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Just what is a tithe? How did the concept
of tithing and giving offerings begin? Was it something
that was conceived by mankind or God? When did it begin? It
is often assumed that tithing was first
instituted at
Mt. Sinai as a form of national taxation under
the Old Covenant. Is this true? Some believe tithing was first
instituted only
to support the work of the Levitical Priesthood. Is this
true? Is tithing only required from crops and livestock,
or any increase in your wealth?
Can tithes of crops and livestock be sold and turned
into money? Are offerings only animal sacrifices
for forgiveness of sin? Or were all offerings abolished
with the sacrifice of Jesus? What about offerings of
crops and drinks? Can money be an acceptable offering to
God?
If the principle of giving tithes and offerings is
Christian, then who is to receive them, and for what are
they to be used? Is tithing and giving offerings a part
of the New Covenant a Christian enters into with God, or
did it end with the fall of the Levitical Priesthood?
As Christians, our walk with God and our Lord and Savior
Jesus, must be in truth. Jesus told the woman at the
well in John
Chapter 4, that the Heavenly Father is "seeking
those who will worship Him in spirit and truth."Jesus
goes on to say that God must be
worshiped in truth.
Notice Verse
24, -"God
is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in
spirit and TRUTH." In John
17, Jesus states that God's "WORD
IS TRUTH." If
you are holding a Bible in your hands, then you are
holding the truths
of your heavenly Father. This
wonderful Book is a gift from God to you and me. Let's
examine it's teaching on tithing and offerings.
"TITHE" is an old English word meaning "TENTH".
A tithe is a tenth of one's income.
The earliest record of the principle of tithing is found
in Genesis
14. Here
we find that about four thousand years ago, an ancient
patriarch named Abram (later Abraham) learned that his
nephew named Lot had been captured by an invading army.
Abram gathered his servants and pursued them. When he
overtook them, he defeated them and rescued Lot and
others. Abram also took possession of the spoils and
took back all the possessions stolen by the attackers.
Then he thankfully gave a tithe (tenth) of ALL to
Melchizedek, Priest of the Most High.
Notice Genesis
14:17-20, -Then after his return from the defeat of
Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king
of Sodom went out to meet him (Abram) at the Valley of
Shaveh. And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread
and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. And he
BLESSED him (Abram) and said, -"BLESSED be Abram of God
Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And BLESSED be
God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your
hand." And he (Abram) gave a tenth (tithe) of ALL." Notice
that Abram not only gave a tithe of foodstuffs and
livestock, but OF ALL. There was no doubt spoils of
clothing, silver and gold, precious stones and coins as
well. Abram gave a tithe of all. And he gave the tithe
to Melchizedek, King of Salem. This Melchizedek was none
other than He that would become Jesus two thousand years
later! He was both King and Priest, and brought out to
Abram BREAD and WINE, which would later represent His
BODY and His BLOOD.
Notice Hebrews
7:1-4, -"For this Melchizedek, King of Salem, Priest of
the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning
from the slaughter of the kings and BLESSED him, to whom
also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of ALL THE SPOILS,
was first of all, by the translation of his name, King
of righteousness, and then also King of Salem, which is
King of peace. WITHOUT FATHER, WITHOUT MOTHER, WITHOUT
GENEALOGY, HAVING NEITHER BEGINNING OF DAYS NOR END OF
LIFE, but made like the SON OF GOD, He abides a priest
perpetually. Now observe how great this man was to whom
Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth (tithe) of the
CHOICEST spoils." Notice
carefully that Abraham gave of the choicest spoils, not
what was left after he had picked over the lot for
himself. This is the principle of putting God first and
trusting God to provide for you. This occurred over four
hundred years before God gave Moses the Law at Mt.
Sinai.
Years later, Abraham's grandson, Jacob (later named
Israel), also determined to walk in all the Lord's ways
and serve Him with tithes. Notice Genesis
28:22, -"And this stone (Bethel stone), which I have set
up as a pillar, will be God's house; and of ALL that
Thou dost give me I will surely give a TENTH (tithe) to
Thee." The
book of Genesis records that Jacob became a prosperous
man, BLESSED by the God of heaven and earth.
In Exodus
19:5, at
the end of the verse we find an interesting phrase,
Notice -"Now then, IF YOU
WILL INDEED OBEY MY COVENANT, then you shall be My own
possession among all the peoples, for ALL
THE EARTH IS MINE." Everything
belongs to God, He owns everything. Man is only a
sojourner (wanderer) on the earth and does not own
anything permanently. Since God really owns everything,
how does man have anything? Isn't it only because he
receives it from God? All we have, ultimately comes from
God.
