Standing Firm In Christ

I never said Abram didn't give tithes to the Priest of the Most High God. 

My view is not "flawed" at all. 

Hebrews 7:2 is not saying that Melchizedek had no parents.  It simply means there is no genealogical record of who his parents were.  Nor is there a record of his birth, nor of his death.

Hebrews 7:6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

Melchizedek had a "descent".  He had a genealogy.  It is just not know who his parents were.  We do know the genealogy of Jesus Christ.  It is given in both the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke.

No, I don't speak in tongues.  Nor do I do the "slain in the Spirit" thing.

I got out of the Pentecostal movement the same year I was ordained. (approximately 4 months after)

I have been Independent Fundamental Baptist since late-1988.  I felt God calling me to start a new ministry in Northern Virginia.  As I studied in preparation for that ministry, the Spirit began opening my eyes to practices in the Pentecostal movement that could not be supported by Scripture at all.

When I left that movement to begin a new ministry, I left much of its doctrines behind.

Did I ever believe in speaking in tongues or being "slain in the Spirit"?  To be perfectly honest, my spirit never did set well with the doctrine.  But I had been raised in that environment. 

I knew the word and was often called to speak.  I just never approached those two subjects, because, as I said, I was troubled in my spirit about them all along.

As to the "slain in the Spirit" thing, I often tell people, "If ever I am in a service and something like that starts happening, I hope I am standing behind one of those who are being "slain".

If I am, as soon as I see them start to fall, I will gladly step to the side and let them fall.

After all, if the Spirit is knocking them down, who am I to hinder the Spirit?  If He wants to knock them down, He will knock them down at the speed that He wants.  Catching them will hinder them from falling, thereby hindering the Spirit.

If it was the Spirit that knocked them down, they'll stay down.  If not, they will get up quickly and I;ll see what kind of spirit really knocked them down  LoL"

Here is a video where I was interviewed when my book, "The Biblical Tithe: Cash or Crops?" went to the Publishers.

The first century AD Church had 3,000 added to it in one day.  Funny thing, thirty-six years later, when the Epistles of John were written, there were still house churches. 

I don't recall a single admonition given by the Apostles in the Bible, for people to stop having house churches.  I may have missed it though.  I've only been reading and studying the Bible for thirty-eight years now.  If you know the verse that says people are discouraged from meeting in houses, please post it.  I'd really love to see it.

If our church grows to where it is too big to meet in a home, we may get a bigger building.  Or, we may emulate the pattern seen in the first century AD... we may go from house to house preaching the word and breaking bread. 

Why is a big building necessary?  Why take on such an overhead?  Big buildings mean that, not only does the pastor have his home electric bill to pay, now he must pay on another electric bill.  Not only do the church members have their own electric bill to pay, they now must help pay another electric bill. 

If they are using the electric in their homes anyway, why not meet in their homes while the electricity is being used? 

Then, there's the rent of the building.  People are paying their rent and mortgage payments already.  Why burden them with another rent payment?  It seems more economical to emulate the first century AD Christians and meet house to house and lay off the overhead costs of another building that they would only meet three times a week on average?

I thought about that $6,000/mo. cost of renting a place to worship in a strip mall.  I think how such an exorbitant amount could feed many hungry in the community.  Now, your pastor may feel justified in renting such a big place.  I could not.

Even if the Church I pastor grew to 3000, I could not justify paying for a big building.  I would instead train others to pastor and teach them to go house to house, breaking bread and sharing God's truth.

1 Corinthians 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.

In the Church...

The Church is not a brick-and-mortar edifice.  It is a living, breathing organism.  God no longer dwells in Temples made with hands, but now dwells in a people.

"When ye come together in the Church" simply means "when ye come together as a Body... because... the Church is a Body. 

Colossians 1:18 And He is the head of the Body, the Church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Christ's Body is not brick and mortar.  It is those who have trusted Him as the propitiation for their sin.

1 Corinthians 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.

In the Church...

The Church is not a brick-and-mortar edifice.  It is a living, breathing organism.  God no longer dwells in Temples made with hands, but now dwells in a people.

"When ye come together in the Church" simply means "when ye come together as a Body... because... the Church is a Body. 

Colossians 1:18 And He is the head of the Body, the Church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Christ's Body is not brick and mortar.  It is those who have trusted Him as the propitiation for their sin.

