1. Tithing had nothing to do with securing individual financial prosperity. It was not instituted to make any individual rich. False "tithing makes you rich" claims come from deceivers such as teachers of the prosperity gospel heresy and other deceptive tithing teachers. God will supply your needs and He doesn't need you to tithe to do so. Philippians 4:19
2. God never called individuals to tithe. There is no scripture indicating that God intended to make tithing an individual activity per se'; yes, individuals did handle and administer the tithes, but the requirement to tithe was a national requirement on the Nation of Israel. Under the law, tithing was Israel's taxation system to support the Levite for their service in the Temple. Malachi 3:9 and...
"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." - Numbers 18:21
Even though God established rules as to how an individual was to handle the tithes (Deuteronomy 14:22-29, Nehemiah 10:37-38), tithing was a national requirement.
3. The requirement to tithe was placed solely on the Nation of Israel (descendants of Abraham and Sarah living on the Promise Land under the Law of Moses ONLY), not any other nation or people under any other covenant. God never called Gentiles to tithe. - Psalm 147:19-20, Deuteronomy 12:10, Malachi 1:1
4. The Nation was responsible for the tithe, and the tithe came from people who grew fruits, vegetables or raised clean livestock on the Promise Land (farmers and herdsmen / ranchers). Malachi 3:9
5. God's promise directly related to tithing was to bless and protect the Nation's water supply and therefore food supply (Malachi 3:10), and to protect Nation's land from destructive pestilence, not make individuals wealthy. Malachi 3:11-12
6. God declared that the Nation of Israel (descendants of Abraham and Sarah) were not to tithe until they were living on the Promise Land in safety. Deuteronomy 12:10
7. God's commanded tithe was not a form of free giving.
Authentic biblical tithing as commanded by God was NOT an offering, NOT a charitable contribution and was NOT a gift to the Levite; in was IN FACT an act of surrendering the sole property of the Levite to the Levite. Failure to surrender the tithes to the Levite was a violation of the Law that carried Godly curses for failing or refusing to do so. That was all commanded under the Law; we are not under the Law.
"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, Numbers 18:21-26, Nehemiah 10:38
"And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites TAKE tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house." - Nehemiah 10:38
8. Tithing as God had commanded tithing has nothing to do with Christianity / The New Covenant or Christians. As posted before...
In the New Testament no Apostle ever instructed 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. (Not to mention that Hebrews 7 clearly puts an end to tithing as God commanded tithing).
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.
>> What tithing WAS intended for...
1. To support the Levites, singers and porters for the work they did in the Temple -
"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." Numbers 18:21, (and Nehemiah Chapter 13)
2. To support the poor and the needy in Israel, The Promise Land -
"And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest." - Deuteronomy 14:29
> Personally, I have never tithed a dime in my life, and as God has done in the past, God is blessing me financially to this day (I have experienced many financial miracles) . We are to be free will generous cheerful givers, not tithers. 2 Corinthians 9:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2
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