Date of Award

8-1-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Exegetical Theology

First Advisor

Jeffrey Kloha

Scripture References in this Resource

1 Chronicles 23:13; 1 Corinthians 9:1–18; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 Timothy 5:8; 2 Corinthians 8:1–6; Deuteronomy 14:22–27; Exodus 19:5–6; Galatians 6:1–10; Genesis 22:2; Genesis 31:54; Genesis 4:3–8; Genesis 8:20–21; Hebrews 7:1–10; Jeremiah 31:9; Leviticus 27:30–33; Malachi 3:6–12; Matthew 10:1–15; Matthew 23:23–24; Matthew 8:11–12; Numbers 16:40; Numbers 18:21–32;

Abstract

Tithing: A Biblical Principle for the Sustenance of Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Liberia Dapaye, Simon Tenyen, “Tithing: A Biblical Principle for the Sustenance of Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Liberia.” Master of Arts Thesis. Concordia Seminary, 2016. 115pp.

This thesis discusses the implication of Numbers 18:22–32 and Malachi 3:6–12 regarding the sustenance of the priesthood and its bearing on New Testament stewardship and giving with an emphasis on a pastor's sustenance. These Old Testament texts set the basis for the Levite tithe, instituted for the sustenance of the priests and Levites, whose function was to lead Israel in its ritual duties before the Lord. These passages are used to examine the theological, biblical, and historical function of the Levite tithe in order to lay a foundation for a closer study of stewardship and generous giving for the sustenance of pastors and ministers in the New Testament and the church today.

An exegetical study of Old Testament texts (Num. 18:19–32, Mal 3:6–12) that highlight the sustenance of the priesthood through the Levite tithe was accomplished. In like manner, similar studies of New Testament texts (Matt. 23:23–24, Heb. 7:1–10, Matt. 10:1–15, 1 Cor. 9:1–18, 2 Cor. 8:1–6, Gal. 6:1–10) were also carried out. Both Old and New Testament passages support the Levite tithe as a biblical principle which parallels the New Testament teaching on stewardship/generous giving for the sustenance of those who teach the faith.

Through a broad analysis of the lack of sustenance of pastor and clergy members of the ELCL, its causes, and possible solutions, this paper proposes useful ways to teach and enlighten people on tithing so as to improve the desperate situation in Liberia depicted above.

A proposal of a stewardship committee is recommended to help the church organize and manage its resources of time, talent and treasure. In addition, a bible study that will teach from scriptural perspective further details of the tithe, and generous giving has also been highlighted in this paper. This researcher is of the conviction that adherence to all of the aforesaid will allow the ELCL to unwaveringly teach and preach the gospel with minimum struggle over pastor’s sustenance, mission and evangelism.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Download

Share

COinS