A CLOSER LOOK AT TITHING
EXPOSING THE ERRORS
By: Victor T. Stephens
"People often claim to hunger for truth, but seldom like the taste when it's served up."
~ George R.R. Martin
WAS TITHING COMMANDED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT?
After unmasking the deception in the previous segments, it should now be evident that Old Testament tithing laws were relevant exclusively to the nation of Israel. However, the trickery doesn't conclude there. Not only have many professing pastors twisted Old Testament tithing scriptures, but they have also contorted New Testament tithing passages. Moreover, they continue to mirror the same stratagem of employing scriptures that have no relation to tithing to incorporate monetary tithing into the new covenant.
Furthermore, since we cannot find a commandment for tithing under the new covenant, tithing advocates rely upon the theoretical assumption that it carried over into the New Testament Church. For example, false prophetess Ellen G. White states:
“A tithe of our income is ‘holy unto the Lord.’ The New Testament does not re-enact the law of the tithe, as it does not that of the Sabbath; for the validity of both is assumed.” ("The Faith I Live By," page 244. The Review & Herald [May 16, 1882])
Ellen G. White reasons that because the New Testament or Jesus does not tell us to discontinue tithing, this means God wants the Church to continue tithing. An endeavor to demonstrate a point by scriptural omission is not the most reliable technique to prove anything. Because there are not any verses that directly state, "You are not required to tithe." is no justification for the continuation of a tithing law. There were over six hundred Old Testament laws, and there is no explicit mention of many of them in the New Testament. For example:
"When a man has taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war or be charged with any business; he shall be free at home one year, and bring happiness to his wife whom he has taken." (Deut. 24:5)
"One of illegitimate birth shall not enter the assembly of the Lord; even to the tenth generation none of his descendants shall enter the assembly of the Lord."
(Deut. 23:2)
"This is what pertains to the Levites: From twenty-five years old and above one may enter to perform service in the work of the tabernacle of meeting;"
(Num. 8:24)
Among many other Old Testament laws, there was no addressing of these laws in the New Testament. Since the church does not follow them, then why is tithing exclusionary? To make matters worse, tithing today doesn't even resemble the true biblical tithing ordinances. Ellen G. White and other tithing proponents have illegally altered Old Testament laws and new covenant teachings on giving. Sadly, many professing Christians ignorantly and purposely support these false teachers and those who call themselves prophets.
"An astonishing and horrible thing has been committed in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own power; and My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?" (Jer. 5:30-31)
"For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted --- you may well put up with it!" (2 Cor. 11:4)
Many professing Christians and pastors may seem like kind people, but they secretly enjoy, tolerate, and teach false doctrines. That indicates they do not believe in the authority of Scripture. False teachers love money, and Stockholm syndrome afflicted idolatrous sheep have no concern that they are being pimped, fleeced, and used as merchandise.
The Temple Tax
In their endeavors to validate monetary tithing for Christians, many leaders in the church use the following passage as proof that Jesus paid tithes:
When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, "Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?" He said, "Yes." And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?" Peter said to Him, "From strangers." Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free. Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you." (Matt. 17:24-27)
Because this passage illustrates money collected for the support of the temple, tithing advocates have found it advantageous to presume that the money was a tithe. Nothing could be further from the truth. Factually, the monetary tax was a two-drachma tax which was equal to a half-shekel (two days wages) that was paid each year by every Jewish male twenty (20) years of age and older for the support of the temple (Ex. 30:12-14). Under Nehemiah, the temple tax was equal to one-third of a shekel (Neh.10:32). Nowhere does the Bible indicates or suggests that the temple tax was a tithe of money.
"The basic Greek coin was the drachma, roughly equivalent to a Roman denarius, or one day's wages. The Greek didrachmon (two drachma piece) was used by the Jews for the half-shekel Temple tax (Matt. 17:24). The silver stater, or tetradrachma, was a four-drachma piece, used to pay the Temple tax" [Matt. 17:27]. (The Illustrated Dictionary of The Bible, Money of The Bible, p. 725, Herbert Lockyer, Sr. (Editor)
Let us now examine Matthew 17:24-27 further and postulate momentarily that the temple tax was a tithe. Many teachers of tithing point out that since Jesus paid the temple tax, it is, therefore, the responsibility of every Christian to pay ten percent of their income in the form of a religious tax. While it is true that Jesus paid the temple tax, most believers are not aware that this passage discloses that God does not obligate Christians to pay taxes to support a church facility.
The Lord explains the spiritual aspect of this when in verse twenty-five, He says to Peter, "From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?" In verse 26, Peter rightly replies, "From strangers." What Christ is indicating to Peter is the fact that earthly kings do not collect taxes from their sons but from the citizens. Therefore, in like manner, our Heavenly Father does not tax his sons. That is affirmed by Jesus, "Then the sons are free." On account of Jesus being the Son of God and Peter, a son of God (Matt.16:16), they both were exempt from paying the temple tax. Since Christians are in a covenant relationship with God through the intercession of Jesus Christ, they are also sons of God; and thus exempt from paying any such taxes, much less a tithe as a tax (Gal. 3:26; 4:4-7, Rom. 8:15-17). Jesus paid the temple tax merely not to offend the tax collectors (v.27).
