Your tithes were already paid.

[good samaritan]

Tithes has been a practice by probably many other religious groups outside of Christianity. I personally believe that the practice of tithing did originate by the design of God and does demonstrate trust and worship. Many may have manipulated it for personal gain, but I do believe that it has been a very old practice that predates the law.

The scripture in Hebrews has nothing to do with mandating tithing on the Church. Instead it teaches that the priesthood of Melchizedek was greater than that of Levi. Even Levi paid tithes to Melchizedek through Abraham. Melchizedek is a type of Christ. Hence, Jesus is the great high priest far above the Levitical priesthood. The point of the passages where not to promote tithing, but instead to promote Jesus.

I am supportive of tithing, but we must be honest and open minded that it is never mandated post to Jesus death, burial, and resurrection. Making tithing mandatory is like Sabbath observance. It is not a bad thing, but we must know that it has no bearing on our salvation.

[Originalist]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

Tithes has been a practice by probably many other religious groups outside of Christianity. I personally believe that the practice of tithing did originate by the design of God and does demonstrate trust and worship. Many may have manipulated it for personal gain, but I do believe that it has been a very old practice that predates the law.

The scripture in Hebrews has nothing to do with mandating tithing on the Church. Instead it teaches that the priesthood of Melchizedek was greater than that of Levi. Even Levi paid tithes to Melchizedek through Abraham. Melchizedek is a type of Christ. Hence, Jesus is the great high priest far above the Levitical priesthood. The point of the passages where not to promote tithing, but instead to promote Jesus.

I am supportive of tithing, but we must be honest and open minded that it is never mandated post to Jesus death, burial, and resurrection. Making tithing mandatory is like Sabbath observance. It is not a bad thing, but we must know that it has no bearing on our salvation.

I can accept that. Amen.

And if someone has gotten into the habit of giving 10% of their gross income to the work of God, I would NEVER encourage them to stop. Why would I? If someone wants to give 10% but can't, I encourage them to start with 1% and gradually work up. They need not feel condemned if they struggle.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Pliny

Where did tithes originate?

In the New Testament era? Right here.....



To answer the question more specifically by date, as it was first established within Christianity under Catholicism, I refer to a Catholic Encyclopedia that established it around 567 AD:

The payment of tithes was adopted from the Old Law, and early writers speak of it as a divine ordinance and an obligation of conscience. The earliest positive legislation on the subject seems to be contained in the letter of the bishops assembled at Tours in 567 and the canons of the Council of Maçon in 585. In course of time, we find the payment of tithes made obligatory by ecclesiastical enactments in all the countries of christendom.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Brothers, if we don't tithe, if we don't faithfully fund our local ministering points, then they will not be effective tools in reaching the lost with the Gospel.

Furthermore, if we don't tithe, if we don't faithfully fund our local preaching points, then surely we won't financially support the Pastors, preachers, evangelists, and missionaries.

It all starts with the church, as in the local assembly of believers.

[Pliny]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

Tithes has been a practice by probably many other religious groups outside of Christianity. I personally believe that the practice of tithing did originate by the design of God and does demonstrate trust and worship. Many may have manipulated it for personal gain, but I do believe that it has been a very old practice that predates the law.

The scripture in Hebrews has nothing to do with mandating tithing on the Church. Instead it teaches that the priesthood of Melchizedek was greater than that of Levi. Even Levi paid tithes to Melchizedek through Abraham. Melchizedek is a type of Christ. Hence, Jesus is the great high priest far above the Levitical priesthood. The point of the passages where not to promote tithing, but instead to promote Jesus.

I am supportive of tithing, but we must be honest and open minded that it is never mandated post to Jesus death, burial, and resurrection. Making tithing mandatory is like Sabbath observance. It is not a bad thing, but we must know that it has no bearing on our salvation.

I appreciate the thoughtful response. I believe tithing is mandatory for the NT. I do agree that Hebrews is dealing with the supremacy if Christ's priesthood.

IMO tithing predates the Law. Although there is no specific reference as to when it started it is obvious that the origin is extremely ancient. When Abraham gave tithes there is no discussion. It is as if it was mentioned in passing. It just happens. Who taught him? WHy did he feel compelled to do so? Ancient custom? Who taught them? It is known that tithing was a principle most, if not all, major cultures practiced as far back in history as we can go. The Ebla tablets speak of it. These are the oldest known documents found I believe. So no matter how far back we go tithing was well established. IMO it was a principle given by God although it is not recorded when. This would explain the common legacy across all cultures and religions. Tithing always went to deities of some kind. Although, it is possible that some kings to tithes as well. I believe the story of Cain and Able reflect tithing. I cannot prove it but it is not without evidence either. It is an educated guess and something I tend to believe.

Take Care

Originally Posted by Sean

In the New Testament era? Right here.....

To answer the question more specifically by date, as it was first established within Christianity under Catholicism, I refer to a Catholic Encyclopedia that established it around 567 AD:

The payment of tithes was adopted from the Old Law, and early writers speak of it as a divine ordinance and an obligation of conscience. The earliest positive legislation on the subject seems to be contained in the letter of the bishops assembled at Tours in 567 and the canons of the Council of Maçon in 585. In course of time, we find the payment of tithes made obligatory by ecclesiastical enactments in all the countries of christendom.

This is when it was codified. The NT was not codified for centuries either. Tithing predates the Law and unless it can be pointed to a specific time when it was rescinded there is no reason to believe it has been. Just my 2 cents worth.

BTW thank you for the documentation. But I was speaking of when did tithing originate in earth? If we cannot identify the beginning and there is no specific stated ending then it is safer to accept that it is still in force. The argument that it was only under the Law is a fallacious argument because it was well established centuries before the Law.

