Over the years, I’ve been asked this question numerous times. The short answer is simply, no, He didn’t. Now in giving this question the proper attention it deserves, let’s take a closer look.

Confusion often gives birth to such questions because of manly teachings that don’t add up. These teachings generally come from tithe-advocates pushing a narrative or those taking Malachi 3:8 out of context while preaching that those who do not tithe are stealing from GOD. Such hypocritical hogwash. They further argue that since Yeshua was born under Mosaic Law, He paid tithes. Insisting that, not only did He pay a tenth of His income, but He far exceeded the tithe by giving all that He possessed. Hmmm?

While it is a true statement that Yeshua gave 100%, He did not tithe in accordance to Mosaic Law, period, and end of story. Why didn’t He you ask? Well, because Yeshua was not a farmer He was a carpenter. So what does this mean? It means that Yeshua was not required by Mosaic Law to pay tithes. You see, under the Law of Moses, only those who owned land and were engaged in farming were required to tithe. There were no stipulations to collect tithes from those who occupied trades apart from farming since they did not possess the required substances of (fruit, grain, herd, or flock). Did you catch that? It was only the things of the land, the Land in which YAHWEH provided and was not monetary. The fact is, there is not a single passage in scripture that gives any evidence of money being given as a tithe.

In addition to alleging that Yeshua paid tithes, tithe-advocates insist that Yeshua also received tithes during His earthly ministry. Their argument is based on Hebrews 7:8. But what we have here is another distortion of scripture. This clear misinterpretation will be quite clear by the end of this investigation.

From here, let’s examine the following scripture in Luke 8:1-3:

Now it came to pass, afterward, that Jesus went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of GOD. And the twelve were with Him, 2. and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, 3. and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for them from their substance. (NKJV)

Here it is again from the Aramaic New Testament Luke 8:1-3:

It happened after these things that Yeshua was traveling a circuit in the cities and villages and preaching and announcing the Kingdom of GOD and His twelve were with him, 2. And these women who had been healed from sicknesses and from evil spirits: Maryam who is called Magdalitha, she from whom seven demons had gone out 3. And Yohanna the wife of Chuza, the steward of Herodus, and Shushan and many others who were ministering to them of their possessions (Aramaic New Testament)

Here we see Yeshua traveling to various communities within the region, proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom of GOD. The twelve disciples followed Him as well as numerous women. In verse 3, it is interesting to note that the women helped support Yeshua and His disciples out of their own means, out of their own substance or possessions. It does not say they gave a tenth of their possessions, they were the supporting mechanism that Yeshua used to keep the gospel train running.

Now since this account occurs during the Mosaic Law, some may be curious as to why the women didn’t pay tithes to Yeshua and His disciples? In light of what we have learned thus far, the answer to this question should not prove difficult.

A review of the regulations encompassing the Mosaic Law of tithing will show that they have no bearing on the passage above. Firstly, the tithe only consisted of fruit, grain, herd, and flock that was given to the tribe of Levi since they received no land inheritance (Lev. 27:30-32, Num. 18:21, 23-24). In contrast, Yeshua specifically was not born from the tribe of Levi; nor was any of His disciples.

Secondly, another agricultural tithe was given every three years to support the Levites, strangers, fatherless, and widows (Deut. 14:28-29; 26:12). Again, neither Yeshua nor His disciples fell within this classification.

Thirdly, the women traveling with Yeshua and His disciples were not farmers. Thus, they did not possess the required substances of the tithe.

The passage above coupled with these vital points should prove that the ministry of Yeshua was not supported by tithes. Followers of Yeshua gave according to their means. And yes, even if it was simply that of bread and drink, it does not constitute a tithe. In closing, the ministry of Yeshua was not sustained by tithes and if it was, we should realize that scripture would have stated it clearly. With that said, it is, therefore, inappropriate for church ministries to teach that Yeshua gave or received a tithe and for that matter the teaching of tithing to their congregations. Remember, anything short of the full Truth is not the truth at all.