Tithing is a form of offering made to the church by Christians which is routinely done every month.
The offerings take various forms, but currently they are in the form of money, which comes from their monthly income.
This culture of giving tithes is a long-standing tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation until the present day, and is considered something eternal and eternal and must be implemented by followers of the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Is it true that tithing is Jesus' teaching?
Based on the contents of the Bible itself, especially in the Old Testament, traces of the emergence of the culture of tithing begin in Leviticus 27:30
Likewise, all tithe offerings from the land, whether from the seeds of the land or from the fruit of the trees, belong to God, they are holy offerings to God."
Also in numbers 18:21 this matter has been conveyed
"Again, you must speak to the Levites and say to them, when we receive from the people of Israel the tithe that I give you from them as your inheritance, then you must offer part of it as a special offering to God, namely your tithe offering from the tithe offering That".
It is not only in the book of priesthood and numbers that the command to tithe appears, but it is also found in Chronicles 31:5, Genesis 14:20, 28:20, 22. So in the past, tithe offerings were in the form of food materials, which could be harvests from plants or livestock.
From the information written in the Old Testament, it can be summarized that the history of the tradition of tithe offerings was caused by
1. Commandments of the Levites
to take care of the temple so they needed to be given tithe as a form of remuneration for taking care of the house of worship (Numbers 18:21)
2. There are religious day celebrations
Every year, approximately 3 times the Levites of Israel celebrate religious days, so believers are required to bring tithe offerings to the temple to enjoy together.
3. Helping the poor
Tithe offerings are not limited to points 1 and 2, but are also widely given to the poor in Israel.
The purpose and purpose of being given tithe is not a mystery, it is clear that there is nobility behind the offering. However, there are several things that need to be criticized a little.
The temple no longer exists, why does the tithe offering still exist today? Isn't this commandment for tithing only for the Israelites?
Why should non-Jewish Christians follow?
In the New Testament there is no specific and detailed explanation regarding tithing. Even Jesus himself in the book of Luke 18:12 criticized a Pharisee who was so proud of his tithes given in an arrogant tone.
So Jesus himself did not recommend or forbid his followers from offering tithes. However, in plain view, this practice was institutionalized by unscrupulous priests so that it gave the impression of being a means of livelihood.
It would be very disappointing if this noble act had to become an opportunity to accumulate wealth in the name of a religious teaching. It seems that the term tithing needs to be replaced with another term that is voluntary, no longer an obligation for the congregation because it is no longer appropriate to apply it nowadays.
One thing is certain, offering tithes is not a teaching of Jesus Christ but is a tradition handed down from ancient Israel.
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