ONE FOR ALL, ALL FOR ONE—UNDERSTANDING THE TITHING PRINCIPLE

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Everything we have, and are, comes from God. But the OP said that if we give 10% of our money to God, he regards it as if we have given him 100%. That's what I don't agree with; give God 10% and if you spend the rest on booze, drugs, wild parties or down at the betting shop, no matter, because in God's eyes it will be as if you have given 100% so you might as well blow it on what you want.
Jesus didn't commend the Pharisees for giving a small part of their great wealth and say, "that's great; God considers that you have given it all. He commended a widow for giving all she had.

She was commended for giving 100% of what she had to live on .... as if Jesus were there watching for the express purpose of exposing the fraud of the Pharisitical system. He had previously spoken about them robbing widows and getting fat off the poor. While they kept their 90% of their riches, the widow gave of that which made her poorer than her living allowed.
I sincerely dislike how churches shame the poor when their 10% is made to be a chose between eating, paying bills, or giving into the offering plate.

 

[Strong in Him]

She was commended for giving 100% of what she had to live on .... as if Jesus were there watching for the express purpose of exposing the fraud of the Pharisitical system. He had previously spoken about them robbing widows and getting fat off the poor. While they kept their 90% of their riches, the widow gave of that which made her poorer than her living allowed.
I sincerely dislike how churches shame the poor when their 10% is made to be a chose between eating, paying bills, or giving into the offering plate.

My point is that according to the OP's "principle", Jesus should have praised those Pharisees and said, "well done; you have given some of your wealth so God regards it as if you have given all of it." He didn't do that; he praised the widow who really had given all she had to God, while the Pharisees just gave a percentage and might not have even noticed that it had gone.

It is the "principle" that if you tithe -i.e give 10% to God - then in God's eyes it is the same as if you have given 100%, that I am challenging. It's interesting that the OP hasn't been back to the thread to explain his principle or to answer questions.

 

[Acts24Fourteen]

In these 2 verses, they were still under the law, so they were expected to tithe and if you look at the verses carefully you will see its food once again.

Matthew 23:23 - Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier [matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Luke 11:42 - But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

"under the law" [[a totally misused/abused phrase of Paul, even as Peter warned of [2 Peter 3:16], which properly and according to the context of Romans, means to be guilty before God for transgression of His Holy, Just and Perfect, Eternal & Righteous Law, Romans 3:19], is that the reason? No, consider that it was already demonstrated that the Holy Tithe [the firstfruits] existed from the beginning, even before Abel:

Genesis 4:4 - And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

Adam was to be in obedience to God, better than sacrifice, or "offering":

1 Samuel 15:22 - And Samuel said, Hath the LORD [as great] delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey [is] better than sacrifice, [and] to hearken than the fat of rams.

It was even with the Holy Angels, which existed before this world was created [Job 38:7], it is an eternal principle, one with God's own character. Returning unto Him that which is His own, and His due, as God, Father, Lord, etc. As stated it deals with righteousness & obedience at is very heart. Love returns & gives love.

Yet Adam took of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, which was theft/robbery of God's own, and was also misuse of that which was God's own, and therefore was transgression of the Law of God [1 John 3:4], disobedience and lack of faith in God.

The Holy Tithe continued from the repentant and faithful of Adam's descendants [through Seth, Enoch, etc], even unto and into the time of Noah [Noe; 2 Peter 2:5; Psalms 119:172], Abraham [Genesis 14; Hebrews 7], and his descendants, like Jacob/Israel [Genesis 28:20-22], and also later Moses and Israel [peoples; Leviticus 27; Numbers 18; Deuteronomy 12 & 14, etc], and unto Jesus [Hebrews 4:15] and His Disciples/Apostles [Isaiah 8:16; John 8:39] and those after them [Hebrews 7; 1 Corinthians 9, etc].

Now again, dealing with food, please see my previous responses ["increase, revenue, value, shekels"], and your own citation ["money"; Deut]. Also see the response which demonstrates that the Pharisees were strict according to the letter, and thus tithed down even to the small herbs, and the minutest things. Christ Jesus pointed this out, that though the Pharisees would tithe down to the smallest matter, they neglected the weighter matters in so doing. Jesus stated that they were to do both, neglecting neither.

It is prophesied of Jesus, in the context of the crucifixion:

Isaiah 42:21 - The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make [it] honourable.

It truly is a matter of disobedience, for those that say, "Lord, lord" and who put forth their own form of 'righteousness', which is nothing, and refuse to do as God commands, all the while teaching to disobey God in His command.

Read Isaiah 8 closely. Read Isaiah 56:1,8, John 10:16, Isaiah 56:2-7; Hebrews 2:11-13, then go back to Isaiah 8, now seek out Matthew 2:13-15; Hosea 11:1, for obviously Jacob/Israel has children [Malachi 3:6; Isaiah 8:8,10,13-16,18,20; Romans 11:26; Acts 15;16-18; Exodus 31:16].

And lets look at the context Mal 3:8 again.

Malachi 3:8
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

- Mal 1 explains how they robbed God by offering lame and beaten up animals that they wouldnt even offer their governor, but it doesnt say because they were not giving 10% of their income.

Malachi 1:6-8
6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the Lord is contemptible.

8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of hosts.

