By Bob Vaughn - uca@uncommonanswers.com
"Contending for the faith once delivered to the saints"
Uncommon Answers Home Page
TITHING!
ABRAHAM
GAVE THE TITHE
The first mention of tithing in the Bible is in
Genesis 14:20. Abraham gave to Melchizedek, the priest of the most high
God, a tithe (or tenth part) of all the spoil he had taken in a battle.
He wasn't instructed or commanded to give, he gave as he purposed in his
heart.
JACOB GAVE THE TENTH
Jacob, having received a blessing from God the night
before, vowed to God a tenth of all that God prospered him with
(Genesis 28:22). He gave
not because he was instructed or commanded to give, but because he
desired to give.
MOSES GAVE
GOD'S LAW TO ISRAEL WHICH COMMANDED ALL ISRAEL TO TITHE
In Leviticus 27:30-34 and in several other
accounts, God's law to Israel - under the old covenant - required
all Israelites to pay
the tithe. This portion, according to Deuteronomy 26:12, was to be
given to the Levites (who were the priests), the stranger, the
fatherless, and the widows.They were now to pay the tithe;Abraham and
Jacob had given the
tithe. There is a great difference.
ISRAELITES
ROBBED GOD BY NOT TITHING
In Malachi 3:8 we see that Israelitesrobbed
God by not paying the
tithe. They broke covenant with God failing to keep God's commandment
given by Moses.
SCRIBES AND
PHARISEES WERE REQUIRED BY JESUS TO PAY THE TITHE
Jesus told the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew
23:23 to pay their
tithes. They were Israelites living under the law God gave through
Moses. The law required them to pay the tithe.
THE NEW
COVENANT FREES FROM THE OLD COVENANT LAW
The old covenant that God made with Israel through
Moses required tithing. This covenant was made with Israel, not with
all mankind. Before the covenant Abraham and Jacob choose to give the tithe. All Israel,
after the old covenant was made were commanded to pay the tithe. Jesus freed
Israel from the bondage of the old covenant (Hebrews 8:8-10, Glatians
3:24-25, Romans 8:14 & Galatians 5:18, Romans 6:14, Romans 8:2,
Romans 7:4). In Galatians 5:4 we see that when a man tries to be
justified by the law he is making the work of Jesus of no effect in his
life, and he is fallen from grace. Tithing is law given to Israel by
God through Moses. This law is put away for every Israelite by faith in
Jesus, as they embrace the new covenant. Non-Israelites were never
under the old covenant.
GIVE FREELY, NOT OF
NECESSITY
We are told in 2 Corinthians 9:7 to give to God's
works not because we have to--of necessity--but cheerfully and as we
decide. Under the law they were commandment to pay the tithe. Being saved
we don't pay the
tithe, but we give
out of a sincere desire to do so.
MOSES
COMMANDED 10%, WE GIVE 100%
Many feel that because we are not under the law of
tithing liberates from the responsibility of giving to God. It doesn't.
We have been changed. We are new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17). This
change gives us a new nature,
writing the law on our hearts (Hebrews 8:10), and we desire to please
God, not because of commandment, but because it's a part of our new
nature.
We are purchased by the blood of Jesus. He
redeemed us from the guilt of sin. We belong to him. He bought us 100%,
not 10%. He paid a dear price. All that we are is His; all that we have
is His; all that we ever hope to be or have is His. Because of our new
nature we no longer live for "self", but should seek to further His
kingdom by total commitment in every aspect of our life.
Use your time wisely - it belongs to God. Use
your talents wisely - they belong to God. Use your possessions wisely -
they belong to God. Use your money wisely--it belongs to God. If you
are saved you have been redeemed - bought back from the guilt of sin,
and you are no longer your own.
To avoid condemnation it's very needful to
understand that monies, time, etc., that are used to meet self needs
are not used wrongly. You belong to Him. He expects you to maintain
your life wisely with the proper life needs (shelter, food, rest,
recreation, fellowship, etc.). Wisely tend to yourself so that you can
be tter serve Him. A good steward will take good care of God's
procession - himself.