TITHES GIVEN TO TRIBE OF LEVI
Notice Numbers
18:20-24, -"Then the Lord said to Aaron, "You shall have
no inheritance in their land, nor own any portion among
them (other tribes of Israel) ; I AM YOUR PORTION and
YOUR INHERITANCE among the sons of Israel. And to the
sons of LEVI, behold I
HAVE GIVEN ALL THE TITHE OF ISRAEL for
an inheritance, in return for their SERVICE which they
perform, the service of the tent of meeting. And the
sons of Israel shall not come near the tent of meeting
again, lest they bear sin and die.Only the LEVITES shall
perform the SERVICE of the tent of meeting." Notice
that it is God that is doing the giving. And also that
it is the tithe of Israel that He is giving to the
Levites. If God is giving then it stands to reason that
He is giving what is rightfully His, doesn't it? As we
read in Exodus
19:5, "all the earth is mine". And Job
41:11, -"Everything under heaven is Mine." And Psalm
50:12, -"The world is Mine, and all its fullness." But
notice also, God was only commanding that each household
give 10% of their income to support the Priests in their
service of the Tabernacle. The children of Israel were
allowed to keep 90% for themselves.
What if you came across a man with the following
business opportunity, -He provides the place, supplies,
merchandise and free training necessary to operate his
business as a partner. You need not invest any money of
your own, and may keep 90% of the profit for yourself!
The only requirement is that you be a wise and faithful
steward of his place, merchandise and profit, carefully
setting aside His meager 10% first as the increase comes
in. 10% aside for Him, 90% aside for you. Sounds easy
enough doesn't it? How any of us would only dream of an
opportunity much as this. But what if your partner
returned on payday to find that you had spent 95% or
100% on yourself and your own personal wants and
desires, leaving none or only 5% for him? You may
explain that you had an unusual burden of personal
expenses during this pay period and that you will start
setting his 10% of the profit aside when you can afford
to. Let's put the shoe on the other foot, -if it were
your business, how long would you keep this unfaithful
man as a partner? The answer if obvious, isn't it?
Notice this quote from the "GOOD NEWS" Magazine
June/July 1986, -"The mind of man is selfish, and
thus swayed by covetousness, not to believe that one
should give anybody -even God- a tenth of one's income.
Most often this selfishness is framed by the argument
that says: "I've worked hard for my paycheck and the
money is mine!" Why should anybody be able to tell me
what to do with it?" But this argument is fallacious. We
make money with talents God gives us, with a life He
gives us, with elements from the earth He created and
owns.....We are mere guests blessed with the privilege
of living here and using God's beautiful earth. So our
money is not really ours. And why should it seem wrong
for God to command that we tithe our income to Him? Even
the governments of this world make prior demands on our
income in the form of taxes, and we quickly agree with
their right to do so, if not with their means or
amounts." (Article,
"The Blessing of Tithing")
"Government" is just a modern word for "Kingdom",
although the latter is usually governed by a King rather
than a elected President and Senate. Those who live in
America, actually reside in the Kingdom of the United
States and are subject to the laws, statutes and
ordinances the government or kingdom places on them
including the many taxes. Christians are citizens of
the Kingdom of God, (Philippians
3:20) and
are His Ambassadorswhile
on earth.(Ephesians 6:20) Our
job is to further the interests of the "Government", or
Kingdom of God by witnessing,(Matthew
28:19-20) teaching, (Romans
10:14) providing
a place for assembly with a shepherd,(Titus
1:5) providing
literature or other items which may help others grow
unto Christ and provide for the hungry and needy.(Galatians
2:10) The
Government of God is coming in its fullness soon, but is
operating in embryo now.
And as with any government or kingdom, it takes money to
operate. God's chosen people are Ambassadors of God's
coming Kingdom while on earth now. As an American
Ambassador to a foreign kingdom would have an Embassy
there, -God in like manner provides His Embassies in
every city, which are the places of assembly for His
citizens. And as an Embassy in a foreign kingdom, the
local Church promotes the interests of God's Kingdom
wherever God has placed them. Remember, Christians are
as foreigners while on earth.(Hebrews
11:8-10) God
provides that income through tithes and offerings from
the citizens of the Kingdom of God.
