Quote:
Originally Posted by Pliny
First
Tithe is a tithe. It simply means 10%. You say the definition used by Abraham and Jacob would be rejected in a courtroom, that is simply wrong. Tithing was well established in the earth long before Abraham. Hence, the lack of explanation found concerning it with Abraham. it just happens and it is recorded without explanation because everyone understood the reason why. It would be understood in a courtroom, as you say, because of the historical method of interpretation.
Second
Food production was the reasonable method of tithing in an agrarian society that existed a thousand years before there was anything that remotely resembled currency. Coinage did not exist until around 600 BC and required years before other nations copied the process. There was NO such thing as money or paychecks as we know them. It is simply an attempt to impose a twenty first century interpretation upon an ancient custom.
Third
Under the Law is irrelevant.
Fourth
All tithing requirements:
I don't have time to get into this right now.
Poor Tithe
As food for thought I will say that the Poor tithe has been replaced by charitable giving. In this way giving is not restricted to a small portion. James makes it clear we need to help a brother or sister if we can regardless of a percentage. Thus, NT Poor Tithe demands more than the OT Poor Tithe.
Rejoicing Tithe
This is strictly under the Levitical system. They are to be taken and used in the land of Israel. It is not relevant to the church.
General Tithe
Goes to support the ministry.
Paul said (paraphrased) he works for their spiritual good therefore he should receive of their carnal things. He references the OT and states that the ox is not muzzled. In another passage it is said that the church leaders are worthy of double pay (honor).
No one can say when tithing was established an no one can point to any passage that states tithing has ceased.
Both sides use principles they believe in.
It is clear to me that tithing was well established din the earth prior to Abraham and should be practiced today because it is not based upon the Levitical system.
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1.The HOLY tithe, as the word is used by Moses, Nehemiah, Malachi and Jesus, was always only FOOD inside God's HOLY land. Don't just disagree -- give me texts please.
2. MONEY WAS NOT TITHED: Although money in the form of gold and silver existed in the Bible and was essential for sanctuary/temple worship, money was never included in any of the 16 descriptions of the holy tithe.
One argument to support non-food tithing is that money was not universally available and barter from food was used for money. That argument misses the point! While it is undeniable that food was also used for barter, it is also undeniable that money was never used for tithing.
Genesis alone contains the word money in 32 texts and the word occurs 44 times before the holy tithe is described in
Leviticus 27:30-34. The words jewelry, gold, silver and shekel also appear often from Genesis to Deuteronomy.
Abram was very rich in silver and gold (
Gen 13:2); money in the form of silver shekels paid for slaves (
Gen 17:12+); Abimelech gave Abraham 1000 pieces of silver (
Gen 20:16); Abraham paid 400 pieces of silver for land (
Gen 23:9-16); Joseph was sold for silver pieces (
Gen 37:28); slaves bought freedom (
Lev 25:47-53). Court fines (
Ex 21 all; 22 all), sanctuary dues (
Ex 30:12+), vows (
Lev 27:3-7), poll taxes (Numb 3:47+), alcoholic drinks (
Deut 14:26) and marriage dowries (
Deut 22:29) included money.
Joseph gave Benjamin 300 pieces of silver (
Gen 45:22). In
Genesis 47:15-17, food was used for barter only after money had been spent. Banking and usury laws exist in Leviticus even before tithing. Therefore money was common. Yet, from God’s inspired Word, the holy contents from Leviticus to Luke never include money from non-food products and trades. Pagan money with pagan images could not be brought into the temple as offerings.
If you disagree, please give texts.
3. Money with any pagan image or language on it was not accepted at the OT temple. It was exchanged for worthless temple money."Whose image is on it?
4. You say tithing under the Law is irrelevant. Why? The Law's description is used by Moses, Malachi and Jesus? Was it irrelevant to them. Your man-made description is irrelevant to me.
5. Tithing, child sacrifice, temple prostitution and sodomy all preceded the law and were world-wide. That doesn't make them eternal moral principles.
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