The quick and short answer to the question if Jesus ever collected tithes is, “No”. Jesus did not collect tithes and there are several reasons why.
The Levitical Tribe of Israel Only Collected Tithes
“I give to the Levites as their inheritance the tithes that the Israelites present as an offering to the Lord. That is why I said concerning them: ‘They will have no inheritance among the Israelites.’” – Numbers 18:24
The Bible is clear in several passages that the tribe of Levi was to take and partake of the tithe including Deuteronomy 14:22-27, Deuteronomy 14:22-27, Deuteronomy 18:1-2, Nehemiah 10:37-39. Upon entering the promised land, every tribe in Israel was given a partition of the land in Israel except the tribe of Levi. God had given the tithe from the Israelite farming community to the Levites. The Levites stored 9% within the local city and then took the remaining 1% to the temple storehouse.
Jesus was from the tribe of Judah as indicated in Hebrews 7:14. “For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.”
He was of the house of David and did not perform Levitical duties such as serving in the temple.
Jesus Collected Voluntary Offerings for His Ministry
“After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.” Luke 8:1-3
During Jesus’ three-year ministry as an adult, he lived off the voluntary offerings of his followers. The scripture clearly states that they helped him out of their own means.
Many of us are familiar with an infamous passage of Jesus feeding thousands of people from the gift of a boy with five loaves and two fish.
Jesus Told The Disciples to Collect Voluntary Offerings
Matthew 10:7-10 states, “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts—no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.” (NIV)
His disciples were not to demand a wage. They were to live off the freely given charity from others. Scripture is clear that ministers deserve something and are worthy of his wages or keep as also indicated in Luke 10:5-8, but there is no minimum command.
As his disciples continued their ministry throughout the New Testament, there was no change in how they operated. They continued with freewill offerings. In 1 Timothy 5:18, Paul even quotes Jesus’ words that the “worker deserves his wages”.
Jesus Said the King’s Children Are Free
One of my favorite passages in the bible regarding Jesus on generosity is found in Matthew 17:24-27.
“And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.”
You and I are children of the king. We are not subjects to take tribute from. The children are a part of the king’s family and mission and do not need taxes, tributes, benchmarks, mandates, or minimum offering amounts to advance their father’s kingdom. You can learn more here about Jesus’ words on tithing.