In today's wise quote, we'll be looking at "Tithing". The topic of tithing is one of the most controversial discussions in the church. Some argue that it's a thing of the Old Testament and therefore is not necessary for a New Testament believer because tithing was given by Moses under the Law. Others say once it says in the bible it must be practiced. So what is this act of giving called TITHING? It's one tenth of your income - whether monetary, crops, fruits, grains, resources or even your time. As we research into this, it is my prayer that we will take the time to digest this as well as allowing The Spirit of God to teach us.
Before we begin our discussion, let's first look at Genesis 14:17-24;
Abram and Melchizedek
17 Then after Abram’s return from the defeat (slaughter) of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). 18 [c]Melchizedek king of Salem (ancient Jerusalem) brought out bread and wine [for them]; he was the priest of [d]God Most High.19 And Melchizedek blessed Abram and said,
“Blessed (joyful, favored) be Abram by God Most High,
Creator and Possessor of heaven and earth;
20
And blessed, praised, and glorified be God Most High,
Who has given your enemies into your hand.”
Creator and Possessor of heaven and earth;
20
And blessed, praised, and glorified be God Most High,
Who has given your enemies into your hand.”
And Abram gave him a tenth of all [the treasure he had taken in battle].
Let's also read Genesis 28:10-22;
Jacob’s Dream
10 Now Jacob left Beersheba [never to see his mother again] and traveled toward Haran. 11 And he came to a certain place and stayed overnight there because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down there [to sleep]. 12 He dreamed that there was a ladder (stairway) placed on the earth, and the top of it reached [out of sight] toward heaven; and [he saw] the angels of God ascending and descending on it [going to and from heaven]. 13 And behold, the Lord stood above and around him and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your [father’s] father and the God of Isaac; I will give to you and to your descendants the land [of promise] on which you are lying. 14 Your descendants shall be as [countless as] the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and the east and the north and the south; and all the families (nations) of the earth shall be blessed through you and your [c]descendants. 15 Behold, I am with you and will keep [careful watch over you and guard] you wherever you may go, and I will bring you back to this [promised] land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” 16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and he said, “Without any doubt the Lord is in this place, and I did not realize it.” 17 So he was afraid and said, “How fearful and awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gateway to heaven.”
18 So Jacob got up early in the morning, and took the stone he had put under his head and he set it up as a pillar [that is, a monument to the vision in his dream], and he poured [olive] oil on the top of it [to [d]consecrate it]. 19 He named that place Bethel (the house of God); the previous name of that city was Luz (Almond Tree). 20 Then Jacob made a vow (promise), saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me on this journey that I take, and will give me food to eat and clothing to wear, 21 and if [He grants that] I return to my father’s house in safety, then the Lord will be my God. 22 This stone which I have set up as a pillar (monument, memorial) will be God’s house [a sacred place to me], and of everything that You give me I will give the tenth to You [as an offering to signify my gratitude and dependence on You].”
After reading these two scriptures, note that both Abraham and Jacob had the knowledge of GIVING ONE TENTH of their offering. And this was way before the law was given to Moses. Also note that they both gave WILLING and without any pressure or being forced to do so. Their giving was out of a grateful heart and a symbol of praising God for His Unmerited Favour, Grace, Blessings and for having an Encounter with Him. So how did they know about tithing? I believe the answer lies with our first scripture(Genesis 14:17 - 24). Up until the time of Abraham, there was no mention in the bible of a one tenth of anything being given. But after Abraham's encounter with Melchizedek, he willingly gave.......And Jacob also did the same after his encounter with God at Bethel. Now the question here is, did Melchizedek introduce tithing to Abraham? Read all about Melchizedek in the next post.
Have a blessed day as you ponder on these words. Ask The Spirit of God to give you an intuition and a deeper understanding.
#inspired...ann #WiseQuote
No comments:
Post a Comment