From: Abraham
To: The Path of Truth
Sent: Saturday, February 15, 2014 10:46 AM
Subject: thanks
Hi
I have been learning some Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic words through the internet. I truly believe it is important in understanding the bible I believe that many words have been mistranslated in the bible. My question is how can I learn more do you have any information as to how and where I can find more learning tools?
Regards,
Abraham
From: Abraham
To: The Path of Truth
Sent: Saturday, February 15, 2014 11:55 AM
Subject: Tithing
Hi,
Very interesting website…do you have any literature on tithing. I am very confused on this matter I am told that tithe is a commandment or an obligation From what I read Jesus never practiced or taught tithe.
Can you help me out I need to understand more on this matter and also on wine is it a sin to drink in moderation or any amount of wine? Hope to hear from you.
Regards,
Abraham
From: Victor Hafichuk
To: Abraham
Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2014 8:06 AM
Subject: Re: Thanks/Tithing
Hi Abraham,
You ask about the original languages of the Bible. Are you using Strong’s Concordance? That’s a very good tool for looking up words from the King James Version. You can download free software at www.e-sword.net that provides you with different Bible versions and Strong’s Concordance. It’s an excellent program.
As for your question on tithing, we have a section on this topic on our site: Tithes & Offerings.
Where did you get the idea Jesus never endorsed tithes and offerings?
Luke 21:1-4 HNV
(1) He looked up, and saw the rich people who were putting their gifts into the treasury.
(2) He saw a certain poor widow casting in two small brass coins.
(3) He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them,
(4) for all these put in gifts for God from their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, put in all that she had to live on.”
The Lord also received offerings:
Luke 8:1-3 MKJV
(1) And it happened afterwards, He traveled in every city and village, proclaiming and announcing the gospel of the kingdom of God. And the Twelve were with Him,
(2) and also certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities; Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven demons,
(3) and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, who ministered to Him of their possessions.
Is it a sin to drink wine? That depends on how you drink and what it does to you, including where your conscience is at. Tell us about your personal situation and perhaps we can say more. Meanwhile, I leave you with a couple Scriptures:
1 Timothy 3:1-5 HNV
(1) This is a faithful saying: if a man seeks the office of an overseer, he desires a good work.
(2) The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching;
(3) not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;
(4) one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence;
(5) (but if a man doesn’t know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the assembly of God?)
Proverbs 31:4-6 MKJV
(4) It is not for kings, O Lemuel, not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes to lust for strong drink;
(5) lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
(6) Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to those who are of heavy hearts.
Victor Hafichuk
www.ThePathofTruth.com
From: Abraham
To: Victor Hafichuk
Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2014 9:01 AM
Subject: RE: Thanks/Tithing
Hello Mr. Hafichuk
You ask where I got the idea that tithing is not biblical and it was not part of the new covenant well ,I got it from studying the bible and not from pastors as to they have been deceived by Satan.
If tithing was a commandment I guess God decided to hide it from Paul and the other New Testament writer’s. No matter how hard you try, you have to use Old Testament covenant to teach it. Some say tithing was before the law, part of the law and in force now also. Where is the New Testament Scripture for this? Circumcision was before the law (Genesis 17:24), part of the law, but is it in effect now? Some of the New Testament apostles tried to maintain it (Acts 15:5-11; Galatians 2:11) but Paul would have none of it. Hebrews talks about Abraham giving a tithe to Melchizedek but the same passage says there was a change in the law Hebrews 7:12. Hebrews 8:13 and 9:1 talks about the “first covenant with regulations (tithing is a regulation of the law) made obsolete (tithing was made obsolete).” Hebrews 10:9 “takes away first (tithing was part of the first) to establish second (tithing is not part of the second)” Hebrews 10:16 “writes law on heart and mind (God never wrote tithing on my heart or mind)”
When Jesus referenced the Tithe in Matthew 23:23 he was talking to Pharisees, who were Jewish. It is very important to understand that Jesus was born under the law (Galatians 4:4) to redeem those under the law. Much of what Jesus said was intended for his Jewish audience, and not for Christians. The New Covenant didn’t start until Jesus blood was shed, therefore much of what Jesus said was for those still living under law. Did I just say some of what Jesus said doesn’t apply to us? Yes I did. And tithing is one of those. The purpose of the tithe was for whom? The Levites. They were not allowed to own property, or possessions and so God established the tithe in order that their needs were taken care of. But today, pastors own property, and possessions (I know because I’m a pastor). So if we are requiring people to tithe, we must also obey the law and not own property or possessions.“
Many Christians struggle with the issue of tithing. In some churches tithing is over-emphasized. At the same time, many Christians refuse to submit to the biblical exhortations about making offerings to the Lord. Tithing/giving is intended to be a joy and a blessing. Sadly, that is sometimes not the case in the church today.
Tithing is an Old Testament concept. The tithe was a requirement of the law in which all Israelites were to give 10 percent of everything they earned and grew to the Tabernacle/Temple (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5). In fact, the Old Testament Law required multiple tithes which would have pushed the total to around 23.3 percent, not the 10 percent which is generally considered the tithe amount today. Some understand the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests and Levites in the sacrificial system. The New Testament nowhere commands, or even recommends, that Christians submit to a legalistic tithe system. Paul states that believers should set aside a portion of their income in order to support the church (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).
The New Testament nowhere designates a percentage of income a person should set aside, but only says it is to be “in keeping with income” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Some in the Christian church have taken the 10 percent figure from the Old Testament tithe and applied it as a “recommended minimum” for Christians in their giving. The New Testament talks about the importance and benefits of giving. We are to give as we are able. Sometimes that means giving more than 10 percent; sometimes that may mean giving less. It all depends on the ability of the Christian and the needs of the church. Every Christian should diligently pray and seek God’s wisdom in the matter of participating in tithing and/or how much to give (James 1:5). Above all, all tithes and offerings should be given with pure motives and an attitude of worship to God and service to the body of Christ. “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Its seems to me that some churches seem to leave out what they want or what is convenient to them.
Regards,
Abraham
From: Paul Cohen and Victor Hafichuk
To: Abraham
Sent: Sunday, February 23, 2014 10:24 PM
Subject: RE[3]: Thanks/Tithing
“If one answers a matter before he hears, it is folly and shame to him” (Proverbs 18:13 MKJV).
It sounds like your mind isn’t nearly as confused about the tithing/offerings issue as you first expressed: “I am very confused on this matter I am told that tithe is a commandment or an obligation.” It sounds like you’re quite persuaded to take a certain position.
Read the writings we gave you, not for nothing, Abraham.
Paul and Victor