Comments to Redeemed from the Street on Tithing

Redeemed from the Street, 4-12-2010

You said: The Bible tells us is both the New and Old Testament about what God required for his people.

Kelly: The Old Covenant was only commanded to national Israel and God specifically forbade Israel not to intermingle with us Gentiles.

You said: Tithing is basically defined as giving one-tenth of ones income or earnings, in order to support God's work.

Kelly: The true HOLY biblical tithe was always only food from inside God’s HOLY land which God had miraculously increased. Although money was common in Genesis and essential for sanctuary worship, money was never a tithe-able item for holy tithes. Jesus did not qualify and neither did anybody who lived outside Israel.

You said: The Old testament tells us in Leviticus 27:30 how God required tithing to the Israelite nation, giving one-tenth of all they possessed.

Kelly: Leviticus 27:30-34 clearly limits tithes to food from inside Israel as part of the Old Covenant. It did not include money or the poor who owned no land.

You said: Many today make that statement that "That was back then" meaning that it no longer exists and God does not require that.

Kelly: Again, God never commanded the Gentiles or the church to tithe. And he never commanded gospel workers to forfeit land and property ownership.

You said: If that was the case, then the Ten Commandments would not be required as well. Murdering, stealing, dishonoring and idolizing would be right in Gods eyes but that certainly is not the case.

Kelly: Even Gentiles who had not the Law were judged by the eternal moral principles of the law in Rom 1:18-20; 2:14-16. The “Thou Shalt Nots” for Old Covenant Israel are “You will obey” for New Covenant Christians in whom the Holy Spirit dwells.

You said: The book of Malachi Chapter 3 verse 8

Kelly: Malachi is written only to Hebrews under the Old Covenant (Neh 10:29; Mal 4:4). The tithe was still only food.

You said: I personally tithe to support God, and to avoid a curse that may descend upon me if I do not obey him.

Kelly: Christians who are saved under New Covenant promises cannot possibly be cursed because of disobedience to Old Covenant promises made only to Israel. Christians are already sitting with Christ in heavenly places and have already been adopted as God’s children. Gal 3:10-13.

You said: To conclude, tithing is relevant, and is still practiced today.

Kelly: Nothing, absolutely nothing, taught in the OT about tithing is obeyed by any church today. NT post-Calvary giving is primarily sacrificial. For many that means MORE than 10% but many are giving sacrificially even though less.