Tithing: From Abram to the New Testament

Dive into the intriguing world of tithing with "Tithing: From Abram to the New Testament" on Pearlpod! Join your hosts, Leigh Murphy Verere and Adams Joseph, as they unravel the complex history of tithing, from its roots in the Old Testament to the surprising silence in the New Testament. Explore the principles of first fruits and divine prosperity and discover how the rigid obligation of tithing has evolved. 

 Is tithing relevant today? Find out how we can honor God with our resources without being bound by legalistic expectations. 

 Engage in prayer and community as we strive to redeem authentic spirituality! For more insightful discussions, like and share this video! 

#Tithing #Pearlpod #Spirituality #Faith #Generosity

OUTLINE: 

00:00:00 Introduction

00:00:54 The First Fruit Principle

00:02:21 Abram's Gift and the Tithing Commandment

00:04:15 Tithing in the New Testament

00:05:39 Conclusion and Call to Action

00:07:03 Closing Remarks

Transcript

LMV: Welcome to Pearlpod. I'm your host, Leigh Murphy Verere. 

Adams: Hello, everyone out there! Welcome to another stimulating episode. My name is Adams Joseph and I’m your co-host.

LMV: Ancient practice or outdated obligation? Abram's generous gift to Melchizedek sparked a tradition that would span centuries, but how applicable is the practice of the contentious principle of tithing today?

Adams: In this episode “Tithing: From Abram to the New Testament,” we’ll challenge prevailing assumptions and uncover the truth about the fascinating history of tithing, from its Old Testament roots to the New Testament's surprising silence.

[Interlude]

Adams: Let’s begin by asking the question you raised earlier. How applicable is the practice of tithing today?

LMV: Let me re-echo, also, your earlier statement about the New Testament’s surprising silence. That, in itself, is a big question mark over the practice of the principle. 

Anyway, God’s kingdom thrives prosperously on dynamic ancient principles practiced by the faith-fuls. The first fruits principle found in Proverbs 3:9-10 remains one of such earliest biblical principles before Abram's generous gift to Melchizedek.

“Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.”

Adams: I perceive that this ancient practice of God’s people encapsulated the two aspects of divine prosperity, spiritual and material prosperity, I hope I’m correct.

LMV: You’re right. Jesus emphasized the spiritual and material dimensions of prosperity in His timeless words: “…Seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Adams: Abel was recorded as the first man to practice the first fruit principle. 

LMV: Yes. He offered out of the firstlings of his flock, adding fat ones of his increase, and God respected him and his offering. Genesis 4:4. 

And when Abram gave Melchizedek 10% of the spoils of war, it was an act of honor in fulfillment of the first fruit principle. He gave 10%. Tell me, Joe, how do you determine the ‘firstlings’ of the spoils of war if you were in Abram’s shoes?

Adams: I wonder!

LMV: Giving 10% was the standard in such circumstances when one cannot separate the first fruits from the rest of the spoils, and which became a divine standard commanded as an ordinance in the law to cater to the priesthood who had no inheritance.

Adams: I remember vividly that when the original tithing commandment entered, it was enacted as a celebration in the presence of God, to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. 

LMV: Nobody talks about that now, as if there’s a conspiracy of silence. Everyone at that time comes with 10% of their farm’s produce and animal increase or converts it to money bestowed on whatever they desire, even strong drink, to be eaten rejoicing with family and friends, including the Levites, the poor, and strangers in the communities. Nevertheless, the third-year and sixth-year tithes were brought to the gates as commanded, and to the temple, respectively. The whole tithe in this respect is to cater to the priesthood, the poor, and foreigners, to cultivate and demonstrate the spirit of love among God’s people. Anybody interested can confirm these truths which the institutionalist would rather shade in secrecy. See Deuteronomy 14:22-29.

Adams: Permit me to shout it out loud, nowhere in the New Testament was tithing commanded.

LMV: Jesus mentioned it though in the Gospels, but that was before He was crucified. 

Significantly, in Ephesians 2:15, Paul was clear that the “law of commandments contained in ordinances” had been abolished by Jesus’ crucifixion. Certainly, tithing was part of the law of commandments contained in ordinances. And nobody is talking about that too.

Adams: Wow! Are they so blind or so numb that they can’t perceive, and I bet not many believers have this understanding to this day. Am I to conclude that we don’t read our Bibles or are the proponents of tithing going to tell us that the principle and practice wasn’t part of the law of commandments contained in ordinances?

LMV: It’s the sign of the times. This is a verifiable proof that we prefer men’s doctrines to divine sound teaching. There’s no justification for tithing today, except its connection to the first fruit principle, in which case we are not bound to a specific percentage. Rather, we’re reminded to honor God with a percentage worthy enough to earn His respect. 

Adams: Journeying through the history of tithing has revealed a profound truth: the principle of honoring God with our first fruits remains, but the rigid obligation of tithing has been abolished. 

LMV: Tithing is yet another proof that the motivation of swinging from organic to institutional worship is profiteering; the exploitation of faith for selfish aggrandizement. Though an aberration under institutionalism, tithing, if it must be practiced, ought to have been based on the original commandment that required that it be celebrated as a love feast or as the case may be, distributed amongst the priesthood, the poor and foreigners in our midst.  As we move forward, let us embrace the spirit of pure love which engenders generosity, unencumbered by legalistic expectations. Come let’s join hands in prayer, praying fervidly in tongues that our giving will be a joyful expression of our love for God and our community rather than a ritual. As we wrap up this episode, remember that our goals are to redeem the Church, return her to authentic organic communities, and restore true spirituality.

Adams: Thanks for being part of this thrilling voyage. Tune in next time for another inspiring encounter. In the next episode on Pearlpod, we’ll unveil “The Three Insidious Sins of Institutionalism (Pt.1),” and explore “Subversion of God’s Sovereignty.” Don’t miss it! Let's continue the conversation! Connect with our community #PearlpodWithLMV on Facebook and share your thoughts, insights, and experiences. Check out our show notes for links, relevant images, and maps. You can subscribe for free to receive updates and behind-the-scenes insights. 

LMV: Glory to God! Thanks everyone for being there. Remember, it’s not the hearers but doers of God’s word that are blessed. Bye for now, and stay blessed!