Tithe of the Law

Hervey · Dec 28, 2001

Many denominations and ministries teach the giving of the "Tithe".

What they do not stop to think about, is that the "tithe" was of the "Law".

Galations 2:16 tells us >

16) - "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Chrsit, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ , and not by the works of the law : for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified"

In the first century Church, a problem arose that the Apostle Paul had to deal with. That problem was that, false teachers were teaching that you still needed to be circumcised.

Looking at the overall knowledge of the law. We also know that the "tithe" is also of the "Law" !

A tenth was "holy unto the Lord" > Leviticus 27:32

It was designed to be given unto the children of Levi ( who are the priests of Israel ), who receive the "tithe" as an inheritance. This was that which inable them to serve God, and their service as priests, were unto the tabernacle of the congregation, and the children of Israel were not to come near the tabernacle. And the "tithe" was a command given unto "Israel", and "NOT" unto the Church ! ! The Levites were the sons of Aaron,the Priest, who was the brother of Moses. Read Numbers 18:20 thru verse 28.

Even the Levits had to give a "tenth" of the "tithe" . The word "tithe" means "tenth". So they had to give a "tithe" of the "tithe", as you have read in Numbers 18:20 thru verse 28 , because a "tenth" is "holy unto the Lord". But remember, this was a command unto "Israel" and "NOT" the Church.

Deu 14:22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.

Deu 14:28 At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay [it] up within thy gates:

Grain was "tithed" year by year, but everything else, such as cattle etc, was "tithed" every "third year". And they were layed down with the gates of the tabernacle. This was given unto the Levites as their inheritance . The Levites did not grow grain, nor own cattle. This is how they received that which sustained them. > Numbers 18:30 & 31.

The "Church" is still suppose to "give", and I can discuss this on a new thread in more detail. But for now, I wanted to show, that the "tithe" was "NOT" addressed or commanded unto the "Church" ! !

Love IN Christ - Hervey

john316 · Dec 28, 2001

Interesting... my church teaches that we should tithe 10% of our gross income - in fact all the speakers that I've heard say this as well. The Bible does speak of giving God our firstfruits. The bottom line is that everything we have belongs to God. One reason why giving tithes is important is that we it is about giving money. As we all know, the love of money is the root of all evil. By being able to give up 10% of our income, we show that we have faith in God, and in His kingdom.

What does everyone else think?

psalms 22.3 · Dec 28, 2001

matthew 23.23
woe unto you scribes and pharisees: hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin and have ommited the weightier matters of the law. judgement mercy and faith: these ought ye to have done, AND NOT TO LEAVE THE OTHERS UNDONE.

he said tithing was a part of the law, he also said that mercy judgement and faith were also. "and he said to do those"(im not sure exactly which he meant in that phrase) but he also said to do the others also. so really he told them to do it all.

"if jesus sanctioned tithing then it should be practiced. his teachings were not to confirm the law for a few days and then be abolished. they were to take the place of the law that was "untill john". since then "the kingdom of heavon is preached".
if we do away with this doctrine sanctioned by christ just because it is part of the law, then we on the same basis can do away with more of his teachings which were part of the old contract. the only parts of the law that we have the right to reject as part of the N.T. are things that are not found in the N.T. or are not made part of it."
*finnis jennings dake.*

christ taught it.
(matt 23.23. lk 11.42. matt 10.10 lk 10.7-8.)
paul taught it.
1.condemned sacrilegde(rom.2.22) (or robbing temples)(mal 3.8-10) (and using holy things)(lev 27)
2.teachers to be paid (gal 6.6)
3.god ordained support of ministers(cor 9.7-14 1sttim 6.17-18)
4.christians to give as god prospers them
(1st cor 16.2)
5.melchisedec preisthood is eternal and must be supported by children of abraham (heb.6.20 7.1-11,17,21)
6.children of abraham in faith must walk in his steps.(rom 4.12 heb 7)
7.tithing is proof of obedience and appreciation of gods blessings
(rom 4.12 heb 7.6-10 1stcor 9.7-14 1sttim 6.17-18 mal 3.8-10 pr 3.9-10 gen 14.20 duet 8.10-20)
*dake annotated refference bible*

rkbo · Dec 28, 2001

Jesus was a good Jew and practiced all the Mosaic laws. He did away with sacrafical laws and cerimonial laws. That leaves the moral laws. In this New Covenant we live in grace. So as to tithing.
2 Cor 9:6-8
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
(KJV)

Give as you purpose in your heart. (purpose)
4255 proaireomai (pro-ahee-reh'-om-ahee);

from 4253 and 138; to choose for oneself before another thing (prefer), i.e. (by implication) to propose (intend):

KJV-- purpose.

SOS · Dec 28, 2001

It is true that we no longer live under the Law, and we are not saved by works, but by grace. However, faith without works is death. So for me and my house, we will serve the Lord by paying tithe to our local church, and trusting that our pastors will use it to further His kingdom and help overseas missions.

Hervey · Dec 29, 2001

Hi all, and thanks for your input into this topic.

What I would like to point out, is that the Law is the Law, and Jesus Christ came to "fulfill" that Law. Either he did, or he didn't.

