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The Tenth
Tithing is an act of justice and mercy
To understand God's things, what He does and why He does, one must first understand His character.
By nature God is love and justice. All that He does so in order to express these virtues. All that He must fulfill these fundamental attributes of His character.
Abraham demonstrated his faith by giving tithe to priest Melchizedek, a member of a priestly order with responsibilities similar to those of the Levites, that is, administering justice and mercy. This action is reflected in the names Melchizedek and Salem, which mean King of Justice and King of Peace. Abraham understood the importance and functions of this priesthood, expressing his appreciation by paying the tithe.
On the other hand, the Levite priesthood had a duty to make use of the tithe for its sustenance and for the social work of the nation. The Levites were counted among the poor and had the right to receive and administer the tithe.
Religious and political leaders in Israel had neglected the application of justice and mercy, improperly collecting tithe. Those who receive tithe must use it legitimately, carrying out God's work with integrity and compassion.
The Apostle James (Santiago) confirmed this work by saying:
On the other hand, the New Testament makes implicit reference to tithe as a contribution or remuneration to teachers of good and justice:
He who is taught in the word, let him participate in all things.good thingto the one who instructs him. (Gal 6:6)
Of all your gifts you shall offer every offering to Yahweh; of all the best of them you shall offer the portion that shall be consecrated. (30) And thou shalt say unto them, When ye offer the best of them, it shall be reckoned unto the Levites as the fruit of the age, and as the fruit of the lair. (31) And you shall eat it everywhere, you and your families; for it is your reward for your ministry in the tabernacle of meeting. (Num 18:29-31)
… neither for the way, nor for the two coats, nor for the shoes, nor for the embroidery: for the workman is worthy of his food. (Matt 10:10)
The Right to Remuneration
The law guaranteed compensation for workers and cargo animals. However, what was mentioned in ancient times was exclusive to the ministers of the New Covenant:
To understand God's things, what He does and why He does, one must first understand His character.
By nature God is love and justice. All that He does so in order to express these virtues. All that He must fulfill these fundamental attributes of His character.
O man, he hath declared unto thee that which is good, and that which Jehovah asketh of thee only to do righteousness, and to love mercy, and to humble thee before thy God. (Miq 6:8)
For the kingdom of God is not food or drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Rom 14:17)
… God is love. (1Jn 4:8)
The tithe was, and is, the way man contributes to God's justice and love. Since the days of Abraham, the tithe had the function of promoting and financing the work of the priesthood, which was in charge of caring for orphans, widows, foreigners, and needy.
The Tenth as the Right of the Priesthood
The Tenth as the Right of the Priesthood
Abraham demonstrated his faith by giving tithe to priest Melchizedek, a member of a priestly order with responsibilities similar to those of the Levites, that is, administering justice and mercy. This action is reflected in the names Melchizedek and Salem, which mean King of Justice and King of Peace. Abraham understood the importance and functions of this priesthood, expressing his appreciation by paying the tithe.
On the other hand, the Levite priesthood had a duty to make use of the tithe for its sustenance and for the social work of the nation. The Levites were counted among the poor and had the right to receive and administer the tithe.
At the end of every three years you shall take the tithe of your produce from that year, and keep it in your cities. And the Levite shall come, who hath no portion nor inheritance with thee, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow that is among thy people, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work that thy hands do. Deu 14:28-29
The Lord Jesus rebuked priests and rulers for receiving tithes and not fulfilling the requirements for which tithes are collected:
But woe to you, Pharisees! who tithe the mint, and the raw, and all the vegetables, and overlook the righteousness and love of God. This was necessary for you to do, without leaving that. (Luke 11:42)
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you devour the houses of widows… (Matt 23:14)
Religious and political leaders in Israel had neglected the application of justice and mercy, improperly collecting tithe. Those who receive tithe must use it legitimately, carrying out God's work with integrity and compassion.
The Apostle James (Santiago) confirmed this work by saying:
The pure and spotless religion before God the Father is this: To visit and care for orphans and widows in their tribulations, and to guard themselves without blemish of the world. (James 1:27)
How else would the apostle provide care for those in need, but through voluntary contributions from those who congregated and tithe regularly, identifying themselves as Abraham's children and following his example?
Implicit References of the Tenth in the New Testament
On the other hand, the New Testament makes implicit reference to tithe as a contribution or remuneration to teachers of good and justice:
He who is taught in the word, let him participate in all things.good thingto the one who instructs him. (Gal 6:6)
Every good thing refers to the best, to the first. So it was also in ancient times:
Of all your gifts you shall offer every offering to Yahweh; of all the best of them you shall offer the portion that shall be consecrated. (30) And thou shalt say unto them, When ye offer the best of them, it shall be reckoned unto the Levites as the fruit of the age, and as the fruit of the lair. (31) And you shall eat it everywhere, you and your families; for it is your reward for your ministry in the tabernacle of meeting. (Num 18:29-31)
… neither for the way, nor for the two coats, nor for the shoes, nor for the embroidery: for the workman is worthy of his food. (Matt 10:10)
The expressions "all good things" and "the best" are an implicit reference to the Tenth.
The Right to Remuneration
The law guaranteed compensation for workers and cargo animals. However, what was mentioned in ancient times was exclusive to the ministers of the New Covenant:
1Cor 9:9-10 For it is written in the law of Moses: You will not muzzle the threshing ox. Does God take care of the oxen, (10) or does He say this entirely for us? For it is written for us: for he that plows, and he that threshes, must plow with hope, hoping to receive of the fruit.
1Ti 5:17-18 The elders who govern well, be held by worthy of double honor, mostly those who work in preaching and teaching. (18) For Scripture says: Thou shalt not put a muzzle on the threshing ox; and, The workman is worthy of his hire.
The Neglect of the Corinthians
The church in Corinth had neglected its apostle to such an extent that the apostle had to receive remuneration from another congregation for his work at Corinth:
The church in Corinth had neglected its apostle to such an extent that the apostle had to receive remuneration from another congregation for his work at Corinth:
I have stripped other churches, receiving wages to serve you. (2Cor 11:8)
And when I was among you, and had need, I was not burdensome to any one: for what I lacked, was borne by the brethren who came from Macedonia… (2Cor 11:9)
If we considered the ministry and the Word of God as a tangible asset for sale, its value would be invaluable and unattainable. According to Paul's words, what the minister receives as compensation is not at all compared to the value of God's Word and the service he provides.
If we sow among you the spiritual, is it great if we reap from you the material? (1Cor 9:11)
Conclusion
The delivery of tithe is the expression of God's justice and love, since it supports the ministry of the Lord Jesus, who restores, heals, and saves souls through his ministers. However, it is imperative that those who receive tithes should devote it exclusively to the work of the Lord.
The tithe has been an act of faith present both before and after the law, offering itself both to the Melchizedek priesthood and to the Levitical priesthood. It is crucial to bear in mind that Jesus Christ is not associated with the Levitical priesthood, but with the priesthood of Melchizedek, where the responsibilities related to tithe are also fulfilled.
"And here (Leviticus order) certainly receive the tithes of mortal men; but there, (Melchisedec order)receives tithesone of whom he testifies that he lives." (Heb 7)
Tithing is an expression of faith that manifests itself through love. It is important that it be a voluntary action, carried out with joy and without sadness or obligation, as God values those who give with joy.
Every work of God seeks to satisfy his love and his righteousness. The tithe is presented as a fundamental tool for human beings to cultivate these virtues, allowing them to express God's character in them, and sowing for a prosperous economic future.
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