Bible Question: As a Christian, Are we supposed to pay tithes? Because one Christian told me in the Book of Genesis gives us the definition of tithes and we are not supposed to pay tithes. She said that God was talking to the Jews |
Bible Answer: Hi, nakia1980! She is correct in saying that the tithing was an ordinance set for the people of Israel. At the time when tithing was established it was a different economy, one based on our temporal world. It was meant to secure the priesthood's well being, to cover the expenses of the Tent and everything dealing with worship (including feeding and housing the tribe of Levi), and it was also set up to assist the destitute. When Jesus came He changed the economy: (Hebrews 7:2 - 8:13). But Jesus did not say that we are no longer accountable to our brethren: (Luke 18:22; 19:8-9; John 13:29); in Luke 18:22, Jesus even places a clause that links our charity to heaven. In Acts 2:44-47 and 4:32-36, we find that those of the faith (Christians) share both spiritual and material wealth. And in Romans 15:26-28, we can verify that sharing of spiritual and material wealth was not limited to a small local community--it was brought to the universal Church. These questions on tithing (yes/no) do not have their origins in our times. In the early Church, Paul had to deal with those who began to question the need for the financial support of the Church (1 Corinthians 9;11-18). He scolded them for questioning his authority and motives and he reminded them that he never requested any assistance, though the Lord had allowed for such provisions. Jesus distinctly state that He did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). Though many of the old ceremonial observances changed, Jesus enhanced the status of the commandments of the Law (Matthew 5:17 - 7:23 and Hebrews 2:9 - 10:39), He did not simply do away with it! So the command about the tithing stands; not in the same manner and functions as in the Old Testament, but in a new and higher plane (Romans 12:1-21). Verse 2 specifically talks about conversion of mind (how we view, how we think, moral values, etc.), and though many gifts are spoken of, there is one particular function that, while not being a gift, requires that we perform it generously (in love), verse 8. And, melting away any confusion about our tithing obligations verse 13 tells us about hospitality. Respectively, verse 20 echoes Jesus' words in Matthew 5:38-48: God is about giving and we are required to be as He is. Tithing has not been abolished, it has been exalted to a spiritual level that requires not a only mere material sacrifice, but a spiritual embrace as well: Do it generously, with love and humilty, for Christ's sake! One more point, nakia1980, have you ever read Genisis 14:17-20? The depiction here is of a king, who happens to be the high priest of the Almighty, that meets Abraham. Abraham is blessed by him and receives bread and wine. Then Abraham offers this priest the tenth of all the spoils that he had gathered. Israel had not been born ( the nation), there was no kingdom, and there was no priest--so is tithing only a thing of our past? Have a Blessed Christmas! |