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Study to show YOURSELF approved UNTO GOD
IF your pastor won't abide by THE WORD or listen to THE HOLY SPIRIT then they won't listen to you.
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Historical records indicate that the practice of sharing a percentage of the spoil with kings & spiritual figureheads was customary in Sumerian culture - a culture in which Abram was immersed and a practice that continues across cultures even to this day.
Bear in mind that Abraham was never asked to tithe, but we are today asked to do so, in fact bordering on commanded and demanded.
Bear in mind that Abraham was very wealthy but even in this "act " of customary culture gave nothing of his own possessions nor kept anything for himself therefore dispensing of ALL he had gained not just the tenth.
God used that which they were familiar with as an act of honour and worship. It would seem that God chose to use that which was of cultural "significance" related to honour and worship as something they could readily identify with, therefore the "tithe" became the symbol for honour and worship, and when we understand or see the tithe from this perspective we can better understand Malachi 3:7b which leads us into the much quoted verses of Malachi 3:10 and onwards.
It was the Levites who were to “bring up the tenth of the tithes to the house of our God, 1% [not 10% as is often mentioned] to the chambers of the storehouse” (Nehemiah 10:38). The Malachi passage that so many use to prove we are to tithe is not rebuking the people, he is rebuking the Levites for keeping the tithe that went to them. Check out Malachi yourself...who was it written to...Priests who had been holding out on GOD...not US --- And the windows of heaven speak of the rain and sun that was necessary to provide nourishment for their crops and cattle as only those who lived off the land were required to tithe.
Under the law, a tenth was commanded and its payment was a necessity to maintain the tribe of Levi and the Levitical priesthood who had no inheritance in the land.
However, money was never tithed it was always and only those who lived off the land that were required to tithe. Farmers and Herdsman and if you only had 9cows no tithe was required if you had 99 you only tithed on 90 as it was every 10th. one that went under the rod that was tithed regardless of its condition.
DID YOU KNOW THIS and which pastor has told you to spend your tithe on yourself ?
Deuteronomy 14:22-26 “You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year. 23 And you shall eat before the Lord your God, in the place where He chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always. 24 But if the journey is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, or if the place where the Lord your God chooses to put His name is too far from you, when the Lord your God has blessed you, 25 then you shall exchange it for money, take the money in your hand, and go to the place which the Lord your God
chooses. 26 And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat therebefore the Lord your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household.
Deuteronomy 26:12 "Every third year according to God's instruction, the tithe is to be divided in thirds: one-third going to the Levite, another third going to the stranger in town and the last third going to the orphan and widow. This is even clear in Deuteronomy 14:28-29 where this third year's tithe is to be retained within each community for
distribution among these three classes of people." [ NLT ] Under Current "church" tithing teaching this is never mentioned or practiced.
Is the Tithe valid for today?
The first thing to notice according to the 4 types of Tithes mentioned in the Scriptures, is that the Tithes that could be valid for us are only the 1.Levitical Tithe 2. Poor Tithe
3.Feast Tithe 4.The Priests Tithe was a Tithe made by the Levites, and is excluded to us unless you are from the tribe of Levi. The Levitical Tithe was to be given to the Levites for their livelihood, as they did not have an inheritance. The Poor Tithe was to be brought to the Temple/Tabernacle in Jerusalem and distributed amongst the poor. And the Feast Tithe was to be enjoyed by oneself at the Feasts/Appointed times when they came to the Temple/Tabernacle in Jerusalem.
The problem today, with these 4 types of Tithes mentioned in the Scripture is, that the Temple built in Jerusalem is not there anymore. In the same manner that no Sacrifices or offerings can and has not been made at the Temple, since it's destruction in 70AD, Tithing also cannot be done in any other place according to the Commandments of God. But according to all the Prophets and the Book of Revelations, The Jerusalem Temple will be built again. On such a day, the Tithes according to the Scriptures would be valid again.
Mixing Tithes with Offerings
Most Christian circles have mixed up the Offering (known as the freewill offering in the Old Testament) with Tithing, saying Tithing is valid for today, while it is actually not. Even if Tithing was valid, Pastors, Ministers & Leaders of congregations cannot receive the Tithe which God has separated for the Tribe of Levi. While offerings were collected and received to help the poor or the preaching of the Gospel, nowhere did Paul or any other Author receive or approve of taking Tithes.
