Do We Need To Pay The Tithe Like Abraham?

   

Sermon video here

 Do We Need To Pay The Tithe Like Abraham? 

(Sermon 13 Of My Hebrews Series)

Introduction

So, a couple of weeks ago we looked at how Melchizedek, this random figure in the Old Testament mentioned only a couple of times, points to Jesus. The efforts to identify exactly who Melchizedek was, were pointless. That is not the reason he is in scripture, he is there to point to Jesus. The application we drew from this was very simple, just as Melchizedek existed exclusively to point to Jesus, so do we. That is our purpose, that is our calling. Too often we Christians can forget that calling, we can forget our purpose in this life is very simple, to be the lights of the gospel. We do this best by understanding how God wants us to live.

Today we are going to look at what Hebrews 7 says about the tithe and about the law. A lot of Christians get confused about the relationship of the law to Christianity. Some say it is gone completely, just forget the Old Testament, focus on the New. Some go to a whole other extreme and say that Christians should follow the law, the Bible calls these people Judaizers (Gal. 2:14, Greek) and they still exist. Others say we need only follow some laws, moral laws, but not ritual laws, that is things relating to the temple. I once probably sat to the first extreme, and now I am closer to the third position. I think Hebrews 7 helps us understand how this all works.  

So, today we are going to look at what Hebrews 7 has to say about the law, and our relationship to it as Christians. Different Christians have different views on this, but what does the Bible say about following the Old Testament Law, and specifically the tithe? Let’s have a look at Hebrews 7 and see.   

      1. Melchizedek is Superior To Abraham (vv.4-10) – Let’s begin with what our Hebrews writer says about the superiority of Melchizedek to Abraham. “4 See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! 5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham. 6 But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8 In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. 9 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.”

1.1  The emphasis of our writer here is that the priesthood of Melchizedek is far superior to the priesthood of the Levites. He is picking up this argument from way back at the end of chapter 4 and beginning of chapter 5. Remember he said at the end of chapter 4, Hebrews 4:14-15 - “14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

1.1.1       He then went on to challenge them about how dedicated they are to studying God’s word. He does this, because he is about to get into some complicated teaching about the priests, Melchizedek and the law, and he wants to make sure that they can follow him. Now he is going to get into that complicated argument, and we are going to follow him. This will be fun.

1.2  His argument is based on the superiority of Melchizedek to all mortals in Abraham’s line.

1.1.1       Melchizedek is superior to Abraham, “4 See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils!..7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior.”

1.1.2       Which means that Melchizedek is superior to Levi who is descended from Abraham, “9 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.”

1.1.3       Therefore, all that are descended from Abraham are inferior to Melchizedek, “5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham.”

1.1.4       This is a simple argument: Abraham was not the top of the food chain, therefore, the priests of his line are not the greatest priests.

1.2  Hebrews’ emphasis here is simple, even though Abraham had the promises, and is the patriarch, Melchizedek blessed him, therefore all mortals who are descended from Abraham are inferior to the order of Melchizedek.

      2. Abraham Gave Melchizedek The Tenth (vv.6-10) – Because of this superiority Abraham and in him Levi, Moses and Aaron, the priests of Israel and the writer of the law, gave the tithe to Melchizedek – “6 But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8 In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. 9 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.” This is an intriguing passage, because isn’t Abraham the patriarch of the whole Church? The man through whom God founded our faith? As Galatians says, “Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham” (3:7). But here he is giving the tithe to this mysterious priest. I have heard some use this as justification to say that Christians should continue to give the tithe. After all, they say, this shows that the tithe predates the law, Melchizedek is like Jesus and accepts the tithe, therefore Christians should do as Abraham does and give the tithe. I find this argument really strange, for several reasons:

2.1  Firstly, Abraham is just following an ancient custom here. Many people think of the tithe as an Old Testament practice, they debate over whether we should follow it still, but they think of it as an Israelite law thing. But that is not the full picture.

2.1.1       Giving a tithe, or a tenth, or a cut of the booty to the leader was an ancient custom practiced by many peoples. It was not always the same amount, but the general practice was there. You would give a significant portion of your takings in loot, or crops, or other takings to your superior, or to your God, or both.

