Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Is tithing for today's church?

Tithing was indeed a law under the old covenant, but close scrutiny of the Bible reveals that it doesn't hold for today's church. I'm not trying to imply that one shouldn't give to Christian missions but rather that one should give out of freewill and not of fear! St. Paul says give according as God as blessesed (I Cor 16:2), for God loves a cheerful giver (II Cor 9:7).


Abraham tithed - of what??

Christians are often reminded that Abraham tithed a tenth to the then High Priest, King of Salem, Melchizedek. 
Genesis 14:

 18And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. 19And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: 20And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

But a closer look to the preceding verses show that he wasn't tithing from anything his! He was tithing the spoils of war - the property of the people of Sodom, etc.


Mosaic law

It is true that God institued the tithe several years later under Moses. But that was with a specific purpose - it was to provide for the preists and Levites who had no inheritance. It was also to conduct the temple rituals and feasts. Finally, to provide for widows, orphans and strangers. It was not instituted to provide fradulent so-called evangelists with chartered jets and million-dollar homes. 


Malachi 3:8,9?

These verses were written in an old testament context. Tithing was to be given to priests who were Levites. But preachers today would rather have us believe that the Mosaic law and the Aaronic priesthood was done away with the cross. How then can tithing alone continue? Here's where prosperity doctrine comes into picture. Prosperity preachers use Malachi 3:10-12 to make people think that they can use God like an ATM machine - put in tithe and draw out blessing. Here's a good quote: "He that serves God for money will serve the Devil for better wages" - Roger L'eStrange


Closing thoughts

If a child of God is in severe financial strait he shouldn't feel obligated to tithe but rather the church should reach out to help him in his need. Give out of love not out of fear.

II Corinthians 9:7

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

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