In fact, Paul himself says that whoever that serves should receive an offering, (1Cor 9:9‑14) but that he has never written or asked for anything in return for his service (1Cor 9:15). Receiving or giving an Offering, is not wrong or against God=s Word at all, as Paul is clearly proving through the use of the Old Testament Scriptures.
Can anyone who serves God, request Tithes?
Some take the stance that whoever serves God should receive the Tithe making themselves equal to the Levites. But we see no such event taking place in the New Testament. The Tithe was specifically separated for the Levite, the Poor and all who came for the feasts. Even though there were many synagogues in the time of Yeshua(Jesus) and even afterwards, as well as many congregations at houses throughout the 1st Century Church, there is no indication that anyone excepted Tithes, other than the Levites who worked in the House of God in Jerusalem.
Malachi 3:7‑10
One of the proof texts used by many to say God wants you to Tithe, is Malachi 3:7‑10. In this passage of Scripture Malachi prophesies to the Israelites saying they have robbed God by not giving the necessary Tithes and offerings. Verse 10 reads, 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. As a piece of Scripture that is connected to a promise, we must first of all, ask a few important questions regarding this verse. 1.What is the Storehouse? 2. Why does God want food in His House? 3. What is God referring to as My House?
The Storehouse mentioned in this verse is the treasury of the Temple (Neh 10:38, 12:44). God does not require food to eat, but the reason He mentions food in His house is that the Levites who serve would be given all of this (as per His Commandment) so that they can keep on serving at the Temple without hindrance. And the place God mentions as My House is the Temple which was built for Him in Jerusalem. This verse, read in context cannot mean that God is ordering believers today, to give Tithes to their Church Leaders.
Giving to the Widow, the Fatherless and the Stranger
Out of the Tithes mentioned in the Scriptures, the only clear category of people who could receive it today would be the poor. Throughout the Scriptures right up to the writings of the Apostles, the people who cannot fend for themselves have been asked to be taken care of (Deut 24:19‑21, Psa 146:9, Jer 7:6,7, Zec 7:10, Mal 3:5, James 1:27). Using the portion that is separated for God to help the poor and helpless could be the closest we could get to a Biblical Tithe, in this day and age. It is not only acceptable, but is also an act that is surely noticed by God and approved throughout the Bible (Acts 10:4, Mat 6:4, Luk 12:33, Acts 9:36, 24:17)
Conclusion
It is clear that no one can point to Scripture to prove that they should rightly receive a Tithe from anyone, as the 4 types of Tithes mentioned in Scripture were given to the Levites, Priests, Poor and whoever came to celebrate the feasts of Yehovah. Leader, Pastors & Ministers have no authority to request or insinuate that the Tithe must be given to them and the institution that they are part of, when there is a clear set of rules made by Our Heavenly Father regarding this ordinance.
If someone does want to give a Tenth of what they earn to a Minister or a leader, it would be considered an Offering, which is not the same as the Tithe mentioned in the Scriptures. This does not mean that we should not and cannot separate or give a Tenth of our earnings to the Poor or the people who serve God Almighty. It is important though to make these decisions with discernment and help the people who are in need, the most. The portion we give, whether big or small, whether it is one tenth or not, should be done with Love and obedience to Our Father, so that it brings praise to Him and Him alone.
http://www.tithing-russkelly.com/
http://www.tithingtruth.com/
http://www.askelm.com/tithing/thi003.htm
https://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/facts-on-tithing/
Under grace, God is not seeking the gift, but an expression of devotion from the giver. New Testament giving was not by commandment [2 Cor. 8:8], nor of necessity [2 Cor.
9:7].
It has been said, you hear it from pulpits quite often that JESUS spoke more on money than anything else AND if that was true how come HE - JESUS, never took the opportunity to speak about tithing ?
Under grace no law is imposed and no proportion to be given is stipulated, and, while it is true that God works in the yielded heart both to will and to do His good pleasure
(Phil. 2:13),
He finds pleasure only in that gift which is given cheerfully, or more literally, "hilariously" (2 Cor. 9:7)....Romans 7:1-6 [LNT] Don't you understand yet, dear Jewish brothers in
Christ, that when a person dies the law no longer holds him in it's power? Let me illustrate: when a woman marries, the law binds her to her husband as long as he is alive. But if he dies she is no longer bound to him; the laws of marriage no longer apply to her. Then she can marry someone else if she wants to. Now that would be wrong if he was alive, but is perfectly alright after he dies.
Your "husband," your master, used to be the Jewish law; but you "died," as it were, with Christ on the cross; and since you are "dead," you are no longer "married to the law," and it has no more control over you.
