Tithe...NOT a christian doctrine

year2027 · Feb 7, 2012

God first

thanks everybody

Hebrews 7:1: For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
2: To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

the tithe

3: Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

4: Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

5: And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive 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:

of the law but we under grace

6: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

7: And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

without contradiction the being the less and love being the better

8: And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

9: And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

10: For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

11: If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

if law priesthood was perfect there need of another

12: For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

there a change from law to love

13: For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.

the tribe of Christ

14: For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

15: And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,

was made after the similitude Melchisedec

16: Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

carnal law or flesh law but

17: For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

18: For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

unprofitableness

19: For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

better hope

20: And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:

21: (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec

22: By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

better testament

with love and a holy kiss Roy
23: And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
24: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
25: Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
26: For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27: Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
28: For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

BeforeThereWas · Feb 7, 2012

Ok, 2027, what did you glean from those passages of scripture?

year2027 · Feb 7, 2012

God first

thanks Seasoned Warrior

that should not live by fleshly laws

because they will put us in bondage to them

with love and a holy kiss Roy

Lively Stone · Feb 8, 2012

The whole denial of the tithe is fleshly. The only people who cry out against it are those who reject it and never experience the blessings that come from it. Meanwhile, those who happily tithe are not complaining.

jiggyfly · Feb 8, 2012

Lively Stone said:
The whole denial of the tithe is fleshly. The only people who cry out against it are those who reject it and never experience the blessings that come from it. Meanwhile, those who happily tithe are not complaining.

So educate us, what are the requirements on tithing for believers today, and please include scriptures that give these mandates for new covenant believers.

marksman · Feb 8, 2012

The whole denial of the tithe is fleshly. The only people who cry out against it are those who reject it and never experience the blessings that come from it. Meanwhile, those who happily tithe are not complaining

How is following scripture fleshly? In the New Testament, the word tithe only appears twice

Matthew 23:23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin, and you have left undone the weightier matters of the Law, judgment, mercy, and faith. You ought to have done these and not to leave the other undone.

Put any mint, dill and cummin in the offering lately?

Luke 18:12 I fast twice on the Sabbath, I give tithes of all that I possess. (Jesus was not impressed).

The rest of the references to tithing are to do with OT practice, not new.

Giving in the NT church was for apostles who needed funds when travelling, widows who gave themselves to prayer so they could not work and to the poor and needy. None was given to pay salaries or for buildings.

This is how the NT describes it.

1Co 16:2 On the first of the Sabbaths let each of you put by himself, storing up whatever he is prospered, so that there may be no collections when I come.

NOTE: WHATEVER HE IS PROSPERED. NOT 10%.

What I want to know is why the church finds it so difficult to do what the scripture says? Could it be that man is running the church, not God? Could it be that tradition is the determining factor, not scripture? Could it be that we have turned the church into a religious corporation?

Just a couple of other comments. Of course the people who cry against the tithe reject it for the simple reason they are rejecting man made doctrine that is not in scripture.

Of course those who tithe are happy because it gets them off the hook to give 10% which means I can spend 90% on myself.

Jesus never gave 10% of himself. He gave his all. The NT church gave all to ensure that everyone was cared for. We are called to take up our cross daily, not 10% of it. Christianity is not about giving 10% of our time and keeping 90% for ourselves. A tithe of 10% is the antithesis of what Christianity is all about.

Lively Stone · Feb 8, 2012

My point is made...thank you. We are completely blessed that God doesn't ask for much---only 10% and He actually lets us have 90% of what He gives us to live on. It's all His in the first place, and He calls us to be good stewards of it.

.

BeforeThereWas · Feb 8, 2012

Lively Stone said:
The whole denial of the tithe is fleshly.

Based on what?

The only people who cry out against it are those who reject it and never experience the blessings that come from it.

My experience with blanket statements such as this is that such assumptions lead only to the dead-end of legalism.

There are many people blessed who don't tithe, and many people who do tithe faithfully, and yet who suffer greatly.

Meanwhile, those who happily tithe are not complaining.

Complaining isn't the issue in question here.

If you have a basis of defense for the idea that tithing to institutionalizede religion is something God wants, then I'll simply have to call you out onto the carpet for the evidence.

SW

Lively Stone said:
My point is made...thank you.

A false voctory, by any other name, is still a false victory.

We are completely blessed that God doesn't ask for much---only 10% and He actually lets us have 90% of what He gives us to live on. It's all His in the first place, and He calls us to be good stewards of it.

