Beloves Friends, I was browsing through a book one night and my eyes caught a picture of man trying to throw away an age-long Christian practice. I was so sorry on the boldness of the man to stand tall despite the contranry views of many others. This I decided to do: to bring in the man's argument and sample your own opinion. Do, write down your own view and get me posted. Good luck.
PREFACE
The issue of payment of Tithes and Offerings has been dragging for too long. Many collectors and payers of tithes have been at sea on how they can exist and prosper without it. The collectors buried their fears and uncertainty in the nonchalant attitude and laxity with which many took free will offerings more than the obedience to the Word of God. Truly, some regard free will offering before God as the position of weakness on the part of God and his servants. Some contribute peanuts and some offer tattered notes rejected in marketplaces!
Be that as it may, the truth of the gospel must be strictly taught and adhered to in order for the worker to reap the desired reward.
This teaching on Tithes and Offerings offered an insight into the issue. It is believed that if these laws of liberty in Christ are stressed and encouraged, the better is the response and the merrier for the elect.
A CASE STUDY
GOD LOOKED ON WHILE THEY BROUGHT THEIR GIFTS OF LOVE
This article, was written in 1948 by J. Arthur Mouw, (now deceased), a former missionary to West Borneo (now Kalimantan, Indonesia) and is reproduced from the April 2001 edition of Herald of His Coming. It will instruct and encourage readers on the issue of tithing.
The story I am about to relate is concerning the work of the Lord in the Belitang area of West Borneo. This region was opened to the gospel in the early months of 1935 and four years later, there was a total number of 2,640 baptized believers. When I speak of these I do not mean mere professors, but real possessors of the divine life that comes by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, accepting Him wholly and finding Him wholly true. In short, they were truly born-again.
It is not my purpose in this article to tell how the gospel was preached or how it bore fruit but, suffice it to say that, added to the number above, there were 1,400 more believers in 1948 than in 1939. I mention 1939 because that was the year, under God, that the Church finally became one hundred per cent self-supporting. I say “finally” because this did not take place over night nor was it easy.
It took the leading of God and the positive conviction that an organization could not long exist if founded on the sand of foreign finance. We were convinced that no structure so built could long endure when foreign help ceased to be a reality.
At this writing (1948) in a region within a radius of fifty miles of our home and as a monument to the power of the Gospel, there stand ten churches, each with parsonage, where the pastor and his family live. The churches and the parsonages were built by the Christian Dyaks; there is not one cent of debt nor did any money come from America to help erect these church buildings.
Better than this is the fact that the pastors are completely supported by their respective church groups and, at this date, there is enough padi (unhulled rice) in the church granaries to feed the pastors and their families for more than a year, with harvest time only six months away.
How did this miracle take place? To begin with, let me say that absolutely nothing concerning this work has been original. The call, the preaching, the teaching, the pattern, are all found in the Word of God. They were given and proven long before I was born.
One Sunday morning in 1935, while walking from our house up to the rubber grove to give the message to some 900 Dyaks who had gathered under the shade of the trees, God spoke by His Spirit to my heart and asked, "Why are you here?" I was startled but quickly replied, "Because Thou hast called me".
Again the question came, "Why are you here?" I answered in my heart, “Why, Lord, You said, ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel’ (Mark 16: 15); the heathen are all about us; they need to hear and that is why I came."
For the last time the question came again, "Why are you here?" Then my heart broke, and I knew the only reply that mattered was one. I cried to the Lord, "Because I love You!"
As scales dropping from my eyes, I saw the 900 awaiting my coming, awaiting my message, awaiting my enthusiasm and my spirit. In a flash I saw they were leaning too much on me, and I cried out to the Lord and said, "Lord, forgive me."
I thought I loved these Dyaks and I believe I did in a way. I prided myself in the fact that they also loved me. But did I love them with a true love? True love is tender; it is also firm and strong. God's love is like that.
I walked on to the grove and the message I intended to give left me. With all my heart I endeavored to teach these Dyaks to look to God - and not to me. I do not remember the message, but do remember one statement I said:
“The day will come when I, as a foreigner, will not be permitted to stand before you as I am standing now; when I am gone, to whom will you look?"
I did not know I was prophesying, but seven years later, in January 1942, I fled with my wife and family and escaped from the invading Japanese.
I had long believed in self-support and had a vision for the future of an indigenous Church in this part of West Borneo. But believing and teaching are not enough - there must be action.
Then I gathered around me the two native workers who had come from our Bible School in Makassar. These were not Dyaks, but native workers from other islands who came to help in the work. I gave what I thought was a good message on the subject of self-support. I was having a good time teaching these two workers. My heart was warm and enthusiastic on the subject.
I showed them that "God loveth a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7); "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35); "Thou shalt not muzzle the…ox that treadeth out the corn" (I Corinthians 9:9); "The labourer is worthy of his hire" (Luke 10:7).
These and many more Scripture verses I brought to their attention, and they nodded their heads in assent. I noticed this and it added fuel to the fire. I felt the message was really reaching their hearts. Finally I brought for my concluding argument the third chapter of Malachi, verse 10:
"Bring ye all the tithes into the store-house, 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".
I closed with words like these: "And the reason I have given you this account from the Scriptures is because I believe God wants and intends us to help the Christian Dyaks to become self-supporting. I want you to teach the Dyaks to give to the Lord".
Faith Versus Human Reason
The answer on the part of these workers was, to say the least, disappointing. With one voice they responded: "It is impossible to teach the Dyaks to give. They are too poor". They were very poor, that was true; they could put all their earthly belongings in one five-gallon tin can. Rubber (their livelihood) was only one and a half cents per kati (one and one-third pound) at the time.
Everyone was looking for work and one could hire all the coolies he wanted for four cents per day if food was furnished, or eight cents per day if they furnished their own food.
The argument "too poor" was not from the Scripture, however. God had said, “Bring ye all the tithes”, or one-tenth of what you have. We could only ask one-tenth, but the workers reasoned, "Tuan, the Dyaks now go hungry four to six months out of the year; dare we ask them to give and make them hungrier than they are?"
This was sound human logic and the word "impossible" was used frequently. But logic is not faith, and faith cries, "It can be done!" I was frustrated - my own native workers did not believe the message given from the Word of God!
As far as they were concerned there was only one way - the old way - to continue to receive the monthly money from headquarters; headquarters received it from America; why worry?
I pled; I showed other Scriptures to them. I finally realized it was no use to try to inspire or create faith in the hearts of these workers, for "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). They heard it, but there was no response, no willingness to obey God's command. So faith was not gendered in their hearts. They were cold toward the subject and finally said, "Tuan, we know it is impossible; we can't teach the people to tithe, they are too poor. But if you believe in it so much why don't you teach it yourself?"
I made one final statement saying, "God has promised in His Word to bless if people tithe; the Dyaks do not know about tithing or the promised blessing; they do not know how to read or write. They can only learn about tithing from us. If we do not teach them to tithe, we will withhold the blessing God wants to give, and God will hold us responsible!"
The argument did not work, and I was reminded again by my workers, "If you believe in it so much, why don't you teach it yourself, Tuan?"
"I do believe in it", I replied, "but I want you to teach them so that you will receive the blessing that will come by telling them". The workers looked at me with queer, questioning glances and I could tell from the expression on their faces that they were perfectly willing for me to receive all the blessing!
The Tithe Is The Lord's
I believed in tithing. I had tithed since I was eight years old, for my dear father and mother had taught it to me, and they practiced it. The tithe was the Lord's (Leviticus 27:30). No matter how poor we were, it was not touched.
I believed David when he said, "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread (Psalm 37:25). My father never begged, and we never went hungry one meal in our lives. I believed in tithing, but there was the test: “Do it yourself!”
I began to visit the Christian Dyaks, going from village to village. I had at least two "doubting Thomases" (workers) with me to begin each service. Because of this, I must confess that I started out with fear and trembling, remembering some words of the workers, "We can't take away food from these hungry people".
