Are Christians required to tithe?: Difference between revisions

If anyone were to prove the continuation of tithing based upon the NT, he must produce a passage that has this goal as its primary purpose. If such a passage is produced, then Heb 7 could possibly be used as a secondary, supporting statement. The important point to remember is this: the author of Hebrews was arguing for Melchizedek’s superiority over the Levitical priesthood. The reference to tithing is an illustrative, secondary statement. The mere description of tithing as having taken place at any time does not necessitate its continuation. Description does not equate prescription.  The author of Hebrews simply wants his readers to be in no doubt about the superiority of Christ to any other priests and sees the mysterious figure of Melchizedek as powerfully illustrating this superiority.<ref>Andreas J. Köstenberger and David A. Croteau, “‘Will a Man Rob God?’ (Malachi 3:8): A Study of Tithing in the Old and New Testaments,” ed. Craig A. Evans, Bulletin for Biblical Research, Vol. 16, 2006, 76–77.</ref>

===Arguments for tithing from the New Testament===

For this reason we conclude that NT believers should not be required to give ten percent or more, but not less, of their income. This does not mean that we are left with nothing. Those who do not hold to the position that tithing is obligatory for Christians have been charged with teaching that believers need not give to the church. But this charge is similar to charging Paul with encouraging believers to sin when he teaches salvation by faith through grace apart from the Law (Rom 3:23). As will be seen, the NT provides more than sufficient guidance for giving. In fact, it sets a considerably higher (albeit more complex) standard than merely giving ten percent of one’s income. The following presentation is not intended to be exhaustive but attempts to delineate the major principles for giving contained in the NT.<ref>Andreas Köstenberger, “Reconstructing a Biblical Model for Giving: A Discussion of Relevant Systematic Issues and New Testament Principles,” Bulletin for Biblical Research, Vol. 16, 2006, 244–245.</ref>

====Does Paul discuss tithing?====

1 Corinthians 9, 2 Cor 8–9, and Gal 6:6 would seem to be the ideal place for Paul to mention tithing if he in fact held to such a requirement. Yet since Paul makes no reference to tithing, and since neither Jesus nor any other passage in the NT compels Christians to tithe, the requirement for believers to give at least ten percent of their income should be replaced with teaching on the NT principles of giving sketched out below.<ref>Andreas Köstenberger, “Reconstructing a Biblical Model for Giving: A Discussion of Relevant Systematic Issues and New Testament Principles,” Bulletin for Biblical Research, Vol. 16, 2006, 252-253.</ref>

====New Testament principles for giving====