Your tithes were already paid.

[votivesoul]

Originally Posted by J.A. Perez

I'm emphasizing on both fronts for a reason, God's original plan was to have his people reign with him as kings and priests. Remember he came to the Jew first and then we were grafted in because of the hardness of their heart. We became heirs of salvation because of their denial. The spiritual priesthood was all of Israel the literal priesthood was Levite after the order of Aaron. Gods design was to reestablish the priesthood of Melchisedek. So everything we saw in the law was a type and shadow of things to come. The ministry and the Saints but all kings and priests to God.

Hebrews 7:5-17
And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest
should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.

For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

The argument is made that Abraham and Jacob did not tie continually. But it is nonetheless right to say that they were the first recorded in history to pay a tithe.

Hebrews 7:8
And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

Clearly Chapter 7 is about a better priesthood and I better covenant. It is debated among scholars but if you search it out, you will understand that the apostle Paul was talking about himself in this verse. Receiving tithe. ( here man receive tithe) The other thing that is clear about this verse is that when you give tithe or offering, weather by money or food and arraignment, God receiveth them in heavenly places.( but there he receiveth them)

I think you err, on two fronts, with this post.

One: the men "who die" is talking about Levites, as the greater context of the chapter indicates. Note v. 5 "sons of Levi". These "men who die" is contrasted to Melchizedek, or he who has neither "beginning of days, nor end of life".

Two: The Greek text of Hebrews 7:8 does not have an equivalent phrase for "receiveth them" in the second clause. It is supplied by the translators, as is noted by the use of italics in the printed versions of the KJV.

This means the verse should be read as follows:

And here indeed dying men receive tithes. On the other hand, in that place [it is] being testified that he lives on

http://biblehub.com/interlinear/hebrews/7-8.htm

The context here doesn't really have anything to do with tithing. Rather, it's a contrast between the "sons of Levi" and "Melchizedek". The author is making the case that the Melchizedekian priesthood is greater, and even superior than the priesthood enjoyed by the sons of Levi.

How does he prove his case? By showing that:

One: Melchizedek received tithes from the great patriarch Abraham

Two: That Levi tithed to Melchizedek, through Abraham, being yet unborn

Three: That the sons of Levi all die, but Melchizedek never dies

Four: That the Messiah is a priest after the order of Melchizedek, and not after the order of Levi

Five: That Messiah's Melchizedekian priesthood is likewise greater, and ever superior to the priesthood enjoyed by the sons of Levi

Conclusion: The Jewish believers in Jesus, who, because of persecution and trouble received by their unbelieving countrymen, were on the verge of denying Jesus and returning to the Old Covenant. The Epistle to the Hebrews shows why this is a MONUMENTAL mistake that can't be underscored enough.

To revert to Old Covenant Law and the practices thereof is to crucify the Son of God afresh, and to trample under-foot the holy blood of the New Covenant (and etc.).

Therefore, realize and understand that Levi and his priesthood pales in comparison to Jesus and His priesthood. The tithe system enjoyed by the sons of Levi, along with the rest of the Old Covenant practices surrounding the Levitical priesthood are perished. Indeed, the entirety of the Old Covenant with God was dependent upon the Levitical priesthood.

But since Messiah came, forever a priest after the order of Melchizedek, all of that, both Levitical priesthood and the Old Covenant built around that priesthood, is done away with.

So, don't go back to living under the precepts of the Old Covenant, including tithing to the temple and the sons of Levi, or you risk the curse of being one of them that draw back unto perdition, which is to say, that God will take no pleasure in you (Hebrews 10:38-39). Melchizedek and his priesthood is infinitely better than the priesthood of Levi. So, also, is the Messiah and His priesthood. He is even greater than Moses, who gave to Israel the precepts of the entire Old Covenant, including tithing (See Hebrews 3).

Unless and until the whole letter to the Hebrews is understood in its context, including the purpose of its writing, and who the audience is, and what they were going through when they received the letter, that is, what the current events in their lives were and how the letter addressed them, it's nearly impossible to fully grasp the intent and meaning.