Jesus Messiah Fellowship
Light To The Nations
Tithing, Law Or Faith
By Cohen G. Reckart, Pastor
(Copyright 1998 All Rights
Reserved)
Dedicated to the sons and daughters of God who are children of faith in Abraham (Gal. 3:7).
Tithing Before The Law:
1.) Firstfruits offered by Abel (Ab=father, el=God; my father is God or God is my father).
- a. Righteous Abel (Matthew 23:35).
b. Brought firstlings (plural) of his flock (Genesis 4:4).
c. A more excellent sacrifice (Hebrews 11:4).
d. Witness that he was righteous (Hebrews 11:4)
e. God testified of his gifts (Hebrews 11:4).2.) Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedec, Priest of the most high God (Genesis 14:20).
- a. After giving his tithe God said: "I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward" (Genesis 15:1).
b. He who received the promises offered up his only begotten son (Hebrews 11:17).
c. "I will bless thy seed and through this seed the Gentiles also shall be blessed" (Genesis 22:17-18).3.) Jacob covenanted with God (vowed a vow) to give tithe (Genesis 28:20-22).
- a. The place Jacob covenanted to give tithes he called BETHEL (house of God) (Genesis 28:19).
b. If God will be with me (Genesis 28:20).
c. And will keep me in the way that I go (Genesis 28:20).
d. And will give me bread to eat and raiment to put on (Genesis 28:20).
e. So that I come again to my father's house in peace (Genesis 28:21).
f. Then shall the LORD be my God (Genesis 28:21).
g. And this stone which I have set for a pillar will be God's house (Genesis 28:22).
Tithing under the Law:
There were three tithes paid each year. On the third year a fourth tithe was added.
1.) The first tithe was the tenth given before the Law and now to be given to the Levites (Numbers 18:24).
- a. The tithe was a heave (tribute) offering (Numbers 18:24).
b. Levites to give a heave (tribute) tithe offering (tithe of the tithe) to Aaron (Numbers 18:28).
c. If ought was redeemed (not paid on time) a fifth part penalty was charged (Leviticus 27:31).2.) God trusts us to bring HIS TITHE: "I have given the children of Levi all the tenth" (Numbers 18:21).
- a. Convert to money if produce and animals are to cumbersome to bring (Deuteronomy 14:25).
3.) Robbing God is not giving HIS tithe at the place He wants it to be given (Malachi 3:8).
- a. Those who did not give it were cursed (Malachi 3:9).
b. Tithe for the house of God to sustain the priesthood (Malachi 3:10).
c. Prove God's blessings by giving the tithe (Malachi 3:10).
d. God will open the windows of heaven (Malachi 3:10).
e. God will pour out a blessing not received any other way (Malachi 3:10).
f. God will rebuke the devourer for your sakes (Malachi 3:11).
g. He will not destroy the fruit of the ground or of the vine (Malachi 3:11).
h. The nations of the world shall call you blessed (Malachi 3:12).Note: There were four tithes given under the Law. Each year three tithes were paid and on the third year a fourth tithe was paid. 1.) One tithe went to the Levites; 2.) The Levites tithed on their tithe to the Priesthood of Aaron; 3.) Every third year a tithe was set aside for the "strangers (Gentiles), fatherless, and widows. This was given by the tithe payer from his home to these groups until his second ten percent was gone; 4.) Every third year a tithe was kept by the tithe payer to be spent upon what ever he needed to bless his own family. In addition, under the Law if any of the tithe of the Levite was used there was a twenty percent tax added to the amount. Of special note here is that all but one of these methods of tithing came into existence under the Law and ceased at the Cross. The tithe that did not come into being under the Law but utilized by God during the Law era to sustain the Priesthood, continues on in the New Testament. What was abolished concerning this one tithe was to whom it was given. Since the Levitical priesthood ceased at the Cross, the tithe passed on into the Priesthood of Jesus Messiah and to those whom he ordained to be his representative Ministers of the Gospel. Do not make the mistake that all tithes came under the Law and therefore all tithes were abolished at the Cross. Such reasoning is not only flawed as to truth, it is flawed as to interpretation of Scripture.
Tithing under the New Testament:
1.) Jesus taught tithing not by Law but by faith (Matthew 23:23).
2.) Tithe was called tribute money (see 1b above).
- a. The tribute money coined by the Temple was the shekel (Exodus 30:13).
3.) Taxes were also called tribute when the coin was Roman (Matthew 22:17).
4.) Tribute which consisted of either tithe, taxes, or both were to be given (Romans 13:7).
