A brief exposè on the controversial issue of Tithe

Text: Hebrews 7:5-19

[5]And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

[6]But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

[7]And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

[8]And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

[9]And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

[10]For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

[11]If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

[12]For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

[13]For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.

[14]For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

[15]And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,

[16]Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

[17]For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

[18]For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

[19]For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

From the above passage, it was clearly stated that Levites brothers paid tithes to the Levites according to the law (verse 5).

Its the same law, (Judaic law) Christ referred to in Matt 23:23 when the Judaic religious leaders came to flaunt their strict observance of tithing expecting Jesus to commend them. This is exactly the scenario playing out today where people flaunt payment thinking it makes them better Christians. But rather commend them, Jesus pointed their attention to what should be their priority ('weightier matters') rather than the so called tithes.

I am tempted to assume that as some leaders would make their followers believe in the modern days that they won't 'enter heaven' or 'things will be tight for them' without tithe, so it was for the adherents of Judaism during the time of Jesus. That best explained why they came bragging about tithes in Matt 23:23.

Addressing the claim that Abraham paid tithe. YES HE DID, BUT READ FURTHER. Abraham paid before law dispensation but not to Levites, not to Pastors but to someone superior to Levites and Pastors.

Furthermore, Hebrews Chapter 7 says he paid it ONCE!. He paid tithe once, NOT MONTHLY to Levites (Pastors). Abraham also paid it not only for himself but also for his children including yet to be born.

Hebrews 7:2
[2]To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

Hebrews 7:9
[9]And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

The implication is this. For as many as operate under Abrahamic covenants by faith, all of us have paid tithe once and for all to someone superior to Levites or Pastors through Abraham when he gave a tenth of all to the King of Righteousness who lives forever.

Hebrews 7:1-3
[1]For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;

[2]To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

[3]Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

When the law dispensation came into operation, tithes was a part of the law to be observed in Judaism. However, the bibles states that the law (including tithing) failed to meet God's expectation in that it could make man perfect. There was therefore the need to replace with a better Covenant.

This resulted in the total annulment of the law Under the law dispensation, tithes and every part of the law and subsequent replacement with a new testament made not with "thou shall not" but with the blood of Jesus. Hebrews 7:19,22

[19]For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

[22]By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

Hebrews 9:22
[22]And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

So, reading with an open mind and with the inspiration from the Holy Spirit, it is clear from these scriptures that tithe was a once and for all ordinance paid through Abraham for his children. Also coming from the perspective of the Judaic law, in Christ, all laws are fulfilled for all Christians. So payment of tithe is no longer applicable to the New Testament Church.

HOWEVER, ANYONE OPERATING UNDER THE LAW IS STILL OBLIGATED TO PAY TITHES AND FULFIL ALL OTHER ASPECTS OF THE LAW. SUCH SHALL ALSO BE JUDGED ACCORDING TO LAW AND NOT ACCORDING TO GRACE.

Matt 23: 23 is the only place in the New Testament where Jesus mentioned tithe. Matthew 23:23
[23]Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

The setting for this verse was a conversation between Judaic religious leaders ( Scribes, Pharisees) and Jesus discussing Judaic religious practises (Tithing). At this time, Christianity had not started so the discussion was not related to Christianity.

These religious leaders started the discussion with two obvious but cruel intentions. First, to get endorsement for their strict observance of tithing law. Secondly, to see possible trap with which Jesus could be accused of wrong doing. Jesus, knowing their intentions undercut them both ways. He pointed to them the grave error in their overtly emphasis on tithe while ignoring the more important parts of the Judaic law. He also did not fall into their trap by straight way condemn tithing in Judaic law.

Apart from the above, Jesus did not again talk about tithing. It will not be applicable in the dispensation His blood will herald.

A review of the Early Church practices as recorded in the Book of Acts of Apostles showed none of the leaders of the early Church neither preach nor collect tithes. Brother Paul, the major contributor to the New Testament Bible did not mention tithe, not once neither did he collect.

and also a review of many historical records showed that there was no me , neither preach nor collect tithes. 2 Corinthians 12:12-17

[12]Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

[13]For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

[14]Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

[15]And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

[16]But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

[17]Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?

Finally and in conclusion, it is important to note that tithe was smuggled into the church with advent of Pentecostal movement. The huge financial resources from tithe created the prosperity gospel.

Finally, Jesus said in the book of Matthew 7:13-18,20-23

[13]Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

[14]Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

[15]Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

[16]Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

[17]Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

[18]A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

[20]Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

[21]Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

[22]Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

[23]And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Brother Paul in the Epistle to the Galatians, placed curse on anyone who teach anything that will bring Christians to operate under the law again, having been saved by grace or pervert the Gospel of Christ by bringing into it what is not pertaining to new testament faith (tithing).

Galatians 1:6-10
[6]I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

[7]Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

[8]But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

[9]As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

[10]For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Please read up Evangelist Benny Hinn confession and apology on this link

https://www.nairaland.com/4364748/benny-hinn-wrong-prosperity-gospel

Thank you.