A lot of Christians today are conflicted about the tithing issue. For the most part believers want to know that their actions in tithing or refusing to do so are in accordance with what God wants. For guidance on how to live the lives that please God, many look at the examples set by patriarchs like Abraham. A deep examination of the life he lived will prove that Abraham did not tithe.
The book of Genesis is, rightly, the source for information on this patriarch's life. In chapter fourteen readers will find the source of many tithing proposers' arguments. In this chapter a battle engaged in by Abraham is mentioned. This battle was fought because lot, his nephew had been taken along with the people of Sodom and Gomorrah among whom he lived. Their captors were identified as the four kings.
The four kings had taken Lot and other residents of the cities, but that was not all. They also took the people's food and Lot's possessions. It is natural to think that Abraham's aim might have been to ensure that this injustice did not stand.
The patriarch was victorious. He was victorious because he did not go alone. He had help in the form of a number of allies who are named in verse thirteen as Mamre, Aner and Eshcol. He also had the Lord with him in battle and this was the chief reason for his victory.
It was customary in those days for the men who participated in battle to be given a share of the spoils after victory. This is how Abraham's distribution of the possessions ought to be seen. When he gives one tenth of the spoils to Melchidezek therefore, Abraham was simply sharing the spoils of war. Since Melchidezek also turns out to be a priest of God many perceive this gift to be a tithe but it may also be a simple traditional gift given in return for a blessing as obtained with Isaac and his sons.
There is also the fact that tithes are calculated as a percentage of the giver's possessions. The spoils accessed by Abraham would hardly qualify as all his possessions. The patriarch refuses to acknowledge them as his and rejects the King of Sodom's offer for him to take over the spoils explaining that he has taken an oath to God promising not to take anything.
In addition to not being his and simply being the spoils of war being divided, the patriarch's action fails to fulfill another requirement of tithing. Tithing is a habitual act but this was an isolated event. It was not repeated.
This patriarch's actions in Genesis fourteen cannot be used as strong evidence in favor of tithing. He was not following a requirement to give a portion of his earnings or properties to the Lord. He was simply ensuring that those who fought a hard battle and won received their just rewards.
The book of Genesis is, rightly, the source for information on this patriarch's life. In chapter fourteen readers will find the source of many tithing proposers' arguments. In this chapter a battle engaged in by Abraham is mentioned. This battle was fought because lot, his nephew had been taken along with the people of Sodom and Gomorrah among whom he lived. Their captors were identified as the four kings.
The four kings had taken Lot and other residents of the cities, but that was not all. They also took the people's food and Lot's possessions. It is natural to think that Abraham's aim might have been to ensure that this injustice did not stand.
The patriarch was victorious. He was victorious because he did not go alone. He had help in the form of a number of allies who are named in verse thirteen as Mamre, Aner and Eshcol. He also had the Lord with him in battle and this was the chief reason for his victory.
It was customary in those days for the men who participated in battle to be given a share of the spoils after victory. This is how Abraham's distribution of the possessions ought to be seen. When he gives one tenth of the spoils to Melchidezek therefore, Abraham was simply sharing the spoils of war. Since Melchidezek also turns out to be a priest of God many perceive this gift to be a tithe but it may also be a simple traditional gift given in return for a blessing as obtained with Isaac and his sons.
There is also the fact that tithes are calculated as a percentage of the giver's possessions. The spoils accessed by Abraham would hardly qualify as all his possessions. The patriarch refuses to acknowledge them as his and rejects the King of Sodom's offer for him to take over the spoils explaining that he has taken an oath to God promising not to take anything.
In addition to not being his and simply being the spoils of war being divided, the patriarch's action fails to fulfill another requirement of tithing. Tithing is a habitual act but this was an isolated event. It was not repeated.
This patriarch's actions in Genesis fourteen cannot be used as strong evidence in favor of tithing. He was not following a requirement to give a portion of his earnings or properties to the Lord. He was simply ensuring that those who fought a hard battle and won received their just rewards.
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