5.) If the firstfruits (tithe) is holy the lump (or balance) is holy (Romans 11:16).
6.) They who preach the Gospel are to live of the Gospel (1Corinthians 9:14).
7.) No man goeth to warfare at his own (charges) expense (1Corinthians 9:7).
8.) Paul received wages (tithes) from other Churches to support his Ministry (2Corinthians 11:8).
9.) Paul makes a contrast between the tithe given to Melchizedec, the Levites, and Jesus (Hebrews 7:6-9).
Note: It is to be understood that tithing was not a problem for Jews who previously observed it under the Law. We meet then with no objection to this offering anywhere in the New Testament. There is no Jewish confrontation over this issue. There was then no need for multiple instructions that its continuance should be observed.
Tithing became man's method of thanks for God blessing him with salvation, increase, blessing. It is through God's blessings that man can bless back God's Ministry of redemption. Tithe supports then not a man directly but the redemption the man is ordained to preach.
God actually gives the ten percent into the total blessing package (our wages or salaries) and then trusts us to take his ten percent of that package to the house of God where the testimony of redemption is being Ministered. To appropriate this ten percent for personal needs or greed is to rob God of his own tithe which he intended to be given to his servant.
Then there must be something said of the attitude of the giver. If the attitude is of greed, self interest, or just plain stupidity, we will see the Cain spirit arise. The non-tither then goes on a personal rampage to discourage others from giving the tithe and when convenient, kill (by means of words) the Minister who was to obtain the blessing. In this attitude is seen the works of Cain. He who was the first to reject giving the firstfruits (the tithe), and who killed his brother, is the image of the non tithe payer. Eventually all non tithe payers will attack both other tithe payers and the Ministers who receive them. This attitude voices this discontent with accusations against the Ministry such as: it is a hustle, a fraud, extortion, ripoff, fleecing the flock, taking the wool, and robbing the flock. These do not know that such statements reveal the attitude of a man or woman who are severely mentally bankrupt of truth and faith in giving.
Some think that Paul's collection for the poor saints to be set aside on the first day of the week should be the pattern of New Testament giving. If it is, then none can be used for any other purpose than for poor saints. None can go for Church buildings or equipment, paying a Minister for preaching, missions, pizza or Church dinners, traveling expenses, donations to fix up rented buildings, for rental of a building to hold Church, or for any other Church related event or item. ALL OF IT MUST GO TO POOR SAINTS.
Pastor Reckart's Message to those of faith:
In recent years there has been a ground swelling revolt from some groups and individuals against giving the tenth of their increase, earnings, or blessings, to the Church. In most cases this objection comes from those who are argumentative on nearly every doctrine, practice, or faith, being preached out of the New Covenant. Although these claim to know the Scriptures they are unlearned in Apostolic faith and practice.
Some who do not believe in tithing have been deceived and are indeed following blind guides placing a lot of faith in human opinions, especially in those they believe have great knowledge in the Word of God. The questions are: *Is tithing Law or is it Faith?* I place this issue in a double question because the Scripture says: *whatsoever is not of faith is sin* (Romans 14:23). Is also says that the Law is not of faith (Galatians 3:12). We come to the conclusion then, that the entire system of the Law, that is the Ten Commandments, the Ordinances, the Priesthood, the Temple, the Sacrifices, the Rituals, the worship, was a system of works. Yes, there were many that still had faith and lived by faith, but these were exceptional saints and a short list is found in Hebrews chapter 11. How then are we to judge tithing? As a work that was abolished because it was practiced under the Law? Or was tithing always faith giving?
Some erroneously conclude that there are no actual texts in the New Testament instructing the giving of the tithe, that this is the evidence the tithe was abolished at Calvary along with all of the Law. Was the tithe a creation under the Law? Did tithing come into existence as an ordinance of the Law? Was tithing BEFORE the Law, and if so, what was its purpose and what did it signify?
The tithe of faith:
The word *tithe* simply means the *tenth*. It is first found in Genesis 14:20. In this text, Abraham had just returned from the slaughter of the kings and had saved his nephew Lot, his family, and his possessions. They were on the way back to Hebron and passed through the hill country of Judea coming to the city of Salem, perched upon a high mountain where a King and Prophet lived named Melchizedec. Abraham, to our knowledge, had never met a man who was a Priest of the Most Hight God. The only righteous Priest he had ever met or known was he himself. This was an event to be recorded by Divine hands for the posterity of the seed of Abraham forever. A Priest meets a Hight Priest of God. There was an immediate affinity between them because they both were worshipers of the SAME Most High God, an abnormal event in the land of Canaan. Melchizedec's name means: King Righteous, 'for the word *Melchi* is the ancient Hebrew word for *king* (Strongs 44:28), and the word *zedec* is the ancient Hebrew word for *righteous or righteousness* (Strongs 6666). He was King over the little city called *Salem* which in the ancient Hebrew means *peace* (Strongs 7965). King Righteousness came forth to meet Abraham, father of nations (Abram means *father* and *ham* means nations), and brought with him bread and wine. They held a communion service, the first of its kind on Mount Zion, the citidal of Salem, later to be called Jerusalem by David.
