The issue of tithe has generated much controversies due to lack of proper understanding of the subject. While some believe payment and receipts of tithes is okay, others think that “those those that pays it are fools, and those that collect it are thieves”!
In this piece, I will try as much as possible to point out with local references that pastors should receive titles.
The Genesis of Tithing.
Gen 14:20 marks the first instance where tithes was paid and received. After Abram (later called Abraham) went to rescue Lot, Melchizedek, the king of Salem (Salem mean peace), a ‘priest of the most high God’, went to meet him and blessed him. After the blessings, Abram “gave him tithes of all” (v18, 20.)
The Levitical Priesthood
In the old testament, only the tribe of Levi are entitled to priesthood and tithes because they have no inheritance among the children of Israel.(Num18:24). This is the priesthood according to the Levitical order or Aaron Order which is still in practice under Judaism till date.
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Christianity and tithing.
Most controversies on the subject of tithes is that since min of the present day Pastor are not descendants of Levi, they have no right to collect tithes. This is true as even the apostles in the early days of the church never collected “tithes”. They would have been stoned if they attempted to because they are not levites.
However, with the spreading of the gospel to other countries coupled with the great understanding of the scriptures by Apostle Paul, the great apostle was able to set the record straight: Christ’s priesthood was not after the Levitical order because Jesus Christ was not a descendant of Levi but that of Judah. Christ’s priesthood is after the order of Melchizedek!(Heb 7:14-17).
Therefore, since the high priest of Christianity is Jesus Christ, all other priests (otherwise known as Pastors) falls under His priesthood.
Read Hebrew 7:1-end for proper understanding
Dayo Dairo writes in response to the article published on Aug 9, 2016 titled- “Every Pastor who collects tithes is a thief” by Daniel O. (https://infotrustng.com/every-pastor-collects-tithes-thief/)
