“I give to
the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the
work they do while serving at the tent of meeting…Instead, I give to the
Levites as their inheritance the tithes that the Israelites present as an
offering to the Lord. That is
why I said concerning them: ‘They will have no inheritance among the
Israelites.’” Numbers 18:21,24
The
tithe was given by the people to provide income for the Levites who worked in
the tabernacle and later the temple. It
was their inheritance so they could build up a nest egg for future
generations. Later, when the temple was
built, the money also helped in the upkeep of the temple. A mixture of tithe (10% of one’s income) and
offerings (above and beyond ten percent) came as food sacrifices (animal and
grain), precious metals (gold and silver) and coins.
Today
we do the same thing. Our tithes to the
church help with the staff and the upkeep of the church.