Monday, October 19, 2026

ESSAYS ON MATTHEW 23:23 REGARDING TITHING

In Matthew 23:23 Jesus was addressing the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and the Nation of the Israel. The New Testament church is not the Nation of Israel under the law of Moses and has no command to tithe anything to anyone.

When did Jesus say those words? Under the Old Testament. Hint...

Hebrews 9:16 - "For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator."

To whom did He say them to? Hint...

TAKING MATTHEW 23:23 OUT OF CONTEXT TO PROVE YOUR FALSE CLAIM THAT "JESUS AFFIRMS CHRISTIAN TITHING" INSTRUCTS A CHRISTIAN TO TITHE

Matthew 23:23 - "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."

DON'T IGNORE THE CONTEXT

No scripture is to be interpreted outside of the context of all other scripture, as scripture tells us; 

2 Peter 1:20 - "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation."

2 Timothy 3:16-17 - "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

If you are going to place the New Testament Church in Matthew 23:23 being instructed to tithe, you cannot conveniently separate and isolate Matthew 23:23 from the remaining verses of Matthew Chapter 23 and exclude the New Testament Church from those verses.

If Matthew 23:23 is written to the church "affirming Christian tithing," then in proper context, respecting the context, this is also addressing the Body of Christ affirming the following by Jesus...

The Body of Christ is a hypocrite; Matthew 23:3 - "All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not."

The Body of Christ burdens people down with heavy burdens; Matthew 23:4 - "For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers."

The Body of Christ are terribly egotistical, and are braggarts; Matthew 23:5-7 - "But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi." 

The Body of Christ closes the door to people who would seek to enter heaven; Matthew 23:13 - "But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in."

The Body of Christ is a hypocrite who devour widows' houses and worse, making people children of hell; Matthew 23:14-15 - "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves."

The Body of Christ are fools and blind; Matthew 23:17 - "Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?"

The Body of Christ is a blind guide; Matthew 23:24 - "Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel." 

The Body of Christ is full of extortion and excess; Matthew 23:25 - "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess."

The Body of Christ is a whited sepulchres, full of dead men's bones; Matthew 23:27 - "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness."

The Body of Christ is a builder of tombs of the prophets, and graves of righteous; Matthew 23:29 - "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,"

The Body of Christ are children of them which killed the prophets; Matthew 23:31 - "Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets." 

The Body of Christ are serpents and a generation of vipers; Matthew 23:33-34 - "Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:"

The Body of Christ is full of hypocrisy and iniquity; Matthew 23:28 - "Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity."

THE BODY OF CHRIST FACING DAMNATION

If Matthew 23:23 is addressing the Body of Christ, then the Body of Christ is facing damnation and are serpents and a generation of vipers; Matthew 23:33-34  Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: 

ADDITIONALLY 

The context of the "ought to have done" in Matthew 23:23, often quoted by tithing teachers and their so-called "tithers," in a false claim that Jesus is commanding New Testament Christians to "tithe," was IN FACT a commandment to DO the Law of Moses. The phrase "and not to leave the other undone" is also a commandment to DO the Law of Moses.

NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANS ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW OF MOSES, and have no commandment to tithe anything to anyone.

Hebrews 7:18-19 - "For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God."

Acts 15:24 - "Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:"

Ephesians 2:15 - "Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;"

CONCLUSION 

Matthew 23:23 is not addressing the Body of Christ, and is not affirmation of so-called "Christian tithing," or "New Testament tithing."

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MATTHEW 23:23; A BREAKDOWN PHRASE BY PHRASE

Matthew 23:23; "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."

BREAKDOWN PHRASE BY PHRASE, FIVE PARTS...

>> ONE...

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!"

Target audience; hypocritical scribes and Pharisees. Ergo; Israelis under the Law and Commandments of Moses during the time of the Law, not the New Testament Church which was not in existence at the time Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees. Under the New Testament, the Law of Moses, including any command to tithe, is discontinued; Hebrews 7:18 - "For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof." Acts 15:24 - "Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:"

>> TWO...

"for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin,"

Jesus confirms that the holy tithe was agricultural products being tithed on, not money from income; Agricultural products; Nehemiah 10:38, Lev. 27:30, 32, Num. 18:27, Num. 18:28, Deut 12:17, Deut. 14:22, Deut. 14:23, Deut. 24:21, Deut. 26:12, 2 Chron. 31:5, 2 Chron. 31:6, Neh. 10:37, Neh. 13:5, Mal. 3:10, Matt. 23:23, Luke 11:42.

>> THREE...

"and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith:"

Deuteronomy 27:26 - "Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen." James 2:10 - "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." Galatians 5:3 - "For I testify again to every man that is circumcised [i.e., keeping the Law of Moses], that he is a debtor to do the whole law."

>> FOUR...

"these ought ye to have done,"

Jesus confirms that YES they should be tithing, as they were doing at that time being under the Law of Moses, but the church is NOT Israel, and the church is NOT under the Law of Moses. See; Malachi 3:7, Malachi 4:4, Hebrews 7:5, AND; Acts 15:24 - "Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave NO such commandment:"

Romans 6:14-15 - "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid."

>> FIVE...

"and not to leave the other undone."

Jesus corrected their lack of observing and not obeying the more important matters of the Law such as judgment, mercy, and faith;

Mercy; Exodus 33:19 - "And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy." Leviticus 19:18 - "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD."

Judgment; Exodus 18:16 - "When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws."

Faith; Leviticus 18:5 - "Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD."  James 2:17 - "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."

CONCLUSION 

Jesus' words in Matthew 23:23 are not a commandment to the New Testament Church to hand over ten percent of their income to a church or minister. Jesus was addressing the legalistic hypocritical tithing practices of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus went on to say to them the following; 

Matthew 23:24-28 - "Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.  Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity." ...ETC. 

This strong rebuke in Matthew 23:24-28, etc, was to the hypocritical scribes and Pharisees of Israel. If Matthew 23:23 is directed to the New Testament Church, why isn't Matthew 23:24-28 also directed to the New Testament Church? Clearly it is not. Matthew 23:23 is not a call or commandment for "Christian tithing." 

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MATTHEW 23:23; "OUGHT TO HAVE DONE"

Matthew 23:23 - "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."

THE CONTENT

The context of the "ought to have done" in Matthew 23:23, often quoted by tithing teachers and their so-called "tithers," in a false claim that Jesus is commanding New Testament Christians to "tithe," was IN FACT a commandment to DO the Law of Moses. The phrase "and not to leave the other undone" is also a commandment to DO the Law of Moses.

