This discussion was inspired by a recent one on pastoring for free.

Most of us would not have the structures we now have if it weren't for tithe money. But, have we misappropriated those funds by using them to build? I know what the Bible says about it, but I am curious as to your position on it. Do you think vaild ministry has been neglected by using tithes to build buildings?

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Surely, I thought this discussion would have countless comments within a week on a network of this vast population of preachers and church leaders. It's been almost 4 months and only one has been brave enough to contribute to the discussion. Is this indicative of a prevailing Method of Operation to ignore the topics that does not seem to have potential for a satisfactory conclusion?

Personally, I believe in the tithe, though I do not believe in all the ways the tithe is used today. I drove up to a church some months ago and eyed a sign on the front lawn outside a recently contructed building that said, "Your Tithes At Work". It greived me because I figured that as long as ministries unintentionally misappropriate the distribution of the tithe, we cannot be adequately ministering to the causes of God.

Being introduced in the Old Testament does not make tithing an old testament concept. Not being covered in detail in the New Testament does not make it outdated. We must differentiate from the patriarchs' giving of tithes due to godly recognition and Israel's paying of tithes under the law. When Jesus corrected people concerning the rigid embrace of the law, he often emphasized that they missed the true purpose of such. In other words, if we catch the true purpose, we can come from under the bondage of doing a thing because it is legal and instead apply its principle to benefit from the divine blessing that comes from a proper and willing exercise of it.

As far as I am concerned, Abraham was a cheerful giver of the tithe. And Jacob's vow to tithe was not conditional as some might suppose. The "if" is better rendered "since"; and therefore he says to the God who covenants with him, "Since you will do all you just promised concerning me, you will be my God and I will give you a tenth of all I acquire. (paraphased)". These patriarchs gave (1) out of recognition of who was blessing them and (2) to perpetuate the blessing in their expression of appreciation for the divine favor upon their lives. Is that not reason enough for us to continue this worthy tradition? I don't know, but it says a whole lot to me when people look for legal loop holes that can relieve them of a practice that apparently pleased God and gave man a means to contribute to God's work among us.

I have a complete writing on the subject accessable from my ministry website at www.scofieldministries.org.
Dear brother Russell Kelly,

You said:

"Hebrews 7:12 and 7:18 says that the tithing law of Hebrews 7:5 was ANULLED. Why don't you believe God's New Covenant Word?"

I know that the tithing law prescribed in the Old Testament and the Aaronic priesthood have been abolished.

I know it!

I do not live according to the Law of Moses (Acts 15:1-29).

The born again believers live under the grace. They are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8).

I know it!

Yes, I know that the tithing law prescribed in the Old Testament and the Aaronic priesthood have been abolished.

However, I wish you would explain me the following biblical passage:

“Brothers, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who is Christ. What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise”.

Galatians 3:15-17

Moreover, you said:

“The HISTORICAL Melchisedec was only such "by interpretation." Jesus' priesthood is based on eternal principles per Hebrews 7:11-19”.

According to you, “Abraham gave the tithe of the spoils of war from outside the Holy Land, to the priest-king in obedience to common Canaanite tradition”.

Who was Melchisedec to whom Abraham gave the tithe?

Who was Melchisedec to whom Levi himself gave the tithe through Abraham (Hebrews 7: 9-10)?

Can you explain me the following verse?

“And without doubt the lesser person is blessed by the greater. In the one case, the tenth is collected by men who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living”.

Hebrews 7:7-8


1- "THE TENTH IS COLLECTED BY MEN WHO DIE"

2- "BUT IN THE OTHER CASE, BY HIM WHO IS DECLARED TO BE LIVING"

Now, tell me, who were the deadly men who collect the tenth?

And, who is the One who is declared to be living who also collects the tenth?

“This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises”.

Hebrews 7:6

Who is the one who is declared to be living to whom Levi himself gave the tenth through Abraham?

“Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!”

Hebrews 7:4

Who was Melchisedec?

Was He a gentile priest-king?

Can a gentile priest-king be the King of righteousness?

Can a gentile priest-king be the King of peace?

Who was that KING without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever (Hebrews 7:1-3)?

Please, explain me Hebrews 7:7- 8!

You assert that Abraham gave the tithe of the spoils of war from outside the Holy Land, to the priest-king in obedience to common Canaanite tradition.

Did Abraham obey Canaanite tradition?

Brother, please read the following biblical passages so that you can acknowledge better who was Abraham.

Romans 4:9-18; Galatians 3:28-29; Hebrews 11:8-10...