The first century AD Church had 3,000 added to it in one day.  Funny thing, thirty-six years later, when the Epistles of John were written, there were still house churches. 

I don't recall a single admonition given by the Apostles in the Bible, for people to stop having house churches.  I may have missed it though.  I've only been reading and studying the Bible for thirty-eight years now.  If you know the verse that says people are discouraged from meeting in houses, please post it.  I'd really love to see it.

If our church grows to where it is too big to meet in a home, we may get a bigger building.  Or, we may emulate the pattern seen in the first century AD... we may go from house to house preaching the word and breaking bread. 

Why is a big building necessary?  Why take on such an overhead?  Big buildings mean that, not only does the pastor have his home electric bill to pay, now he must pay on another electric bill.  Not only do the church members have their own electric bill to pay, they now must help pay another electric bill. 

If they are using the electric in their homes anyway, why not meet in their homes while the electricity is being used? 

Then, there's the rent of the building.  People are paying their rent and mortgage payments already.  Why burden them with another rent payment?  It seems more economical to emulate the first century AD Christians and meet house to house and lay off the overhead costs of another building that they would only meet three times a week on average?

I thought about that $6,000/mo. cost of renting a place to worship in a strip mall.  I think how such an exorbitant amount could feed many hungry in the community.  Now, your pastor may feel justified in renting such a big place.  I could not.

Even if the Church I pastor grew to 3000, I could not justify paying for a big building.  I would instead train others to pastor and teach them to go house to house, breaking bread and sharing God's truth.

The Biblical agricultural tithes which God commanded for the children of Israel (farmers and herders) were to FEED the tribe of Levi during their time of service working in the tabernacle (not in the wilderness) and later the temple, when they were living in the land of Canaan/Israel. 

What do your man-made monetary tithes sustain?   Your pastor's lifestyle (which doesn't have to be lavish), paying the rent in the place/building where you meet to worship, extra-curricular activities, perhaps missions, etc.   This was NEVER the purpose of the Biblical agricultural tithe.   Tithes were EATEN....do you eat money?   Free will, sacrificial and grace giving works fine to sustain all that a church requires to meet their needs.  What you give as biblical tithes are not biblical tithes....but simply 10% of your gross income.  Biblical tithes were never monetary throughout the Bible and nobody has ever given Scriptural proof that a monetary tithe was EVER commanded by God.  It is a man-made doctrine.
Matthew 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Your opinions don't justify the compulsory monetary tithe, so you can stop bragging about how your man-made tithes are used.  I'm not impressed.  And as for house churches......that's a matter of opinion also.  The first century church met in houses DAILY to break bread and fellowship/worship.  Three thousand were saved on the day of Pentecost.  The upper room was somebody's house.

Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.   
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 
Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,   
Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.   
Acts 20:20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,

Nope... we meet in a home.  Cuts out a lot of overhead, since we are already paying the electric bill ourselves.

Even if we were in a big building, we wouldn't be lying to our congregation in order to garner finances to pay the bills.  Instead, we would do what I did in the last two churches I pastored... we would tell them when a bill came in and how much it is.  Then, we would pray, asking God to move hearts to give what they could afford.  And we would exercise our faith, believing God would move hearts. 

Worked with the church in Virginia, and with the one in North Carolina as well.  Pretty sure, it would work here in Mississippi too.  Lies about tithes weren't necessary.  We teach people the joy of giving.  Forced giving breeds contempt.

Jesus did have a Treasurer.  However, neither He, nor His Treasurer, collected tithes of His Disciples.

Our church meets in a home...not a tabernacle.  We don't tithe, we give from the heart.  The biblical tithe was always agricultural, NEVER money!
Church functions on grace and free will GIVING and we pay our own rent and utilities.  Giving and tithing are not the same....giving is a "heart" principle and tithing is an ordinance of the Mosaic law. 
All you said was how wonderful your pastor is and how everything was free.....then you turn around and say your rent is $6,000 a month.  Ever hear about free will and grace giving???  Since biblical tithing was never money, the purpose of the biblical tithe (which was always agricultural from the land of Canaan/Israel) was never meant for paying bills, but to sustain the tribe of Levi. 

It is biblical to tithe... it's just not biblical to tithe money.  Nor is a monetary tithe requirement sermon biblical.

As for Malachi 3:6-12, Malachi was admonishing the Priest's of Israel.  They had removed the agricultural tithes from the Temple storehouse and God wanted them back.

The passage had absolutely nothing to do with monetary tithing when Malachi delivered it to the Priest's, and it has nothing to do with monetary tithing today.  As verse six says...

I am the LORD God; I change not;..."
 
The last Book in the Old Testament section of our Bible holds many precious nuggets of truth that so many people today never realize are in there. They do not realize these nuggets are in Malachi for two reasons,..   1. Their Pastor’s do not tell them these nuggets of truth are in Malachi. 2. They themselves do not study the Bible as they should, but instead allow their Pastor’s to turn their eyes from these nuggets of truth..   Let us look at just a few of the nuggets we can find in the pages of the Book of Malachi, shall we?   a) The storehouse Malachi is speaking of is attached to the Temple in Jerusalem.   b) The Church that I pastor is not the storehouse Malachi was speaking of.  
c) When Malachi said, that there may be meat in mine house,..." he was speaking of food... not money.  Not once in the Bible is money ever referred to as "meat"
. d) Malachi is not saying to tithe your monetary income to God’s House.    e) Malachi was speaking to a people living under the Mosaic/Levitic Law.   f) Malachi could not have been speaking of any other kind of tithe than that which was required by Mosaic/Levitic Law, i.e.; a tithe of agricultural crops, flocks and herds.   g) Malachi 1:6; & 2:1 reveal that Malachi was speaking to the corrupt Priest’s in Malachi 3:6-12.  He had a commandment for the Priest's.  That commandment is not seen until chapter three.   h) The tithes and offerings had been stolen by the Priest’s,… not by the congregation.  Both Numbers 18:21-26 & Nehemiah 10:37-38 reveal that the congregation could not tithe to the House of God.   i) When Pastor’s use Malachi to teach a monetary tithe, they are guilty of handling the word of God deceitfully.   j) The Priest’s of Israel were guilty of despising God’s name because they exchanged the best animals for lame and blind animals   k) Pastor’s that teach monetary tithing are guilty of despising God’s name because they have exchanged His commanded agricultural tithes for monetary tithes.   l) In doing things their own way instead of God’s way, the Priest’s of Israel were robbing God of His authority in their lives.   m) In doing things their own way instead of God’s way, the Priest’s of God had robbed the nation of Israel of God’s blessing.   n) In teaching their own way instead of God’s way, Pastor’s today are guilty of robbing God of His authority in their lives.   o) In teaching their own way instead of God’s way, Pastor’s today are guilty of robbing God of His authority in the lives of their congregations.   p) In doing things their own way instead of God’s way, Pastor’s are guilty of robbing their congregations of God’s blessing.   q) When Malachi promised that God would open the windows of Heaven, Malachi was speaking clouds giving rain to the land of Israel so that plants could grow   r) The devourer that Malachi was speaking of was the locust.   There are many, many more precious and wonderful nuggets written within the four chapters of the Book of Malachi. I encourage you to take time to study this Book and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal them to you.   1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

We could indeed visit the "law of first mention"...
It never fails, when teaching that tithe is a matter of the Law, someone is sure to argue it is not. (not saying anyone in this discussion said it was not Law)
Some will say that Abram’s tithe to Melchizedek was BEFORE the Law, and then say that Abram’s tithe is the first mention of tithes in the Bible, and therefore, "law of first mention" should be employed.

If we go with the "law of first mention...
The first mentioned tithe, was not from monetary wages.  Nor was it from the benefits of the one who tithed. Therefore, if law of first mention applies, it should not come from monetary wages or benefits.
The first mentioned instance of tithing reveals that Abram tithed spoils of war… spoils that did not belong to him. He had promised God that he would not take any of the spoils as his own property.  Therefore, if law of first mention applies, those who tithe should promise God that they will give the rest of what they tithe from away.
Law of first mention? In first mention of tithes, Abram was 79 years old when he tithed to Melchizedek. Therefore, if law of first mention should apply, man should not tithe until he  has reached the age of 79 as Abram was.
Law of first mention? Abram did not tithe in the town he lived in. He tithed in the land of Canaan. Therefore, if law of first mention applies, tithes need to taken to the land of Canaan and given there.
Law of first mention? The tithe Abram gave to Melchizedek was from stolen items Abram recovered from kings he had killed in battle. Therefore, if law of first mention applies, the tithe should come from stolen items recovered after killing people… specifically, kings.
Law of first mention? Abram tithed in an open valley, not in a wooden or brick building called a church. Therefore, if law of first mention applies, tithes should be given in a valley… not in a church building.
Law of first mention? Abram was childless when he tithed to Melchizedek. Therefore, if law of first mention applies, those who tithe should not have any children prior to tithing.
Law of first mention? After Abram tithed, he gave the remainder of the items which he tithed from to a king of Sodom. Abram kept nothing of that which he tithed from for himself or for his family. Therefore, if law of first mention applies, the rest of that which is tithed from should be given to a king of Sodom. The one tithing should use nothing of that which he tithes from on himself or his family.

Law of first mention?  It was a man that tithed in the first mention of tithes.  Therefore, if law of first mention applies, only men should tithe.
Law of first mention probably shouldn't apply in the case of tithing.  LoL

Exactly!  And to show how much the church preaches tithing as a Law (even though they point to Melchizedek) one only notice how they run to the Law to prove it must be done. 

...then there's the condescending remarks made about non-tither's that also shows that tithing is made a  Law. for the Church

I didn't say YOU were silly, I said your assumption is silly, and you did, indeed, make the assumption, though it may not have been intentional, it is how it came across. You said "Don't you non-tithers see the absurdity of not tithing and giving to missions?" so you have said, in effect, if you don't believe in tithing, you don't give, (to you a tithe=giving), and we certainly don't give to missions. And that is completely incorrect, thus, it is silly. And it wasn't your analysis that was silly, it was your accusation that "non-tithers' don't give. Tithing is NOT the only means of giving, even in the OT, regardless of how you feel about it: there were freewill offerings of all sorts: the issue with the tith is that it was NOT freewill, it was mandatory-thus, you believe that tithing is a mandatory giving for all believers, but that is completely false, it is not to be found anywhere in New Testament scripture. And I don't speak this as a moderator, but as a member and a fellow believer.  It just isn't there.
 

Many, in their zeal to defend their monetary tithe teaching pastors, will be quick to state that “They didn’t have money in ancient Israel, so they tithed crops and livestock.”  
But is that true?  Were the ancient Israelites as destitute as so many want to portray them as being?
A careful study of the word of God will reveal to the reader that silver was the means of buying and selling from the time of Abraham and forward.
  In Genesis 23, Abraham purchases the cave at Mach-Pelah from Ephron for 400 shekels of silver. Verse 16 of this chapter tells us that silver is the “current money of the merchant”.   In Genesis 37, Joseph is sold into slavery for twenty pieces of silver.   In Genesis 43, Joseph’s brethren took “double money” to Egypt to buy food. The word “money” in this chapter is translated from the Hebrew “keceph”. Keceph is defined as “silver." In Exodus 21, if a man’s ox injured another man’s slave, the owner of the ox was to pay the owner of the slave in silver.
 In Exodus 30, every male between the age of 20 and 60 is required to pay a tax of a half-shekel of silver annually,… whether they are rich or poor.
  In Leviticus 27, many things dedicated to God can be redeemed (bought back) with silver. Even a portion of one’s crops tithe could be redeemed.   In Deuteronomy 14. the Feast tithe could be sold if it was too heavy, or if there was a chance of it spoiling before the Israelite reached the place of festivities. Upon reaching the place of festivities, the Israelites was to buy food as the Feast tithe and eat it with his family.   In Judges 9. Abimelech paid people silver to follow him.   In Judges 17, graven image purchased with 200 shekels of silver   In Jeremiah 32, The weeping prophet purchased land from his uncle Hanameel with 17 pieces of silver.   In Matthew 14, ointment might have been sold for three hundred pence. (denarius)   In Matthew 20, parable speaks of workers agreeing to work for a penny.   As to Abram’s tithe to Melchizedek... it was of war spoils, not of his monetary income.  There is not one recorded instance in the entire Bible where Abram is said to have tithed his money, or his possession, to Melchizedek.  
Abram was living in an era when kings expected tithes of war spoils.  The tithing of war spoils had been practiced for more than 285 years before Abram met with Melchizedek in the Valley of Shaveh.

The account of Abram's tithe is descriptive... not prescriptive.  In other words, there is no instruction in the word of God that says, Because Abram tithed to Melchizedek, the saved of God must tithe to their leaders."
  And, as pointed out previously in this post, Israel’s tithe was of agricultural increase, not of their monetary income.
Israel’s monetary system, as proven by the verses  referenced above, was silver and not agricultural increase.
  There is nothing in the word of God that indicates anyone being required to tithe their monetary income to either Tabernacle, Temple, Synagogue or Church. God knows everything that ever happened in the past. He knows what is happening in the present. He knows what will happen in the future.
He made no provision in His word for man in any period of time to preach contrary to what is written in His Holy word. His commanded tithe was agricultural then. It has not changed to money, whether man wishes to make it money or not.
Man can say God’s tithe is money for the next fifty years from now. But, ten thousand years beyond that, the Bible will still say the commanded tithe is agricultural.
It is forever settled in Heaven. God’s commanded tithe never was, nor will it ever be money.

It really doesn't matter what people in other lands did, or do for buying and selling, wages, etc, etc.. 

God's word is supposed to be the Christian's final authority in all matter of faith and practice.  And God's word reveals that, although the children of Israel used silver for their system of buying and selling, (see my above post) God's tithe was to come strictly from agriculture. 

I don't base God's tithe on what people in third world countries  do to survive.  Nor do I base God's tithe on what people in the United States of America do to survive.  I base God's tithe on what His word says His tithe is.

Many, in their zeal to defend their monetary tithe teaching pastors, will be quick to state that “They didn’t have money in ancient Israel, so they tithed crops and livestock.”  
But is that true?  Were the ancient Israelites as destitute as so many want to portray them as being?
A careful study of the word of God will reveal to the reader that silver was the means of buying and selling from the time of Abraham and forward.
  In Genesis 23, Abraham purchases the cave at Mach-Pelah from Ephron for 400 shekels of silver. Verse 16 of this chapter tells us that silver is the “current money of the merchant”.   In Genesis 37, Joseph is sold into slavery for twenty pieces of silver.   In Genesis 43, Joseph’s brethren took “double money” to Egypt to buy food. The word “money” in this chapter is translated from the Hebrew “keceph”. Keceph is defined as “silver." In Exodus 21, if a man’s ox injured another man’s slave, the owner of the ox was to pay the owner of the slave in silver.
 In Exodus 30, every male between the age of 20 and 60 is required to pay a tax of a half-shekel of silver annually,… whether they are rich or poor.
  In Leviticus 27, many things dedicated to God can be redeemed (bought back) with silver. Even a portion of one’s crops tithe could be redeemed.   In Deuteronomy 14. the Feast tithe could be sold if it was too heavy, or if there was a chance of it spoiling before the Israelite reached the place of festivities. Upon reaching the place of festivities, the Israelites was to buy food as the Feast tithe and eat it with his family.   In Judges 9. Abimelech paid people silver to follow him.   In Judges 17, graven image purchased with 200 shekels of silver   In Jeremiah 32, The weeping prophet purchased land from his uncle Hanameel with 17 pieces of silver.   In Matthew 14, ointment might have been sold for three hundred pence. (denarius)   In Matthew 20, parable speaks of workers agreeing to work for a penny.   As to Abram’s tithe to Melchizedek... it was of war spoils, not of his monetary income.  There is not one recorded instance in the entire Bible where Abram is said to have tithed his money, or his possession, to Melchizedek.  
Abram was living in an era when kings expected tithes of war spoils.  The tithing of war spoils had been practiced for more than 285 years before Abram met with Melchizedek in the Valley of Shaveh.

The account of Abram's tithe is descriptive... not prescriptive.  In other words, there is no instruction in the word of God that says, Because Abram tithed to Melchizedek, the saved of God must tithe to their leaders."
  And, as pointed out previously in this post, Israel’s tithe was of agricultural increase, not of their monetary income.
Israel’s monetary system, as proven by the verses  referenced above, was silver and not agricultural increase.
  There is nothing in the word of God that indicates anyone being required to tithe their monetary income to either Tabernacle, Temple, Synagogue or Church. God knows everything that ever happened in the past. He knows what is happening in the present. He knows what will happen in the future.
He made no provision in His word for man in any period of time to preach contrary to what is written in His Holy word. His commanded tithe was agricultural then. It has not changed to money, whether man wishes to make it money or not.
Man can say God’s tithe is money for the next fifty years from now. But, ten thousand years beyond that, the Bible will still say the commanded tithe is agricultural.
It is forever settled in Heaven. God’s commanded tithe never was, nor will it ever be money.

But this, now, would be considered pragmatism. That would be fine if no other principle was taught. However, the OT taught clearly that a 'tithe' was of meat and crops, while a freewill offering could be those, but was also money. In the OT, look up the word 'tithes': every time it is mentioned, it is in context to grain, meat (crops), the fruit of the field, etc. Always.
The New testament doesn't teach ANY tithe anywhere, just freewill giving, as one has been blessed, and as one loves the work and the Lord, so you give. Not of necessity. A tithe WAS a necessity. So we can't just all pray and see what God wants us to do when He has spoken already-though we Do each need to lok and see how much the Lord would have us give.
You make the silly assumption that if we don't tithe, we don't give. If I believ in the Bible, then I give. If I love the Lord and His work, I give-THAT is the New Testament principle of giving. Your assumption sounds very much like an SDA who would say, "Oh, you don't keep the OT Law? then you are clearl lawless and are against God!", and of course, you would agree that is foolish-we keep to the many commands of the New Testament, but not the Old, as it is no longer in effect. So, the OT tithe is not in effect for believers, and never way-we practice New testament giving as we are given to. But either way, it is still giving.

This non tither no longer gives anything to any religious institution that lies about what God's commanded tithe is. 

God's Church is built on the truths written and spoken by the Apostles and Prophets... not on lies.  The church built on lies will one day fall.

Instead of giving to a church that teaches contrary to what God said His holy tithe is, we give to people in need in our network of friends.

Proverbs 19:17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
 

This non tither no longer gives anything to any religious institution that lies about what God's commanded tithe is. 

God's Church is built on the truths written and spoken by the Apostles and Prophets... not on lies.  The church built on lies will one day fall.

Instead of giving to a church that teaches contrary to what God said His holy tithe is, we give to people in need in our network of friends.

Proverbs 19:17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
 

Not only do we disagree with you, but the Bible disagrees with you as well.

I wouldn't have published the book if the Bible taught monetary tithing.
 

Not only do we disagree with you, but the Bible disagrees with you as well.

I wouldn't have published the book if the Bible taught monetary tithing.
 

Not only do we disagree with you, but the Bible disagrees with you as well.

I wouldn't have published the book if the Bible taught monetary tithing.
 

I don't know who writes these RSS feeds, but sometimes they make me shake my head. There is no indication in scripture anywhere that God told Abraham to tithe of his spoils. Nowhere. Thus, there is no way it was a "test of obedience". One cannot obey a directive if no directive has been given. It's true that it was indeed a cultural, secular practice among the heathen that would have been a part of Abraham's society his entire life that he would have been a part of, and to me this just strengthen's the position that it was not then a new , divine institution set up by God at that particular incident. 
Tithing was not instituted as a commandment by God before the law. It was not instituted for any people outside of the Law. It was not carried over to the New Testament Church. Jesus told the Pharisees, who were Jews still under the law at that time, that they were still beholden to keep the law, yes, but they also had to not neglect the weightier matters of the condition of their fellow man. Read Isaiah chapter 1. The exact same problem was addressed. To the exact same people.
After the resurrection, ascension and founding of the church, tithing is never mentioned again. Instead, we get the following;
Acts 21:21-25
Galatians 2:1-4
Galatians 5:1 (speaking specifically about being under the law)
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.
And please, If one is going to pull out I Corinthians 16:2, read it in context first. Paul was on his way to Jerusalem, and was collecting relief for the folks there who were suffering. He did not know how much time he would have in port with the ship's layover on the way through, so he's telling them to have whatever they are giving gathered and waiting so as to not waste time. Has absolutely NOTHING to do with taking up the collection in church every Sunday so that the good Christians can pay their bound Temple tax tithes.
We need to give. We need to give generously and often. We need to give to those in need, to the church to help pay the bills, to properly support the ministers who watch for our souls, to missions, and sometimes even to just be a blessing to someone who is not necessarily in need. But if we do not give willingly, cheerfully, generously and freely out of our liberty in Christ, we might as well keep the Sabbath day and forbid pork.
Now. It's time for breakfast, I wonder if Momma has any bacon in the 'fridge ... ? :)