TITHE IS HOLY TO THE LORD
Notice Leviticus
27:28-31, -"Nevertheless, any proscribed thing which a
man sets apart to the Lord out of all that he has, of
man or animal or of the fields of his own property,
shall not be sold or redeemed. Every proscribed thing is
MOST HOLY to the Lord. No proscribed person who may have
been set apart among men shall be ransomed; he shall
surely be put to death. Thus the tithe of the land, of
the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree is THE
LORD'S; it is HOLY to the Lord. If therefore, a man
wishes to redeem part of his tithe (under the rules of
redemption as stated in verses 9-13), he shall add to it
one-fifth to it."
God states that not only is the tithe His, but it is
HOLY to Him, and is specifically set apart by Him for
HOLY USE. In
Hebrew this word rendered HOLY in
English, is "QADASH",
which means "SEPARATE" or"WITHDRAWAL". God
commands that His tenth be "withdrawn" from
each increase of our wealth first, and"separated" from
income designated for fleshly or personal use. The tithe
is HOLY and only for HOLY
USE.
Concerning Verse
29 Notice
this quote from KD
Pentateuch, II, page 485, -"In certain instances
persons could be placed under a BAN, and such
individuals were to be put to death. It is not likely
that his devoting was done at the pleasure of just any
man. Most probably it was done officially and was used
against those persons who obviously RESISTED THAT
SANCTIFICATION of life which was binding upon them."
BLESSINGS AND CURSES REGARDING TITHES AND OFFERINGS
The Almighty promises BLESSINGS to those who are
faithful and CURSES to those who are not. Notice Malachi
3:6-10, -" For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore
you, O sons of Jacob are not consumed. From the days of
your fathers you have TURNED ASIDE from MY STATUTES, and
have NOT KEPT THEM. Return to Me, and I will return to
you, says the Lord of hosts. But YOU SAY, -"How shall we
return?" WILL A MAN ROB GOD? Yet you are ROBBING ME! But
YOU SAY, -"How have we robbed Thee?" In TITHES and
CONTRIBUTIONS. You are CURSED with a CURSE, for you are
ROBBING ME, the whole nation of you! Bring the WHOLE
TITHE into the STOREHOUSE (of God), so that there may be
FOOD in MY HOUSE, and TEST ME now in this, says the Lord
of hosts, if I will not OPEN FOR YOU the WINDOWS OF
HEAVEN, and POUR OUT FOR YOU A BLESSING until there is
NO MORE NEED.
Did you notice that God is saying that this conduct deserves punishment?
That if it weren't for the promises He made to Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob, who
were faithful, that He would literally consume
these because
of their unfaithfulness? The Lord reveals Himself as a
"consuming fire" or a "refiner's fire" as Malachi says
in verse
2. The only thing standing in the way of
the wrath of God on these people was God's own
faithfulness to the promises He had made to their
faithful forefathers. But although God refrained from
pouring out His wrath on them, there were consequences,
weren't there? God was no longer CLOSE TO THEM. Notice
He says, "RETURN
TO ME, AND I WILL RETURN TO YOU"
Because of this sin a breach had occurred
between God and His Chosen people. Because they had not
faithfully "withdrawn" and "separated" (Heb."qadash")
what was HOLY to the Lord, and
had not taken their tithes and offerings to the HOUSE OF
GOD, there was NO FOOD or PROVISIONS for the PRIESTS,
and the people became CURSED. Because of this
disobedience, (1) God and His people were separated by
sin and suffered in their special relationship, (2) The
people became cursed because of it, (3) The Priests
suffered as needy men because the people did not provide
for them the tithes and offerings God had commanded be
given to them. Now notice when the people asked, "HOW
SHALL WE RETURN?" God said, "BRING THE WHOLE TITHE INTO
THESTOREHOUSE, SO THAT THERE MAY BE FOOD(or
provisions) IN MY
HOUSE." The
people were obviously putting their own needs and
desires ahead of God's and His Priests. The end result
of disobedience is being cut-off from God, which
unrepented of means cut-off from our only source of
life, ultimately. The
result of obeying God in this matter is (1) Having
their relationship with God restored...What's that
worth? (2)Receiving
the BLESSINGS from heaven being poured out upon them
until there is no more room...What's that worth? (3) And
seeing the Priests who were doing the Lord's service for
the people provided for, and no longer living as one in
need...What's that worth?
