A tithe is a tenth of something; the tenth part of produce or property or money. References to the tithe can be found in both the Old and New Testaments.
In Genesis chapter 14, we see Abram, under no written
obligation, giving 10 percent of the spoils of war to Melchizedek, king of
Salem and priest of God Most High,
while he gave the remaining 90 percent to the king of Sodom who had suggested
that Abram keep it for himself. Abram did not as he wanted to demonstrate to those
around him that it was God, not man, who made him rich.
I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ (Genesis 14:23 NIV)
Citing Genesis 14, Hebrews chapter 7 shows that in Abram’s
day the giving of tithes was seen as a holy deed and pre-dated the law of Moses.
It is true that those descendants of Levi who are charged with the priestly office are commanded in the Law to collect tithes from the people—which means, from their kinsmen—though these have descended from Abraham. But this person [Melchizedek] who is not from their Levitical ancestry received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who possessed the promises [of God]. (Hebrews 7:5-6 AMP)
These two chapters allow us to see the true meaning of the
tithe not as an instruction or an example to follow or even a religious
precedent but as a symbol of a higher concept that points to a deeper truth.
Jesus, upon entering a village, was met by 10 lepers.
They kept their distance but
raised their voices, calling out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Taking a
good look at them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” (Luke
17:13, 14 MSG)
On their way to the priests, they are miraculously healed of
this dreaded disease.
Then one of them, when he saw
that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he
fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. (Luke 17:15,
16 ESV)
Only one out of the ten returned, voluntarily, to Jesus.
Now he was a Samaritan. Then
Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was
no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”
(Luke 17:16, 17-18 ESV)
Combining Luke’s account of the ten lepers with Hebrews chapter
7 gives a new and higher concept to the tithe, pointing to a truth that we
often overlook – the living tithe.
That formerly diseased man was the tithe, the living tithe. This
foreigner, like Melchizedek, was outside the genealogy of the Jewish people, just
as we are, yet he, after receiving 100 percent from God, gave himself back to
God as a living tithe.
Tithing has never been merely about money, and there is so
much more about it than one blog post can accommodate. It is so important to dig
deeper into the Scriptures, to study carefully and thoroughly, asking the Holy
Spirit for guidance and understanding.
The living tithe is one who returns to Jesus, willing not
just to give a tenth but to offer God every part of him or herself.
Beloved, you may honour God by giving a tenth of your money,
but God wants all of you. Jesus gave all of Himself for you, 100 percent was
the price He paid on the cross.
This season invites you to return to God, offer yourself to
Him as the living tithe, withholding nothing from Him because it begins and
ends in Him.
Amen †
Shelley Johnson “The Living Tithe” ©2026 February 21, 2026
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