₦airaland Forum

Recently, I read here on Nairaland the pronouncement by a renowned general overseer of one of the biggest new generation churches in Nigeria that any of his members that does not pay their tithes will not make heaven. To me it was a shocking statement that shows a lack of understanding of the entire essence of Christianity.

A LITTLE BACKGROUND
Jesus and his disciples were all Jews. After the death and resurrection of Christ, his disciples spread the Gospel to the gentile world beginning on Pentecost when the Spirit of God descended on them. By definition all non-jews are gentiles, that is a Nigerian is a gentile. It was to the Jews that the law was given, the gentile nations never practiced the Law. However both Jesus and his disciples lived under the law and practiced it. As the Gospel spread and was accepted by the gentiles, a conflict arose as to whether the gentiles had to practice the law. One such Judaic law was the law of circumcision which stipulates that all Jewish male are to be not 6days after birth. Some hardliners among the Jewish Christians insisted that the new gentile believers must be circumcised and follow the Law to be saved. Now, included in the Law is the Law of tithing. The circumcision and Law debate culminated in Acts 15


THE COUNCIL OF JERUSALEM(ACTS 15)

Council of Jerusalem. Council of Jerusalem, a conference of the Christian Apostles in Jerusalem in about 50 ce that decreed that Gentile Christians did not have to observe the Mosaic Law of the Jews. The council was recorded in Acts 15.


ACTS 15(A SUMMARY)

Some men came from Judea to Antioch and started teaching the believers ”you cannot be saved unless you are circumcised as the Law of Moses required"(Acts15:1).

But some of the believers who belonged to the party of Pharisees stood up and said "the Gentiles mist be circumcised and told to obey the law of Moses[Acts 15:5]
{notice how eerily similar these two verses are to that of the general overseer}

The Apostles and elders met together to consider this question(Acts 15:6)

Peter's speech: so then why do you put God to the test by laying a load on the backs of the believers which neither our ancestors nor ourselves were able to carry. No! we believe and are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are (Acts 15: 10-11)

THE LETTER TO THE GENTILE BELIEVERS

THE Holy Spirit and we have agreed not to put any burden on you besides these necessary rules: eat no food that has been offered to idols; eat no blood; eat no animal that has been strangled; and keep yourselves from sexual immorality. You will do well if you take care not to do these things. With our best wishes. (Acts 15: 28-29)


It is an irony that a Nigerian pastor, a gentile is now the one putting on his fellow gentile the load of the law that has been lifted off their backs 2000years ago.

They will bombard you with lies and manipulated doctrines soon

clefstone:
THE LETTER TO THE GENTILE BELIEVERS

THE Holy Spirit and we have agreed not to put any burden on you besides these necessary rules: eat no food that has been offered to idols; eat no blood; eat no animal that has been strangled; and keep yourselves from sexual immorality. You will do well if you take care not to do these things. With our best wishes. (Acts 15: 28-29)


It is an irony that a Nigerian pastor, a gentile is now the one putting on his fellow gentile the load of the law that has been lifted off their backs 2000years ago.

Thanks for this post OP...

I have always screamed that people should read Acts 15...

The difference between Judaism and Christianity is there for all to see....

OkCornel:
Thanks for this post OP...

I have always screamed that people should read Acts 15...

The difference between Judaism and Christianity is there for all to see....

Just wish the moderators will help push this to FP for more to see. It is as clear as crystal

nwabekeyi:
They will bombard you with lies and manipulated doctrines soon

I am waiting for them to defend the undefendable

OAM4J

lonikit:
unfortunately, Nigerian Christians are too gullible. they believe wht their pastor says more than what Christ practised...

I am also waiting for them to show me where Jesus collected tithes and first fruits from His followers...

After all, the Pastorpreneurs claim to be followers of Jesus too... so I'm wondering where they got authority to collect tithes and first fruits...

