Modern Tithing is Based on Many False Assumptions

by Russell Earl Kelly, Ph. D. - www.shouldthechurchteachtithing.com

The following points of this essay contrast the false teachings used to support tithing with what God’s Word actually says.

Point #1: N. T. Giving Principles in Second Corinthians 8 and 9 are Superior to Tithing.
Free-will giving existed before tithing. The following New Covenant free-will principles are found in Second Corinthians, chapters 8 and 9: (1) Giving is a "grace.” These chapters use the Greek word for "grace" eight times in reference to helping poor saints. (2) Give yourself to God first (8:5). (3) Give yourself to knowing God’s will (8:5). (4) Give in response to Christ’s gift (8:9; 9:15). (5) Give out of a sincere desire (8:8, 10, 12; 9:7). (6) Do not give because of any commandment (8:8, 10; 9:7). (7) Give beyond your ability (8:3, 11, 12). (8) Give to produce equality. This means that those who have more should give more in order to make up for the inability of those who cannot afford to give as much (8:12-14). (9) Give joyfully (8:2). (10) Give because you are growing spiritually (8:3, 4, 7). (11) Give because you want to continue growing spiritually (9:8, 10, 11). (12) Give because you are hearing the gospel preached (9:13).

Point #2: In God’s Word the Tithe is Always Only Food!
The false teaching is that biblical tithes include ALL sources of income.

Point #3: Money Was an Essential Non-Tithed Item
The false assumption is that food barter usually replaced money.

16 more points ...

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Point #4: Abraham’s Tithe to Melchizedek Reflected Pagan Tradition.
The false teaching is that Abraham freely gave tithes because it was God’s will.

Point #5: Tithing Was Not a Minimum Required from All Old Covenant Israelites
The false teaching is that everybody was to begin their giving level at ten per cent.

Point #6: First-Tithes were Received by Servants to the Priests.
The false teaching is that Old Testament priests received all of the first tithe.

Point #7: "It is Holy to the LORD" Does Not Make Tithing an Eternal Moral Principle.
The false teaching is that Leviticus 27:30-33 proves that the tithe is an "eternal moral principle" because "it is holy to the LORD."

Point #8: First-fruits are Not the Same as Tithes
The false assumption is that tithes are first-fruits.

Point #9: There are Four Different Tithes Described in the Bible.
The false teaching ignores all other tithes and focuses on an incorrect interpretation of the first religious tithe.

Point #10: Jesus, Peter, Paul and the Poor Did Not Tithe!
The false teaching is that everybody in the Old Testament was required to begin their giving to God at the ten per cent level.

Point #11: Tithes were Often Used as Political Taxes.
The false teaching is that tithes are never comparable to taxes or taxation.

Point #12: Levitical Tithes Were Usually Taken to the Levitical Cities.
False teachers want us to think that all tithes were formerly taken to the Temple and should now be taken to the "church storehouse” building.

Point #13: Malachi 3 is the Most Abused Tithing Text in the Bible.
The false teaching about tithes from Malachi 3 ignores five important Bible facts.

Point #14: The New Testament Does Not Teach Tithing.
The false teaching is that Jesus taught tithing in Matthew 23:23 which, they say, is clearly in the New Testament.

Point #15: Limited Old Covenant Priests Were Replaced by All Believer-Priests.
The false teaching is that New Covenant elders and pastors are simply continuing where the Old Covenant priests left off and are due the tithe.

Point #16: The New Covenant Church is Neither a Building nor a Storehouse.
The false teaching is that Christian buildings called "churches," "tabernacles" or "temples" replaced the OT Temple as God’s dwelling places.

Point #17 The Church Grows by Using Better New Covenant Principles.
The false teaching implies that principles of grace giving are not as good as Old Covenant principles of giving.

Point #18: The Apostle Paul Preferred That Church Leaders Be Self-Supporting.
The false teaching is that Paul taught and practiced tithing.

Point #19: Tithing Did Not Become a Law in the Church until A. D. 777.
The false teaching is that the historical church has always taught tithing.