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Gen 14:20 provides no evidence that Abraham continuously or regularly tithed. Abraham was never commanded to give a tenth on a regular basis, and there is no evidence that Abraham ever tithed again. His giving of a tithe to Melchizedek should therefore be considered a voluntary gift for the priestly functions performed by Melchizedek and a thank offering given to God for military victory. The context of Gen 14:20–24 seems to assume that Abram had the right to keep the spoils for himself. Indeed, if Abram’s tithing is any kind of model for Christians, it provides support only for occasional tithes of unusual sources of income. | Gen 14:20 provides no evidence that Abraham continuously or regularly tithed. Abraham was never commanded to give a tenth on a regular basis, and there is no evidence that Abraham ever tithed again. His giving of a tithe to Melchizedek should therefore be considered a voluntary gift for the priestly functions performed by Melchizedek and a thank offering given to God for military victory. The context of Gen 14:20–24 seems to assume that Abram had the right to keep the spoils for himself. Indeed, if Abram’s tithing is any kind of model for Christians, it provides support only for occasional tithes of unusual sources of income. | ||
===Jacob | ===Jacob's tithing was conditional=== | ||
In Gen 28:22, Jacob promised to give God a tithe: | In Gen 28:22, Jacob promised to give God a tithe: |