Let us read a little more from the book of Galatians, which talks about the Law, and why we should not go back to that which was a bondage unto Israel.

In Galatians chapter 5 we see these important points that were made by Paul.

1) - Stand fast in the "liberty" - not bondage - that Christ hath made us free - verse one

2) - If you tithe, Christ shall profit you nothing - debtor to do the "whole Law" verses two & three

3) - Christ, then would become of no effect unto you, whosoever is justified by the "Law" ; ye are "fallen from grace" - verse four.

4) - IN Christ, neither any part of the Law "availeth nothing", but "faith" which worketh by love" - verse six.

5) - The "Law" was righteous, but didn't make anyone righteous, and our righteousness is by "faith", not the "Law" - verse five.

6) - The cross was an offence unto those who wanted to continue in the law. Because of this, Paul suffered - verse 11.

7) - The "Law" deals with the "flesh". Our liberty - freedom from bondage, comes from the "grace" of God , which set us free from this bondage. WE now are to serve one another "in Love" - verse 13.

8) - We still "fulfill" the Law by this one word - "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" = second great commandment, liken unto the first.

The purpose of this post, was to show that the "Tithe" was a much a part of the "Law" as circumcision was, and that if we do a part of the "Law", then we are debtors to do the "whole Law".

We are still to fulfill the law through "Love". We were set free from the "curse" of the law - Galatians 3:13.

Galatians 3:12 - "And the Law is "not" of "faith" : but, The man that doeth them shall live in them"

I pray this helps.

Love IN Christ - Hervey

Mandy · Dec 29, 2001

I agree with you Harvey. If we are bound to one part of the law then we are bound to the whole law.
We are to give, but giving a tenth was not commanded in the New Testament, just like keeping the Sabbath.

Give as you have purposed in your heart to give.
Many people tithe because they think God will give them more money, when that is not what it is about.
If anyone feels lead to tithe, then tithe, but I feel it is wrong to tell people they have to or they are robbing God and putting a yoke on them. There are Christians out there that are destitute and cannot give a tenth, but they may have their time that they can give.
We also have to remember that the law was given to Israel to set them apart, and we are not bound to it, but are bound to Jesus Christ.

psalms 22.3 · Dec 29, 2001

the fact that jesus told the those people to tithe in matt 23.23 is reason enough for me to tithe.
i understand that i am not saved by works, but does that mean that i shouldnt work? by no means.
we are not saved by works, but by grace.
"yet obedience is better than sacrifice"
and the holyspirit is given to those who obey god.
and faith without works is dead.
i can disobey god today, though im still saved and will still go to heavon. yet i was still wrong for disobeying.

christ fullfilled the law, but he didnt abolish law.
his teachings fullfilled and replaced the old law, and he taught to tithe in matt 23.23.

Hervey · Dec 29, 2001

psalms 22.3:

Jesus Christ did "not" tell anyone to give the tithe. Matthew 23:23 does "not" say that Jesus Christ told them to tithe. All it is saying, is that they were hypocrites for not doing the weightier parts of the 'law'.

Love IN Christ - Hervey

psalms 22.3 · Dec 29, 2001

i understand how you can fullfill curcumsion by casting off the fleshly man and living according to the spirit. so we dont need it, it is fullfilled.

but how in the world can you fullfill tithing another way?
it was to support the ministers who didnt have time to work becuase of their conescration to god.
how can you fullfill this in love? or any other way?

(i beleive)
paul preached agaisnt curcumsision because we no longer need it, it simply represented something that we "by living according to the spirit, dieing to our flesh" can fullfill.
but i think tithing was diffrent, it wasnt representing something to come under the new law, as curcumsision was, it was done so the preists could make a living. and i see no way to fullfill this today any other way than to keep tithing.

my pastors life is so commited to the gospel and ministry that he cant work another job. he doenst have the time or energy.
and if i dont tithe HELL BE HOMELESS AND HAVE TO GIVE UP HIS KIDS AND MINISTRY.

we no longer need curcumsision becuase there is no need for it, but there certianly is a need for pastors to be fed and have homes even today.
and i think that is why we didnt hear paul or other people preach agaisnt tithing.
as they did agaisnt curcumsision.
he did say
"If you tithe, Christ shall profit you nothing"
that simply means that it wont save you but grace will. but that doenst mean i shouldnt doit.
read my other examples of what he told us to do in my first reply.

"let everything that has breath praise the lord"
we are commanded to praise him.
but is that what saves us? no.
so if it doenst save us, i guess we dont need to doit, NO NO NO.

god gives us lots of commandments that dont save us, but it is still wrong to not do them and we will be judged for it in heavon.

psalms 22.3 · Dec 29, 2001

hervey
i beg to differ
...jugdment mercy and faith: these ought ye to have done, AND NOT TO LEAVE THE OTHER UNDONE.
that OTHER is the tithing.
he didnt say they were doing the wrong thing, he was saying they werent doing enough.

Hervey · Dec 29, 2001

Psalm 22.3

What I wanted to do, was to establish, that the "tithe" was a part of the Law. I believe I did that , and that there should not be any reason to doubt that .