Then please show us where the Lord instructed such for us today. If alleged "blessing" is your only acid test for God's will, then what do you say of those who are multi-millionaires, and living happy, comfortable, blessed lives?

SW

HeRoseFromTheDead · Feb 8, 2012

Seasoned Warrior said:
Based on what?

Her opinion.

Stefcui · Feb 8, 2012

Seasoned Warrior said:
...such assumptions lead only to the dead-end of legalism.

Agreed… Mind you, I don't think tithing is necessarily "wrong", either. It is a custom that formed among Christians because it was a law in the OT. Following OT customs are not wrong. Following these customs as a law is wrong. For instance, circumcision is practiced by many Christians... not because it is law, but because the principle was recommended for health reasons (which is now hotly debated).

Comments like “tithing causes you to be blessed” are really manipulative, and it is also a mistranslation of the text found in Malachi. The reference in Malachi was said to the priests who were becoming more and more materialistic. They were offering up to God the dregs of the sacrifices so that they could prosper materially… “You offer polluted bread on my altar.” (Malachi 1:7) God was telling such priests to trust Him and not to store up their money and possessions. This was said so the PRIESTS! Today this same verse is twisted around to make ALL Christians feel obliged of tithing. WOW!

The worst thing about tithing is that it has encouraged the priests to become materialistic, the very thing God was trying to prevent. Tithing today works against the heart of God. Giving is another thing all together.

God Bless
Steve

Lively Stone · Feb 8, 2012

Seasoned Warrior said:
Based on what?

My experience with blanket statements such as this is that such assumptions lead only to the dead-end of legalism.

There are many people blessed who don't tithe, and many people who do tithe faithfully, and yet who suffer greatly.

Complaining isn't the issue in question here.

If you have a basis of defense for the idea that tithing to institutionalizede religion is something God wants, then I'll simply have to call you out onto the carpet for the evidence.

SW

A false voctory, by any other name, is still a false victory.

Then please show us where the Lord instructed such for us today. If alleged "blessing" is your only acid test for God's will, then what do you say of those who are multi-millionaires, and living happy, comfortable, blessed lives?

SW

The promises associated with tithing are sure and true, when one does it with the right heart attitude, which is not one of "I'm giving to you, God, so you can gimme stuff!"

Tithing has never been abolished, as even Jesus approved of the Pharisees tithing. He never came to end it. None of God's promises have ceased to be valid, and that includes His promises concerning the tithe. While many believers suffer, they can count on God to provide abundantly, and more blessing than expected, when they are committed to tithe to the Lord. There is nothing legalistic about it, when one is committed to this form of worship. Tithing is a trust issue.

HeRoseFromTheDead · Feb 8, 2012

Steve said:
Comments like “tithing causes you to be blessed” are really manipulative,...

And deceitful. Tithing was never about paying 10% of what one earned. It was about honoring God who gives the increase. Only those who raised livestock and raised crops paid the tithe. Wage earners did not. The wage earner works, and is owed his wage; but the husbandman works, and is guaranteed nothing. The increase is the gift of God; and the farmer honors God's gift by returning a tenth of what he gave. The tenth lamb belonged to God, but if the farmer only had 9 lambs, all were his.

jiggyfly · Feb 8, 2012

Lively Stone said:
The promises associated with tithing are sure and true, when one does it with the right heart attitude, which is not one of "I'm giving to you, God, so you can gimme stuff!"

Tithing has never been abolished, as even Jesus approved of the Pharisees tithing. He never came to end it. None of God's promises have ceased to be valid, and that includes His promises concerning the tithe. While many believers suffer, they can count on God to provide abundantly, and more blessing than expected, when they are committed to tithe to the Lord. There is nothing legalistic about it, when one is committed to this form of worship. Tithing is a trust issue.

Still no scriptures?

Lively Stone · Feb 8, 2012

Abraham tithed unto Melchizedek. Isaac tithed, and his son Jacob and many others also even before the law was given. Many Christians do not tithe because they have been taught that they are not under the law, but under grace. While this is a true statement, God did not institute the tithe to bring us under the law, but to get blessings to His children. Abraham tithed before the law, and God blessed him supernaturally. We're under grace that we might establish the law; not turn from it. Jesus said that He didn't come to do away with the law, but to fulfill it. Because He fulfilled it, we are to establish it. His words are forever settled in heaven, therefore we establish His words upon the earth.

