Practically Applying the Principle of Tithing and Giving Daily

The practice of tithing, understood as giving a tenth of one's income or produce, has ancient roots, appearing in biblical narratives long before the Mosaic Law. Abraham gave a tenth to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:20), and Jacob vowed to give a tenth to God (Genesis 28:22) ^[4]. Under the Mosaic Law, tithing became a mandated practice for the Israelites, with specific instructions regarding its application. The tithe was considered to belong to God and included a tenth of all agricultural produce and livestock ^[4]. These tithes were primarily designated for the support of the Levites, who, in turn, offered a tenth of what they received to the priests ^[4].

Beyond the tithe, the broader concept of giving and generosity is a recurring theme throughout scripture, emphasizing care for the needy and diligent participation in good works. The Apostle Paul, for instance, exhorted believers to "distribute unto the necessity of the saints and diligently to harbour" ^[1]. This suggests a continuous and active engagement in meeting the needs of others within the community. The New Testament does not explicitly re-institute a legalistic tithe in the same manner as the Old Testament, but it consistently promotes generous giving as an expression of faith and love. John Calvin, a prominent Reformed theologian, emphasized that believers should aim to curb luxury and avoid superfluous abundance, instead focusing on giving to those in need ^[11]. He also connected good works, including giving, to the riches believers will enjoy in eternal blessedness, noting that understanding the "scope of the Spirit" is crucial for interpreting passages about giving ^[16].

The concept of daily application extends beyond financial giving to a broader commitment to Christian living. The Apostle Paul encouraged Timothy to "practice these things. Be diligent in these things, in order that your progress may be evident to everyone" ^[2]. This diligence encompasses various aspects of faith, including cultivating Christian graces, striving for perfection, and guarding against defilement ^[6]. Such a daily commitment is not merely about avoiding sin but actively pursuing righteousness and good works ^[13].

In the context of daily spiritual practice, the idea of "daily bread" in the Lord's Prayer, as interpreted by Augustine, refers to all things necessary for this life, including spiritual sustenance ^[12]. This petition encourages a daily reliance on God's providence for both physical and spiritual needs ^{[5, 12]}. Augustine also linked the concept of daily almsgiving to repentance, suggesting that true alms are not merely superficial acts but are connected to a life transformed by genuine repentance ^[17].

The practice of daily spiritual disciplines is also evident in other traditions. Thomas Aquinas, a scholastic theologian, discussed the daily reception of the Eucharist, noting that it is profitable to receive it daily to partake in its benefits and receive forgiveness of sins ^[8]. This highlights a desire for continuous spiritual nourishment and growth. Similarly, in Jewish tradition, the concept of daily offerings and practices is found, such as the daily additional offerings during Passover, where the principle of "the more frequent precedes the less frequent" is applied ^{[10, 15]}.

Diligence is a key component in the practical application of both tithing and daily living. Christ himself is presented as an example of diligence ^[6]. Believers are called to be diligent in seeking God, obeying Him, hearkening to His word, and striving for perfection ^[6]. This diligence is not a one-time act but a continuous effort, much like a farmer's constant attention to sowing and cultivating seed ^[3]. The "providence of God" is understood as His continuous care, preservation, and provision for His creatures, especially for saints, guiding and prospering them ^[5]. This divine care underscores the importance of human diligence in responding to God's ongoing work in the world.

The Jewish tradition also provides insights into the practicalities of giving, particularly concerning the poor man's tithe. The Babylonian Talmud explains that the owner has discretion in distributing this tithe from within their house, emphasizing the personal responsibility in fulfilling this commandment ^[9]. The Mishnah further discusses the distribution of demai (produce about which there is doubt whether it has been properly tithed) to the poor and guests, with differing views among rabbinic schools on how charity collectors should handle such produce ^[14]. These discussions illustrate the practical considerations and ethical nuances involved in applying principles of giving in daily life.

Thanksgiving is another integral aspect of daily Christian practice, commanded in scripture and exemplified by Christ ^[7]. It should be offered to God and through Christ in all circumstances, both in private and public worship ^[7]. This attitude of gratitude complements the act of giving, recognizing God as the ultimate source of all blessings.

