The Tithe

UPDATE
I was wrong as 'pastors' is mentioned a few times in the Bible but my search tool didn't show me this. Many thanks to Michael for correcting me!!

Here it is in the NT:
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers"
Ephesians 4:11

I still contend that the LORD Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church as opposed to one person, i.e. a pastor, which is pretty much how most churches today are setup.

Here the word 'shepherd' is the same Greek word for 'pastor':
"And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, [and] one shepherd."
John 10:16

The Greek definition for pastor/shepherd:

1) a herdsman, esp. a shepherd
a) in the parable, he to whose care and control others have committed themselves, and whose precepts they follow
2) metaph.
a) the presiding officer, manager, director, of any assembly: so of Christ the Head of the church
1) of the overseers of the Christian assemblies
2) of kings and princes

PS "tithes" is mentioned more times as well! Click Here.

ORIGINAL POST
Yeah, I no longer believe in the tithe.

I mean, what is the tithe used for today? Paying for a building? Paying for a pastor? Neither of which are scriptural. Any money collected should go to help those in need.

The LORD Jesus Christ is my Pastor. Nowhere in the Bible does it talk about "pastors" of churches. Elders, yes; teachers, yes, but not pastors. Btw, a pastor is a shepherd. The Good Shepherd SERVES the sheep and lays down His life for the sheep; he doesn't fleece the sheep nor beg for money from the sheep.

The word pastor is only found ONCE in scripture & it's in the OT:

"As for me, I have not hastened from [being] a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was [right] before thee."
Jeremiah 17:16

The word pastor comes from the word pasture! Here is the Hebrew meaning:

1) to pasture, tend, graze, feed
a) (Qal)
1) to tend, pasture
a) to shepherd
b) of ruler, teacher (fig)
c) of people as flock (fig)
d) shepherd, herdsman (subst)
2) to feed, graze
a) of cows, sheep etc (literal)
b) of idolater, Israel as flock (fig)
b) (Hiphil) shepherd, shepherdess
2) to associate with, be a friend of (meaning probable)
a) (Qal) to associate with
b) (Hithpael) to be companions
3) (Piel) to be a special friend

The word tithe is mentioned twice in the NT for the same incident when Jesus is rebuking the Pharisees who prided themselves to live under the law.

"But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."
Luke 11:42 (also Matthew 23:23)

We are no longer under the law but grace.

This is how church should happen...

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all [men], as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
From Acts 2

2 comments:

Rabbi Tav said...

I don't tithe either however a good shepherd does fleece the sheep! They would overheat otherwise. LOL!

Cathy Palmer said...

hmmm... interesting comment!