-Deut 17:1 is the command of God they were breaking Mal 1:6-8 and Mal 3:8 points out how they were robbing God.
Deuteronomy 17:1 (NKJV)

17 “You shall not sacrifice to the Lord your God a bull or sheep which has any blemish or defect, for that is an abomination to the Lord your God.

The immediate context of Malachi 3:8, is Malachi 3:1, and dealing with Jesus [verily the messenger of the covenant] and the New Covenant, thus the Holy Tithe in it.

True, Malachi 3:8, is also in the greater context of Malachi 1, 2, 3 & 4. Consider it again, for Malachi 3:8 deals with more than mere "offering", for it says "tithes" "and" offerings"

Malachi 1:13 - Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness [is it]! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought [that which was] torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.

Malachi 2:12 - The LORD will cut off the man that doeth this, the master and the scholar, out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 2:13 - And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth [it] with good will at your hand.

Malachi 3:3 - And he shall sit [as] a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

Malachi 3:4 - Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.

"and"

Malachi 3:8 - Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

Malachi 3:10 - Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it].

Again:

Malachi 1:6 KJV - A son honoureth [his] father, and a servant his master: if then I [be] a father, where [is] mine honour? and if I [be] a master, where [is] my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

[see also, “Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.” Luke 13:13 ; “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.” John 13:13]

Malachi 2:1 KJV - And now, O ye priests, this commandment [is] for you.

Malachi 2:2 KJV - If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay [it] to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay [it] to heart.

[See also that this Tithe then, is included in the Everlasting Gospel, and to give Glory unto God, “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,” Revelation 14:6; “Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Revelation 14:7]

Malachi 2:6 KJV - The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.

[See also, “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:” 1 Peter 2:22; “Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.” Psalms 32:2, “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.” Psalms 34:13; “Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” John 1:47; “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:” 1 Peter 3:10 and in the 144,000 themselves, “And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” Revelation 14:5]

Malachi 2:7 KJV - For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he [is] the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 2:11 KJV - Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god.

Malachi 3:6 KJV - For I [am] the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Malachi 3:7 KJV - Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept [them]. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

Malachi 3:8 KJV - Will a man [Heb. “'adam”, mankind] rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

Malachi 3:9 KJV - Ye [are] cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, [even] this whole nation.

Malachi 3:10 KJV - Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it].

Malachi 3:11 KJV - And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 3:12 KJV - And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 3:13 KJV - Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken [so much] against thee?

Malachi 3:14 KJV - Ye have said, It [is] vain to serve God: and what profit [is it] that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?

Malachi 3:15 KJV - And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, [they that] tempt God are even delivered.

Malachi 3:16 KJV - Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

[see also, “... Fear God ...” Revelation 14:7]

Malachi 3:17 KJV - And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

Malachi 3:18 KJV - Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

But, thus saith the LORD, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20

These prophecies and promises in Malachi have two-fold fulfillment, in the first coming of Christ, and again in the Second:

Malachi 3:1 KJV - Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 4:4 KJV - Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, [with] the statutes and judgments.

Malachi 4:5 KJV - Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:

Malachi 4:6 KJV - And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

We find the last fulfillment of the spirit of Elijah [Luke 1:17] message, which “shall come” [Matthew 17:11] in the group of people “prophesying again” [Revelation 10:9-11, 12:17, 14:6-7, 18:1-24, etc] and proclaiming of Jesus' 2nd coming. Therefore, the Holy Tithe is for the spread of this Good News, and all who are purposefully withholding it, in self unrighteousness, have the blood of many others upon their garments. Let those who have done so, go now!, and get thee of the Blood of the Lamb to wash thee, and make thee clean and pure.

Therefore it is written:

John 8:39 KJV - "... If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham."

[see Hebrews 7:2,4,8,9, and Genesis 14:20 and ask,

Q. What did Abraham do unto Melchizedek, the type of Christ Jesus [Hebrews 7:3]?

Q. Are we Christians also to be such children of faithful Abraham? See Luke 1:55, 9:7-10; Romans 4:16; Galatians 3:16,29

Q. Are we [Luke 12:4; John 15:14,15] as Abraham was, the very “friend” of God [2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23], as Moses [Exodus 33:11]?]

What will you do? Are you a priest under the Great High Priest Jesus Christ or no? Are you a son of Jacob/Israel? Are you a child of faithful Abraham doing the works of faithful Abraham?

Will it also be said to you:

Malachi 2:8 - But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.

Yes, indeed the offerings were poor, and damaged, [against Deut 17:1] etc, but also ["and"] "all" the tithes were not given [thus some were wrongly being kept back; Genesis 14:20]. 2 things, not one.

And the final example will be Paul

1 Corinthians 16:2 (NKJV)
2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

-Notice how Paul never said to set aside a tithe or a tenth of their income so he may pick it up. This is a prime example of a free will offering and that there is NO biblical commandment to tithe 10% of your income and that you are robbing God if you dont. That is a man made doctrine, just like the man made doctrine of net vs gross tithing.

1 Corinthians 16:2 is a special 'offering' for those in Jerusalem, and so remember that God required "tithes" and "offerings", not one or the other, but both/and. This situation is merely recording the giving of the offering, as in other places. It would be like [akin to] pointing to a NT text and quoting a text which has the words, "Peter, James and John", in it only and saying, "See there were only 3 Apostles", but this would be neglecting to cite the other texts citing the remaining Apostles. This is the same type of presentation of Scripture that is used by the Jehovah's Witnesses in citing only certain passages on Jesus [regarding deity] or the Holy Spirit [regarding deity/personhood/ality].

