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RE: Want to Save Money? Just Quit Church! Really?
Alright, let me answer it here because of @goldenproject, and this would be long, but it is worth it, trust me.
For the issue with tithes, it is a commandment given by God to Moses in the Old Testament. This was because in those days, and after God delivered the people of Israel, He needed some people to serve as intermediaries between Him and the children of Israel, so He appointed the Levites, who are the priests. Everyone got their inheritances, but for the Levites, their inheritance was that every firstfruits and one-tenth (tithes) of their produce must be given to them as a reward for their works and services in the temple according to God.
References to this are found in these scriptures and I would love us to take out time to read, too: Numbers 18 vs 21, 26, Proverbs 3 vs 9-10, 2 Chronicles 31 vs 4-5, Deuterenomy 12 vs 5-6, Genesis 14 vs 19-20, 28 vs 20-22, Nehemiah 10 vs 35-37, Leviticus 27 vs 30-34 (this part mentioned it again as a command from God) this was because these levites weren't working apart from being in the temple as commanded by God, so, they eat from these tithes from the children.
The book of Malachi 3 vs 8-12 emphasised that we rob God when we do not pay our tithes. Today, the Levites are the pastors, priests and shepherds God has called into ministry, especially in full-time ministry. Our tithes, which are a commandment, serve as their inheritance and remember the Bible says workers must be paid their wages, right?
One would think that was in the Old Testament, right? And that was in the past before the New Testament came, you would say. Now, read Romans 3 vs 21-31 where Apostle Peter was trying to counter their argument that since Christ has come to die for our sins, these laws should be abolished. But he said no. Why? Our faith doesn't nullify the laws given to Moses by God, but we are expected to uphold them.
Finally, Jesus also confirmed this in Matthew 5 vs 17 that He didn't come to destroy the laws but to fulfil them, and that is where we have the part of giving generously, which includes paying tithes. There is no place in the Bible that says payment of tithes is not mandatory. It is a commandment from God Himself, which Jesus also confirmed that we must uphold them, and the book of James 4 vs 17 says that when we know what is right and we do not do them, we are guilty of sin.
I hope you understand this, and I implore us to keep studying our Bible so we aren't deceived by what the culture or religious rituals say because the scripture warns us to test every spirit by consulting the word of God, too. We don't believe everything we are told outside, and how do we know the truth and wrong when we don't study the Bible ourselves?
It is when we do not read the Bible to know these laws that we assume some things aren't mandated and not a sin, just as @goldenproject said, which is not true.
Thank you for your time. I would be here to answer more questions if there are 😊
Good morning, Princess.
Sorry I'm only replying now, got too busy until I slept off. I appreciate your well explained points about tithes, I actually expected these points so yeah, you sure know verses to back up what you believe is right but let me come in from here.
You know that what we believe will work for us does work for us right? Because I hear people say they have been experiencing God's blessings because they pay their tithes. Does that mean others are not being blessed by God? Even idol worshippers are blessed if they know the importance of giving. But that's by the way.
Tithe is a commandment from God as stated in Leviticus 27:30-34 which you mentioned too, did you see who God commanded? The Israelites! Yes, we are descendants of Israelites but we are definitely not the Israelites but a royal priesthood 1 Peter 2:9 bought at a price (Christ's blood) 1 Peter 1:18-19. I'm sure you've read in all the verses it was mentioned that God said, "This is my Son in whom I am well pleased, listen to Him".
The Israelites were not Christians as they had to do sacrifices to cleanse them from their sins unlike us today who Christ have died for and we only need to go through Him to be forgiven (we are to be Christ-likes). If you want to pay tithes like the Israelites did according to God's commandment, why aren't you doing animal sacrifices and keeping sabbath days holy like they did too? Now, you'll say because Christ have taken those away. And you don't think Christ didn't take the law of tithing too? James 2:10 said you're guilty if you offend in one law and do others.
Why go the hard way when Christ have given us a better way? Did we ever see an example of Christ and his apostles paying tithes? No! Why? Jesus Christ is the High priest and we are His Priesthood. Heb 8:1-2, 6. Who did the Israelites pay tithes to? Priests and today, Christians are priests... Do you pay the tithes to yourself then? What did the Israelites pay as tithes? First fruits of land produce, even those who had only money had to change it to land produce before they gave it as tithes (are you doing same with your tithe payments?)
Yes, tithes were a command by God to the Israelites but that was before Christ came to fulfill the law and give us a better covenant that is accessible by every human and not just to the house of Israel like God did. Heb 8:6-7. Going back to actually do the laws before Christ instead of learning of how God dealt with people before, is simply implying that you don't think Christ's commandments are perfect.
Christ died for you, do what He commands and that way, you're obeying God. But if you follow the Israelites to pay tithe today, how is your righteousness superceding theirs? If you want to pay tithes, do it right and you'll see it's harder than just putting money in an envelope. But christ gave a better command on how to give - 1 Cor 16:1-2. That money gathered can be used to care for the church if we know how important it is to give. Giving generally calls for more blessings, it's not because you pay tithes that isn't even meant for you, Christian to pay.
Read the whole of Heb 8 for a better understanding of why the law has been fulfilled and you should focus on Christ's commandments as his follower.
Any question is welcomed! 🙂
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