If you do one part of the law, you would then be a debtor to do the "whole law" according to the book of Galatians. Then one would have fallen from "grace" by doing and teaching the "Law" of the tithe.

What I am reading from your responses, is your concern for your pastor. And your only answer is to give the tithe. Why not 'just give' ? Why do you express that the tithe is the "only" way that your pastor can receive his needs to be met ? Why can't he receive by just giving to his needs , which pertains to him being the pastor of your church ?

Love IN Christ - Hervey

Hervey · Dec 29, 2001

Psalms 22.3

You said >"he didnt say they were doing the wrong thing, he was saying they werent doing enough."

First - they were still "under" the law !

Second - He was not telling them to "do" the tithe ! He was telling them that they "were" doing the tithe, but "not" doing judgment, mercy, and faith", which
by the way, made them "hypocrites". That is what he "called" them - "hypocrites", for only doing a part of the law.

This time period was "not" the "grace" period. The 'grace administration' came "after" the day of pentecost. During the gospels, Jesus Christ was still fulfilling the Law.

The "tithe" was a part of the Law, as I have established !

Love IN Christ - Hervey

[This message has been edited by Hervey (edited 29 December 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Hervey (edited 29 December 2001).]

psalms 22.3 · Dec 29, 2001

im new, i really dont want to make enemies this early or ever, i see that you are saying what your saying as discussion, i hope you see mine the same.

actually the dispensation of law was until john the baptist, from then on the kingdom of heavon was preached(the dispensation of grace)
jesus gave this grace and forgave sin before pentecost.

i simply dont see how you dont see it.
"and not to leave the others undone".

i agree the major point was that they should have mercy faith and judgement. but God evidently thought the next phrase was important enough to right down.
AND NOT TO LEAVE THE OTHERS UNDONE.
that wasnt the major point, but it was in there, so it is also doctrine.

psalms 22.3 · Dec 29, 2001

what is the diffrence of giving and giving the tithe?
what if the amount i freely give happens to be a tenth? am i condemned?

i understand what you are saying, and i truely admit there is much i dont understand. i just do the best i can with what i have. and right now, im paying the tithe, as jesus told those men to do.

Mandy · Dec 29, 2001

You are missing the point I think.
The point is that tithing was part of the law and we are not under the law.
If you feel lead to give a tenth then give a tenth. It is not something that is commanded in the New Testament. If we are obligated to give a tenth, then you can say we are obligated to keep the Sabbath. We are to give, but God would rather us give cheerfully then to give simply because it is our obligation. Trust God to care for your pastor. God will see to it that your pastor's needs are met. I am not saying to stop tithing. Just like in the beginning of the church, people gave cheerfully and I don't think they were checking to see if they were giving a tenth.
Personally I would love to give a tenth, but right now I can't, but I give what I can cheerfully, not because I am obligated.

Hervey · Dec 29, 2001

psalms 22.3

The words spoken in verse 23 - "NOT TO LEAVE THE OTHER UNDONE" , does not pertain to the "tithe". It pertains to that which they were "not doing", which was "judgment", "mercy", and "faith". These are what they "left undone".

Jesus Christ did "not" tell them to tithe !

I tell you this, and explain this to you, not to argue, but help you in your understanding.

Love IN Christ - Hervey

SOS · Dec 29, 2001

The truth is - it is all from the heart. So tithe if you want to, don't tithe if you don't want to. Better you tithe with a willing heart, than to tithe unwillingly.

Hervey · Dec 29, 2001

S.O.S:

That is not what it says in II Corinthians chapters 8 & 9.

In II Corinthians 8:12 it tells us > "For if there be first a willing mind, it is "ACCEPTED" according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not"

It needs to be "accepted" ,and the criteria is to give out of what "you have". No mention of the tithe whatsoever !

Here is what it is 'for' >

II Corinthians 8:14 & 15

14) - "But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want (need), that their abundance also may be a supply for your want (need), that there may be equality:"

15) - "As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack"

Some have needs, and their needs are supplied from your abundance, but if you are the one with a need, then their abundance is a supply for your need. There are times you are the receiver, and not the giver !

Love IN Christ - Hervey

psalms 22.3 · Dec 29, 2001

mandy,
i do understand what it is your saying.
but i cant understand why he would tell them to do that if they shouldnt.

hervey
ok, read it again

...judgment, mercy and faith THESE OUGHT YE TO HAVE DONE.(THAT IS WHEN HE ADDRESSED THOSE 3 THINGS, THE NEXT STATEMENT DOESNT ADDRESS THOSE 3 THINGS, AS THEY HAVE ALREADY BEEN ADDRESSED)
and NOT to leave the OTHER undone.(tithe)

he addressed 2 seperate things.
1.tithing
2.judgement, mercy, faith.

he said 2 things.
1. these ought ye to have done.
2. and not to leave the other undone.

so he told them to it all.

he even said THESE AS A PLURAL FORM, FOR MORE THAN ONE THING(THOSE 3 THINGS)
AND OTHER AS SINGULAR FORM FOR ONE THING(TITHE)
HE TOLD THEM TO TITHE.

Tithe of the Law

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