John C,

Quote
John said:
I'm sure there are plenty of material explaining the reasons.

The fact is that there were at least three tithes demanded in the OT. Linked is a very good study of the tithe. I have already noted exceptions and criticisms of the source of the study.

http://www.cultwatch.com/tithing.html

For me, the point of the legal quagmire of guilt and judgment generated by an insistance of the OT tithe is beautifully presented to us in a play by Shakespere, The Merchant of Venice.

From the fine print of a legal contract, Shylock, has demanded payment of his debtor. The contract has stipulated payment of "a pound of flesh" when Antonio (the debtor) could not pay.

The very wise judge, Portia, renders the judgment thus:

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PORTIA

Therefore prepare thee to cut off the flesh.
Shed thou no blood, nor cut thou less nor more
But just a pound of flesh: if thou cut'st more
Or less than a just pound, be it but so much
As makes it light or heavy in the substance,
Or the division of the twentieth part
Of one poor scruple, nay, if the scale do turn
But in the estimation of a hair,
Thou diest and all thy goods are confiscate.

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This is exactly what happens to "legalists" when the letter of the law is observed, rather than the hearing of the Spirit through the word of our merciful God.

Denny

Romans 3:22-24

Denny

Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." [John 6:68]