Tithing…Is it a command?

[Sean]

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Tithes

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(Anglo-Saxon teotha, a tenth).

Generally defined as "the tenth part of the increase arising from the profits of land and stock, allotted to the clergy for their support or devoted to religious or charitable uses". A more radical definition is "the tenth part of all fruits and profits justly acquired, owed to God in recognition of his supreme dominion over man, and to be paid to the ministers of the church".

The custom of giving tithes reaches back into unknown antiquity. It is mentioned in Genesis 14, without anything to indicate that it was something newly instituted. Just as Abraham is there represented as offering tithes of the spoils of the enemy to the royal priest, Melchisedech, so in Genesis 28, Jacob is recorded as giving a tithe of all his possessions to the Lord. Under the Mosaic Law the payment of tithes was made obligatory. The Hebrews are commanded to offer to God the tenth part of the produce of the fields, of the fruits of the trees, and the firstborn of oxen and of sheep (Leviticus 27:30; Deuteronomy 14:22). In Deuteronomy there is a mention not only of an annual tithe, but also of a full tithe to be paid once every three years. While it was to God Himself that the tithes had to be paid, yet we read (Numbers 18:21) that He transfers them to His sacred ministers: "I have given to the sons of Levi all the tithes of Israel for a possession, for the ministry wherewith they serve me in the tabernacle of the covenant." In paying the tithe, the Hebrews divided the annual harvest into ten parts, one of which was given to the Levites after the first-fruits had been subtracted. This was partitioned by them among the priests. The remainder of the harvest was then divided into ten new parts, and a second tithe was carried by the head of the household to the sanctuary to serve as a sacred feast for his family and the Levites.

If the journey to the temple was unusually long, money could be substituted for the offering in kind. At the triennial tithe, a third decimation was made and a tenth part was consumed at home by the householder with his family, the Levites, strangers, and the poor. This triennial year was called the year of tithes (Deuteronomy 26:12). As the tithes were the main support of the priests, it was later ordained that the offerings should be stored in the temple (2 Chronicles 31:11). It is to be noted that the custom of paying sacred tithes was not peculiar to the Israelites, but common to all ancient peoples. In Lydia a tithe of cattle was offered to the gods; the Arabians paid a tithe of incense to the god Sabis; and the Carthaginians brought tithes to Melkarth, the god of Tyre. The explanation of why the tenth part should have been chosen among so many different peoples is said to be (apart from a common primitive revelation) that mystical signification of the number ten, viz., that it signifies totality, for it contains all the numbers that make up the numerical system, and indeed all imaginable series of numbers, and so it represents all kinds of property, which is a gift of God. All species of property were consequently reckoned in decades, and by consecrating one of these parts to God, the proprietor recognized the Source of his goods. However, the payment of tithes was also a civil custom. They were payable to the Hebrew kings and to the rulers of Babylon, and they are mentioned among the Persians, Greeks, Romans, and later the Mohammedans.

In the Christian Church, as those who serve the altar should live by the altar (1 Corinthians 9:13), provision of some kind had necessarily to be made for the sacred ministers. In the beginning this was supplied by the spontaneous offerings of the faithful. In the course of time, however, as the Church expanded and various institutions arose, it became necessary to make laws which would insure the proper and permanent support of the clergy. The payment of tithes was adopted from the Old Law, and early writers speak of it as a divine ordinance and an obligation of conscience. The earliest positive legislation on the subject seems to be contained in the letter of the bishops assembled at Tours in 567 and the canons of the Council of Maçon in 585. In course of time, we find the payment of tithes made obligatory by ecclesiastical enactments in all the countries of christendom. The Church looked on this payment as "of divine law, since tithes were instituted not by man but by the Lord Himself" (C. 14, X de decim. III, 30). As regards the civil power, the Christian Roman emperors granted the right to churches of retaining a portion of the produce of certain lands, but the earliest instance of the enforcement of the payment of ecclesiastical tithes by civil law is to be found in the capitularies of Charlemagne, at the end of the eighth century. English law very early recognized the tithe, as in the reigns of Athelstan, Edgar, and Canute before the Norman Conquest. In English statute law proper, however, the first mention of tithes is to be found in the Statute of Westminister of 1285. Tithes are of three kinds: predial, or that derived from the annual crops; mixed, or what arises from things nourished by the land, as cattle, milk, cheese, wool; and personal or the result of industry or occupation. Predial tithes were generally called great tithes, and mixed and personal tithes, small tithes. Natural substances having no annual increase are not tithable, nor are wild animals. When property is inherited or donated, it is not subject to the law of tithes, but its natural increase is. There are many exempted from the paying of tithes: spiritual corporations, the owners of uncultivated lands, those who have acquired lawful prescription, or have obtained a legal renunciation, or received a privilege from the pope.