In the first place, I asked the Dyaks if they knew how I got to Borneo. The answer was simple, of course: "By boat". America is a long distance away and it cost four hundred dollars for boat fare. Where did the money come from? Simple again was the reply: "Tuan is rich, has lots of money", they said.
We had humble enough furnishings in our jungle home, yet to the Dyaks, our table and four chairs, our set of dishes, our cutlery, etc., was wealth that they had never seen before. Thus the reply was, "Tuan is rich!"
They believed I was, and the argument I expected to use was not as valuable as I thought it would be. What I was leading to and wanted to tell them was that Christian men and women in America, through sacrificial giving, provided our outfit and paid our fare so we could go to Borneo.
Simple Faith in God's Word
My introduction had failed, and in desperation I held my large Bible high, and said, "Everything I have taught you has been from this Book. From it you have learned about creation, about the origin of sin; but, best of all, you have learned of God's love, redemption and salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ, and you have believed it. Is this Book true?"
With one voice they answered, "It is true!" Holding the Bible still higher I asked, "Although you cannot read this Book, has it ever told a lie?" "Never a lie, Tuan, only the truth", they responded. I said, "Now I will teach you something new", and turning to the third chapter of Malachi, I taught them the rudiments of tithing.
As their alert faces looked at me, I continued and finally, to make it very plain, I said, "Tithing really means this: if you have ten chickens, one belongs to the Lord; if ten eggs, one belongs to the Lord; if ten measures of rice (precious rice to them), one measure belongs to the Lord.
“And yet”, I continued, “upon the authority of the Word of God, I can tell you God says He will bless, will open the windows of Heaven, and will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, that He will not destroy the fruits of your ground, neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field”.
I could say no more. Most of them wore only a loincloth made of the bark of a tree. Many of the women’s skirts were made of the same material. I sat down feeling I had utterly failed to get the message across.
It is always hot in Borneo, but that night it seems hotter than ever. The perspiration rolled off me. The two native workers sitting on the floor knew I was having a hard time; they hadn’t said "amen" once; they didn't even grunt.
Finally the Dyaks began to talk, some very deliberately, others with haste. Their dialect was a different one and I had difficulty in catching many words. After a half hour they were quiet and sat waiting for me to say the next word. I asked, half doubting, what they thought about the message from God's Word and the plan He set forth.
Very simply they said, "Tuan, we have decided to adopt this plan. God has done so much for us; we have been wondering how we could show a little gratitude to God for giving His Son to die for us. This is a way."
The speaker continued, "Tuan, we have chosen three men whom we know to be honorable. They will accept our gifts, and once each moon, if it will be all right with you, they will bring them to your home". Just as simple as that - and it was all accomplished in their half hour of discussion. Would it be all right with me? Would it?
I almost flew through the shake room and up to the clouds. My two "doubting Thomases" gave me side glances, and I scarcely dared to look at them. I could not say, "I told you so," for I did not have very much faith myself.
What made the Dyaks so responsive? It was because these people's hearts were still warm; they had only a few months before learned for the first time of a God who loves, who gave His Son. They were still in their first love, a love pure, trusting, believing!
"This Is God's Portion"
We journeyed from longhouse to longhouse where there were Christians. Our message was the same, and praise God - so was the response! We returned home and in a few weeks the "new moon" arrived, and so did some Dyaks. One morning we awakened to find them on our front porch; some had traveled two days.
Some dozen chickens were tied to the railing; there was a high pile of cucumbers, many eggs in a basket, and two or three rattan carrying bags full of rice. With a slight wave of the hand, pointing to all which was on the floor, the three men simply stated, "Ini Tuhan Allah punja" (This is God's portion). "We trust it will be all right; we'll be starting back today".
My heart was full of praise and my eyes filled with tears, and I could hardly see my way around on the porch - cucumbers, eggs, chickens, rice, fruit, vegetables, precious food to these Dyak Christian. That morning that old front porch became a cathedral. Each month it was so. Our front porch groaned under the weight of squash, cucumbers, potato roots, rice and chickens.
Our hearts rejoiced, but trouble came as well. The Dutch administrator called me to his office seventy-eight miles away. He was angry and said, "I understand you are taxing the Dyaks ten percent. This is unlawful; only one can tax, and that is the government. I command you to cease teaching this at once".
I respectfully replied: "It is true we teach the people to tithe and give ten percent of their produce, but it is compulsory. It is given freely and of their own volition. It is not for me, but is for the support of their own Christian work".
Taking my New Testament from my shirt pocket, I held it up and said, "I have never mixed in politics nor do I intend to. I came here to teach God's Word. In God's Word, as you very well know, tithing is taught. I would not tell you how to run the government; please do not tell me how to teach the Word of God".
Soon I found myself on the gravel path, walking toward my little one-cylinder motor boat. I never heard from the official again. Each month God's "portion" came. We sold the produce, chickens and eggs to Chinese merchants and bought nails with part of the proceeds. Then we started to erect Churches, a story too long to tell here.
God Looked on as They Brought Their Gifts of Thanksgiving and Love
Ten long months, and then came harvest - and what a harvest! More rice than they had ever seen before. The pests had not bothered, and they gathered their precious life-giving grain. I waited and hoped that some Dyak would come to me and say, "Tuan, it works. We have tithed and now the increase". But I waited in vain. I thought they would be surprised, and there was keen disappointment on my part because no one came and said, "It works".
They showed no surprise. The Bible, they said, had never lied to them before - why should it lie now? God said He would do it, and He who never lied fulfilled His promise. They just took it for granted in simple faith. I was the one who was surprised and perhaps you, my dear reader, but not the Dyak!
Not long after this, the people began to come to meetings in nice clothes. It happened almost overnight. The enterprising Chinese businessmen took advantage of the "miracle" harvest and began telling the Dyaks, "It isn't good to go to Church without clothes".
This advice worked, not only because of the Chinese, but because the Dyaks had secretly been ashamed of their near nakedness. Soft bark is too hot in this tropical climate if worn above the waist; besides it scratches and irritates and will not stand frequent washings.
Now the Christians had extra rice, legal tender in the jungle, and it was traded for clothing. We had always hesitated to tell these people to wear clothing, first, because they were too poor to buy; secondly, we did not want them to think that a change of garb made Christians of them. We were glad to see them in their new attire, but happier because they did not try to imitate our mode of dress, but adhered to the native attire.
Soon the first Church was erected, then another. Everyone helped to build the Church building in which was to congregate the body of Christ. One large Church, Bethel, had been built. There were 1,315 members. On the outside by the side of the path was a big crate. People pulled a latch with one hand and shoved a chicken into the crate with the other.
At the top of the steps was a large box, three and a half feet high, two feet wide, and eighteen inches deep, with a small hole in the top. In this was poured their precious tenth of rice. Mothers would lift their children as they put their cupful into the bin as well.
Close by stood the basket to receive the eggs and a little farther on was the empty five-pound butter can with a slit in the top for the few coins someone might have. Such is offering time in a Dyak Church in West Borneo.
None of that which was given was used by the missionaries themselves unless the proper equivalent in money was placed in the general treasury. This was sacred money coming from poor people and was used entirely to build the Church buildings and support the native workers.
Not long afterward a burden came upon them for those who had never heard the Gospel. For many months before Pearl Harbor they sent and supported as their own missionaries four full-time workers to the regions around about them.
Natives Carried On!
Today (1948), thirteen years after this story began; the war has come and gone. We fled in 1942 after the Japanese came, and in the providence of God, were able to reach America safely. For six years these Christians were without a foreign missionary, but the natives workers carried on.
Today all of the original Churches, but one, are still functioning as self-supporting Churches. Once the people here were poor, but now, according to Dyak standards, they are prosperous.
The native workers seem very happy. They receive a certain amount of cash per month, plus all the rice that they, their wives and children can eat. Besides this, the Dyak Church members bring eggs, vegetables, chickens, fruit, etc., to them. God honors His Word and obedient hearts. His Word was the only pattern; this Word accepted by warm-hearted, trusting Dyaks - made the recording of this narrative possible.