Then you came back to life again when Christ did and are a new person. And now you are "married," so to speak, to the one who rose from the dead, so that you can produce good fruit, that is good deeds for God. But now you need no longer worry about the Jewish laws and customs because you "died" because you died while in their captivity, and now you can really serve God: not in the old way, mechanically obeying a set of rules, but in the new way. [with all your heart and mind]
Under the New Testament covenant there is no specific amount required to give, you determine the amount you can freely give. "Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver."
In the New Testament there is no mention of believers paying tithes, nor any command that they do so.
All though all of the apostles were originally Jews, reared in tithing, with not one word did any one of them even intimate that in the new covenant the Christians might find tithing a helpful method of making their contributions to the work of the church.
The NT teaches believers to give systematically, liberally, cheerfully, and as the Lord has prospered them, that is, proportionately. But no mention is made of tithing..." Eph 2:15 The church is new in the sense that it is a kind of organism that never existed before. It is important to see this. The NT church is not a continuation of the Israel of the OT. It is something entirely distinct from anything that has preceded it or that will ever follow it.
We could summarize Malachi as the closing chapters of a long history of God dealing with a nation he had chosen who had bitterly failed and disappointed Him.
Through Malachi God is informing the people that the priesthood is corrupt and they also. Had there not been a promised Messiah this would have been the conclusion of any relevance whatsoever of their history to us and no New Testament [contractural arrangement] available to us.
The opening up of the [new contractural arrangement] was not originally put in place for us [gentiles] bur rather was made available because He came unto His own and they refused Him.
Jesus declares: "In vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matthew 15:9). And St. Paul warns us: "Ye are bought with a price; be ye not the servants of men" (1 Corinthians 7:23). No church has a right to make laws by which bind its members; and no member has a right to obey such laws, and to allow his conscience to be thus bound. Both the church and the church member are legalists when they operate their church activities this way. The state may legislate; not, however, the church...
You see the early church never taught tithing or many of the rules either written or implied in our churches today. They believed in the power of a changed life with its new heart to lead the believer into all righteousness. And they also believed that God would supply their every need from His riches in glory. Paul had to confront certain Jewish members of the church for trying to get the Gentile believers to start keeping the law. He finally had a show-down with them in Jerusalem and the outcome of it was the following decree. "For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; that you abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood,
and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if you keep yourselves, you shall do well (Acts 15: 28-29)." Wouldn't this have been an excellent time to lay down the law about New Testament tithing?
Christ gave many discourses and parables with respect to monetary matters and financial stewardship, yet never once did He indicate that: (1.) either He or His apostles were to be the recipients of the Levitical tithe in the future;(2.) the Levitical tithe was obligatory for the Christian; or(3.) the NT Church He was building would be supported or financed by tithes. In the light of the fact that He, the High Priest of God, was the very cause for the changes in the Levitical law. The reality is that Christ could not legally have received tithes during His earthly ministry, as He was a Jew, of the tribe of Judah, not a Levite (Heb 7:14).
The Levites/priests alone were entitled to receive such offerings and tithes. There is no evidence that He ever exacted tithes from anyone, and at one stage He had at least five thousand people following Him (Jn 6:10) from whom He could have perhaps done so. After all, the more people there are the greater the money. It was a fish that provided even the shekel for the temple tax (Mat 17:24-27).
Please note these simple principles: Matt. 10:8 - "Freely you have received, freely give," is the message of the Gospel. Matt. 19:21 - The rich young man was to "sell what you have and give to the poor." Not to give to the temple or to the Levitical priesthood still functioning, neither to Christ, nor to His disciples. Isn't this an extraordinary demand? It is restated in Mk. 10:21 and Lk. 18:22. Matt. 6:2-4 - Christ said that believers were to give alms, to help the poor and disadvantaged. Lk. 6:38 - "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."
Give compassionately, generously, and voluntarily, and wisely but not because you are under coercion. Acts 20:35 - Luke records one of the great sayings of Jesus Christ which is not mentioned anywhere else: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." And the context is Paul speaking to a ministerial gathering at Miletus. Giving or tithing from feelings of guilt, fear, self-compulsion, coercion, or superstition can hardly be approved of by God.
