Modeling the Giving Practices of Ancient Israel

When it comes to the practice of Systematic Benevolence, how much should we be giving?

The Spirit of Prophecy gives us counsel in this matter: “The contributions required of the Hebrews for religious and charitable purposes amounted to fully one fourth of their income. So heavy a tax upon the resources of the people might be expected to reduce them to poverty; but, on the contrary, the faithful observance of these regulations was one of the conditions of their prosperity” (emphasis added).[1]

The Hebrews were expected to give 25% of their income. That amounted to 10% for tithe, and another 15% would include offerings, donations, and funding religious activities and other charitable purposes, such as helping the poor. To make sure no one assumed this was a typo, Mrs. White immediately acknowledged that while this was indeed a huge tax, it was nevertheless one of the conditions of their prosperity.

Surely circumstances have changed since those days, and this certainly could not apply to us living in the 21st century, right?

Ellen G. White adds this:

In the days of Israel the tithe and freewill offerings were needed to maintain the ordinances of divine service. Should the people of God give less in this age? The principle laid down by Christ is that our offerings to God should be in proportion to the light and privileges enjoyed. "Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required." Luke 12:48. . . . The work of the gospel, as it widens, requires greater provision to sustain it than was called for anciently; and this makes the law of tithes and offerings of even more urgent necessity now than under the Hebrew economy (emphasis added).[2]

While there is no statute requiring the same level of giving today, God does appeal for us to reach for a higher ideal, to adequately support His final work through our tithe and freewill offerings. Should those of us in these last days, upon whom the light of God’s truth shines with greatest intensity, “give less in this age” when the work of the gospel is more urgent than ever?

Disciplined Intentionality Required

Considering the bills, taxes, and living expenses that come out of our income, spending 25% or more on religious and charitable purposes is a daunting prospect! The only way this is possible is if we are intentional in exercising discipline in our finances.

Stewardship does not consist merely of what we put in the offering plate, but rather the whole experience of managing the money God has placed in our care. What we earn and how we spend must be managed carefully in order for us to faithfully give as God intended.

Since we were married, my wife and I have responded to this counsel by returning at least 25% of our income to the Lord. It certainly took intentionality and discipline, and here are three practical tips that helped us in this direction:

  1. Pay God First

In many of our evangelistic meetings, we address certain verses that are often raised in support of first-day worship. One of those verses is 1 Corinthians 16:2: “On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come” (NKJV).

Rather than promoting Sunday worship, this passage actually supports seventh-day worship. Speaking of a special offering for the needy saints in Jerusalem, Paul’s admonition was for believers to set aside their gifts on the first day of the week—as early as possible—before they got distracted, even if the offering may not be collected until the seventh day.

The principle is that we ought to pay God first with our income. Prioritize and put aside what belongs to Him before anything else—groceries, rent, taxes, etc. Elsewhere in Scripture, this principle is also illustrated through the giving of the firstfruits.

Even better is to automate the process, so our tithe and offerings are returned to the Lord before we have time to grow attached to it or inadvertently spend it. Make it a habit, and giving even 25% or more can become painless.

  1. Keep Track of All Income and Outgoes

Ellen G. White advises about income and outgoes: “Many, very many, have not so educated themselves that they can keep their expenditures within the limit of their income… All should learn how to keep accounts. Some neglect this work as nonessential, but this is wrong. All expenses should be accurately stated.”[3]

Living on a budget is crucial if we are to give generously back to the Lord while still meeting all our financial obligations.

The first step to creating any budget is to track all our expenses—every dollar. It’s remarkable how often the problem isn’t that we don’t have enough money, but rather we don’t have enough clarity. Frequently, once we get a clear picture of where our money is going, figuring out how to bring it under control becomes quite straightforward.

  1. Learn Contentment

It is important to learn to be content. Ellen G. White advises: “Many despise economy, confounding it with stinginess and narrowness. But economy is consistent with the broadest liberality. Indeed, without economy, there can be no true liberality. We are to save, that we may give.”[4]

It’s no secret that to make room in our budget to afford a 25% or greater rate of giving will require us to make concessions in other areas of spending. Frugality, economy, and resourcefulness are necessary virtues. But I believe the virtue even more fundamental than those is that of contentment.

1 Timothy 6:6–9 says: “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition” (NKJV).

Proverbs 30:8, 9 also advises about being content: “Remove falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches—feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You, and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God” (NKJV).

By cultivating the spirit of contentment, exercising frugality and economy will be less drudgery and more second nature. It is the trait that enables us to maintain a handle on lifestyle inflation and to be grounded in a generous frame of mind toward the Lord and His work.

But understanding how contrary this is to our human nature, apostle Paul offers a special promise for us. “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. . . . I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11, 13, NKJV).

Prosperity Still Promised

Faithful adherence to the plan of Systematic Benevolence was a condition of the Hebrews’ prosperity. That same plan has been handed down to the church today, particularly in light of the more urgent needs of the gospel. What would be the result if we were to faithfully follow it?

Ellen G. White writes: “If systematic benevolence were universally adopted according to God's plan, and the tithing system carried out as faithfully by the wealthy as it is by the poorer classes, there would be no need of repeated and urgent calls for means at our large religious gatherings.”[5]

Imagine never needing to make an offering appeal again and still having enough to accomplish the widening work of the gospel around the world. From an eternal perspective, that is true prosperity!

Alistair Huong, MSA, ChFC®: Alistair is a financial planner at AdventEdge Financial, LLC, and also serves as the Executive Director of AudioVerse, a supporting media ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He and his wife, Deborah, have two young daughters, and they reside in Collegedale, TN.

Pull Quotes

Should those of us in these last days, upon whom the light of God’s truth shines with greatest intensity, “give less in this age” when the work of the gospel is more urgent than ever?

Stewardship does not consist merely of what we put in the offering plate, but rather the whole experience of managing the money God has placed in our care.


[1] Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1890), 527 (emphasis added).

[2] Ibid, 528.

[3] Ellen G White, Adventist Home (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1952), 374.

[4] Ellen G. White, Ministry of Healing (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1905), 206.

[5] Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3 (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1885), 408.

Alistair Huong

Alistair Huong, MSA, ChFC® is a financial planner at AdventEdge Financial, LLC, and also serves as the Executive Director of AudioVerse, a supporting media ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He and his wife, Deborah, have two young daughters, and they reside in Collegedale, TN, USA.