The ceremonial laws encouraged grace toward one’s neighbor.

“Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the LORD’s; it is holy to the LORD.” Leviticus 27.30

Tithes in Israel were also part of the system of giving promoted by the ceremonial laws. Tithes came to the Tabernacle where they were used in four ways. They sent up a fragrance pleasing to the Lord. They were consumed by priests, and shared in by those who offered them. And they were given to the poor and needy in the land. Tithes were to be given faithfully after harvests and, of all the protocols of the ceremonial law, would have emphasized the selflessness and love for God and neighbor which the Law fostered.

A special third-year tithe on behalf of orphans, widows, sojourners, and the poor would have greatly dramatized the fact that God is pleased when we love our neighbors as ourselves. Ordinary tithes might not be seen as going much beyond the Lord, the priests, and the one offering. But the third-year tithe was focused exclusively on the needy, in order to supply what was lacking to them.

Jesus insisted that we should continue to tithe, following the guidelines of the ceremonial laws, but not to neglect the matters of the heart and larger issues of neighbor love which go beyond the mere material contribution of the tithe (Matt. 23.23). The tithe thus was also symbolic of the “weightier matters” of neighbor love, the daily obligations of giving to others the grace God has given to us, for their blessing and God’s praise.

For a fuller study of the pattern of worship revealed in Scripture, order the book, The Highest Thing, by T. M. Moore, from our online store. These studies and brief essays will help you to see how the pattern of sound worship, which began in the Law of God, comes to complete expression in the rest of Scripture. Pastors, we’re getting ready to start the next season of The Pastors’ Fellowship. Write to me today at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for information about how you join in these online discussions. Our theme for the coming series is “The Worldview of God’s Law.” There is no charge for participation, but you must reserve a place for these monthly gatherings. Subscribe to Crosfigell, the devotional newsletter of The Fellowship of Ailbe.