The tithing system reaches back beyond the days of Moses. Men were required to offer to God gifts for religious purposes before the definite system was given to Moses, even as far back as the days of Adam. In complying with God’s requirements, they were to manifest in offerings their appreciation of His mercies and blessings to them. This was continued through successive generations, and was carried out by Abraham, who gave tithes to Melchizedek, the priest of the most high God. The same principle existed in the days of Job. Jacob, when at Bethel, an exile and penniless wanderer, lay down at night, solitary and alone, with a rock for his pillow, and there promised the Lord: “Of all that Thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto Thee.” God does not compel men to give. All that they give must be voluntary. He will not have His treasury replenished with unwilling offerings. {3T 393.1}

Tiendesystemet strækker sig længere tilbage i tiden end til Moses. Menneskene fik påbud om at ofre gaver til Gud i religiøse øjemed, inden det bestemte system blev overgivet til Moses, ja så langt tilbage som i Adams dage. Ved at efterkomme Guds krav skulle de ved ofre tilkendegive deres påskønnelse af hans miskundhed og velsignelse mod dem. Dette fortsattes ned gennem efterfølgende slægtled og blev gennemført af Abraham, der gav tiende til Melkisedek, den højeste Guds præst. Det samme princip var gældende i Jobs dage. Da Jakob som landflygtig og pengeløs vandringsmand befandt sig ved Betel, lagde han sig om natten, ensom og alene, med en sten under sit hoved og der gav han Herren det løfte: »Af alt, hvad du giver mig, vil jeg give dig tiende!« Gud tvinger ikke menneskene til at give. Alt, hvad de giver, må være frivilligt. Han vil ikke have sit forrådshus fyldt med modvillige offergaver.