2.1.2       We read in Genesis 47:24, “And at the harvests you shall give a fifth to Pharaoh, and four fifths shall be your own, as seed for the field and as food for yourselves and your households, and as food for your little ones.” Even though this was for a specific time, both this passage, and the Melchizedek passage show this principle was widely known in this region at this time.

2.1.2.1 Some cultures did it differently of course, the Viking leaders would pay off their men with their loot. Like a modern criminal gang. But similar tithes like the one Abraham is giving have been noted in other ancient societies.

2.1.3       Melchizedek is effectively acting as arbitrator between Abraham and the king of Sodom, as the superior he was due a portion of the loot. A tenth may have been customary, or Abraham may have been generous, he was determined not to look like he was profiting off of the goods of Sodom remember.

2.1.4       So, drawing a permanent law out of Abraham following a custom of his day is a bad way to apply scripture.

2.2  Secondly, this approach misinterprets the place of tithing in God’s faith. The tithe in Israel was part of a larger system of taxes. There were two tithes, and other taxes which brought their tax to between 20% and 30% depending on the year. The first tithe was for the Levites, Numbers 18:21, “I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting…” The second tithe was for a big party, Deuteronomy 14:22-23 - “22 Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. 23 Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the Lord your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the Lord your God always.” These tithes and other taxes paid for the running of the nation of Israel, supported the Levites who were effectively the government workers, and provided welfare for the poor and destitute.

2.2.1      These Levitical taxes do not apply to Christians, because we do not live in national Israel. We are to pay the taxes to Caesar that the New Testament commands us to. The average tax rate in Australia is 24.1%, making it very similar to the rate in ancient Israel. Modern Israel pays about 20.7%.

2.2.2       To apply the Old Testament idea of the tithe to the Church is just wrong. If you wanted to really copy what Abram is doing here, you would have to give 10% of your local Viking raiding party’s next haul to your local warlord, or council member, or the reigning king.

2.2.2.1 This might be how things work in a few years after our governments are finished suppressing our economy into oblivion, but not quite yet.   

2.3  But the third reason is the most important reason, because if we were supposed to pay the tenth still today because Abraham paid the tenth, why doesn’t the writer of Hebrews say that? In fact, the writer goes in a completely different direction.

      3. A Change In The Law (11-14) – The writer goes on to tell us that things are very different now, the obligations of the law are finished, “11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.”

3.1  God’s goal with humanity is to perfect himself a people. This has been the goal since the beginning, Genesis 1:26 – “26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” We see the thread of how he is going to do this through the seed of the woman, then through Seth and then again through the line of Noah, then through his son Shem, of whom Abraham was eventually descended, and in Abraham all the whole world is to be blessed. The promise was given to Abraham and he believed and was declared righteous on the basis of his faith.

3.2  This shows us that God always intended faith to be the marker of his people, not the law. The law was not a way for Israelites to be saved, different to Jesus. The law was a schoolmaster to protect God’s people until the coming of Jesus. Galatians 3:23-24 – “23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

3.2.1       Israelites were trained by the law to look forward to Jesus in faith, and the Exodus was their picture of what he was like.

3.2.2       Christians are trained by the law of Christ to look back to Jesus in faith, and forward to his return.

3.3  The law was a temporary steward. It was not capable of perfecting God’s people. “11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?”

3.3.1       This does not mean the law was bad, God’s law is incredible and in its own right it is perfect. But just because something is perfect, does not mean it can do what it is not designed to do. If someone were to make the perfect car, it would still make a terrible airplane. If you have a perfect sword, like Excalibur, it does not make you a better fighter. The sword will fulfil its purpose, if you use it correctly.

3.3.2       The law was not intended to make Israelites right before God, faith did that, it was meant to help the righteous be protected from evil.

3.3.3       The law fulfilled its ultimate purpose, to preserve a blameless remnant from which the Messiah came. If Aaron, or Eli, or Zadok had been capable of this perfection, then it would have come through them, but they weren’t and so it didn’t.

