Tithing is the drug of choice for many churches

First of all let us observe that Con has not answered anything but rather has introduced an explosion of more information, kind of like running for the hills... Why no explanation about 2 cor 9:7 that specifically tells us NOT to pay tithes? (Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.) Do not give out of compulsion? Why no answer to this? Since Con cant seem to explain why the new testament states not to pay tithes, I will go ahead and shed some light on Cons foiled escape and then hang him with his own rope. LoL Lets start by putting into context what Con has taken out of context. Con lists 4 scriptures in a row. The first Genesis 14:19 19 He blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." He gave him a tenth of all. This one event in the old testament has a lot to it. First of all, it was Arab custom in those days to pay a tenth of the spoils of war to the local king priest whoever it was. But Con leaves out some very important factors to this story including the one I just mentioned. Also the fact that Abram gave 90% to the king of Sodom. If we are to seriously use this scripture to support tithing as some kind of principle, then why leave out the 90%? LoL This was a one time event involving the spoils of war, Abram gave it all away, nothing to do with everyday living or earning of wages.. Con posted - Hebrews 7:1-2 1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means "king of righteousness." Then also, "king of Salem" means "king of peace." End Con post Rather than get into deep details of history, lets look at Hebrews which coincidentally happens to be where tithing is abolished. Hebrews 7:5 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: Hebrews 7:15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchizedek there ariseth another priest, 16 Who is made, not after the LAW of a CARNAL COMMANDMENT, (Tithing) but after the power of an endless life. 18 For there is verily a disannulling of the COMMANDMENT (tithing) going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. 19 For the LAW made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. 22 By so much was Jesus made a SURETY of a better testament. Surety = 1.Security against loss or damage or for the fulfillment of an obligation, the payment of a debt, etc.; a pledge, guaranty, or bond. 2. a person who has made himself or herself responsible for another, as a sponsor, godparent, or bondsman. 3 a person who is legally responsible for the debt, default, or delinquency of another. (Setting up Jesus to pay the final tithe ending the law) (Tithing is a debt that can never be satisfied) 26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; (High priests were the collectors of tithes and have been replaced by us) 27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. (Jesus paid the final tithe here) 28 For the LAW maketh men high priests which have infirmity; (sounds like con) but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. (The author wraps everything that could possibly be associated with tithing and ends it all because now a greater one than Melchizedek and a greater one than the law has taken ALL responsibility leaving nothing out and yes that includes Melchizedek) Now lets look at Cons posting of Genesis 28:21-22 Keep in mind Con has omitted verse 20 because he wants to INTERPRET this for us as paying tithes. I have included verse 20. Genesis 28:20-22 20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, 21 So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God: 22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shall give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee. Cons posting - You DON"T need a Theologian or Scholar to INTERPRET this for you do you? Because if he DOES HE then becomes guilty of violating the sacred text himself doesn"t he? ( Kind of like leaving out verse 20 so you can INTERPRET this verse to us as one that promotes tithing? Come on Con you can do better than hanging by your own rope. This has nothing to do with tithing at all now that it is put back into context thanks to BackSeatPreacher. Summary It appears to me that Con has a connection to tithing using words like "violation" "Defiance" but that is ok. My hope is that Con will use his passion for greater things. Thank You BackSeatPreacher