I boarded a cab with a woman who works for Lagos State Traffic Management Authority(LASTMA). She saw the pet travel carrier I had with me with a puppy inside and she asked, “Are you a christian?” I answered her in the affirmative and she proceeded, “Do you know as a christian, you are not supposed to pay tithe from income from dog sales?” I asked her why and she said we would need to sit together so that she could explain to me. She gave me her phone number. Two weeks later, I remembered the conversation and as someone who is always eager to learn and broaden his knowledge, I placed a call to her. She insisted it could not be discussed over the telephone. So I gave up and forgot about it. This happened two years ago.
Last week, someone that knows me as a dog breeder came to my office. He said, “Do you know that you are not supposed to be selling dogs? Immediately, my mind went to the woman that said Christians are not supposed to pay tithe from income generated from selling dogs. Perhaps these people are correct! I decided to carry out a research into that since I have never read or heard of any bible verse or verses in support of that. I began to consult bible scholars. I hereby present my findings to you below.
The bible says in Deuteronomy 23:18:
- King James Version, “Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God.”
- New King James Version, “You shall not bring the wages of a harlot or the price of a dog to the house of the LORD your God for any vowed offering, for both of these are an abomination to the LORD your God.”
- New International Version, “You must not bring the earnings of a female prostitute or of a male prostitute into the house of the LORD your God to pay any vow, because the LORD your God detests them both.”
- English Standard Version, ”You shall not bring the fee of a prostitute or the wages of a dog into the house of the LORD your God in payment for any vow, for both of these are an abomination to the LORD your God.”
- International Standard Version, “Don’t bring the earnings of a female prostitute nor the income of a male prostitute into the house of the LORD your God as payment for any vow. Both of these are detestable to the LORD your God.”
Can you see where the believe comes from that we should not tithe income from dog? We can see that many misunderstand the meaning of Deuteronomy 23:18, concluding that it would be a sin to engage in the sale of dogs: “You shall not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the Lord your God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the Lord your God.”
Let us examine a clearer version from the Amplified bible. The Amplified Version says, “There shall be no cult prostitute among the daughters of Israel, neither shall there be a cult prostitute (a sodomite) among the sons of Israel. You shall not bring the hire of a harlot or the price of a dog (a sodomite) into the house of the Lord your God as payment of a vow, for both of these (the gift and the giver) are an abomination to the Lord your God.”
The Moffatt Translation further makes it clearer to us. It says, “No woman of Israel shall be a temple-prostitute, and no man of Israel shall be a temple-prostitute. You must never pay a vow into the house of the Eternal your God with money that is the hire of a prostitute or the wages of a catamite: both are abominable to the Eternal your God.”
Now, let us examine Genesis 1:26, King James Version: “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” This bible verse clearly indicates that we have power over all animals in on earth. We are superior to them.
The Hebrew word for dog in this verse means “a male cult prostitute” (see Brown, Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon). Verse 17 shows that the context is religious rites that involve sexual acts, as was anciently common among many idolatrous peoples: “There shall be no ritual harlot of the daughters of Israel, or a perverted one of the sons of Israel.” The Moffatt and other modern versions make it clear that these verses are speaking of sexually corrupt people.
In addition, the New Testament records a similar thing in Revelation 22:15: “But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral. . . .” This refers to various categories of unrepentant and degenerate humans who will be unable to enter the God’s Kingdom.
In conclusion, Dogs who is a member of canine family is a part of God’s creation, over which man was given dominion. To tithe the income from the sale of a dog or any other animal is in accordance with God’s tithing laws and principles. Please feel free to leave your comments in the comment section of this publication.
Written by Olumide Makinde
©Euniversal Stars Kennels 2019
The price of a dog is referring to a people that are not Jews gentiles and samaritans were considered dogs not talking about the dog as a animal
https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Deuteronomy%2023%3A18
https://www.studylight.org/commentary/deuteronomy/23-18.html
The verse does not refer to an animal but rather to a male prostitute.
I adopted a husband and wife female and male Chihuahua and they had their first litter and yes right away after 6-8 weeks I found homes for their first litter and yes I made a sale from that because I also paid a lot to have my dogs/pets well taken care of so it helps with costs and I am a Christian woman and hearing this makes me think this has nothing to do with this situation or does it?
Hello Anna,the article debunked the misinterpretation of the holy book as being against selling of dogs or tithing from the income you earn from selling a dog.You have not done anything wrong. If you feel like paying tithe from the income, please go ahead. It is not a sin.
The verse says it is an abomination to sell dog or women…Period. And to bring money from an abominable action is further insult.
Breeding is just plain wrong! Greeding! Over 4 million dogs and cats are euthanized in shelters every single year in the US because of people like you. I do you know Chihuahuas are the second most killed dog, next to pitbull‘s. Spay and neuter your animals. I know some decent Christians but it’s people like you that make me despise the religion. It’s sad that so many human beings need a book to decipher what’s right and wrong instead of using their own brains and hearts.
African people, in general, are not nearly as keen on a dog ownership as the Western people, unless it is for a guardian or a hunting dog! Also, being empathetic towards a pet is different in some countries! Abuse and neglect are more accepted!
Also, trust an African Christian to put a new unique spin on the Bible’s teachings! They have a different Worldview and unique interpretations! ‘Health and Prosperity Gospel’ comes out of Nigeria! We can understand the temptation of subverting Bible teachings when one is desperately poor or ill! But that Prosperity Gospel is a big hit within the Educated, well – off community, as well! ‘Love of money’ as a sin seems to have bypassed a number of Christian churches!
At times, we can get a refreshing view of certain Scriptures from the people of other countries! Other times, it can shock you!
For an example, I have lost count how many African educated men, claiming to be Evangelicals, told me that it’s perfectly fine to have an outside – of marriage- relationship, because they are neither Pastors nor Elders of the Church! They quote 1 Timothy 3:1-7! I was stunned to hear this! Trust a man, any man, to justify and rationalize their behavior! If only the Western Christian men knew this! What a revelation! I wonder how the African Christian women/wives feel about this!
Very interesting… dog is used figuratively… and shouldn’t be interpreted literally
I know the word dog is figuratively used there
In revelation, it says for without are dogs . Meaning Male prostitutes cannot come into the kingdom of heaven .