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Tithing is NOT Scriptural
1. Abraham never tithed on his own personal property or livestock. 2. Jacob wouldn't tithe until YHWH blessed him first. 3. Only Levite priests could collect tithes, ...
The book of Malachi was addressing the Israelites and the priest (Chap 1-2)
who were under the law of Moses.
Mal 1:1 The oracle of the word of the Lord to Israel by Malachi
Mal 2:1-2 And now, O priests, this command is for you. 2 If you will not
listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the
Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your
blessings.
Mal 3:12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of
delight, says the Lord of hosts.
It is obvious who Malachi is addressing.
The tithing under the law of Moses was food items – not money, was the
tenth item – not the first, and is clearly stated as such...
"Every tithe of the herd and flock--every tenth animal that passes under
the shepherd's rod--will be holy to the LORD." Leviticus 27:32
"...You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cumin..." Matt 23:23
Some try to use Abram’s tithe of the spoils of war as an example that
tithing pre-dates the Mosaic law. But Abram gave the other 90% back to
Sodom and there’s no mention that he tithed on his income. Gen 14
We are saved by grace, not of works...
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own
doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may
boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for
us...” Galatians 3:13
Under the covenant of grace we are not told to tithe but are instructed to
give as we have decided in our hearts and not under obligation. But we’re
also encouraged to give generously…
“whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows
bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has
decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a
cheerful giver. 2Cor 9 6-7
We are not justified by the law…
"yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through
faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order
to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by
works of the law no one will be justified." Galatians 2:16
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his
sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Romans 3:20
"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is
guilty of breaking all of it." James 2:10
The Pharisees were keepers of the law but had obviously missed the point.
Read Matt 23:23 and you'll see that Jesus isn't giving the accolades for
keeping the law, including tithing. Rather, He was chastising them for
missing the larger point - to love God and each other. This is made clear
in Gal 5:14 'For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love
your neighbor as yourself.”' and also Matthew 22:37-40, Matthew 7:12,
Matthew 19:19, John 13:34, Romans 13:8, and ..
"Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the
law." Romans 13:10.
“Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.”Hebrews 7:11, 15-16, 28 ESVThis is showing how how a priest Melchezidek was and that Jesus followed in this order. It does not command Christians to tithe. Abram tithe once on the spoils of war and returned the rest to Soddom (Gen 14).Christians are directed to give as directed in the hearts. No percentage is mentioned.“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”2 Corinthians 9:6-7 ESV
So many people are on this comment section trying to discourage Tithing
and/or giving. Whether or not you tithe or give, in the end, are you giving
generously to your church? Do you give more money to your cable provider
than to the work on God on earth. Listen, you cannot serve mammon and God.
I can get into the scriptures but for what reason? If you don't love giving
to the work and purpose of God, then how can I convince you of the
importance of working until Jesus returns? Just like you love giving your
money to cars, boats, homes, pleasures, and all other manner of temporal
things, I love giving to God.
And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matt 25:40As well as 2 Cor 9:7
+Craig - What scripture gives you permission to give to arbitrary places as you deem fit? Why would you even bother to comment knowing that you fail to support the work of God?
Tithing and giving are totally different. Tithing was done under the law and doesn't apply to Christians. Giving is encouraged of Christians 2Cor 9:6-8 but not under compulsion. We can give directly to God by giving to the poor, "Whatever you've do for the least of these..."