The principle of tithing is a controversial one in Christendom. Members of this faith are conflicted because they want to be obedient to God's word but aren't exactly sure about what the Bible really says about paying over tithes. Many look to the lives of fathers of the faith such as Abraham for guidance on this issue. Those who examine his life carefully though, will come to realize that Abraham did not tithe at all.
The issue surrounding the patriarch and tithing originates in Genesis. In chapter fourteen of Genesis Abraham's battle with the four kings. Abraham had engaged in battle to rescue his nephew Lot who had been captured by the four Kings.
Along with the captives, the kings had also taken valuable possessions. The people's food was taken. So were all the properties of Lot. Clearly, The patriarch's quest was one of revenge, restoration and justice.
The Lord was on the patriarch's side and the four kings were defeated. He had the Lord with him but he also had other men assisting him in the fight. Verse thirteen makes mention of some of his allies, Aner, Mamre and Eshcol, and later on when they battle has been completed, the presence of these and other men on the scene makes it evident that they fought alongside the patriarch.
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.
The principle of tithing requires that the tither sets aside and gives a tenth of his possessions. These spoils of war were clearly not Abraham's property. He declares to the King of Sodom that he had taken an oath that he would take nothing from him after the king offers him all the possessions and tells him to only return to him the people. The patriarch asked only for the food that the warriors had eaten and a share of the spoils to be given to the men who fought alongside him.
Tithing is also an organized, habitual act. The patriarch's action fails to live up to this requirement as it is an isolated event. Tithing by its very nature is supposed to be organized in terms of frequency which is why today's tithers pay monthly, weekly or bi-weekly. This was an, unplanned event that did not fit into the patriarch's routine activities.
This patriarch was certainly not a tither. His giving was not an organized habitual one. It was rather a single event that fulfilled a custom of sharing the rewards of a well fought battle. Additionally, his failure to view the possessions as his own rules out the act as tithing since it would not have been truly his to give.
The issue surrounding the patriarch and tithing originates in Genesis. In chapter fourteen of Genesis Abraham's battle with the four kings. Abraham had engaged in battle to rescue his nephew Lot who had been captured by the four Kings.
Along with the captives, the kings had also taken valuable possessions. The people's food was taken. So were all the properties of Lot. Clearly, The patriarch's quest was one of revenge, restoration and justice.
The Lord was on the patriarch's side and the four kings were defeated. He had the Lord with him but he also had other men assisting him in the fight. Verse thirteen makes mention of some of his allies, Aner, Mamre and Eshcol, and later on when they battle has been completed, the presence of these and other men on the scene makes it evident that they fought alongside the patriarch.
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.
The principle of tithing requires that the tither sets aside and gives a tenth of his possessions. These spoils of war were clearly not Abraham's property. He declares to the King of Sodom that he had taken an oath that he would take nothing from him after the king offers him all the possessions and tells him to only return to him the people. The patriarch asked only for the food that the warriors had eaten and a share of the spoils to be given to the men who fought alongside him.
Tithing is also an organized, habitual act. The patriarch's action fails to live up to this requirement as it is an isolated event. Tithing by its very nature is supposed to be organized in terms of frequency which is why today's tithers pay monthly, weekly or bi-weekly. This was an, unplanned event that did not fit into the patriarch's routine activities.
This patriarch was certainly not a tither. His giving was not an organized habitual one. It was rather a single event that fulfilled a custom of sharing the rewards of a well fought battle. Additionally, his failure to view the possessions as his own rules out the act as tithing since it would not have been truly his to give.
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