Have you not read, do you not understand!?... 

NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANS ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW OF MOSES, and have no commandment to tithe anything to anyone.

Hebrews 7:18-19 - "For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God."

Or, this?... 

Acts 15:24 - "Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:"

Or, this?... 

Ephesians 2:15 - "Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;"

CONCLUSION 

MATTHEW 23:23's "OUGHT TO HAVE DONE" IS NOT A COMMANDMENT FOR CHRISTIANS TO TITHE

Romans 6:14  - "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." - 

Galatians 3:24-25 - "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster."

Galatians 5:4 - "You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace."

>> Additionally; 

>> God's commanded tithe was limited to fruits, vegetables and clean animals; agricultural products from the Promised Land of Israel, from nowhere else, from nothing else...

See - Lev. 27:30, 32, Num. 18:27, Num. 18:28, Deut 12:17, Deut. 14:22, Deut. 14:23, Deut. 24:21, Deut. 26:12, 2 Chron. 31:5, 2 Chron. 31:6, Neh. 10:37, Neh. 13:5, Mal. 3:10, Matt. 23:23 and Luke 11:42.

Note: 31 times in 17 verses in the Bible, God's Word states the tithe is declared to be fruits, vegetables and clean animals from the Promise Land, and 14 times that we have listed above, God's Word records the use of money over a long period of time.

>> Verses confirming they had money from income, yet no scriptural reference records money being used for tithing...

See - Genesis 23;12-16, Exodus 38:28, Leviticus 5:15, Leviticus 27:3, Leviticus 27:4, Leviticus 27:5, Leviticus 27:6, Leviticus 27:7, Leviticus 27:16, Numbers 3:47, Numbers 3:50, Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 12:41-42, Acts 8:20.

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Misuse of Matthew 23:23 by Deceptive Tithing Teachers 

Tithing teachers often refer to Matthew 23:23 claiming that Jesus instructed tithing for New Testament Believes in this verse of scripture. This claim is utterly false and a clear misuse of the scripture. 

>>> The passage of scripture; 

"Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." - Matthew 23:23 

>>> The false claims; 

1. Jesus was instructing New Testament Christians to tithe. 

2. Jesus said that tithing is something you (Christians) "ought to do." 

3. Jesus validated tithing for Christians in Matthew 23:23. 

4. Jesus spoke Matthew 23:23 in the New Testament gospel of Matthew therefore tithing is a New Testament principle and instructions for Christians to tithe. 

>>> The facts; 

1. "Woe unto you, Scribes and Pharisees" ...Jesus was talking directly to Scribes and Pharisees, Jews who were at that time under and subject to the Law of Moses. Jesus did not make His statements under the New Testament / New Covenant era which instructs NO ONE to tithe. 

Much of what was written and recorded in the four Gospels takes place in the Old Testament period. The New Testament era did not begin until the death and resurrection of Jesus. Some scholars believe that the New Testament / New Covenant era did not officially begin until the day of Pentecost. Either way, when Jesus was addressing the Scribes and Pharisees in Mathew 23:23 it was a time when they were under the Law of Moses, not the New Testament. 

To whom Jesus was addressing and under what circumstances He was doing so is vitally important in properly establishing the facts and avoiding the conclusion of false and misleading claims. 

2. "hypocrites!" ...Jesus was addressing the hypocrisy of their actions of paying tithes, which was not an act of hypocrisy in itself, but in the case of the Scribes and Pharisees Jesus was talking to, the manner and motivation in which they were paying tithe was in question by Jesus who called out their hypocrisy. 

The primary point of Matthew 23:23 is not to command tithing, but rather to expose the error of keeping the letter of the law and at the same time failing in the spirit of the law, which is in the end the real point of the law. 

> This same principle is seen here in Jesus' statement... 

"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." Matthew 5:27-28 

3. "for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, "...The scribes and Pharisees were in fact paying tithes (this will become important later). 

4. "and have omitted the weightier matters of the law" ...Jesus included tithing as a matter of the law, but went on to state that tithing was not as important a matter of the law as was other more important (weightier) matters of the law such as judgment, mercy, and faith. 

It is clear that He did so, included tithing as a matter of the law, by stating immediately after speaking of tithing Jesus said "and have omitted the weightier matters of the law." That is to say... 

a. Tithing was a matter of the law, codified in the law, regulated in the law and was a part of the law. 

b. Tithing was not the most important part of the law, leading to... 

c. There are more important matters of the law which the Scribes and Pharisees failed to obey. The point being was that the Scribes and Pharisees were keeping to the letter of the law by tithing, but entirely missing the deeper meaning of the law, that is to say proper judgment, mercy, and faith, that they should have understood and acted on. Because of not doing so, their tithing was hypocrisy. The word "hypocrite" means "actor," as in they were outwardly acting out the law, but inwardly rejecting the more important subjects of the law. 

d. In short; you Scribes and Pharisees tithed based on the law, but fail at the more important matters of the law. 

5. "and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done," ...After stating that they fell short of the more important issues of the law, again; judgment, mercy, and faith, Jesus stated that "these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." 

6. "and not to leave the other undone." ...Continuing from point 3 above; Jesus was NOT instructing the Scribes and Pharisees to do something, that is to say "not to leave it undone," that they were ALREADY DOING; namely tithing. They were already tithing, there was NO NEED to tell them to tithe by saying "THESE THINGS you ought to have done." 

> Note: "THESE THINGS" (plural), not "THIS THING" (singular)... 

"THESE THINGS" "judgment, mercy, and faith," ...three items, three subjects. 

Not "THIS THING" as in a single subject of tithing, as it would be stated if Jesus was referring to a single subject such as tithing. 

Jesus did not waste His time instructing someone to do something He knew they were already doing, but He did call out and expose the fact that their reason and motivation was wrong and hypocritical in what they were doing. 

The phrase "these ought ye to have done," is clearly referring to "judgment, mercy, and faith," not tithing BECAUSE they were already tithing. No one tells someone to do something they are already doing unless they do so in ignorance. Jesus was not speaking in ignorance. It is NOT, as many tithing teachers claim, referring to tithing as something we "ought to have done." 

Also, notice the PAST TENSE of the phrase "these ought ye to have done," NOT "these things you must continue to do as New Testament Believers." Jesus was clearly referring to something they, the Scribes and Pharisees, had not done in the past, something He was commanding that they should do. 