TITHING IS OF GOD
Salvation is what brings you to the place of responsibility. When your heart is treated, you learn to honour agreements. It is very sad that a lot of our Church members today are not saved. They are just playing religion. They have not been transformed. They only had a change of name, and not change of life. A complete Christian must have the assurance of salvation and the joy of salvation. This is important, because no man can serve the Lord with all his heart unless he is sure about his own salvation.
When you are not sure of your salvation, you do things without knowing why. You go to Church only to fulfill obligation. You give offerings to God out of a sad heart. You don’t feel happy when you give to God. You see yourself being part of the Church because you feature in almost every activity in the Church, yet inside you, you know that you are not part of the Church. So many people in the Church today are like you. They have been welcomed in the Church, baptized and confirmed, carrying the label “born again” all over the place, thinking that they have arrived. Yet Heaven is far away from their line of thinking. Are you like this? It’s time to get serious! It is time to surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ with visible changes. To be born again you must have the assurance of the Holy Spirit that you are saved - that inner conviction must be there.
A born again Christian is the one who upholds the Word of God. When he comes in contact with God’s command, he delays not to obey it. Born again Christians are those who have made up their mind to grow up spiritually and take their position within the rank of full grown men and women in order that God’s will be done in the places where they are. Born again is a growth God-ward. But it is sad that majority of the people answering “born again” Christians today are those who have refused to grow up spiritually. These categories of people are the ones causing most problems in the Church. They come to Church, pray, make positive confessions, listen to countless number of sermons and have turned themselves into modern day Methusellahs who have failed to show any sign of growth or maturity.
Many Church leaders have been disappointed by the way Christian adults degenerate into babies. No body likes to be identified with a full grown adult who fails to abandon childish behaviour. In their little wisdom these Church leaders decided to help the adult-baby assume his rightful position. The print tithe or offering cards to help the adult-babies honour their words by ticking for them every month else they forget. It is now obligated on every Church member to write down his/her name and what he/she is giving. It is people who are not saved that are being forced to give to their father's work. It is those who are not saved that ask questions like "what do Pastors do with the offering money". The answer is very simple. If you want to give your offering and you do not trust the Pastor, take it to God yourself, as far as it gets to him no problem. If you think that the Pastor will not handle it well, just take a bus or an aircraft and say "God I have come to pay my tithe, and now you can have it live and direct from me". It is when people are not saved that they look for Church posts. They want to be Church treasurers – Judases in the making! When you have salvation you have the greatest gift of all. All other things become less important. If you are not careful, all those other things will even put your salvation in trouble. You cannot put your all into the service of the Lord, when you have some doubts in your heart whether you will go to heaven or not.
THE TENTH IS HOLY UNTO GOD
When you tithe, God goes into business with you. The Bible teaches that the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD (Leviticus 27:32), and never has that teaching been changed. Tithing is taught in both Old and New Testaments. In fact, when you look at all the marvelous privileges we have under grace, you would think we should be paying more than ten percent. Those in the Old Testament, before the Law and during the Law, did not have the benefits, the blessings that we have through Christ Jesus: a crucified Savior, a resurrected Lord and a soon-coming King. If anyone were ever obligated to tithe, it should be the people who live under grace. Why take God as your partner and then rob Him? The partner has asked for only ten percent off the top; in return He makes the remaining ninety percent go farther than you could have ever stretched the whole amount. Again and again this has been proven. When it comes to God, two plus two makes more than four. Two plus two can make sixty-six or a hundredfold. The devil has deceived many in the area of tithing, causing them to fail God and then wonder why they're not being blessed. The Lord visited me one day, letting me know that in this final hour I was to deliver the Word of God in its fullness to all people with whom I would come in contact. God said He has taken the blame in the past for many things He was not guilty of. People did not measure up to His Word, and He was blamed because He didn't move for them. God said that in this final hour He would not shoulder the blame. He will uncover. He will send His light forth so people will know the truth about the God who made them.
SOME CANNOT HANDLE PROSPERITY
Do you want to prosper? Many yearn for prosperity, but are unwilling to pay the price of living all-out for God. Some people tithe if their income is one hundred dollars a week, but when it jumps to a thousand, they think the tithe is too much. They will not look to God when they have finances to depend upon. Every prayer is "Give me, give me, give me more." They don't know how to really talk to God, how to depend upon Him, how to trust Him. Some people can handle prosperity, continuing to remain humble before God, giving freely to Him, but others cannot. God would be doing you an injustice if He granted you more spiritual power, more - financial power and more physical power than you can handle; it could ruin you and others around you, even destroy your soul in hell. The more God gives to me, the more I am able to give back; and I give Him far beyond ten percent. He is my partner.
UNPROTECTED MONEY
Think what a blessing the disciples received by merely casting their nets on the right side-a catch much greater than their wildest expectations. Those who refuse to tithe are not casting their nets on the right side and are in danger of losing everything they have. Their money is not protected. Any untithed money is unsafe. I tremble for you who keep untithed money; sooner or later you'll wake up to the fact that you have robbed God. You'll pray prayers that never will be heard, prayers that would have been answered had you been obedient. People have died ahead of their time because they didn't obey God. Although many are sick and afflicted as a result of disobedience, it doesn't mean all sick or afflicted are disobedient or haven't tithed. Nevertheless, many people are sick and afflicted because they have failed God in giving unto Him in tithing. People fail God, not realizing that their troubles are because of this failure. In fact they blame God for their troubles, rather than accepting the blame themselves. "God, why don't you move?" they cry. He can't move because they've tied His hands throu:: their lack of obedience. If you're sick and ~cted, the first thing you must do IS check your standing before God--check YO~I ~ heart. Is your heart pure? Are you casting your nets on the right side? Have you obeyed God in everything? The reason I can come before God using faith is because I obey Him in all things I know to obey Him in. If I am omitting any obedience, I ask God to show it to me.
GOD WANTS YOU TO PROSPER
Beloved, I wish above all ~ that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth (ill John 1:2). God wants you to prosper in health, in finances; and He desires your soul to prosper-that's God-talk. He longs for you to prosper in every way, but lIrst He expects obedience from you in everything. He wants you to love Him above all else. But thou shalt remember the LORD thy GOO: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18). The Lord gives people power to get wealth. He gave it to the Israelites when they left Egypt; He gave them favor with the Egyptians. The Israelites spoiled the Egyptians, borrowing their best garments, jewelry, their most expensive gems. With the wealth of Egypt, the Israelites headed for the Promised Land. God had made them wealthy. And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians (Exodus 12:35, 36).
How sad that Israel wasted the wealth God had so graciously provided! And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt (Exodus 32:3,4). God has revealed His will for mankind: perfection in all things. We living outside the Garden of Eden do not have this automatic perfection; God must wait for us and work with us. At times this takes long indeed; for God can only move as people yield to Him. He has limited Himself with humanity by giving them free choice. In the Garden before sin entered, God did not have to wait until Adam cast his nets on the right side so that He could move for him; God had created Adam to be a perfect being. The right side was the only place then that Adam would cast nets. God is standing on the right side waiting to help you at all times, ready to move for you; but when you cast your nets to the left, you're going your own way; your own stubborn spirit is working. "You say you don't believe in tithing? Just because you don't believe in tithing doesn't mean it's not God's plan. The Lord's Bible teaches the tithing plan whether you accept it or not. Cast your nets on the right side and be prepared for the blessing.
ADAM AND EVE ONE DAY CAST THEIR NETS ON THE WRONG SIDE
In the Garden, Adam and Eve had everything, when they cast their nets on the wrong side they driven out. Man learned the meaning of poverty, of sickness, disease, tears, sorrow, heartache and despair. Why? Because sin had entered Adam and Eve through their disobedience to God. God cannot look upon sin; He separates Himself from it. Those disobedient to God are open to sorrow, tragedies because they have tied God's hands by choosing not to obey Him.