Paul now goes on to describe something else that was included in the work of Christ. Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. The handwriting of requirements that was against us describes the law. In
a sense, the Ten Commandments were against us, condemning us because we did not keep them perfectly. But the Apostle is thinking not only about the Ten Commandments, but also about the ceremonial law that was given to Israel. In the ceremonial law, there were all kinds of commandments with regard to holy days, foods, and other religious rituals [e.g. circumcision, sacrifices, tithing, etc.]. These were all a part of the prescribed religion of the Jews. They pointed forward to the coming of the Lord Jesus. They were shadows of His Person and His work. In His death on the cross, He took all this out of the way, nailing it to the cross and cancelling it as a bill is cancelled when the debt is paid.
"Did Jacob Tithe?" - Was he even asked to tithe? We have seen from the Biblical account that Jacob vowed to God to give a tenth of what God was promising him and his seed, which was the land of Canaan. We have also seen that the promise was not given to Jacob during his lifetime. Hebrews 11, the faith chapter, speaking of Abraham, says in verse 9, "By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:" Then in verse 13 it states, "These all died in the faith, not having received the promises,..."(Verse 16 says that they "now desire a better country, that is, an heavenly:")
No, Jacob never tithed as a requirement of his vow--he could not have done so since the conditions were never met during his lifetime. Did he give offerings to God otherwise? Very probably so, although we aren't told how or when.
Faith takes God at his word; Jacob did not.- Jacob responded to God's promise by making a vow, which showed his unbelief. He said, “if you will do all this “then you
will be my God and I will give you a tenth of everything you give me. God had just promised to bless, protect, and fulfil the original promise that he made to Abraham. He didn't ask for a tithe or anything else. Jacob ignored what God had just promised and started trying to manipulate him by making a vow. His vow was a deal he was making with God. Similar to the message of today...Give to Get. He had more faith in a foolish bargain than he did in God's word. Jacob had more evidence to base his faith upon than Abraham and Isaac had when God came to them. Jacob had the benefit of hearing all the stories of what God had done in their lives. He had grown up in the great wealth that God had blessed them with. But when God made the same promise to Jacob that he had made to his father and grandfather, he didn't respond in faith like they did.
God didn't ask for a tithe. He wanted faith. Besides, God expected more than a tithe; he expected one-hundred percent commitment. This is a lesson that Jacob was very slow to learn. It wasn't until returning about twenty years later, when he wrestled with God all night at the brook Jabbok, that he finally committed himself to God. God would have preferred a response of faith instead of the promise of a tithe, which was just a bargain based on fear and unbelief. The same is true today. God is looking for faith but many people are tithing out of fear. They are afraid their needs will not be met if they quit tithing. Fear-based giving does not please God and neither does the preaching that promotes it. “For whatsoever is not of faith is sin.(Rom. 14:23b)
God had not yet ordained any formal system of worship that included giving and receiving tithes. God didn't institute a priesthood or a system of tithing to support them until the Law of Moses was given.
God didn't praise Jacob for his vow to give him a tenth. The Bible doesn't even say if Jacob ever paid it. Apparently it was not an important thing in God's sight. After all, it wasn't God's idea. It wasn't an act of faith. It was just faithless deal-making by a man who really didn't know God. God had kept his word to Abraham and Isaac without any vows on their part. He had blessed, protected, and made them rich according to his promise alone.
Numbers 18:21 And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. 22 Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die. 23 But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance. 24 But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. 25 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 26 Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye
take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe. 27 And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fullness of the winepress. 28 Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the LORD of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the LORD'S heave offering to Aaron the priest. Deuteronomy 14:27 And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee. 28 At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates: 29 And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.
There is no scriptural record of any commandment, instruction, or suggestion by God related to a tithe prior to the Law of Moses.
During the entire period of time before the Law there are only two biblical references to a tithe and in neither case is there any indication that the people were instructed by God to do what they did.
The tithe that Abraham gave to Melchizedek was not explained or given more than a mention
The tithe proposed by Jacob was an example of doubt and unbelief. We have no details about how he planned to pay it and no record that he ever did.
Historical records indicate that the practice of sharing a percentage of the spoil with spiritual figureheads was customary in Sumerian culture - a culture in which Abram was immersed.
God used that which they were familiar with as an act of honour and worship. It would seem that God chose to use that which was of cultural "significance" related to honour and worship as something they could readily identify with therefore the "tithe" became the symbol for honour and worship, from this cultural backdrop it can be readily understood why Abraham and Jacob chose to act in this manner.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Study to show YOURSELF approved UNTO GOD
IF your pastor won't abide by THE WORD or listen to THE HOLY SPIRIT then they won't listen to you.
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