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Both the Old and the New Testaments are full of references to tithing to the
Lord.
Beginning in Genesis. Jacob falls asleep and has a vision in a dream in which God says to him: “Know that I am with you; I will protect you wherever you go...”
When he awakes, Jacob cannot contain himself and he makes a pledge to return one tenth of everything he has to the Lord (Genesis 28:22)."Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram.... Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything" (Genesis 14:18-20).
In the New Testament we see a number of references to tithing a tenth of the first fruits, even of garden herbs (Mt 23:23, Lk 11:42, Heb 7:1-11). But St. Paul exhorts the Christians in Corinth to contribute “what they can afford” to support the ministry of the Church (1Cor 16:1-4) and-they must have been like many here at Prince of Peace-he commends their generosity for giving beyond their means (2Cor 8-9) to share with those in need.
The early Christian community took Jesus literally when he told the rich young man to sell all he had and give it to the poor. As evidenced in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:45), they set a challenging benchmark for us. The text tells us “they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need.”
New Testament Parables about Stewardship
The Hidden Treasure * Mt. 13:44
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/matthew/matthew13.htm
The Talents * Mt. 25:14-30
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/matthew/matthew25.htm
The Generous Employer * Mt. 20:1-6
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/matthew/matthew20.htm
The Wicked Tenants * Mt. 21:33-46
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/matthew/matthew21.htm
Sheep and Goats * Mt. 25:31-46
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/matthew/matthew25.htm
The Two Debtors * Lk. 7:41-43
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/luke/luke7.htm
The Good Samaritan * Lk. 10:29-37
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/luke/luke10.htm
The Rich Fool * Lk 12:16-21
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/luke/luke12.htm
The Barren Fig Tree * Lk. 13:6-9
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/luke/luke13.htm
The Prodigal Son * Lk. 15:11-32
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/luke/luke15.htm
The Lost Coin * Lk. 15:8-10
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/luke/luke15.htm
Pharisee and Tax Collector * Lk. 18:9-14
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/luke/luke18.htm
Time
Talent
