Do Christians Tithe? (original) (raw)

• 1. Do Christians Tithe? Deuteronomy 14:29 And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.

• 2. Who am I ● I'm not Levites, Pastor, Deacon, Preacher or any other who have the right to claim for tithes ● I'm just another born-again bible-believer Christian ● I'm a regular office worker with limited salary almost adequate to pay monthly bills ● I'm married, blessed with 5 children ● Introducing myself, only to show I have no biased motivation ● More about me: http://wp.me/4eeET

• 3. Was it part of the Moses Law? ● NO. ● Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek, same thing as Israel to Levites, before the Law is given to Moses. ● Hebrews 7:9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

• 4. Was it Israel's taxes? ● NO. ● We already see that Abraham tithes long before Israel founded as a nation

• 5. NT never mention tithes? ● Jesus did mention tithes. Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42 ● Paul indirectly claim that he reserve the right for tithes

• 6. Jesus talked about tithes to Pharisees? ● See Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42 ● Yes, Jesus did talk to the Pharisees ● Also did when Jesus abolished Sabbath (John 5:18) and purging all meats (Mark 7:19) and separation of church and state (Luke 20:25) and most other doctrines was taught to the Jews. ● And if all those applied to Christian, why not tithes? ● If Jesus told the Jews that all rites are finished (sabbath, purging meats, etc) why didn't HE tell the Jews that tithes is no more, yet HE confirm that it's ought to have done?

• 7. Paul's reserved right ● Paul quote OT to indirectly claim that he reserved the right for tithes ● 1 Corinthians 9: ● 7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? ● 8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? ● 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? ● 10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. ● 11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? ● 12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. ● 13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? ● (note that Paul directly comparing his right with Levites') ● 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

• 8. Eleven x 10% God's perfect formula ● God do not want His people to be greedy ● Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. ● Israel's 11 tribes pay tithe to Levite 1 tribe, this is the perfect math! ● This is God's perfect payout because this way the Levite will not be much richer nor much poorer than any other tribes ● So, accord to this rule, each Preachers should only take - AT MOST - 11 part of tithes ● Without God's perfect rule, Preacher can get too rich by taking more than 11 part (even of smaller percentage) or the Church can give too little

• 9. No tithe? No formula? ● God's perfect formula = 11 x 10% = 110% for each preacher ● Be cautious if a preacher preach for no tithes or do not understand God's perfect formula ● Assuming a church have 200 families and each give 3% then the preacher will get much richer = 200 x 3% = 600% ● God do not want a preacher getting too rich to distract him from preaching the true gospel ● Guess how catholic, jw, mormon, sda, etc., gets so very rich

• 10. Tithe Cheerfully! ● 2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. ● 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. ● 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

• 11. What / Who for? ● Deuteronomy 14:29, 26:12 ● God give the tithes for subsistence of they who teach / preach HIS words ● Levite in Old Testament ● Preacher in New Testament (1 Cor 9:14) ● Also to the fatherless and widow which is often forgotten ● See also: Act 6:1; 1 Timothy 5:1-18 ● This is why tithing is required and other givings/donations is voluntary

• 12. God Bless! ● Gal 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. ● 18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.