Tithing is NOT Bilical

My opponent admits that "no there is not a direct statement in the New Testament that states that we must pay ten percent of our income." A tithe by definition is ten percent, so if Jesus isn't talking about a tenth, he isn't talking about a tithe! Even upping it by one percent to make it eleven percent would mean it is no longer a tithe. Far from simply one-upping the tithe, the New Testament simply ABOLISHED the tithe altogether in Hebrews 7:5, 11, 12, 18: "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: 11 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? 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 18 For there is verily a DISANNULLING of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof." The "COMMANDMENT" being discussed here is the commandment to collect tithes, and it was DISANNULLED. The law was changed along with the priesthood. This isn't one-upping, this is DISANNULLING. As for the law of Moses, God inspired Jesus' disciples to record that this law had also been complete removed. (Ephsians 2:15; Rom 6:14) As for Matthew 5:17, Jesus lets recall that Jesus commanded people to keep the law of Moses while it was still in force, for example in Matthew 8:4 where he told a man to offer the gift Moses prescribed. Obviously we don't have to do that now. Jesus was born "under the law" (Gal 4:1-4) so he had to keep it; but we Christians are "not under the law" (Rom 6:14), the law of Moses, so we don't have to keep it. Matthew 5:17 doesn't say the law won't pass away, but rather, that it won't pass away UNTIL it is fulfilled, and Jesus says he came to fulfill it. If Jesus didn't fulfill it, then he failed his mission. The Bible teaches that he did fulfill it, hence, it did pass away. Notice how the word UNTIL is also used at Matthew 1:25. Joseph didn't have sex with Mary UNTIL she gave birth to Jesus; that doesn't mean he never made love to her. Similarly, the law won't pass away UNTIL it is fulfilled. Didn't Jesus fulfill it? Now you made an argument that giving to the poor is an evolved form of tithing because it goes directly to them instead of through the church first, but Jesus is telling the man to give ALL to the poor. That is so much more than a tenth I don't think it can be considered a tithe. How could ALL be a tithe? And what's more, Jesus wasn't even giving the church a COMMAND of LAW for ALL Christians to obey. If he was, then you and I and all Christians would have to sell everything we have and give the money to the poor. Have you done this? If not, then this obviously isn't a law for you to follow, or else you are disobeying Christ. Rather, what was really happening in Matthew 19 was Jesus was testing this man's heart. How far was he willing to go to please God? He was willing to keep the Ten Commandments (notice Jesus didn't mention tithing here), but he wasn't willing to give up his wealth! Interestingly, Jesus said: ""If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. THEN come, follow me." (Matt 19:21) Notice Jesus mentioned keeping the law and being generous to the poor separate from actually following him? Even if a person does these things, it doesn't mean he is truely following Jesus. In 1 Corinthians 13:3 Paul says: "If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing." Now, keep in mind that even in the Old Testament, a person who was generous to the poor still was obligated under Moses' law to pay tithes, so when Jesus encourages generosity to the poor he isn't one-upping tithing. He is commanding generosity in the New Covenant, which was also commanded in the Old Covenant. So there just isn't any proof we are required by Scripture to pay tithes. We only have to give our best, and what percentage that is is between each person and God, and one person's best will be different from another person's best because we have different circumstances in life.