Out of all those which heard this message from God
through the Prophet Malachi,
some were convicted and repented. Notice the account and
end-result of their repentance, Verses
16-18 -"Then THOSE WHO FEARED the Lord spoke to one
another, and the LORD GAVE ATTENTION and HEARD IT, and a
BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE WAS WRITTEN before Him for THOSE who
FEAR THE LORD and who esteem His name. "And THEY WILL BE
MINE" says the Lord of hosts, "on the day I prepare My
own possession, and I WILL SPARE THEM as a man spares
his own son who serves him. So you will again
DISTINGUISH between the RIGHTEOUS and the WICKED,
between ONE WHO SERVES God and ONE who DOES NOT serve
Him."
Notice that the Lord was watching to see how and
who would react to His message from Malachi, and He
"gave attention" and listed the repentant in a special
"Book of Remembrance". He goes on the say that He will
claim THEM as His own special "possession", and will
"spare them as a father spares a son that SERVES him."What
about the others? Does this mean they are not in the
"Book of Remembrance", and will not be "spared"? God
also says that how each one reacted to Malachi's message
"distinguished between the righteous and the wicked".
God does not say how the wicked reacted, but we can
assume it was with unacceptable excuses since they were
unrepentant. The righteous, those that "feared God",
-"spoke to one another" not with excuses, but with words
from a contrite and convicted heart, and were determined
to right the wrong. My friends, by our WORDS and ACTIONS
we always make an impression upon God, either good or
bad.
The Apostle Paul wrote a young Evangelist named Timothy
about the snare of lusting after money. Notice 1
Timothy 6:6-12, -"But godliness actually is a means of
great gain, when accompanied by contentment. For we have
brought NOTHING INTO THE WORLD, so we CANNOT TAKE
ANYTHING OUT OF IT either. And if we have food and
covering, with these we shall be content. But those who
want to GET RICH FALL INTO TEMPTATION and a SNARE and
many foolish and HARMFUL DESIRES which plunge men into
RUIN and DESTRUCTION. For the LOVE OF MONEY is a ROOT of
all SORTS OF EVIL, and some by longing for it have
WANDERED AWAY from the FAITH, and PIERCED THEMSELVES
with many a pang. But FLEE from THESE THINGS, you man of
God; and pursue RIGHTEOUSNESS, godliness, faith, love
perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of
FAITH; take hold of the eternal life to which you were
called, and you made the good confession in the presence
of many witnesses. To
COVET the riches of money leads to "all sorts of evil",-
How much worse is it to COVET the Lord's tithe for one's
own personal use?
This happened in Israel, notice God's response through
the Prophet Haggai,
Chapter 1:4-11, -Is it time for YOU YOURSELVES to DWELL
IN PANELED HOUSES, while THIS HOUSE (Temple) LIES
DESOLATE? Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts,
"CONSIDER YOUR WAYS!" You have SOWN MUCH, but HARVEST
LITTLE; you eat, but there is not enough to be
satisfied; you drink, but there is not enough to become
drunk; you put on clothing, but no one is warm enough;
and he who earns, earns wages to put into a PURSE WITH
HOLES. Thus says the Lord of hosts, "CONSIDER YOUR
WAYS!" Go up to the mountains, bring wood and rebuild
the temple, that I may be pleased with it and be
glorified, says the Lord. You LOOK FOR MUCH, but behold
it COMES TO LITTLE; when you bring it home, I BLOW IT
AWAY, -WHY? Declares the Lord of hosts, "Because of MY
HOUSE WHICH LIES DESOLATE, while EACH ONE OF YOU runs to
his OWN HOUSE. Therefore, because of you the sky has
withheld it dew and the earth has withheld its produce.
And I called for a drought on the land, on the
mountains, on the grain, on the new wine, on the oil, on
what the ground produces, on men, on cattle, and on ALL
THE LABOR OF YOUR HANDS." As
we learned in Malachi
3, withholding God's tithes and
offerings from the HOUSE OF GOD brings curses. Here
again, sadly we find people putting their "own houses"
before the Lord's.
OLD TESTAMENT EXAMPLES REGARDING THE LORD'S TITHE
In the Book of Nehemiah we find an example of some
faithful people dedicating themselves in the service of
the Lord, His House and His Priests. The story speaks
for itself, and there can be little doubt that God took
notice of their charitable acts as He did to those He
recorded in the "Book of Remembrance" in Malachi 3.