Take Care

[Originalist]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

Brothers, if we don't tithe, if we don't faithfully fund our local ministering points, then they will not be effective tools in reaching the lost with the Gospel.

Furthermore, if we don't tithe, if we don't faithfully fund our local preaching points, then surely we won't financially support the Pastors, preachers, evangelists, and missionaries.

It all starts with the church, as in the local assembly of believers.

The purpose of this thread is not to question whether or not we should give generously and fund the work of God. This thread was created to call into question the popular teaching that states God's word commands Christians to give ten percent of their gross income to the church or pastor.

Your comment would have actually been scriptural had you said it this way....

Brothers, if we don't give, if we don't faithfully fund our local ministering points, then they will not be effective tools in reaching the lost with the Gospel.

Furthermore, if we don't give, if we don't faithfully fund our local preaching points, then surely we won't financially support the Pastors, preachers, evangelists, and missionaries.

It all starts with the church, as in the local assembly of believers.

[good samaritan]

I appreciate the thoughtful response. I believe tithing is mandatory for the NT. I do agree that Hebrews is dealing with the supremacy if Christ's priesthood.

IMO tithing predates the Law. Although there is no specific reference as to when it started it is obvious that the origin is extremely ancient. When Abraham gave tithes there is no discussion. It is as if it was mentioned in passing. It just happens. Who taught him? WHy did he feel compelled to do so? Ancient custom? Who taught them? It is known that tithing was a principle most, if not all, major cultures practiced as far back in history as we can go. The Ebla tablets speak of it. These are the oldest known documents found I believe. So no matter how far back we go tithing was well established. IMO it was a principle given by God although it is not recorded when. This would explain the common legacy across all cultures and religions. Tithing always went to deities of some kind. Although, it is possible that some kings to tithes as well. I believe the story of Cain and Able reflect tithing. I cannot prove it but it is not without evidence either. It is an educated guess and something I tend to believe.

I have read things very similar. Abraham left a pagan world by following the voice of the Lord. Many people believe that he was familiar with tithing from earlier years. I too believe that there is something significant about tithing. The problem is for many have preached it out of tradition and without studying out the concept. Many have used scripture out of context to get their own ends. Tithing is something I have been blessed to do.Those who do or do not hearts are known of God. God doesn't need money it is our current economic system that depends on it. We may see a time in our lives that our money does us no good.

We should be faithful to God in times of plenty as well as poverty and that means a lot of different things.

[Originalist]

Originally Posted by Pliny

I appreciate the thoughtful response. I believe tithing is mandatory for the NT. I do agree that Hebrews is dealing with the supremacy if Christ's priesthood.

IMO tithing predates the Law. Although there is no specific reference as to when it started it is obvious that the origin is extremely ancient. When Abraham gave tithes there is no discussion. It is as if it was mentioned in passing. It just happens. Who taught him? WHy did he feel compelled to do so? Ancient custom? Who taught them? It is known that tithing was a principle most, if not all, major cultures practiced as far back in history as we can go. The Ebla tablets speak of it. These are the oldest known documents found I believe. So no matter how far back we go tithing was well established. IMO it was a principle given by God although it is not recorded when. This would explain the common legacy across all cultures and religions. Tithing always went to deities of some kind. Although, it is possible that some kings to tithes as well. I believe the story of Cain and Able reflect tithing. I cannot prove it but it is not without evidence either. It is an educated guess and something I tend to believe.

Take Care





This is when it was codified. The NT was not codified for centuries either. Tithing predates the Law and unless it can be pointed to a specific time when it was rescinded there is no reason to believe it has been. Just my 2 cents worth.

BTW thank you for the documentation. But I was speaking of when did tithing originate in earth? If we cannot identify the beginning and there is no specific stated ending then it is safer to accept that it is still in force. The argument that it was only under the Law is a fallacious argument because it was well established centuries before the Law.

Take Care

Thanks for your post.

A couple of questions....

1) Where is it recorded that God commanded anyone to tithe prior to the Law?

2) Who did Abraham tithe to after he tithed the first time?

3) Without a clear mandate from God in recorded scripture prior to the Law, and without any admonition to do so by the apostles, by what authority can I as a minister teach tithing as mandatory for the New Testament? What hermeneutical model do I turn to?

[good samaritan]

1) nowhere can we see God command tithes prior to the law
2)It doesn't say whether he did or did not. (Where did Jacob get the idea though?)
3)I don't think we can make it mandatory, but honestly we don't control people into giving any way. I have found that people who love God look for ways to give (I don't say that to mean that non tithers don't love God). I have seen many personal circumstances where people held back because of wrong motivations.

We must teach people that giving is mandated, but tithing is just a method. We can teach tithing as "a" way to demonstrate trust and worship to God, and give scripture for precedent. Love people either way and show no respect of persons regardless.

[Originalist]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

1) nowhere can we see God command tithes prior to the law
2)It doesn't say whether he did or did not. (Where did Jacob get the idea though?)
3)I don't think we can make it mandatory, but honestly we don't control people into giving any way. I have found that people who love God look for ways to give (I don't say that to mean that non tithers don't love God). I have seen many personal circumstances where people held back because of wrong motivations.

We must teach people that giving is mandated, but tithing is just a method. We can teach tithing as "a" way to demonstrate trust and worship to God, and give scripture for precedent. Love people either way and show no respect of persons regardless.

Amen. Another great post.

Some thoughts.....Why wasn't Jacob tithing all along? How did he get the tithes to God? Who did he tithe to later?

You do understand that I'm not picking. Rather I'm pointing out the lack of substantive authority in any of these examples to use them as a proof of some sort of "principle".