Sources

Romans “Romans 12:13 (Tyndale) — Distribute vnto the necessite of the saynctes and diligently to harboure.”
I Timothy “I Timothy 4:15 (LEB) — Practice these things. Be diligent in these things, in order that your progress may be evident to everyone.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Seed — Every herb, tree and grass yields its own -- Ge 1:11,12,29. Each kind of, has its own body -- 1Co 15:38. Sowing of Time for, called seed time. -- Ge 8:22. Necessary to its productiveness. -- Joh 12:24; 1Co 15:36. Required constant diligence. -- Ec 11:4,6. Often attended with great waste. -- Mt 13:4,5,7. Often attended with danger. -- Ps 126:5,6. Yearly return of time of sowing, secured by covenant -- Ge 8:21,22. The ground carefully ploughed, and prepared for -- Isa 28:24,25. Often sown beside rivers -- Ec 11:1; Isa 32:20. Often trodden into the ground, by the”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Tithe — The tenth of anything -- 1Sa 8:15,17. Antiquity of the custom of giving to God's ministers -- Ge 14:20; Heb 7:6. Considered a just return to God for his blessings -- Ge 28:22. Under the law belonged to God -- Le 27:30. Consisted of a tenth Of all the produce of the land. -- Le 27:30. Of all cattle. -- Le 27:32. Of holy things dedicated. -- 2Ch 31:6. Given by God to the Levites for their services -- Nu 18:21,24; Ne 10:37. The tenth of, offered by the Levites as an heave offering to God -- Nu 18:26,27. The tenth of, given by the Levites to the priests as their ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Providence of God, The — Is his care over his works -- Ps 145:9. Is exercised in Preserving his creatures. -- Ne 9:6; Ps 36:6; Mt 10:29. Providing for his creatures. -- Ps 104:27,28; 136:25; 147:9; Mt 6:26. The special preservation of saints. -- Ps 37:28; 91:11; Mt 10:30. Prospering saints. -- Ge 24:48,56. Protecting saints. -- Ps 91:4; 140:7. Delivering saints. -- Ps 91:3; Isa 31:5. Leading saints. -- De 8:2,15; Isa 31:5. Leading saints. -- De 8:2,15; Isa 63:12. Bringing His words to pass. -- Nu 26:65; Jos 21:45; Lu 21:32,33. Ordering the ways of men. -- Pr 16:9; 19”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Thanksgiving — Christ set an example of -- Mt 11:25; 26:27; Joh 6:11; 11:41. The heavenly host engaged in -- Re 4:9; 7:11,12; 11:16,17. Commanded -- Ps 50:14; Php 4:6. Is a good thing -- Ps 92:1. Should be offered To God. -- Ps 50:14. To Christ. -- 1Ti 1:12. Through Christ. -- Ro 1:8; Col 3:17; Heb 13:15. In the name of Christ. -- Eph 5:20. In behalf of ministers. -- 2Co 1:11. In private worship. -- Da 6:10. In public worship. -- Ps 35:18. In everything. -- 1Th 5:18. Upon the completion of great undertakings. -- Ne 12:31,40. Before taking food. -- Joh 6:11; Ac 27:35.”
theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of the Use or Receiving of This Sacrament in General, Art. 10: Article: Whether it is lawful to receive this sacrament daily? I answer that, There are two things to be considered regarding the use of this sacrament. The first is on the part of the sacrament itself, the virtue of which gives health to men; and consequently it is profitable to receive it daily so as to receive its fruits daily. Hence Ambrose says (De Sacram. iv): "If, whenever Christ's blood is shed, it is shed for the forgiveness of sins, I who sin often, should receive it of”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Chullin 131b.5: And the baraita teaches with regard to the poor man’s tithe that is distributed from within his house that the owner has the benefit of discretion. The Gemara asks: What is the reason for this halakha ? It is because the requirement of giving is written with regard to it, as the verse states: “When you have made an end of tithing all the tithe of your increase in the third year, which is the year of tithing, and you shall give it to the Levite, to the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, that they may eat within your gates, and be satisfied” (Deuter”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Zevachim 89a.3: Rabbi Ile’a said that it is derived from the fact that the verse states with regard to the additional offerings of Passover: “Like these you shall offer daily, for seven days” (Numbers 28:24). This verse, which immediately follows the one cited previously, indicates that the principle that governs these additional offerings shall be like the principle governing those daily offerings and additional offerings mentioned previously, i.e., the more frequent precedes the less frequent.”
CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 65: must indulge as little as possible; on the other hand, 2034 it must be his constant aims not only to curb luxury, but to cut off all show of superfluous abundance, and carefully beware of converting a help into an hinderance. 5. Another rule is, that those in narrow and slender circumstances should learn to bear their wants patiently, that they may not become immoderately desirous of things, the moderate use of which implies no small progress in the school of Christ. For in addition to the many other vices which accompany a longing”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — CHAP. VII.--25. The fourth petition is, "Give us this day our daily bread." Daily bread is put either for all those things which meet the wants of this life, in reference to which He says in His teach (part 1): 42 closets, and also the command, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added[1] unto you"? Certainly He does not say, Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and then seek those other things; but "all these things," says He, "shall be added unto you," that is to say, even though ye are not se”
CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 44: faith unfeigned are placed at the head, in other words, true piety; and that from this charity is derived. It is a mistake then to suppose, that merely the rudiments and first principles of righteousness are delivered in the Law, to form, as it were, a kind of introduction to good works, and not to guide to the perfect performance of them. For complete perfection, nothing more can be required than is expressed in these passages of Moses and Paul. How far, pray, would he wish to go, who is not satisfied with the instruction which di”
Mishnah (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Mishnah, Mishnah Demai 3:1: They may feed demai to the poor and to guests (alt. passing troops). Rabban Gamaliel used to feed demai to his workmen. [As for] charity collectors: Bet Shammai says: they should give tithed [produce] to one who doesn’t tithe, and untithed [produce] to one who does tithe. In this way it will turn out that every one will eat [produce] that has been fixed (tithed). But the sages say: they may collect indiscriminately and distribute indiscriminately. And one who wishes to fix [his produce by tithing it], let him fix it.”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Zevachim 89a.4: The Gemara challenges: But that verse is required to teach its own halakha , that the additional offerings of the first day of Passover recur on each day of Passover. The Gemara answers: If so, let the verse write: These you shall offer daily. Since the Torah writes: “Like these,” both the halakha that these additional offerings are brought on each day of Passover and the principle concerning precedence can be derived from this verse.”
CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 73: giveth us richly all things to enjoy: that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life,” ( 1 Tim. 6:17-19 ). For the good works which we enjoy in eternal blessedness are compared to riches. I answer, that we shall never attain to the true knowledge of these passages unless we attend to the scope of the Spirit in uttering them. If it is true, as Christ says, “Where your ”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 27.--AGAINST THE BELIEF OF THOSE WHO THINK THAT THE SINS WHICH HAVE BEEN ACCOMPANIED WITH ALMSGIVING WILL DO THEM NO HARM, (part 2): it he most absurd and insane to make such an acknowledgment, and if we still ask what 476 are those fitting alms of which even the forerunner of Christ said, "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance,"(1) undoubtedly it will be found that they are not such as are done by men who undermine their life by daily enormities even to the very end. For they suppose that by giving to the poor a small”

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