IS TITHING A NEW
COVENANT COMMAND? – A STUDY
By Wanda Mason
Tithe - ma`aser,
mah-as-ayr', Hebrew 4643; or ma`asar, mah-as-ar'; and (in
plural) feminine ma`asrah, mah-as-raw'; from Hebrew 6240 (`asar); a tenth; especially a tithe :- tenth (part), tithe (-ing).
Tithe -
apodekatoo, ap-od-ek-at-o'-o, Greek 586; from Greek 575 (apo)
and Greek 1183 (dekatoo); to tithe (as debtor or creditor) :- (give, pay, take) tithe.
Tithing is mentioned in seven books of the
Old Testament - all under the LAW and does not apply to us today because
Christ fulfilled the Law. We are under a New Covenant. Old things are passed
away. In Hebrews, Paul, speaking of the Melchisedec Priesthood that was not
after the order of Aaron.
Hebrews 7:12 - KJV
For the priesthood being
changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. (18) For there is verily a disannulling of the
commandment going
before for the weakness and unprofitable ness thereof.
Hebrews 7:12 - NIV
For when there is a change of
the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law. (18) The former regulation is set aside
because it was weak and useless
Tithing is mentioned in only three books of
the New Testament and always in reference to the "LAW."
The Greek word for tithing apodekatoo
is dissected as follows.
*Apo/**dekatoo - two words.
*Apo as a prefix apo, apo', Greek 575; a primary
particle; off, i.e. away (from something near),
in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative) :- (×
here-) after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space
of), for (-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-) on (-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure,
cessation, completion, reversal, etc.
**dekatoo - to tithe i.e. to give or take a tenth, pay
(receive) tithes.
So the word
apodekatoo simply means separation from, departure from, cessation of,
completion of, reversal from giving or taking a tenth.
When he said "these things ought you to
have done and not left the more important things undone" was spoken before
his death and resurrection. After that, it was only free will offerings, given
from the heart.
Everything we have already belongs to God,
how can we give him anything? How can we build him a house? He said, "I
dwell not" in temples made with man's hands! "Where ever two or three
are gathered together in my name, there I will be in your midst."
"And they broke bread from house to house." "Let my house be
called "The House of Prayer."
WE are his body and his house! "Know
you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost?" The same SPIRIT
that raised Christ from the dead shall quicken your MORTAL bodies!
Tithing What Does the Bible Really Teach?