7. The "tithing principle;" as some tithing teachers are now claiming; Jesus spoke of NO "tithing principle" or "universal tithing principle" in Matthew 23:23. There is no "tithing principle" apart from actual instructions for tithing found in the law or scriptures referring to the Law of Moses. We are not under Law of Moses. "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." - Romans 6:14 

>>> Closing Comment... 

"Text taken out of context is a pretext to deceptive text." 

Three words for proper scriptural interpretation... 

Context, context, context. 

*******************

In Matthew 23:23 Jesus was addressing the hypocritical tithing practices of the Jewish Pharisees under the Law of Moses from the Nation of Israel. The church is not the Nation of Israel, is not under the Law of Moses and has no command to tithe. See Rom 6:14, Gal 5:13-14, Titus 2:11-15, Psa 119:128-130, Eph 5:1, 1 John 3:1-3.

Jesus' Words in Matthew 23:23

If Jesus instructed the New Testament Church to tithe based on Matthew 23:23 then the Church has a big problem, and here is why...

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." - Matthew 23:23

1. To men with a lot of personal wealth, a lot of money, the Pharisees, Jesus confirmed that tithes were to be surrendered as fruits, vegetables...(and in the case of herdsmen, clean livestock); "ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin..." Jesus did NOT instruct them to stop paying tithes from "mint and anise and cummin" and begin paying tithes in monetary form (money).

Those Pharisees could have easily paid tithes in the form of money, but they and Jesus knew that tithes were ordered by the Law to be paid in fruits, vegetables, etc., NEVER money.

2. Jesus clearly defined ALL TITHING that God had established as a "matter of the Law;" that is to say; God's one and only tithing system was commanded, established, organized, defined and regulated IN THE LAW, and in NO WHERE ELSE except for scripture referring to the Law... Jesus said "and have omitted the weightier matters of the law," tithing was described firmly by Jesus as "matters of the Law." ...NOT a matter of Abraham tithing, or even Jacob promising to tithe, which Jacob never did, Jacob never tithed.

Tithing being a matter of the law (The Law of Moses) is also confirmed in Hebrews 7:5 - "And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:" 

NOTE: "according to the law,"

3. According to Jesus in Mathew 23:23, not only were those He was talking to required to tithe as the Law commands, the "weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith" were to be obeyed also. That is to say the person tithing under the Law (God's ONLY system of tithing) was required to do ALL that the Law commanded them... " these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." That "OTHER" is the whole Law.

> As James wrote in Scripture...

"For whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend on one point, he is guilty of all." - James 2:10

> Also, Deuteronomy tells us...

"Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen." - Deuteronomy 27:26

> And, Paul wrote in scripture...

"For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them." - Galatians 3:10

The conclusion is obvious; if you tithe GOD'S WAY, you must do so based on the Law, God has called no one to tithe because either Abraham or Jacob did, therefore you, by tithing under the Law, are cursed.

> Fortunately, we are NOT under the Law, and we are NOT instructed by God to tithe...

"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." - Romans 10:4

"For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." - Romans 6:14

Romans 7:6 - "But now we are DELIVERED FROM THE LAW, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter."

"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." - Galatians 3:24-25

>>> Jesus was talking to Jews, Pharisees, who were at that time, under the Law (there was NO New Testament at that time, 

Jesus had not gone to the Cross yet), and He was calling out their hypocritical tithing practices, Jesus was NOT instructing Christian to tithe. To conclude that He was is taking scripture out of context and is blatant foolishness.

>>> The bottom line is this; under the New Testament we are to be free will givers giving from what God has freely given us, and as GOD directs us to give...

"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." - Luke 6:38

Further comments...

In Matt. 23:23 (also Luke 11:42-49)...

A. Jesus was talking to Jews who were still under the Law at that time (Jesus had NOT gone to the cross, there was NO New Testament, the Law was still enforce), we are not under the Law.

B. The tithe they paid were in spices (fruits and vegetables; i.e., mint and dill and cummin), not money.

C. The tithing Jesus referred to was "matters of the Law;" i.e., tithing was based on the Law, we are not under the Law where God's system of tithing is established. "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law." - Galatians 5:18

D. Jesus was not teaching Christians to tithe; he was addressing the hypocrisy of the Pharisees in that they paid tithes but neglected the more important points of the Law such as faith, mercy, good judgment and Luke adds love. Jesus told them that "these things they ought to have done, and not neglect the other also."

E. The "other" was the rest of the Law, which they were neglecting. So if we are to tithe because Jesus referred to tithing in Matt. 23:23, we would have to obey ALL of the Law.

F. There is no indication in Matt. 23:23 (Luke 11:42-49) that Jesus was calling for the future Church, Christians, to tithe.

G. If we are to tithe based on Matt. 23:23 (Luke 11:42-49), we would also be obligated to obey all of the Law (James 2:10 - "For whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend on ONE POINT, he is guilty of all."). If tithing was required and taught in the New Testament for Christians, it would have to be clearly detailed and outlined in the terms and conditions of the New Testament like all promises and commands of the New Testament are.

Tithing instructions would be clearly included in the New Testament. No such terms, conditions or details are outlined anywhere in the New Testament. Tithing was never, is not now, and will never be part of the New Testament.

No Apostle ever taught tithing, asked for a tithe, rebuked any person or church for not tithing, or received a tithe. Not one of them. The early church (i.e. Book of Acts) NEVER tithed. We have NO record of them doing so.

And, God NEVER authorized a monetary tithe (the tithing of money).

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Saturday, October 17, 2026

ESSAYS ON HEBREWS CHAPTER SEVEN REGARDING TITHING


THE PURPOSE OF GOD IN ABRAHAM'S TITHE

We have recorded for us the following...

Genesis 14:18-20 - "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all."

THE PURPOSE

Abraham's tithe was a one time event that included a component of the Law of Moses by the Levites being present in Abraham's loins. (See; Hebrews 7:9)

It's purpose; it was used by God to demonstrate the superiority of the eternal Priesthood of Melchisedec over the temporary and inferior Priesthood of Levi. (See; Hebrews 7:6-7) It is not an excuse for your pastor or anyone else to pressure you into "paying your tithe because Abraham did." Abraham's tithe was NOT for the purpose of supporting a church or some other New Testament ministry.

