THE "SEVEN DISPENSATIONS" VIEWED IN THE LIGHT OF SCRIPTURE

[Standing Firm In Christ]

Abram's tithe to Melchizedek cannot be a factor.

1. That tithe was not of Abram's own property, but rather of the spoils of war. Next war I am in, I will be sure to take a tenth of the spoils (if I win) to a king of a pagan land (as Melchizedek was)

2. Have you ever heard of trusting God to supply your need? Sounds like when it comes to finances your faith is in man instead of God.

To tell the New Testament Beleiver that he or she is required to tithe is to put them under a yoke of bondage that not even the Holy Spirit wants on them.

Acts 15:28-29 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

Edited March 5, 2012 by Standing Firm In Christ

[Steve Schwenke]

Not trusting in man...you are not following the point here.
Are you an evangelist, pastor, or missionary? If you are not, then you have no idea of the issues a God-called preacher has to deal with when it comes to $$$. I am attempting to give all of you some insight, because it is not easy, especially when you minister in a small church.
Would you work for an employer who tells you that they will pay you, but they could not guaruntee when or how much?
But a God-called preacher MUST preach, so it is not like he can just walk away and say, "I quit."
And this is NOT about "enriching the preacher." This is about giving the preacher the liberty to fulfill the office of the bishop thoroughly, without any hindrances or encumbrances. Working a full-time job outside of the church ties the preachers hands - he cannot minister to his family or church as he should. Everyone suffers.

1 Corinthians 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

Now please do not misunderstand me. I believe that a Christian SHOULD tithe, based upon the example of Abraham. I believe that it is NOT under the Law, therefore your reply of "placing a burden upon Christians" is not true. It is under GRACE, not LAW, therefore it is not a burden, but a joy and delight! So I teach what the example is, exhort them to follow Abraham's example, and put the ball in their court.

2Co 9:6 ¶ But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
2Co 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.

PS - Melchizedek was not a "pagan king." Paul says that he was the PRIEST OF THE MOST HIGH GOD, as does Genesis 14. Jesus Christ is said to be the next priest after the order of Melchizedek. He ranks a little bit higher than you allow. Furthermore, Abraham refused payment from the other pagan kings for his services, so his tithing was NOT from the "spoils of war" since he took none!

Edited March 5, 2012 by Steve Schwenke

[Guest]

There is not one iota of Scripture that indicates, or even implies, that the Christian is to tithe his or her money.

You would not have been a member of the N.T. Church at Jerusalem described in Acts. There is no direct reference in the N.T. to tithe...true (Quote Rick). However my friend their is STRONG IMPLICATION. Yes, I posted the same thing in your other thread.

Tithe

Strong’s H4643
מעשׂרה מעשׂר מעשׂר
ma‛ăώêr ma‛ăώar ma‛aώrâh
{mah-as-ayr'} {mah-as-ar'} mah-as-raw'
From H6240 ; a tenth ; especially a tithe: - tenth ({part}) tithe (-ing).
O.T. references to the establishment of tithing.

Genesis 14:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

Genesis 28:22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

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.

Malachi 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

N.T. Christ’s references – tithing is not condemned by Christ, “not to leave the other undone.”

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.

Luke 11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

N.T. Apostle’s references – tithing or giving and providing to God and His preachers.

Romans 12:8b “he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity;”
Romans 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

1 Corinthians 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

1 Corinthians 16:15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

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.
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Just a few hurried thoughts.

I believe the tenth is for the storehouse and the house of God. I believe this is established in Malachi 3:8-10 (particularly 8 and 10).

Malachi 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Also substantiated by Genesis 28:22 and all of the scripture of Leviticus, Numbers, etc.

Genesis 28:22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.


I don’t believe they were really concerned with missionaries and the spread of Judaism to the rest of the world in the O.T. So provision for the saints spreading the Gospel of Christ seems to be an added responsibility to the Christian. Jesus sent them out by twos and told them not to be concerned with money or even additional clothing.

