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. {FLB 245.4}

Den skat som hebræerne var blevet pålagt til religiøse og næstekærlige formål talte i alt en fjerdedel af deres indtægt. Så stor en skat på folkenes ressourcer kunne det forventes at de blev hengivet i armod; men tværtimod var den nøje overholdelse af disse regler, en af betingelserne for deres velstand.