

Everyone says they read but they don't read or they read but they don't understand. The Bible says that every 3 years tithes were to be paid to the Levites, the poor, the orphans and widows , taking food to the silo or granary designated for that purpose . The book of Malachi is addressed to the priests (Malachi 2:1) and in it the priests are rebuked because they were not acting according to the law and were appropriating that tithe totally, contrary to the scriptures that said that that tithe was taken to the silo (granary) to the Levites (descendants of the tribe of Levi), who worked in the Temple in physical labor and also as singers and gatekeepers and they in turn had to give the tithe of the tithe to the priests. It spoke of the tithe of the grain, the wine and the oil, not the tenth part of the salary that a person earned . Malachi 3:5 says, "I will come to you for judgment and will be a speedy witness...against those who swear falsely, and against those who defraud the hireling, the widow, and the fatherless of their wages ...".

 IT'S CLEAR, ISN'T IT? The first tithe, which was made every year, was for oneself. It was a saving to be able to go to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles before the Lord: " And you shall eat before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses to make His name dwell there, the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks , that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always." Deuteronomy 14:23

 It should be added that some Christian denominations invent that there are 3 different tithes. The first tithe for the Levites (according to them all Levites were priests), the second tithe for oneself, to go celebrate the holy feasts, and the third tithe, every 3 years, for the poor, the orphan and the widow. BUT THIS IS NOT TRUE! THERE WERE ONLY TWO, the first was one's own, a saving to celebrate God's feasts and consume it with the family and the second tithe, the one made every 3 years , was for the Levites, the poor, the orphans and the foreigners. SO IF IT WAS MANDATORY TO TITHE TODAY, IT WOULD ONLY BE DONE EVERY 3 YEARS.

Addendum 3

In the book of Amos chapter 4, verses 4 and 5, God rebukes and mocks the priests saying,

"Amos 4: 4 Go to Beth-el, and prevaricate: in Gilgal increase the rebellion, and bring your sacrifices, your tithes, every three days;

Amos 4: 5 And offer a sacrifice of praise with leaven (with yeast [it was forbidden]), and preach, publish voluntary offerings; "For so you will, children of Israel, says the Lord GOD. "

IN OTHER WORDS, PRIESTS OR MINISTERS SAY, SIN AND DO WHATEVER YOU WANT, BECAUSE WE ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW BUT UNDER GRACE. EVERYTHING WILL BE OK IF YOU BRING YOUR TITHES EVERY 3 DAYS,  THAT IS, THEY ASK FOR TITHES AND OFFERINGS EVERY TIME THEY CELEBRATE A RELIGIOUS SERVICE.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT IN THE ORIGINAL HEBREW IT SAYS 3 DAYS AND NOT 3 YEARS, AS IT APPEARS IN ALMOST ALL THE VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE. The translators thought that the writer of the book had made a mistake because the tithe for the Levites was collected or taken to the Silo or Barn every 3 YEARS and they put "your tithes every 3 years". Remember that Hebrew is read from right to left.