Under the Tithe?

No don't be mad at me. I've been taught from the day I stepped in church as a believer in the late 80's that I was compelled to give 10% of my income into my local church. This money was needed to pay for the mortgage of the building, the lights and the Pastor's salary. Then, once a month another "offering" was taken for missions. After 20 years, I can quote Malachi 3:10 from memory. I realize this is the most systematic bible teaching I have received.

Please understand, I am not against GIVING. Obviously, God wants us to be like Him. He is generous and does not withhold even what is most precious to him. I will say that it is a bit strange to me that of all are 1050 commands in the New Testament, not one says to "tithe." We see examples of incredible sacrifice, people selling their properties and laying at the Apostle's feet and even people dying for lying about what they sold and supposedly gave. So why could Paul, Peter, James or John not fit in one good command about tithing? I realize that I did not have a biblical understanding about tithing, so here is a quick rundown of some interesting facts about tithing:

No where in Scripture is "money" ever tithed. Agriculture, seeds, fruit, oil and livestock was, but gold or silver is never given as a tithe - ever!

Tithes were given only to Levitical priests. Unless you are a Levite that can trace his heritage back to Aaron, you are not biblically eligible to collect tithes. (Numbers 18:24) New Testament pastors, traveling speakers, prophets and worship leaders are not scripturally able to receive tithes. However, if you know a ministry, church, missionary or of someone who is doing the Lord's work, by all means give cheerfully! But that is not a tithe.

If the Temple was the place to bring in the tithe, the temple was destroyed and God now dwells in a temple made by hands. (Matt. 24:1-2)

Tithing dates back to pre-Mosaic law. And get this - Abraham tithed ONE TIME to Melchezidec and only gave 10 percent of the booty of his war spoils and the other 90 percent he gave back to the king of Sodom. (Gen 14:20) He did not give any of his personal flock, agriculture or money.

Gentiles were never commanded to tithe in the Old or New Testament.

Moses commanded Israel only to tithe the INCREASE of seed - not a tenth of all their seed! (Deut. 26:12)

Okay - I think you are getting my point. Be a cheerful giver! Give to the stranger, the widow and the orphan. Give as the Lord leads you to give! But you, as a New Testament believer not under the tithe. Remember, God gave us the 5 fold ministry to serve the body, not the other way around.

One last thing - Here is a passage I found in the book of Deuteronomy. Yes, that's in your bible. You probably aren't ready for this, but it's in there - here we go.

Deut. 14:22-29 -

Thou shall truly TITHE all the INCREASE of thy SEED, that the field brings forth year by year."

"And you shall eat before the Lord your God, in the place which He shall choose to place His name there, the TITHE of thy CORN, of thy WINE, and of your OIL, and the FIRSTLINGS OF THY HERDS and of thy FLOCKS: that thou may learn to fear the Lord thy God always.

And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the Lord thy God shall choose to set His name there, when the Lord thy God hath blessed thee:

Then shall thou turn it into MONEY, and bind up the MONEY in your hand, and shall go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose:

And thou shall BESTOW THAT MONEY FOR WHATSOEVER YOUR SOUL LUSTETH AFTER, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for WHATSOEVER YOUR SOUL DESIRES: and YOU shall eat there before the Lord thy God, and THOU shall rejoice, THOU, AND THINE HOUSEHOLD.

And the Levite that is within thy gates, thou shall not forsake him; for he has no part, nor inheritance with thee.

Enjoy -