Matthew 5:17-19
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

TITHING ACCORDING TO THE LAW AS GIVEN BY MOSES
Leviticus 27:30
And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD.

This scripture states that all the tithe, whether it be seed of the land, fruit of the tree, or one tenth of all that you earn, is holy unto the Lord. Deuteronomy 14:22-29 states that one-tenth of all that comes into your possession, belongs to God. This was God's plan to instruct His people as to the way of blessings that He had for them. God is a multiplier by nature, and He could not multiply that which was not entrusted to Him. When the children of Israel were obedient to give back to God that which was His, increase was guaranteed. Scripture states, It's better to be obedient than to sacrifice. When the children of Israel were obedient, blessings came; when they were disobedient, they had to sacrifice. Many Christians today are wanting God to honor the covenant that He has with His children, but disobedient children cannot receive the same reward as the obedient.

1 Samuel 15:22
And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams."

The strongest chain is only as strong as its weakest link. When we fail to tithe, we become that weak link. Statistics show that approximately 20% of Christians tithe. That means, 80% of Christendom is not in covenant with their God, but are like beggars and thieves looking for handouts and what they can steal from Him.

Malachi 3:8 asks the question: "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation."

The Old Testament records two other tithes; one tithe was called the "festival tithe," when they came to Jerusalem three times a year for fellowship. The expense for the festival, (travel, food, etc.) was taken from this tithe. The third tithe was given in the third year and was a tithe holy unto the Lord. It was a tithe of almsgiving for the poor and needy. All of these tithes were brought to the storehouse, and the priest oversaw the distribution of same. The first tithe was for the upkeep of the priests, since they had no inheritance. All of their income and portion was to be given to them by God's people. This tithe in and of itself, is not considered an offering. It is the minimum requirement for all of God's people.

The reason God instituted the second and the third tithe through Moses, was that His children needed to give above and beyond this tithe. It is these tithes that God is referring to in Malachi 3:8 where His people have robbed Him in tithes and offerings. In verse 10 of Malachi 3, you will notice that it states "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
When people see the tithe as an instrument of blessing they will not be looking for a way to give less, but a way to give more. God will help them so that they can be generous on every occasion.

Tithing after the law does not do away with the law, but establishes it. Are you honestly blessed to where you can give generously on every occasion? Or are you like so many that can't give the way they would like to be able to? Most Christians are looking for the truth, so they can be set free. Just because you're a child of God, does not mean you are a "mature" son of God. A mature son or daughter of God will not be found robbing "daddy" God. Revelation 3:18 gives us good counsel on how to re-establish right covenant with the Lord. Jesus' advice to those of us who have become lukewarm is to buy from Him gold that's been refined in the fire. He tells us to do this so that the shame of our nakedness will not be revealed.

Revelation 3:18
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

How do we buy gold from the Lord? Hebrews 1:7 states that His ministers are as "flames of fire." In Matthew 25:9, Jesus makes a statement concerning the five foolish virgins to go and buy from those who sell. What they needed to buy was oil. Oil symbolizes the Spirit. Those who are in the five-fold ministry (apostles, prophets, pastors, evangelists and teachers) have a command from the Lord to receive tithes (Hebrews 7). These tithes are not given, but paid, because the tithe belongs to the Lord. Malachi 3:3 states that the Lord will sit as a refiner, purifying the sons of Levi (those in the ministry) purging them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness. It bears repeating: Jesus did not come to do away with law, but to fulfill it. Our job is to establish it.

There are those who say that the tithe is not covered in the New Testament, but in Hebrews 5, 6 and 7, one of the main subjects spoken of is the tithe---who receives it and how to become mature through paying it. In Hebrews 5:11-14 it states "...that you've become dull of hearing and that you should be teaching the first principles, but instead you have need of milk, and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the Word of righteousness, for he is a baby." This is preceded by the statement that Christ himself has become High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. In Chapter 6, it goes on to state that once you have been enlightened and tasted the heavenly gift--once you have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good Word of God---if you still fall away it is impossible to be renewed again to repentance, seeing that you crucify again for yourselves the Son of God and put Him to an open shame.

