It is something like the law of tithing that is taught in almost every Christian church. God's established method for supporting the ministry of the church and the kingdom of God. Sounds good, holy, and very spiritual. It is also totally bogus.
We generally take
Mal 3:7-12 as a foundational scripture for the doctrine of tithing. The first thing we have to acknowledge is that this scripture works! It is a wonderful promise of God, if one can believe in and trust in God?s O.T. promises! [Be careful how you answer that question. No matter which way it is answered, there are very serious personal theological and doctrinal consequences.]
So, what is wrong with using this scripture, or any other tithing scripture, to place on the saints of God the spiritual requirement to support the ministry?
The question resolves its self into a simpler question, how many of the 613 O.T. Laws (ordnances) must a Christian obey in order to be found acceptable by God? Or, to be found worthy of God’s blessings and provision? One, ten, a hundred? Which ones? For example
Mal 3:7-12 is a general reference to the laws of tithing - all of the laws of tithing. All eight of them!
We have picked out only one tithe law, number 252, To set aside Terumah Gedolah (tithe for the Kohen - Priests)
Deut. 18:4, and we have called that good. Those who teach the law of tithing will NOT teach the other seven laws - I would venture to say that they don’t even know what they are! But, like so many folks, our teachers simply pick and choose what they want “the laity” to know and obey. Yet, is there a place for tithing? Yes, there is, but not as it has been historically presented within the Christian community, and certainly not with the guilt, shame, desire for God to return the tithe with interest (a personal money making scheme), nor is the law of tithing to be used as a demand for obedience to a man made financial dictate.
1Tim 1:5, Now the end of the commandment is charity [love] out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; {having...: or, not aiming at} 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. 8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
If the law of tithing was for the maintenance of the priests (that is aside from the Temple Tax to maintain the temple), then what happened to the teaching of 1Pe 2:9, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” If this is true, why don’t the “saints” (the royal priesthood) share in the bounty? Where did this additional class of priests (men ordained by men ministry) come from? If this new priesthood created higher level of saints called, “Men of God”, then how can
2 Tim 3:16,17 be applied to the laity of the church, when according to our modern-day doctrines the men of God are only Pastors, Evangelists, Prophets, and Apostles? When this verse says, “16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. {throughly...: or, perfected}
In Lu 10:7, Jesus noted that the seventy should receive some kind of compensation for preaching the good news. “And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.” Then, in 1Ti 5:18 we have the instruction that “the labourer is worthy of his reward.” That is a far cry from the priest is due one tenth of your income.
Should those who labor in the kingdom expect to be maintained by those to whom they serve? Yes. Paul taught on this concept. But, if a group of men are going to use the laws that apply to the Levitical Priesthood as a foundation for receiving tribute from the assembly, then these same men should be expected to not only teach and follow all eight laws of tithing, they should also observe all of the laws, commandments, and ordnances that apply to the that priesthood. [Today we are going to eat at the religious buffet. Pick and choose what you would like to partake of, and take as much or as little as you like.]
There is a world of difference between the N.T. teaching on sharing and giving, and the need and the attitudes that should prompt such actions, and today's demand for paying the temple tax and Levitical tithe.
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