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Is the tithe for today?

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Alcott

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Are you aware that tithing existed long before the law?

Yep. So did a lot of other things.
And I am 98% certain, having discussed this so many times before, that you are leading up to Abraham's tithes to Melchizadek, the priest in Salem; so I will take the liberty of a short cut instead of having you bring it up.

1) Circumcision also was begun by Abraham to the males in his fold. In the NT, especially seen in Galatians, it means nothing to Christians of the New Covenant.
2) If this indeed does concern Abe and his tithes to Mel, to show that 'tithing' preceded the Law and is therefore under Grace, then everything involved here is under Grace. Or do you think there would be nothing wrong with attacking a region, killing as many people as you can and taking the spoils-- as long you give a tenth to the local priest?
3) There is considerable irony in quoting Malachi 3-- as is so common in lessons or sermons about tithing/giving-- and then shifting to the NT and "...give not under compulsion but love," and "...the Lord loves a cheerful giver." What is claimed here?-- that God will withhold blessings if we don't (at least) a tithe-- compulsion-- or if that message actually affects someone to the extent they do sense such compulsion that love and cheer are absent therefrom? Few topics intermingle Law and Grace more than this one. Nevertheless, the position often taken is "if they won't give cheerfully, then compulsion is better than nothing; the money spends the same."

These are all the answers I will use for now on this.
 

rlvaughn

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Yep. So did a lot of other things [exist before the law].
Alcott, I have made the point in the following way, which might be useful for some.

Tithing[1] existed before the Law,[2] in the law,[3] is mentioned in the New Testament,[4] and neither Jesus nor the New Testament writers ever negate it.

Levirate marriage[5] existed before the Law,[6] in the law,[7] is mentioned in the New Testament,[8] and neither Jesus nor the New Testament writers ever negate it.

[1] Giving a tenth of one’s increase.
[2] Genesis 14:18-20
[3] Numbers 18:20-24
[4] Matthew 23:23
[5] Marriage in which the brother of a deceased man is obliged to marry his brother’s widow, when the deceased brother has no children.
[6] Genesis 38:1-30
[7] Deuteronomy 25:5-10
[8] Matthew 22:23-33
 

Revmitchell

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Yep. So did a lot of other things.
And I am 98% certain, having discussed this so many times before, that you are leading up to Abraham's tithes to Melchizadek, the priest in Salem; so I will take the liberty of a short cut instead of having you bring it up.

1) Circumcision also was begun by Abraham to the males in his fold. In the NT, especially seen in Galatians, it means nothing to Christians of the New Covenant.
2) If this indeed does concern Abe and his tithes to Mel, to show that 'tithing' preceded the Law and is therefore under Grace, then everything involved here is under Grace. Or do you think there would be nothing wrong with attacking a region, killing as many people as you can and taking the spoils-- as long you give a tenth to the local priest?
3) There is considerable irony in quoting Malachi 3-- as is so common in lessons or sermons about tithing/giving-- and then shifting to the NT and "...give not under compulsion but love," and "...the Lord loves a cheerful giver." What is claimed here?-- that God will withhold blessings if we don't (at least) a tithe-- compulsion-- or if that message actually affects someone to the extent they do sense such compulsion that love and cheer are absent therefrom? Few topics intermingle Law and Grace more than this one. Nevertheless, the position often taken is "if they won't give cheerfully, then compulsion is better than nothing; the money spends the same."

These are all the answers I will use for now on this.

So what did the tithe foreshadow?
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
So what did the tithe foreshadow?
I believe it foreshadowed the New Covenant and the people of God as the portion once commanded is satisfied when we no longer live for our interests but the interests of God. It is not that the 10% no longer belongs to God but that the 90% does not belong to us.
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
I don't get this. How did it foreshadow the NC? In what way are they similar?
It is similar in the same sort of way some see the Sabbath rest as being fulfilled in Christ. And, for the same reason, I think there will always be contention about whether or not it is fulfilled.

In the Old Testament men gave a tithe of what belonged to them. This was, I believe, not an appeasement (as perhaps some of the pagan offerings may have been) but an exercise of faith and trust in God as they gave a tenth of what they were given and they gave of their first fruits. Christ gave of Himself, not a tenth but his whole being. And we share in this death.

Again, it is not the 10% but the 90% over which we differ.
 

AresMan

Active Member
Site Supporter
The tithe in the bible is much more than just wages.

We are to give to God a proportion of our:

Time
Treasure
Talent
Testimony
Sir, could you provide verses that show that time, treasure (e.g. money), talent, and testimony have anything to do with a "tithe" specifically?

Thanks
 

AresMan

Active Member
Site Supporter
If you simply read all the passages in the Bible that mention "tithes" from Genesis 14 to Hebrews 7, you inescapably realize that tithing specifically has nothing to do with the ministry of the gospel in the New Covenant for the church, and that what is taught as "tithing" today--namely, monetary income or wages--has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with real tithing in the Bible.
 

evangelist6589

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
John - here's a thought: How about we discuss whether the tithe is for today, and what scripture says about it, instead of talking about YOU, and opening it up for criticism of you? Unless that's what you want.

No my critics love to attack me. Let's not go that direction.
 

JonC

Moderator
Moderator
No my critics love to attack me. Let's not go that direction.
This reminds me of a Flannery O'Connor story (not a criticism, BTW....I like O'Connor's stories).

Anyway, this is a good topic. What do you think was the significance of the Tithe, and do you think that it translates in any way to New Testament giving?
 

evangelist6589

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
This reminds me of a Flannery O'Connor story (not a criticism, BTW....I like O'Connor's stories).

Anyway, this is a good topic. What do you think was the significance of the Tithe, and do you think that it translates in any way to New Testament giving?

And you remind me of a [Edited]
 
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