The subject of tithing is an important issue among religion leaders and Christian denominations. While some believe in it and preach the same with great vehement, others who are more learned about the issue have different views. In this first part of the series, Brother Eli Soriano explains in details what the Bible says about giving of tithes.
First of all, I will like to state that the gospel is not to be merchandized but to be preached freely. No payment whatsoever is to be paid to receive the gospel. In view of that, how do we treat the issue of tithe if the Christians are not to pay anything for the gospel?
One thing we must need to establish in this lesson, is who is a Christian? Knowing who is are Christians will help us to look into the tithe issue accurately according to the Bible.
Christians are believers and followers of the gospel of Jesus Christ according to the New Testament. And in the doctrine of the gospel believers do not have to pay for anything. Hear what Apostle Paul has to say in the book of 2 Corinthians 11:7.
"Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?"
The Apostle Paul made it clear in the scripture above that the gospel is to be preached freely without charge of anything. If this is true, where does tithe paying comes from? Is it biblical for Christians to pay tithe? Let's see what the Bible have to say about that in the book of Hebrews 7:5-12, and the explanations that follows according to Brother Eli Soriano.
"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:
But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
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?
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law."
From the above scriptures, tithe were paid in the Bible under the law. It's was an obligation for the people to pay tithes to the priests or Levites who were commanded to receive them from the people. The Levites received the commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law. Note that the people refered to here are their brethren, that's their people or the children of Israel in particular. So, it was obligational for the people to pay the tithes to the Levites because it was commanded by God.
The Levites are from the tribe of Levi, one of the 12 tribes of Israel. God selected them for the holy priesthood assignment because they were not given any land to build and plant or make a living like their brethren.
Since they do not share in the division of the land God gave the Israelites, God commanded the other tribes to give one tenth of all their income as tithes to the Levites who's duty was to take care of the holy things in behalf of the people. That was the order of the levitical priesthood as was commanded by God.
However, according to what we read in our previous scriptures above, the levitical priesthood was changed when the Lord Jesus Christ became our high priest. Verse 12 of the scripture says, For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law."
The first priesthood was according to the levitical order which was from the tribe of Levi, while the second priesthood is the priesthood of Jesus Christ. Since the priesthood was changed to a new tribe, there's also a need for a change of the law. The law to take tithes no longer applicable under the new law with the high priest being Jesus Christ Himself.
The book of Hebrews 3:1 described the priesthood of Jesus Christ vividly. Let's read it.
Hebrews 3:1-7 (KJV)
"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;
Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.
For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.
For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.
And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;
But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice."
We see the glory of the priesthood of Jesus Christ, which was more worthy than Moses. The priest that was changed was Moses who is a levite and represent the house of Israel. Since the levitical order of the priesthood was changed, the levitical priest lineage was changed also.
Moreover, the levitical priesthood is such that was subject to changes often due to death, but the priesthood of Jesus Christ continue forever just as Jesus lives forever. So, the priesthood of Jesus Christ is perpetual.
Hebrews 7:23-24 (KJV)
"And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood."
The priesthood of Jesus Christ is an everlasting priesthood. Because of that, the law of the levitical priesthood no longer stand and do not apply to the believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
How does all these analysis relates to tithing?
1. Tithing was a law under the levitical priesthood order. Since the levitical order was changed, the law also changed.
2. The priesthood of Jesus Christ replaced the levitical order, and paying of tithe is not an obligation under the priesthood of Jesus Christ.
3. When Christ Jesus assumed the office of the high priest, everything related to the levitical priesthood were abolished. That includes the law of tithing.
