Tithing in the New Testament By Claire L. Eva

1
Tithing in the New Testament By Claire L.
Eva

• A summary of
• the book by Angel Rodriguez
• Biblical Research Institute
• Silver Spring, Maryland

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Pre-Israelite Origin

• Pre-Hebrew
• Abraham and Jacob tithed
• Genesis 1420 and Genesis 2822

3
Pre-Israelite Origin

• Pre-Moses
• Genesis reveals tithing before Moses and the
  formation of a theocracy

4
Supported by Jesus

• Matthew 2323/Luke 1142
• Jesus endorses tithing
• You should have practiced the latter, without
  neglecting the former. Mt 2323

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Implied in Paul

• Old Testament law of tithingmodel for Christian
  giving
• 1 Cor 913 Dont you know that those who work
  in the temple get their food from the temple
  the Lord has commanded that those who preach the
  gospel should receive their living from the
  gospel.

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Positive Perspective in Hebrews

• Hebrews 71-10
• Abraham gave tithe to Melchizedek
• Melchizedekpriest of God Most High
• Order of Melchizedek, superior to the Aaronic
  order
• Presupposes tithing is divinely ordained

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Summary

• Tithing
• 1. Should not be circumscribed to the
  ceremonial system of the OT
• 2. Grows out of the Hebrew tradition
• 3. The little the NT says about it, suggests
  conformity with the OT principle

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Summary

• Tithing
• 4. The NT condemns tithing as a manifestation
  of self-righteousness
• 5. The purpose of tithing remains the same
• The Lord uses it to provide for those who
  dedicate their lives to the proclamation of the
  gospel

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Elements of Discontinuity

• 1. Connected to the Sanctuary/Temple
• 2. Connected to Levites and Priests
• 3. Levites Gave a Tithe to Priests

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Searching for Principles

• 1. Different Procedures in Old Testament
• Levitical system not indispensable for tithing
• Tithing practiced before there was a Levite
• Allows for a new way of tithing in Christian
  Church

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Searching for Principles

• 2. Relevance of Theology of Tithing
• Theology not limited to particular cultural
  setting or specific historical period
• Concrete expression of recognition and acceptance
  of God as Creator and Owner
• Transcends Levitical system

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Searching for Principles

• 3. Tithe Recipients Appointed by God
• Tithe belonged to Lord, and not to Levites
• God selects those who will be sustained by tithe
• Those selected dedicate their lives to the
  exclusive service of His people

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Searching for Principles

• 4. Ministers and Tithing
• OT distinction between priest, Levite, and the
  people of Israel, unknown in NT
• No distinction among members in Christian Church
• Lay member and minister both to tithe

14
Storehouse The Principle

• The Storehouse in the Old Testament
• Storehouse from Hebrewhouse, temple, palace
• Storehouse located in temple complex
• Tithe distribution centralized
• Israelites separated tithe at home and brought it
  to the LordNumbers 1824

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Tithing System

• According to 2 Chronicles 315-12
• 1. Collection of tithes and offerings was
  centralized
• 2. Distribution of tithes and offerings was
  centralized
• 3. Portions assigned to Levites

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Collection of Tithe

• Israelites Bring the Tithe
• Levites Collect the Tithe
• Temple Storehouse
• Distribution of Tithe
• Temple Storehouse
• Distributed by Levites
• Levites Priests

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Tithing System

• According to Nehemiah
• 1. People brought tithes and offerings to
  storerooms of House of Godthe Temple
• 2. Firstfruits given directly to priests
• 3. Tithe given to Levites

18
Tithing System

• 4. Tithe collected outside by Levitesa priest
  was to accompany the Levite
• 5. Levites brought tithe to House of our God
  (v39a)
• 6. Men selected to oversee storerooms

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Principles Transferred to the Church

• 1. The collection and distribution of tithe was
  centralizedthere was a storehouse
• 2. Specific individuals were chosen to collect
  and distribute the tithe

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Principles Transferred to the Church

• 3. The tithe was given to individuals selected
  by God
• 4. The centralized system allowed for outpost
  centers for collection and distribution of tithe

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Is there any evidence in the New Testament, or in
the early church, that Christians practiced
tithing??
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Tithing in the Early Church

• The Silence of the New Testament
• There is no explicit evidence of tithing in the
  apostolic church
• We must be careful on how to interpret that lack
  of evidence
• Any conclusion reached would be based on the
  silence of the New Testament

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The Silence of the New Testament2

• When taken in conjunction with the attitude of
  Jesus toward tithing, and Pauls comments, it
  could be interpreted in terms of support for
  tithing rather than rejection of it
• One thing is clear, namely, Jesus did not reject
  tithing, but encouraged it. p. 21

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Tithing in the Post-Apostolic Church

• The post-apostolic fathers wrote very little
  about tithing during first three centuries of
  Christian era
• Tendency to believe tithing was superseded by
  teachings of Jesus
• Some arguedChristians do not give tithe because
  it is an amount too small to give to the Lord

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Tithing in the Post-Apostolic Church

• Irenaeus (fl.c.175-195) wrote
• They the Jews had indeed the tithes of their
  goods consecrated to Him, but those who have
  received liberty set aside all their possessions
  for the Lords purposes, bestowing joyfully and
  freely

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Tithing in the Post-Apostolic Church

• Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage (c.210-258),
  complained
• But now we do not even give a tenth of our
  patrimony, and, although the Lord orders us to
  sell, we rather buy and increase.
• The Levitical practice of receiving a tenth of
  the fruits of the soil from the people is now
  maintained in respect of the clergy.

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Tithing in the Post-Apostolic Church

• Tithing was promoted much more in the early 4th
  century
• Some devoted Christians were tithing to the
  church

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Tithing in the Post-Apostolic Church

• How shameful it is that what was taken for
  granted among the Jews has now become an amazing
  thing among Christians. And if non-payment of
  tithe puts a man in jeopardy with God, then
  consider how many are in such danger today.
• John ChrysostomBishop of Antioch (c.344-407)

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Tithing in the Post-Apostolic Church

• Tithing appears to be a regular practice in the
  Eastern church in the late 4th century
• Augustine (c.354-430) represented a Christian
  tradition in which tithing was acceptable for
  Christians as a minimal stand for giving

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Conclusion

• The biblical evidence indicates
• The practice of tithing was not limited to a
  particular historical period or to a specific
  group
• The theology of tithing and its impact on the
  lives of believers and their relationship and
  dependence on God transcends time and culture
• The NT does not reject tithing and, perhaps more
  specifically, Jesus himself puts His stamp of
  approval on it