If you cannot question your Government about Tax, why question the Pastors about Paying Tithe? I know your face is already taking a shape to lunch a well-deserved attack to the narrow-minded question.
Yes, I too found it as not needing explanation, but Read on to find out why we question Paying Tithe. But this was a Question asked by someone on a discussion “Questioning Paying Tithe” in a Post about Tithing.
Maybe the Question has been lost in the whole opening paragraphs; so let me show it again, so you can take your time to read it all over again.
“If you cannot question your Government about Tax, why question the pastors about Paying Tithe?”
Below is my response to this:
The same problem that made Malachi cry and shout in the most misquoted and psycho draining verse used by Churches today is what is being experienced today.
Tithe as in the Old Testament was specifically meant for a Tribe in Israel; whose duty is to serve God and not indulge in any form of Business; because they have no inheritance. (Not Money, because it may be that people coming to the Temple give them money as gifts).
Why Paying Tithe is to the Tribe of Levi
“According to the Bible, the Tribe of Levi is one of the tribes of Israel; traditionally descended from Levi, son of Jacob. The descendants of Aaron; who was the first kohen gadol (High Priest) of Israel, were designated as the Priestly class, the Kohanim.
The Tribe of Levi served particular religious duties for the Israelites and had political responsibilities as well. In return, the landed tribes were expected to give tithes to the Kohanim, the priests working in the Temple in Jerusalem, particularly the tithe known as the Maaser Rishon.
The Levites who were not Kohanim played music in the Temple or served as guards. When Joshua led the Israelites into the land of Canaan the Levites were the only Israelite tribe that received cities but were not allowed to be landowners because “the Lord God of Israel is their inheritance, as He said to them” Joshua 13:33.
Notable descendants of the Levite lineage according to the Bible include Miriam, Samuel, Ezekiel, Ezra, Malachi, and John the Baptist.” ~ Wiki – Tribe of Levi.
Why did People stop Paying Tithe?
Somehow, the people stopped giving the Levites, maybe because the Levites have started becoming greedy or now found ways to generate their own income (this the Bible did not say).
It might also be because the children of Israel have been in captivity and the New Generation refused to adhere to or were not taught the Old norm, and because there were no Temples or some reasons, they stopped paying Tithes which was a Commandment to them.
And the Prophet Malachi, who is also a Levite, came to remind that of this.
Jesus Christ and Paying Tithe.
Fast forward to when Jesus Christ came, He, instead of emphasising on Tithes, emphasised on Giving, and love.
There was no account of where he chided His Disciples for not giving Tithes etc, but mandated them to pay Tax. Yet we are Christians, who are followers of Christ; and we have allowed the Shepherds to sneak in so many doctrines just to make us believe we are still in the pre-Jesus era.
That notwithstanding; if someone says that why can’t we challenge the Law on Tax.
Well in places where the Public is aware of their rights; they always challenge the government on what they use their tax for.
But in our own place, where we hide under the “touch, not my anointed” syndrome. We have become so blind and some Preacher-Worship centric that we can’t even caution the Government and demand rights; so how can we even know what is right in Our Churches.
