May 2016

Dispelling the “Tithe is an Eternal Moral Principle” Myth
by Ronald W Robey

Many tithe proponents, in a feeble attempt to prove we are supposed to tithe today, will run to Genesis 14 as their proof-text.

Their argument is that tithing existed before the Mosaic Law, and is therefore “an eternal moral principle.”

But, is it really an “eternal moral principle” as they claim?

I believe Scripture proves it is not based on the following verse…


In the text, Moses and Aaron argue with Pharaoh. Pharaoh wanted the Israelites to leave their cattle behind. Moses and Aaron said the animals would go with them, because they did not know what God would want them to serve Him with.

Had tithing been an eternal moral principle, there would have been no uncertainty.

Moses and Aaron would have known that ten percent of something would have been required. Yet they had no idea what would be required in serving God.

And, what was the sacrifice that was made when the Israelites left Egypt and arrived at the place God took them to? Was it a tenth of their monetary income?

Of course, it is easy to see that it was not a tenth of Moses’ monetary income. Nor did God require Moses to give a tenth of his livestock. as service to Him. As a matter of fact, many sacrifices were made prior to the Law. None of which was a tenth.

For this reason, we can know assuredly that the tithe that Abram gave to Melchizedek was not continued and could not be an “eternal moral principle”.


Man may change. The economy may change. However, God’s Word does not change. It is forever settled in Heaven.

God knows everything that ever happened in the past. He knows what is happening in the present. He knows what will happen in the future.

He made no provision in His word for man in any period of time to preach contrary to what is written in His Holy word. His commanded tithe was agricultural then. It has not changed to money, whether man wishes to make it money or not.

Man can say God’s tithe is money for the next fifty years from now. But, ten thousand years beyond that, the Bible will still say the commanded tithe is agricultural.

It is forever settled in Heaven. God’s commanded tithe never was, nor will it ever be money.