2,000 years ago, Jesus miraculously fed 5,000 hungry men with 5 loaves and 2 fishes....
Today, Pastorpreneurs are "miraculously" fleecing the flock with monetary tithes and firstfruits doctrines...

lonikit:
unfortunately, Nigerian Christians are too gullible. they believe wht their pastor says more than what Christ practised...

Nigeria needs new evangelization, Christianity in Nigeria has been hijacked by selfish individuals

OkaiCorne:
I am also waiting for them to show me where Jesus collected tithes and first fruits from His followers...

After all, the Pastorpreneurs claim to be followers of Jesus too... so I'm wondering where they got authority to collect tithes and first fruits...

2,000 years ago, Jesus miraculously fed 5,000 hungry men with 5 loaves and 2 fishes....
Today, Pastorpreneurs are "miraculously" fleecing the flock with monetary tithes and firstfruits doctrines...

The main problem is that today's MOG HV largely relegated the Gospel to the background and now focus on temporal things

OkaiCorne:
I am also waiting for them to show me where Jesus collected tithes and first fruits from His followers...

After all, the Pastorpreneurs claim to be followers of Jesus too... so I'm wondering where they got authority to collect tithes and first fruits...

2,000 years ago, Jesus miraculously fed 5,000 hungry men with 5 loaves and 2 fishes....
Today, Pastorpreneurs are "miraculously" fleecing the flock with monetary tithes and firstfruits doctrines...

It is you that MUST Show us where Jesus condemn tithing

clefstone:
THE LETTER TO THE GENTILE BELIEVERS

THE Holy Spirit and we have agreed not to put any burden on you besides these necessary rules: eat no food that has been offered to idols; eat no blood; eat no animal that has been strangled; and keep yourselves from sexual immorality. You will do well if you take care not to do these things. With our best wishes. (Acts 15: 28-29)

It is an irony that a Nigerian pastor, a gentile is now the one putting on his fellow gentile the load of the law that has been lifted off their backs 2000years ago.

[quote author=clefstone post=66879097]I am waiting for them to defend the undefendable

[/quote]Lets Analyze The Bible path that you quote esp vs 29

1=> eat no food that has been offered to idols;
(Lev 19:4 [KJV])Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God.


2=> eat no blood
(Gen 9:4 [KJV])But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.
(Deut 15:23 [KJV]) - Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof;
(Lev 7:27 [KJV]) Whatsoever soul it be that eateth any manner of blood, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.


3=>eat no animal that has been strangled
(Lev 17:15 [KJV])And every soul that eateth that which died of itself, or that which was torn with beasts, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even: then shall he be clean.


4=>and keep yourselves from sexual immorality(or adultery)
(Exod 20:14 [KJV]) - Thou shalt not commit adultery.
(Lev 20:10 [KJV]) - And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

As you can see the apostle gave the gentiles a summary of what is in the law, not a new commandment. I could have posted more Reference if time permit me

Please Answer these two question.
+ To what purpose did God have to command the Israelite to bring tithe?
+ Is the purpose above different from what it is today?

GoodMuyis:
It is you that MUST Show us where Jesus condemn tithing

As a matter of fact...Jesus never condemned the LAW (Tithing and 612 other Mosaic laws)...but rather, He came to fulfill the Law...

If we are going through this route, I'd like you to get your point of view on the following;

1) Tithing was a Mosaic Law for the Jews alone to adhere to...but if you disagree, kindly show us where in the scriptures gentiles or Christians tithed.

2) God never asked for tithes to be given monetarily...but if you think otherwise, please show us where God asked for tithes monetarily.

3) Jesus THE SON OF GOD never asked for tithes from His followers to support His ministry, so therefore...why are these men of God who are acclaimed followers of Jesus collecting tithes? Are they placing their trust in God or money?

4) How do these Pastors in Nigeria automatically replace the Levites in Israel as tithe collectors? Please answer this question bearing in mind that there were other full time ministry workers in Israel e.g. Rabbis and Prophets who had no authority to collect tithes...

Update: GoodMuyis, I have answered your question. I await your response to mine.

GoodMuyis:
Lets Analyze The Bible path that you quote esp vs 29

1=> eat no food that has been offered to idols;
(Lev 19:4 [KJV])Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God.