In 1 Corinthians 16, Paul is not admonishing the Church to not pay the Tithe, but rather he is having a special collection [on top of, over and above their tithe, a freewill offering, which is given for aide after the Holy Tithe, even after the Sabbath [inherent in the text itself, see Greek]] for the poor saints in Jerusalem.

This was a special offering collections for those in Jerusalem of what "whatsoever God hath prospered". It was also not done in any communal gathering, but privately, individually, in their own homes, stored there, to be given to Paul when he came to them, in a limited window of time [up until when Paul came to them].

1 Corinthians 16:1 - Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

1 Corinthians 16:2 - Upon the first [day] of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as [God] hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

1 Corinthians 16:3 - And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by [your] letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

I still give 10% of my actual pay check as that is what I grew up being taught, even though I know the truth about what a tithe is now, but I still see it as a free will offering that i give every 2 weeks. Even with that, their is debates of if you get $1600 and your check is $1300, you should be giving $160 instead of $130 and I see it as I only physically have $1300, not $1600.

To give 10% is not to give the Holy Tithe [for Holy Tithe is not merely any 10%, it has to be specific, and with the right heart given from God], especially when you teach to not return Holy Tithe, but is simply returning some 10% of your own choosing, in a spirit not in obedience to the command of God, but out of your own sense of what you presently think you may 'offer' to God [it is self-righteousness], as if God needed anything, rather than what God required - obedience, which is Love in working demonstration, faith made perfect.

God's words says whatever you are increased by, return on it. Simple.

Ezekiel 33:15 KJV - [If] the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.

Ezekiel 33:16 KJV - None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.

Luke 19:8 KJV - And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore [him] fourfold.

Luke 19:9 KJV - And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

Luke 19:10 KJV - For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Let us then be found in Him, who is faithful and good [“servant” Philippians 2:7], and overcome, even as He overcame [Revelation 3:21]:

Matthew 25:21 KJV - His lord said unto him, Well done, [thou] good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Matthew 25:23 KJV - His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Luke 19:17 KJV - And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

 

[Strong in Him]

Sure, please consider carefully and prayerfully:

Thank you for posting so many verses of Scripture. The thing is, though, that none of those say that we, Christians, MUST give 10% of our money to the church.

Genesis 14:11 KJV - And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.

Genesis 14:12 KJV - And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

Genesis 14:16 KJV - And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

This isn't about tithing, or even giving.
Four kings went to war against Sodom and Gomorrah. They captured them, took all their possessions (spoils of war), and captured Lot as well. When Abram heard this he went to rescue his nephew and his possessions.

Genesis 14:20 KJV - And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

Yes, but Abraham giving 1/10 to Melchizedek does not prove that we also have to give 10%.

Genesis 14:21 KJV - And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.

Abram [Abraham] would not take a thing of the “goods”.

Because they were the spoils of war - the possessions they had taken from Sodom and Gomorrah. In v 23, which you have quoted, , Abram told the king of Sodom that he was not going to let him boast that he had made him rich - i.e Abram didn't want his wealth to come from a foreign king.

We, as sinners, being taken captive by Satan, yet being delivered by a saviour, and not taken back to the previous condition, Sodom, but brought to Salem, with the Tithe/Firstfruits being presented, and so we are indebted [Romans 8:12, 15:27], etc.

We owe everything to God; everything that we have, and are, comes from him.

Joshua 6:24 KJV - And they burnt the city with fire, and all that [was] therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD.

Because the Lord told them to do this. He said they were to regard all items of gold, silver, bronze and iron as sacred to the Lord and were to put them into his treasury, Joshua 6:19.

Q. Or will we yet withhold that which belongs unto God as did Achan?

Joshua 7:21 KJV - When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they [are] hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.

Achan broke God's command which was not to touch certain items which would be regarded as sacred things. He not only touched them, he coveted some of them and took them for himself.

Thus these Bible texts give us further definition of the word “increase”, and showing that it is not reduced to mere association with 'farming' or 'agriculture', even as Strong's Concordance agrees with, “"1) produce, product, revenue; a) product, yield, crops (of the earth usually); b)income, revenue; c) gain (of wisdom) (fig); d) product of lips (fig)"

Anyone can increase their wealth, possessions or whatever - this does not say that we HAVE to give 10% of that increase to God, or the church.

Further, the word “revenue” is also defined Bibically as it is found in the following:

Ezra 4:13 KJV - Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up [again, then] will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and [so] thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.

Proverbs 8:19 KJV - My fruit [is] better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

But we are not commanded to give, or tithe, that revenue to God.

Leviticus 14:22-29 explains how the Israelites were to tithe - and it involved food and produce. The only time they took money to the temple was if 10% of this produce was too heavy for them to carry; then they were to sell it, take the money to the temple, buy more food and eat it there.

Giving 10% is a good starting point, and some people feel that they want the whole of that 10% to go to the church. If that is what they have decided before God, or if God has specifically told them to do that; that's absolutely fine.
But it would be wrong to insist that everyone should do this - as I said, some may not be able to afford 10% but may give in other ways. Or they might give 5% one month but 20% the next.

 

[Acts24Fourteen]

Thank you for posting so many verses of Scripture. The thing is, though, that none of those say that we, Christians, MUST give 10% of our money to the church. ...