Abraham's tithe had no other spiritual purpose and would have been spiritually useless unless it included the paying of a tithe in Abraham by the Levites to Melchisedec. If Abraham had not possessed the Levites in his loins representing the Law of Moses (See; Hebrews 7:11) upon paying a tithe to Melchisedec, it's highly unlikely that the tithing event would have been considered to be of a significant episode in Abraham's life and subsequently recorded in Genesis chapter fourteen, and then later referenced in Hebrews chapter seven along with explaining it's true purpose.

HEBREWS CHAPTER SEVEN

Hebrews 7:6-7 - "But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better." 

Hebrews 7:9 - "And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham."

Hebrews 7:11 - "If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?"

You cannot separate the Levites from the Law, the Law of Moses. 

WHY MELCHISEDEC THE GREATER? 

Scripture reveals why;

Hebrews 7:15-16 - "And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life."

Levi; "the law of a carnal commandment" ...that fades away; 2 Corinthians 3:4-11, "a ministry of death." Hebrews 7:8 - "And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth."

Melchisedec; "the power of an endless life" ... Hebrews 7:24 - "But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood."

CONCLUSION

Proving the superiority of the Priesthood of Melchisedec to the Hebrews (and the entire world) has been accomplished; you don't need to tithe again and again to prove it again and again.

You are NOT Abraham, you cannot pay a tithe to Melchisedec, or to anyone else, as Abraham did because you do not have the Levites in your loins and cannot prove the superiority of Melchisedec.

Paying a tithe as Abraham did is utterly useless and absolute unproductive nonsense for a Christian. No scripture in God's word instructs neither Jew or Gentile, in either the Old or New Testament to tithe as, or because Abraham did. 

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HEBREWS 7:8-9 IS NOT THE CHURCH TITHING TO JESUS

Hebrews 7:8 refers to the Levites, the Law of Moses tithing to Melchidek, not the New Testament church. The New Testament church is not the Nation of Israel, not the tribe of Levi, not the Law of Moses and has no command to tithe anything to anyone.

Tithing teachers attempt to teach their monetary tithing (money from income) to New Testament Christians by claiming that Hebrews 7:8-9 is "proof that tithing is a New Testament requirement." The scripture reads...

Hebrews 7:8-9 - "And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham."

FACTS CONCERNING HEBREWS 7:8-9

1. The Church is not the tribe of Levi, and does not represent the Law of Moses recorded in Hebrews 7:8-9 or in any other scripture. The New Testament Church was not present in Abraham as being referenced by the writer of Hebrews when Abraham tithed to Melchisedec. The focus is on Levi and the Law of Moses tithing to Melchisedec, not the other tribes or even Judah.

2. The purpose of Abram's tithe to Melchisedec was to prove and demonstrate the superiority of the Melchisedec priesthood (New Testament) over the Levite priesthood (Old Testament / Law of Moses).

3. If the individuals in Hebrews 7:8-9 were the New Testament Church tithing to Melchisedec (who also represents the Testament Church), we would see a situation of nothing being proven or demonstrated; Hebrews 7:8-9 is not presented as the New Testament paying a tithe to Melchisedec and cannot be used to make any such claim. 

4. Abraham's tithe to Melchisedec achived its purpose of proving the superiority of the Melchisedec priesthood, no further tithing is required, commanded or needed.

SIMPLE, CLEAR AND CONCISE

Hebrews 7:8 is the tribe if Levi representing the Law of Moses tithing through Abraham to Melchisedec ... ABRAHAM TO MELCHISEDEC ... not a Christian tithing money to a church or modern day pastor. (See; Hebrews 7:9)

The Church of Jesus Christ does not have a command to be as Leivites representing the Law of Moses tithing to Melchisedec, which said Melchisedec is claimed to be the Church authorized to receive tithes claimed to be "tithing to Jesus in Heaven."

Hebrews 7:8 is not a type, shadow or an example to be followed by the New Testament Church in tithing. Hebrews 7:8 is clearly descriptive, not prescriptive. The Levites tithing to Melchisedec has NEVER been cited in God's Word as an example to follow.

In reality, God's purpose of Abraham's tithe was the Levites (in the loins of Abraham), the Law (Hebrews 7:11), tithing to Melchizedek proving the superiority of the Priesthood of Melchizedek over the Levites;

Hebrews 7:7 - "And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better."

CONCLUSION

The transaction in Hebrews 7:8 accomplished what God needed it to accomplish. No further tithing is required, commanded, needed or is of any value.

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TITHE LIKE ABRAHAM?

To all you people who claim you're "tithing" because, or following the example of Abraham; tell us; why are you not also doing this with your money?... 

>> ONE;

Genesis 14:22-23 - "And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:"

NOTE; Abraham did not regard anything of what he had taken during the rescue of Lot (the spoils, Hebrews 7:4) as his own property to keep; "and that I will not take any thing THAT  IS  THINE."

>> TWO;

Abraham did not tithe on his own income or property he had already obtained, his tithe to Melchisedec was limited to the spoils of Lot's rescue;

Hebrews 7:4 - "Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils."

NOTE; "Abraham gave the TENTH OF THE SPOILS."

>> THREE; 

Abraham gave part of the spoils of Lot's rescue to the men who helped him do so; 

Genesis 14:24 - "Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion."

Are you giving part of your money to anyone helping you obtain it? Why not? Abraham did. Are you not following the example of Abraham?

CONCLUSION 

Concluding the rescue Lot, Abraham kept ABSOLUTELY NOTHING from the spoils of war he took. Stop making a fool of yourself and displaying your ignorance by telling us "you tithe because Abraham did," or "you tithe because tithing was practiced before the Law of Moses." Stop living in a fantasy world; YOU ARE NOT TITHING AS ABRAHAM DID. And, God has never said to tithe because, or as Abraham did.

Oh, I almost forgot; that Hebrew, Jacob? ...forget it, he never tithed anything to anyone we have any record of. Jacob's offer to tithe was a VOW, not a command to tithe. Nice try, but Jacob can't help you in your foolish quest to support a fake unbiblical modern day "money tithing system" based on nothing more than the deceptive traditions of men which make void the world of God; 

"Traditions of men" that nullify the word of God refer to human-made rules, rituals, or doctrines elevated above divine commands, ultimately replacing biblical obedience with empty, man-centric practices...

Mark 7:13 - "Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye."

>> Abraham, Levi and Melchisedec;

Hebrews 7:8-9 - "And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham."

Hebrews 7:8,9 is the Levites / Mosaic Law tithing to Melchisedec; the Church is not the Levites / Law, and has no command to tithe to anyone or any organization. 

