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Bible Q

Is there scriptural reference to tithing money in the Old or New Covenant?

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If Lev. 27:30-33 & Deut. 14:22-29 describes the Biblical tithe being of livestock, grain, & produce why is the church taught that the tithe is money even though money was used in those days but wasn’t something tithed on …. Is there scriptural reference to tithing money in the Old or New Covenant?

There is no scriptural reference to tithing money in the Old or New Covenant.

The reference you quote from Deuteronomy 14, describes converting the tithe of the grain/wine/oil/firstborn of herd or flock to money, if they had to go a distance to offer this tithe.  But this tithe was to be eaten by the person themselves, not given to the priests or Levites.  Deut 14:24-26

And if the way is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, when the LORD your God blesses you, because the place is too far from you, which the LORD your God chooses, to set his name there,  (25)  then you shall turn it into money and bind up the money in your hand and go to the place that the LORD your God chooses  (26)  and spend the money for whatever you desire–oxen or sheep or wine or strong drink, whatever your appetite craves. And you shall eat there before the LORD your God and rejoice, you and your household.

There is reference in the New Testament to the collecting of money for the relief of the poor saints in Judea where there was terrible famine.  But this was a voluntary gift according to what people could afford, not a tithe.

Acts 11:28-30
And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius).  (29)  So the disciples determined, everyone according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.  (30)  And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Paul also refers to how the brethren at Philippi supported him while he was preaching in Corinth, possibly in response to person/s at Corinth who resented Paul.  Once again, this was a freely given gift by the brethren at Philippi, not a tithe.

2 Cor 11:8-9
I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you.  (9)  And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way.

Philippians 4:14-18
Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.  (15)  And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.  (16)  Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.  (17)  Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.  (18)  I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

The danger with tithing is that money is likely to become a snare and temptation.   Paul speaks of people being peddlers of God’s word.  This sounds to me like they were using the word of God as something to sell.

2 Cor 2:17
For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:8

You received without paying; give without pay.

 

 

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