3.4  So, we got a better priest, “12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.”

3.4.1       So, we see that the Hebrews writer’s point is not that we should continue to pay the tithe, because Abram paid it to Melchizedek. His point is that the way of faith in Jesus is better than the Old Law.

3.4.1.1 It is rather strange to want to sneak in paying tithes through a backdoor loophole, off such an obscure passage.

3.4.2       Jesus is not of the tribe of Levi. His priesthood does not come from his genealogy, like Aarons did, or Eli’s did. His priesthood comes from being indestructible, “15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”

3.4.3       Now that we have this new, indestructible priest, we are no longer under the Old way of laws. And, if you want to make the case that well the tenth was part of Melchizedek’s order, therefore we have to pay that still now, then if you want to be truly faithful to the context, you would have to say this means every time you raid some people to rescue your nephew, you need to give a king 10% of your loot to the king.

3.4.3.1 Because Abram is not tithing income here, he is not tithing his crops, he is not tithing his herds, he is honouring the king who oversaw his peace treaty with the king of Sodom.

3.5  The Hebrews’ writer’s point is not that we have to return to some obscure law of an order called Melchizedek in the ancient world. His point is Jesus is superior to Aaron, and Levi and Moses, therefore follow the way of Jesus now. Hebrews 7:18-19 – “18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.”

3.5.1       A better hope is introduced, the fullness of the faith of Abraham is finally here. Now Trust Jesus, and live as he wants you to live, and neither he, nor any of his apostles ever told Christians to pay the tithe. They all taught, give generously. Depending on your circumstances that could be less or more than 10%. Work it out yourself before God, as Paul says, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

3.5.2       So, according to this passage, which parts of the law are done away with? All? Some? What exactly is done away with?  

      4. Ceremonial Law Is Abolished – According to Hebrews 7, it is the ceremonial law that is done away with. Hebrews 7:22-28 – “22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. 23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.”

4.1  So, we come now to answering my question at the start of this sermon, what does the book of Hebrews say about following the Old Testament law? Well, in reading chapters 7, 8 and 9, which we will cover more over the next few weeks, it becomes clear that at the very least that the ceremonial law is abolished.

4.1.1       The ceremonial law is all that is connected with the priests and their ritual sacrifices. This is done away with. Why? Because they point to Jesus who is the ultimate sacrifice. “27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.”

4.1.2       The sacrifices pointed to the final and complete sacrifice. Nothing in this world lasts forever, therefore for an eternal forgiveness a sacrifice of eternal quality needed to be made. Now that it is made, our salvation is secure.

4.2  Because the ceremonial law is abolished, everything that applies to it is now abolished, which includes the tithe, the second tithe, the other small taxes and everything else. These existed to maintain the old priesthood, there is no priesthood to maintain, therefore we do not need the taxes that were designed for that purpose.   

4.3  This means we live in a better age. With a better priest, an age where this should be our focus: 1 Peter 4:8-9 – “8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging” (KJV). 

4.3.1       It’s not that we have no law in the New Testament age, it is that it has changed, it has focused, as Paul puts it, fulfil the law of love.

4.3.2       The Old Testament law still has a lot to teach us, but our relationship to it is different to ancient Israel’s relationship. I want to examine this as we go forward in the next few weeks.

4.3.3       But for today our focus should be this: when it comes to our money, our time, our heart or our focus, charity should be the goal.

      5. Conclusion – There is still a lot that we need to look at over the next few weeks. I want to explain a couple of the different views on how the law interacts with Christians, and explain why my view has changed slightly over the years. I want to show that there are still uses of the law, taught by Paul and others.

5.1  As Christians we do not live under the Mosaic covenant. But just because we are not bound by it, does not mean we cannot learn from it, and learn some incredible things. We’ll look at this more over the next couple of weeks.

5.2  But Praise God, we have a better priest, a better law, the law of Christ, and a better way of living. We do not have to pay the tithes, but we are commanded to be generous, so let’s be generous.

5.2.1       Because we have a superior priest, we have a superior way of reaching people, and therefore we should proclaim it boldly wherever we are.