Caller: I know they had to pay Tithes in the Old Testament. I was wondering what's the New Testament application of that?
Pastor Doug: Well I believe there is. First of all, keep in mind that when God makes a law in the Old Testament that you've got to ask a few questions. Was it a ceremonial law? The ceremonial laws were built around the Sanctuary and the Temple during the Exodus. Many of those laws were nailed to the Cross. We don't need to sacrifice lambs anymore. We don't need a literal priesthood because we are all priests. We're a kingdom of priests. But Tithe, the principle of Tithe goes back to the very beginning. You look at Abraham and it says that Abraham - he paid Tithe. Jacob paid Tithe. That goes back pretty far.
And then Paul in the New Testament - he talks about Tithe and he never says that it's done away with. There's no New Testament writer that says we no longer pay Tithe. Jesus, speaking of Tithe, it's sort of a secondary answer but He does really give us an answer. In Matthew 23:23, He says woe to you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you pay Tithe of the mint and anise and cumin those are herbs in their garden but you've omitted the weightier matters, justice, mercy and faith. Then He goes on to say these you ought to have done, and not leave the other undone. Well the other was Tithe. He says I'm not saying don't pay Tithe, but don't forget about justice, mercy and faith. So it's interesting. Christ really answered the question on Tithe in that statement - He says do not leave the other undone.
And then of course you've read in Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament, God promises to open the Windows of Heaven for those who pay their Tithe. Why would God say that in the last book of the Old Testament - you turn the page to Matthew and say well I don't need to worry about this anymore? See what I'm saying?
Caller: Oh, yes.
Pastor Doug: So I believe the principle of Tithe was to support the ministry. Do we still have a need for that?
Caller: Yes.
Pastor Doug: Well then, we still need missionaries and pastors and Christian teachers. That's what our church uses the Tithe for - so obviously the need is still there.
Caller: Oh okay.
Pastor Doug: And God will bless you. Don't miss out on paying Tithe because you don't gain, you loose by doing that, okay?
Caller: Okay thank you very much.
Pastor Doug: God bless.