5. The Old Testament tithe was used to feed the priests and Levites and for the upkeep of the temple. T /
This is partially true. Yes, part of the tithe was used for the temple sacrifices, and for the temple workers to eat. But as the tithe was always food, it could not have covered any of the other costs of running the temple, for instance, building, repairing or maintaining the temple complex. Even right through the Law period, the buildings were maintained through freewill offerings.
People say that it was an agricultural economy and that’s why people tithed on their food and not monetary income. This is again only a half-truth. Certain types of ceremonially clean food were needed for the sacrifices, and it did partially act as wages for those serving at the temple (Num 18:21-32 - in place of land inheritance). But money was also used regularly throughout the whole Bible period for a variety of purposes, including taxes, some wages, vows, land purchases, business purposes, inn accommodation, lending, bribing ... and don’t forget that Jesus got mad at the salesmen and money-changers at the temple! The New Testament also points out that the Pharisees loved money (Luke 16:14).
Money (or its equivalent – silver and gold, etc.) was always essential to help support the work of the temple. There was a compulsory temple tax (Matt 17:24-27, see also Ex 30:11-16; 2 Kings 12:1-8; Neh 10:32). Some believe that the temple taxes collected in Jesus’ day were even greater than the value of the tithes paid.
On top of that, people were encouraged to give voluntarily. Many examples could be given of this, but just one will suffice – remember the example of the widow who gave her last mite (Mark 12:41-44)? In Jesus’ eyes she had given more than all the rich who were emptying large bags of money into the temple treasury – this shows that, at least in Jesus’ day, a considerable amount of money was being given as freewill offerings regularly.
The point is – that through all times, the work of God has relied to some extent on voluntary contributions of money. And through all times, there have been some of God’s people who have never tithed but have instead given some kind of offerings towards God’s work.