Read Hebrews 7 again:

Hebrews 7:1 KJV - For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;

Hebrews 7:2 KJV - To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

Hebrews 7:3 KJV - Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

Hebrews 7:8 KJV - And here men [Levites] that die receive tithes; but there[in the Heavenly Tabernacle]he[Jesus, the anti-type of Melchizedek] [receiveth them], of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

Melchizedek was but the type, while Christ Jesus is the true High Priest after that order [Exodus 29:4-8; Leviticus 8:12; Psalms 133:1-3; Acts 1:1-26, 2:1-47; Revelation 5:5-6; Hebrews 4:14, 5:6,10, 6:20, 7:11,15-17,21]. Paul's argumentation, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, in Hebrews 7 is drawing from the events in Genesis 14. Abraham gave tithes unto Melchizedek, and those in [the loins of] Abraham [such as the Levites, as physically] gave tithes to Melchizedek through faithful Abraham [Hebrews 7:9], and thus anyone which is of the seed of Abraham [True Christians, the spiritual], being faithful, will return tithes to Christ Jesus, the Highpriest of the Melchizedek order, for the Holy Tithe is in relationship to Salvation from the Enemy:

Genesis 14:20 KJV - And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

Therefore, as Abraham was called out of Ur [of the Chaldees; Babylon; Genesis 11:31, 1:1] to walk in the Way of the LORD, long before Moses, to keep His [God's] Commandments, and to heed the Voice of the LORD [Genesis 26:5] and enter into the land of Canaan, so too are we [Revelation 18:4].

The Tithe itself is a symbol/type of Jesus Christ and His Righteousness, and only that which the Father can accept, for He cannot accept our self-righteousness. We may see that the Tithe is the “Firstfruit” which is even “Holy”. It is the Best and First which is to be returned unto God.

As Christ Jesus is our “Great High Priest” [Hebrews 4:14], we, being of the “children of Israel” [Exodus 31:16,17; Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:15], the “many sons” He has brought “unto glory” [Hebrews 2:10; Isaiah 8:13-20; Isaiah 56:1-8], we are called to be a “chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people” [1 Peter 2:9] unto Him:

Exodus 19:6 KJV - And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Deuteronomy 7:6 KJV - For thou [art] an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that [are] upon the face of the earth.

Deuteronomy 14:2 KJV - For thou [art] an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that [are] upon the earth.

1 Peter 2:5 KJV - Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:9 KJV - But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Revelation 1:6 KJV - And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 5:10 KJV - And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Thus, as such, we, the “children of [True] Israel [Jesus Christ]” [“For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” [2 Corinthians 1:20]], can turn unto the pages of the prophet Malachi, and read therein those prophets words, for though it details the events of the first coming of Christ Jesus and the responsibilities of those that looked for it, it also details the Second Advent of Jesus [Ecclesiastes 1:9, 3:15] and the responsibilities of those looking for that “blessed hope” [Titus 2:13], which are even for that “Israel” in the last days, for since it is written that, “All scriptureis given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” [2 Timothy 3:16]

 

[Strong in Him]

Read Hebrews 7 again:

I have.
Verses 1-10 are about Melchizedek, a priest of God who blessed Abraham, and Abraham gave him 1/10. Verse 2 says that Abram gave him 1/10 of everything, but verse 4 says he gave him a 1/10 of the plunder - i.e the things he had taken from the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah after he conquered them. This makes the most sense in the context of Genesis 14.
Which means that Abram didn't give Melchizedek 1/10 of what he owned - his own possessions - but of the spoils of war.

Paul's argumentation, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, in Hebrews 7 is drawing from the events in Genesis 14. Abraham gave tithes unto Melchizedek, and those in [the loins of] Abraham [such as the Levites, as physically] gave tithes to Melchizedek through faithful Abraham [Hebrews 7:9], and thus anyone which is of the seed of Abraham [True Christians, the spiritual], being faithful, will return tithes to Christ Jesus, the Highpriest of the Melchizedek order,

The author of Hebrews - probably not Paul - does not say this, and could state it quite plainly if he wanted to. I don't believe he is even inferring it. Read Hebrews 7:11-19; Jesus is a great high priest in the order of Melchizedek, NOT in the order of Aaron. V 12, "where there is a change of priesthood, there must be a change of law"; verses 13-14, Jesus [who they are speaking about] came from the tribe of Judah, and priests did not come from that tribe.
Verse 22 says that Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. This covenant was prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31-34, and sealed with Jesus' own blood; Matthew 26:28. Hebrews 8 tells of Jesus, the High Priest of a NEW covenant, and verse 13 tells us that by calling this one NEW, he has declared the first one to be obsolete.

 

[SAAN]

"under the law" [[a totally misused/abused phrase of Paul, even as Peter warned of [2 Peter 3:16], which properly and according to the context of Romans, means to be guilty before God for transgression of His Holy, Just and Perfect, Eternal & Righteous Law, Romans 3:19], is that the reason? No, consider that it was already demonstrated that the Holy Tithe [the firstfruits] existed from the beginning, even before Abel:

Genesis 4:4 - And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

Adam was to be in obedience to God, better than sacrifice, or "offering":

1 Samuel 15:22 - And Samuel said, Hath the LORD [as great] delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey [is] better than sacrifice, [and] to hearken than the fat of rams.

