Is Tithing for the New Testament?

I was compelled to write this blog post due to so many misconceptions that I observed in recent times about the issue of tithing including a video on social media that mis-interpreted the scriptures.  Besides, the question of whether tithing is meant for the New Testament believers or not is best answered by examining the history, significance and biblical meaning of tithe?

With reference to the scriptures, the word “tithe” specifically refers to a tenth part of the “firstfruits” of a person’s harvest or increase that is given in faith to the priests under the Old Testament in order to honour God with the hope of receiving divine blessings that include the resurrection of life. As emphasized in my previous blog post, all the acts of tithing the first fruits under the Old Testament dispensation foreshadowed Christ’s resurrection from the dead, as the first fruit of the new creation. As the sinners’ representative, the priest that receives the tithes also portrays Christ in the capacity of the heavenly Advocate that receives those that bear witness to His resurrection into God’s paradise.  

  

 “And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives.” (Hebrews 7:8)

 “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and great grace was upon them all.” (Acts 4:33)

According to the scriptures, the firstfruit that comes out during harvest typifies Christ, as the first person to rise from the dead. Therefore, the primary purpose of the tithes and all the firstfruits ordinances under the Old Testament was to honour God in a demonstration of faith in an ordinance that gave witness to the coming resurrection of Christ, as the firstfruits from the dead.

“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. ” (1Corinthians 15: 20)

Thus, the demonstration of faith through the Old Testament typology of the first fruits in form of tithing was primarily to bear witness in faith to the resurrection that would come through the grace of God, as the basis of salvation and the hope of life after death. 

The secondary reason for tithing will also be unraveled from the scriptures, which was to encourage the Priests in the works of God and to take care of the orphans, widows, and strangers and less privilege, which was also done to invoke the blessings of God in obedience to His Word (Deuteronomy 26: 1-15). Even though, the giving of a tenth part of the firstfruits in form of tithes was instituted under the law but the principle behind it predates the dispensation of the Law, which was seen in Genesis after man lost access to God’s paradise because of sin and death that came into the world.

“Honor the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase; So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” (Proverbs 3: 9)

 Primary Purpose  For Tithes Under the Old Testament

It was revealed in the book of Genesis that the first two sons of Adam brought their offerings to honour God even before Seth the third son of Adam was born. So, there were only three males on earth at that time namely Adam and his first two sons Cain and Abel while the LORD Himself was the Priest that administered their offerings. This implies that the offerings of Cain and Abel in Genesis was not for the secondary purpose of encouraging the Priest in the work of God but primarily for the primary purpose of honoring God through a demonstration of faith in the resurrection, as the basis of the Gospel that reveals the power of God unto salvation.   

Right from the beginning of the fourth chapter of the book of Genesis, the first two sons of Adam were introduced with their chosen careers with a biblical account of how they responded to the message of the Gospel that was revealed to their conscience.

“And Adam knew his wife, and she conceived, and bare Cain; and said I have gotten a man from the LORD. And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of ground. And in the process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.  And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.’ (Genesis 4: 1-5)

With reference to the scripture above, Abel’s work in animal husbandry required him to honor God by bringing his offering from the firstlings of his flock in an act of faith that bears witness to the coming  resurrection of life.  

 “All the firstling males that come of thy herd and of thy flock thou shall sanctify unto the LORD thy God:’ (Deuteronomy 15:19)

In his obedience to divine instructions, Abel brought his offering from the firstling of his flocks and it was accepted as an offering that brought honor to God.

As a tiller of ground or crop farmer, Cain was also expected to honor God with his first fruits to portray his faith in the coming resurection that gives power over the dominion of sin and death but he refused to bring his firstfruits. Instead, Cain just brought fruits from the ground and not his firstfruits.  Due to this reason, Cain’s offering was rejected and he was angry but the LORD instructed him to go back and do the right thing if he wanted the blessing that will give him the dominion over the power of sin and death.

And the LORD said unto Cain, Why are thou wroth? And why is their countenance fallen? If thou does well , shall thou not be accepted? And if thou does not well, sin lies at the door: and unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shall rule over him.” (Genesis 4: 5-7)

It was not just about the quantity but what really matters is the quality required for the purpose, which was his firstfruits and not just any fruits. Abel honored God in an act of obedience that portrayed his faith in the resurrection when he brought his offering from the firstling of his flocks and increase, which invoked the blessings of God upon Abel with the hope of the resurrection of life after death.

