Allusion to tithing in new testament
In the New Testament, there are several allusions to tithing, which is the practice of giving a tenth of one's income to God. Here are a few examples:
- Matthew 23:23: Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for neglecting the more important aspects of the law, such as justice, mercy, and faithfulness, while focusing on minor details like tithing. He says, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former."
- Luke 11:42: Jesus again criticizes the Pharisees for their emphasis on tithing, saying, "But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former."
- Hebrews 7:1-10: The author of Hebrews uses the example of Abraham, who gave a tenth of everything to Melchizedek, a priest of God Most High. This passage is often seen as an allusion to the practice of tithing, as Abraham's giving was a demonstration of his faith and trust in God.
- 1 Corinthians 9:9-11: Paul quotes from the Old Testament (Leviticus 27:30-32) to support the idea that tithing is a principle that applies to Christians as well as Jews. He says, "For it is written in the Law of Moses: 'Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.' Is it not written: 'The ox that treads out the grain should not be muzzled'? God is not concerned with oxen, is he? Or is he actually saying it for our benefit? No! What he says is that the one who plows and the one who thresh should work in hope of a share in the harvest. If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?"
- Malachi 3:8-10: This passage is often seen as a prophecy about the coming of Jesus Christ, but it also contains a call to return to the practice of tithing. The prophet says, "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed me of tithes and offerings. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."
These passages demonstrate that the practice of tithing was not unique to the Old Testament or the Jewish faith, but is also a principle that applies to Christians in the New Testament.