A Tithe = a tenth. Although Jesus makes a reference to the tithe of the priests (Matthew 23:23), the tithe is only mentioned in detail in the Old Testament. Never is any reference to a tithe made in relation to the Christian believer under the New Covenant. A tithe is first mentioned when Abram gave a tenth of his spoils of war to a Melchizedek, a Priest-King of righteousness and peace. This was a one-off offering given without pressure or commandment. These were not his own possessions, increase or earnings but plunder taken from others (Heb 7:4). In fact, Abram also returned the rest of the spoils back to the Kings he took them from so that they could not say that they had made him rich. Jacob also volunteered a tenth of all God gave to him. Both Jacobs and Abrams's gifts of a tithe were voluntary and never commanded or compelled by God or anyone else. There were 4 main tithe laws in the Old Testament: A tithe to the Levites as their inheritance as they had no land allocated to ...