"Mandated Tithing, A Closer Look."

This teaching exposes mandated tithing, corrupt teaching and manipulated, guilt driven giving! The wholesome biblical teaching that elders can be supported by those they minister to is not changed, destroyed or in any way diminished by this teaching. Let me say, if you are a person who doesn't want to give, this teaching is not for you! But, if you need freedom from mandated tithing and other forms of manipulated, guilt driven giving, this teaching is for you. Those trying to make tithing strictly money and income based, mandatory and routine because tithing was "before the law" simply are not teaching what tithing was "before the law." Let's examine Abraham's tithe in Genesis 14:17-20. Verse 20 tells us that Abraham, "gave him a tenth of all." When we compare this account to the passage in Hebrews 7:4 we read that "Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils." Abraham gave to King Melchizedek ten percent of the war spoils. He gave the rest to the king of Sodom. Please note that Abraham did not give ten percent of his income, or ten percent of all he owned. He gave ten percent of the war spoils that he, himself, said did not belong to him! In other words, Abraham gave nothing of his own! These passages do not tell us that Abraham was required to give ten percent, or tithe of the war spoils. There's no biblical evidence that tells the Christ follower that this event has anything to do with the New Testament Church! It was a one-time event and it was voluntary, not a God given command or a routine practice! There's no biblical evidence to show that Abraham ever tithed before or after this event. Therefore, it's error to use this example to teach that tithing had been established before the law and therefore, was brought over into the New Testament. Also, since Abraham gave nothing of his own, it is error to pull the concept of the tithe out of context and attempt to apply it to a person's income. There's nothing in this Genesis passage that tells us that Abraham tithed his personal income or wealth at any time! Why are we who are Christ followers told that we must do what Abraham clearly did not? The Word of God never states that Abraham, who was very wealthy (Gen. 13:2; 24:35) gave a tithe of his personal possessions during this event or at any other time period. I find it very interesting that those who teach mandated tithing conveniently disregard this evidence. Your move. Be encouraged!