ANSWERING A TITHE-TEACHING PASTOR

ANSWERING A TITHE-TEACHING PASTOR

He: My pastor states that The Law wasn't done away with.

Russ: First, what verses does he use to make such a statement? The Law was an indivisible whole; we are either under all of it of none of it (Mt 5:17-18 as illustrated by Jesus in 5:19-48). Romans 6:5, 6 says our old man is dead; Romans 7:4 says “we” are dead to the Law. Romans 10:4 says that Christ is the “end” of the Law. The law cannot tell a dead man what to do “We” only refers to Jews like Paul. Galatians 3:18-19 says the law was “until” and Galatians 3:25 says “we” are no longer under the law as our schoolmaster. That means all of the Law, and not just part of it. Again, before Calvary Gentiles were under the “law” principles of nature and conscience Rom 1:19-20 and 2:14-16.

He: He seems to understand that money existed and was not used as tithes.

Russ: He is correct. True holy tithes were always only food from inside God’s holy land.

He: Yet still says that money is used today …

Russ: Money is used incorrectly today. God never changed the definition of the holy tithe.

He: … back then food was used as bartering system.

Russ: Not true. “Money” in the form of silver and gold was used. The word occurs very often before tithing was taught.

He: " How would church survive without money?"

Russ: The question does snot exist if one admits that the church is not supported by literal true Old Covenant tithes. Jesus said to give to Caesar money which has Caesar’s image and language upon it. That does not apply today because the entire system of temple has been replaced.

He: He states that todays churches dont have a spirit of giving.

Russ: True, but not because of tithing. Law-tithing cannot equate to grace giving motivated by love for others. OT Israel did not use tithes to build missions to convert Gentiles.

He: He also states that we should then give all as the Acts church did.

Russ: This is illogical. How would we are for our family and meet family financial needs?  It is contrary to First Timothy 5:8. God did not tell the early Church in Acts to give all. They freely chose to do it in an emergency situation. Your pastor does not give all of his salary to the church!!!

He: You have leasons on tithing, do you have lessons on New Testament giving?

Russ: Read my book, chapters 26-28, pages 224-245. It is posted free on my web site.

In Christ’s love

Russ Kelly