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HEBREWS 7:8; NOT A REASON FOR CHRISTIAN TITHING

The tithing referred to in Hebrews 7:8 involved three basic people; Abram (Abraham), Levi and Melchisedec;

Hebrews 7:8-10 - "And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him."

Tithing teachers claim that these three men and their activities involved in tithing are a statement, an example that Christians should follow and "pay tithes;" that is to say, Christians are required to hand over ten percent of their income to a minister or church based on Hebrews 7:8. Such a statement is simply not true and cannot be upheld under close scrutiny. 

AN EXAMINATION OF THE THREE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED

>> MELCHISEDEC;

If you are going claim that Melchisedec as a representative of the New Testament is a type (a similitude) of New Testament ministers receiving of tithes, and therefore as priests of the New Testament, ministers should be tithed to, you have created for yourself a big problem; we are ALL New Testament Priests. So, therefore I would like you to send me your tithe as soon as you get your next paycheck. Each New Testament Christian should be tithing to all other New Testament Christians. Why? This is why; we are...

1 Peter 2:9 - "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:"

Revelation 5:10 - "And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."

>> ABRAHAM;

Many tithing teachers claim that we follow the faith of Abraham by "tithing as Abraham did," that we should hand over ten percent of our income to a minister citing Abraham as "the example to be followed." 

Among many problems with such a false doctrine is that no scripture states that Abraham "tithed in faith," no scripture in either the Old of New Testament cites Abraham directly as an example of tithing to be followed by Jews, Gentiles or the Church. No Apostle referred to Abraham's tithing as giving authority to any New Testament minister to collect tithes. The Levites had been given that authority, the Church has not; 

Hebrews 7:5 - "And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:"

Abraham's tithe to Melchisedec fulfilled a purpose, which was probably unknown to Abraham at that time, that of his tithe to Melchisedec proving the superiority of the Melchisedec priesthood over the Levite priesthood; Hebrews 7:7 - "And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better." Abraham's tithe, "without all contradiction" (cannot be refuted) has accomplished that which God intended it to accomplish. It does not need to be performed over and over again by New Testament Believers, doing so is useless and not commanded. 

In the following scripture verses the faith of Abraham is addressed, yet not one of them mentions his tithe to Melchisedec;

> Romans 4:11-12: Identifies Abraham as the father of all who believe (both circumcised and uncircumcised) and calls believers to "walk in the footsteps of the faith" he had.

> Galatians 3:7-9: States that "those who have faith are children of Abraham" and that those who rely on faith are blessed along with him.

> Galatians 3:29: Affirms that if you belong to Christ, you are Abraham’s offspring and heirs according to the promise.

> Romans 4:22-25: Explains that faith being credited as righteousness was not written for Abraham alone, but also for "us to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead".

> Hebrews 11:8-10: Highlights Abraham's obedience in leaving his country by faith, serving as a model of faith-driven action.

> James 2:21-23: Mentions that Abraham's faith was perfected by his actions (obedience) when he offered Isaac, showing that genuine faith works. 

If you will notice; Abraham's tithe to Melchisedec is left out of the above verses! Why would scripture leave out Abraham's tithe? ...because it was not an act of faith, AND NOT SOMETHING TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.

Additionally; not everything Abraham did was an act of faith, or an activity to be followed.

Abraham circumcised over 300 in his household; are we to do the same under the New Testament? NO! In fact, in the 11th Chapter of the Book of Hebrews (commonly referred to as the "faith hall of fame"), no act of tithing by Abraham or anyone's tithing is mentioned. God's test of Abraham's faith was the offering of Isaac, not tithing; Genesis 22:2 - "And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of."

>> LEVI;

In the loins of Abraham we find Levi. Levi represented the Levite priesthood and the Law of Moses (Hebrews 7:11). Levi does not represent the New Testament Church "tithing to Melchisedec," on the contrary, Levi represents an inferior priesthood, now defunct, who's main function was the service at the alter of sacrifice (Numbers 18:21-24), and is no longer valid (Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 10:1-10 and Hebrews 7:11);

Hebrews 7:5-6 - "And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises."

Levi represented the Law of Moses (Hebrews 7:5, 7:11), not the New Testament Church, which (the Church) is not under the Law of Moses and does not represent the Law of Moses;

Acts 15:24 - "Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:"

Romans 6:14 - "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."

CONCLUSION

Hebrews 7:8 does not represent an example of New Testament tithing to be followed. The blessing of Abraham does not come through tithing, but rather through faith in Jesus Christ;

Galatians 3:14 - "That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."

As we have asked previously; Tell us; who under the New Testament has been authorized by God in His word to demand or receive tithes? The answer is NO ONE.

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THE CHURCH TO TITHE BASED ON HEBREWS 7:8? 

Though tithing was mentioned before Moses, moving forward in time; the tithe (tithing) came under the administration and control of the Law (the Law of Moses, the Commandment)...

Numbers 18:21 - "And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. 

Hebrews 7:5 - "And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:"

MOVING FORWARD

The tithe (tithing) declared obsolete and canceled... 

Hebrews 7:18-19 - "For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God."

>> Additionally;

Hebrews 7:8 refers to the Law of Moses [represented by the Levites; see Hebrews 7:11] paying a tithe to Melchizedek, which proved the superiority of Melchisedec over the Levite priesthood and the Law (Hebrews 7:7- "And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better").

It was in fact the Levites paying a tithe to Melchisedec...

Hebrews 7:9 - "And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham."

The New Testament Church is NOT the Law of Moses, are NOT Levites, are NOT the Commandment, AND CANNOT TITHE BASED ON HEBREWS 7:8 TO ANYONE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. The New Testament Church is NOT represented in Hebrews 7:8 as paying tithes.

CONSIDER...

How and why did the Levites take tithes? Answer; because they were given THE COMMNADMENT to do so. Again; "have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law,"

The commandment to take tithes is, again; CANCELED, DISANNULED, ENDED, ABOLISHED because it was of the Law... 

Hebrews 7:18 - "For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof."

CONCLUSION

All tithing is forever abolished and canceled! Hebrews 7:8 does NOT command a Christian to tithe anything to anyone.

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YOU TELL US YOU "TITHE BECAUSE ABRAHAM DID"

No, you do not, and you cannot; here is why;

>> 1. Abraham tithed on the spoils of war that came from the victory over, and the slaughter of Kings, not from his personal wealth;

Hebrews 7:1 - "For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;"

Hebrews 7:4 - "Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils."

Genesis 14:17 - "And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale."