The earth was perfect inside the Garden of Eden - everything wonderful -but then the earth was cursed because of man's sin. Until the curse is lifted by God in the Perfect Age, we will have much to battle against. Only obedience to God will bring you victory in dangerous waters. Unless you can hear the voice of God, you don't know where to cast your nets. Casting your nets indiscriminately heaps sorrow, heartache and despair on your head, brings tragedy to you and yours. In the light of the Holy Scripture, find what God has said about disobedience.
NOAH OBEYED GOD
Before the great flood, God repented that He had made man; but then He saw one man casting his nets on the right side. Noah obeyed God; he found grace, help, as God became his Provider. Have you ever wondered how God prospered Noah? Just one man and his three sons built an ark. It took over one hundred years; God supplied his need during that time. Then after the ark was built and set afloat, Noah and his family stayed inside for over a year. Everyone except Noah and his family had been destroyed - and think how God provided for those in the ark! He conditioned them to face a world in which they would cast their nets on the right side.
It wasn't an accident that they stayed in the ark over a year. God could have taken the waters from the face of the earth overnight; but God was working with man, and God had to wait until Noah and his family were prepared to re-enter a world in which all other mankind had died. God is ready to help you now, ready for your ark to land; but some of you are not prepared, and He has to wait. Why aren't you being blessed? I'm telling you why. You're in and out, up and down with God; and God cannot move. You must be consistent in serving God. Anything less than diligent obedience means you're casting your nets on the left side. If you're not being blessed, if you don't feel that closeness with God, find the sort of obedience God expects from His Children and put that obedience into action in every aspect of your life.
Why keep fishing in the waters of life never catching - anything when the Lord has promised you so much, so many blessings? Have you ever stopped to think how many promises in the Bible cover just you? ALL the promises of God are for you as an individual. Why does nothing happen when you cast your nets? Have you no blessings spiritually, physically or financially? Something is wrong. Cast your nets on the right side into the promises of God, and obey Him. Have you obeyed God in everything? Have you really obeyed the Lord?
GOD WILL PROVIDE
Abraham was made rich. The key? Believing the Lord would provide. Now the LORD had said unto - Abram ...I will bless thee, and make thy name great (Genesis 12:1,2). And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold (Genesis 13:2). Spiritually Abraham was blessed as well as financially. Genesis 15:6 relates that Abraham believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. Physically strong even at one hundred years old, Abraham became the father of Isaac. The LORD had blessed Abraham in all things (Genesis 24:1). Abraham was blessed spiritually, physically and financially-now that's prosperity. Some people have prospered financially but are physically too ill to enjoy it; consequently, they do not feel they are being prospered.
Remember when Abraham was on his way to offer Isaac as a sacrifice as God had instructed? And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am 1, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood but where is the Iamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide (Genesis 22:7, 8). Knowing that God would provide was a foundation stone in Abraham's life. Abraham, in his greatest crisis on his way to sacrifice his beloved son, loved God so much that he was able to use God's faith. God's faith told him that since God had promised a nation from that one seed, if that son were killed, he would have to be resurrected. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure (Hebrews 11:17-19). Now that’s real faith! Abraham loved God so much he was able to use His faith in time of crisis. God will provide (Genesis 22:8).
WHO WAS MELCHISEDEK?
Abraham paid tithes over seven hundred years before the Law was given. God gave Abraham that beautiful plan. In Genesis 14:20 we read that he gave him tithes of all. When the King of Sodom offered Abraham money, he refused, saying, I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich (Genesis 14:23). Fully aware that God was his source of supply; Abraham gave God all the glory. No wonder God blessed him! No wonder he is called the Father of the Faithful! To whom did Abraham pay tithes? To Melchisedec. There has been much false teaching about Melchisedec. The Bible and history as well tell us who he was. For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham f returning from the slaughter of the kings, and [ blessed him; 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 (Hebrews 7:1,2). Melchisedec was a righteous man and also the king of Salem. Down through thousands of years Salem was understood to mean Jerusalem. Although Melchisedec was a real man, he is described as being without father, without mother, , without descent, having neither begriming of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually (Hebrews 7:3). Without mother and father doesn't mean that Melchisedec wasn't born. Of course the man was born. In Jewish history a person not of the lineage or the stock of Abraham was considered to be without father or mother. If a man could not supply descent information, he was said to be without a father. It didn't mean no one had fathered him I say again; someone fathered him or he wouldn't have existed. According to Jewish history, Gentiles don't have a father because they are not Abraham's children. However, the Bible says with Christ the Gentiles have been adopted in; Abraham is our father. Thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness, of the ~Iive tree,(Romans 11:17). We havebee~" Igrafted into the Vine; we're a branch of Jesus. Isn't : that wonderful ! c,'~ We know that Melchisedec was greater than Abraham because Abraham paid tithes to him, gave him honor and tribute. Melchisedec was a priest before we have record of anyone else being a priest. He was somewhat of a universal priest. Christ is on the same order; neither one was of the order oGk~ the priesthood that came from Aaron. In Psalm 110:4, The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. Jesus is the person prophesied about in this Psalm. The Jews accepted the prophecy of i!; the Messiah; they just didn't accept Jesus as the one fulfilling this wonderful prophecy.
To be a priest required certain qualificationsK~ Through Moses, God commanded that the high priest .1 be chosen from among the brethren, from the family of Aaron, the tribe of Levi. Because Jesus had not come from the stock of Levitical priests, in the eyes of the Jews He could not be a priest. The book of Hebrews makes clear, however, that it was not necessary for the priest to come from a particular stock. Melchisedec, a priest of the most high God, didn't come from the stock of Aaron; and Jesus was the Son of the most high God. To understand the book of Hebrews, connect it with Jewish history. Melchisedec was a Canaanite, and yet he was a priest.
QUALIFICATIONS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT PRIESTS
Leviticus 21:10-14, And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garmen~, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes; Neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother; Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his GOO; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the LORD. And he shall take a wife in her virginity. A widow, or a divorced woman, or profane, or an harlot, these shall he not take: but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife. The priest had to meet qualifications, he had to marry a virgin and that's good for a preacher, too. A preacher should marry a virgin, nothing less; I did. God was careful with the priesthood, and He is just as careful with the true ministry today. A priest could not marry a widow. He couldn't be divorced or married to a divorcee, to one of another nation, or to a harlot-those were rules for the Jewish priesthood. People were excluded from the priesthood entirely if they didn't meet these qualifications no matter if they were of the household of Aaron. The Lord tried to keep the priesthood clean so He could bless them. A priest had to prove that he was of the descent of Aaron. If he could not, he was cast out. Ezra 2:62, These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the pri~. Nehemiah 7:63,64, And of the p~the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai, which took one of the daughters of BarziIlai the Gileadite to wife, and was called after their name. These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, ~ polluted, put fnxn. the priesthood. I love the Word of God. If there is anything in there you don't understand, stick with it until you understand it all. The Bible is not a book to be understood after you get to glory; it's to be understoodCIC no~
A DIVINE PRIEST OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Melchisedec, remember, the priest first mentioned in the Holy Bible is of the same order as Christ, a priest of the divine will of God, a priest of righteousness and holiness. He reigned in Salem for one hundred and thirteen years history tells us. He died a righteous man and a bachelor; he never married.
You can't be righteous - and the Bible declares .a~ Melchisedec was-without divinity, divine blood. Melchisedec had that divine blood in his soul, for he was a priest of the most high God. The two great priests of all time are not recognized by the Jews. This demonstrates only one way man has hindered God.
Jesus is the priest of the most high God, bringing a new covenant and doing away with the old. Plainly the book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus did away with the old covenant and became the only priest. God changed the law of the priesthood because it didn't work. He sent the priest Jesus, the King of kings, in a takeover by the Gospel; but the Jews, I say again, would not accept the takeover that was offered to them. When the Jews rejected Jesus, God turned to the Gentiles and grafted them in. By now I hope you understand who Melchisedec was-a Canaanite, a righteous man and priest of God. He reigned for 113 years. Keep in mind that Jesus came in the same order of the priesthood of Melchisedec and not the order of the Jewish priesthood that had been set up under the Law. Jesus was far beyond the Levitical priesthood, far greater. Had the Jews accepted Jesus, the history of their nation today would be a different story; but they keep failing God.
