Recently a tithing teacher made this claim on his blog...
"If the Melchizedek priesthood continues, the act of tithing also continues."
This was stated in the context of Hebrews chapter seven and Genesis chapter fourteen. Both chapters refer to Abraham tithing to Melchizedek.
My answer...
Where is Melchizedek so we can tithe to him? Where, in what scripture, have you been authorized to receive tithes for Melchizedek? Upon receiving tithes, do you turn them over to Melchizedek? If so, how? Can you provide proof that you have been turning the tithes you receive over to Melchizedek, and, tell me; how do you do so?
Facts;
1. Nowhere in God's word does it tell us that based on the continuation of the Melchizedek priesthood we are to continue tithing.
2. The priesthood of Melchizedek will last forever, including into the eternal Heavenly Kingdom; are we going to be required to tithe in heaven to Melchizedek? If so, what are we to tithe? You had better be a farmer or a rancher in heaven, and heaven had better be located on the Promise Land on earth because every command to tithe states that the tithe is to consist of fruits, vegetable and clean live stock from, and only from, the Promise Land God gave to the Children of Israel; where does God's word tell us that will be different for tithing to Melchizedek? There is not a single word in God's Word that the tithe commanded by God was to be anything but fruits, vegetable and clean live stock from the Promise Land. There is no scripture stating that tithes are to come from heaven.
3. Hebrews 7:8 does not command that tithing to Melchizedek is to continue into the New Testament...
"And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth."
Note: "receiveth them" is in italics, and was ADDED by King James translators. And, it was PAST TENSE... "there" referring to BACK THEN tithes were received; not now, not in the New Testament, not in the future.
Other translations read like this...
"In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives." - English Standard Version
"received" ...past tense; no indication it is to continue into the future.
"and in one case tithes are received by mortal men, while in the other by him who is affirmed to be alive." - NET Bible
"received" ...past tense; no indication it is to continue into the future.
"In the same manner, here men that die take tithes; but there he received them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives." - Jubilee Bible 2000
"received" ...past tense; no indication it is to continue into the future.
"And here men that die receive tithes; but there one, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth." - English Revised Version
"men that die receive tithes" ...still past tense, the men who received tithes did so in the past and died in the past; no indication tithing is to continue into the future..
Hebrews 7:8 is saying this; mortal men in the past who died received tithes, and a man who lives forever, and is greater than mortal men, also received a tithe in the past. Hebrews chapter seven goes on to afirm the superiority of Melchizedek over Abraham based on Abraham (and the Levites in his loins) paying tithes to Melchizedek.
NOT ONE WORD about Jesus, via Melchizedek, still receiving tithes today. Or, any commandment to continue paying tithes to anyone.
4. What does Melchizedek, or for that matter, Jesus Christ, need with your tithe? Neither need a tithe, and neither are sustained by a tithe as the Levites were...
"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
Of Melchizedek, it is written...
"Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually." - Hebrews 7:3
Doesn't sound much like Melchizedek needs a tithe, or that God commands that Melchizedek be tithed to.
5. Neither Hebrews 5, Hebrews 7, Genesis 14, Psalm 110 and any other scripture make any reference that "if the Melchizedek priesthood continues, the act of tithing also continues."
6. Your claim that "if the Melchizedek priesthood continues, the act of tithing also continues" is nonsense with no scriptural basis at all. There is no scripture to back your claim, and it appears that you are making wild claims the gullible will buy into (your claim does sound very "spiritual"), especially if they fail to adhere to this principle...
"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." - Acts 17:11
It's time the Church decides to be like the Bereans and really dig in and study. Be teachable, and make the choice to let the Scriptures "get in the way" of what you believe, even if it means that your whole paradigm, everything you believe, must change! THAT is the mark of a mature believer.
7. CONCLUSION;
So, tell me; where does the Word of God tell us "if the Melchizedek priesthood continues, the act of tithing also continues"? Chapter and verse requested.
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