Tithing

The following is an email sent me by Jerry Nelson in which he comments on Tithing. All scripture is from the King James Version

My reply is the New Testament grace of Giving

A majority of churches accept tithing as viable doctrine. I intend to prove that it is not, and that the concept of such, for Christians, is dangerous. It is one of the most used and abused doctrines in the church, and it is false doctrine. It is easy to establish tithing as an ordinance in Old Testament law. The first mention of tithing concerning the law is:

Leviticus 27:30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD.

Leviticus goes on from there to finish up with:

Leviticus 27:34 These are the commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel in mount Sinai.

Tithing is clearly stated as being put in the law. Almost every argument I have had over tithing, the opponent will say "yes but tithing was before the law," then they quote:

Genesis 14:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

This is the first time tithing is mentioned in the Bible. Did Abraham tithe of all that he possessed? No. This is what he tithed:

Genesis 14:16 And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

He brought back the spoils of war. That was what the tithe came from.

Hebrews 7:4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

Abraham did not tithe from his personal possessions but the spoils of war. The king of Sodom even offered Abraham the goods and Abraham said:

Genesis 14:23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:

Does this sound like God wants 10% of your money? Does the law require 10% of your money? We can neutralize the opponents first move. No, in both cases. The word "tithe" is used 13 times in the Bible. Not once do you see the word "money" used. The word "tithes" is used 21 times in the Bible. The word "money" is not used once. The word "tithing" is used twice in:

Deuteronomy 26:12 When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled;

Money is not mentioned, but notice what they do with the tithe. Isn't that interesting? Now we can move to the "scare tactic":

Malachi 3:7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? 8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

Who would want to rob God? That is a fearful thought, but wait! Let's look at it. It is an ordinance! We? have held back our tithes and offerings. Granted, the word "offering" could imply money, as well as heave offerings and the like, but does not clarify it as such. More than likely, a mixture. We? are cursed with a curse. Didn't Jesus redeem us from the curse of the law?

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

This isn't sounding good. What nation was Malachi speaking of? Israel! Not the church. This was the Old Testament. The law. We can neutralize the "scare tactic." The first mention of tithing in the New Testament is in:

Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Here is where the opponent will take another shot at you. He will say something like: "See here, Jesus commended tithing." Why? Just because He said the word "tithe"? He did not commend any such thing! The Pharisees were under the law, and by law, had to tithe. Jesus had to "agree" with that because He was not yet crucified, and all people in Israel, were under the law. When Jesus was crucified He ushered in the New Covenant and the Old was finished.

Hebrews 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

Hebrews 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Jesus DID NOT commend tithing. The next mention of "tithe" is found in Luke 11:42 which is the same account given in Matthew. Tithing is not mentioned again until the book of Hebrews. Now it really gets interesting. First of all, consider to whom the book of Hebrews was written. It was written to Jewish converts (known as Hebrews), not to Gentile churches. These "Hebrews" were being admonished in this letter, partly because they were not understanding the difference between law and grace. They really didn't even quite understand the change in the priesthood. But lets stay in the context of this message, tithing. Mentioned as "tithes" four times in Hebrews ch. 7. There is a commandment spoken of in ch. 7. It is mentioned three times in chapter 7, 7:5, 7:16, and 7:18. What commandment are they talking about?

Hebrews 7:5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

The sons of Levi, the priesthood, the commandment to take tithes, and the law. The commandment is that of tithes. The only commandment spoken of in ch. 7. That should be loud and clear!

Hebrews 7:16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

Here it comes the one verse in the Bible, that puts an end to the debate! Tithing is ABOLISHED!

Hebrews 7:18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

These Jewish converts were mixing the law with grace, and were told in chapter 7 to STOP TITHING! There is a disannulling of the commandment . The Gentiles had no need of this message --- THEN! We do --- NOW! The Gentile church was never under the law.

Ephesians 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Romans 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

Romans 2:18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;

Romans 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Romans 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Romans 4:14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

Romans 4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Romans 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Romans 9:32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

When Paul begins to speak to the Galatians concerning the law what does he say?

Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Galatians 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

Galatians 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

Hebrews 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

Do you get the picture now? It becomes a serious matter. The Judaizers are more prolific than ever.

1 Timothy 1:7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

Acts 15:24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

Romans 2:20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.

These men, whether intended, or not, are dragging you into the law. Making you believe that you are required by God, to adhere to an ordinance of the law. Tithing! Well, how will the church survive without our tithes? If Satan thought that was what was holding the church up, he would have destroyed it a long time ago. God wants us to give from the heart, not by commandment. Even Israel couldn't keep up the law concerning tithing. Is not tithing of the law? Are you tithing in accordance to how the law said it would be done? Was not tithing abolished, and for a reason? Tithing is a clever manipulation, started who knows when? It is a BIG money maker.

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

It also puts your very soul in jeopardy. If I am wrong, dig out the scripture that proves me wrong, and says that we should tithe. Let me finish by quoting:

Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Galatians 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

While the Old Testament emphasises Tithing the New Testament emphasises Giving, here are a few thoughts on the grace of Giving. I think that the principle of tithing is good and every Christian should strive to that end, but those who are wealthy should give much more than the Tithe. The scriptures says "from everyone who has been given much shall much be required" Luke 12:48.

Books:

Giving & Tithing : Includes Serving and Stewardship by Larry Burnett, Larry Burkett