Levitus 27:30 (KJV) “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD.”
The number 10 in the Bible as symbolised by the Tithes, speaks of our total acknowledgment of God’s ownership and provision. The word tithe comes from the Hebrew word “ma‘aser” which literally means “a tenth”. The tithe is a sacred offering. It reminds us of the need of “faithfulness in the smallest portion matters”. Returning the “tithe” (1/10) symbolizes giving God His rightful due. Little acts of faithfulness in the “10%” prepare us for greater blessings. In the Mosaic Law, tithing was not optional; it was a sacred duty. The tithe ensured that temple service, priesthood, and care for the needy continued.
Now, before the Law, both Abraham and Jacob practiced tithing. Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth of the spoils of war (Gen. 14:20). Jacob vowed to give God a tenth of all his possessions if God blessed him (Gen. 28:22). This shows that the idea of dedicating a portion to God existed before the formal Mosaic Law. Under the Law of Moses, God established a structured tithing system for Israel:
Written by: Pastor Andrew A Esemudje