Tithes and Today

The tithe of the Old Testament does not exist under our new mediation. It is replaced with a spiritual tithe.

Although Paul mentions the collecting of monies for the Lord's people, this offering was not a commandment from Jesus. It was specific to the times and has no bearing on Today.

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1 Corinthians 16:1-4

1

Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do.

2

On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

3

Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem.

4

If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.

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Now, if you belong to a house, and it pays for a minister, and it does works for the proper treatment of widows, orphans, and the needy, than you can anonymously give monies to sustain this work. But it must not be expected, and it must not come with personal expectations of recognition or prominence. Too often these offerings are made openly and considered as rewarding others with our presence by our affluency. Too often we act with expectations of thanks or reward. That is not honoring God, it is honoring self, or one another.

So what is a spiritual tithe? It is of the unseen qualities of God. It is what fuels our actions that honor him, and it is based on obedience to the authority we are under, Amen.

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Hebrew 4:7

7

God again set a certain day, calling it "Today." This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."

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In the gospel of Thomas, there is a passage 'render unto Caesar what is his, render unto God what is His, and render unto me what is mine.'

I see a work week that is dedicated to the established system of man and his authority.

I see the same work week as a series of 'Todays'. With time every day, like a spiritual tithe, offered in prayer and thanks, and teachings.

I see the same series of 'Todays'; but with time used to honor the Father by obediently doing what was/is commanded of us by Christ. To love the Father, and treat others as we would have ourselves be treated.

I see this understanding representing this spiritual tithe of our existence. Instead of a tax under worldly law, or a religious tithe to a house of man under Law. This spiritual tithe is worthy of God. And this established offering is recognized eternally, like a gathered harvest of fruit we have established here on earth, that is then celebrated in heaven.

In the gospel of James it is said faith without deeds is dead. So that each day, (Today), we spend doing the Father's will, is not just in readings, prayers and psalm, but in charity, acts of mercy, and with compassion. Showing love, treating others how you would have yourselves treated. In this context, loving one another is an opportunity to fulfill our commitment to the Father. 

Paying taxes under the laws of man is recognition of that authority. Paying tithe under the Law of sin is in recognition of the authority of that mediation. Paying a spiritual tithe under the mastery of the Holy Authority, is in recognition of this mediation.

As Christians the idea of giving is important. And what we have should not be hoarded, but shared. But using money to define our charity is not enough. As, a belly that is full gets hungry again, and a shirt that is given get moist with morning dew. So giving has to be more that physical. This is why the spiritual tithe is greater than the tithe that was under the Law.

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