Through Moses, God commanded that the high priest be chosen from among the brethren, from the family of Aaron. Hebrews 7:5,6, Verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesth{)(Kf, 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 wh~ descent is not counted from - them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. The priest whom Abraham paid tithes to, Melchisedec, did not come from Abraham. Abraham had the promises, but this priest had a higher place in God than Abraham. Hebrews 7:7, And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. Abraham was less and he was blessed of the better, God's priest of righteousness.
Hebrews 7:8-10, And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. Levi paid tithes through Abraham and Abraham paid tithes to Melchisedec. Hebrews 7: 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? Perfection did not come through the Levitical priesthood, through the order of Aaron, but through Jesus. Jesus is not called after the order of Aaron. The devil has wanted people to skip the book of Hebrews, to be without knowledge. Some people have been serving God for years, but have never taken the time to really study, search and find out about this priest Melchisedec. Some people have their own opinions, but most just have skipped over the two different orders of priesthood and thought, Well, it has nothing to do with me. It does have something to do with us; it shows the greatness of God for the Gentile race as well as for the Jews. We're just as dear and precious to God today as the Jews are. We're all chosen by God; He wants us all now.
GRAFTED IN
There was a time that the Jews alone were the chosen race-and look how the Lord treated the other nations. He drove seven nations out of their land to give Israel the land of Canaan. Now it's a different story. I say again, we have been grafted into the family of God. God is-sending us to the nations; He's sending us to the heathen, sending us with the same Gospel message that Jesus brought. It's time for us to move.
Hebrews 7:12, For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. The Levitical priesthood was changed in Christ Jesus: He did away with it. There are no more animal sacrifices to be made. Christ Jesus was the one supreme sacrifice, the only one needed for salvation.
Hebrews 7:13,14, For he [Jesus] of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe M~ spake nothing concerning priesthood. Moses, giver of the Law, spoke nothing of the priesthood of Judah; the priesthood was from the tribe of Levi, I say again. Hebrews 7:15, And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest. Another priest, Jesus, arose. There are just two priests we're concerned about today; those other priests, for the most part were a failure before God. God couldn't stand the sacrifices they made; animal sacrifices were repulsive to Him. But then Jesus, the second great priest of righteousness, holiness and purity came, pure as God Himself. Divinity had come down. God did not replace that first priest to whom Abraham paid tithes until Jesus came to take the priesthood Himself.
Jesus is our high priest at the right hand of the Father interceding for us twenty-four hours around the clock; our prayers go through Him. Pray in the name of Jesus; use His Name. We have a high priest who is touched with the feeling of our in6nuities (Hebrews 4: 15). The priests under the Law were not always touched by the feelings of the people, but Christ is touched; He loves us. Our High Priest is so close to us that there are no boundary lines, no walls, nothing between us. When the veil in the temple was rent from top to bottom on Crucifixion day, mankind was free to go in to our high priest Jesus at any time. Isn't that wonderful! I adore Jesus; I love Him, and I know He always understands me. I walk with Him, talk to Him; He reveals Himself to me in many beautiful ways. He's walking with you who are born again, so why worry about others, even your own kin - what does it matter what they think? Why should it hurt you if they don't want to associate with you, if they don't like your salvation? You have one thing to think about: bringing in the harvest of lost souls so we can go home. Keep focused on the Jesus "go ye"; let it burn on the altar of your heart, take over your mind daily. Souls must be paramount in your mind. When you wake up each morning, pray Lord, I give us souls! Give us souls!
JESUS FULFILLED THE LAW
Thou [Jesus] art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec (Hebrews 7: 17). Forever Jesus is our priest; there will never be another priest; He has fulfilled the Law. The old is over; the new is ours. You 're not judged by the old whatsoever; you're judged only by the new.
Hebrews 7: 19, For the law made nothing perfect, but the brlnging in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. Although the Law and the blood of animals made nothing perfect, that didn't mean certain people didn't use holy blood. It just wasn't offered to everybody as it is today, offered to whosoever will. Christ had to die to pay the price for the whole human race, die to become their high priest. As far as those holy prophets of old were concerned, their high priest was in the righteousness and holiness of God.
Hebrews 7:20-25, And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (For th{R priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by mHm that said unto him, The Lord sware and win not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec). By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 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. This priest Jesus can save everybody who wants saving; no other priest could. Take Jesus away as high priest and no one could get saved, for there would be no - blood of Calvary offered, no sacrificial blood.
The holy men of old were not saved through sacrificial blood; they were saved through divine blood that hadn't yet been sacrificed. This is the same divine blood Jesus later brought to earth and spilled on Calvary. In the Old Testament we have no record whatsoever of the divine blood being sacrificed.
JESUS DISPELS THE SHADOWS
It's no longer a time to walk in shadows. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me (Psalm 23:4). Jesus, our shepherd in living reality, came to erase all the shadows of death for us. There will be no shadows of death in the valley, for the whole valley will light up with the life of Jesus when He comes for one of His own. I know of a godly woman who had an unbelievable fear of death. Her son-in-law had never seen anyone who was saved with such a great fear of it. But he was there when she was dying. With her last breath she looked up at him with a big smile and said, "Claude, it wasn't what I thought it was going to be!" Then she was gone. It wasn't what I thought it was going to be! Isn't that wonderful! You will find out that death is not to be feared if you have salvation because your high priest Jesus will be there; He has taken care of it all. There will be no dark valley for you, no tunnel to go through. Jesus conquered death, hell and the grave.
Hebrews 7:26,27, For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 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. Jesus our sacrificial Lamb never sinned. His sinless blood was sacrificed once and for all; He never will sacrifice it again. Whosoever will, let him come to Jesus; all nations are included.
Hebrews 7:28, For UtHe 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. How marvelous is the truth! Recognize the truth; don't listen to anyone who would contradict it.
JACOB PAID TITHES
Five hundred years before the Law, Jacob made a covenant with the Lord. And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this 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). God heard his vow, and Jacob went with the favor and the promise of God. He knew how Father Abraham had become rich.
Jacob traveled to his uncle's house, worked seven years so that he could marry Rachel. His deceitful uncle gave him Leah instead, and Jacob had to work seven years more for Rachel. And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years (Genesis 29:30). Then Jacob labored another seven years for cattle. Although his father-in-law was trying to cheat him, Jacob was blessed with armfuls on purpose from God. Why? He had made a covenant with God and he kept his end of the bargain.
When you walk with God in loving obedience, you need not worry. If you have tithed, given unto God, obeyed God in all things and still lose your job, God has obligated Himself to get you another job. When you tithe, give unto Him and obey Him in everything else, God is obligated to help you pay your bills.
PATRIARCHS
PART I
THE AGE OF THE
PATRIARCHS
A. TITHE
The payment of Tithe under the age of the Patriarchs, that is, before the Law of Moses, was conditional but not a rule. From Adam to Moses, only two figures, our fathers Abraham and Jacob had to do with it.
1. Abraham gave the tenth of the spoil of war to Melchizedek, King of Salem (Genesis 14: 17- 20).
2. Jacob vowed to give the tenth of his wealth on condition that he was protected and blessed; on the journey he embarked on (Genesis 28:20-22).
Tithe payment could have passed on to the generations after Jacob before
Moses, if God had commanded it. It is not known if he (Jacob) actually paid it,
and how it was paid. Jacob, now Israel, later went to Egypt with his household.
Israel even died in Egypt. There is no record neither he nor any of his household
paid tithe. If they did, to whom and how? The record is not there because it was
not a decree of God. No regulation about it. The strength of the issue is that God
trusted Abraham that he will teach his house-hold to do his will. The Scriptures
testify thus:
1. Abraham chosen to direct his children and' household to do the will of the Lord (Genesis 18:19).
2. Abraham obeyed and kept the requirements, commands, decrees and the law of God (Genesis 26:5).
If the payment of tithe was one of the requirements of God given to Abraham, he
could have passed it on to his children.
