"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Matt.5:17-18. Tithing is mentioned many times in the Old Testament, but only in three places in the New Testament. (1) In the Gospels when Jesus was condemning the Pharisee hypocrites for their imbalance, tithing but neglecting more important things. (2) In Luke 18:12 when a critical, complaining Pharisee was boasting of his own goodness and self-righteousness of fasting and tithing. (3) In Hebrews 7:4-9 concerning the difference between tithing by Abraham to the King Of Righteousness, Melchizedek, and tithing under the Law of Moses and the Levitical, human priesthood.
(1) Tithing did not begin with the Law of Moses, under the Levitical Priesthood. It is first revealed in Gen.14:18-20, nearly 500 years before the Law was given to Moses. It was when Abram (Abraham) tithed to God's High Priest, Priest Of Righteousness, Melchizedek. Tithing continued and was incorporated into the Law of Moses and continued on into the New Testament. It was never ended by God or Jesus, who simply explained the deeper meaning of it and it's proper place in worship. It is less emphasized in the New Testament, but still in effect as a beginning place for our giving not an ending place. Jesus said plainly that there are more "weighty" (important) matters. "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. Matt.23:23. Jesus was rebuking the Pharisees for legalizing tithing but compromising the more important doctrines of the law, judgement, mercy and faith. Luke added "love" in his record of the event, in Lk.11:42. Since the New Testament dispensation did not begin until Christ's death and resurrection, this encounter took place under the Old Testament dispensation of Mosaic Law; not that that changes the pre-law prerequisite of tithing. It does say that the doctrines of judgement, mercy, faith and love are more important.
(2) When Jesus told of a Pharisee who criticized others and boasted that he "fasted and tithed", Jesus said, "everyone that exaulteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exaulted." Lk. 18:12-13. You can see in this example of a proud tither that humility is also more important than tithing, which does not lessen the importance of tithing but emphasizes the greater importance of humility. There is no real spirituality where there is no humility, but tithing is often done outside the door of humility.
(3) And most revealing of all, Heb.7:4-9
"Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 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 (like themselves, like priest, like people), though they come out of the loins of Abraham (drawing a distinction between the Levitical priesthood and the priesthood "after the order of Melchizedek and Christ): But he (Melchizedek) whose descent is not counted from them (the Levites) received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die (Levites) receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth (forever). And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham (to the Priest Of Righteousness)."
Now, the question is, since Christ came and fulfilled the Law of Moses, the Levitical priesthood, and the blood sacrifices, to whom should we tithe ? The answer is ... to the same Priesthood as Abraham did, before the Law, and before the Levites existed. To the same Priest, The Priest Of Righteousness, Melchizedek/Christ. Tithe to Jesus through His Church, His bride. "Upon this rock will I build my church ...." Matt.16:18. How is that done unless someone supplies the material and resources?
A final word: Even if tithing were not a continuing New Testament doctrine, the law of "Sowing and Reaping" very obviously is. So if a Christian doesn't believe tithing is New Testament, and actually, it more clearly defines the spirit of New Testament tithing, why don't they give 10% based on their belief in sowing and reaping? (Gal.6:7, Luke 6:38). I think God would equally accredit it to their "faith" account ... but maybe they don't believe that either. RB
Gal.6:7 ".... whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap ....
Lk.6:38 "Give, and it shall be given unto you ...."
I am adding the following observation after the fact of the above post. Today is 2-27-2014.
One final observation. The very first and only mention of tithing, before God gave the Law to Moses, was under a previous and different dispensation when Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizedek. That tithe was a voluntary reaction of Abraham motivated by his great appreciation to God for giving him victory in battle and recovery of stolen treasure. The very next mention of tithing was it's incorporation into the Law God gave Moses as an obligation of all God's people, in Lev.27:20 ... "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." Tithing is never again mentioned as a matter of choice. It is God's for carrying on the work of His Churches.
I have just done a study of Old and New Testaments concerning the approximately 1600 mentions of the words give, gave and given. Out of those 1600 references, other than the pre-Law one mentioned above, just one was used in reference to tithing. That one reference was in the prayer of the self righteous hypocrite, who boasted, as he "prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess." Lk.18:11-12. Every other mention of the tithe was preceded by some such verb as "bring", "brought", "receive", "pay" or "take" tithes. The phrase, "All the tithe ... is the LORD's" is also found several times. I have never heard this fact of "giving" before in all my years as a pastor, either by myself or by anyone else. Tithing is not "giving" to the Lord. It was and is already His. "Giving" is only giving if it is above the 10%. RB
RB
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