Tithe: continuation…
Rome began to claim that she had authority in all matters religious and secular. And this caused them to restrict the conscience of the people. The result of this practice led to crime and vice among the people and priests. When they claimed authority over the temporal matters they persecuted those who didn't agree with the established teachings. She began by enforcing what was not required by scripture and ended by forbidding that which was required by the scriptures and this will happen again.
1 Cor 9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
Paul is talking about support for the ministry. while he works let him eat, let him be sustained by what he eats. Paul uses Moses instruction to apply it to the tithe.
1 Cor 9:13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
Who ministered holy things? The Priests and Levi's. they were supported by tithes, offerings, and sacrifices.
Heb 7:5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
Paul makes it clear that they were required to take tithe. They were commanded. It was not optional. When we look back at Corinthians we see that the minister is entitled to the tithe.
1 Cor 9:13-14 [13] Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? [14] Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
The gospel work was to be supported by tithe. Paul was a self-supporting missionary. He was not a denominational missionary. He left the Jewish church to build up the new church. The Jerusalem council did not control the workers they just gave advice.
Paul was a self-supporting worker in two ways: His instructions were given by God not the leaders in Jerusalem. They didn't tell him what to do. He also worked for himself when he wasn’t receiving money from the believers.
Question: What is a tithe worthy ministry? Can be seen in Bible and SOP.
Ex. Some areas are more grey. Some statements say it can be used for certain aspects in the
publishing ministry. So for LG which is a magazine designed solely to win souls. But tithe should not be used for Colporteurs, building new churches, only to spread the gospel.
Questions: do you tithe general donations? No, the Levites didn't tithe their collective resources for the support of the temple. Only their income. No where in the Bible or SOP do you see gospel
institutions tithing the tithe or donations.
1 Cor 9:15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. 1 Cor 9:12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
Power of accepting resources to support the gospel. Paul is saying we are not accepting tithe in Corinth. There was a problem there. They had free men and slaves. The free men didn't do work. If Paul would have just preached and accepted tithe, the slaves would have said this is a free man's religion. But he worked with the slaves doing tent making so he could bond with them.
2 Cor 11:8 …I robbed other churches, taking wages [of them], to do you service.
I didn't do this to get selfish means for myself. I was supported by other churches while working for you. you should be the ones giving money for your own church.
2 Cor 11:9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all [things] I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and [so] will I keep [myself].
I was only responsible to myself. This refers to the people of Philippi. They brought him the tithe from Philippi. As a self-supporting minister, he didn't use it in Corinth because of the local problem. But while he was there he received it form the Philippians and he used to support himself along with his tent making. People use this statement to say we shouldn't receive it because we don't want to cause division, but this is not what he was saying.
1 Tim 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
Honor the elders, those who are working doctrine and the word.
1 Tim 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer [is] worthy of his reward.
Paul is using the same quotation from Moses that he used in Corinth when he referred to receiving tithe. So he is saying that the elders who are laboring in word and doctrine can also be paid from the tithe.
Note: Most elders don't do this today. They were to go out and win souls locally. He was the bible worker within the local church. Paul was the itenerate preacher who would evangelize abroad. The Elders evangelized locally to build up the church, and they took care of the affairs of the church. These men were to be supported by the tithe. He also quotes what Jesus said in Luke 10
Jesus says take no purse, script or shoes, don't take money just preach and you eat what they give you. You get supported by the people to whom you minister. Those who labor in the gospel are to be supported in the gospel.
This is how Paul explains tithe in the NT. Of course it can go to the GC. But what about self-
supporting missionaries? The Waldensians and others refused to send their tithe to Rome because they were not teaching the gospel or living it. Tithe is an act of confidence not authority. People will place their tithe were they feel confident, not coerced.
Authority
There are two kinds:
Derived
It is inherent in one's office. Ex. The president has authority to do certain things in that position. After he is no longer president, he cannot do it anymore. Ex. Elder, he has certain privileges. But these offices have limitations. The president is suppose to stay in the bounds of the constitution.
Earned
You earn it by your reputation. By the things you do and don't do. You earn authority based upon your relationship with other people.
Ex. As Dean of the college you have certain responsibilities. It also has limits. If you misuse that derived authority and say no matter what you say you are going to do what I tell you (Many Father's do this to their children). If you do that people will not trust you. in any office you should use earned authority. I help you, you help me. When you use earned authority you help the work of God to be spread. If you abuse derived authority people will not listen. But if you use earned authority in a state of emergency people will respond quickly.
Ex. In Sunday churches they use derived authority. No one will preach from my pulpit. Etc. he will not win their hearts. He has not gained their respect. God wants mutual respect in His church. Question: The pastor should not teach the members to rely on the pastor to say what is wrong and what is right. The pastor is to teach the people to study the Word not to depend on him. As a result they will rely on him. When error comes in, they can't discern and they say it sounds good. But the Pastor is to educate them.