 “And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:” (Genesis 4:4)

 As confirmed below, it was the basis of this offering by faith that gave Abel the hope of a new life after death.

“By faith Abel offerred unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and by it he being dead yet speaks. “ (Hebrews 11:4)

From the examples above and a few more that will soon be revealed, the primary purpose of tithing of the firstfuits was a response to the message of the Gospel under the Old Testament through faith that gave witness to the coming resurrection of Christ, which is also the basis of salvation in the New Testament. 

 “That if thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God has raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

Correspondingly,   all the types and shadows of tithing the first fruits under the Old Testament foreshadowed Christ’s resurrection from the dead and it was done on the day after the Sabbath, which is Sunday. The Old Testament Sabbath was Saturday and the next day is Sunday, which coincides with the same day Christ arose from the dead as the first fruits of the resurrection. On the day of celebration of the firstfruits, the priest was expected to wave the sheaf of the first fruits on behalf of the people before the Lord to signify how Christ the High Priest is the firstfruits that arose from the dead on behalf of the people.  It is worth recalling from my last blog that the firstfruits ordinance was normally accompanied by a celebration of triumph and consecration, that foreshadowed  the celebration of the resurrection victory of Christ as the firstfruits.

 “ And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give unto you; and shall reap the harvest thereof, then shall ye bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it.’ (Leviticus 23: 9-11).

The appearance of the firstfruits is an assurance that the rest of the harvest would be safely gathered at the appointed season. Similarly, the resurrection of Christ as the firstfruits is an assurance that all the dead will be resurrected at the appointed season (Matthew 27: 50-53, 1 Corinthians 15: 14-58).

“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But everyman in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. Then comes the end…” (1Corinthians 15: 20-23)

“He that goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” (Psalm 126: 6)

When a grain in form of a seed is sown into the ground, it dies and is buried alone but the stalk it brings out as a type of its resurrection does not bear one grain but many, which is similar to the resurrection of Christ that was foreshadowed in the Old Testament by the firstfruits ordinances.

“Verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground, it abides alone: but if it dies, it brings forth much fruits.” (John 12: 24)

So far, we have revealed how the primary aim of the firstfruits of a person’s increase given in form of tithes under the Old Testament was a demonstration of faith in the resurrection of Christ, as the basis of salvation and hope of eternal life.

In addition, it was earlier revealed that the LORD Himself performed the duty of the Priest directly in Genesis when Cain and Abel brought the offerings of their increase or harvest.  Consequently, the primary purpose of tithing and giving of the firstfruits that began in the early chapters of Genesis was neither to encourage the priests in the works of God nor to take care of the less privilege but primarily to bear witness to the resurrection by faith, which gives a renewed hope of eternal life.

Again, the similitude of the Lord that was seen in Genesis appeared as a royal High Priest to Abraham in the Person of Melchisedec many years before the birth of the nation of Israel that was later formed by Abraham’s descendants. As a type of the eternal Son of God who is the firstborn of all creatures, this royal Priesthood foreshadowed by Melchisedec has neither a beginning nor ending of days.  In addition, Melchisedec’s royal Personality as the Priest of the Most High God was acknowledged to be greater than Abraham. The author of Hebrews also explained how Abraham on behalf of his descendants gave witness to the resurrection by giving a tithe of his increase to Melchisedec, the priest of the Most High God, who was a type of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“FOR this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father , without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life: but made like unto the Son of God, abides a priest continually. Now consider how great this man was, unto which even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoil…But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes from Abraham, and blessed him that had all the promises. And without contradiction, the less is blessed of the better.” (Hebrews 7: 1-4, 6-7)

As mortals, the Levirate priests under the law could not continue their duties of intercession forever because of death but the royal priesthood after the order of Melchisedec is based on the resurrection power of an endless life through the victory of resurrection over the power of death.  Therefore, the priesthood of Christ that is patterned after the order of Melchisedec is superior to the Levirate priests .

“And they truly were many priests, because they were not allowed to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continues ever has an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7: 23-25)

By divine arrangement, Abraham paid tithes to Melchisedec the high priest of God on behalf of his entire generations including Levi that was appointed to collect tithes under the Law. Accordingly,  Abraham’s tithes invoked the blessings of God through Melchisedec the High Priest of the Most High God. This royal priesthood after the order of Melchisedec was the same priesthood order that later re-emerged in the New Testament through the Christ that was revealed from the tribe of Judah. 

