Q. When did tithing start?

A.  Tithing is first mentioned with Abraham who tithed to Melchizedek:
            And blessed be the most high Elohim, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand.  And he gave him tithes of all.  (Genesis 14:20 AV)
            This is an important verse, for it reveals several things of great importance. Abram apparently knew about tithing. The New Testament reveals that Abraham is the father of the faithful, and in a sense we are children of faithful Abraham who tithed.  Also, Jacob (later named Israel) also tithed:
            And this stone, which I have set [for] a pillar, shall be Yahweh’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.  (Genesis 28:22 AV)
            It is also interesting that tithes were paid to Melchizedek in Genesis 14. Thus, we see that the Melchizedek preceded the Levitical Priesthood which was established under Moses. However, we are now under the Melchizedek Priesthood of Yahshua, as shown in Hebrews 7:21. We are also told that in a sense Levi tithed through Abraham, Hebrews 7:7-11.
            Therefore, because we are now under the priesthood of the Savior, we are to tithe even today.
            It has been said that one can get along far better by tithing for 90 percent of our increase with Yahweh’s blessing can accomplish more than 100 percent without it.
           
           There is another tithe Yahweh’s people are to set aside for themselves to keep the Feast of Yahweh.  Note that Leviticus 27:32 says the first tithes are holy and set apart for Yahweh.  But there is another tithe for us, which we are to keep at home which, for us, is and our family to attend Yahweh’s Feasts:
            And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before Yahweh your Elohim, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household, (Deuteronomy 14:26 AV)
            Note this tithe is not special or holy to Yahweh, but is set aside by members of the Ekklesia to ensure their being able to attend His feasts.  The world follows a similar practice with their “Xmas Savings Club” where they set aside a sum each payday to enjoy their pagan celebration every December 25.  (For a better understanding of the festival tithe, request our mini-study “Attending Yahweh’s Feasts.”)
            Yahweh’s program takes care of many things, and He promises blessings upon those who gladly obey Him.