What Did Jesus Say About Tithes?

Matthew 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." (KJV, Emphasis on "PAY" is mine.)

[Yes], Jesus clearly stated here that tithes must be paid (like a dept or obligation) but that was not where Jesus started His message that day from. Jesus started by saying:

"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So YOU MUST be careful to do EVERYTHING they tell you." (Matthew 23:2-3 NIV Emphasis is mine).

The audience of Jesus were people subject to the law of Moses whom the Pharisees represent. The law included different festivals and holy days, animal sacrifices and offerings FOR SIN AND OTHER REASONS, tithes, certain food to eat or to avoid, annual travel to the temple at Jerusalem for worship etc.

These are laws that came through Moses (NOT MALACHI) and Jesus told these people under that law to practise what the law says[like Malachi did]. If you say because Jesus said it, Christians must do it, then don't just pick tithing out of the bunch. There are no excuses because Jesus told these people that it is a must to do EVERYTHING.

The Bible tells us that the law of Moses (including tithes) was based on the order of Levi's priesthood, not on the priesthood of Christ. Under this law, tithe was an obligation, Jesus accomplished the purpose of (or fulfilled) the law for us and established a different priesthood where these laws were no more a requirement [for being righteous before God] (Hebrews 7:5, 11-12)

"For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God." (Romans 10:4 NLT)

Original source: http://house-era.com/index.php?topic=631.msg1083;topicseen#new

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