2=> eat no blood
(Gen 9:4 [KJV])But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.
(Deut 15:23 [KJV]) - Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof;
(Lev 7:27 [KJV]) Whatsoever soul it be that eateth any manner of blood, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.


3=>eat no animal that has been strangled
(Lev 17:15 [KJV])And every soul that eateth that which died of itself, or that which was torn with beasts, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even: then shall he be clean.


4=>and keep yourselves from sexual immorality(or adultery)
(Exod 20:14 [KJV]) - Thou shalt not commit adultery.
(Lev 20:10 [KJV]) - And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

As you can see the apostle gave the gentiles a summary of what is in the law, not a new commandment. I could have posted more Reference if time permit me

Please Answer these two question.
+ To what purpose did God have to command the Israelite to bring tithe?
+ Is the purpose above different from what it is today?

Excuse me please, are you saying that the Apostles told the gentiles to obey the entire laws of Moses?

OkaiCorne:
Excuse me please, are you saying that the Apostles told the gentiles to obey the entire laws of Moses?

As gentleman you ought to answer my questions before throwing any at me. Or are you avoiding to give answer that will turn back at you and bite?

I will answer your with bible verse, if you with honesty answer mine.

GoodMuyis:
As gentleman you ought to answer my questions before throwing any at me. Or are you avoiding to give answer that will turn back at you and bite?

I will answer your with bible verse, if you with honesty answer mine.

I have answered you (check the 13th post on this thread)

And I also asked you some questions.

Please do well to answer them...

OkaiCorne:
I have answered you (check the 13th post on this thread)
And I also asked you some questions.
Please do well to answer them...

Pls Accept my apology, I was confusing you with clefstone

I will update later, kinda busy now

Please do a study of the book of Hebrews in addition to your study for a fuller understanding about the Tithe.

The tithe pre-dated the Levitical Priesthood (the Aaronic Order/Priesthood) as seen in Genesis Chapter 14 when Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek (the first mention of the tithe in the Bible). This Priesthood of Melchizedek foreshadowed the priesthood of Christ which is now in pace and eternal.

The tithe belongs to the Priesthood of Christ in essence and was only fleshed out in pattern under the Mosaic Law. The priesthood of Aaron served by the Levites has since passed away, giving way to that of Christ who is our Eternal High Priest “over the house of God” (Hebrews 10:21), who lives forever, and is at the right hand of God to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34)

Regarding the tithe in Malachi, you are right that the admonition was to the Levites who were serving priests under the then High Priest Aaron. They were commanded to receive tithes of their brethren and “heave up” 10% of the 10% they collected, to the High Priest (Aaron and his sons that they eat it – Lev. 24:9). When they failed to do this as representatives of their brethren, the Israelites, they committed a sin by robbing the High Priest (God’s representative on behalf of the children of Israel) and ultimately God Himself, because the tithe “is the Lord’s; it is holy unto the Lord” (Lev. 27:30).

This sinful behaviour would adversely impact their innocent brethren because God’s blessing would not be released upon their economic efforts (agricultural in those days).

Listen to the Hebrews 7:8 “And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.” Who do you think the Scripture is referring to here “who lives forever”? You say Christ did not receive tithe but here the Bible tells us that He does “he receiveth” is present continuous tense! After He made the “once for all” sacrifice for our sins, He set aside the Aaronic priesthood, which was still in force while He was here on earth. That is why He didn’t receive tithes while He was still here on earth! The Aaronic order had not been annulled. But now that Christ is risen and ascended to Heaven, He sits at the right hand of God as our High Priest making intercession for us before the Father, and so is entitled to His tithes as High Priest!!!

To understand how the TITHE is applicable in the New Testament requires an understanding of the Priesthood of Christ in the New Testament. The TITHE belongs to the Priesthood, and the only one existing now is that of Christ’s!