Luke 9:2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
Luke 9:3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.
Luke 9:4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.

I personally believe the precedent is that Christians would provide for this added need above and beyond the tithe. He was, after all, sending them to Jews who already knew tithing was a requirement. So, any provision given would have been from a change of heart and most likely after receiving Christ.

Probably, the best example of providing for the missionary comes from Philippians 4:9-19.

Philippians 4:15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
Philippians 4:16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

Sacrificial giving…

Philippians 4:18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

Paul exhorts the Corinthians in his 2^nd epistle to them.

2 Corinthians 8:All

It all belongs to God, this is true, and 10% is so little to ask. Paul told the Corinthians it wasn’t a commandment. If you have to give specifically to the needs of the missionary then let it be counted as such.

2 Corinthians 8:8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

2 Corinthians 8:11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.

I have a husband and wife missionary family to be sent out from us, who I routinely sit behind. They participate in “Faith Promise.”
Just a few hurried thoughts.

An addendum to the above...


Tithing to our Lord

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.

Mark 12:42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
Luke 21:2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

Luke 11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Hebrews 7
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 7:2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
Hebrews 7:3 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 7:17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Hebrews 7:22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
Hebrews 7:23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
Hebrews 7:24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

The preponderance of evidence and the priesthood of Christ being carried over from the O.T. into the N.T. has made me conclude the tithe, missions giving, and sacrificial giving were carried over too. No there is no convincing me otherwise.

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.

What are you leaving undone? Edited March 5, 2012 by 1Tim115

[Steve Schwenke]

And just to clarify my position, I teach that a Christian SHOULD tithe, not MUST (i.e. not under the Law!). But the principles are there, as Dave has laid out above. Too many Christians fail to see their responsibility in maintaining their own church, preacher, and missionaries.
They are to "live by faith" on 90%; the preacher is at the mercy of the generosity of the church.

[Standing Firm In Christ]

I agree that a pastor should be provided for. But for that pastor to demand a tithe, or to teach his congregation that they are to tithe is not of God. Such a doctrine is not supported by Scripture.

Not one of the Apostles taught that the Church was to tithe his or her money.

I am no longer a pastor. I pastored for eight years back in the late 80's to mid 90's. In those eight years, I never told my congregation to tithe their money. (had I done so, I would have been teaching contrary to the Word of God. Instead, I taught giving cheerfully what was in the hearts of the people to give.

The congregation gave out of their abundance and the needs of the Church (electricity, sanitation, etc.) were met. I never took a salary. (although there were two times that the congregation took up a love offering for me, not at my prompting)

God provided as He promised He would. Teach and preach that which is written in God's Word and you will see greater effects upon the people. And God will see that your need is met as He has promised. He cannot lie.

As to Melchizedek, you may want to study further. He most certainly was a king of a pagan land.

From the Wycliffe Bible Commentary:

“The name of this mysterious person means either ‘king of righteousness,’ or ‘my king is righteousness,’ or ‘my king is Zedek.’ Zedek is the Hebrew word for ‘righteousness’ and also the name of a Canaanite deity. Melchizedek was the priest-king of Salem, which is the shortened form of ‘Urusalem,’ ‘city of peace,’ identified with Jerusalem. ‘Shalom’ is the Hebrew word for ‘peace’ and ‘Shalem’ probably was the Canaanite god of peace. This kindly priest-king, recognizing Abram’s nobility and worth, supplied refreshment and sustenance for the weary warrior and his men. These gifts were tokens of friendship and ­ hospitality."

