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Tithing: Difference between revisions
→Jacob also paid tithes
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The Bible records the following with respect to Jacob: | 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, | :''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 ave this tithe to God. Was it through sacrifice or by giving to the poor? There is no indication that he ever met Melchizedek. | 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 ave 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? | 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? | ||
==If you want to follow the Old Testament tithing rules== | ==If you want to follow the Old Testament tithing rules== | ||