As Abraham savored the fellowship and the moments of spiritual excitement, his mind rolled back over the years to more ancient times of his lineage, the great patriarchs of his ancestorage, and their religious practices. He looked at a man he had never seen before, a man whose Godliness exceeded that of any he had known since the days his forefathers had fallen asleep. There was only one thing to do before this fellowship was terminated. He made up his mind to do it. He had not done it in all of his life because he knew not to whom he should do it. So, in absence of this he offered his gifts of praise and offerings unto Elshaddai in the form of an altar and burnt sacrifices. He would not appropriate or use for himself that which he knew belonged to God or the Servants of God. So, every where Abraham went he erected an altar and thereon he sacrificed unto God his offerings. But now, he was face to face with a man who was worthy. A man whose life was clean and pure of pagan and heathen customs. A man whose Godliness was greater than all he had ever met. And beside all of this, here was a man who had such power with God that he could bless with his prayers. He had not been blessed such in several years. His heart was stricken, his spirit moved, his soul refreshed as Melchizedec prayed upon him the following words:
"And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand" (Genesis 14:19-29).
Abraham gathered of all that he had, counted each and every item, each and every jewel, each and every piece of gold, silver, and brass; he counted his animals, his garments, he did a complete inventory of all of his possessions and calculated a tenth portion of all. When he had completed this laborious task, he gathered the sacred offering and made his way back to the presence of his new friend, the King of Righteousness! There on Mount Zion, the Mount of God, the city of Peace, the place where in future generations David would pitch a tent for the Ark of the Covenant, and the place where Jesus would celebrate his Passover with his Disciples; on this very spot, Abraham gave tithes of all. And on this very spot, Jesus Messiah would tell his Apostles that he also would give his offering and it would be of all that he possessed, his very life!
There was no Law to require Abraham to give his offering of tithes. There were no ordinances to demand he do it. That day a great Man of Faith stood before God's High Priest and out of his faith gave the tenth of all. Yes, I am sure that if some who live today were there they would brow-beat Abraham and tell him he had no obligation to give this hugh offering. Some might even say he was trying to be saved by works. And of course there will always be some who would love to have corrected Abraham's faith and say his tithe offering was padding some other man's pockets, and it could have been spent better on the poor, the orphans, the widows, and those who need welfare.
The second place the tithe is mentioned as an offering is found in Genesis 28:22. Here, Jacob, the grandson of Abraham was fleeing for his life and had stopped on a tiny hill, ...being tired of his travels. Little known to him, his grandfather had been on this very spot some years prior and had built an altar and sacrificed offerings unto Elshaddai (Genesis 13:3). The stones Abraham stacked up where now scattered upon the ground. The holy fire had long gone out. The ashes and embers of the sacrifice were mixed into the soil and unnoticeable. But a Man of God had sanctified this place with prayers, supplications, and renewal of his faith in prayer and worship. Jacob was unconscience of these past experiences of faith his grandfather had practiced here. Tired, he looked for a place to sleep. He looked for a stone upon which to lay his head. He laid down to sleep with his head on a holy rock, a rock that perhaps once witnessed the prayers and tears of an old man seeking after a City that had foundations whose builder and maker was God. He fell asleep.
The vision he saw was what many men see in the Spirit with an inward eye of the soul. He saw a ladder going up to heaven. God stood at the top looking down. Angels were going up and down the ladder. God spoke to him that it was he who was the God of his grandfather Abraham and his father Isaac. This was a personal experience of knowing God for himself. He did not need to live his life based upon his dad's or grandfather's religion or faith. It was time for his own faith to come alive. He had severed the apron strings and he was a man now. It was time to walk as a man of God. The vision was to have a life-long impact upon Jacob, one that would seal his faith and continue to his descendants the promises God made to Abraham and Isaac concerning the land of Israel. God promised Jacob he would be with him in all places he would go and would bless his return. When God finished speaking to Jacob he arose from his dream-vision.