CONCLUSION: Where there is no law, there is no sin (Romans 4:15). The Patriarchs who did not pay tithe either in Canaan or Egypt were not under such, law from God in their dispensation.
B OFFERINGS
Our fathers, from Adam to Israel, made sacrifices of blood. The pattern shows that it was the way they believe God could be approached. It is not by accident or sudden that Cain and Abel had to make sacrifices to God. This practice was passed down from generation to generation. This only pointed to our days, so that, without us, they were not made perfect.
1. Cain offered rejects of the fruit of the soil to God. He was rejected (Genesis 4:3, 5).
2. Abel offered fat first born of the flock. He offered choice and the best among his flock, ' and he was well received (Genesis 4:4).
3. Noah sacrificed after the flood (Genesis 8:20).
4. Abraham did sacrifice on purpose besides free-will offerings. He almost sacrificed his son Isaac (Genesis 15:9).
5. Isaac built altar to call on the name of the Lord (Genesis 26:25).
6. Israel also did offer sacrifices (Genesis 35:14; 46:1).
Note: An Altar in the days of old was the place elements were offered as sacrifice to God.
It is believed that Lamb was the major element presented to God. This became known from the question Isaac asked his father Abraham: "...the fire and the wood are here", Isaac said, "but where is the Lamb for the burnt offering?" (Genesis 22:6, 7). Record shows that after Israel, none of his children built altar nor sacrificed to God in Egypt. Why, because it was not a decree from God, in their own dispensation.
CONCLUSION: The law and dispensation of the Patriarchs were for the Patriarchs. Whichever part of such law needed at another dispensation, must be clearly written in the new law books. If not, all believers in God are bound to observe all the patterns of worship in other dispensations in addition to theirs
PART II
OLD TESTAMENT – LAWS OF MOSES
A. TITHES
1. What is Tithe?
Tithe is the tenth part of a whole. Tithe is also the tenth portion of produce, herd, flock, or livestock due to God under the Law of Moses:
a. Tithe of produce belonged to the Lord (Leviticus 27:30).
b. Tithe of herds and flock (livestock) that passed under a shepherd's rod, good or bad, was holy to the Lord (Leviticus 27:32).
2. Who received the Tithes?
The Levities received all tithes in Israel, under the law. They, too, paid a tithe of tithe to the High Priest, I the house of Aaron (Numbers18:2l -29).
Note: Levi and Aaron, in Israel, are the same. Levi is one of the 12 sons of Israel whose descendants were chosen as Priests. Aaron is one of the descendents of Levi, whose family was chosen as the High Priest. Hence it is called -The Levitical Priesthood.
a. The tribe of Levi in Israel was given to Aaron as priests (Numbers 3: 5- 7).
b. Aaron's family to act as High Priest perpetually (Exodus 29: 29, 30).
3. Who paid the Tithes?
Eleven tribes out of the 12 tribes in Israel paid tithes to the Levitical Priesthood (Numbers 18:21; Hebrews 7:5).
4. When were Tithes due for payment?
a. Tithes were due for payment yearly, before the Feast of Ingathering or Weeks when produce of the field had been harvested (Exodus 23:16).
b. At the turn of the financial year, just like the annual tax returns to the Government of the day (Exodus 34:22).
5. What Relates The Feast Of Ingathering Or Weeks With The Tithes?
a. Hebrew Calendar commands waiving or offering of the sheaf of the first fruits to the Lord before new grain could be eaten in Israel. This is the Feast of First fruits (Leviticus 23:9-14 (14.)).
b. The Feast of Ingathering or Weeks must follow first fruits offering 50 days later (Leviticus 23:15, 16).
c. It is decreed that celebration of the Festival of Ingathering must begin after yearly harvesting (Exodus 23:16).
d. First fruits must be offered to the Lord before Israel eats of it, as in (5a) above. The tithes must be paid before the next 50 days, as in (5b) above. The tithes paid before the Festival of Weeks supplied the food and drinks for the Levites and others during the Feast. Therefore, the payment of tithes on produce and livestock before and for the Feast of Ingathering or Weeks was paramount. These facts relate the Tithes with the Feast of Ingathering or Weeks (Deuteronomy 14:22, 23, 27).
Note: Feast of Pentecost of Acts 2:1 is the same as the Feast of Ingathering or Weeks here. Pentecost derives its name from Greek language. .Pentecost is 50 in Greek, and refers to the 50 days in Leviticus 23:15, 16.
6. Three Tithes
- Facts begging for reconciliation
Facts
There were three different tithes in the Law of Moses:
i. Tithes of everything from the land, herd or flock belonged to the Lord (Leviticus 27:30, 32).
iia. Setting aside of another tithe out of the remaining ninth for merriment during the Festival of Ingathering or Weeks.
iib. The power given to the payer to sell and convert it (iia) to money to ease the burden of transportation if the Ark/Temple was far away from the celebrant.
iic. The power of the payer to buy with the money, whatever pleased him and his household to eat, drink and make merriment wherever the Ark or Temple of God was (Deuteronomy14:22-27).
iid. Evidence confirming iia-c: Tithe money for payer's merriment brought about the purchase of elements for the festival and the conversion of currency by money changers. Many visiting worshippers to the Temple in Jerusalem, especially those from abroad must have been short-changed. Corruption and malpractices were rampart. These took place under the nose of the priests. This wickedness informed the anger of Jesus and his subsequent dislodgement of the Temple merchants and money changers. "It is written", he said to them "My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a 'den of robbers’” (Matthew 21: 12, 13).
iii. The 3 yearly tithe stored in towns for the Levites, aliens, fatherless and widows makes the third tithe (Deuteronomy 14:28, 29).
Note: that the Ark was carried from place to place before David proposed to build a permanent house for the Ark of God. This house, known as the Temple, was eventually built by King Solomon his son. This same temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. by the Roman Army led by Titus.
a. King David proposed to build a temple - a permanent house - for the Lord (II Samuel 7:1,2).
b. God restrained him because he was a man of blood and war (II Samuel 7: 12.13, I Chronicles 22: 6, 10).
c. King Solomon - David's son - built the temple in Jerusalem. II Chronicles.3: 1, 2; 5-1.
Reconciliation:
The first (i) - tithe of produce and flock; and the second (iia-d) - tithe of the festival - are understood. Let the tithe payers ask themselves if they obey these aspects of the law! The third, as confirmed by Josephus, was yet another tithe. It is called "The Poor" tithe. Flavius Josephus (c) 37-100 A.D. was once a Levitical Priest, a general, then a historian, etc. He summarized the Law of Moses in Antiquities of the Jews - Josephus Chapter VIII. He said, “Besides those two tithes, which I have already said you are to pay every year, the one for the Levites, the other for the festivals, you are to bring every third year a third tithe to be distributed to those that want; to women also that are widows, and to children that are orphans…" (Ant. VIII: 22 p. 98).
7. Tithes - Redemption and Substitution
a. Produce could be redeemed by adding one-fifth to it (Leviticus 27:30, 31).
b. Livestock could be substituted by adding substitute to it, not having back the substituted (Leviticus 27: 32, 33).
B. OFFERINGS UNDER THE
LAW OF MOSES
Offerings under the Law of Moses were the presentation of prescribed elements before the Altar of the Lord. This is in form of elements from the herd, flock, and produces; birds, drinks or wine (Exodus 29:40), oil, salt and frankincense. It is not the matter of gold, silver or money. Offerings were pure sacrifices of elements on the altar of fire in the Temple. All elements must be without blemish or defect. There were many of them, but few are listed below:
1. Burnt Offering:
-Bull, sheep, goat, dove or young pigeon (Leviticus 1:3, 10, 14).
2. Grain Offering:
-Fine flour, Oil, Unleavened Bread or Wafer seasoned with salt; incense (Leviticus 2:1-16).