At first, the tithe was payable to the bishop, but later the right passed by common law to parish priests. Abuses soon crept in. The right to receive tithes was granted to princes and nobles, even hereditarily, by ecclesiastics in return for protection or eminent services, and this species of impropriation became so intolerable that the Third Council of Lateran (1179) decreed that no alienation of tithes to laymen was permissible without the consent of the pope. In the time of Gregory VIII, a so-called Saladin tithe was instituted, which was payable by all who did not take part personally in the crusade to recover the Holy Land. At the present time, in most countries where some species of tithes still exist, as in England (for the Established Church), in Austria, and Germany, the payment has been changed into a rent-charge. In English-speaking countries generally, as far as Catholics are concerned, the clergy receive no tithes. As a consequence, other means have had to be adopted to support the clergy and maintain the ecclesiastical institutions (see CHURCH MAINTENANCE), and to substitute other equivalent payments in lieu of tithes. Soglia (Institut, Canon, II, 12) says "The law of tithes can never be abrogated by prescription or custom, if the ministers of the Church have no suitable and sufficient provision from other sources; because then the natural and divine law, which can neither be abrogated not antiquate, commands that the tithe be paid." In some parts of Canada, the tithe is still recognized by civil law, and the Fourth Council of Quebec (1868) declared that its payment is binding in conscience of the faithful.

Sources

Ferraris, Bibliotheca canonica, III (Rome 1886), s.v., Decimae; Addis and Arnold, The Catholic Dictionary (6th ed., New York, 1889), s.v.; Selden, History of Tithes (London, 1618); Spelmen, Of Tythes (London, 1723).

About this page

APA citation. Fanning, W. (1912). Tithes. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved August 17, 2014 from New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14741b.htm

MLA citation. Fanning, William. "Tithes." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 14. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 17 Aug. 2014 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14741b.htm>.

[FlamingZword]

Originally Posted by Sean

What an evil, selfish and unbiblical message they preach to our messed up world through their GREED. I have been observing it for over 35 years of my life now. It is the #1 stumblingblock of the oneness movement, and the rest of Christianity for that matter.

It is precisely because of false accusations of GREED as yours that I have never touched a single penny in the ministry, on the contrary for over 30 years I have contributed thousands of dollars to the ministry without taking so much as a penny.

Yes I still preach and will continue to preach the tithe, but you my dear friend have falsely accused us ministers of teaching the tithe for GREED.

you know that you are wrong, for let anyone in heaven or upon this earth point to a single cent that I have ever taken from the ministry. Come on bring a witness from heaven or from earth and present him here for all to hear.

I knew this false accusation would be thrown in my face, that is why for all these 30 years I have suffered want and need and have rather gone without rather than take anything for even our basic necessities.

you my dear friend have deeply offended me and many of us ministers who have never once touch a single cent from the ministry, despite teaching the tithe, so don't let that stop you, go on and keep on Falsely telling people that we teach the tithe because we are greedy.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by FlamingZword

It is precisely because of false accusations of GREED as yours that I have never touched a single penny in the ministry, on the contrary for over 30 years I have contributed thousands of dollars to the ministry without taking so much as a penny.

Yes I still preach and will continue to preach the tithe, but you my dear friend have falsely accused us ministers of teaching the tithe for GREED.

you know that you are wrong, for let anyone in heaven or upon this earth point to a single cent that I have ever taken from the ministry. Come on bring a witness from heaven or from earth and present him here for all to hear.

