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Originally Posted by edjen01
interesting. using this type of understanding comparisons(tithing/nazarite/celebicy)...how do you explain the texts that say the tithe "belongs" to God? is this "belongs" used in the sense that everything in the universe belongs to God as creator-rights?
also...i think there were some who were told they had to be Nazarites(no choice)...how does this work with tithing.
please do not read any setup/argument/debate into these questions.
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In the Old Testament it was mandatory for Jews to pay tithes to support the priesthood.
The Early Church didn't tithe 10% of their gross.. it wasnt until the Apostolic Constitutions that it was mentioned for Christians at all. Acts says they gave as they were able as did several church fathers.
Slaves couldn't give anything since their masters didn't allow them a wage and it would be silly to require it.
Tithing is a consecration... its a choice and theres a blessing in deciding to do it.. but theres no condemnation for a gentile not to tithe. Even the counsel of Jerusalem in Acts didn't mention it.
Also there are Old Testaments on HOW the tithe is handled by the tribe of Levi and the priesthood... but after asking about a dozen of my fellow ministers and pastors about honoring it they all either professed ignorance to the verses since its never taught on... or they flipped back and said we aren't under OT laws... which kind of kills their line of logic on collecting tithes anyhow.
Justin, c. A.D. 150
The wealthy among us help the needy; and we always keep together. We bless the Maker of all through his Son Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Spirit for all things with which we are supplied.
On the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place. … They who are well-to-do—and willing—give what each thinks fit. What is collected is deposited with the president, who helps the orphans and widows, those who through sickness or any other cause are in need, and those who are in prison and the strangers sojourning among us. In a word he takes care of all who are in need. (First Apology 67)
Irenaeus, c. A.D. 185
(The Jews) consecrated the tithes of their goods to Him, but those who have received liberty set aside all their possessions for the Lord’s purposes. They bestow joyfully and freely even the more valuable portion of their property, since they have the hope of better things, like that poor widow who cast all her living into the treasury of God. (Against Heresies IV:18:2)
Tertullian, c. A.D. 200
There is no buying and selling of any sort in the things of God. Though we have our treasure chest, it is not made up of purchase money, as of a religion that has its price.
On the monthly day, if he likes, each puts in a small donation, but only if it be his pleasure and only if he be able. For there is no compulsion, all is voluntary.
These gifts are, as it were, piety’s deposit fund. For they are not taken from ther and spent on feasts, drinking bouts, and eating houses. They are to support and bury poor people, to supply the needs of boys and girls destitute of means and parents and of old persons confined now to the house.
They also benefit such, too, as have suffered shipwreck. And if there happen to be any in the mines, banished to the islands, or shut up in the prisons for nothing but their fidelity to the cause of God’s Church; they become the nurslings of their confession. (Apology 39)
See... if your going to hell for not paying tithes so is all of the early church
also heres a good Wikipedia article on tithing.. here is a excerpt to clarify the multiple tithes and what they were for
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tithes#...tament_origins
In the time of Moses and Under Mosaic Law
The tithe is specifically mentioned in the Book of Leviticus, the Book of Numbers and also in the Book of Deuteronomy. The tithing system was organized in a 7 year cycle, corresponding to the Shemittah cycle. Every year, Bikkurim, Terumah, Ma'aser Rishon and Terumat Ma'aser were separated from the grain, wine and oil (as regards other fruit and produce, the Biblical requirement to tithe is a source of debate).
Deuteronomy 14:22 Unlike other offerings which were restricted to consumption within the tabernacle, the yearly tithe to the Levites could be consumed anywhere (
Numbers 18:31-14). On years one, two, four and five of the Shemittah cycle, God commanded the Children of Israel to take a second tithe that was to be brought to the city of Jerusalem.
Deuteronomy 14:23 The owner of the produce was to separate and bring 1/10 of his finished produce to Jerusalem after separating Terumah and the first tithe, but if the family lived too far from Jerusalem, the tithe could be redeemed upon coins.
Deuteronomy 14:23Then, the Bible required the owner of the redeemed coins to spend the tithe "to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish."
Deuteronomy 14:22-27 Implicit in the commandment was an obligation to spend the coins on items meant for human consumption. According to the Hebrew Scriptures, the second tithe could be brought to Jerusalem any time of the year and there was no specific obligation to bring the second tithe to Jerusalem for the Festival of Sukkot. The only time restriction was a commandment to remove all the tithes from one's house in the end of the third year.
Deuteronomy 14:28
The third year was called "the year of tithing"
Deuteronomy 26:12-14 in which the Israelites set aside 10% of the increase of the land, they were to give this tithe to the Levites, strangers, orphans, and widows. These tithes were in reality more like taxes for the people of Israel and were mandatory, not optional giving. This tithe was distributed locally "within thy gates"
Deuteronomy 14:28 to support the Levites and assist the poor.
The Levites, also known as the tribe of Levi, were descendants of Levi. They were assistants to the Israelite priests (who were the children of Aaron and, therefore,a subset of the Tribe of Levi) and did not own or inherit a territorial patrimony
Numbers 18:21-28. Their function in society was that of temple functionaries, teachers and trusted civil servants who supervised the weights and scales and witnessed agreements. The goods donated from the other Israeli tribes were their source of sustenance. They received from "all Israel" a tithe of food or livestock for support, and in turn would set aside a tenth portion of that tithe for the Aaronic priests in Jerusalem.
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