Beloved, please let us as ministers not take a position and then look for scriptures to back up our scripturally untenable position. Let us rather “teach out of the Bible” and “not into it”. To say that paying and receiving tithe “is a sin” is the display highest level of biblical illiteracy concerning the High Priesthood of Christ over His Church and a satanic attempt to deprive Him of the honour due Him by His Church as our eternal High Priest (and master), and God as our Heavenly Father (Malachi 1:6). For you to take this position, you must be able to show us unequivocally from scripture where it says giving or receiving tithes in the New Testament is a sin.

We must beware being used as agents of the devil in counteracting God’s expressed will written in the Holy Scriptures.

Please read and prayerfully study Hebrews 7 and ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes of understanding.

I expounded extensively on this in my Book “Can Pastors Steal Church Money? – A Biblical Exposition on Church Finances”. You may want to get a copy and read. I believe it will help your understanding.

The problem we have in the Church is not the Biblical principle of the Tithe, but the preponderance of false prophets who are deceiving the sheep with false prophecies, teachings, and other deceptive means, to illegitimately extract money from them to which they are not entitled as FASLE PROPHETS.

The TITHE is the Lord’s…whether in the Old Testament or the New.
Selah.

GoodMuyis:
It is you that MUST Show us where Jesus condemn tithing

Osezua:
Please do a study of the book of Hebrews in addition to your study for a fuller understanding about the Tithe.

The tithe pre-dated the Levitical Priesthood (the Aaronic Order/Priesthood) as seen in Genesis Chapter 14 when Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek (the first mention of the tithe in the Bible). This Priesthood of Melchizedek foreshadowed the priesthood of Christ which is now in pace and eternal.

The tithe belongs to the Priesthood of Christ in essence and was only fleshed out in pattern under the Mosaic Law. The priesthood of Aaron served by the Levites has since passed away, giving way to that of Christ who is our Eternal High Priest “over the house of God” (Hebrews 10:21), who lives forever, and is at the right hand of God to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34)

Regarding the tithe in Malachi, you are right that the admonition was to the Levites who were serving priests under the then High Priest Aaron. They were commanded to receive tithes of their brethren and “heave up” 10% of the 10% they collected, to the High Priest (Aaron and his sons that they eat it – Lev. 24:9). When they failed to do this as representatives of their brethren, the Israelites, they committed a sin by robbing the High Priest (God’s representative on behalf of the children of Israel) and ultimately God Himself, because the tithe “is the Lord’s; it is holy unto the Lord” (Lev. 27:30).

This sinful behaviour would adversely impact their innocent brethren because God’s blessing would not be released upon their economic efforts (agricultural in those days).

Listen to the Hebrews 7:8 “And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.” Who do you think the Scripture is referring to here “who lives forever”? You say Christ did not receive tithe but here the Bible tells us that He does “he receiveth” is present continuous tense! After He made the “once for all” sacrifice for our sins, He set aside the Aaronic priesthood, which was still in force while He was here on earth. That is why He didn’t receive tithes while He was still here on earth! The Aaronic order had not been annulled. But now that Christ is risen and ascended to Heaven, He sits at the right hand of God as our High Priest making intercession for us before the Father, and so is entitled to His tithes as High Priest!!!

To understand how the TITHE is applicable in the New Testament requires an understanding of the Priesthood of Christ in the New Testament. The TITHE belongs to the Priesthood, and the only one existing now is that of Christ’s!

Beloved, please let us as ministers not take a position and then look for scriptures to back up our scripturally untenable position. Let us rather “teach out of the Bible” and “not into it”. To say that paying and receiving tithe “is a sin” is the display highest level of biblical illiteracy concerning the High Priesthood of Christ over His Church and a satanic attempt to deprive Him of the honour due Him by His Church as our eternal High Priest (and master), and God as our Heavenly Father (Malachi 1:6). For you to take this position, you must be able to show us unequivocally from scripture where it says giving or receiving tithes in the New Testament is a sin.

We must beware being used as agents of the devil in counteracting God’s expressed will written in the Holy Scriptures.

Please read and prayerfully study Hebrews 7 and ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes of understanding.

