I have never believed that tithing is a command for Christians. As a strong believer in grace, love and freedom, I just never understood why many teach tithing as a command for Christians. Nowhere in the NT letters are the early believers being taught or commanded to tithe. Even in the Gospels, the most we could say is that Jesus may imply that tithing should continue.
So I stay away from teaching Christians to tithe. On the other hand, giving a tenth, a tithe to God is something that occurs twice in Genesis, long before the nation of Israel is formed; long before the law and regulations about tithing were given through Moses to Israel. It is most interesting that we don't read anything about tithing; no teaching, no indication of its origin, until it simply appears in Genesis.
The first occasion occurs when King Melchizedek meets Abraham after Abe and his men have won a victory and rescued his nephew Lot. The King is described as "a priest of God Most High". He blesses Abraham in the name of God and Abe gives a tenth of his "spoils of war" to Melchizedek. (14:20)
The second time we see the tithe is after Jacob's dramatic dream at Bethel. (28:22) Jacob is overwhelmed by his encounter with God. He pledges his commitment to God (that appears rather conditional), and that as part of his commitment, he will give a tenth of what he gains to God.
My conclusion? Giving a tenth of our income to God is not a law for Christians nor is it taught in the NT. However these examples in Genesis plus the teaching on tithing in the OT should cause us to ask ourselves: should Christians ever settle for less than giving 10%?
If Abraham and Jacob with no Scriptures and no knowledge of the blessings Christ gave 10% - how could any serious Christian give less? If the people of Israel who had never heard of being by grace through faith in Christ gave at least 10% to God, can any Christian properly give less?
Presently in our fellowship we are teaching about giving from II Corinthians 8 and 9. This I believe provides the most comprehensive NT teaching for Christians today. However we do well to follow the example of Abraham and Jacob and the example of generous giving of the Macedonian Christians mentioned in II Corinthians.
So I stay away from teaching Christians to tithe. On the other hand, giving a tenth, a tithe to God is something that occurs twice in Genesis, long before the nation of Israel is formed; long before the law and regulations about tithing were given through Moses to Israel. It is most interesting that we don't read anything about tithing; no teaching, no indication of its origin, until it simply appears in Genesis.
The first occasion occurs when King Melchizedek meets Abraham after Abe and his men have won a victory and rescued his nephew Lot. The King is described as "a priest of God Most High". He blesses Abraham in the name of God and Abe gives a tenth of his "spoils of war" to Melchizedek. (14:20)
The second time we see the tithe is after Jacob's dramatic dream at Bethel. (28:22) Jacob is overwhelmed by his encounter with God. He pledges his commitment to God (that appears rather conditional), and that as part of his commitment, he will give a tenth of what he gains to God.
My conclusion? Giving a tenth of our income to God is not a law for Christians nor is it taught in the NT. However these examples in Genesis plus the teaching on tithing in the OT should cause us to ask ourselves: should Christians ever settle for less than giving 10%?
If Abraham and Jacob with no Scriptures and no knowledge of the blessings Christ gave 10% - how could any serious Christian give less? If the people of Israel who had never heard of being by grace through faith in Christ gave at least 10% to God, can any Christian properly give less?
Presently in our fellowship we are teaching about giving from II Corinthians 8 and 9. This I believe provides the most comprehensive NT teaching for Christians today. However we do well to follow the example of Abraham and Jacob and the example of generous giving of the Macedonian Christians mentioned in II Corinthians.
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