What is this good Word of God? This Word is "rhema" which means, the spoken or revealed Word of God. His Word has been revealed to you concerning Jesus as High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, meaning that Jesus has become High Priest over the tithe, (and your life) forever (vs. 20). Chapter 6 further states (vs. 9-19), that God blessed Abraham by saying "With blessings, I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you." He also promised immutability (unchangeableness) of His counsel and confirmed it by swearing an oath that by these unchangeable things, we might have strong consolation and lay hold of the hope set before us. Verse 19 states that this hope we have is an anchor for our soul (mind), both sure and steadfast. These two unchangeable things are both God's promise to bless us and our promise to tithe back to Him. Chapter 7 states in verse 8, "Here mortal men receive tithes, but there He receives them of whom it is witnessed, that He lives."

Chapters 5-7 deal with the ministry of Melchizedek and that Jesus is the priest forever according to Melchizedek. We know Abraham gave tithes of all that he possessed. We know in the Law of Moses, tithes were commanded. After the Law, Hebrews states that Jesus is the Lord, not just of the past, not just of the present, but forever. Hallelujah! He is the Lord of the tithe, forever.

Seeing that Jesus is the Lord of the tithe, is He our lord? If He is, there should be no question that we tithe unto Him. I can just hear someone saying, " If Jesus was my Pastor, I would tithe," but Hebrews 7:8 states "that men (subject to death) receive tithes on this side; but on the other side, Jesus Himself receives them." Why should we look for ways to excuse us from what we know we should be doing? Let's be about establishing and not doing away with His Words. The tithe was, and is and shall ever be holy unto the Lord.

Excerpted from article, "WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT...
THE TITHE?" by Pastor Eddie Cude
http://www.bible.com/bibleanswers_result.php?id=161

marksman · Feb 9, 2012

Those who are in the five-fold ministry (apostles, prophets, pastors, evangelists and teachers) have a command from the Lord to receive tithes (Hebrews 7).

I must admit the eisegesis produced by your pastor friend gave me a good laugh especially the comment above. Having just read Hebrews 7 again, I note that those five ministries are not mentioned at all. It makes me wonder whether you have read it or you just posted someone else's material uncritically because it says what you want to hear.

Needless to say that the author is billed as a pastor, one who no doubt is keen for his congregation to keep him in the manner he is accustomed to. I get the impression that those who are the keenest on tithing are usually those who benefit from it just like the prosperity doctrine preachers who own big homes, big cars and private jets thanks to the gullibility of christians who are kept in the dark about the truth.

Like most who defend tithing, they only talk about OT practice. When it comes to proof from the NT there is a deafening silence. Not surprising as there isn't a scap of evidence. Appealing to OT practice and ignoring NT teaching is to say the least is disingenious and dishonest.

I am convinced that if God intended the tithe as the normal for new covenant believers, he would have said something specific through those who wrote the NT. The fact that he didn't and the fact that he said differently makes it obvious tithing is man's idea to fund his church and to make it uneccesary for him to live by faith.

marksman · Feb 9, 2012

If it is not taught in scripture, then God doesn't require it, and if one is doing it and on top of that is saying it is required, it is not of God.

Who said this? None other than Living Stone in another thread.

BeforeThereWas · Feb 9, 2012

Steve said:
Agreed… Mind you, I don't think tithing is necessarily "wrong", either.

I agree. Percentages are neither here nor there. The problem I have is with the pro-required-tithe teachings that enjoy historic backing, although no scriptural backing.

It is a custom that formed among Christians because it was a law in the OT.

Perhaps "custom" is too weak a term when it comes to grasping the full extent of evil behind the pro-required-tithe teachings.

I say evil because it sometimes hammers at the people's consciences with guilt for not lavishing the largest portion of their alleged giving back upon themselves by way of facilities and all the amenities therein, and then demand that doing so is "giving to God." A little leaven leavens the whole, as it is written.

Following OT customs are not wrong.

Yes, but I don't think we're talking about an OT custom. It was a commandment leveled toward ONLY those who owned producing lands, flocks and/or herds.

Observe, if you will, the fact that in the OT, wage earners were never required to hand over to the Levites a tenth of their monetary wages. Only those who owned producing lands. herds and flocks were required to hand anything over, and THEN only the INCREASE from that production. Even those who had only nine lambs, nine calves, born in a year were not required to hand over anything as a tithe when there was no tenth to pass under the rod.

Ah, but today religious organizations teach that EVERYONE in OT times, even wage earners, handed over a tenth of their wages to the Levites, which is absolutely, utterly false.