I expounded extensively on this in my Book “Can Pastors Steal Church Money? – A Biblical Exposition on Church Finances”. You may want to get a copy and read. I believe it will help your understanding.

The problem we have in the Church is not the Biblical principle of the Tithe, but the preponderance of false prophets who are deceiving the sheep with false prophecies, teachings, and other deceptive means, to illegitimately extract money from them to which they are not entitled as FASLE PROPHETS.

The TITHE is the Lord’s…whether in the Old Testament or the New.
Selah.

I love this write up. This is the most sensible response I have seen in favor of tithing. However, there are certain questions I still need answers to;

1) Did God instruct the gentiles to tithe?

2) Did God instruct tithes to be given monetarily?

3) Referring back to the outcome of the meeting of the council in Jerusalem in Acts 15, is tithing also required of a Christian?

GoodMuyis:
Lets Analyze The Bible path that you quote esp vs 29

1=> eat no food that has been offered to idols;
(Lev 19:4 [KJV])Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God.


2=> eat no blood
(Gen 9:4 [KJV])But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.
(Deut 15:23 [KJV]) - Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof;
(Lev 7:27 [KJV]) Whatsoever soul it be that eateth any manner of blood, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.


3=>eat no animal that has been strangled
(Lev 17:15 [KJV])And every soul that eateth that which died of itself, or that which was torn with beasts, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even: then shall he be clean.


4=>and keep yourselves from sexual immorality(or adultery)
(Exod 20:14 [KJV]) - Thou shalt not commit adultery.
(Lev 20:10 [KJV]) - And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

As you can see the apostle gave the gentiles a summary of what is in the law, not a new commandment. I could have posted more Reference if time permit me

Please Answer these two question.
+ To what purpose did God have to command the Israelite to bring tithe?
+ Is the purpose above different from what it is today?

How is that a summary of the Law? You are bringing up a totally untrue submission to justify your claim. Are u now claiming that the apostles agreed that the gentiles must follow the law and be circumcised? Please read Acts 15 from beginning to end and clear your error.

Do you know that Jews don't eat pork and would not even touch it. But as Christians we eat pork and other food forbidden by the Law of Moses. Do you know that circumcision is not required of a Christian, the reason why circumcision is not a requirement for receiving baptism. The old Law is not binding on a Christian. Tithe paying is part of the old Law and like circumcision is not binding.

To answer your Last 2 questions, I do not object giving to the Church, infact, a believer can give their entire wealth to the Church, not just a tenth, another can decide to give a tenth of his earning and another a fifth. What is important is that they be guided by the holy spirit and not by a duty to the Law. What you should know is that you have something the non-christian Jews do not have: the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the game changer, He is what guides us as Christians, not the Law. The law was necessary then because the spirit was not freely given then, therefore the Jews needed a code to live by. Living by the Law therefore limits you as a Christians because you have something greater than the law: the Holy Spirit. Therefore I will never judge someone who pays the tithe, but it's the motive that I may judge I.e if he/she is doing it because they think they will be saved by it then there is a fundermental error.

Osezua:
Please do a study of the book of Hebrews in addition to your study for a fuller understanding about the Tithe.

The tithe pre-dated the Levitical Priesthood (the Aaronic Order/Priesthood) as seen in Genesis Chapter 14 when Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek (the first mention of the tithe in the Bible). This Priesthood of Melchizedek foreshadowed the priesthood of Christ which is now in pace and eternal.

The tithe belongs to the Priesthood of Christ in essence and was only fleshed out in pattern under the Mosaic Law. The priesthood of Aaron served by the Levites has since passed away, giving way to that of Christ who is our Eternal High Priest “over the house of God” (Hebrews 10:21), who lives forever, and is at the right hand of God to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34)

Regarding the tithe in Malachi, you are right that the admonition was to the Levites who were serving priests under the then High Priest Aaron. They were commanded to receive tithes of their brethren and “heave up” 10% of the 10% they collected, to the High Priest (Aaron and his sons that they eat it – Lev. 24:9). When they failed to do this as representatives of their brethren, the Israelites, they committed a sin by robbing the High Priest (God’s representative on behalf of the children of Israel) and ultimately God Himself, because the tithe “is the Lord’s; it is holy unto the Lord” (Lev. 27:30).