I knew this false accusation would be thrown in my face, that is why for all these 30 years I have suffered want and need and have rather gone without rather than take anything for even our basic necessities.

you my dear friend have deeply offended me and many of us ministers who have never once touch a single cent from the ministry, despite teaching the tithe, so don't let that stop you, go on and keep on Falsely telling people that we teach the tithe because we are greedy.

It doesnt matter if you did not take a red cent for yourself. It only matters how you take the offering. The tithe tax is illegal and completely, scripturally unfounded for N.T. believers. BTW. I said "many" tithe teachers, not you in particular are greedy. You just found the shoe and put it on. This was a blanket statement of the ministers I personally know or know of, after 35 years of rubbing shoulders with them.

[Jason B]

Brothers accusing each other of greed gets us no where. Let's give each other the benefit of the doubt and keep the focus on the scripture and hermeneutics each side uses so perhaps some may see the error of their way.

Let us not speak hatefully one to another for we are brethren. Imperfect sinners saved by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who loves each of us the same, and enough to die for us. Let us keep that in mind as we discuss.

It is not sinful for us to discuss (even passionately) or to disagree. But it is for us to falsely accuse. We should think better of each other than that.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Jason Badejo

Brothers accusing each other of greed gets us no where. Let's give each other the benefit of the doubt and keep the focus on the scripture and hermeneutics each side uses so perhaps some may see the error of their way.

Let us not speak hatefully one to another for we are brethren. Imperfect sinners saved by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who loves each of us the same, and enough to die for us. Let us keep that in mind as we discuss.

It is not sinful for us to discuss (even passionately) or to disagree. But it is for us to falsely accuse. We should think better of each other than that.

Jason, I hear you, but the victims of this tax want their voice heard also. Sometimes we must voice our opinion of the realities of what this tax has caused. I spend 99% of my time debating scripture, but once in a while. It is ok to vent about the damage that unscriptural teachings have done.

[Godsdrummer]

Originally Posted by FlamingZword

It is precisely because of false accusations of GREED as yours that I have never touched a single penny in the ministry, on the contrary for over 30 years I have contributed thousands of dollars to the ministry without taking so much as a penny.

Yes I still preach and will continue to preach the tithe, but you my dear friend have falsely accused us ministers of teaching the tithe for GREED.

you know that you are wrong, for let anyone in heaven or upon this earth point to a single cent that I have ever taken from the ministry. Come on bring a witness from heaven or from earth and present him here for all to hear.

I knew this false accusation would be thrown in my face, that is why for all these 30 years I have suffered want and need and have rather gone without rather than take anything for even our basic necessities.

you my dear friend have deeply offended me and many of us ministers who have never once touch a single cent from the ministry, despite teaching the tithe, so don't let that stop you, go on and keep on Falsely telling people that we teach the tithe because we are greedy.

LOL it is my turn to tell you to take a breath. No one is accusing any particular person of Greed, But as my momma used to say "if the shoe fits wear it".

Having read through much of this thread again, I see many that are just parroting what they have been told or taught. Anyone that takes the time to read through the books of the law with the slightest intent for truth, can see that the 10% was not required of the whole nation, only those in agriculture. And that it was not for the sole support of the priest. The priest actually took much of their lively hood from the parts of the sacrifices that God designated for them. Thus the teaching of Paul "not muzzling the ox," And "they that do the work of ministry live of the things of the ministry".

Here is a major problem that I have with many that refer to the five fold ministry, as those that should receive these benefits. When they say the five fold ministry, they mean "pastors". Yet the term pastor is only used one time in the NT, and no time do we see today's structure of the church (one man over the rest of the church) in the early church. The structure of the church was a plurality of leaders, and they all had the privilege if so desired to partake of the benefits of ministry.

[FlamingZword]

Originally Posted by Godsdrummer

LOL it is my turn to tell you to take a breath. No one is accusing any particular person of Greed, But as my momma used to say "if the shoe fits wear it".

