Leviticus 27:30-34

4. The redemption of tithes 27:30-34

God claimed as His possession one tenth of the seed, fruit, and livestock of the Israelites. If the owner wished to keep some of this himself, he had to pay the value of what he kept to God plus 20 percent. This tithe was a commonly recognized obligation to God and for this reason it was not part of the Mosaic Law (cf. Genesis 14:20; Genesis 28:22). This was one of two tithes the Israelites had to pay (cf. Deuteronomy 14:22-27), the other being the tithe they paid every three years to support the poor (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). Probably Moses included the directions concerning it in this section of Leviticus because this tithe was a gift to God.

The Israelites were to devote the Sabbath entirely to God as a reminder that all their days belonged to Him. Likewise they were to tithe their income as a reminder that all their possessions belonged to Him. The tithe was not just the part the Israelites owed God. It was a reminder that they owed everything to God. [Note: James Philip, Numbers, p. 212.]

"Leviticus 27 points out that holiness is more than a matter of divine call and correct ritual. Its attainment requires the total consecration of a man’s life to God’s service. It involves giving yourself, your family, and all your possessions to God." [Note: Wenham, The Book . . ., p. 343.]

God has given quite different directions to guide the giving of Christians under the New Covenant (cf. 1 Corinthians 16; 2 Corinthians 8-9; Philippians 4). He has not specified a percentage that His people must give. He wants us to give joyfully, sacrificially, proportionately, and as He has prospered us. Teaching Christians to give as God instructed the Israelites under the Old Covenant often has the effect of limiting their giving rather than increasing it. Many Christians erroneously think that when they have given 10 percent they have satisfied God.

"In order to reflect God’s faithfulness, God demands that his people be faithful to do all that they vow or promise and be careful that their vows and promises are appropriate." [Note: Ross, p. 495.]

The New Testament emphasizes keeping our word more than keeping our vows. All our words should be trustworthy and reliable (Matthew 5:37). This is an important aspect of personal integrity.