Now I know the significance of Abraham’s tithe to Melchizedek

I have found out that I have been writing so much on tithing of recent. Bro.  Wes of the Kingdom advisors website also pointed that out. But when you think that you have written all there is about the subject, new inspirations come to mind and one cannot help but write.

I have often wondered why Abraham’s encounter with Melchizedek was included in scripture. It seemed like a statement mentioned in passing without much significance attached to it. Was I wrong! Unfortunately though, this encounter has formed the basis for the doctrine of tithe and the school of thought that it is still relevant to today’s church. Here is an article that proves otherwise. Enjoy – http://libertyinchrist.web.officelive.com/Abraham.aspx

Is tithing valid for today’s church because Abraham “practiced” it before the law?

Some weeks ago, I had a series of email exchanges with a pro-tither and we just did not seem to agree on the issue. Him, just like all otherpro-tithers I have met truly believe that without practicing this rite you cannot attract God’s blessings. And all of them look to Abraham as reason it is still valid in today’s church because Abraham did it before the law.

The question, I would like to ask though is ‘was tithing the only thing practiced by Abraham before the law?’ Abraham practiced animal sacrifices, polygamy, circumcision amongst other things. Would they all be valid in today’s church because they were all done before the law? Am sorry but pro-tithers are not being honest in their use of scriptures. You cannot take one and leave the others, it is either all or non.

While I pondered on, a thought crossed my mind which I really would like to share. The arguments that pro-tithers use to support the tithe doctrine could well be used to build a case for the doctrine of circumcision. Mind you God never gave Abraham the charge to tithe nether did he commend him for doing it but God commanded Abraham to practice circumcision. It was the condition of God’s covenant with him. Let us look at Genesis 17

7And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

8And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land
wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting
possession; and I will be their God.

9And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.

10This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.

11And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.

12And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.

13He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.

14And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

Circumcision was clearly practiced by Abraham and his descendants well before the law, it even saved the life of Moses in Exodus 4.

All of the above may have been the arguments put forward by those Jews who came from Judea and taught that the Gentiles could only be saved if they practiced circumcision. Now how does this differ from saying that you have to tithe to prosper? It is the same line of argument. But what did Paul have to say about it?

1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

2Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

3For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

4Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Galatians 5

If we replace the word circumcision with tithe, it will still read correctly. And please do not bring Malachi 3: 10 into the mix, it simply does not apply.

To promote tithing is to reject grace and embrace the law and when you do this you make yourself the child of the bond woman and not of the free.

And Just as the children of the bond woman persecuted the children of the free, those who tithe glory in their flesh and persecute those who do not tithe. And it is a pity!

Please stop this childishness and flagrant display of foolishness. You cannot win God’s favour, you cannot earn God’s blessings either. The good Lord would always provide your needs and you do not have to bribe Him first.