My question is, the Bible shows 2 instances of tithing prior to the giving of the law, Abraham, and Jacob. In both cases we find they tithed of their own accord, not as a directive from God. Abraham did not tithe of his own increase but from his spoils of war which he refused to accept any of for himself.
Under the law, God gave tithing to the tribe of Levi as their inheritance instead of land like the other tribes received. This was because the Levites were the priest and needed to be with all the tribes wherever they resided.
Jesus was the fulfillment of the law and became our High Priest and his blood torn down the veil that separated the average person from the Holy of Hollies. Through His blood, all believers have direct access to God.
There is no scripture that relinquished the obligation of the Jews to pay tithes other than those pertaining to Jesus and the new High Priest and the only mediator between God and man.
The only people that were obligated to the law were the Jews and gentile converts. So how do believers who were never under the law and do not have Levitical Priest acting in the priestly duties for them, but have Jesus as our High Priest who tells us we are all priest under him, which means our priesthood is not based on the Levitical priesthood, but rather that of Melchizedek, whose priesthood was appointed by God not through ancestry linage, how are we now obligated to follow the law that when were never given or required to follow it. And if we are supposed to tithe as the law states to the Jews, why don’t we have to follow the other 412 laws that were given to them?
I think you’re missing a couple of points here. The first one concerns the Law. Jesus said, “Don’t think that I’ve come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I haven’t come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matt. 5:17) The only thing that’s changed about the Law is that Jesus has paid in advance for all your violations (mine, too) relieving us of the responsibility. We’re still called to obedience, as every one of Paul’s Epistles clearly teaches. The phrase “not under the Law” means not required to obey the law in order to qualify for salvation. We’re free to obey God’s law just to please Him, because even if we don’t we’re still saved. That’s the difference that was made at the cross.
Next, is it only the Jews who God blessed with the ability to make money, or have we been similarly gifted? The tithe is an expression of gratitude for the blessings we receive. As such it shouldn’t be thought of as a commandment so much as a way of saying thanks. By world standards, you and I are among the richest people on the planet. We have cause to be grateful.
And finally, I don’t know of a single person who tithes for the right reason and has experienced the blessings that come therefrom, who would think of stopping. I sure wouldn’t.