How many tithes does the Bible mention and for what purpose are they given?
If you had asked me this during 90% of my life, I would have said "one". That all changed when I heard a bit of something that made me think that perhaps there were at least two different tithes mentioned in the Bible. How could I be my age, have grown up in the church and STILL NOT KNOW THIS!? I was far enough along in my hebrew roots, messianic studies to know the answer to that question!
I asked a few people I knew from church, but they said one also or had no idea. One of these so-called "Christians" elaborated and told me it didn't "even matter because tithes were from the Old Testament and Jesus did away with all of that junk anyway...". I admit I didn't know much about tithes at that moment, but I was (am still am) absolutely positive that if something is in the Bible, it isn't junk AND I knew that nothing had been "done away with" by Jesus or anyone else. The GOD I serve is the same yesterday, today, and forever!
The dead end sent me to the internet and a few familiar sites, but it seemed no one in the Christian circles wanted to talk about this, unless it was to say "Don't worry about it, it's all been abolished anyway...".
Sometimes I come across something that intrigues me, gets my attention and I really. must. know. more. This was one of those times. I know that it is the Holy Spirit in me showing me things, teaching me, leading me where I need to study or learn nest, but often I am a little dull and don't get it. This was one of those times. I let it go and moved on.
However, the Spirit of the Living GOD has a plan and purpose I had not taken into consideration. For the next several days, everywhere I went, I saw the word tithes, heard talk about giving to charities and those in need, saw people in need, reaching out for help. A friend even contacted me to ask about my family's plans for Sukkot and shared what their plans were - a big, 10 day vacation, with a couple of other families, in condos on the east coast. Wow! That's expensive! Bells and whistles and sirens went off in my head!
Here is what I eventually found out. My research here is not complete, but at least it's a start.
There is absolutely more than one tithe mentioned in the Bible. There are three, in fact.
Josephus, the first-century Jewish historian, clearly states that this tithe collected for the poor was different from the other two: “Besides those two tithes, which I have already said you are to pay every year, the one for the Levites, the other for the festivals, you are to bring every third year a third tithe to be distributed to those that want [i.e., lack]; to women also that are widows, and to children that are orphans” (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 4, chapter 8, section 22).
1) The first type of tithe is for the work of GOD and is holy unto Him, and to be used solely for His work.
“All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is Yahweh’s. It is holy to Yahweh. If a man redeems anything of his tithe, he shall add a fifth part to it. All the tithe of the herds or the flocks, whatever passes under the rod, the tenth shall be holy to Yahweh. He shall not search whether it is good or bad, neither shall he change it. If he changes it at all, then both it and that for which it is changed shall be holy. It shall not be redeemed.’” These are the commandments which Yahweh commanded Moses for the children of Israel on Mount Sinai. Leviticus 27:30-34
Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with the curse; for you rob me, even this whole nation. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this,” says Yahweh of Armies, “if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there will not be room enough for. I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast its fruit before its time in the field,” says Yahweh of Armies. “All nations shall call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,” says Yahweh of Armies. Malachi 3:8-11
2) The second type of tithe is to be used for observing and celebrating the Feasts of YHWH. The tithe is given/saved to ensure that a person or family will have sufficient funds for the yearly Feasts of YHWH.
You shall surely tithe all the increase of your seed, that which comes out of the field year by year. You shall eat before Yahweh your God, in the place which he chooses, to cause his name to dwell there, the tithe of your grain, of your new wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock; that you may learn to fear Yahweh your God always. If the way is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry it, because the place is too far from you, which Yahweh your God shall choose, to set his name there, when Yahweh your God shall bless you; then you shall turn it into money, and bind up the money in your hand, and shall go to the place which Yahweh your God shall choose. You shall trade the money for whatever your soul desires, for cattle, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatever your soul asks of you; and you shall eat there before Yahweh your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household. Deuteronomy 14:22-26
3) The third type of tithe is for those who serve and work within the Temple (today that would be those who serve the body), and also for the widow, the orphan and the needy or poor.
You shall not forsake the Levite who is within your gates, for he has no portion nor inheritance with you. At the end of every three years you shall bring all the tithe of your increase in the same year, and shall store it within your gates. The Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the foreigner living among you, and the fatherless, and the widow, who are within your gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that Yahweh your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do. Deuteronomy 14:27-29
The second tithe is how my friend and her family, and those vacationing with them, were able to afford to be able to go to the coast for over a week and relax and celebrate the Feast of Sukkot together, in a "temporary dwelling". Isn't YHWH amazing... I should not be surprised after all this time to see that He truly has thought of everything from the foundation of the earth.