This sinful behaviour would adversely impact their innocent brethren because God’s blessing would not be released upon their economic efforts (agricultural in those days).

Listen to the Hebrews 7:8 “And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.” Who do you think the Scripture is referring to here “who lives forever”? You say Christ did not receive tithe but here the Bible tells us that He does “he receiveth” is present continuous tense! After He made the “once for all” sacrifice for our sins, He set aside the Aaronic priesthood, which was still in force while He was here on earth. That is why He didn’t receive tithes while He was still here on earth! The Aaronic order had not been annulled. But now that Christ is risen and ascended to Heaven, He sits at the right hand of God as our High Priest making intercession for us before the Father, and so is entitled to His tithes as High Priest!!!

To understand how the TITHE is applicable in the New Testament requires an understanding of the Priesthood of Christ in the New Testament. The TITHE belongs to the Priesthood, and the only one existing now is that of Christ’s!

Beloved, please let us as ministers not take a position and then look for scriptures to back up our scripturally untenable position. Let us rather “teach out of the Bible” and “not into it”. To say that paying and receiving tithe “is a sin” is the display highest level of biblical illiteracy concerning the High Priesthood of Christ over His Church and a satanic attempt to deprive Him of the honour due Him by His Church as our eternal High Priest (and master), and God as our Heavenly Father (Malachi 1:6). For you to take this position, you must be able to show us unequivocally from scripture where it says giving or receiving tithes in the New Testament is a sin.

We must beware being used as agents of the devil in counteracting God’s expressed will written in the Holy Scriptures.

Please read and prayerfully study Hebrews 7 and ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes of understanding.

I expounded extensively on this in my Book “Can Pastors Steal Church Money? – A Biblical Exposition on Church Finances”. You may want to get a copy and read. I believe it will help your understanding.

The problem we have in the Church is not the Biblical principle of the Tithe, but the preponderance of false prophets who are deceiving the sheep with false prophecies, teachings, and other deceptive means, to illegitimately extract money from them to which they are not entitled as FASLE PROPHETS.

The TITHE is the Lord’s…whether in the Old Testament or the New.
Selah.

You have done exactly what you preached against; looking for a scriptural backing to your preconceived idea. Hebrews 7 only tries to use the collection of tithe by the Levite's, the priestly tribe to explain the eternal priesthood of Christ. There he likened Christ to Melchizedek and explained that Christ is of a greater priestly order to d Levite's since Melchizedek collected tithe from Abraham the father of the tribe of Levi. All what the Chapter tries to build is the eternal priesthood of Christ.
As for me, anyone that insists on a 10% tithe as a requirement for a Christian doesn't understand the basis of Christianity and what it means to worship in spirit and I'm truth.

Osezua:
The TITHE is the Lord’s…whether in the Old Testament or the New. Selah.

Thank You for this Piece, I need not further explanation

clefstone:
How is that a summary of the Law? You are bringing up a totally untrue submission to justify your claim. Are u now claiming that the apostles agreed that the gentiles must follow the law and be circumcised? Please read Acts 15 from beginning to end and clear your error.

Do you know that Jews don't eat pork and would not even touch it. But as Christians we eat pork and other food forbidden by the Law of Moses. Do you know that circumcision is not required of a Christian, the reason why circumcision is not a requirement for receiving baptism. The old Law is not binding on a Christian. Tithe paying is part of the old Law and like circumcision is not binding.