“And as I may say, Levi also, who receives tithes, paid tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it, the people received the law) what further need was there that another priest should arise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law…The LORD sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec: By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.” (Hebrews 7: 9-12, 21-22)

Secondary Purpose  For Tithes Under the Old Testament

The primary purpose of tithes and firstfruits was to bear witness to the coming resurrection of Christ as the hope of salvation while the secondary purpose of tithes of the firstfuits under the Old Testament dispensation was to encourage the priests and Levites in the work of the LORD.

“Moreover, he commanded the people that dwell in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the work of the LORD.” (2 Chronicles 31: 4)

This secondary purpose of tithing included the tithes given to the Levites, orphans, strangers, widows and less privilege. These tithes were in diverse forms that occur within a 7-year sabbatical cycle.  During the cycle, the tithes gathered were usually presented at the altar in the Temple before the priest during the first and second year, which required the tithes to be taken to the Temple in Jerusalem for the feasts to be enjoyed.  If the luggage was too heavy considering the distance, a person was allowed to sell it and convert it into money and spend the money at the feast.  There was also a third year tithe that was meant to be for the Levites, strangers, orphans, and less privilege within a person’s immediate environment, which was specifically called the third year of tithes or year of tithing. At the end of the next three years of a similar process comes the seventh year, which is the sabbatical year of rest. So every three years before the sabbatical year is the third tithe that is called the year of tithing where the tithes are distributed within a person’s gate for the Levites and the poor.

“When thou has made an end of tithing all the tithe of thine increase the third year; which is the year of tithing, and has given unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled:

Then thou shall say before the LORD thy God; I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them unto the Levites, and unto the strangers, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to the commandment which thou has commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandment, neither have I forgotten them….Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou has given us, as thou swore unto our fathers, a land that flow with milk and honey.” (Deuteronomy 26: 12-15)

As confirmed above, the secondary reason for giving tithes was to encourage the Levites and provide for the poor  and its fulfillment always  invokes the blessings of God that enable  a person prosper just as the primary purpose of tithes invokes the blessings of salvation that gives eternal life.

“Honor the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase; So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” (Proverbs 3: 9)

 The process of tithing was always done with the expectation of a blessing.  Let us recall that God blessed Abel in Genesis for this act, likewise Abraham was blessed for giving tithes to Melchisedec the Priest of the Most High God. Another example is given below with the challenge to request for a blessing.

“Bring ye all the tithes into the store house, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven, and pour out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, says the LORD of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed; for you shall be a delightsome land, says the LORD of hosts.” (Malachi 3: 10-12)

It was the duty of the priest to pronouce the blessings upon the people whenever the tithes were given to them to encourage them in the work of the LORD.

 “And the first of all the firstfruits of all things, and every oblation of all, of every sort of your oblations, shall  be the priest’s: ye shall also give unto the priest the first of your dough,  that he may cause the blessing to rest in thine house.” (Ezekiel 44:29-30)

 Now, let us recall that the primary reason for tithes is the message of the Gospel that was taught by the priests and Levites to those that gave witness to the coming resurrection of Christ while the secondary purpose of the tithes allowed the priests and Levites that taught the principles of the gospel to feed and be encouraged in the works of God.  It is based on this same Old Testament  principle that the New Testament preachers of the Gospel are empowered to live by the gospel.

“Do you know that they which minister about holy things live of the holy things of the temple? And they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

Even so has the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 9: 13-14)

The blessing that is invoked when the secondary purpose of tithes is fulfilled under the law is a blessing of prosperity, which is similar to the blessing invoked in the New Testament when a servant of God that preaches the gospel is encouraged in the things of God.

“…I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4: 18-19)

So, the patterns of giving under the Old Testament are seen again in the New Testament except the fact that tithes were commanded by law under the Old Testament but giving in the New Testament is a voluntary act that should be done in appreciation of the grace of God.  The tithes given during the Levirate priesthood of the Old Testament was a Law that was mandatory in line with types and shadows of things to come.  This is why the only references to tithes in the New Testament were found in the book of Hebrews in relation to the shadows of the Old Testament that were later fulfilled by Jesus Christ, the High Priest of God, whose Priesthood is patterned after the order of Melchisedec. However, there is no where in the New Testament that commands believers to give a tenth part of their increase but the measure of what is given under the New Testament is voluntary just as Abraham voluntarily gave a tithe to Melchisedec to honor God.

