Does the New Testament Teach Tithing? Chapter Nineteen

chapter 19

DOES THE NEW TESTAMENT TEACH TITHING?

There is no doctrine of tithing in the New Testament. There are no instructions saying that they are to be given to anyone or any place, or any other way to use them. There is no tribe, or group, separated from all other Christians, to be considered the only ministers of the New Covenant, designated to receive tithes. The fold or church building is not called the storehouse in any New Testament scriptures. Pastors are not high priest of the New Covenant, for we have only one high priest, our Savior, Jesus Christ the righteous, who lives eternally.

Heb. 7:26+27 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

There are no scriptures telling is that tithes are now to be of money, rather than that which it was supposed to be according to Mosaic Law. We know that much importance is placed on tithing today and that it is the one part of the Old Law that is taught in many denominations, and by pastors and evangelists alike. But the truth is that tithing always has been an integral part of the Mosaic Law, designated only for the tribe of Levi and at certain times, for widows, fatherless and strangers. It's purpose is very clear. It was an important part of a system which has ended and been done away with, on the day that Jesus was crucified.

The fact of what is said so plainly in Collosians, does not stop preachers from bringing this upon men today.

Col. 2:13+14 “ ... Having forgiven you all trespasses;
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Nor does the fact that Jesus never once taught even his disciples to tithe, keep ministers today from saying that we must. Preachers read what is said in Galatians 3:13, but still tell people they will be cursed if they do not tithe, which is clearly an old ordinance.

Gal. 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

The fact that our Lord;s disciples never once taught tithing, does not hinder those who teach it today. They have neither Jesus nor the twelve disciples as an example of putting this upon New Testament believers, but they do it just the same.

When the apostle Paul came to the Gentiles, who had never lived by Jewish law, and preached to them the good news of Jesus the Savior, he taught them how to be saved. He taught them many things about how to live a life in Christ. He even spoke to them about giving, but he never once taught them to tithe.

DO YOU SUPPOSE THIS WAS JUST AN OVERSIGHT?
OR A MISTAKE ON THE LORD'S PART, AND ON THE PART OF THE DISCIPLES?
OR, DO YOU SUPPOSE THAT JESUS JUST FIGURED THAT EVEN NON-
JEWS WOULD KNOW, WITHOUT BEING TOLD, THAT THEY SHOULD GO BACK INTO THE LAW WHICH HE HAD ABOLISHED, TAKE OUT
ONLY THAT PART, AND KEEP IT IN THE NEW AND BETTER WAY?

There was a time in the New Testament when questions did arise concerning law and grace, and an interesting conclusion was arrived at. There were some men who came from Judea telling the Christians that they couldn't be saved if they were not circumcised after the manner of Moses. Seeing that God had commanded this of Abraham even before giving Moses the Law, it can be understood why some could still consider this important. (see Gen. 17:10-14)

Circumcision was, after all, a mark in the flesh representing the covenant between God and Abraham. Doesn't it seem reasonable then, to think that all those who receive Jesus as the true Messiah, who was promised to Abraham, should receive the mark of that covenant, in their flesh as well?

Well the apostles and elders got together and had a meeting concerning this issue. As a result they reached a conclusion as to what New Testament believers were and were not required to do, and it was summed up in only two verses of scripture. If we look at this particular incident, we can probably see similarities to situations that arise among Christians today, concerning right and wrong behavior. The conclusion is very enlightening.

Acts 15:1+2 And certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them,they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

You can see that these men were not even satisfied with Paul and Barnabas' answers. This was no light matter in their minds.

Paul and Barnabas did go to Jerusalem, and did meet with the apostles and elders. At this meeting some who were Pharisees, who had believed in Jesus as the Messiah, rose up and declared that circumcision and keeping the Law of Moses was needful. So the apostles and elders considered the matter. You can read of this meeting in Acts 15:3-21. But let us look at the letter that was written in conclusion of this important meeting, and delivered to the Gentiles to answer their question.

