Tithing

The earliest reference to tithing occurs in the Old Testament Book of Genesis. Following his victory over a coalition of Mesopotamian kings, the patriarch Abraham gives one-tenth of the spoils of battle to the high priest Melchizedek in gratitude for Melchizedek’s hospitality toward his soldiers. This practice later became codified within Mosaic Law – the legal framework of Jewish society laid out in the Torah – in the form of an annual tribute to the Levites, a priestly group who presided over religious life in the community. During this era, other ancient cultures – including the Babylonians, Phoenicians and Athenians – observed similar codes of mandatory giving. 

Although tithing doesn’t appear as a formal duty in the New Testament, as Christianity spread the practice gradually became a fundamental requirement of religious life. The tithe became an official Christian obligation during the Synod of Mâcon in 585 C.E. and was later codified into secular law throughout Europe. Tithing persisted among reformed Christian groups that emerged from the Protestant Reformation, although these donations were often directed toward secular authorities. 

Tithing in Europe remained widespread until the French Revolution of 1789, when the practice was abolished in France. With the 1836 passage of the Tithe Act in England, the tithe was converted into a tax based on the average value of agricultural produce over a seven-year period; this tax was ultimately repealed a century later. Irish religious authorities eliminated the tithing obligation following the formation of the Church of Ireland in 1871, and the practice ended in Italy in 1887. 

Although tithing remains mandatory within the Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, it is no longer widely practiced among mainstream Christian denominations. Even so, the ritual of making regular donations to the church is still a vital aspect of Christian life in the 21st century. While the strict observance of tithing has faded, the spirit behind it continues to guide faith-based generosity to this day.

Contributor: Stephen Meyer