It was even with the Holy Angels, which existed before this world was created [Job 38:7], it is an eternal principle, one with God's own character. Returning unto Him that which is His own, and His due, as God, Father, Lord, etc. As stated it deals with righteousness & obedience at is very heart. Love returns & gives love.

Yet Adam took of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, which was theft/robbery of God's own, and was also misuse of that which was God's own, and therefore was transgression of the Law of God [1 John 3:4], disobedience and lack of faith in God.

The Holy Tithe continued from the repentant and faithful of Adam's descendants [through Seth, Enoch, etc], even unto and into the time of Noah [Noe; 2 Peter 2:5; Psalms 119:172], Abraham [Genesis 14; Hebrews 7], and his descendants, like Jacob/Israel [Genesis 28:20-22], and also later Moses and Israel [peoples; Leviticus 27; Numbers 18; Deuteronomy 12 & 14, etc], and unto Jesus [Hebrews 4:15] and His Disciples/Apostles [Isaiah 8:16; John 8:39] and those after them [Hebrews 7; 1 Corinthians 9, etc].

Now again, dealing with food, please see my previous responses ["increase, revenue, value, shekels"], and your own citation ["money"; Deut]. Also see the response which demonstrates that the Pharisees were strict according to the letter, and thus tithed down even to the small herbs, and the minutest things. Christ Jesus pointed this out, that though the Pharisees would tithe down to the smallest matter, they neglected the weighter matters in so doing. Jesus stated that they were to do both, neglecting neither.

It is prophesied of Jesus, in the context of the crucifixion:

Isaiah 42:21 - The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make [it] honourable.

It truly is a matter of disobedience, for those that say, "Lord, lord" and who put forth their own form of 'righteousness', which is nothing, and refuse to do as God commands, all the while teaching to disobey God in His command.

Read Isaiah 8 closely. Read Isaiah 56:1,8, John 10:16, Isaiah 56:2-7; Hebrews 2:11-13, then go back to Isaiah 8, now seek out Matthew 2:13-15; Hosea 11:1, for obviously Jacob/Israel has children [Malachi 3:6; Isaiah 8:8,10,13-16,18,20; Romans 11:26; Acts 15;16-18; Exodus 31:16].

The immediate context of Malachi 3:8, is Malachi 3:1, and dealing with Jesus [verily the messenger of the covenant] and the New Covenant, thus the Holy Tithe in it.

True, Malachi 3:8, is also in the greater context of Malachi 1, 2, 3 & 4. Consider it again, for Malachi 3:8 deals with more than mere "offering", for it says "tithes" "and" offerings"

Malachi 1:13 - Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness [is it]! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought [that which was] torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.

Malachi 2:12 - The LORD will cut off the man that doeth this, the master and the scholar, out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 2:13 - And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth [it] with good will at your hand.

Malachi 3:3 - And he shall sit [as] a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

Malachi 3:4 - Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.

"and"

Malachi 3:8 - Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

Malachi 3:10 - Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it].

Again:

Malachi 1:6 KJV - A son honoureth [his] father, and a servant his master: if then I [be] a father, where [is] mine honour? and if I [be] a master, where [is] my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

[see also, “Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.” Luke 13:13 ; “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.” John 13:13]

Malachi 2:1 KJV - And now, O ye priests, this commandment [is] for you.

Malachi 2:2 KJV - If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay [it] to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay [it] to heart.

[See also that this Tithe then, is included in the Everlasting Gospel, and to give Glory unto God, “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,” Revelation 14:6; “Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Revelation 14:7]

Malachi 2:6 KJV - The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity.

[See also, “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:” 1 Peter 2:22; “Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.” Psalms 32:2, “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.” Psalms 34:13; “Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” John 1:47; “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:” 1 Peter 3:10 and in the 144,000 themselves, “And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” Revelation 14:5]

Malachi 2:7 KJV - For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he [is] the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 2:11 KJV - Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god.

Malachi 3:6 KJV - For I [am] the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Malachi 3:7 KJV - Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept [them]. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

Malachi 3:8 KJV - Will a man [Heb. “'adam”, mankind] rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

Malachi 3:9 KJV - Ye [are] cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, [even] this whole nation.

Malachi 3:10 KJV - Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that [there shall] not [be room] enough [to receive it].

Malachi 3:11 KJV - And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 3:12 KJV - And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 3:13 KJV - Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken [so much] against thee?

Malachi 3:14 KJV - Ye have said, It [is] vain to serve God: and what profit [is it] that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?

Malachi 3:15 KJV - And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, [they that] tempt God are even delivered.

Malachi 3:16 KJV - Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

[see also, “... Fear God ...” Revelation 14:7]

Malachi 3:17 KJV - And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

Malachi 3:18 KJV - Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

But, thus saith the LORD, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20

These prophecies and promises in Malachi have two-fold fulfillment, in the first coming of Christ, and again in the Second:

Malachi 3:1 KJV - Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 4:4 KJV - Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, [with] the statutes and judgments.

Malachi 4:5 KJV - Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:

Malachi 4:6 KJV - And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

We find the last fulfillment of the spirit of Elijah [Luke 1:17] message, which “shall come” [Matthew 17:11] in the group of people “prophesying again” [Revelation 10:9-11, 12:17, 14:6-7, 18:1-24, etc] and proclaiming of Jesus' 2nd coming. Therefore, the Holy Tithe is for the spread of this Good News, and all who are purposefully withholding it, in self unrighteousness, have the blood of many others upon their garments. Let those who have done so, go now!, and get thee of the Blood of the Lamb to wash thee, and make thee clean and pure.