“But I say, he who sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly, and he who sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposes in his heart, let him give: not grudingly, as of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2Corinthians 9: 6-7)

For their duties, all the Levites were compensated under the Old Testament from the tithes that they received from all the Israelites. As a type of double honor, the priests being the chief of the Levites also received tithes from the people and from the Levites portion for their work in doctrine.  This also corresponds to the New Testament principle that says that an elder that rules well should be given double honor especially those that labour in doctrine.

“Let the elder that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture says, Thou shall not muzzle the ox that treads out the corn, And , The labourer is worthy of his reward.” (1Timothy 5: 17-18)

The Double Honor of the Firstborn

It is important to emphasise the fact that all the types and shadows of tithes and firstfruits ordinances under the Old Testament refer to the firstborn because it portrays Christ, who is the firstborn of all creatures. Likewise, all the priesthood under the law had to conform to this firstborn patterns including the Levirate priesthood that was instituted under the dispensation of the Law.

The title of the firstborn as the eldest son under the Old Testament symbolises pre-eminence in any gathering, and the firstborn son by his birthright under the law was entitled to a double portion of the inheritance.  Every firstborn that opens the womb also has a role that typifies Christ, who is the firstborn of all creatures. 

“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature…And he is the head of the body, the Church; who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence.” (Colossians 1: 15. 18)

Even in a polygamous setting where the mother of the firstborn son was not the favorite wife, the firstborn son would still be given his right of pre-eminence by law in form of a double portion of the inheritance by virtue of his birthright.

“But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he has: for he is the beginning of his strength: the right of the firstborn is his.” (Deuteronomy 21:17)

For instance, the tribe of Joseph among the twelve tribes of Israel was given a double portion of inheritance by virtue of the birthright of the firstborn that was given to Joseph.  This birthright of the firstborn son was supposed to be for the tribe of Reuben but he lost his birthright when he slept with one of his father’s wife. As a result, the birthright of the firstborn among the twelve tribes of Israel was given to Joseph, which entitled him to a double portion of the inheritance.

“Thus saith the LORD; This shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel; Joseph shall have two portions.” (Ezekiel 47: 13)

“Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn but, for as much as he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel. For Judah prevailed above his brethren, out of whom came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph’s;) (1Chronicles 5: 1-2)

The examples above confirm the significance and importance of firstborn birthright and double honor under the Old Testament because it symbolizes the pre-eminence that entitles a person to a double portion of the inheritance.  As revealed above, the birthright of the firstborn among the twelve tribes of Israel belongs to the tribe of Joseph; whose descendants were given a double portion of the inheritance.

After the Lord separated the tribe of Levi to bear the ark of covenant and minister unto Him, the firstborn from the families of all the twelve tribes were also substituted and redeemed by the male population of the tribe of Levi under the dispensation of the law. In other words, the position of the firstborn son of every family in all the twelve tribes of Israel was represented by a male from the tribe of Levi that had the priesthood under the dispensation of the law.

“For all the firstborn of the children of Israel are mine, both an and beast; on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified them for myself. And I have taken the Levites for all the firstborn of the children of Israel.” (Numbers 8: 17-18)

On the day the Lord substituted the Levites for the firstborn in every family of the twelve tribes of Israel, the Levites male population were counted. For the number of the firstborn of the children of Israel that were more than the Levites, a redemption fee was paid. Those to be redeemed that were more than the Levite male population were 22, 273 men and five shekel a piece was paid per poll for these firstborn males of Israel . Moses took this redemption fee that were over and above  the firstborn males of Israel that were redeemed by the Levites, and gave them to his elder brother Aaron and his sons,  being the first high priest that emerged from the tribe of Levi.

“And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel, instead of all the firstborn that opens the matrix among the children of Israel; therefore the Levites shall be mine; Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote Egypt, I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast; mine they shall be; I am the LORD.’ (Number 3: 11-13)

As the priesthood lineage under the old dispensation of the Law and Prophets, the Levites were found in all parts of Israel because they no longer had an inheritance among the Israelites because the LORD Himself was their portion of inheritance in Israel. By virtue of their divine assignment, which includes taking charge of the temple duties, the tribe of Levi was entitled to a tithe or one tenth of everything in Israel that is given to honor God. This tithe or one tenth figuratively portrays a double portion of the firstfruits from the twelve tribes of Israel that is given to honor God belongs to the Levites. This is their heritage from the LORD after they became the firstborn among every family of the twelve tribes of Israel.  Afterwards, the Levites no longer had an inheritance among the Israelite because the portion that was given to God became their inheritance (Numbers 18: 20-21).