I hope that we can both agree that a lie is, indeed, "wrong," no matter how glittery the paper within which one wraps it.

Following these customs as a law is wrong. For instance, circumcision is practiced by many Christians... not because it is law, but because the principle was recommended for health reasons (which is now hotly debated).

As benign as you make it sound, the practice of handing over to religious institutions the largest portion of one's monetary giving from their wages is founded upon no scriptural precept, and it's a robbery of God when one considers that only a small portion of what's handed over to institutionalized religion actually goes for the meeting of needs, as evidenced in a nationwide survey conducted by Christianity Today Magazine back in 1994.

Even God Himself commanded Israel that which was contrary to what Abraham did with the spoils he recaptured. (Numbers 31) I've noticed only those who are mathematically challenged see no difference between 1/50th, 1/500th, and 1/10th.

Comments like “tithing causes you to be blessed” are really manipulative, and it is also a mistranslation of the text found in Malachi.

Very true. Also, Malachi was addressing those who were under the Law, the same Law that laid down no requirement for wage earners to hand over to the Levites a portion of their wages earned in EXCHANGE for labor, skills and time, which in no way equates to the mechansm of INCREASE over which only the Lord exercised control.

The reference in Malachi was said to the priests who were becoming more and more materialistic.

That is what I too gleaned from the context of those passages.

They were offering up to God the dregs of the sacrifices so that they could prosper materially… “You offer

polluted bread on my altar.” (Malachi 1:7) God was telling such priests to trust Him and not to store up their money and possessions. This was said so the PRIESTS! Today this same verse is twisted around to make ALL Christians feel obliged of tithing. WOW!

Yes, and what's even more sinister are those who teach tithing as something that brings blessing.

Imagine that. Some people feel blessed after having robbed God, because when the largest portion of their giving is directed away from meeting genuine needs, that clearly falls within the realm of what Jesus stated when He revealed that what is done unto the least is done unto Him. When folks lavish the largest portion of their giving back upon themselves by way of the luxuries of communal facilities, staffing, programs, et al, the needs of the needy go that much more unmet.

THAT is robbery, no matter how one slices and dices it to make it more palleteable.

The fact that so many have their priorities completely backwards, and then call it a blessing to themselves, well, one doesn't need an advance degree in underwater basket-weaving to realize that those people are deceived into calling evil good.

The worst thing about tithing is that it has encouraged the priests to become materialistic, the very thing God was trying to prevent. Tithing today works against the heart of God.

Yes indeed.

Giving

Click to expand...

is another thing all together.

Amen

SW

jiggyfly · Feb 9, 2012

Lively Stone said:
Abraham tithed unto Melchizedek. Isaac tithed, and his son Jacob and many others also even before the law was given. Many Christians do not tithe because they have been taught that they are not under the law, but under grace. While this is a true statement, God did not institute the tithe to bring us under the law, but to get blessings to His children. Abraham tithed before the law, and God blessed him supernaturally. We're under grace that we might establish the law; not turn from it. Jesus said that He didn't come to do away with the law, but to fulfill it. Because He fulfilled it, we are to establish it. His words are forever settled in heaven, therefore we establish His words upon the earth.

Matthew 5:17-19
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

TITHING ACCORDING TO THE LAW AS GIVEN BY MOSES
Leviticus 27:30
And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD.

This scripture states that all the tithe, whether it be seed of the land, fruit of the tree, or one tenth of all that you earn, is holy unto the Lord. Deuteronomy 14:22-29 states that one-tenth of all that comes into your possession, belongs to God. This was God's plan to instruct His people as to the way of blessings that He had for them. God is a multiplier by nature, and He could not multiply that which was not entrusted to Him. When the children of Israel were obedient to give back to God that which was His, increase was guaranteed. Scripture states, It's better to be obedient than to sacrifice. When the children of Israel were obedient, blessings came; when they were disobedient, they had to sacrifice. Many Christians today are wanting God to honor the covenant that He has with His children, but disobedient children cannot receive the same reward as the obedient.

1 Samuel 15:22
And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams."

The strongest chain is only as strong as its weakest link. When we fail to tithe, we become that weak link. Statistics show that approximately 20% of Christians tithe. That means, 80% of Christendom is not in covenant with their God, but are like beggars and thieves looking for handouts and what they can steal from Him.

Malachi 3:8 asks the question: "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation."