3. Fellowship or Peace Offering
-Lamb or Goat (male or female).
Lev. 3: 6,7,12.
4. Sin Offering
-a. Priest and Community - Young bull. Lev. 4:3,13,14.
-b. Leader/Ruler - Male Goat. Lev. 4: 22,23.
-c. Citizen - Female Goat or Lamb; or 2 doves; or 2 young Pigeons or Flour, the tenth of an Ephah (Leviticus 4:27; 28, 32; 5:5-7, 11).
5. Guilt Offering
-Ram and restitution according to the offence (Lev. 5:15-19, Lev. 6: 1-7). Curses and Blessings for doers of the Law. After stating the standard set by the law on Tithes and Offerings, it is good to look at the good and evil forces behind it:
1. The Law demanded 100% (One hundred percent) compliance. Failure in part, failure in all, which attracted the curses attached to it (Deuteronomy 27:26; James 2:10).
2. The curses were many and terrifying (Leviticus 26:14-39, Deuteronomy 28: 15-68).
3 .The blessings were many and priceless (Leviticus 26: 3-13, Deuteronomy 28: 1-14).
4. The curses and blessings were summarized in Malachi, the post exilic prophet (Malachi 3: 8-12).
5. No wonder, Apostle Paul called Moses' Law the ministry of death and wrath (II Corinthians 3:7-9; Romans 4:13-15).
Conclusion: Tithes and Offerings, under the Law of Moses, were not the matter of gold, silver or money. Tithes were paid yearly after harvest, while Offerings, made up of various elements e.g. bull, Iamb, grain, etc., were sacrificed before the Lord according to individual's circumstance. There was no number of times attached to offerings. To qualify for the blessings under the law of tithes and offerings, then, one must pay the three types of tithes and make blood, grain and other offerings before the Lord. The failure to pay the tithes and offerings as prescribed by the Law of Moses, and as explained earlier, Malachi called "robbing God" (Malachi 3:8-12). These should also be in accordance with the situation and status of the individual or body. It is not, once again, a matter of gold, silver or money. As we know, present-day tithe payers and collectors hammer on monetary aspect alone which is not. They will never teach their followers that the offerings demanded in Malachi were of blood, grain, frankincense, etc.
PART III
NEW TESTAMENT
GENERAL VIEW ON TITHES AND OFFERINGS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Tithes and Offerings, according to the Law of Moses, were not commanded anywhere for Christians to obey. What we have are things that took place under the law or references to the law in the New Testament books. Jesus came to fulfill the Law of Moses and then, to set it aside as a fulfilled prophecy (Deuteronomy 18:18 cf. Acts 3:22, 23; Galatians 4:4, 5). Jesus is the end of the law (Romans 10:4). Now, no one can be justified before God by obeying the law (Galatians 5:4). The four books of the gospel are pivotal. These are: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They are the stepping stones from the old to the new. They are like the pin on which the Old and the New Testaments revolves. They have what relates to the Law of Moses and the practice of it by Jesus and his disciples. They have also what relates to the New Testament, in what it called the foundation of a new order -The New testament.
A. TITHE
Tithes And Offerings – New Testament References:
It is a settled matter that the Old Testament preceded the New References in the New Testament to events in the old do not necessarily mean they are laws in the New. Such are the following:
a. Tithe of the spoil of war paid by Abraham to Melchizedek on his return from the defeat of Kings is to illustrate the exalted office of the latter (Hebrews 7:1-4).
b. Emphasis on the right of the Levitical Priesthood to collect tithes from Israel and not from themselves is to illustrate some of the reasons for the abrogation, of the law (Hebrews 7:5, 11-19).
If Hebrew 7 is used as approval of tithe payment by Christians, which one? The tithe of Abraham of spoil of war? If so, let us go to war that we might pay tithes to Christ! If it is the Levitical order, let us go to Jerusalem that we might fulfill the Law of Moses!
c. Emphasis laid on the gains of the tithe, extortion of the masses at the expense of justice, mercy and faithfulness is to illustrate the greed and covetousness of the Teachers and Pharisees. They commanded the people to pay tithe on everything not hitherto commanded. This included the seed, the leaves and the stalks -mint, dill and cummin. Hence it is written: "You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel” (Matthew 23:23, 24).
Tradition of the Patriarchs
Why should someone mislead himself and others insisting Christians should pay tithes as Abraham the Patriarch paid on the plunder of war to Melchizedek? Was it only tithe then, Christians should emulate if the traditions of the Patriarchs stand? And, if the traditions of the Patriarchs are binding on Christians, let us commit incest, practice polygamy and prostitution among others.
These are some of the traditions of the Patriarchs. What do you say then to these posers?
Tick Yes or No to signify your stand.
1. TITHES: Can a Christian pay tithes as Abraham, the Father of faith did? (Genesis 14:18-24, Hebrews 7:1-4). Yes___ No___
2. POL YGAMY: Can a Christian marry the maid(s) of his wife(ves) or another woman(en) as Sarah, Leah and Rachael gave theirs to their husbands? (Genesis 16:1-4; 30:1-13). Yes______ No_______
3. INCEST: Can a Christian marry his sister, the daughter of the same father as Abraham married Sarah? (Genesis 20:11, 12). Yes_____ No______
4. INCEST/POLYGAMY: Can a Christian marry two sisters of the same parent like Jacob did with Leah and Rachael? (Genesis 29:16-30). Yes______ No_____
5. PROSTITUTION: Can a Christian patronize a prostitute as Judah did with Tamar? (Genesis 38:15-20; I Corinthians 6:15-17). Yes_______ No___________
6. PROSTITUTION: Can a Christian widow or woman practice prostitution under any guise or circumstance? (Genesis 38:13-30; I Corinthians 6:15-17). Yes____ No________
7. CIRCUMCISION: Should a Christian be circumcised as a condition of inheriting the promises of Abraham and the grace of Christ? (Genesis 17:9-14; Leviticus 12:1-3; Galatians 5:2-4; Romans 4:9-15). Yes_______ No_______
If you approve one and discard the rest, it exposes your hypocrisy or simplicity or both. The answers to all the posers are NO! They all were the traditions of the Patriarchs. They did them voluntarily as Abraham voluntarily paid tithe. For this reason, it is emphasized that any tradition or law relevant in the old must be specifically stated in the new. Hence, Moses repeated the law of circumcision not relying on the strong covenant God made with Abraham on it (Genesis 17:10-14; Leviticus 12:1-3; John 7:22). And for the cases of incest and prostitution, he condemned them (Leviticus 18:6-8; 19:29; Deuteronomy 23:17, 18). As regards polygamy, he did not frown at it, as one could deduce from the law of incest.
The law on tithes and offerings by Moses had the same liking with the above. Where it was required in the Law of Moses, it was explicit, not casual like the Patriarchs'. The seven traditions were not given to Christians, tithes inclusive.
Today, there is no justification for any Christian who practices the traditions of the Patriarchs or observe a dot of the Law of Moses (Galatians 3:11). Christians who desire to be justified by grace turn their backs to what are obsolete. They live their lives in the Law of Liberty, the perfect Law of the Spirit (James 1:25; II Corinthians 3:3).
Conclusion: These references to the acts of old, whether from the Patriarchs or the Law of Moses were no commands at all for Christians to observe. Did Jesus receive tithes? Did any of his Apostles receive tithes? No! Jesus, the new Melchizedek came, and he did not receive tithes. His Apostles who could have received tithes on his behalf did not do so. These were the 12 charged with the great Commission: "Go and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…" (Matthew 28:18-20). Where then, I suddenly, O blind Guide, have you derived your authority to receive tithes! On whose foundation are you building? That of Jesus or that of yourself, only to fill your belly?
