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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