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Particulars
of Christianity:
312
The Church Ethic
Early
Christian writers on the Tithe
Tithing: Intro and Eternal Principle
Argument (Part 1)
Tithing: Eternal Principle Argument
(Part 2)
Tithing: Matthew 23 and Hebrews 7
Tithing: The Absence of An Explicit
Discontinuation
Early Christian writers on the Tithe
The
doctrine that the tithe did not continue under the New Covenant
is one agreed upon by prominent orthodox Christian writes
such as Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Tertullian. Before we
quote their comments on the matter, it is important to remember
the backdrop of their comments. The early Church, as evidenced
in both the book of Acts as well as in the epistles, shared
their belongings communally, distributing according to need.
Some gave what they could. Others were wealthy and so much
more than could have been asked of them, including property
in order to contribute to the needy.
Acts 2:44 And all that believed were together, and
had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions
and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were
of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them
that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but
they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave
the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus:
and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there
any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors
of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of
the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles'
feet: and distribution was made unto every man according
as he had need. 36 And Joses, who by the apostles was
surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of
consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37 Having
land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles'
feet.
The goal was equity and the focus was on giving to those who
lacked, not giving to the local church leaders.
2 Corinthians 8:12 For if there be first a willing
mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and
not according to that he hath not. 13 For I mean not that
other men be eased, and ye burdened: 14 But by an equality,
that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their
want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want:
that there may be equality: 15 As it is written, He that
had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered
little had no lack.
If local church leaders were included, it was only because
they too were in lack potentially because their work in the
church prohibited them from working more to support themselves
with their own hands. (For more on the extent to which local
church leaders were supposed to receive a share alongside
the poor from the weekly distribution, please visit our articles
entitled, "Financial Support for Ministers.")
It is in this historical context and Christian community that
Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Tertullian made the following
comments. When Irenaeus writes that "instead of the law enjoining
the giving of tithes" Christians were instructed "to share(7)
all our possessions with the poor," he is simply referring
to Acts 4:32 and the fact that no Christian though of the
things "which he possessed was his own" but instead viewed
his own possessions as belonging to all so that "they had
all things common." As the quotes below demonstrate, it was
this practice of opening one's home and sharing all things
in common that replaced the tithe under the New Covenant.
We will also notice from the quotes below that the giving
was always voluntary according, it was not obligatory, but
as Justin Martyr said, it was for those who are "willing"
and "what each thinks fit." And Tertullian says similarly
that it each one gave "if he likes," and "only if it be his
pleasure" because "there is no compulsion; all is voluntary."
And this instruction they received from Paul who wrote in
2 Corinthians 8 that the prerequisite to giving was that "there
be first a willing mind."
For those modern tithe advocates who suggest we must reinstate
the tithe because it was part of original, orthodox teaching,
let them instead institute these communal standards, which
were truly the original Christian doctrine while the tithe
was not.
Here then are the quotes from Justin Marty, Irenaeus, and
Tertullian confirming the doctrinal conclusions we have made
in our study that the tithe is not in effect under the New
Covenant.
"And we afterwards continually remind each other of these
things. And the wealthy among us help the needy; and
we always keep together; and for all things wherewith we are
supplied, we bless the Maker of all through His Son…Jesus
Christ, and through the Holy Ghost. And on the day called
Sunday,(1)and there is a distribution to each, and a participation
of that over which thanks have been given,(3) and to those
who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they
who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit;
and what is collected is deposited with the president, who
succours the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness
or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds
and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes
care of all who are in need." - Justin Martyr, THE FIRST
APOLOGY OF JUSTIN, CHAP. LXVII., WEEKLY WORSHIP OF THE CHRISTIANS
"3. …and instead of the law enjoining the giving of tithes,
[He told us] to share(7) all our possessions with the poor;
and not to love our neighbours only, but even our enemies;
and not merely to be liberal givers and bestowers, but even
that we should present a gratuitous gift to those who take
away our goods." - Irenaeus, AGAINST HERESIES, BOOK IV., CHAP.
XIII., CHRIST DID NOT ABROGATE THE NATURAL PRECEPTS OF THE
LAW, BUT RATHER FULFILLED AND EXTENDED THEM. HE REMOVED THE
YOKE AND BONDAGE OF THE OLD LAW, SO THAT MANKIND, BEING NOW
SET FREE, MIGHT SERVE GOD WITH THAT TRUSTFUL PIETY WHICH BECOMETH
SONS
"2. And the class of oblations in general has not been set
aside; for there were both oblations 485 there [among the
Jews], and there are oblations here [among the Christians].
Sacrifices there were among the people; sacrifices there are,
too, in the Church: but the species alone has been changed,
inasmuch as the offering is now made, not by slaves, but by
freemen. For the Lord is [ever] one and the same; but the
character of a servile oblation is peculiar [to itself], as
is also that of freemen, in order that, by the very oblations,
the indication of liberty may be set forth. For with Him there
is nothing purposeless, nor without signification, nor without
design. And for this reason they (the Jews) had indeed
the tithes of their goods consecrated to Him, but those who
have received liberty set aside all their possessions for
the Lord's purposes, bestowing joyfully and freely not the
less valuable portions of their property, since they have
the hope of better things [hereafter]; as that poor widow
acted who cast all her living into the treasury of God."
- Irenaeus, AGAINST HERESIES, BOOK IV, CHAP. XVIII., CONCERNING
SACRIFICES AND OBLATIONS, AND THOSE WHO TRULY OFFER THEM
"On the monthly day, if he likes, each puts in a small
donation; but only if it be his pleasure, and only if he be
able: for there is no compulsion; all is voluntary." -
Tertullian, THE APOLOGY, Chapter XXXIX.
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