"I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the Tent of Meeting. From now on the Israelites must not go near the Tent of Meeting, or they will bear the consequences of their sin and will die. It is the Levites who are to do the work at the Tent of Meeting and bear the responsibility for offenses against it. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. They will receive no inheritance amount the Israelites. Instead, I give to the Levites as their inheritance the tithes that the Israelites present as an offering to the LORD. That is why I said concerning them: They will have no inheritance among the Israelites." The Lord said to Moses, Speak to the Levites and say to them: "When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I give you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as the LORD'S offering. Your offering will be reckoned to you as grain from the threshing floor or juice from the winepress. In this way you also will present an offering to the LORD from all the tithes you receive from the Israelites. From these tithes you must give the LORD'S portion to Aaron the priest. You must present as the LORD'S portion the best and holiest part of everything given to you." Numbers 18:21-29 NIV There were basically three tithes in the Old Testament. This is the first and most significant tithe. It is called the Lord's tithe. 1) The tithe was used to support the Levites. 2) The Levites didn't receive any land so they relied on the other Israelites for support. 3) The Levites were also expected to give a tithe on what they received. 4) This was probably the tithe that was spoken of in Malachi. 5) This tithe parallels our weekly contribution-used to support the full time staff. Practical things to do: 1) When you give your check to the church. This is God's gift to the staff. How is God giving? 2) The average Cincinnati staff member costs the church $3,336 per month. There are 756 members in the church. For every $4.50 more per month that each member gives, we could hire an additional staff member. Or for every 107 new members with an average of $31 per member.