Of interest, the priests of Ba'al called their god "El Elyon.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: “Like El Elyon, “Baal” (Babylonian “Bel”), the supreme Canaanite god, was also called “Lord,” “master,” and “possessor of heaven and earth." At least from Melchizedek’s point of view, “Baal” is equally a logical, though usually ignored, meaning of “El Elyon.” To further confuse the names, there are also sources which claim that “Elyon” was the grandfather of “El” and that an eighth century Aramaic treaty stele even describes “El” and “Elyon” as two distinct deities. I encourage anybody who is interested in this study to make a trip to a large library and research the religions of Phoenicia and Canaan. Daniel, the book of Gentile prophecy, refers to God in Aramaic almost exclusively as “the Most High God,” or “Most High” (Dan. 3:26; 4:17, 24, 25, 32, 34; 5:18, 21). Lucifer schemed to sit upon the throne of “the Most High” (Isa. 14:13-14). “The Most High God” is a name that relates to ALL nations, ALL heaven, and ALL earth—not just Israel. (Compare 2 Sam. 22:14; Ps. 7:17; 18:13; 21:7; 47:2; 83:18; 87:5; 91:1-2, 9; 92:1, 8; 97:9).

Melchizedek's use of "El Elyon' could betray him as being a priest of other than Jehovah God, for he did not identify "El Elyon" as Jehovah while Abraham did.

Genesis 14:19-20 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.

Genesis 14:22 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,

Again, the tithe that was given to Melchizedek was of the spoils of war, not of Abram's own property.
Hebrews 7:4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

Melchizedek was indeed a great man, an important Canaanite king who ruled over a Canaanite people... a people who were not of God. Abraham tithed to Melchizedek, not because of his love for the Most High God, but rather because of who this man was... the ruler of that land through which Abraham was traveling. Edited March 5, 2012 by Standing Firm In Christ

[Brother Rick]

My family sacrifices by tithing and giving to missions, even when I had to work three jobs while I watched my income drop about 20% and my expenses go up with two more kids and a college loan.

People love to split hairs about whether it's God's plan to for the New Testament church, and usually you can read their hearts from the moment they open their mouths. The mantra of modern Laodicean Christianity is, "Don't you dare ask me to sacrifice anything for my Christianity!"

My family tithes because we believe in what our church is doing. We are willing to sacrifice and go without to support the ministry of our local church.

Many times when faced with decisions I ask myself, "If every Christian did what I'm about to do, what would the church be like?"

Well, if every Christian found a way to justify not tithing, and ducked out of it, then there would be little to no local churches or missionaries.

Edited March 5, 2012 by Rick Schworer

[Standing Firm In Christ]

My mantra is "Don't you dare demand of me that which the Word of God does not demand."

Another mantra I hold to is "Don't let it bother you when someone accuses you of being a Laodicean when you choose to give gracefully rather than because of strong-arm tactics."

Edited March 5, 2012 by Standing Firm In Christ

[Standing Firm In Christ]

Abram's tithe to Melchizedek was of the spoils of war.

Why would God expect of Abraham 10% of the spoils of war, and later of the Israelites a much lower percentage from the spoils of war?; i.e. of 36,000 beeves, the Lord's tribute was only 72. (see Numbers 31:38-39)

Edited March 5, 2012 by Standing Firm In Christ

[Guest]

My mantra is "Don't you dare demand of me that which the Word of God does not demand."

Another mantra I hold to is "Don't let it bother you when someone accuses you of being a Laodicean when you choose to give gracefully rather than because of strong-arm tactics."

My lost niece says she doesn't believe she has to give anything at her church. She gives gracefully too.

[Standing Firm In Christ]

If your lost niece is giving anything, whether 1% or 10%, and giving that gracefully, then she is right in her giving.

I have yet to see anyone produce any Scripture out of the New Testament that says we are to give 10% of our income to the local Church. I have yet to see any Scripture that says any of the Apostles taught the Church to tithe of their money.

Perhaps you can provide those instances? If so, then I will gladly admit I am in err.

Until such verses are provided, I will have to continue believing that no greater burden than to abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication is to be laid on or required of the New Testament Believer.

[Steve Schwenke]

My mantra is "Don't you dare demand of me that which the Word of God does not demand."