Acts. 15:24-31 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying Ye must be circumcised , and keep the law of: to whom we gave no such commandment:
25 It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
28 For it seemed good the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
29 That you abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well
30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle.
31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

Although the question had been whether or not Christians had to be circumcised in order to be saved, by verse 5 we see that it was also a matter of keeping the Law of Moses. Was there to be only one part of the Law brought back into the life of the New Testament believers, and no more? You can see how demanding the keeping of this one Law could bring in many other questions. But in the letter of conclusion it was said that the people had been troubled with words and their souls had been being subverted.

The word 'subverting', in the Greek is anakeuazo, an-ask-yoo-ad'-zo; “from ana (in the sense of reversal) and a der. Of skeuos. Prop. to pack up (baggage), that is, (by implication and fig.) to upset: - subvert.” (Strong's) The Greek Lexicon gives this meaning - “to turn away violently from a right state, to unsettle, subvert.”

By the use of the word 'subvert' then, we get the picture that the words which were troubling the Christians, had the effect of turning them from their correct position in Christ, to an incorrect one, or at least, unsettling them to the point of loosing confidence. They had begun in faith and grace, but as they began to be taught a need to add Mosaic Law to their lives, they were being taught the opposite of grace.

Notice that the false teaching came from men who were probably very knowledgeable in the Law, and coming across very authoritatively; being Pharisees, but they were also very wrong. However as you can see, what seemed good to the Holy Ghost and the apostles, was to lay no greater burden on these Christians than four necessary things
.
Notice also that they said “no greater thing.”
The word 'no' in the Greek is medeis, may-dice'; “not even one (man, woman, or thing: ....” The word 'greater' is pleion, pli-own; neut. Plieon, pli'-on, or pleon, pleh'-on; moer in quantity, number, or quality: ...” (Strong's)

So then, they did not lay even one more thing on the Church that would add one more burden on them, than that they observe these four things, that were necessary. Not circumcision, and no other part of the Mosaic Law. They did not say to observe certain sabbaths or festivals, nor to be faithful in paying tithes. The message was very plain and understandable; simply see to these four things
.
1 Abstain from meats offered to idols.
2 Abstain from blood.
3 Abstain from things strangled.
4 Abstain from fornication.

AGAIN LET ME ASK, DO YOU THINK THAT POSSIBLY THE HOLY GHOST, THE APOSTLES AND THE ELDERS, MADE A MISTAKE?
DO YOU OR I HAVE A RIGHT TO ADD TO THIS LIST AND CALL IT INCOMPLETE?

This issue had obviously been important enough for all of these men to come together and come to a conclusion IN THE HOLY GHOST, and it meant enough to the people at Antioch that the answer given to them brought them consolation and rejoicing. But will the declaration of Paul, Barnabas, Judas, Silas and all the others, be good enough for you and I?

Paul addressed the issue of law to the Galatians.

Gal. 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

However, we find in the very next chapter, that someone spoke words to the Galatians, which must have been presented in such a convincing way, that they began to reconsider how far the walk of faith went, after all. Look what Paul had to say to this.

Gal. 3:1-4 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that you should not OBEY THE TRUTH, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
2 This only would I learn of you, received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? If it be yet in vain?

How strongly Paul speaks! And how boldly! To try to be justified by the works of the Law is to disobey the truth! Yet how often today, do the same preachers who will proclaim that indeed we are now justified by faith, frustrate grace, as they bring in one singular work, that was clearly of the Law, threaten men with a curse if they do not do this work, and use it as a mark of the true and faithful believer?! Has tithing become the token of the believer's commitment to Christ, as circumcision was the token of the covenant between Abraham and God? (Gen. 17:11)

The word 'token” in Gen 17:11, in the Hebrew is owth, oth; “prob. From 'uwth' (in the sense of appearing); a signal (lit. or fig.), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc. ...” (Strong's)

Jesus did not call for tithes as a token and neither did the apostles. Nonetheless, today men bravely stand behind pulpits calling for it, and denounce and condemn any man who doesn't demonstrate his commitment to Christ by tithing of his earnings! Is there a man so great that he can go above and beyond the voice of God in directing God's own children, for whom he gave his only begotten Son?