Numbers 18:21

“Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of the LORD.” – Numbers 18:21

Many today question or even mock the practice of tithing, not realizing where it began or why God commanded it. From the start, tithing had a divine purpose.

The Levites were chosen for the highest calling: to serve God in His temple. Their duty was to care for and manage the temple, to offer sacrifices exactly as God instructed, and to teach His Word to Israel. Unlike the other tribes, they received no inheritance of land; their inheritance was God Himself. They didn’t go to battle, but they carried the Ark of the Covenant, showing the people that the real power and victory came from the presence of God.

Because of their sacred calling, God provided for them through the tithes of the other tribes. This support gave them food, shelter, and clothing so they could focus fully on their spiritual duties. Without this provision, their service to God would have been hindered.

This principle didn’t end in the Old Testament. In the book of Acts, the early church supported the apostles and disciples so they could devote themselves to prayer, teaching, and spreading the gospel. Even when the apostles sometimes chose not to use this authority, Apostles paul once says, “when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel“. It was never because the principle was wrong, it was to remove any possible accusation against the ministry.

When we tithe or give offerings, we are obeying God’s command, not men.
When we tithe or give offerings, we fund the work of God through the ministers He has ordained to accomplish His purposes.
When we tithe or give offerings, God opens the windows of heaven over our lives.
When we tithe or give offerings, we declare that we trust Him more than ourselves to provide.
Every time we give, we give to God, not to men. And remember this: we can never outgive God.