Even though the Biblical principle of tithing (i.e. giving one tenth of your produce) seems quite straightforward, how to implement the principle in a non-agrarian culture is in dispute. Thus we find that many Christians take the issue of tithing very seriously and others don’t, or find ways to work around Biblical commands to tithe in ways that work for them and seem to be reasonable, contemporary, cultural substitutions for Biblical law. And Jews put their own spin on tithing.

In general, it can be said that everyone believes that the commands are fulfilled in whole or in part by giving money to religious organizations, to charity, or both. But what a tithe is and how to satisfy God’s commands about tithing and sacrifices is still a matter on which there is not full agreement within Christianity or Judaism. Thus there are many articles, books and sermons on the topic.

The reason there is disagreement and misunderstanding about tithing and sacrifices is that people interpret scriptures literally. If they are honest with themselves, they will sooner or later discover the reality that it is impossible to fully satisfy God’s literal commands about either issue. The reason for this dilemma is that scriptures about tithing and sacrifices should be interpreted symbolically — not literally. 

Understanding of tithes will only come to people who first understand the “first the natural, and then the spiritual” principle. This principle tells us that physical tithes and sacrifices are symbolic representations of spiritual events that happen in the heart.

Anyone who tries to satisfy any literal, Biblical command to the letter of the written law will fail. Anyone who makes an honest assessment of their religious efforts will have to admit that obedience to the literal Bible is impossible. The Bible says that all scripture is able to instruct about righteousness, but all attempts to obey the literal words of the Bible will result in frustration and a lot of work. This may seem unfair and even cruel until we come to understand that God uses the literal Bible to symbolically show that what he is really concerned about is their hearts — not what they do with their flesh or their money. What they do with their flesh and their money is fake faith. The condition of the heart is what God cares about.

STUDY TIPS: See Sacrifices, Tithes and Offerings and Tithes for understanding of symbolic meanings of tithes and sacrifices: