It is widely talked and written that Christians are not required to pay tithes to God (His church). What does Jesus teach?
Any position that maintains Christians are no longer required to pay tithes (a tenth of all income: typically money, in today’s world) is directly opposite to the teaching of Jesus Christ.
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. – Jesus Christ
International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia
Tithe:
tith (ma‘aser; dekate): The custom of giving a 10th part of the products of the land and of the spoils of war to priests and kings (1 Macc 10:31; 11:35; 1Samuel 8:15,17) was a very ancient one among most nations.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Tithe:
The first Mosaic law on this subject is recorded in Leviticus. 27:30-32.
…It cannot be affirmed that the Old Testament law of tithes is binding on the Christian Church,….
…It cannot be affirmed that the Old Testament law of tithes is binding on the Christian Church,….
Is the above statement true?
Can the Old Testament law of tithes be binding on the Christian Church?
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
– Jesus Christ
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
– Jesus Christ
If the Entire Bible/Law Has Been Fulfilled, Tithes are Not Binding on the Christian Church
Everything the Bible says has not, yet been fulfilled, relating to Jesus’ words in Mathew 5:18. A couple things, pertaining to the Law of Moses (as it is often referred to), has been fulfilled:
God raised up a Prophet, like Moses (Jesus Christ), within Israel.
Deuteronomy 18:15The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
– Above, Moses was speaking to the children of Israel.
Deuteronomy 18:18I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
– Above are the words God spoke to Moses.
The Transfiguration (of Jesus, Whom God spoke of to Moses)And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
Jesus fulfilled the Sacrificial Law of Moses.
The Law of Sin Offerings (Leviticus 4:1-35)
Leviticus 4:35And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat of the lamb is taken away from the sacrifice of the peace offerings; and the priest shall burn them upon the altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto the LORD: and the priest shall make an atonement for his sin that he hath committed, and it shall be forgiven him.
The above scripture is what the priests had to do to atone (pay, compensate) for sin. Jesus fulfilled this part of the law; which, is no longer necessary, nor is it anymore adequate for forgiveness of sin, by God.
The following scriptures reference Jesus, indirectly and directly as the Sacrificial Lamb of God (The Once, For All, and Final Sin Offering Unto God):
Romans 5:11And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
John 1:29The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
John 3:14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 12:34The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
Mathew 12:40For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
John 6:51I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
The Lord's Supper (Something Here is Not Yet Fulfilled)
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