Indeed, the Bible declares:

“Abraham was now old and well advanced in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way. He said to the chief servant in his household, the one in charge of all that he had, "Put your hand under my thigh. I want you to swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living, but will go to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac." The servant asked him, "What if the woman is unwilling to come back with me to this land? Shall I then take your son back to the country you came from?"

Genesis 24:1-5

Indeed, Abraham said: “you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living, but will go to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac”

Abraham could never obey common Canaanite tradition and at the same time prevent his servant from getting a wife for his son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom he was living?


Who was Melchisedec(Psalm 110:4, Heb 5:10, 6:20, 7:1-28)?

Who was Melchisedec WHO BLESSED ABRAHAM?

Who was Melchisedec to whom Abraham gave the tithe?


I’m waiting for your BIBLICAL ANSWER(not your opinion).

Blessings,

Bro. Germain

www.tagworld.com/srobouay

www.myspace.com/wawesan
sister Altha Fugett,

Youy said:

"without compulsion or obligation " these are the key words in your question. when we become a "cheerful giver" things fall in line for us".

Let me tell you that Tithe is not for a man.

Tithe is not for a Pastor.

Dear sister, are you a daughter of Abraham?

If yes, then do as Abraham did.

Please, give the tithe by faith to MELCHISEDEC .

Please, give the tithe by faith to JESUS-CHRIST .

DO NOT ASK YOURSELF IF YOU ARE OBLIGATED TO DO SO.

Abraham and Jacob didn't ask questions!

If, it seems an obligation to you, then do not do it.

Please, tell me, are you obliged to serve God?

Are you obliged to be grateful to God as Abraham and Jacob?

Are you obliged to serve God and honour Him with your body and whatever you have?

Indeed Jacob said:

"If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear 21 so that I return safely to my father's house, then the LORD [a] will be my God 22 and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth."

Genesis 28:20-22

This has nothing to do with the Levitical priesthood (Lev. 27:30-32, Numbers 18:21-24).

This has nothing to do with the tithing law prescribed in the Old Testament.

Please do not make confusion!

This is not a law or a new doctrine.

It is simply a question of gratefulness.

The born again believer gives the tithe because he loves the Lord and because of what Christ has done for him.

We don't give the tithe to be saved. We give it because we are saved, and because we want others to be saved.

Abraham and Jacob didn't live according to the Law of Moses (Galatians 3:15-17 ).

They gave their tithe to God(Jesus Christ) freely, by faith.

Tithe is given to the Church, and Jesus is the head of the Church.

The tithe should supply(support) the needs of all the Church, all the believers and the servants of God.

Jesus is the Almighty God, the Melchizedek to whom Abraham gave the Tithe.

Jesus is the Almighty God, the Melchizedek to whom Jacob gave the Tithe.

They gave their tithe freely (by faith) to JESUS-CHRIST.

Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8)!

Indeed, Jesus said:

“Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad."

"You are not yet fifty years old," the Jews said to him, "and you have seen Abraham!"

"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!"

John 8:556-58

As Abraham's seed, as a son of Abraham I do what Abraham did, by faith.

The Tithe is not necessarily money.

Please, read my blog post entitled "SHOULD A PASTOR THAT SPENDS MOST OF HIS TIME PREACHING
AND TEACHING GET PAID FOR WHAT GOD HAS HIM TO DO?"

I'm not preaching money.

Indeed, Jacob said: "all that you give me I will give you a tenth."

ALL THAT YOU GIVE ME I WILL GIVE YOU A TENTH.

Abraham gave him a tenth of everything.

A TENTH OF EVERYTHING.

I’m not speaking about the law of Moses.

I’m not speaking about the tithes prescribed according to the Levitical priesthood.

But I’m referring to the tithe given by faith.

As a Son of Abraham, I’m talking about the faith and the deeds of Abraham.

TITHING IS NOT A LAW FOR CHRISTIANS,

TITHING IS NOT A LAW FOR ABRAHAM’S SEED,

BUT IT IS AN ACT OF FAITH

The tithe of Abraham and Jacob are not foreshadows of things to come in the priesthood, but a duly establised convenant before the introduction of the law 430 years later(Galatians 3:15-19).

No one can set aside or add to that convenant. It is still in force today!

We give the tithe by faith and not according to the law which was added because of transgressions 430 years later

Brothers and sisters, please,

“Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops”

Proverbs 3:9
NO, we need not build buildings with tithes.

The tithes must support the Church and contribute to the spreading of the Gospel !

We must be sober and simple!

Blessings,

Bro. Germain
Amen, brother. So true. Everything so true.

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