TITHING UNDER THE NEW COVENANT (1)
In the early Church, there was no mention of a command to the early Gentile (non-Jewish) Christians to tithe. Even when the apostles debated about what was expected of the gentiles who were now turning to God, they came to this conclusion:
Therefore, it is my judgment that we do not cause trouble for those from the Gentiles who are turning to God, but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols, from acts of sexual immorality, from what has been strangled, and from blood. Acts 15:19-20
There was no mention of the tithe. Though there was no direct mention of stealing, false witnessing, or covetousness, as this was not an exhaustive list of things to do or not do, we know these other sins are mentioned in many other epistles to Gentiles. But never was anything mentioned about tithing, except as a past reference.
The very next verse says something very interesting:
“After all, Moses’ words have been spread to every city for generations. His teachings are read in synagogues on every day of worship.” (GW) Acts 15:21
Put differently, people who desired to know how to live and please God had been learning about how to do so for a long time in synagogues everywhere.
READ ALSO: SHOULD CHRISTIANS TITHE? (PART 1)
The Apostle’s Teaching on Tithes
The law taught circumcision for Jewish children. But the apostles refused to impose it on the Gentile Christians though they still hoped that they would act on the main emphasis of Moses’ instruction which was obedience of faith through joy or pain. But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith. Romans 16:26
The Lord Jesus had used a similar approach with the matter of working on the sabbath. He went beyond the exact words to focus on the intention. He did this all the way from Matthew 5-7.In summary, this is the mind of Christ:
“Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, you utter frauds! For you pay your tithe on mint and aniseed and cummin, and neglect the things which carry far more weight in the Law – justice, mercy and good faith. These are the things you should have observed – without neglecting the others. You call yourselves leaders, and yet you can’t see an inch before your noses, for you filter out the mosquito and swallow the camel.” (Matt 23:23-24)
Next, we will see how the Christians in the early church fulfilled the intentions of justice, mercy and good faith.
READ ALSO: SHOULD CHRISTIANS TITHE? (PART 6)