Tithing ?

Is tithing old testament law; and therefore, now, "legalism" ? or is it continuing old and new testament practice?

Gen.14.18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.    19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth.    20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

Heb.7.1a For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;    2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all;

Heb.7.5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, thought they come out of the loins of Abraham:     6 But he whose decent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

Heb.7.8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he received them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives.    9 And as I may say, Levi also, who received tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.    10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchizedek met him.    11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron ?    12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

Heb.7.15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchizedek there ariseth another priest,    16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.    17 For he testifies, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.    18 For there is varily a disannuling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.    19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

Heb.7.28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

Gen.28.20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,     21 So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God:    22 And this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

The Tithing of Abraham and Jacob is voluntarly, and not law. Jacob would not have vowed to tithe if it was already the law. There is no evidence that Abraham, nor Jacob, commanded their descendants to tithe. Tithing was started when the law covenant came, through Moses, at mount Sinai.

Lev.27.30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's: it is holy unto the Lord.    31 And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof.    32 And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even whatsoever passes under the rod, the tenth part shall be holy unto the Lord.    33 He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.    34 These are the commandments, which the Lord commanded Moses for the children of Israel in mount Sinai.

The children of Israel tithed to the Levites; who then tithed to the priests.

Nu.18.26 Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, when you take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then shall you offer up an heave offering of it for the Lord, even a tenth part of the tithe.    27 And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshing floor, and as the fullness of the winepress.    28 Thus you also shall offer an heave offering unto the Lord of all your tithes, which you receive of the children of Israel; and you shall give thereof the Lord's heave offering to Aaron the priest.

Can we conclude that tithing is part of the old testament law, that was abolished on the cross ? and that tithing is "legalism"?

Eph.2.13 But now in Christ Jesus, you who sometimes were far off are now made nigh by the blood of Christ.    14 For he is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us.    15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace. 

Col.2.14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.

This abolished law of commandments contained in ordinances is the old testament, Levitical, ceremonial, social law of Israel.

The tithe was for the upkeep of the Levites and the priests. This priesthood is now replaced with an everlasting priesthood that needs no tithe.

Tithing has been replaced by giving.

Mt.5.42 Give to him that asks you, and from him that would borrow of you turn not you away.

MT.19.21 Jesus said unto him, If you will be perfect, go and sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Lu.6.38 Give, and it shall be given unto you: good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you mete withall it shall be measured to you again.

Ph.4.15 Now you Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but you only.    16 For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again unto my neccessity.    17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.    18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.    19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

1Cor.16.1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do you.    2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.    3 And when I come, whosoever you shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto jerusalem.

2Cor.8.1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;    2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.    3 For to their power, I bear record, yes, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;    4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of ministering to the saints.

2Cor.8.12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man has, and not according to that he has not.    13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and you burdened:    14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:    15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

Acts 4.32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he posessed was his own; but they had all things in common.    33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.    34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,    35 And laid them down at the apostle's feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

WOW!!!

Tithing is replaced by free-will offerings.

 Please pray about this.

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.(Lu.6.38).