“The priests the Levite, and all the tribe of Levi , shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel; they shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and His inheritance. Therefore shall they have no inheritance among your brethren: the LORD is their inheritance, as He has said unto them….The firstfruit also of  thy corn,  of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shall thou give him.” (Deuteronmy 18:1-2, 4)

After the LORD became their inheritance, the Levites were assigned to take charge of temple duties and to teach the Israelites the oracles of God concerning the future plans of salvation that would be fulfilled through the coming Messiah.

“… behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift of the LORD to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation…And behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service of the tabernacle of the congregation…But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as a heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.” (Numbers 18: 6, 21, 24)

In view of the scriptural contexts above, it is clearly evident that the tribe of Levi was merged as part of all the other tribes of Israel to spiritually represent the firstborn in every family of the twelve tribes.   Due to this reason, there were cities specifically allocated to the Levites in the territories of all the tweve tribes of Israel after they were merged with every tribe because they no longer had a separate inheritance in Israel.

“…Everyone shall give of his cities to the Levites, according to his inheritance which he inherits.” (Numbers 35: 8)

Let us recall from my last blog that Mary the mother of Jesus was a relative of the Aaronic families of the Levites that lived in the hill country of Judah while her husband Joseph was from Bethlehem, the royal city that produced the lineage of kings in Judah.

Under the Old Testament, Levites represented the firstborn in every family of the twelve tribes of Israel while the Aaronic family spiritually represented the firstborn among the Levites themselves because the first Levirate high priest came from Aaron such that they were considered as the chief among the Levites. The Levirate Priesthood was only given to the sons of Aaron among the Levites.  In other words, only the descendants of Aaron among the Levites can handle the most holy duties of the temple such as burning incense on the altar.

“And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.

And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation. …And thou shall give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons: they are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel.

And thou shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest’s office; and the stranger that comes near shall be put to death.” (Number 3: 5-10)

 For instance, the sons of Korah that once attempted to burn incense in the tabernacle suffered a devastating plague despite being Levites. This punishment was a memorial lesson and reminder to the Israelites that only the descendants of Aaron among the Levites can perform priestly duties such as burning incense in the temple.

“…To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the Lord; that he be not as Korah, and as his company.” (Numbers 16: 40)

Generally, the Levites were divided into different courses with respect to their family units for the work of the temple, which included the Levite descendants of the families of Moses and Aaron.  So, it was customary for some Levites according to their course to work as porters while another course of Levites were assigned to sing praises with instruments to the Lord in the temple etc. Only the descendants of the families of Aaron alone were separated as the chief of the Levites for the purpose of the most holy things of the temple such as burning of incense and to minister in Lord’s presence (1Chronicles 23: 13).   For their duties, the Levites were compensated from the tithes that they received from all the Israelites while the priests being the chief of the Levites also received tithes from all the Levites, as a type of double honor for their work in doctrine.  This corresponds to the New Testament principle that says that an elder that rules well should be given double honor especially those that labour in doctrine.

“Let the elder that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture says, Thou shall not muzzle the ox that treads out the corn, And , The labourer is worthy of his reward.” (1Timothy 5: 17-18)

Finally, it is worth recalling the fact that God loves a cheerful giver and giving under the New Testament must not be done by compulsion but willingly. 

“Every man according as he purposes in his heart, let him give: not grudingly, as of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver; And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound in every good work. As it is written, He has dispersed abroad, he has given to the poor, his righteousness remains forever:” (2Corinthians 9:7-9)

Most importantly, it is also worth mentioning the fact that the aim of giving under the New Testament is for the purpose of equality such that the measure expected depends on what a person has, and he is not expected to give what he does not have.  He is only expected to ease the burden of others from his abundance while others at another occasion might also be expected to ease his own burden from their abundance, that there may be equality.

“For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man has, and not according to that he has not.

For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye be burdened; But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality.” (2Corinthians 8: 12-14)

The ideal pattern of equality was seen in the early Church when they had all things in common. This is the pattern that would be restored beginning with Christ’s millenial reign on earth.

“And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the LORD Jesus; and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked; for as many as were possesors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostle’s feet; and distribution was made unto every man according as he has need.” (Acts 4: 33-35).

The aim of giving under the New Testament with reference to all the scriptural contexts above is for equality so that no one lacks (James 1: 27).  

Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same thing which I was forward to do.” (Galatians 2: 10)