>> 2. From the spoils, above and beyond what Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizedek, Abraham paid the 318 men who fought with him;

Genesis 14:14 - "And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan."

Genesis 14:23-24 - "That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich: Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion."

>> 3. The remaining spoils of war were handed over to the pagan King of Sodom, whom Abraham considered the remaining spoils to be the property of the King of Sodom - "and that I will not take any thing that is thine";

Genesis 14:17 - "And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale."

Genesis 14:21-23 - "And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself. And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:"

>> 4. No scripture cites Abraham's tithe to Melchisedec as an example to the Nation of Israel or the Church to be followed. No person today can "tithe as Abraham did." If God had intended the New Testament church to follow the example of Abraham in tithing, it would have been clearly stated in the New Testament; no such command or teaching can be found in the New Testament. 

>> 5. Abraham did not tithe the one thousand pieces of silver received from Abimelech (Genesis 20:16). Furthermore, he did not teach Isaac and Jacob to tithe despite the claim of monetary tithing proponents. Jacob's vow proves this point (Genesis 28:20-22). Why would someone make a vow if they were already practicing something taught to them? Vows are made for something to be done in the future. Contrary to the monetary tithing teachers, Jacob's vow actually refutes their argument instead of supporting it!

CONCLUSION

Tithing teachers often cite Abraham's tithe to Melchisedec as a reason to tithe, a reason to hand over ten percent of your income to them. Yet, they leave out the remaining important context (those inconvenient facts) of Abraham retaining nothing for himself, not tithing on his own wealth, and leaving the rest to a pagan king except that which his 318 men took for themselves.

Abraham kept NOTHING for himself; ARE YOU DOING THE SAME IN YOUR QUEST TO FOLLOW ABRAHAM, KEEPING NOTHING YOU EARN FOR YOURSELF?? Abraham did not keep anything; why are you? 

Leaving out important details is often a strategy in the teachings of tithing teachers seeking to deceptively steal your money; text taken out of context is a pretext to deceptive claims.

Additionally; Abraham tithed to Melchisedec, not to a pastor, church or other ministry. No pastor or church under the New Testament has the authority to collect tithes on behalf of Melchisedec or Jesus Christ. Neither are receiving tithes today. Hebrews 7:8 records a one time transaction between Abraham (Levites) and Melchisedec, with no command from God that it is to be repeated or practiced by anyone. In the entire New Testament Hebrews 7:8 is never cited as an example to follow. 

In reality; Abraham's tithe to Melchisedec was the Law of Moses in the Levites (Hebrews 7:11) tithing to Melchisedec. The New Testament Church is not the Law of Moses, does not represent the Law of Moses, is not under the Law of Moses and cannot tithe as Abraham did with the Law of Moses in their loins; Romans 6:14 - "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."

Still believe you can or should "tithe as Abraham did"?! If so, you are mentioned here; "the hearts of the simple"...

Romans 16:18 - "For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."

And, here...

Hebrews 5:12-13 - "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe."

This is your answer... 

2 Timothy 2:15-16 - "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness."

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HEBREWS 7:8

In this case the writer of the Book of Hebrews, in Hebrews 7:8, is using tithing to refer to the Law of Moses much as Paul used circumcision as a reference to the Law of Moses in Romans 2:25, as also the Church council used circumcision in reference to the Law Acts 15:24.

Hebrews 7:8-9 - "And here men that die receive tithes; but there he, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham."

Just as circumcision was a statement and type of Law keeping, that is to say being under the law, "receive tithes" equals, and also means to be under the Law, a priesthood established by the Law, functioned by the Law, judged by the Law.

Hebrews 7:5 - "And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:"

...Hebrews 7:8 says NOTHING of the kind. Hebrews 7:8 are the LEVITES (not the Church) and THE LAW OF MOSES (the Church is not the Law of Moses), tithing to Melchizedek. The New Testament Church is not the Levites and is not the Law of Moses and not shown tithing in Hebrews 7:8. Hebrews 7:8 does not represent the Church tithing to Melchizedek.

If the Church was tithing to Melchizedek in Hebrews 7:8, then you would have Melchizedek tithing to Melchizedek which would prove nothing, would NOT prove the superiority of Melchizedek priesthood over the Levites! Also; you forgot to read Hebrews 7:9...

Hebrews 7:9 - "And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham."

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QUESTION...

Do you give what you do not tithe to a pagan government? Abraham did; why are you not doing so? Abraham kept nothing for himself, he gave it all away. Are you following in the footsteps of Abraham and keeping nothing for yourself?

Genesis 14:22-24 - "And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich: Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion."

Abraham circumcised 318 men in his household; are you doing the same?

Genesis 17:23 - "And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him."

Abraham did not tithe the one thousand pieces of silver received from Abimelech (Genesis 20:16). Furthermore, he did not teach Isaac and Jacob to tithe despite the claim of monetary tithing proponents. Jacob's vow proves this point (Genesis 28:20-22). Why would someone make a vow if they were already practicing something taught to them? Vows are made for something to be done in the future. Contrary to the monetary tithing teachers, Jacob's vow actually refutes their argument instead of supporting it!

Clearly you have much to learn about tithing and Abraham. Additionally;

God gave the tithe to the Levites, it was their personal property and inheritance. See Numbers 18 21-24. God has created no further tithes for the Church. Where did God take the tithe from the tribe of Levi and give it to your church or pastor? Chapter and verse please.

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Thursday, August 13, 2026

GOD'S HOLY TITHE; A TYPE OF SALVATION

GOD'S HOLY TITHE; A TYPE OF SALVATION

In God's holy tithing instructions, God Himself provided the tithe, which were agricultural products from the Promise Land, never money. See; Lev. 27:30, 32, Num. 18:27, Num. 18:28, Deut 12:17, Deut. 14:22, Deut. 14:23, Deut. 24:21, Deut. 26:12, 2 Chron. 31:5, 2 Chron. 31:6, Neh. 10:37, Neh. 13:5, Mal. 3:10, Matt. 23:23 and Luke 11:42.

Man's role was to merely transport the tithe to where God instructed it to be placed. See; Malachi 3:10... "Bring," not "pay." See; Nehemiah 10:38... "Bring," not "pay" ... "bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God."

"Bring" means to transport something already in existence, already provided, to a specific location designated.

"Bring" (from Nehemiah 10:38, Malachi 3:10)
Original Hebrew: בּוא
Transliteration: bô'
Phonetic: bo
Definition: bring, transport, convey, (forth, in, into, to pass), carry, to come, lift [up], pull in, put, send.

