Tithing: The Transition & Grace

THE TRANSITION (New Testament, Pre-Resurrection of Christ, Under Law) The Pharisees' Motives (Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:37-54) The Pharisees got mad when Jesus challenged them about why they were doing what they were doing. The Pharisees' Self-Righteousness (Luke 18:9-14) Again, Jesus' illustration was meant to expose the misconception about the purpose of the law: it was not meant to separate those who could perform from those who could not, but to expose an equal need for a Savior. Summary of the Tithe During the Transition Jesus never told anyone to tithe! In fact, every reference to tithing was in the negative sense! He only directed these rebukes to Pharisees, or those who considered themselves the elite, religious, productive, God-pleasers of their day. THE FULNESS OF TIMES: GRACE! (New Testament, Post-Resurrection, Under Grace) Tithing, the Priesthood & Melchizedek (Hebrews 6:19-7:22, 8:6), Hebrews 8:6 The book of Hebrews describes how even before the law, the Levites tithed to Melchizedek, the priest of the Most High God, typically, Jesus, since they were in the loins (were the progeny) of Abraham. In Abraham, all those who would seek to fulfill the law by tithing did so, once and for all, by giving the tenth through Abraham to Jesus. Levi tithed to Jesus because he was "in Abraham." Likewise, we "receive" because we are now "in Christ"! Caring for Ministers (1 Corinthians 9:1-18) Caring for Those in Need (1 Corinthians 16:1-4)