Hi keys2heaven,
I am bothered by his statement of tithes being in effect before the Levites started taking tithes. Can someone explain what he is saying in this?
Gen 4:3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD.
Gen 4:4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering,
These offering might be the precursor to the tithe he was referring to. But it you will take notice that these offering were of the produce and flock.
I have the first 2 scripture that were in your post, and all others I could find to show what the tithe was in the OT. Something that you will notice here, in these scripture that show what should be tithed, is it's produce of the land and of the flocks. All scripture that refer to tithes is talking about produces and flocks, and none ever memtion money as a tithable commodity.
2Ch 31:5 And as the command spread, the sons of Israel brought plentifully of the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field. And the tithe of all things they brought in abundance.
Neh 13:12 And all Judah brought the tithe of the grain and the new wine and the oil into the treasuries.
Lev 27:30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD's.
Lev 27:32 And concerning the tithe of the herd or the flock,
Deu 12:17 You may not eat within your gates the tithe of your grain or your new wine or your oil, of the firstborn of your herd or your flock, of any of your offerings which you vow, of your freewill offerings, or of the heave offering of your hand.
Deu 14:22 "You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year.
2Ch 31:5 As soon as the commandment was circulated, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of grain and wine, oil and honey, and of all the produce of the field; and they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything.
Neh 13:12 Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain and the new wine and the oil to the storehouse.
And one from the NT even, still speaks of the produce.
Luk 11:42 "But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
The other scripture he used is simply stating to bring in the tithe, which would have been well known to be of the land and flocks, as the scripture prove.
The tithe in the churches is the preacher's bread and butter and of course they have been taught it is right and believe it should be your money and will push their manmade tradition with gusto.
Hope this helps
mercy, peace, and love
Kat