Herbert W Armstrong - said not tithing is stealing from God. Is he correct?

The Jewish Encyclopedias shows there were three kinds of tithes:

(1) that given to the Levites as stated in Num. xviii. 21 et seq and termed "the first tithe" ("ma'aser rishon");

(2) the tithe which was to be taken to Jerusalem and there consumed by the landowner and his family, and which was termed "the second tithe" ("ma'aser sheni"), it being taken from what remained after the first tithe had been appropriated; and

(3) that given to the poor ("ma'aser 'ani").

Therefore two tithes were to be taken every year except in the seventh year: Nos. 1 and 2 in the first, second, fourth, and fifth years; Nos. 1 and 3 in the third and sixth years.’’ The scriptures are in Leviticus 27: 31-33, Numbers 18:21-32 and Deuteronomy 14:22–27 and 26:12,

I note Wikipedia “Tithes in Judaism” has a detailed commentary on tithing and it conforms with the extract from the Jewish Encyclopedia.

I make some comment on this system:

Money became involved only in special circumstances known as redemption of which there were two, as explained below.

It is apparent there was more than one tithe as explained in the Jewish Encyclopedia above (and plural is used in Malachi); it applied to produce of the land – being the crops/fruits/herds , and it was paid in kind - with some exceptions I will describe.

The tithe of the grain/crops produce could be redeemed - in which case a 20% extra was paid. For example the farmer may need the grain to generate next year's crop because it was a superior variety, or if it was in short supply? In such special circumstance - the redemption- money became involved.

Money was also involved if longer distance travel was required in the case of the second tithe when it was necessary to travel to Jerusalem - in this circumstance they could convert to cash. Presumably this arose because those who lived a long distance from the temple could face difficulty getting the tithable grain/crops all the way to Jerusalem.

This was the second and only other redemption.

Again, showing tithing was mostly in kind (given in the form it was produced);

There was no redemption scheme for the herds/flocks; no matter the circumstance. In the case of herds/flocks they were counted singly; and every tenth one that passed under the rod became the tithe animal (Lev. xxvii. 30-33). This feature concerning herds/flocks had the effect of this particular tithe varying from 0% to 10% - depending on the producer’s circumstances - see link below for more details.

It applied in a context of there being the Temple and a Levitical/priesthood system, and only operated in the land described. This is why it is my understanding that Jewish people don't tithe today. Some may choose to do so voluntarily as an act of charity to the poor.

Edit >>> I read recently - January 2024 - that in Israel today, as there are a number of recognized Levites and Kohanim, there is a tithe still paid by some - on fruits and vegetables only if grown in the Land of Israel. <<< end edit

(As appears from the Bible, the law of tithing was originally to be applied in Palestine only; the Prophets, however, seem to have ordained that tithing should be observed in lands near Palestine such as Babylonia).

To answer part of the question , so far as I know this system as defined in the laws meant it only operated in the manner described. That is, money only applied in the special redemption arrangements. Presumably where the temple and the priesthood existed the tithing laws would have operated.

That it was in kind is illustrated in King Hezekiah’s time - the tithe was brought in such abundance the king ordered special chambers be prepared in the Temple for its reception (see II Chron. 31 verses 6-12). The same arrangement was made later by Nehemiah (Neh. 10 verse 39, and 13 verse 12).

All non-agricultural workers - carpenters, metal workers, artisans, shoe makers, cloth and garments and dyes thereof, service providers; merchandise trade, camel drivers, fishermen, potters, healers, cooks; food preparation - including grain grinding, wine making and olive oil production, and baking of breads; leather workers - and all other trades and occupations that existed in those times not directly linked to agricultural produce - were not required to tithe.

All these people would have earned a money income or in some cases barter arrangements entered into - no tithe was required from any such activities.

(This would presumably include servants/ employees of the agricultural producers as they had no ownership rights of the produce of the land ).

Produce grown by gentiles in the land of Israel were exempt.

Addendum

The variable effect in the case of the tithe on herds: In the link below I provide interesting information I had drafted about the variable effect of the tithing system in the case of herds. To make it easier for the reader I show an extract from that document;

EXTRACT:

‘’The other type was livestock: "All the tithe of the herd or flock, whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord" (verse 32)

The tithe of the herd warrants some brief discussion. It is quite clear that as the herd pass by it is each tenth one that is separated out. There is to be no picking and choosing to select the worst one for example - simply as the tenth one comes past it is to be separated out.

It is my understanding therefore that if a producer had 21 cattle the tithe is 2. If one had 29 cattle the tithe is still 2. If the next year is a bad one and the number of cattle falls to 9 - no tithe at all of the herd would be payable.

If it fell to 11 the tithe would be 1 - half of the previous year ( but bigger proportionately than scenario 29 where the tithe is actually 6.9%). For 19 the tithe is but 5.2%

The “tithe” is seen to vary from 0% to 10%. If the owner of herds grew crops then a combination effect applied.

9    0     0%  
11   1     9.1%  
19   1     5.2%  
20   2     10%  
21   2     9.5%  
29   2     6.9%  
30   3     10%  
31   3     9.7%  
39   3     7.7%  
40   4     10%  
49   4     8.2%    
50   5     10%  

It is most interesting to note how the tithe as it operated did not translate to being a constant 10%. In fact a 10% outcome occurs only when the number of the herd is 10, or 20, or 30, etc.

Indeed it is one tenth, but as explained one tenth in number does not translate into a constant 10 per cent.

We must place it in the context in which it operated. For herds it is every tenth unit that is separated - and we noted how the actual percentage can vary. It is most simplistic to use a dictionary definition as if it means a constant ten percent. Thus in the table we see the ‘’tithe’’ for herds ranging from zero to 10%.

It was also noted how the tithing system had no application whatsoever to those members of society who were not engaged in production on the land of crops/fruits/herds. This important feature is simply swept under the carpet by demanders today as they have a huge self-interest to have it so’’

end extract <<<<

The following link also relates:

Does Malachi 3 or Genesis 14 lend any support at all to those who want to impose tithing on a believer today?