Jacob thought to himself how dreadful that place was. He said to himself: This is the house (Beth) of God (El) thus the name *Bethel*. He took the stone he had for a pillow and set it up for an altar, poured oil upon it, and there made his vow of tithing:
"And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in the way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God: and this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee" (Genesis 28:20-22).We might ask where Jacob received any notion or idea to give unto God the tenth or the tithe? How was he going to give it? To whom would he give it? Would it become his offerings of sacrifice? Is there some connection to the sacrifice and some ancient method of offerings? If Jesus was the firstfruits and he became an offering for sin, is there some record of firstfruits, offerings, and tithes, that would cast some light upon giving tithe today? If we ignore the Law and the tithing under the Law, is there some ancient revelation that might guide us to a New Testament understanding of what an offering of tithe is? Should we tithe as an offering into the Kingdom of God? Is there a scripture in the New Testament that says tithes should be used for widows, orphans, the poor, or those who need welfare? Was there a practice of using the tithe for these purposes PRIOR to the Law? Were there not three (3) tithes under the Law: one for the Priesthood, one to share with the poor, and one to be enjoyed by the worshiper for him or herself? Was not the tithe an annual event of the firstfruits whereas the tithe for the poor and the one enjoyed by the worshiper was every three years? Which tithe of the three then was before the Law? Which if any was practiced before the Law? Which came into existence under the Law and would have ceased with the Law? Did incorporating the tithe for the priesthood into the system of the Law, providing as anciently, a means of subsistence for God's Priests and Ministers, make it a work of man, or was it ever and always a token of a revelation of God, a personal relationship, a vow of remembrance, an offering of faith, and a part of a person's worship?
Ancient revelations relevant today:
The first mention of offerings and sacrifices of firstfruits is that found in Genesis 4:3-4. Cain built an altar and offered produce he had grown from the ground. Abel built an altar and offered the *firstlings* of his flock. God had respect to the offering of Abel but to Cain he had no respect. Something happened at these altars to signify God's acceptance. While the text does not say it, it is likely that fire fell from heaven upon the sacrifice of Abel, but not upon that offered by Cain. One was an offering and a sacrifice the other was just an offering. One was a sacrifice by revelation of the shed blood of a substitutionary sacrifice and one was an offering without revelation.
Somehow, in Abel's mind, either taught or by revelation, he remembered that his mom and dad had once been in Eden and had fellowship with God. He remembered that his mom and dad said they were under the curse and penalty of death for transgression against the commandment of God not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. They recounted to their sons how that in their fright and fear of instant death, God had slain animals and made for them coats of skin. The thing that was so indelibly inscribed in their mind was that they had received mercy and grace that day and the sign of it was the sacrifice God made of animals when he made them coats of skin. When God gave them the coats of skin they knew that they would not die. The coats of skin became a token of God's grace and his mercy. In looking back, the shed blood of the animals would forever be a memory of their sins, but sins forgiven!
Two things come to light here: 1.) That the offering of firstfruits is tied to a blood sacrifice and offered in such a manner that man could not make use of it for himself; 2.) That the garments made of animal skins, being made by God, were holiness clothes, garments of righteousness, a covering of the nakedness of man and woman, and a token of God's grace and mercy. And with these garments of God, Adam and Eve could worship as they became representative of mercy and grace. Let all the pagans go naked or half naked. Let all the liberals say holiness is bondage and legalism and let them immodestly expose their bodies for the lust of sex and sin. Let all the philosophers who think faith is just mind religion gain-say holiness as drab and ancient colonialism; but let those who can be touched by a revelation worship their God in true holiness:
"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).What does tithing have to do with all of this? Tithing is an offering. Tithing is firstfruits. You take from your increase, your income, your blessings, and give unto God his offering first. If a person gives to God first, then the rest is blessed. If the firstfruits is holy, then the lump is holy (Romans 11:16). This is not only a rule of faith and revelation, it is the very faith by which we are blessed because Jesus as the first born was given as our sacrifice of grace and mercy.
In the New Testament we are not to live by a Law of tithing but a revelation of tithing founded upon the New Testament law of faith (Rom. 3:27). One Minister wrote to me several years ago saying he did not believe in tithing because the law or authority for it was not in the New Testament. He could find it in the Law but not in the writings or teachings of the Apostles. I pointed out to this Brother that on one hand he wanted deliverance from the Law and then on the other wanted the New Testament to have a Law on tithing. This is contradiction. The Law is a schoolmaster to teach us principals of faith and a history of worship and covenant relationship, a revelation of the Messianic Hope, and the righteousness of faith. When we come to Jesus Messiah, we are freed from Laws that would teach us forced morality and forced worship of one God. We have a faith that is based solely upon the revelation of Jesus and the New Covenant. And would many even know what this means? For Jeremiah said of the New Covenant:
"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and will write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people" (Jeremiah 31:31-33).
