Rethinking Tithing (Part 4)

This is the fourth part of the series “Rethinking Tithing” and is closely connected with Part 3. In Part 3, we discussed how tithing in the Old Testament was primarily an agricultural practice. Part 4 builds upon this by examining who in ancient Israel tithed.

In the second part of this series, we saw that tithing was a way to support the priests and Levites who served in the Temple. These priests and Levites were not permitted to own land and depended on these offerings for their livelihood.

Universal law?

The goal of tithing in the Mosaic Law was to support the Levites, and the poor, and facilitate Jewish festivals. The Levites, who were the priestly class, did not have a specific land allocation like the other tribes of Israel. Instead, they were supported by the tithes of the other tribes. These facts point us to yet another little-known truth about Old Testament tithing. Since the tithe consisted of crops and animals only, and since its end goal was to provide food for the temple workers, only farmers who produced food were required to tithe.

The tithing law only applied to Jews who were involved in the agricultural sector and not to those who were engaged in other professions. These professions include domestic hired hands, fishermen, miners, lumber workers, construction workers, soldiers, weavers, potters, manufacturers, merchants, government workers, and the priests themselves. The tithing law was not a universal law that applied to all Jews, but rather a specific law that only applied to those who earned their keep from the agricultural sector.

Dr. Russell Kelly, in his book “Should the Church Teach Tithing?  A Theologian’s Conclusions about a Taboo Doctrine” writes: “The Bible clearly teaches that only Israelite landowners and Israelite herdsmen inside Israel were required to tithe their increase. This very narrow, but true, definition eliminates all non-landowners, all tradesmen, and all who were too unfortunate to afford to raise stock animals for a living in Israel. Neither was this narrow definition of tithing ever changed among Jews for over a thousand years; it was still the definition during the time of Jesus.”

The example of Jesus

According to the Bible, Jesus was a carpenter by training. The Gospels describe Him as being the son of a carpenter and working in the same trade as His earthly father. When He visited His hometown to preach, the chitchat in town was, “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?” – Matthew 13:55 (NIV).

The Jewish law stated that a father was required to teach his son a profession or trade by the age of 13. Jesus learned carpentry from His earthly father, Joseph, and it is mentioned in the Bible that He worked as a carpenter before beginning His ministry. As a carpenter, Jesus would have been skilled in working with wood and other materials to create objects such as furniture, doors, and agricultural tools. His skills as a carpenter may have also influenced His teachings, as He often used carpentry-related metaphors in His parables.

As a carpenter, Jesus did not own land, produce crops, or keep livestock. Therefore, He was exempt from the obligation to tithe. That is why, in Capernaum, the temple officials engaged with Him about His temple tax payments and not His tithing.

After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes —from their own children or from others?” “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours” – Matthew 17:24-27 (NIV).

The tithe and the temple tax were two distinct religious obligations in ancient Jewish society. The tithe was the practice of giving a tenth of one’s agricultural produce and livestock to support the priests and Levites who served in the Temple. The temple tax was a mandatory annual levy that was required of every Jewish male over the age of 20. This tax was used to support the maintenance and upkeep of the second Temple in Jerusalem. Unlike the tithe, the temple tax was paid in the form of money rather than agricultural produce or livestock.

Jewish non-agriculturalists

The Old Testament tithing law highlights the cultural significance of food and animals and their role in Jewish religious practices. Accordingly, farmers are most mentioned when it comes to the tithing law at the expense of other economic workers.

Jewish craftsmen played a vital role in the construction and maintenance of religious and secular buildings, as well as the making of various items and tools needed for daily life. From the time of Moses and the construction of the Tabernacle in the wilderness to the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile, Jewish craftsmen were an essential part of Jewish society.

One of the earliest references to Jewish craftsmen in the Old Testament is found in Exodus 31, where God commands Moses to choose Bezalel and Oholiab as the chief artisans for the construction of the Tabernacle. Bezalel was a skilled craftsman in gold, silver, and bronze, while Oholiab was skilled in weaving and embroidery. These men, along with other skilled craftsmen, were tasked with creating the various items and furnishings for the Tabernacle, including the Ark of the Covenant, the altar, and the menorah.

After the Tabernacle was completed, Jewish craftsmen continued to play a vital role in the construction and maintenance of the various structures and buildings needed for worship and daily life. During the time of King David, skilled craftsmen were employed to build the king’s palace as well as the Temple in Jerusalem. The temple was a massive undertaking that required a wide range of skilled craftsmen, including carpenters, stonemasons, metalworkers, and textile workers.

In the New Testament, we find the Apostle Paul who worked as a tentmaker to support himself financially. During the time of the Roman Empire, tentmaking was a common profession for many individuals. This trade involved the production and sale of various types of tents and other outdoor gear such as awnings, tarps, and canopies. Tent-making also played a vital role in the Roman military, providing soldiers with portable shelters during their campaigns.

Conclusion

Tithing was an important practice in ancient Jewish culture but it was not mandatory for all members of the community. While certain groups, such as farmers and herders, were required to give a tithe of their crops or livestock, individuals in other professions, such as carpenters or artisans, were exempt from this requirement. Furthermore, there were also exemptions for those who were unable to give a full tithe due to poverty or other extenuating circumstances.

Philip Igbo in his journal “An Evaluation of the Biblical Teaching on Tithe” writes: “It must be noted that tithing was a Mosaic legislation applying to the Israelites. If tithing was not a universal command, then it needs not to apply to Christians or at least should not be enforced on Christians. Today, tithe-advocates make many, including the poor, feel guilty or feel they are robbing God by not paying tithes. We must bear in mind that the original purpose of the tithe legislation was to provide support for the Levites, the priests, and the poor of the land. Is it right to press people to tithe when they cannot afford their basic necessities? Does God expect the poor to be deprived of their basic necessities?”

Ultimately, the practice of tithing was a way for members of the Jewish community to support their religious institutions and contribute to the wider community, but it was not a burden placed on all members. Understanding the nuances of tithing in ancient Jewish culture will help us uncover the scam that is modern-day tithing.