Rebuttal to Hunter McGee

Rebuttal of Pastor Hunter McGeee, Deep End Thoughts, by Russell Earl Kelly, PHD
http://huntermcgee.wordpress.com/2009/06/17/tithing-a-tenth-of-your-heart/

No. Tithing is NOT a biblical command for Christians and never has been. The Old Covenant was only commanded to national Israel per Exodus 19:5-6; Lev 27:34. The New Covenant has no text after Calvary commanding Christians to tithe. Christians are comamnded to give sacrificially. That means more than 10% for many and less for others.

No. Tithing was always only a principle for food producers who lived inside Israel. Although money was common even in Genesis and essential for sanctaury worship, money was never included in 16 texts which describe the contents of the tithe for over 1500 years from Leviticus to Luke.

Biblical tithes were not used for missionary work nor for building expenses. Those who received the Levitical tithe were not allowed to own or inherit property. Jesus, Peter and Paul did not qualify as tithe-payers and neither did the poor nor those who lived outside of Israel.
You are correct. "The answer is simple: You should give if you have decided in your heart to give. You should not give if you are reluctant or under compulsion with selfish motives."

You asked "Why is it that those who have the truth like to argue; and those who do not have definitive answers for their beliefs, do not like to argue?"

Why is it that tithe-supports absolutely will not engage in any in-dept discussion of tithing or write Masters, Doctorate or PHD disserations on the subject at seminary level?

You said "What God wants is you, and he wants you with a right attitude, especially when you are tithing."

Thanks for nothing. You dispelled tithing and then let it back in. That is dishonest.

You said "Tithing shows God that he is number one in your life and that you trust in his security rather than the security of money."

This is totally your own personal opinion. Levitical tithing was cold hard Law and was required regardless of one's feelings. You have not even DEFINED the word "tithing" correctly. Read the statute in Numbers 18. Those who receive tithes are not allowed to own or inherit property and are commanded to kill anybody who dares to worhsip God directly.

You said "Tithing obediently can bring blessings to your life and those you give to."

This is only true if Jesus did not die and if all of us are still under the Old Covenant. Read Galatians 3:10-13.

You wrote: "There is no way around this command; CHRISTIANS MUST TITHE."

YOU ARE A HYPOCRITE. This is NOT in God's Word. Tithes were never money! God owned everything during the Old Testament time also, but he never accepted tithe-food or money-"tithe" from outside of Israel.

You said: "Some in the Christian church have taken the 10 percent figure from the Old Testament tithe and applied it as a “recommended minimum” for Christians in their giving."

This is based on the false assumption that everykbody in the OT was required to begin their level of giving at 10% --which is false. Only food producers who lived inside Israel were required to tithe.

You said: "The New Testament talks about the importance and benefits of giving. We are to give as we are able. Sometimes that means giving more than 10 percent; sometimes that may mean giving less. It all depends on the ability of the Christian and the needs of the church. Every Christian should diligently pray and seek God’s wisdom in the matter of participating in tithing and/or how much to give (James 1:5)."

HYPOCRITE: You are arguing from both directins and both cannot be true. You previously said "It is money the Lord has given you charge over, you get to decide what happens with it; but as a Christian, God calls you to give a portion to him. There is no way around this command; CHRISTIANS MUST TITHE." Please make up your mind."

Then you said: "Tithing is a biblical command from God for believers; it is not an option."

SEE-SAW, SEE-SAW: Tithing was never a biblical command for the church. We do not kill children who curse or strike their parents per Exodus 21 and we do not force our pastors to forfeit property ownership per Numbers 18 --the tithing statute.
YOU--FOR: "However, above all, all tithes should be given with pure motives and an attitude of worship to God and service to the body of Christ."

YOU--AGAINST: Again, a believer should give what he believes God would have him give.

Congratulations: In nine (9) years since publishing my book, Should the Church Teach Tithing, yours is the worst case of see-saw I have ever read. Paul calls this kind of nonesense "witchcraft" in Galatians 3:1-5. You have added Law back into the Gospel of Grace and are guilty of Galatians 1:8-9.

Russeell Earl Kelly, PHD
www.tithing-russkelly.com