TITHE

In the N.T. (cf. Heb. 7:6, 9), this term derives from the Greek, dekatos, meaning "tenth." (a) In the Patriarchal period of history, it appears to have been the practice that godly men gave a tenth of their income to the service of God (Gen. 14:20; 28:22). (b) Under the Mosaic system, tithing was also an integral part of submission to the law of God (Lev. 27:30-33; 2 Chron. 31:5ff; Neh. 10:37ff), though it eventually was largely ignored (cf. Mal. 3:7-12). (c) There is no N.T. command to "tithe," nor is there an example of the early church practicing tithing. Under the new covenant, which is a better regime with better promises (Heb. 8:6), having a better hope (Heb. 7:19), the Christian gives cheerfully (2 Cor. 9:7) and generously (Rom. 12:8) into the church treasury each Sunday (1 Cor. 16:2). See: GIVING.

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Adapted from the book "Bible Words and Theological Terms Made Easy" by Wayne Jackson