I was reading an article on another subject, and found a remark about tithing that sparked an interest. So I began searching, and found another article on the subject of tithing. Essentially, the article asserted there are three tithes:
1.
Numbers 18:25-28, which was a tithe to the Levites. Out of this tithe, the Levites gave a tithe to the priests (so the priests got 1% of a person's increase, with the Levites keeping 9%).
2.
Deuteronomy 14:22-27, which was a tithe for family feasting together with the Levite.
3.
Deuteronomy 14:28-29, which was the 'poor tithe', shared with the local Levite, stranger, fatherless, widow, 'the needy', etc.
These three tithes were paid during the six years prior to the sabbatical year. Not sure but the author I believe was saying the poor tithe was paid in the third and sixth years, implying the family/Levite tithe was paid in the second and fifth years, and the Levite tithe was paid in the first and third years.
Alms were private donations to the poor above and beyond, and at other times than, the poor tithe.
Offerings, vows, freewill gifts etc were often donations to Levites and priests (though obviously some of the offerings were eaten by the giver along with the priest/Levite) and were separate from the tithe.
My question is this: Does the Scripture really indicate three distinct tithes, paid twice each in every six year period? If so, how can this be established by the word of God alone (rather than by looking up references in the Talmud)? If not, then what do these (and any other relevant) passages teach?
I am not at this point interested in modern applications of tithing, or questions of should you or how much should you give to your local church, your pastor, any other preacher, etc. I would like to try to avoid having this thread degenerate into a 'tithing is evil vs non tithe payers are going to hell' type of 'debate' if possible.
I just want to look closely at the Biblical data on tithing, as it is, in the scripture.
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