Therefore it is written:

John 8:39 KJV - "... If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham."

[see Hebrews 7:2,4,8,9, and Genesis 14:20 and ask,

Q. What did Abraham do unto Melchizedek, the type of Christ Jesus [Hebrews 7:3]?

Q. Are we Christians also to be such children of faithful Abraham? See Luke 1:55, 9:7-10; Romans 4:16; Galatians 3:16,29

Q. Are we [Luke 12:4; John 15:14,15] as Abraham was, the very “friend” of God [2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23], as Moses [Exodus 33:11]?]

What will you do? Are you a priest under the Great High Priest Jesus Christ or no? Are you a son of Jacob/Israel? Are you a child of faithful Abraham doing the works of faithful Abraham?

Will it also be said to you:

Malachi 2:8 - But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.

Yes, indeed the offerings were poor, and damaged, [against Deut 17:1] etc, but also ["and"] "all" the tithes were not given [thus some were wrongly being kept back; Genesis 14:20]. 2 things, not one.

1 Corinthians 16:2 is a special 'offering' for those in Jerusalem, and so remember that God required "tithes" and "offerings", not one or the other, but both/and. This situation is merely recording the giving of the offering, as in other places. It would be like [akin to] pointing to a NT text and quoting a text which has the words, "Peter, James and John", in it only and saying, "See there were only 3 Apostles", but this would be neglecting to cite the other texts citing the remaining Apostles. This is the same type of presentation of Scripture that is used by the Jehovah's Witnesses in citing only certain passages on Jesus [regarding deity] or the Holy Spirit [regarding deity/personhood/ality].

In 1 Corinthians 16, Paul is not admonishing the Church to not pay the Tithe, but rather he is having a special collection [on top of, over and above their tithe, a freewill offering, which is given for aide after the Holy Tithe, even after the Sabbath [inherent in the text itself, see Greek]] for the poor saints in Jerusalem.

This was a special offering collections for those in Jerusalem of what "whatsoever God hath prospered". It was also not done in any communal gathering, but privately, individually, in their own homes, stored there, to be given to Paul when he came to them, in a limited window of time [up until when Paul came to them].

1 Corinthians 16:1 - Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

1 Corinthians 16:2 - Upon the first [day] of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as [God] hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

1 Corinthians 16:3 - And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by [your] letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

To give 10% is not to give the Holy Tithe [for Holy Tithe is not merely any 10%, it has to be specific, and with the right heart given from God], especially when you teach to not return Holy Tithe, but is simply returning some 10% of your own choosing, in a spirit not in obedience to the command of God, but out of your own sense of what you presently think you may 'offer' to God [it is self-righteousness], as if God needed anything, rather than what God required - obedience, which is Love in working demonstration, faith made perfect.

God's words says whatever you are increased by, return on it. Simple.

Ezekiel 33:15 KJV - [If] the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.

Ezekiel 33:16 KJV - None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.

Luke 19:8 KJV - And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore [him] fourfold.

Luke 19:9 KJV - And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

Luke 19:10 KJV - For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Let us then be found in Him, who is faithful and good [“servant” Philippians 2:7], and overcome, even as He overcame [Revelation 3:21]:

Matthew 25:21 KJV - His lord said unto him, Well done, [thou] good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Matthew 25:23 KJV - His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Luke 19:17 KJV - And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

This sounds more like indoctrination on the man made, 10% of your check or you're robbing God, than showing specifically we are mandated to give 10% of our income.

 

[Acts24Fourteen]

I have.

Verses 1-10 are about Melchizedek, a priest of God who blessed Abraham, and Abraham gave him 1/10. Verse 2 says that Abram gave him 1/10 of everything, but verse 4 says he gave him a 1/10 of the plunder - i.e the things he had taken from the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah after he conquered them. This makes the most sense in the context of Genesis 14.

Which means that Abram didn't give Melchizedek 1/10 of what he owned - his own possessions - but of the spoils of war.

Consider what Genesis 14 reveals, in that Abraham, from the great victory was 'increased', by all that was gained from the battle. It was not merely his own [people, goods and victuals, such as Lot and his family, servants, goods], but also, in addition [thus increased] those things which were obtained from the opposers, in what they had taken from Sodom and Gomorah [peoples, goods, etc]. All things thus now belonged [Genesis 14:24][ unto the victor, their saviour, Abraham, though Abraham was not greedy, nor covetous. That is being increased. Thus Abraham "gave tithes of all" the increase to Melchizedek the High Priest King, since they were now in his possession. Abraham [type] was faithful, just as Christ Jesus [anti-type] is faithful. Just as Abraham gave tithes of all to Melchizedek, we too as faithful children, as faithful Abraham, are to return the Holy Tithe unto our Melchisedec, Christ Jesus, our Great High King-Priest. The events in Genesis 14 being a type of the salvation in Christ Jesus, Christ Jesus also returns firstfruits/tithe [in righteousness] unto the Father, not merely himself, but many others:

Romans 8:23 KJV - And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body.

