The has been a consistent preaching today that involves the question “Will a man rob God?” to make its interpretation seem plain-dealing. You cannot rob God of what is his. These issues are more complex than many sermons on the subject may pertain.
Whether the believers today are to give at least ten percent of their income and offer their “first fruits” or not involves broader issues like the connection between the two Testaments; the question whether the Law of God given through Moses is still applicable to believers in the New Testament period; the relationship between the Old Testament and New Testament at large; and the nature of progressive revelation and salvation history.
Tithe and Firstfruit are the main programs that people use today on how to give back to God. The examination of these two manners of giving has importance for the understanding of what really is the origin of the religious giving.
What are Tithes?
While tithing was a Mosaic Law requirement in which the Israelite people were to give a percentage of the crops they grew and the livestock they raised to the tabernacle/temple
What is Firstfruits?
First fruits offering can be referenced on Leviticus 23:9-14. Israelite people must provide bundles of grain to the priest, then that priest would present it before the Lord through waving. A burnt offering, a meal offering, and a drink offering were also needed at that time.
Difference between Tithes and Firstfruits
Origin of Tithes and Firstfruits
A practice of Ancient Israel, tithes were first documented when God accepted the tithes of Abraham and Jacob (Genesis 14:18-24; 28:20-22). Afterwards, the tithing system was used to provide a budget for the needs of the nation of Israel (Numbers 18:21; Leviticus 27:30). Throughout the times of the judges and of the Israelite kings, tithing continued even after the Jews were freed from captivity. The Israelite people were rebuked by God for stealing his tithes (Malachi 3:8).
While firstfruit was a Jewish feast held in the early spring at the beginning of the grain harvest. It was observed on the third day after Passover and the second day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Tithes are similar to the tax levied on Israelite people and are mandated and not an option. It is distributed to support the help the poor and the Levites..
Reason of Tithes and Firstfruits
For the Israelite people first fruit symbolizes how God harvest souls, it is an offering to God from a heart of gladness, and it sets a standard of giving back to Him the best of what He has given them in those times. The first fruit offering was given in memory of Israel’s stay in Egypt, their freedom from slavery, and how they possess the Promised Land. The day of the firstfruits offering was also used to calculate the proper time of the Feast of Weeks (Leviticus 23:15-16).
The truth is, the Mosaic Law required multiple tithes—one for the Levites, one for the use of the temple and the feasts, and one for the poor of the land—which would have pushed the total to a percentage higher than. Some understand the Mosaic Law tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests.
Methods involved in Tithes and Firstfruits
Those who brought the firstfruit to the Temple needs to recite an Avowal, which can be found in Deuteronomy 26:3-10. The firstfruits would be brought by Native-born Israelite people and non-natives would and would say the Avowal, but women are prohibited to do so. The Avowal was included into the grandiose and beautiful celebration of the feast with pilgrims marching up and conducting processions to the Temple and also many parts of Jerusalem carrying silver, gold or baskets to which they tie their live birds as found in the Hebrew Scripture Bikkurim 3:3,5 and 8.
For the tithe, A tenth of the remainder of the farmer’s yield was separated. Then the one who will offer the tithe will go to Jerusalem while carrying it and afterward the tithe must be eaten there in a sincere heart. Sometimes there is a difficulty on traveling to Jerusalem, if that happens the tithe can be substituted for a sum of money for it to be redeemed then the food and drink bought may be eaten in Jerusalem.
In other instances, the poor people will receive the tithe and was known as ‘poor man’s tithe. After the Temple was destroyed, only a few were used for the tithe to be redeemed and afterward, he can eat it anywhere he resides. The produce was not separated for tithing were strictly forbidden but after the separation of tithe the offering can be delayed. An Israelite who wants to offer can select whose Levite he would give his offering.
You can only tithe if you are in the territory of God which is Israel so that those Jews who are Exiled was not obligated to tithe, even though some people groups in Egypt that have a system of tithing.
Modern Usage of Tithes and Firstfruits
Other Rabbinic references confirm a tithe of money as well as of produce, but there is no clarity whether this was an obligation or voluntary contribution. In actuality, many people today who are observant Jews really donate to charity an annual tenth part of their income. This is called maaser kesafim, wealth tax’ or ‘the money tithe’.
Additionally modern Israel celebrates first fruit offering on Shavuot which is reminiscent of the ancient Temple ritual. There is a procession in which children participate in a festival involving carrying of agricultural products and donations to the Jewish National Fund for the reclamation of their land.
Amount in Tithes and Firstfruits
For first fruit, No specific amount or percentage of seasonal harvest is required for the offering of first fruits, but on the other hand, there exists a text for the recitation which was to accompany the offering, in Deuteronomy 26:5–10.
While on tithing, The Law of God through Moses says that the Israelite people need three-way of tithing, the tithing for Levites found on Leviticus 27:30-32; and Numbers 18:21,24, yearly feast tithing as seen on Deut. 14:22-27, and the tithe for the poor (Deut. 14:28-29). The tithe for the Levites was the standard tithe. It required all Israelites to give 10% of their increase (crops, fruit, livestock) to the Levites. That kind of tithing may mean that the tithe is given infrequently the whole year.
Tithes vs. Firstfruits: Comparison in a tabular form
Summary of Tithes and Firstfruits
The first fruits offering is mentioned seven times in the New Testament, but always symbolically. Just as the firstfruits offering was the first piece of a larger harvest, those Christians that Paul was talking about in the Epistle to the Romans were the first of many converts in that region. Believers who are “a kind of firstfruits of His creatures” were used by God according to Apostle James (James 1:18). Just like the bundle of grain true Christians are set apart for God’s glory.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the first fruit offering. 1 Corinthians 15:20 says “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep”. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus gives way for the resurrection of the elect.
Paul of the New Testament taught Corinthian believers to set aside a collection “on the first day of the week” as we see in 1 Corinthians 16 verse 2 but this is not tithing or first fruits offering.
Because Christians are redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ and Jesus became their representative who perfectly obeyed the Law for those Christians, therefore they have no obligation than to give cheerfully and freely according to 2 Corinthians 9:6-7.
According to the New Testament giving has benefits and is therefore important. You need to give if you are able and for that reason giving is more than 10 percent sometimes; Giving less is appropriate if you don’t really have the financial capability to do so. Giving tithes and offerings with a grateful heart must be the main concern.