The tithe was to be exclusively devoted to the use of the Levites, the tribe that had been set apart for the service of the sanctuary. But this was by no means the limit of the contributions for religious purposes. The tabernacle, as afterward the temple, was erected wholly by freewill offerings; and to provide for necessary repairs and other expenses, Moses directed that as often as the people were numbered, each should contribute a half shekel for "the service of the tabernacle." In the time of Nehemiah a contribution was made yearly for this purpose. See Exodus 30:12-16; 2 Kings 12:4, 5; 2 Chronicles 24:4-13; Nehemiah 10:32, 33. From time to time sin offerings and thank offerings were brought to God. These were presented in great numbers at the annual feasts. And the most liberal provision was made for the poor.

Tienden skulle udelukkende bruges af levitterne, som var blevet indviet til at gøre tjeneste ved helligdommen; men tienden var langtfra folkets eneste bidrag til religiøse formål. Både tabernaklet og templet blev bygget for frivillige gaver, og for at skaffe midler til de nødvendige reparationer og til dækning af andre udgifter bød Moses, at alle israelitterne skulle give en halv sekel "til tjenesten ved åbenbaringsteltet" hver gang der blev holdt mandtal. På Nehemias tid blev der ydet et årligt bidrag hertil. Se 2. Mos. 30, 12-16; 2. Kong. 12, 4-5; 2. Krøn. 24, 4-13; Neh. 10, 32-33. Fra tid til anden bragte folket Gud syndofre og takofre. Der blev især bragt mange af disse ofre ved de årlige fester. Desforuden blev der sørget rigeligt for de fattige.