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You missed the entire lesson of Hebrews 7.
You have wrongly defined the tithe as pertains to Abraham. Genesis 14:20 (KJV)
[SUP]20 [/SUP] And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
He had just won the wars, collected the booty of conquered armies. There is nothing to indicate that was limited to agricultural goods. They had captives (including Lot and family), which Abram refused to give up, and possessions of the armies. No army would pass up a vast wealth of gold and jewelry and potential slaves to sell or use to carry their stuff.
His lineage included the Levites, but also all the other tribes of Israel, as well as the first 12 Arab princes through Ishmael. Focusing on the Levites, they were the workforce that tended to all things altar. They collected tithes from the other tribes, which was not limited to agricultural goods. Precious metals and things like perfume were welcome, as many people were not farmers, but like Joseph, were carpenters, metal workers, potters, laborers, tax collectors, etc. How would a carpenter tithe the best of a crop or flock? Wouldn't he offer the best of his goods, like furniture for the priests? He would also share food and lodging for the local Levite(s) as assigned.
I agree, there is no direct commandment for Christians to tithe 10%. What is written is that those who minister the gospel to and for us are deserving of a living from the gospel. We are obligated to make sure our "priesthood", the workers of the Church, are fitly supported. They are worthy of their hire, and should be able to have no less budget to count on than those they serve. It would then be a shame for any Christian not to present his or her share in the support of the ministers. It could require more than a 10% tithe for a small congregation of retirees, or give up having a congregation assemble indoors or anywhere that costs more than they are willing to chip in. Who will coordinate special collections to be delivered to worthy fellow suffering Christians like Paul took up? How do you know you are doing your fair share? If the church accepts your tithe (always has meant tenth part ), then you have done your minimum share the church leadership should budget around.
Ah, but we know most won't, who also apparently don't care whether churches stay open or not. The polls are not showing they care. But the congregations that have caught onto the financial principle God set up are prospering. If a minister goes over budget, fire him, install one that will keep a budget, then perhaps appeal for a special offering for a project.
All tithes are received by the eternal priesthood, represented in Melchizedek, and now in Jesus. The Levites ministered tithes back to the eternal order through Abraham. Gospel ministers minister tithes and offerings on behalf of current High Priest Jesus. Both men were and are more deserving than the old mortal priesthood, of support for all agents of the eternal priesthood that is head of the Church. Jesus instructed Paul to write they should be supported, living off the gospel. Ministers of the gospel of Christ are called to serve 'the cross', our altar, noted in Heb 7 as no less eligible to collect tithes and offerings than men of the replaced priesthood who died.
Teachings that deny Church ministers that provision, a living off the gospel though Christians are blatantly false and selfish doctrines. That falsehood has resulted in a huge financial curse on America and the world, people robbing God. The alternative of God's blessings on the Church through fairness is better.
You are incorrect. The tithes that the Levites took of the people were limited to agricultural goods alone.
Leviticus 27:30-33 clearly demonstrates that the tithes were strictly agricultural, i.e.; the seed of the land, (that which the fields brought forth year after year) the fruit of the tree, (the yearly harvest from the orchards) and every tenth animal from the flocks and heds as they passed under the rod..
It is sincerely my prayer that either the Churches that teach that God requires a monetary tithe get closed down permanently, or their pastor gets yanked from his position and a honest pastors replace that position in the pulpits.
Deuteronomy 12:8-11 revals that the tithe had to be observed in the manner that God decreed and that man could not deviate from that command and tithe just anything he wanted to tithe. It had to be what God required... crops, flock, and herds.
Abram did not take captives in that Battle in Genesis 14... he rescued them. He did not claim them as his own.
Leviticus 27:30-33 clearly demonstrates that the tithes were strictly agricultural, i.e.; the seed of the land, (that which the fields brought forth year after year) the fruit of the tree, (the yearly harvest from the orchards) and every tenth animal from the flocks and heds as they passed under the rod..
It is sincerely my prayer that either the Churches that teach that God requires a monetary tithe get closed down permanently, or their pastor gets yanked from his position and a honest pastors replace that position in the pulpits.
Deuteronomy 12:8-11 revals that the tithe had to be observed in the manner that God decreed and that man could not deviate from that command and tithe just anything he wanted to tithe. It had to be what God required... crops, flock, and herds.
Abram did not take captives in that Battle in Genesis 14... he rescued them. He did not claim them as his own.
Yep...Instead:
Is God obliged to GIVE and to bless?
Romans 8:32 (KJV) 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also FREELY give us all things?
if He requires a tithe in exchange for blessing, He becomes a liar.
Hebrews 7;5 - there is a commandment in the 'Law' to take 'tithes' from the people.
verse 12 - for when there is a change in the priesthood there is necessarily a change in the law as well.
verse 18 and 19 - On the one hand, a former commandment are set aside, because of it's weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect), but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to GOD.
Tithes - give one tenth of everything you own and not in lame what we think one tenth from our salary.
Apostle Paul was 'outraged' when the Galatians Church wanted to practice a commandment in the law that requires 'circumcision'.
He said, 'if you practice one commandment, you must practice all'.
He also said, 'If you disobey to the least of commandment in the law, you are under curse'.
Please do not mix up 'tithes' of the Old Covenant/Testament with the 'generous offerings' and 'cheerful giving' of the New Covenant/Testament. Believers have to be ready whenever a collection in required for their brethren at the other church, especially for 'Jerusalem church'.
JESUS said, 'we cannot use a new cloth to patch up a torn old cloth because it will only shrink and tear and make a bigger hole.
The same thing with the, 'new wine cannot be put into an old wine bag skin because it will only swell and burst and the wive will be lost'.
(Luke 6:38)
A lot of times you hear people use this verse like it means give money and get money. While that may happen, I think of this verse in terms of what Christians have to give. One thing is the gospel. Give the true gospel and I would not be surprised if God makes sure men supply all the material needs God thinks you need. Also, Christians have love to give and care and concern and prayer for others and things like that. I would not be surprised if God makes sure people who give these things are taken care of themselves. I remember some place in the Bible where a couple true believers said something like silver and gold we don't have, but such as we have we give to you, in the name of Jesus, rise and walk (my paraphrase).