Having read through much of this thread again, I see many that are just parroting what they have been told or taught. Anyone that takes the time to read through the books of the law with the slightest intent for truth, can see that the 10% was not required of the whole nation, only those in agriculture. And that it was not for the sole support of the priest. The priest actually took much of their lively hood from the parts of the sacrifices that God designated for them. Thus the teaching of Paul "not muzzling the ox," And "they that do the work of ministry live of the things of the ministry".

Here is a major problem that I have with many that refer to the five fold ministry, as those that should receive these benefits. When they say the five fold ministry, they mean "pastors". Yet the term pastor is only used one time in the NT, and no time do we see today's structure of the church (one man over the rest of the church) in the early church. The structure of the church was a plurality of leaders, and they all had the privilege if so desired to partake of the benefits of ministry.

Dear Brother

This is not just an accusation against me, for I could care less what one person thinks of me, but I have known many working ministers who contribute to the ministry out of their own pockets. to broadbrush all Christian ministers as greedy just because a few are, is indeed a false and vicious attack upon the character of many ministers of the gospel.

However I do not expect an apology from this person, who is incapable of apologizing for his false accusation for he has already said that it is OK to lie as an attention getting device.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by FlamingZword

Dear Brother

This is not just an accusation against me, for I could care less what one person thinks of me, but I have known many working ministers who contribute to the ministry out of their own pockets. to broadbrush all Christian ministers as greedy just because a few are, is indeed a false and vicious attack upon the character of many ministers of the gospel.

However I do not expect an apology from this person, who is incapable of apologizing for his false accusation for he has already said that it is OK to lie as an attention getting device.

Brother, who accused you?....Not me....Was it your conscience?...only you can know. I wasnt even targeting you or I would have said you. This might be the Holy Ghost trying to show you something here. Not necessarily the GREEDY part, but teaching the lie of tithing to the saints part.
Try telling your saints that tithing is not mandatory, but it is blessable to give a steady amount to the ministry(as they are able, never marginalizing anyone by their giving status). You will find peace in the Lord with that message, and it is flawless.

[FlamingZword]

Originally Posted by Sean

Brother, who accused you?....Not me....Was it your conscience?...only you can know. I wasnt even targeting you or I would have said you. This might be the Holy Ghost trying to show you something here. Not necessarily the GREEDY part, but teaching the lie of tithing to the saints part.
Try telling your saints that tithing is not mandatory, but it is blessable to give a steady amount to the ministry(as they are able, never marginalizing anyone by their giving status). You will find peace in the Lord with that message, and it is flawless.

Whatever, you keep on going teaching whatever you want to teach.
I see you simply lack the decency to apologize for your attack upon many God fearing ministers of the Gospel.

Go on your merry way, I am thru discussing this matter with you.
I will not longer reply to this issue anymore.

[shag]

Hold up a minute brethren!


Let's just all do our best to try not to offend each other through what we post, and try not to be easily offended by somebody else's posts, and get back to discussing scripture in regards to tithing. Let brotherly love continue...

At the same time let's work thru this concerning tithes, if it's right or not to teach in the new testament, and if it is taught, how exactly it is to be taught.

Flame, you said you were going to go ahead and teach tithing from now on, my question to you is how are you going to teach it based off of scripture? Based off of Scripture, how are you going to teach who all in this new covenant Kingdom "royal priesthood" is the payee, who all in this "priesthood" is allowed to receive it, is it an "obligatory principle" or is it permissable not to pay or receive, and can it be paid or received in labor, material things, food etc instead of money, and who all has the right to decide that? Is the yr of jubilee a foreshadow if taking a yr off tithing in the nt?
If your going to teach it, how are you going to break all that down, and do you have the authority?




Jason said it the other day, and this is the bottom line, "When we exceed the authority and teaching of scripture then everything becomes subjective."

Jason, I appreciate and greatly respect your efforts to work big hours, as you have in the past, while now also pastoring. May God reward you greatly in this life and the one to come for your driven dedication.




Let's all hang in here, and scripturally defend our convictions concerning the tithe...nobody run off!


Sean, chill a little. The Bible does say speak evil of no man. It's hard to win somebody to your cause if they're offended.