Wednesday, March 06, 2013

The First Command to Give LESS than 10%


Last time I asked if there were any verses that commanded the Israelites to give less than 10%. Here is the first one I've found:

1) The Animal Tithe in Leviticus 27:30-33:

Leviticus 27:30-33 is very clear about how to decide upon the animal from the herd or flock that will be tithed. The shepherd was to have them pass by him and he would count them. The tenth animal that passes under his rod would be tithed, whether it was healthy or sick, good or bad. So let’s think this through …

If a shepherd counted 10 sheep, he would give 1. That would be 10%
If a shepherd counted 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 sheep, he would give 0. That would be 0%.
If a shepherd counted 19 sheep, he would give 1. That would be 5.3%.
If a shepherd counted 99 sheep, he would give 9. That would be 9.1%.

Think about it: this law is constructed in a way that almost guarantees that the Israelite will give LESS than 10%! The only situation in which he would give exactly ten percent was if his number of animals was exactly a multiple of ten.

Leviticus 27:30-33 is a command which, when applied by Israelites, would have the majority of them giving LESS than 10% in an Animal Tithe.

1 comment:

Jared said...

Great point. Haven't thought that one through before.