Romans 16:5 KJV - Likewise [greet] the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:20 KJV - But now is Christ risen from the dead, [and] become the firstfruits of them that slept.

1 Corinthians 15:23 KJV - But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

James 1:18 KJV - Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Revelation 14:4 KJV - These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, [being] the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

Even when Christ Jesus was resurrected and ascended, He presented the wavesheaf of some specially resurrected martyrs that were around the locality of Jerusalem [unknown number, unknown persons [possibly John the Baptist being one, as mere suggestion]]:

Matthew 27:51 KJV - And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

Matthew 27:52 KJV - And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

Matthew 27:53 KJV - And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

Psalm 68:18 KJV - Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, [for] the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell [among them].

Ephesians 4:8 KJV - Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Isaiah 26:19 KJV - Thy dead [men] shall live, [together with] my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew [is as] the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

The author of Hebrews - probably not Paul - does not say this, and could state it quite plainly if he wanted to. I don't believe he is even inferring it. Read Hebrews 7:11-19; Jesus is a great high priest in the order of Melchizedek, NOT in the order of Aaron. V 12, "where there is a change of priesthood, there must be a change of law"; verses 13-14, Jesus [who they are speaking about] came from the tribe of Judah, and priests did not come from that tribe.
Verse 22 says that Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. This covenant was prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31-34, and sealed with Jesus' own blood; Matthew 26:28. Hebrews 8 tells of Jesus, the High Priest of a NEW covenant, and verse 13 tells us that by calling this one NEW, he has declared the first one to be obsolete.

A detailed, line upon line, study of Hebrews reveals the author to be Paul, however, dealing with the true issue at hand, Hebrews 7, is authored by the Holy Spirit through Holy [man] [2 Peter 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 3:16, and see also Acts 1:16, etc], being written to reveal Christ Jesus more fully unto the Jews, that they might accept Him, for Hebrews 1 deals with the eternal Deity of Jesus Christ [Jehovah Emmanuel], Hebrews 2, the fullness of humanity [fallen flesh] which Jesus took [not the nature of unfallen angels, but the fallen human nature of Abraham], Hebrews 3 [Israel of old], Hebrews 4 [Israel of now and the remaining of Sabbath-keeping unto the people of God, the Israel of God], etc, etc.

That Jesus is after the [priesthood] order of Melchizedek [not Levi, since Jesus was of the tribe of Judah] was already demonstrated in the previous responses, already citing Hebrews 7 and the parallel texts of scripture appropriately. Therefore to merely repeat what was already demonstrated from the text, seemingly as if they were never given in their fullness previously, merely gives additional weight to what I have already quoted/stated, and thus is evidence for my/scriptures case in this matter of the Holy Tithe.

Paul's argumentation, being sealed forever, and cannot be broken [John 10:35], being given by the Holy Spirit Himself, reveals truly, that the Holy Tithe remained, in that it was needful to demonstrate a "change" [not of the Ten Commandments of God, given before there was a Levitical priesthood even ordained, but specifically of levitical law which concerned priests/priesthood, see vs 11] from one priesthood and order to another. Paul demonstrates, from scripture [OT, Genesis 14], that the Holy Tithe is older than the Levitical priesthood and its regulations. He then turns to demonstrate that since it is far older, and even as old [in Hebrews 7] as faithful Abraham, how the Holy Tithe was no longer to be given through the physical Levite priestly line of Aaron, but now through the priesthood of believers [in Christ Jesus], unto our Melchisedec, the true King of Righteousness/Peace, the Great High Priest [who is after the order of Melchizedek, according to God's own promise, prophecy].

Paul states clearly, that even the "Levite" "paid tithes [to Melchizedek, type] in Abraham [type]", thus doing so, even before they were born, showing how that even all that come out of Abraham [as of faith], are to return the Holy Tithe unto the True Melchizedek, Christ Jesus. Paul turns to show how Melchizedek was greater than Abraham, for Abraham returned "tithes of all" to Him, even as we are to Christ Jesus, we being king/priests ourselves under the Great King of King and High Priest of our profession.

All of this in the very New Covenant context, as Malachi 3:1,8 revealed:

Hebrews 7:22 KJV - By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

Yes, Jeremiah 31:31-34, is again cited in Hebrews 8 and 10. Notice Jeremiah 31:31-34:

Jeremiah 31:31 KJV - Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

Jeremiah 31:32 KJV - Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day [that] I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

Jeremiah 31:33 KJV - But this [shall be] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Jeremiah 31:34 KJV - And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

What "my Law" is Jeremiah referring to, that is to be written upon the heart and inward parts [forehead], see all of Jeremiah and the previous scriptue, in its context:

Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. Exodus 16:4

Now therefore, O LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that which thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit upon the throne of Israel; yet so that thy children take heed to their way to walk in my law, as thou hast walked before me. 2 Chronicles 6:16

[[Maschil of Asaph.]] Give ear, O my people, [to] my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. Psalms 78:1

If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; Psalms 89:30

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: Proverbs 3:1

For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. Proverbs 4:2

Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Proverbs 7:2

Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart [is] my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. Isaiah 51:7

Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, [even] the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it. Jeremiah 6:19

And the LORD saith, Because they have forsaken my law which I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice, neither walked therein; Jeremiah 9:13

Then shalt thou say unto them, Because your fathers have forsaken me, saith the LORD, and have walked after other gods, and have served them, and have worshipped them, and have forsaken me, and have not kept my law; Jeremiah 16:11

And thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD; If ye will not hearken to me, to walk in my law, which I have set before you, Jeremiah 26:4

But this [shall be] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. Jeremiah 31:33

They are not humbled [even] unto this day, neither have they feared, nor walked in my law, nor in my statutes, that I set before you and before your fathers. Jeremiah 44:10

Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed [difference] between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. Ezekiel 22:26

[Set] the trumpet to thy mouth. [He shall come] as an eagle against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law. Hosea 8:1

Hosea 8:1 is clear, that there is a "covenant" that was transgressed, and [in addition to, also] the Law also was transgressed.