The Old Testament records two other tithes; one tithe was called the "festival tithe," when they came to Jerusalem three times a year for fellowship. The expense for the festival, (travel, food, etc.) was taken from this tithe. The third tithe was given in the third year and was a tithe holy unto the Lord. It was a tithe of almsgiving for the poor and needy. All of these tithes were brought to the storehouse, and the priest oversaw the distribution of same. The first tithe was for the upkeep of the priests, since they had no inheritance. All of their income and portion was to be given to them by God's people. This tithe in and of itself, is not considered an offering. It is the minimum requirement for all of God's people.

The reason God instituted the second and the third tithe through Moses, was that His children needed to give above and beyond this tithe. It is these tithes that God is referring to in Malachi 3:8 where His people have robbed Him in tithes and offerings. In verse 10 of Malachi 3, you will notice that it states "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
When people see the tithe as an instrument of blessing they will not be looking for a way to give less, but a way to give more. God will help them so that they can be generous on every occasion.

Tithing after the law does not do away with the law, but establishes it. Are you honestly blessed to where you can give generously on every occasion? Or are you like so many that can't give the way they would like to be able to? Most Christians are looking for the truth, so they can be set free. Just because you're a child of God, does not mean you are a "mature" son of God. A mature son or daughter of God will not be found robbing "daddy" God. Revelation 3:18 gives us good counsel on how to re-establish right covenant with the Lord. Jesus' advice to those of us who have become lukewarm is to buy from Him gold that's been refined in the fire. He tells us to do this so that the shame of our nakedness will not be revealed.

Revelation 3:18
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

How do we buy gold from the Lord? Hebrews 1:7 states that His ministers are as "flames of fire." In Matthew 25:9, Jesus makes a statement concerning the five foolish virgins to go and buy from those who sell. What they needed to buy was oil. Oil symbolizes the Spirit. Those who are in the five-fold ministry (apostles, prophets, pastors, evangelists and teachers) have a command from the Lord to receive tithes (Hebrews 7). These tithes are not given, but paid, because the tithe belongs to the Lord. Malachi 3:3 states that the Lord will sit as a refiner, purifying the sons of Levi (those in the ministry) purging them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness. It bears repeating: Jesus did not come to do away with law, but to fulfill it. Our job is to establish it.

There are those who say that the tithe is not covered in the New Testament, but in Hebrews 5, 6 and 7, one of the main subjects spoken of is the tithe---who receives it and how to become mature through paying it. In Hebrews 5:11-14 it states "...that you've become dull of hearing and that you should be teaching the first principles, but instead you have need of milk, and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the Word of righteousness, for he is a baby." This is preceded by the statement that Christ himself has become High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. In Chapter 6, it goes on to state that once you have been enlightened and tasted the heavenly gift--once you have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good Word of God---if you still fall away it is impossible to be renewed again to repentance, seeing that you crucify again for yourselves the Son of God and put Him to an open shame.

What is this good Word of God? This Word is "rhema" which means, the spoken or revealed Word of God. His Word has been revealed to you concerning Jesus as High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, meaning that Jesus has become High Priest over the tithe, (and your life) forever (vs. 20). Chapter 6 further states (vs. 9-19), that God blessed Abraham by saying "With blessings, I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you." He also promised immutability (unchangeableness) of His counsel and confirmed it by swearing an oath that by these unchangeable things, we might have strong consolation and lay hold of the hope set before us. Verse 19 states that this hope we have is an anchor for our soul (mind), both sure and steadfast. These two unchangeable things are both God's promise to bless us and our promise to tithe back to Him. Chapter 7 states in verse 8, "Here mortal men receive tithes, but there He receives them of whom it is witnessed, that He lives."

Chapters 5-7 deal with the ministry of Melchizedek and that Jesus is the priest forever according to Melchizedek. We know Abraham gave tithes of all that he possessed. We know in the Law of Moses, tithes were commanded. After the Law, Hebrews states that Jesus is the Lord, not just of the past, not just of the present, but forever. Hallelujah! He is the Lord of the tithe, forever.

Seeing that Jesus is the Lord of the tithe, is He our lord? If He is, there should be no question that we tithe unto Him. I can just hear someone saying, " If Jesus was my Pastor, I would tithe," but Hebrews 7:8 states "that men (subject to death) receive tithes on this side; but on the other side, Jesus Himself receives them." Why should we look for ways to excuse us from what we know we should be doing? Let's be about establishing and not doing away with His Words. The tithe was, and is and shall ever be holy unto the Lord.