Nehemiah 10:32-39, -"We also
placed ourselves under obligation to contribute yearly
ONE THIRD OF A SHEKEL for the SERVICE of the HOUSE OF
OUR GOD; for the showbread, for the continual grain
offering, for the continual burnt offering, the
Sabbaths, the new moon, for the appointed times (Holy
Festivals), for the HOLY THINGS and for the sin
offerings to make atonement for Israel, and all the WORK
OF THE HOUSE OF OUR GOD. Likewise we cast lots for the
supply of wood among the Priests, the Levites, and the
people in order that they might BRING IT TO THE HOUSE OF
OUR GOD, according to our fathers' households, at fixed
times annually, to burn on the altar of the Lord our God
as it is written in the law; and in order that they
might bring the first fruits of our ground and the first
fruits of all the fruit of every tree TO THE HOUSE OF
THE LORD annually, and BRING TO THE HOUSE OF OUR GOD the
first-born of our sons and of our cattle, and the
first-born of our herds and our flocks as it is written
in the law, FOR THE PRIESTS WHO ARE MINISTERING IN THE
HOUSE OF OUR GOD. We will also bring the first of our
dough, our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the
new wine and the oil TO THE PRIESTS at the chambers of
the HOUSE OF OUR GOD, and the TITHE of our ground to the
Levites, for the Levites are THEY WHO RECEIVE THE TITHES
in all the rural towns. And the Priest, the son of
Aaron, shall be with the Levites when the Levites
receive tithes, and the Levites shall bring up the tenth
of the tithes to the HOUSE OF OUR GOD, to the chambers
of the STOREHOUSE. For the sons of Israel and the sons
of Levi shall bring the contribution of the grain, the
new wine and the oil, TO THE CHAMBERS; there are the
utensils of the sanctuary, the Priests who are
ministering, the gatekeepers, and the singers. THUS WE
WILL NOT NEGLECT THE HOUSE OF OUR GOD." Here
is a people determined to trust in God and put Him and
the needs of His House first. They not only are giving
to God what the Tithe He commanded to be set aside for
the service of the House of God, but actually devoted
much more.
The children of Israel periodically found themselves
lusting after the Lord's tithe, and withholding what was
made holy for their own personal use. In 2
Chronicles we
find a story of a righteous King who desired to put his
people back into the grace, protection and blessing of
God. Part of what he had to do was command the unpopular
message of restoring the principle of tithing which the
people had drifted away from. His name was Hezekiah,
King of Judah.
2 Chronicles 31:4-5, -"Also he
commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the
PORTION DUE TO THE PRIESTS and the Levites, THAT THEY
MIGHT DEVOTE THEMSELVES to the law of the Lord. And as
soon as the order spread, the sons of Israel PROVIDED IN
ABUNDANCE the FIRST FRUITS of grain, new wine, oil,
honey, and of all the produce of the field; and they
brought in abundantly THE TITHE OF ALL."
Because of Hezekiah's willingness to right what was
wrong in Judah, God greatly prospered him and his
administration. Shortly after this, Sennacharib, King of
Assyria invaded the land of Judah, but when Hezekiah
cried out to God, God answered because of his
faithfulness and sent a mighty war angel that devastated
the camp of the Assyrians so that the survivors fled.(Chapter
32) Now
Notice the final
two verses of Chapter 31, -"And thus Hezekiah did
throughout all Judah; and he did what was GOOD, RIGHT,
and TRUE before the Lord his God. And every work which
he began in the SERVICE OF THE HOUSE OF GOD in law and in
commandment, SEEKING HIS GOD, HE DID WITH ALL HIS HEART
AND PROSPERED."This is how I would like to be
thought of by my Lord and be remembered in this way by
my family and Brethren.
TITHES, OFFERINGS AND MINISTERIAL SUPPORT IN THE
NEW TESTAMENT
Although Jesus Christ found many faults with the Jewish
religious establishment, He upheld the principle of
giving tithes and offerings. One is reminded of Him
taking notice of a poor widow faithfully giving all she
had to the Temple treasury in Luke
21:2-4.(Read)
Matthew 23:23, -"Woe to you,
scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you TITHE mint
and dill and cummin, and have NEGLECTED the WEIGHTIER
PROVISIONS OF THE LAW; justice, mercy and faithfulness;
but these are things you should have done WITHOUT
NEGLECTING THE OTHERS." Jesus
said they were wrong in that they did not exercise
"judgment, mercy and faith", which are more important
principles of God, but were right in not neglecting the
"others". What were the "others" Jesus was referring to?
Certainly, it was what He has just mentioned earlier in
the verse, -"tithing".
Matthew 6:19-21, -"Do not lay
up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and
rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But
lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither
moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break
in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your
heart be also.One of the ways one can insure
a better inheritance is explained to Timothy by the
Apostle Paul. Notice the next Scriptural reference.