It is interesting to note that Nehemiah 10:38 and Malachi 3:10 were written directly to the Nation of Israel under the law of Moses (See; Malachi 3:7, 4:4) the New Testament church is not the Nation of Israel under the Law of Moses and has no command to tithe to anyone.

THE LABORS OF MAN

The Tithe was not to originate, or come from the efforts or labor of man. The tithe was to come from the provision of God, from God blessing the Land of Israel. See; Malachi 3:11-12.

Some will claim that agricultural products were "the common currency of Israel." That claim is false. Verses confirming they had money from income, yet no scriptural reference records money ever being used for tithing include...

Genesis 23;12-16, Exodus 38:28, Leviticus 5:15, Leviticus 27:3, Leviticus 27:4, Leviticus 27:5, Leviticus 27:6, Leviticus 27:7, Leviticus 27:16, Numbers 3:47, Numbers 3:50, Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 12:41-42, Acts 8:20.

MAN'S EVIL MONEY TITHING SYSTEM

In the man-made false and deceptive money tithing system created by false teachers and liars, they have deceived countless people into believing that the tithe is to be "paid" in the form of money from the labors of man.

Yet the Bible, the Word of God, includes no such command. No scripture in either the Old or New Testament records God placing a tithe requirement directly on the labors of man or his income from any source. Teachers of the income based monetary tithing system are guilty of changing God's word for gain. See; Titus 1:11, Deuteronomy 4:2.

Additionally; if a tithe was converted to money, the money was no longer suitable to be a tithe, and must be used to purchase material items for the family. Money was not permitted to be used as a tithe because it represented the labors of man, not the direct provision of God. See; Deuteronomy 14:22-26.

A TYPE OF SALVATION

The principle of the tithe coming from the direct provision of God and not the labors of man (represented by money) is a type (sometimes called a "similitude), or principle of God providing salvation for man, and salvation not coming from the labor (or works) of man as we read in the following...

Ephesians 2:7-9 - "That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Jesus said; "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." - John 5:39

The scriptures always point to Jesus as the source of salvation, including scriptures concerning tithing, never man's labor or works.

HOW DID THEY DECEIVE SO MANY?

Romans 16:18 - "For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."

In the context of Paul exposing men seeking after money by deceit, the Apostle writes the following...

2 Corinthians 11:13 - "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ."

Paul rebukes such men again...

2 Corinthians 2:17 - "For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ." One translation reads as...

"Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity".

CONCLUSION

Let no one remain as this being deceived...

Hebrews 5:12-13 - "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe."

Tithing of any kind has no place, no reason or legitimacy in the New Covenant, or as a practice of the New Testament Church.

Be free from the bondage of tithing, enjoy the freedom and joy of free will giving! You'll never look back! 
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Copyright 2026, Anthony Todd, All rights reserved. Permission to copy and distribute this article must be obtained in writing from Tithing Study Online. Permission can be requested at: tithingstudyonline@gmail.com. Upon permission to do so, it is granted under the strict condition that no content of any article be removed or altered, and that all articles are to remain intact as is when used and shared. You must include a notation that any article distributed originated from Tithing Study Online, and include our blog URL as: https://ExaminingTithingDeceptions.blogspot.com - Permission to copy for personal use only is hereby granted.

Thursday, May 28, 2026

THREE STEPS TO KEEP YOUR TITHERS HANDING OVER THEIR MONEY

THREE STEPS TO KEEP YOUR TITHERS HANDING OVER THEIR MONEY

1. Twist scripture, add to scripture, take scripture out of context and force it to sound like Christians have been instructed to tithe even though scripture states that Jesus abolished tithing. Yet the Bible says...

Ephesians 2:15 - "Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;" Hebrews 7:18 - "For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof." Romans 16:18 - "For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." Proverbs 30:6 - "Do not add to His Words, lest He reprove you and you be found a liar."

2. Offer fake financial gain and prosperity through tithing to appeal to people's greed and fear of loss; claim that tithing will make anyone rich.
Yet the Bible says...

1 Timothy 6:10 - "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." Luke 12:15 - "And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."

3. Pronounce shame, guilt, damnation, curses and loss of financial blessings on non tithers to frighten them into tithing.
Yet the Bible says...

2 Timothy 1:7 - "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Colossians 2:13-14 - "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;" Ephesians 1:3 - "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

___________________________________________________________________ Copyright 2026, Anthony Todd, All rights reserved. Permission to copy and distribute this article must be obtained in writing from Tithing Study Online. Permission can be requested at: tithingstudyonline@gmail.com. Upon permission to do so, it is granted under the strict condition that no content of any article be removed or altered, and that all articles are to remain intact as is when used and shared. You must include a notation that any article distributed originated from Tithing Study Online, and include our blog URL as: https://ExaminingTithingDeceptions.blogspot.com - Permission to copy for personal use only is hereby granted.

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

TAKING MATTHEW 23:23 OUT OF CONTEXT TO PROVE YOUR FALSE CLAIM THAT "JESUS AFFIRMS CHRISTIAN TITHING" INSTRUCTS A CHRISTIAN TO TITHE

TAKING MATTHEW 23:23 OUT OF CONTEXT TO PROVE YOUR FALSE CLAIM OF "JESUS AFFIRMED CHRISTIAN TITHING"

Matthew 23:23 - "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."

DON'T IGNORE THE CONTEXT

No scripture is to be interpreted outside of the context of all other scripture, as scripture tells us; 

2 Peter 1:20 - "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation."

2 Timothy 3:16-17 - "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

You cannot conveniently separate and isolate Matthew 23:23 from the remaining verses of Matthew Chapter 23. If Matthew 23:23 is written to the church "affirming Christian tithing," then in proper context, respecting the context, this is also addressing the Body of Christ affirming the following by Jesus...

The Body of Christ is a hypocrite; Matthew 23:3 - "All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not."

The Body of Christ burdens people down with heavy burdens; Matthew 23:4 - "For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers."

The Body of Christ are terribly egotistical, and are braggarts; Matthew 23:5-7 - "But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi." 

The Body of Christ closes the door to people who would seek to enter heaven; Matthew 23:13 - "But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in."

The Body of Christ is a hypocrite who devour widows' houses and worse, making people children of hell; Matthew 23:14-15 - "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves."

The Body of Christ are fools and blind; Matthew 23:17 - "Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?"

The Body of Christ is a blind guide; Matthew 23:24 - "Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel." 