Those who seek for a New Testament Law on tithing written on paper or stone, are not even New Covenant people. They want to live by faith they claim, but they still want a Law of the Old Testament to live by. They look for Old Testament law and not New Testament law. Tithing and firstfruits started out as offerings of faith and worship, should they then be regulated into a law of carnal commandment?
Jesus and tithing:
Those who say they search the New Testament on tithing and can not find scripture for it, purposely over look the teaching of Jesus on this subject. Some would say his teaching is under the Law since all of his Ministry was under the Law. Well, this is a tidy little maneuver concerning tithes, but why do these not regulate all of the contents of the four gospels as being under the Law since they cover only that portion of time of the Ministry of Jesus under the Law? They do not because in their hearts of hearts, they know the contents of the teachings and faith of Jesus is relevant for the New Covenant as a guide on practice, faith, and doctrine for the Church. So, what did Jesus say about tithing?
"But woe unto you, Pharisees! For ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone" (Luke 11:42).Interesting that so many want the tithing of this verse to be shackled under the Law so they can spend it upon themselves, their car, their boat, their house, their vacation, their investments, etc., but then they want to preach to every one about the *LOVE OF GOD* from this text as if that is not under the Law but also under the New Covenant of grace. Come now, Jesus said they should tithe, but he also taught in HIS DOCTRINE that judgment and the love of God should also be a practice of those who claim they are religious. A person who tithes and omits judgment and love is a hypocrite and a person who wants to show love and judgment and not give tithes is equally a hypocrite. Therein is the revelation, tithing that is not given according to the love of God is not even counted as an offering. You do not PAY TITHES, you GIVE TITHES! To *pay* tithes because of a Church law, organizational by-laws, or a creed or doctrine is not of faith. To *give* tithe as an offering into the Kingdom of God for the purpose of support of the Gospel and the Ministry, the New Testament Priesthood, is faith and a revelation of firstfruits and sacrifices. In the New Testament, all tithes are given by faith in respect of and in faith toward the sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary. He is the FIRSTFRUITS, Christ or Messiah the Firstfruits (1Corinthians 15:23). He is the sacrifice, the offering for sins. Through his blood we know we have grace and mercy. He clothes us with spiritual righteousness in the inward man so that our outward man is a holy and Godly person. Our outward holiness is not works but faith in the righteousness of Jesus Messiah. Our tithes are given not because of Law, but because of our revelation of Jesus.
What does the New Testament say about tithes in regards to revelation?
Speaking on the subject of tithes, Paul wrote to the believers:
"And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who received the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people, according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth" (Hebrews 7:5-8).
Two systems of giving tithe are mentioned: 1.) That of Abraham and; 2.) That of the Levitical priesthood. Paul shows that he whose descent was not connected to the priesthood received tithes of Abraham. He was speaking about Melchizedec. Paul wrote this many years after the founding of the Church. His purpose for placing this in the book of Hebrews was not to teach that tithing was canceled under grace but rather that tithing continued, or there is no need to place the giving of tithe by Abraham in comparison to the *taking* of tithes by commandment by the Levites. Paul does not stop with these two examples, speaking of Jesus, Paul said: *He receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.*
This latter can only mean that in the Church, tithing was being received in some manner in which it was given to the Lord Jesus by faith and he received them. Paul says in Hebrews 7:14 that the priesthood being changed there was also a change in the Law. He did not imply the priesthood ended and tithing with it. He showed the priesthood was changed. Likewise the Law of the tithe did not end it was just changed to a new Priesthood. The tithe came to support those who Minister the salvation, redemption, and hope of eternal life of Jesus our High Priest. Even as the tithe came into the Tabernacle and Aaron and his sons received them and then delegated to the Levites to whom and how much would be given. So in the New Testament our High Priest Jesus receiveth the tithe and delegates to the Pastor how to use this tithe in support of the Ministry who come to the assembly to Minister salvation, redemption, and the hope of eternal life. In this manner Paul could say: That is, among those who could witness that he liveth. Tithing was then continued in faith of the risen Saviour and supports the Ministry of salvation, redemption, and hope of eternal life. For anyone to be so narrow minded to think they are just paying some man and he is not worthy and should get out and work shows hatred for the Ministry and also hatred toward the Gospel. Let me say that there are many great and noble men who have worked, continue to work, while pastoring little groups where there will never be enough tithe to support the Ministry. This sacrifice and labor is worthy of double honor.
