Giving a portion of a harvest to gods who were supposed to possess the land was a very ancient custom. The early Hebrews, worshiping but one God, naturally gave their offerings to the Lord. These offerings later came to be seen as a way of giving thanks for blessings received. When a portion of possessions or goods was given, the customary amount was 10 percent—the rightful tithe. The Israelite priests and Levites received their people's tithes on behalf of God; it was usually voluntary but sometimes mandatory as a tax, and sometimes it was paid in money rather than in produce or animals.
Great blessings were predicted for those who gave obediently. Malachi reflected this promise when he said, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." Mal. 3:10.
Tithing had not been part of my childhood Bible training, but early in my marriage I had a neighbor who gave me a very practical example of the value of tithing. He was a Lutheran, and he dearly loved the "Lutheran Hour," a popular radio program sponsored by his church. He said that he and his wife had tithed to that program for years, and he spoke in glowing terms of the many blessings they had received as a result. His words made an indelible impression on me.