The Body of Christ is full of extortion and excess; Matthew 23:25 - "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess."

The Body of Christ is a whited sepulchres, full of dead men's bones; Matthew 23:27 - "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness."

The Body of Christ is a builder of tombs of the prophets, and graves of righteous; Matthew 23:29 - "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,"

The Body of Christ are children of them which killed the prophets; Matthew 23:31 - "Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets." 

The Body of Christ are serpents and a generation of vipers; Matthew 23:33-34 - "Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:"

The Body of Christ is full of hypocrisy and iniquity; Matthew 23:28 - "Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity."

THE BODY OF CHRIST FACING DAMNATION

If Matthew 23:23 is addressing the Body of Christ, then the Body of Christ is facing damnation and are serpents and a generation of vipers; Matthew 23:33-34  Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: 

ADDITIONALLY 

The context of the "ought to have done" in Matthew 23:23, often quoted by tithing teachers and their so-called "tithers," in a false claim that Jesus is commanding New Testament Christians to "tithe," was IN FACT a commandment to DO the Law of Moses. The phrase "and not to leave the other undone" is also a commandment to DO the Law of Moses.

NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANS ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW OF MOSES, and have no commandment to tithe anything to anyone.

Hebrews 7:18-19 - "For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God."

Acts 15:24 - "Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:"

Ephesians 2:15 - "Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;"

CONCLUSION 

Matthew 23:23 is not addressing the Body of Christ, and is not affirmation of so-called "Christian tithing," or "New Testament tithing."

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Copyright 2026, Anthony Todd, All rights reserved. Permission to copy and distribute this article must be obtained in writing from Tithing Study Online.

Permission can be requested at: tithingstudyonline@gmail.com. Upon permission to do so, it is granted under the strict condition that no content of any article be removed or altered, and that all articles are to remain intact as is when used and shared. You must include a notation that any article distributed originated from Tithing Study Online, and include our blog URL as: https://ExaminingTithingDeceptions.blogspot.com - Permission to copy for personal use only is hereby granted.

Friday, May 1, 2026

QUESTIONS INTENDED TO DECEIVE

QUESTIONS INTENDED TO DECEIVE; 

Genesis 3:1 - "Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made...Yea, hath God said...?"

Answering deceptive questions from tithing teachers intended to deceive and confuse; 

"Will tithing send you to hell?" ...  No, and neither will not tithing.

"Is it a sin to tithe?" ...  Yes, since God has abolished tithing, it's a sin. Tithing abolished; Ephesians 2:15, Hebrews 7:18-19.

"Did Jesus preach against tithing?" ...  No, and Jesus did not preach against animal sacrifices; sacrifice any animals lately?

"Where did Jesus tell us to stop tithing?" ...  Nowhere, because Jesus has never issued a command to the Church to begin tithing. 

"Tithing doesn't have to be instructed in the New Testament because God already told us to tithe in the Old Testament." ...  Says no scripture in God's word. And, who is "us?"

"It's not your money; why do you care if we tithe our money?"  ...  Moot point; God's Holy Tithe was never money; Lev. 27:30, 32, Num. 18:27, Num. 18:28, Deut 12:17, Deut. 14:22, Deut. 14:23, Deut. 24:21, Deut. 26:12, 2 Chron. 31:5, 2 Chron. 31:6, Neh. 10:37, Neh. 13:5, Mal. 3:10, Matt. 23:23 and Luke 11:42. 

Note: 31 times in 17 verses in the Bible, God's Word states the tithe is declared to be fruits, vegetables and clean animals from the Promise Land, and 14 times that we have listed below, God's Word records the use of money over a long period of time

Verses confirming they had money from income, yet no scriptural reference records money being used for tithing...

Genesis 23;12-16, Exodus 38:28, Leviticus 5:15, Leviticus 27:3, Leviticus 27:4, Leviticus 27:5, Leviticus 27:6, Leviticus 27:7, Leviticus 27:16, Numbers 3:47, Numbers 3:50, Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 12:41-42, Acts 8:20.

"Tithing was before the law, Abraham tithed before the law."  ...  Animals were sacrificed before the law; sacrifice any animals lately? 

"I give my tithe freely!" ... What percent is this? 2 Corinthians 9:7 - "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."

"I tithe because the Bible says so!" ...  The New Testament is a Covenant of commands and promises; it contains no component, command or promise regarding Christians being required to tithe. If you believe it does, please provide that scripture.

THE DECEPTION

A deceptive question is most commonly called a "loaded question" or a "trick question." These queries are designed to mislead the listener by embedding a false or unproven assumption within the question, making any direct answer seem like an admission of guilt or agreement.

Key Terms and Types...

Loaded Question: Contains an unjustified assumption (e.g., "Why do you hate freedom?"), forcing the recipient to defend themselves rather than answer.

Complex Question Fallacy: Known as plurium interrogationum, this involves asking multiple questions at once to trap the respondent.

Trick Question: A question that uses misleading language or logic to prompt an incorrect answer.

Leading Question: Frequently used in legal contexts to prompt a specific answer, often deemed inappropriate in examinations.

DECONSTRUCTING QUESTION

The deconstructing question is asked to trap a person into agreeing to do something because they can't respond with an answer, a logical refutation as to why something should not be done or why some behavior should not be engaged in. Tithing teachers will often ask; "Wasn't tithing in practice before law?" inferring that because there is a record of tithing (Genesis 14) before the law, the Law of Moses, it should continue after the law into the New Testament. The simple response is this; How does tithing being in existence before the law prove it should continue after the law? In fact it doesn't. 

CONCLUSION

Jude 1:12 - "These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;"

Romans - "16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."

How to Address Them; The best way to address these questions and comments is by pointing out the false assumption, or by identifying and calling out the false premise.

Ephesians 5:11 - "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."

___________________________________________________________________

Copyright 2026, Anthony Todd, All rights reserved. Permission to copy and distribute this article must be obtained in writing from Tithing Study Online.

Permission can be requested at: tithingstudyonline@gmail.com. Upon permission to do so, it is granted under the strict condition that no content of any article be removed or altered, and that all articles are to remain intact as is when used and shared. You must include a notation that any article distributed originated from Tithing Study Online, and include our blog URL as: https://ExaminingTithingDeceptions.blogspot.com - Permission to copy for personal use only is hereby granted.

ESSAYS ON MATTHEW 23:23 REGARDING TITHING

In Matthew 23:23 Jesus was addressing the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and the Nation of the Israel. The New Testament church is not the Natio...