Talk:Tithe

Are Christians today required to tithe?

Deuteronomy 14.22-22:30

1 Corinthians 13

Abraham gave a tenth of his spoils of war to Melchizedek Genesis 14.20

superiority of Melchizedek’s priesthood over Levi’s Hebrews 7.4–10

Jacob promised God a tenth of everything granted him Genesis 28.22

A tenth of Israel’s seed, fruit, and flocks were given to the Lord

Leviticus 27.30–32; Deuteronomy 14.22–24; cf. 2 Chronicles 31.5–6; Nehemiah 13.5, 12.

The people gave a tenth to the Levites to support them Numbers 18.21–24; cf.

Nehemiah 10.38; Nehemiah 12.44, and the Levites, in turn,

were to give a tenth to the chief priest Numbers 18.25–28.

Those who did not tithe were threatened with a curse,

while those who did tithe were promised blessing Malachi 3.8–10

Believers are no longer under the Mosaic covenant Romans 6.14–15;

Romans 7.5–6; Galatians 3.15–4:7; 2 Corinthians 3.4–18

Tithes were given to the Levites and priests,

but there are no Levites and priests in the new covenant.

Now all believers are priests 1 Peter 2.9; Revelation 1.6; Revelation 5.10; Revelation 20.6

with Jesus as our Melchizedekian high priest Hebrews 7

The earthly Jerusalem is no longer central in God’s purposes Galatians 4.25

Believers are part of the heavenly Jerusalem Galatians 4.26

and look forward to the city to come Hebrews 11.10

to the new heavens and new earth Revelation 21.1 Revelation 22.5

Abraham is not heir of the land of Israel, but of the whole world Romans 4.13

Matthew 23.23; Luke 11.42

Jesus also mentioned offering sacrifices in the temple Matthew 5.23–24

He kept the law since he was “born under the law” Galatians 4.4

instructed to be generous in helping those in need Acts 2.43–47; Acts 4.32–37;

Acts 11.27–30; Galatians 2.10; 1 Corinthians 16.1–4; 2 Corinthians 8:1–9:15

For example, 1 Corinthians 16.1–4—a passage often cited in popular circles in support—

does not mention tithing;

it relates to a one-time gift for poor saints in Jerusalem.

We are commanded to support those who preach the gospel Matthew 10.10; Luke 10.7

1 Corinthians 9.6–14; 1 Timothy 5.17–18).

And while we should enjoy the good things God gives us,

we are also called to be generous to those in need 1 Timothy 6.17–19; 2 Corinthians 8 2 Corinthians 9

Scripture does not command Christians to give a tenth—

and Scripture, not tradition, is our rule and authority.

Thomas Schreiner

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