I have written to him the great things of my law, [but] they were counted as a strange thing. Hosea 8:12

Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. Genesis 26:5

And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? Exodus 16:28

And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; [and] they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths. Exekiel 44:24

For this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: Hebrews 8:10

This [is] the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; Hebrews 10:16

...even as it is cited in the book of Hebrews:

For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenantwith the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Hebrews 8:8

Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. Hebrews 8:9

For this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: Hebrews 8:10

And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. Hebrews 8:11

For the other parts of Hebrews 8, see also Psalms 25:7; Isaiah 43:25; Hebrews 10:16-17.

This [is] the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; Hebrews 10:16

Who is the "them"? It is "the house of Israel"and "the house of Judah".

And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Hebrews 10:17

Who is the "their"? See above...

 

[Acts24Fourteen]

This sounds more like indoctrination on the man made, 10% of your check or you're robbing God, than showing specifically we are mandated to give 10% of our income.

Presently you seem to be limiting what I stated and shared, to be speaking of mere monies, but I have not so done. The Holy Tithe is to be returned from all that we are increased by, beginning with Love, for what have we been truly given? The son of God, Christ Jesus, even forgiveness, joy, peace, etc, etc. If it does not begin there, it is not truly Holy Tithe, no matter the amount. If a person breaks one of the Ten Commandments, especially the one that is the "Holy" Commandment [Exodus 20:8-11], they have not returned unto God that which is required, loving obedience out of the pure heart of faith, which comes from God, thus also cannot then be returning Holy Tithe. If a person abuses any talents that they are increased of God, whether it be life, time, monies/talents, etc, they are verily robbers of God, as it is written [Malachi] and they, if unrepentant, will not inherit the kingdom of Heaven, but will be cast out into outer darkness to suffer and perish [subject of the second death, where both soul/body is destroyed permanently], being thieves [as sayeth Paul].

Riches and increase, are not merely monies [though it is included, "talents"], for Christ Jesus Himself is the true Treasure [for the Son of His Right Hand, is added unto us], and so also that which is given of/by the Holy Spirit, and are eternal things.

 

[Acts24Fourteen]

This sounds more like indoctrination on the man made, 10% of your check or you're robbing God, than showing specifically we are mandated to give 10% of our income.

You believe in the Ten Commandments, and in keeping them, yet it must be more than mere mouthed profession, it must be obedience in righteousness.

Malachi 3:1 KJV - Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

Psalm 119:61 KJV - The bands of the wicked have robbed me: [but] I have not forgotten thy law.

Malachi 3:8 KJV - Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

Malachi 3:9 KJV - Ye [are] cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, [even] this whole nation.​

One specific commandment/promise [love to God and man] is:

Exodus 20:15 KJV - Thou shalt not steal.

Leviticus 19:11 KJV - Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.

Deuteronomy 5:19 KJV - Neither shalt thou steal.​

Notice:

Proverbs 30:9 KJV - Lest I be full, and deny [thee], and say, Who [is] the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God [in vain].​

Truly to break one Commandment is to break them all together:

James 2:10 KJV - For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one [point], he is guilty of all.​

Notice, to not return Tithe is to Rob God, it is to steal from Him, thus also to take His name in vain, to be covetous of His goods, etc, etc:

Obadiah 1:5 KJV - If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave [some] grapes?​

Matthew 19:18 KJV - He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

Mark 10:19 KJV - Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

Luke 18:20 KJV - Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.

Romans 2:21 KJV - Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?

Romans 13:9 KJV - For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if [there be] any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
​

Even as then, so too now today:

Jeremiah 7:11 KJV - Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen [it], saith the LORD.​

A Prophecy of the end times:

Hosea 4:2 KJV - By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.
​

Therefore, we all need to repent:

Ephesians 4:28 KJV - Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with [his] hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.​

True Faith [as the faith of Abraham], demonstrates love in action, obedience:

James 2:18 KJV - Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Exodus 22:12 KJV - And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof.​

Paul was faithful, even in his returning the Holy Tithe, from that which he was increased by:

1 Corinthians 3:7 KJV - So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

Acts 19:37 KJV - For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.​

 

[bbbbbbb]

That's just what the OP is about though; if we give 10% to God he regards it as if we have given him 100%. So by that reasoning, we can give 10%, spend the remainder exactly as we choose and God will treat it as if we have give it ALL to him.

I don't believe the NT teaches tithing as a command, and I certainly don't believe this "principle".

Thank you. I agree with you completely.

 

[bbbbbbb]

Giving 10% of your time to prayerfully spending time with God still doesn't mean that your free to engage yourself in any way your little heart desires the other 21 and !/2 hrs of the day either ... jus sayin

Exactly. Jesus is complete Lord of all my time and all that I am and have.