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Are Christians required to tithe?: Difference between revisions
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==What does the Old Testament teach?== | ==What does the Old Testament teach?== | ||
===The requirement to tithe is part of the Abrahamic Covenant=== | |||
Many message ministers (as well as denominational pastors) use the argument that, because Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, we are obligated under the Abrahamic covenant to pay tithes to the church. | |||
====Abraham did not practice tithing==== | |||
There are some interesting observations that become clear when we examine the scriptural record relating to Abraham and tithing: | |||
#Abraham was '''not under obligation''' to pay tithes, he paid them freely. There is no evidence in scripture that Abraham was required to pay a tithe. | |||
#Abraham only '''paid tithes once in his life''', not every year. | |||
#Abraham '''didn't tithe on his income''' but just on his plunder from war. | |||
#Abraham also was '''required to be circumcised''' as part of the covenant, does that mean that circumcision is also required today? | |||
:''Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, t“Cursed is everyone who is hanged uon a tree” — so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Ga 3:13–14.</ref> | |||
====Jacob also paid tithes==== | |||
The Bible records the following with respect to Jacob: | |||
:''Then Jacob made a vow to the LORD: “If you will be with me and protect me on the journey I am making and give me food and clothing, and if I return safely to my father’s home, then you will be my God. This memorial stone which I have set up will be the place where you are worshipped, and I will give you a tenth of everything you give me.”<ref>American Bible Society, The Holy Bible: The Good News Translation, 2nd ed. (New York: American Bible Society, 1992), Ge 28:20–22.</ref> | |||
The Bible never states that God commanded Jacob to give Him a tithe. Along with Abraham's example, it appears that the giving of this tithe was voluntary on Jacob's part. There is no evidence in the text to suggest that tithing was the general practice of Jacob's life. If he did in fact begin to tithe after God fulfilled His promises to him, Jacob still delayed tithing for 20 years! What is also important is the question of how he gave this tithe to God. Was it through sacrifice or by giving to the poor? There is no indication that he ever met Melchizedek. | |||
In Abraham's life it appears that we have a tithe of the spoils of military victory given to God's priest on a one time only basis. Is the only evidence to obligate believers under the New Covenant to tithe resting on these two passages in Genesis? That's it? | |||
===Tithing in the Mosaic Law=== | |||
William Branham taught that the Old Testament tithe was ten percent. '''But that is simply not the truth.''' The Old Testament was at least double that, if not more. | William Branham taught that the Old Testament tithe was ten percent. '''But that is simply not the truth.''' The Old Testament was at least double that, if not more. | ||
===The | ===The Levitical tithe=== | ||
The tithe was based '''ONLY on the income coming from the land''' and '''not on salaries or wages:''' | The Levitical tithe was based '''ONLY on the income coming from the land''' and '''not on salaries or wages:''' | ||
:''One-tenth of all the produce of the land, whether grain or fruit, belongs to the LORD. If a man wishes to buy any of it back, he must pay the standard price plus an additional twenty per cent. One out of every ten domestic animals belongs to the LORD. When the animals are counted, every tenth one belongs to the LORD. The owner may not arrange the animals so that the poor animals are chosen, and he may not make any substitutions. If he does substitute one animal for another, then both animals will belong to the LORD and may not be bought back.<ref>American Bible Society, The Holy Bible: The Good News Translation, 2nd ed. (New York: American Bible Society, 1992), Le 27:30–33.</ref> | :''One-tenth of all the produce of the land, whether grain or fruit, belongs to the LORD. If a man wishes to buy any of it back, he must pay the standard price plus an additional twenty per cent. One out of every ten domestic animals belongs to the LORD. When the animals are counted, every tenth one belongs to the LORD. The owner may not arrange the animals so that the poor animals are chosen, and he may not make any substitutions. If he does substitute one animal for another, then both animals will belong to the LORD and may not be bought back.<ref>American Bible Society, The Holy Bible: The Good News Translation, 2nd ed. (New York: American Bible Society, 1992), Le 27:30–33.</ref> | ||
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However, it is also clear that non-farmers were not required to pay any of the three separate tithes. | However, it is also clear that non-farmers were not required to pay any of the three separate tithes. | ||
==If you want to follow the Old Testament tithing rules== | ==If you want to follow the Old Testament tithing rules== | ||