tithes

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In response to the Tithing Issue, I would like to see studied  responses
to these questions and their underlying issues. Anybody care to comment?

Didn't you know that the "tithe" claimed to preexist the law in Genesis
14:20 (a single gift on the spoils of war, not income) and Genesis 28:22
(a bargain or covenant for Gods protection) does not follow any of the
rules of the Law for tithes, besides it was Free will? 

Didn't you know that tithing was only on animals and plants not monetary
income (Leviticus 27:31-32)?

Didn't you know that you had to attain a level of wealth to tithe
animals - It was the tenth animal, if you had nine there was no tithe
(Leviticus 27:32)?

Didn't you know that the tither could, in fact was instructed to, take
part of his tithe and consume it himself (Deuteronomy 12:17-19)?

Didn't you know that the tithe was also to be used for the widow,
orphan, fatherless and stranger (Deuteronomy 14:28,29)?

Didn't you know that the tither, at his option, if it was too far to get
to the temple could use his tithe for whatever his soul "lusted" after
(Deuteronomy 14:24-26)?

Didn't you know that the Levite was not exempt from the tithe law
(Numbers 18:26)? (Why do the preachers tithe 5% to the district and use
5% as they see fit, or tithe into their own church?)

Didn't you know you rob God by not using the tithe and offering as he
had instructed (Malachi 3:8 and Matthew 25:40)?

	A church organization that allows itself the security to think
it's ministers can use Malachi 3:10 to coerce a tithe out of a
congregation, and yet believe they are immune from the law of it's use,
are guilty of the robbery they accuse their congregations of, for they
have robbed the fatherless, strangers, and widows in their gates.

Didn't you know the law was ended by Christ, including tithing (Romans
10:4)?

	The Mosaic Covenant, with its promises of material blessings to
Israel for her obedience, is no longer in force (Ephesians 2:14-15;
Romans 10:4; Hebrews 8:13). However, the New Testament speaks about
generosity and giving. While not requiring a tithe of believers today,
the New Testament does speak of God's blessing on those who give
generously to the needs of the church and especially to those who labor
in the Word (Acts 4:31-35; 2 Corinthians 9:6-12; Gal. 6:6; Philippians
4:14-19). (Walyoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge
Commentary, Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.,
1983,1985)

Didn't you know that the post law New Testament Church didn't use
tithing as a way of financing (2 Corinthians 9:7)?

		"The early Church had no tithing system. The tithes of
the OT were regarded as abrogated by the law of Christ." (New Catholic
Encyclopedia, The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.
1967, Page 174)

		"Paul's instruction on the Jerusalem collection urges
voluntary giving (1 Corinthians 16:1-4;  2 Corinthians 8-9), which
became the practice of Christians until religious and civil authorities
(sixth and eighth centuries) initiated legislation mandating tithing."
(The Harper Collins Encyclopedia of Catholicism, General Editor Richard
P. McBrien, Harper Collins Publishing, Inc.  1995, New York, NY, Page
1257)

Didn't we really know all of these thing, or are we willingly ignorant
of what the Word of God says so we can use it to fill our own pockets
with gold?
The Book "New Testament Church Finance" ISBN 0-9657099-0-6 From
Amazon.com Is a Good study.
Bruce H. Hanson
Bruce.hanson@lmco.com