Understanding Healthy Biblical Giving vs. Abusive Financial Exploitation

Giving is wonderfully purposeful practice from the Lord, but unfortunately it can be manipulatively twisted and taken out of context by others more concerned with personal gain or power.

In order to recognize if you are being financially exploited, it is important to first understand the origin of giving, then to explore God's purpose for it today.

Origins of Tithing in the Old Testament

Tithing is first introduced in Genesis 14:20 as a portion of everything (money, animals, crops), and exists in the Old Testament for three different reasons. Each type had a definite purpose, and totaled about 23 1/3% annually: The Levite tithe (Numbers 18:21), the festival tithe (Deuteronomy 14:22-26), and the poor tithe (Deuteronomy 14:28-29).