Let us consider a final aspect of tithing by faith and not by Law or Commandment. You will remember in our beginning that the first act of tithing was between Abraham and Melchizedec. You will recall the communion of bread and wine. You will remember the blessing of Melchizedec upon Abraham that prompted his giving of his tithes. What shall we say then about the prophecy that Jesus would be a Priest forever after the order of Melchizedec. Would he then receive tithes as did Melchizedec? If not, how could he come in the *order* or the priestly office of Melchizedec? From what source did Jesus obtain money that Judas carried around in his bag? Were they not offerings given by someone? And while the texts are silent about this, could it very well be that these offerings were someone's tithe? If Melchizedec received tithes, how could Jesus be like unto Melchizedec and NOT RECEIVE TITHES?
In concluding the tithing issue in Hebrews chapter 7 Paul mentions the very fact of the Melchizedec Priesthood of Jesus in verse 17 and says that Jesus is a priest forever after that divine order. He then says, speaking of tithing under the Law, that the Law of *TAKING* the tithe by commandment was disannuled for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. Some think that this also takes into account the *GIVING* of the tithe to Jesus and the New Melchizedec priesthood. This is false. What was disannuled was not the tithe but the Law of the tithe that it should go to an Old Testament Priesthood that was ended. If these Priest wanted to continue in the tithe all they had to do was convert to the Ministry of Jesus in the New Testament. The tithe ended to the Old Testament Priesthood only because the Law and that Priesthood had ended. The error of thinking on these truths is the root of unbelief in those who refuse to give tithe, because they neither know the Scriptures nor have a revelation of faith that the offering of tithes speaks in love toward the grace, mercy, and love, of the firstfruits sacrifice of Jesus, ...his salvation and redemption plan!
Giving the tithe is a privilege of faith. Those who celebrate and worship in the giving of tithe will see that they are blessed. Those who keep the tithe and claim it is for the widows, the orphans, the poor, and for welfare, will continue in their errors. Stealing the tithe for themselves they will see that over the long-haul, the Lord will not permit them to use the tithe this way, they will be forced to spend an equal amount on other things that amount to being cursed. Who ever keeps the tithe takes a curse upon their home and their life.
The next time you meet someone who does not give tithes and who says they have love instead, or that it is for the widows, the orphans, the poor, or for those who need welfare, ask them plainly: Do you distribute your tithes to the widows, the orphans, the poor, and those who need welfare? You will discover fast as they stutter, and gasp for air, that they do not practice what they preach and teach for doctrine. They are deceiving themselves and all that want to use the tithe upon themselves for their boat, their motorcycle, their car, their RV, their homes, their vacation, or their investments. These are not living under the Law and they are not living under the Covenant of Grace, they are living by their own law and traditions of men.
Tithing in the New Testament is not of the Law, did not come through the Law, and for anyone to make it of the Law either to enforce it or to deny it, is to handle the Word of God in error and is some cases deceitfully. While this study may not convince many of the truth of tithing in the New Testament, it remains for them to disprove it. Some men begin traditions of their own against tithing and like the Pharisees find it difficult to ever place the Word of God on a higher level than their personal theories.
Some have said to me: "I have not paid tithes in years and I am not cursed." Naturally this statement is made to somehow justify their theory that tithing was wrong or they would have experienced some curse. Let me say that the judgments of God may be slow and longsuffering, but do not take this as God forgetting. What greater curse could there be then not to worship God in Spirit and Truth? Many of the wicked prosper and do not give tithes. Does this mean God is blessing the wicked because they do not give? If a person wants to try God out for size, then let them be honest and say to the LORD: "I am not giving tithes now or later no matter what, ...and God, if you want to curse me start right now." I have had no takers on this vow in over 29 years of my Ministry! And yes, I must admit, that after a time of personal friendship with some non-tithe payers I have had to break that fellowship. Can two walk together except they be agreed? Even thus, I cannot walk with a Man in his Ministry if he denies the truth of tithing unto the Lord's redemption Ministry. They who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel not of their own income or of their own labors. True, Paul did not use this liberty upon "some Gentiles" since they were pagans who knew not the blessing of tithing, but Paul did say he received wages (tithes) of others to do these who lacked revelation service (2Corinthians 11:8). I have been among those who do not believe in tithing. I have NEVER seen them receive an offering for the wages of the Pastor. In fact, the Pastor who believes in free-will offerings only, will forbid anyone to receive an offering for him and call it wages (call it tithes or an offering) . Now I ask, IS THAT NEW TESTAMENT?
