Tithing, Mandate for the New Testament Church?

[acerrak]

Originally Posted by DaveC519

Greetings,

I think it's important to note vs. 9, though, because it was not simply Abraham who paid tithes to Melchisedec, but Levi as well. And, by extension, the Levitical priesthood (vs. 5).

The focus of the passage in Heb 7 is not then upon Abraham, or Levi and the priesthood, but on Melchisedec himself, and how he was worthy to receive tithes of Abraham. The implication, then, is that because Jesus is a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec, Jesus also is worthy to receive tithes of men, much more so than the Levitical priesthood was, because the Melchisedec priesthood is better (vs. 11), which necessitated a change also in the Law (vs. 12).

The Levitical priesthood is passed away and replaced by a better one. Therefore, the Levitical tithing system has also been replaced by a better one. The Melchisedec priesthood has a high priest who is more worthy to receive tithes of men than what the Levitical high priest was.

The only other New Testament mention of tithing is in Hebrews. The fact that Abraham was blessed by and paid tithes to Melchizedek illustrates the superiority of Melchizedek and Jesus Christ over the Levitical priesthood (Heb. 7:1-10). The passage then goes on to note that "when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law" (verse 12).

There was a change of the priesthood from the Levites to Jesus Christ, and this implies a change in the law that assigned the Levites to be priests. How much has been changed? Hebrews says that the old covenant is obsolete. The package of laws that commanded tithes to be given to the Levites is obsolete.

Humans should honor God by voluntarily returning some of the blessings he gives them — this is still a valid principle. The only place that a percentage is required is within the old covenant. There is good precedent for tithing before Sinai, but no proof that it was required

Under the old covenant, tithing was required for the support of the old covenant ministers. The Israelites were required to give 10 percent — and their blessing was only a physical one! Christians in the new covenant have much better blessings — spiritual ones. How much more willingly ought we to give in thankfulness for the eternal blessings we have in Christ Jesus?

[DaveC519]

Originally Posted by acerrak

The only other New Testament mention of tithing is in Hebrews. The fact that Abraham was blessed by and paid tithes to Melchizedek illustrates the superiority of Melchizedek and Jesus Christ over the Levitical priesthood (Heb. 7:1-10). The passage then goes on to note that "when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law" (verse 12).

There was a change of the priesthood from the Levites to Jesus Christ, and this implies a change in the law that assigned the Levites to be priests. How much has been changed? Hebrews says that the old covenant is obsolete. The package of laws that commanded tithes to be given to the Levites is obsolete.

I agree that the Levitical tithing system is obsolete. That was the point of my previous post. It became obsolete when the Levitical priesthood was replaced by a better one. I don't think that means we are left without a tithing system. Jesus' high priesthood is patterned after the earlier Melchisedec one; our new tithing system is patterned after the same, as well.

Humans should honor God by voluntarily returning some of the blessings he gives them — this is still a valid principle. The only place that a percentage is required is within the old covenant. There is good precedent for tithing before Sinai, but no proof that it was required

I believe we are actually under a new commandment: "give" (see Lu 6:38). That commandment can require up to 100%: it is open-ended.

Under the old covenant, tithing was required for the support of the old covenant ministers. The Israelites were required to give 10 percent — and their blessing was only a physical one! Christians in the new covenant have much better blessings — spiritual ones. How much more willingly ought we to give in thankfulness for the eternal blessings we have in Christ Jesus?

The Apostle Paul, in 1Cor 9, discusses this and directly links the basic principle of ministerial support that was under the Law to the NT church ministry:

"For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?" (1 Cor 9:9-11).

So, we see the command was given not only for the benefit of the old Levitical ministry, but- according to Paul- for the benefit of the NT church ministry, as well.

When we examine all of these passages together, I believe we are led to the following conclusions:

1)- We are under a new tithing system under a new priesthood patterned after Melchisedec;

2)- This new tithing system IS for the support of the church ministry;

3)- Although "tithe" does mean "a tenth", our high priest Jesus' command in Lu 6:38 is open-ended, which means our giving should be a minimum of a "tenth of the increase" up to 100%- depending upon the need.

This is why I personally practice "open handed" giving. I give a minimum 10%. When a need arises which requires me to give more, I do.

[Jacob's Ladder]

Originally Posted by seekerman

Tithing was established long before the Mosaic law.....

Heb 7:1 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;
Heb 7:2 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;
Heb 7:3 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.
Heb 7:4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

Animal sacrifice also predates the Mosaic law. Shall we continue sacrificing animals too?

[seekerman]

Originally Posted by Jacob's Ladder

Animal sacrifice also predates the Mosaic law. Shall we continue sacrificing animals too?

Nope. The perfect lamb has been sacrificed by the perfect high priest of the order of Melchizedek.

Prayer predates the Mosaic law but that doesn't mean prayer to God should cease. Hearing from God predates the Mosaic law but that doesn't mean hearing from God should cease. Submitting oneself to God predates the Mosaic law but that doesn't mean submitting oneself to God should cease. Obeying God predates the Mosaic law but that doesn't mean that obedience to God should cease.

Paying tithes is worship, as seen with the example of Abraham and Melchizedek, and shouldn't cease simply because an epoch is past.

[Apocrypha]

Originally Posted by Jacob's Ladder

Animal sacrifice also predates the Mosaic law. Shall we continue sacrificing animals too?

You forgot also the right on a man to marry multiple women... which technically is still ok biblically.

[Trouvere]

Originally Posted by Apocrypha

You forgot also the right on a man to marry multiple women... which technically is still ok biblically.

not if he is a Bishop or a deacon
(1Tim 3:2 [KJV])
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

(1Tim 3:12 [KJV])
Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

[Apocrypha]

Originally Posted by Trouvere

not if he is a Bishop or a deacon
(1Tim 3:2 [KJV])
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

(1Tim 3:12 [KJV])
Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

True

Technically its why men can remarry in the Lord and women can't (that outta pour some gas on this thread )