Liberty not Law A Study of Tithing in Historical Context Condensed and Abridged From Tithing in Holy Scriptures with Practical Comments Father Basil Ross Aden See Stewardship Resource II Tithing What Thoughts Come to Mind ID: 762704
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Liberty not Law: A Study of Tithing in Historical Context Condensed and Abridged From Tithing in Holy Scriptures with Practical CommentsFather Basil Ross Aden (See: Stewardship Resource II)
Tithing: What Thoughts Come to Mind? Cartoon permission from-http://www.buildingchurchleaders.com/multimedia/cartoons/14925.html
Stewardship a way of life + +
“I put All I Had in the Plate…” (a rich man) “I DARE you to do it again!” (his priest)
“Some men are given [health and riches] for stewardship’s sake.” Saint Basil on Wealth & Stewardship
What Does “Tithing” Mean? The meaning of a term is its… Use in its languageContext of use The most ancient example of the tithe goes all the way back to Abraham and Melchizedek.
The Legislation of TithingNow all the tithe of the land, whether seed of the land or fruit of the tree is the Lord’s: it is holy to the Lord…” Leviticus 37:34).
The Three Types of Tithes 1st Tithe: (to the Levites, through them to the priests) 2nd Tithe (at the Temple) 3rd Tithe (for the poor)
A Sample Historical Context In the days of Hezekiah’s reform (c. 701 BC), the Passover was celebrated with such exuberance that the Feast was extended another week.
The Result of Jubilant WorshipHezekiah commanded that the people contribute a portion [of their crops and herds] for the priests.The response was amazing: “they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything” (2 Chronicles 31:5) The High Priest
Overflowing OfferingsThe offerings were so great that they piled up on the ground in heaps (2 Chronicles 31:7).Hezekiah commanded that storehouses be built in the temple for the offerings and tithes and put the Levites in charge of them (2 Chronicles 31:11-12).
Different ContextS, Different Meanings Modern Hezekiah’s ReformCollection of MoneyWorshipObligationExuberance Maintenance of the church Renewal and repentance Calculations of $ amounts Stewardship of God’s gifts Demand for more Joyful sharing Use: fund the church budget Use: a sign of re-dedication
A Resolution The Stewardship Commission will present a resolution at this Sobor that includes commitment to tithing as our goal for proportionate giving.
Another Context: St. Irenaeus “We are still bound to offer to God the first-fruits of His Creation . . . The practice of giving (now includes) the qualities of motivation and the spirit of the action.” St. Irenaeus of Lyons
Types of TithesThree types of tithes in the Old Testament: Tithes to provide supplies for the feasts of worship Tithes to support the Levites (and priests) as ministers of the House of GodTithes for the relief of the poor Administration of the Tithes
Types According to Function Three functions (uses) of tithe based on the three types: Worship and ThanksgivingSupport of ministryRelief of the poor Tobit Giving Alms
Functions in Different ContextsModern Hezekiah’s ReformCollection of MoneyWorshipObligationExuberance Maintenance of the churchRenewal and repentance Calculations of $ amounts Stewardship of God’s gifts Demand for more Joyful sharing Use: fund the church budget Use: a sign of re-dedication Use Old Testament Deutero -Canonical Writings New Testament Church Fathers Worship & Thanksgiving x x x x Support of Ministry x x x x Relief of the Poor x x x x
What Kind of Sowing? “He that sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he that sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully. (2 Corinthians 9:6)
Handkerchief Offering
See “Tithing in Holy Scriptures with Practical Comments ” (Resource II) for more ideas and insights into tithing.