Another mantra I hold to is "Don't let it bother you when someone accuses you of being a Laodicean when you choose to give gracefully rather than because of strong-arm tactics."

Well, the word of God demands more than Acts 15. For instance:
Ro 13:7 ¶ Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Ro 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Ro 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Ro 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law

Huh! That's weird! Paul is putting them "back under the Law!"
How about this one:
Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Huh! Looks like a paraphrase of the OT Law!
Therefore I have no problem using the PRINCIPLE of the OT when it comes to tithing. The difference is that under the OT Law, if you lied, cheated, stole, murdered, etc., etc., etc., you were required to go to the Temple and offer the appropriate sacrifice. Under the NT, our sins are covered by Jesus Christ - we have no further need for the OT Ceremonial sacrifices.
Under the OT Law, if the Israelites did not tithe, they were put under a curse by God. In the NT, if a Christian does not tithe, he is not under a curse because of Galatians 3:13
Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

So, as I said, I don't DEMAND a tithe in the OT sense. But I do teach that it is the Biblical principle from Gen. 14 going forward. But a Christian SHOULD tithe based on those principles.

Funny thing. When Paul talks about giving, the people who had a problem with giving - and with supporting the preacher was the Carnal Church at Corinth - the church with all of the money. The poor Macedonians at Phillipi had no trouble giving (II Cor. 8:1-5, PHil. 4:14-18). It is always the wealthy people who squak about it.
When Paul admonishes the Corinthian church to give to support the preacher, he uses an example from the OT LAW to prove his case!

1Co 9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
1Co 9:10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

I can hear the Corinthians now, "But we are not under the Law anymore!" Of course Paul knew they were not under the Law! But that does not mean we just rip Exodus - Deuteronomy right out of our Bibles and ignore everything in it. SOME of that stuff is still appropriate for us today as far as the principle of the matter is concerned. At least that is what Paul thought!

One of the greatest harms a preacher of a small church does is NOT teach on the proper maintenance of the preacher by the church, and then not teach them to support him, and not accept a salary, no matter how small it may be. It is the preacher's job to so instruct them; it is the church's responsibility to do the best they can to support him; and to do anything less is to violate the clear teaching of I Cor. 9. We are to teach "the whole counsel of God" including giving, including support of the preacher, no matter how uncomfortable that might be, and no matter if some carnal, backslidden Corinthian/Laodicean might accuse us of "being in it for the money."
(I mean, give me a break - if I were in this for the money, I would be down at the local charismatic zoo, raking in 6 figures or more! I would not be hanging out at some small IFB church struggling to make ends meet!)

Melchizedek: Yes, I recognize that Melchizedek was the king of Jerusalem. But he was ALSO the priest of the Most High God - not Baal, but God Almighty. Abraham would never have given him a tithe if he were an idolater. The fact that Paul and David refer to Melchizedek as the Priest, and that they both claim that Jesus Christ follows him in the priestly order proves this case, no matter what ISBE says!

[Standing Firm In Christ]

Not one of those passages has anything to do with the tithe, Steve. You are pulling verses out of context to justify a doctrine that is not found anywhere in Scripture.

Where do we see a command to give 10% of our money????

It's not there at all.

This teaching that Abram's tithe is a biblical principle falls through when examining that passage. Just the fact that Abram did not tithe his own property to Melchizedek shoots the "principle" theory down completely.

Edited March 5, 2012 by Standing Firm In Christ

[John81]

I seriously doubt that. God set it up that the tithe was sufficient, and He knows what he uis doing. Will you question Him when He established it in the first place? The problem, in my opimion, is that people reject the tithe and feel "moved" to give less when the bills pile up. And who's fault are the bills anyway?