At no time since Abel was there a time WHEN THERE WAS NO TITHE! The tithe as the firstfruits offering and sacrifices have an ancient history. For what ever reason and purpose it was better for God to give these to his Priesthood then have them all go up in smoke. One thing is certain, whether by fire and smoke or given to one of God's Priest, the giver made no use of them for himself. These became offerings because the act of the giving was from the heart out of devotion to a higher ideal and principal. Abraham was just duplicating the ancient faith of Abel. We who are children of Abraham should follow our heritage and the faith of our spiritual fathers!
The Priesthood:
At no time was there not a Priesthood. The office of man between himself and his family and God was that of a Priest. As a Priest to his household he built altars, offered sacrifices and offerings, worshiped, and obtained blessings for his family. At no time was there a female who performed these spiritual obligations. Consequently there was at no time a female priestesshood. During these pre-Law times the tithe with other offerings were sacrificed by fire unto the LORD. We see a glimpse of Abraham's revelation and faith when he gives to Melchizedec the tenth or tithe of all (Hebrews 7:1). Some suppose that since it says in verse 4 that Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils as a tithe that this is the reference in verse 1, that is, tithes were given only on his war spoils. While that claim may be made it cannot be proven. A more reasonable answer is that Abraham gave tithes of all and the tenth of the spoils was only a part of the "all." What we observe here is that Abraham did give a tithe to the most high Priest of God. He did not give them to just anyone, but to a priest. This establishes to whom a tithe should be given. There is no record that any man received of the tithe unless he was a priest. There is absolutely no record that a female directly received tithe because she was considered in the Priesthood of God.
When the Law came at Sinai, the tithe and the use of it was once again certified by God to be given to the Priesthood. This tithe did not originate with the Law and therefore did not end with the Law at Calvary. As long as there is a Priesthood upon the earth, the tithe is to be given to that Ministry. Some erroneously teach and believe that Jesus has no Priesthood in the New Testament. I will not here cite all the references, they have been given previously already. But let me draw a comparison for you so that you can see the Church replaced Israel under the Law.
Israel
A chosen generation (Deut. 7:6-chosen thee)
A royal priesthood (Exo. 9:6-kingdom of priest)
A holy nation (Exo. 9:6-a holy "people" nation)
A peculiar people (Deut. 14:2-a peculiar "special" people)Church
A chosen generation (Eph. 1:4-chosen us)
A royal priesthood (1Pet. 2:9-royal priesthood)
A holy nation (1Pet. 2:5-9-holy people-nation)
A peculiar people (Mat. 13:46; Titus 2:14)The chosen generation is the same as being the chosen or elect people. Within this one chosen and elect people there was a priesthood whose Ministry was in regard to salvation, redemption, and the hope of eternal life. Because it served the Kingdom, Israel was called a kingdom of priest. This did not mean that everyone was a priest. Because of the Covenant and the substitutionary sacrificial system of the Tabernacle (Temple) the nation was imputed to be holy especially on the day of atonement. The combined nation was taken apart and out from the Gentile nations and made a "special" or "peculiar" people.
Novices will jump over in the middle of 1Peter 2:9 and try to make everyone a Priest, ...males and females, even little children. They insist that even imbeciles and backsliders are their own Minister of salvation and their personal priesthood is identical to those men in the Five-Fold-Ministry. These know that this is contrary to Romans 10:14-18, where there must be a Preacher who acts as God's Priesthood in matters of salvation, redemption, and the hope of eternal life.
As with old Israel under the Law, there is within the New Testament Church the very same identities as was once found under the Law. All the designations given to Israel are now given to the Church and this is the whole intent and purpose of 1Peter 2:9. Any interpretation other than that is simply error and heresy.
I visited a church where a minister pointed to all of his congregation and boasted that they were all priest according to 1Peter 2:9 and if tithing was New Testament they should all then be entitled to receive tithes. He made mention of non tithe payers: someone's dog being healed, a brother was given two cars, another member had received blessings in employment, all of which he claimed was God's proof they were not cursed because they refused to believe tithing was a New Testament ordinance.
My response is that if he makes all of his members to be the Royal Priesthood then at the same time he gives them license, both male and female, to be Ministers to preach and this includes the little children. He at the same time makes them all have a Ministry in regard to salvation, redemption, and the hope of eternal life. At the same time they need no man to Pastor them they can Pastor themselves if they are all an equal Royal Priesthood. When I presented this to him after one of his rants against tithing, he said this application to each being their own priest was a false doctrine.
