1. The Levitical priesthood is the only priesthood to be commanded by God to collect a tenth of the product of the land. Priesthoods before or after had no such command. To be a priest to collect tithes, you had to be a descendant of Levi.
2. Land limits tithing to grain, cattle, oil, fruit, etc. - the product of the land. God had distributed the land to all Jewish tribes except the Levites; so a portion of the land's production was commanded for the Levites, and to provide for the poor. The tithe was from the yield of the increase of the seed - the produce yielded. So carpenters, masons, store keepers, teachers, wagon makers, well diggers, fishermen, salesmen, tax collectors, soldiers, laborers on a farm, government employees, etc., all had absolutely no requirement to tithe.
3. Tithes were collected by Levites priests only in a named place selected and specified by the Lord.
4. Since the produce was food, the people were supposed to eat the food with their children, servants, and any Levites living within the boundaries of their lands, with thanksgiving and rejoicing to the Lord; and this celebratory thanksgiving meal was supposed to be eaten in a place specifically chosen by the Lord.
5. After eating in celebration to the Lord, any excess was to be placed in a storehouse, location chosen by the Lord, to be distributed by the Levite to the stranger, the widow, and the fatherless - the provision for the relief of the poor.
6. Money was not part of tithing - with one exception. If the distance to the location chosen by the Lord was too far to travel with the tithes of food, the food to be tithed was to be sold for money. Then the person was to travel to the location, with the money buy whatever food he particularly enjoyed, and then eat the food in celebration as in #4 above.
7. MOST IMPORTANT: Christ eliminated and abolished the Levitical priesthood. He became the new permanent priest and priesthood. So the command given to the Levitical priesthood was eliminated also. Christ eliminated tithing, just as he ended the ordinances and old covenant.
Tithing died with the Levitical priesthood; the only places tithing is referenced in the New Testament is the claim of the self-righteous Pharisee, and the explanation of its death in Hebrews.
The Apostle Paul instructed people to set aside funds from their excess, but that was to relieve the poor, particularly the large numbers of poor brethren in Jerusalem. Relieving the poor does not include supporting self-appointed pastors or to maintain an un-commanded temple or building.
Tithing died with Christ's resurrection. Christ is the new priest; Replacing the Levitical priesthood for which tithes were commanded. To tithe is to deny Christ's priesthood. Any minister who asks for money, even other than tithing, is a false prophet and violating the commands of Jesus.
For a pastor who is asking for tithes; to pretend he has such authority, either shows him to be an unqualified, ignorant, blind teacher or worse, dishonest. In either case, you should disassociate yourself immediately with anyone trying to hold up tithing.
Hebrews 7:11-12 ... If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
Hebrews 7:18-19 ... For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
Psalm 110:4 ... The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Acts 8:20 ... But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Matthew 10:8 ... Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.❤