To answer your Last 2 questions, I do not object giving to the Church, infact, a believer can give their entire wealth to the Church, not just a tenth, another can decide to give a tenth of his earning and another a fifth. What is important is that they be guided by the holy spirit and not by a duty to the Law. What you should know is that you have something the non-christian Jews do not have: the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the game changer, He is what guides us as Christians, not the Law. The law was necessary then because the spirit was not freely given then, therefore the Jews needed a code to live by. Living by the Law therefore limits you as a Christians because you have something greater than the law: the Holy Spirit. Therefore I will never judge someone who pays the tithe, but it's the motive that I may judge I.e if he/she is doing it because they think they will be saved by it then there is a fundermental error.

First don't rewrite my statement doing so will distort my opinion. I wrote gave the gentiles a summary of what is in the law I never wrote anything like The Summary of the law. I would have used excerpt instead but i missed that.

Still back to my Question which you stylishly dodge a direct answer to it, Asked:

+ To what purpose did God have to command the Israelite to bring tithe?
+ Is the purpose above different from what it is today?

I was expecting an answer just it was written in Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat[provision] in mine house. Its just simple as that; "The TITHE is the Lord’s" (and then i love Osezua comment ) And the Provision is for who and what? the Levites and upkeep of the house of God.(We all know the position and possession of Levites).

Answer to second question is straight forward. The purpose is not different. I will not disprove the fact that there are misappropriation, same happen to in OT, but God know those who are his.

My Conclusion
Instead of finding fault in the way a preacher method of teaching on giving/tithing lets do much on teaching and enlightening our fellow Christian on the importance of Sanctification. A lot of Christian missed this.

(1Thess 4:3 [KJV]) For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

Selah

GoodMuyis:
First don't rewrite my statement doing so will distort my opinion. I wrote gave the gentiles a summary of what is in the law I never wrote anything like The Summary of the law. I would have used excerpt instead but i missed that.

Still back to my Question which you stylishly dodge a direct answer to it, Asked:

+ To what purpose did God have to command the Israelite to bring tithe?
+ Is the purpose above different from what it is today?

I was expecting an answer just it was written in Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat[provision] in mine house. Its just simple as that; "The TITHE is the Lord’s" (and then i love Osezua comment ) And the Provision is for who and what? the Levites and upkeep of the house of God.(We all know the position and possession of Levites).

Answer to second question is straight forward. The purpose is not different. I will not disprove the fact that there are misappropriation, same happen to in OT, but God know those who are his.

My Conclusion
Instead of finding fault in the way a preacher method of teaching on giving/tithing lets do much on teaching and enlightening our fellow Christian on the importance of Sanctification. A lot of Christian missed this.

(1Thess 4:3 [KJV]) For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

Selah

Summary of what is in the law and summary of the law, what is the difference. Is not what is in the Law, the Law?

I tried to answer your questions in a concise manner not to bore u but it seems like my thoughts were not fully conveyed in my answer. I will now try and make a more elaborate write up to answer you.


1. To what purpose did God command the Israelites to bring tithe?
I agree 100% with your answer on this, that is, to cater to the needs of the Levite's, the priestly tribe with no inheritance and in general to the upkeep of the house of God

2. Is the purpose above different from what it is today?
No it isn't but the means of achieving the purpose is. I will use another aspect of the Law as an analogy. The purpose of circumcision as recorded in Genesis is to serve as a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham. The covenant is perpetual, that is, it has no end. By that covenant God blessed Abraham and his descendants. Circumcision is the sign of the covenant, not the covenant: "And you shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, so that it may be a SIGN of the covenant between me and you"(Gen 17:11). Today we share in that covenant by virtue of our relationship with Christ, who by his incarnation is a son of Abraham and in whom the promise to Abraham is finally fulfilled. Now, what is the sign of our covenant with God, it's not a missing foreskin but the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in us . It is not a physical but an internal sign which manifests in us, it is the sign the people saw in Antioch and called the believers Christian
The purpose of circumcision is therefore fulfilled but by a greater means. Therefore, Peter said in speaking against Circumcision as a requirement for the gentiles: "God has chosen from among us, by my mouth, Gentiles to hear the word of the Gospel and to believe. And God who knows hearts, offers testimony, by giving the Holy spirit to them, just as to us" (Acts 15: 7-. The testimony, the sign is the Holy Spirit.
In the same vein, the Holy spirit meets the material needs of the Church not by imposing a tithe but by the faithfuls giving according to the Spirit who incites us to do what is right. If therefore tithes are imposed today on Christians, what then is the proof of the Holy Spirit in us. It is the same Spirit that made the early Church live without anyone lacking, each giving according to what he had(Acts 4: 34-35)

Osezua:
Please do a study of the book of Hebrews in addition to your study for a fuller understanding about the Tithe.