Excerpted from article, "WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT...
THE TITHE?" by Pastor Eddie Cude
http://www.bible.com...sult.php?id=161

LS did you read this article and research the few scriptural references given to see if what was written is true?

BeforeThereWas · Feb 9, 2012

Lively Stone said:
Tithing has never been abolished, as even Jesus approved of the Pharisees tithing.

Good grief! Those pharasees were still under the Law.

Do you want evidence for that?

Look at the incident where Jesus told one of the men He had healed to go and offer up the burnt, thanksgiving sacrifices at the altar, according to the Law.

Just because Jesus said it to those people doesn't make everything He said to them relevant for us today.

You still have not yet shown where monetary wages were ever one of the defining elements of the tithe.

Is subjectiveism a common practice behind your belief system? Do the TRUTHS you happen to not like not have any meaning to you?

He never came to end it.

And yet the tithe was tied directly to the Levitical priesthood AND the temple. That veil was torn through from top to bottom at the establishment of the New Covenant.

How, then, can you say that He didn't end it?

None of God's promises have ceased to be valid, and that includes His promises concerning the tithe.

Yes, those promises were valid in relation to the Law.

It will be interesting to see how you redirect the tithe from under the Law and its direct ties to a priesthood that no longer exists, over to a time when the temple is redefined as the followers of Christ Jesus. Your logic is fundamentally flawed. You've chosen to enslave yourself to only one element of the social and ceremonial Laws that have no ties to us today.

What's even more bothersome is that you may be calling evil good if:

1) Your tithe is the largest portion of your giving, and
2) You're handing it over to a religious church organization that does what is typical of most.

While many believers suffer, they can count on God to provide abundantly, and more blessing than expected, when they are committed to tithe to the Lord.

Experience is no legitimate substitute for the TRUTH. The TRUTH is that the requirement and blessing for tithing passed with the Levites and the temple.

GIVING whatsoever a man purposes in his heart is indeed valid for today, but enslavement to the Law is clearly a deceived and evil existence.

There is nothing legalistic about it, when one is committed to this form of worship. Tithing is a trust issue.

You certainly have the freedom to fool yourself with those emotional arguments, but the bottom line is that you have not even one verse at which you can point for backing without violating honesty, consistent rules for interpretation, and exegetical commentary. What you're practicing is EISEGETICAL, which means that you're INJECTING into scripture what clearly is not there.

You completely avoided my question about wages in relation to the tithe. That speaks loud volumes to the fact that you have no foundations for your emotional arguments.

These things I speak for the sake of those reading, in silence, these posts, and experiencing the stirrings of the Spirit of God in your hearts. Give to the needy FIRST, and to those who TRULY serve believers by raising them up to spiritual maturity rather than practicing the falsehoods behind keeping them in perpetual sheepdom while sitting in pews for the years of their lives, and THEN one is free to support luxuries such as communal facilities, Moose Lodge memberships, etc.

Those who habitually practice the evil of lavishing the largest portion of their giving back upon themselves by way of luxuries, and then demand such evil is good and that they are blessed as a result, may the coals of their guilt indeed burn to the point that it gets their attention, and may the ministers who teach such evils be dealt with ever so harshly that they too may see the errors of their false teachings.

SW

HeRoseFromTheDead said:
And deceitful. Tithing was never about paying 10% of what one earned. It was about honoring God who gives the increase. Only those who raised livestock and raised crops paid the tithe. Wage earners did not. The wage earner works, and is owed his wage; but the husbandman works, and is guaranteed nothing. The increase is the gift of God; and the farmer honors God's gift by returning a tenth of what he gave. The tenth lamb belonged to God, but if the farmer only had 9 lambs, all were his.

Now THAT has the ring of TRUTH because that is EXACTLY what is written in the very word of God.

No emotions. No injections. Just the pure, unadulterated teachings extracted from the very word of God without injecting what isn't there.

Thanks, my friend, for loving the Truth, and for not calling evil good.

SW

Lively Stone · Feb 9, 2012

Mock away all you like. I have experienced the promises of God concerning the tithe--because I believe HIM. Tithing is a spiritually discerned matter. I will not try to convince anyone that they should tithe, but I do explain why I believe it and have done so. It is up to you to wait on the Lord, hear what the spirit of God says to you, and to obey Him.

Tithe...NOT a christian doctrine

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