God called for men in the Mosaic dispensation to give the tenth of all their increase. He committed to their trust the things of this life, talents to be improved and returned to Him. He has required a tenth, and this He claims as the very least that man should return to Him. He says: I give you nine tenths, while I require one tenth; that is Mine. When men withhold the one tenth, they rob God. Sin offerings, peace offerings, and thank offerings were also required in addition to the tenth of the increase. {3T 394.2}

I den mosaiske husholdning krævede Gud, at menneskene skulle give en tiendedel af hele deres indtægt. De ting, som hører med til dette liv, overlod han i deres varetægt, talenter, der skulle udnyttes og leveres tilbage til ham. Han har krævet en tiendedel og denne kræver han som det allermindste, menneskene skulle give ham igen. Han siger: Jeg giver jer ni tiendedele, medens jeg kræver een tiendedel; den tilhører mig. Når menneskene holder denne ene tiendedel tilbage, bedrager de Gud. Foruden tiendedelen af indtægten krævedes endvidere syndofre og takofre.