The tithe pre-dated the Levitical Priesthood (the Aaronic Order/Priesthood) as seen in Genesis Chapter 14 when Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek (the first mention of the tithe in the Bible). This Priesthood of Melchizedek foreshadowed the priesthood of Christ which is now in pace and eternal.

The tithe belongs to the Priesthood of Christ in essence and was only fleshed out in pattern under the Mosaic Law. The priesthood of Aaron served by the Levites has since passed away, giving way to that of Christ who is our Eternal High Priest “over the house of God” (Hebrews 10:21), who lives forever, and is at the right hand of God to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34)

Regarding the tithe in Malachi, you are right that the admonition was to the Levites who were serving priests under the then High Priest Aaron. They were commanded to receive tithes of their brethren and “heave up” 10% of the 10% they collected, to the High Priest (Aaron and his sons that they eat it – Lev. 24:9). When they failed to do this as representatives of their brethren, the Israelites, they committed a sin by robbing the High Priest (God’s representative on behalf of the children of Israel) and ultimately God Himself, because the tithe “is the Lord’s; it is holy unto the Lord” (Lev. 27:30).

This sinful behaviour would adversely impact their innocent brethren because God’s blessing would not be released upon their economic efforts (agricultural in those days).

Listen to the Hebrews 7:8 “And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.” Who do you think the Scripture is referring to here “who lives forever”? You say Christ did not receive tithe but here the Bible tells us that He does “he receiveth” is present continuous tense! After He made the “once for all” sacrifice for our sins, He set aside the Aaronic priesthood, which was still in force while He was here on earth. That is why He didn’t receive tithes while He was still here on earth! The Aaronic order had not been annulled. But now that Christ is risen and ascended to Heaven, He sits at the right hand of God as our High Priest making intercession for us before the Father, and so is entitled to His tithes as High Priest!!!

To understand how the TITHE is applicable in the New Testament requires an understanding of the Priesthood of Christ in the New Testament. The TITHE belongs to the Priesthood, and the only one existing now is that of Christ’s!

Beloved, please let us as ministers not take a position and then look for scriptures to back up our scripturally untenable position. Let us rather “teach out of the Bible” and “not into it”. To say that paying and receiving tithe “is a sin” is the display highest level of biblical illiteracy concerning the High Priesthood of Christ over His Church and a satanic attempt to deprive Him of the honour due Him by His Church as our eternal High Priest (and master), and God as our Heavenly Father (Malachi 1:6). For you to take this position, you must be able to show us unequivocally from scripture where it says giving or receiving tithes in the New Testament is a sin.

We must beware being used as agents of the devil in counteracting God’s expressed will written in the Holy Scriptures.

Please read and prayerfully study Hebrews 7 and ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes of understanding.

I expounded extensively on this in my Book “Can Pastors Steal Church Money? – A Biblical Exposition on Church Finances”. You may want to get a copy and read. I believe it will help your understanding.

The problem we have in the Church is not the Biblical principle of the Tithe, but the preponderance of false prophets who are deceiving the sheep with false prophecies, teachings, and other deceptive means, to illegitimately extract money from them to which they are not entitled as FASLE PROPHETS.

The TITHE is the Lord’s…whether in the Old Testament or the New.
Selah.

u were busy quoting Hebrew 7. av u not read that Paul says if there is change in priesthood (from Melchizedek to Jesus) there is need for change of law also??

Hebrews 7:12 KJV
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

my main question is that why was it not recorded anywhere in the bible that Christ or the apostles received or pay it.
was tithe meant to be done In monetary form