His immediate claim was that Abraham paid tithes on war spoils and he did not go to Melchizedec on a weekly basis to give his tithe. What he failed to mention is that the Bible says he gave tithes of "all." This means of all that he possessed and not just war spoils. Abraham paid a life-time of tithes to Melchizedek. He would not mention this tidy little fact. We have no problem understanding that anciently tithe was given one time a year after the harvest (payday). Today we do not get our payday one time a year. So we give tithe as we receive the fruits of our labor. For some it is weekly, some biweekly, some monthly, and some when they get paid on their contracts. We do not set a time to give but that all should give as the Lord has blessed their increase.
The issue quickly degenerated into his claim that if circumcision and animal sacrifices ended so should the tithe. My comment was: circumcision DID NOT END, just the manner was changed (Rom. 2:29)! Sacrifices did not end just the manner in which they are made. He threw up circumcision and sacrifices to confuse his own congregation. Pastoring by confusion is not Apostolic.
My response was that Paul said they who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel and asked why he worked and refuse to live of the Gospel? There was a silly answer to further confuse his congregation. I walked out!
Here it is time to make a great and profound observation. If the tithe was something to be given only on war spoils as this Minister claimed, why then did God reveal a different purpose and method of tithe giving under the Law that had nothing to do with war spoils? Did God not know that they were to be given only on war spoils? Why then would God command tithe on corn, wine, bread, the annual harvest, etc.?
Jacob vowed to give the tenth and no where is there mention of them coming from war spoils. To try and establish that tithe was only from war spoils upon one Scripture defies the very Scriptural requirement of interpretation where there needs to be two or three witnesses.
Before the Law at Sinai, tithing was a Priesthood offering. Under the Law the tithe remained a Priesthood offering. And in the Church the tithe continues as the wages of the Priesthood and this is the Minister-Pastor.
Give your tithe by faith and revelation and worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. If you are of faith then you will *give* your tithe, your back tithe, and all of your tithe unto the Lord's work.
Now, the question comes up about the Pastor receiving all the tithes. Is this Biblical? The answer is yes. The New Testament priesthood replaces the Levitical order. Who in the local congregation has the office of this ministry and who then is eligible to receive it? The Pastor is the officer in the Church under the direct overseership of Jesus the Great Shepherd of our souls. Who shall give an account for the souls in a congregation? Is it the song leader, the organ or keyboard player, the deacon or trustee board, or someone else in the congregation? No, it is the Pastor who must give an account of the sheep in his flock and that is what the name "Pastor" means. He is a shepherd, he is called into this office by his Lord. His wages is the wool of the sheep. At no time do the sheep benefit directly from their own wool except through the shepherd who is sustained by them. He then leads them, guides them, cares for them, and leads them into green pastures. The Pastor is the only Biblical officer in the Church who can receive tithes.
What do normal Pastors do with the tithe? Most Pastors use most of the tithe back into the work of the Lord. I personally can testify that the mortgage payment is made mostly from tithes. Many times the utilities are paid from the tithe. Many times the tithe is used to help pay evangelist and visiting Ministers. I know of no Pastor who does not use portions of his tithe back into the Ministry.
Now what is the storehouse mentioned by Malachi? It is a special place where tithes and offerings that belong to the priesthood are stored. Who is eligible to receive of these tithes? Only those in the priesthood may come and be given a shared portion. No other person may receive of the tithes. The storehouses is not then a place where food stuff is laid up to help the poor, the widows, and the orphans. It is not a welfare department in the local Church to help those who will not work. The storehouse in the Temple was the place tithes were stored for the Ministry. Since the ministry of the temple was shared by hundreds, each priest (minister) received his equal share. We do not have a temple like this where there is one central place where ALL THE PRIEST come and minister. We have Churches where only one Minister, one Pastor officiates and is responsible for the preaching of the Gospel, performing marriages, and preaching funerals. There may be others in the congregation who are Ministers, but since they are not a part of the Pastor's office they may not partake. Some Pastors have on staff other Ministers to whom a salary or sum is paid. These men know that by sowing into the ministry of the Church, it is blessed.
Give your tithes, be blessed, and do not be disgruntled about the Pastor receiving the tithe. If you feel he is unworthy then move to another Church. But give your tithes and be blessed.
The peace of Jesus upon those who tithe unto the Lord's Kingdom.