B. OFFERINGS
1. Offerings In The Tenure Jesus In The Books Of The Gospel.
The Law was still in place when Jesus was in flesh and blood. It is his blood that was used to establish the New Testament. We all know and believe this (Hebrews 9: 15-17). Therefore, when a new law had not come into force, he must obey the current law which was that of Moses. This, exactly, informed Jesus' recommendation of sacrifices of blood according to Mosaic Law in the gospel books.
a. He recommended to the healed leper to offer sacrifices commanded by Moses (Matthew 8:1-4; Luke 5:12-14; - cf: Leviticus 14:1-32.)
b. Other offerings and sacrifices of the type of the Old Testament mentioned in the New Testament are for comparison only. As Christians cannot use any of them as an excuse to offer blood, sacrifices, so the references to tithe is, If it is not so, where is the power in the blood of Jesus? (Hebrews 9:9-14).
2. Foundation of Offerings by Jesus.
The foundation and training given to the Apostles by Jesus lived with them throughout their mission. They had no share in the tithes and offerings brought by the people to the Levites. They did, not covet it neither. In the same manner, they did not regul1lte a similar law like tithes and offerings of old in order to fill their pockets and bellies. When they lacked, they did not renege by coveting their disciples' wealth (II Corinthians I 1:27, 28; Philippians 4:11-1-3).
a. The foundation laid by Jesus made salvation and healing come free. Jesus says: "freely you have received, freely give" (Matthew 10: 7.8).
b. The Apostles were trained not to take advantage of no one, nor make demand from anyone, nor be a burden on anybody. All supports must be voluntary "for the worker is worth his keep". In other, words, godly spirited member or congregation supported the ministry of the Apostles (Matthew 10:9-14).
c. He (Jesus) too had no share in the Levitical food. Generous people were inspired to voluntarily support his ministry (Luke 8:1-3).
d. In the same manner, Apostle Paul jealously guarded the legacy of preaching the gospel, free of charge (I Corinthians 9: 18, Acts. 20: 33-35).
e. Apostle Paul's action is in line with the Lord's command (Luke 22:35, 36).
f. As long as it is voluntary, it is the right of the gospeller to live on the gospel (Matthew 10:10; I Corinthians 9:11-14).
3. How the Support began
Let us remember that the New Testament Offering is not the matter of sheep, lamb, goat or oil on demand. Offering of the New Testament is voluntary according to what a man has. The Church at Antioch showed the way. The brethren at Antioch decided voluntarily, to send relief to the brethren in Jerusalem when there was severe famine in the Roman Empire. This they did through their representatives, Barnabas and Saul (Paul) – Acts 11:27-30.
4. When was it gathered?
Apostle Paul organized the contribution throughout the Churches of Christ. He commanded that contribution for the Saints be collected every first day of the week. This is different from the yearly tithes or periodical offerings which the Law of Moses commanded (I Corinthians 16:1-2). This practice has since been adopted by the Churches of Christ to prepare ahead for the time of need.
5. Offering - Under the Law of Liberty.
Offering of the Saints on every first day of the week (Sunday) is not based on curses, intimidation and fears. It is built on confidence and individual understanding of the love of God for man. It is built on sincerity of purpose, earnestness to serve God, and the sense of gratitude. There is no limitation to the proportion an individual contributes; it depends entirely on the spirit of the giver.
a. Liberty to choose how much or the proportion to contribute. Apostle Paul rightly described it as a gift but Dot an extortion (II Corinthians 9: 5).
b. Liberty to contribute according to your income or what you have (I Corinthians 16: 2; II Corinthians 8: 12).
c. Test of sincerity of love and gratitude towards God, and Christ (II Corinthians 8: 8, 9).
d. Sense of sacrifice and" submission to Christ, not eye-service (II Corinthians 8: 1-5).
6. More Grace and Blessings.
Apostle John testifies: "From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another (grace upon grace). For the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (John 1:16, 17, NIV). So, in Jesus, it is grace and blessings all the way, how little or much you are able to afford in your offering. Unlike the law, the one who sows a little still receives a little more blessing. If he who contributes little is still blessed in a little way, how much more he who contributes bountifully'? It cannot be compared with curses. Again, the blessings attached far outweigh material wealth. Both material and spiritual blessings shall be added.
a. The quantity you sow (contribute) shall be blessed. You are not compelled. You are expected to give cheerfully (II Corinthians 9:6, 7).
b. Your contribution will make grace to abound for you in every good work (II Corinthians 9:8).
c. You will be greatly rewarded with righteousness, riches and generosity (II Corinthians 9:10, 11).
d. Your contribution (gift) is an expression of thanksgiving to God according to the value you attach to his goodness (II Corinthians 9:12).
7. Does the Amount Contributed Matter?
Yes! The amount contributed matters. This could be easily illustrated as follows. One man earns a profit of N10, 000 and contributed N100 only. Another contributor earned N100 and contributed N20. Though N100 is greater than N20, he who contributed N20 out of N100 profit gave 20 per cent to the Lord, while the former who contributed N100 out of N10, 000 earning gave only one per cent to the Lord. The former has sowed little while the latter sowed bountifully. This is the comparison Jesus gave in the matter of the widow's mite (Luke 21:1-4).
Note: First day of the week or Sunday weekly collection does not spell the end of our financial, material and spiritual ob1igaboD to the Lord. In fact, it propels us to do this and more.
These are:
a. Generosity towards the ministers (servants) of God (Galatians 6:6).
b. Generosity towards the saints (brothers and sisters in the Lord) (James 2:14-17; I John 3:17, 18).
c. Generosity towards all and sundry (Galatians 6:9, 10).
d. Generosity in offering our bodies in service as a living sacrifice to God in love and holiness (Romans 12:1, 2; John 3:16).
This is a true testimony. It is working for those who believe in the grace of God.
As long as it is within our power, all these we must do without lacking in zeal in the rest.
Conclusion: The Patriarch did not receive any law or regulation on tithes and offerings. What they did came out of volition. It was not binding on their children, neither Christians. Their era was different from that of Moses who had laws and decrees on tithes and offerings. It was so strict that curses and blessings were attached to it. Moses' era, known as the Levitical priesthood, came to an end when the lineage of priesthood passed on to Judah through Jesus, the new Melchizedek. Immediately the priesthood changed, the law of Levitical Priesthood was set aside (Hebrews 7:11, 12).
Christians are now the priests (I Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6). Regarding the Tithes, serving priests in Israel were not supposed to pay tithes from their labour but to live on the wealth of non-priests. If Christians are priests then, they are free from the law of tithe. As for the offerings, Christians are forbidden to offer blood and incense. Jesus paid the price many times over with his blood. Christians should, instead, offer themselves as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1, 2). So, Christians who worship under the Law of Liberty are instinctively endowed with the spirit of generosity towards God and man. This they do, not through compulsion, curses, intimidation nor fear, but joyfully and voluntarily. It is in their nature to do so. They first present themselves to God and Christ, and then their wealth (II Corinthians 8:1-5).
The final say is that the eras of the Patriarch and Moses' Levitical Priesthood are gone. Christians are to live under grace brought about by Jesus. There are no more tithes or blood offerings as in the old law just as it is repeated in (Malachi 3:8-12). The law of liberty is binding on every Christian and it must be followed strictly in spirit and in truth. It is rewarding to covet the blessings of offerings in the New Testament.
Jesus declared: "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem, You Samaritans worship what you do not know, we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:21-24).
Whoever pays or receives tithes and offerings according to Moses today is accursed. He is just like those Samaritans who worshipped ignorantly. In the first place, he has not such right to collect it because he is not a Levite, and secondly he has no temple where to offer the relevant sacrifices. Thirdly, he is bound to keep the whole law. If he fails, he is accursed. Painfully, on the other side, he is fallen from the grace of Jesus the Saviour and separated from that eternal life which he thought he is sweating for Apostle Paul says: "You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace" (Galatians 5:4). Tithes and offerings under the Law of Moses came with curses requiring adherent to keep the whole law. This is opposed to the Law of grace in Christ Jesus which makes adherents increase from grace to grace, and glory to glory. Again it is written: "But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" (II Corinthians 3:14-18).
Choose life, this is the final pleading.
NB: This is an opinion of the writer, let me hear from you. What do you have to say?
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