So much negativity on here about a "prosperity Gospel" but God promises to prosper us when we properly honor Him
Prov. 3:9, 10
Psa. 1:1-3
Joshua 1:7 (for obedience, not merely to the law of Moses)

There are many more too. Prosperity doesn't always mean monetary prospering though, it also has to with success, etc, as in the case of Joseph--every thing he put his hands to, God made it to prosper.

It is not so cruel that He demands a tithe to keep his work going.

God established the tithe for Old Testament Israel, not and never for New Testament Christians.

When it was determined to set forth what Old Testament laws were yet necessary for the growing Christian population to keep, the leader of the church at Jerusalem, James, commanded in Acts that they would lay no other burden upon them other than that they should abstain from fornication, things offered to idols and blood. No mention at all of tithes.

A study of early church history also shows that there were never any calls for tithes for hundreds of years. It was only after the church became corrupt and the priesthood was greedy that tithes were called for.

All teaching on New Testament giving is about giving according to the Lord's leading and giving sacrificially. If we are living right in the Lord we will give generously.

Remember, the Lord doesn't need our money. God's faithful will always give and give abundantly. Those professing Christians who don't give in such a manner have other issues more pressing that needs to be dealt with, not the least of which is submission to Christ.

[irishman]

there goes dispensationalism!

[Steve Schwenke]

Not one of those passages has anything to do with the tithe, Steve. You are pulling verses out of context to justify a doctrine that is not found anywhere in Scripture.

Where do we see a command to give 10% of our money????

It's not there at all.

This teaching that Abram's tithe is a biblical principle falls through when examining that passage. Just the fact that Abram did not tithe his own property to Melchizedek shoots the "principle" theory down completely.

1. I stand corrected on the "spoils of war." Thank you.
2. You stated this earlier:
To tell the New Testament Beleiver that he or she is required to tithe is to put them under a yoke of bondage that not even the Holy Spirit wants on them.

Acts 15:28-29 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

You are implying here that the Holy Spirit does not want us under ANY of the OT Law, period. I have demonstrated that this is false. We are set free from the ceremonial aspects of the Law. However, murder is still murder, stealing is still stealing, lying is still lying, covetousness is still covetousness. I gave you the verses earlier that state quite clearly that while we no longer suffer the penalties of the Law, that ALL of the MORAL aspects of the Law are in place. We no more have the "right" to be a sodomite because we are "not under the Law" than we do to stop tithing because it was "under the Law."
I also demonstrated that in the midst of Paul's dissertation on the support of the preacher, he used an example from the OT Law. Dave gave a very thorough response above about the APPLICATION of the OT Law.
So in my view, it is inconceivable that we would just toss all of the OT Teaching on tithing and giving because "it is under the law." Should we toss Leviticus 18 out too? Should we toss the 10 commandments out too? Can we start building idols now?
The obvious answer is NO, we should not. We simply recognize that these things define sin for us, and lay out God's expectations for us.
The principle is there.
You can dismiss Abraham all you want to, but Paul does not dismiss is so lightly in Hebrews 7. You are overlooking a very important principle when you do so.
What we do know from the NT:
1. It was the carnal Corinthians who choked over the giving issue - the ones who lived in freedom, wealth, and luxury. They didn't support Paul, but they DID support those who taught false doctrine
2. The poor saints at Macedonia gave freely out of their poverty to help Paul
3. Paul admonished the Corinthians to give SYSTEMATICALLY and METHODICALLY - I Cor. 16:2 - so that there would not be any last minute "love offerings" that amount to nothing. (Again, the RICH WEALTHY people get very stingy when it comes to giving to the Lord's work!)
4. Paul used OT EXAMPLES from the OT LAW to prove his case (I Cor. 9:9-10). So why people want to dismiss the OT teaching on tithing in light of this is beyond me.
5. Since tithing was practised prior to the Law and under the Law, and even mentioned by Jesus Christ, I fail to see why so many people want to choke on this matter. It is the regular Scriptural practice.
6. Just as Abraham is our example of faith (Romans 4) so Abraham is our example in giving (Hebrews 7).