The tithing we have in the Old Testament no longer applies today; in the New Testament, we have voluntary offerings to support God’s work.
The book of Hebrews, especially chapters 9 and 10, makes it very clear that all the Old Testament ceremonies ended with the coming of Christ, since they only represented the one who was to come, they were the shadows of the reality that is Christ. In addition to this epistle, Paul constantly speaks of the abolition of Old Testament ceremonies in the New Testament, as in Gl. 4. 8-11, Cl. 2. 8-23, etc. The question then is whether the tithe was part of the ceremonial law. or the moral law. The moral law is permanent (Mt 5,17-18) and the ceremonial law, as I said before, is transitory. Thus, depending on the place of the tithe, it is valid or not for today. When we analyzed the Old Testament, we realized that the tithe was totally related to the sacrificial system of the time, and that there were several types of tithes (Lev 27,32; Num 18,21-28; Dt 12,6- 17, 14. 22 -28, 26. 12). Being thus linked to the sacrifices and the veteran testamentary priesthood, tithing as practiced in the Old Testament is not practical today. Therefore, it is included in the ceremonial law and is therefore no longer applicable in the New Testament.
- Some use matthew 23.
- 23 to affirm that tithing is currently valid.
- But it is important to note that although the New Testament begins its narrative with the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus.
- The New Covenant did not really begin until Jesus’ death.
- Jesus (Mt 26:28; 27.
- 51; Col 2.
- 14; He 9.
- 11-17) So when Jesus said what is written on Mt 23:23.
- They were still in the Old Testament.
- Therefore this passage cannot prove the validity of tithing for the New Testament.
- Testament.
Others seek to defend the validity of tithing with the Hebrew passage, chapter 7, however, in this passage, the author of the letter only shows Christ’s superiority over the Old Testament priesthood by using Melchizedek as a type of Christ, since Aaron (representing the veterinary priesthood) paid the tithing to Melchizedek in the person of Abraham , showing his inferiority to Melchizedek. The purpose of the passage is not to say whether tithing is valid or not today, but to show the superiority of the priesthood of Christ.
That said, it is important to mention that many Christians are willing to deny the validity of tithing for our day, not because they want to give more, but because they want to give less or nothing, for these I tell them that anyone who converted to the Lord, but did not convert their pocket, must reassess their conversion. The Christian recognizes that not only 10% of his salary belongs to the Lord, but all of his property. Therefore, the true Christian makes financial plans not to spend on superfluous things, so that he can contribute as much as possible to the Kingdom of God, voluntarily. The true Christian does not seek to live a life of luxury, because his god is not money, but the Lord, whom he puts first.
Let us take the example of the contribution of the early church. The widow of the temple gave all she had (Lk 21:1-4). The early Christians sold the property and deposited all the value at the feet of the Apostles (At. 4. 34-37). The poor of Macedonia have contributed beyond their means (II Co. 8. 1-3). This is the standard that the Christian must follow.
We should also remember that the shepherds God has appointed to shepherd the flock need support, and it is the church’s responsibility to provide it (1C 9. 3-14;). Therefore, voluntary offerings are also used to offset the pastor’s salary, provided that he with the material resources necessary to continue proclaiming the gospel.
For brethren who gather in churches where tithing is practiced (as is also my case), I have recommended that they continue to shed tithing, but consider it in their hearts as a voluntary offering, and not simply by contributing one-tenth. , but as much as possible, as was the case in the early church.
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