1 Timothy 6:17-19, -"Instruct
those who are rich in this present world not to be
conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of
riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all
things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich IN
GOOD WORKS, to be GENEROUS ready to SHARE, STORING UP
FOR THEMSELVES THE TREASURE of a GOOD FOUNDATION FOR THE
FUTURE, so that they may TAKE HOLD of that which IS LIFE
indeed." As
Paul told the Brethren in Ephesus, "It is more blessed
to GIVE than to RECEIVE." (Acts
20:35)
When Jesus was asked whether it was good to pay the
taxes Caesar had placed on the Jews notice how He
answered, Matthew
22:21, -"Render to Caesar the things that ARE CAESAR'S;
and to GOD THE THINGS THAT ARE GOD'S."
The Book of Luke records
a saying of Jesus that will always be a divine principle
of giving. Notice Chapter
6:38, -"GIVE, AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU; good measure,
pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will
pour into you lap. For WHATEVER MEASURE YOU DEAL out to
others, it WILL BE DEALT TO YOU IN RETURN." Remember
it is God that does the rewarding.
1 Corinthians 9:4-14, -"Do we
not have a right to eat and drink? Do we not have a
right to take along a believing wife(Be
able to afford to), even as the rest of the apostles,
and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?(Peter) Or
do only Barnabas and I not have a right to refrain from
working?(work outside of God's service) Who
at any time serves as a soldier AT HIS OWN
EXPENSE? Who
plants a vineyard, and DOES NOT EAT THE FRUIT OF IT? Or
who TENDS A FLOCK and DOES NOT USE THE MILK OF THE
FLOCK? I am speaking these things according to human
judgment, am I? Or does not the Law also say these
things? For it is written in the Law of Moses, "YOU
SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING." God is
not concerned about oxen, is He?(He was referring to
God's workers) Or
is He speaking altogether for our sake? YES, FOR OUR
SAKE IT WAS WRITTEN, because the PLOWMAN OUGHT TO PLOW
IN HOPE, and the THRESHER to THRESH in hope of SHARING
THE CROPS. If WE SOWED SPIRITUAL THINGS IN YOU, is it
TOO MUCH if we should REAP MATERIAL THINGS FROM YOU? If
others share the right over you, do we not more?
Nevertheless, we DID NOT USE THIS RIGHT, but we endure
all things, that we may cause NO HINDRANCE to the GOSPEL
of CHRIST. Do you not know that THOSE WHO PERFORM SACRED
SERVICES eat the food of the temple, and those who
attend regularly to the altar have THEIR SHARE WITH THE
ALTAR? So also the LORD
DIRECTED those
who proclaim the gospel to GET THEIR LIVING FROM THE
GOSPEL."
Paul was not receiving financial support from the Church
of God at Corinth and was not demanding any for a couple
of reasons, (1) "we
did not use this RIGHT, but we endure all things
(financial hardships) that we may cause NO HINDRANCE to
the GOSPEL of Christ." (2) Out
of love he did not want to burden them as they were a
weak church, and he lived off other churches while he
ministered to them as we will see in Chapter 11 of his
second letter to them.
Notice this quote concerning this passage in "What's All
This Business About Tithing" by William F. Dankenbring,
-"Paul plainly compared the ministers of Christ with
the priests and Levites of the Old Testament who
received tithes and served in the affairs of the temple.
Just as the priests and Levites were paid for their
services from the tithes and offerings of ancient
Israel, the New Testament Ministry of Jesus Christ is to
receive tithes of the people to carry on the work of the
Ministry."
Notice Paul's second letter to Corinth, 2
Corinthians 11:7-9, "Or did I commit a sin in humbling
myself(financially) that you might be exalted, because I
PREACHED the gospel of God to you WITHOUT CHARGE? I
ROBBED OTHER CHURCHES, taking WAGES FROM THEM to SERVE
YOU; and when I was present with you and was IN NEED, I
was NOT A BURDEN TO ANYONE; for when the brethren came
from Macedonia, THEY fully SUPPLIED MY NEED, and in
everything I kept myself from being a BURDEN TO YOU, and
will continue to do so." The
Apostle Paul still had financial needs, but would not
burden this weak church at this time. Possibly, he
wanted to show that he was not serving them with the
Word of God for the sake
of money. As in his first letter to Corinth, he was
clearly defending himself of any improper motivation,
but wanted them to understand that he had a right to be
supported for his work though he was not exercising that
right at the time. He could have remained in Macedonia
or a number of other areas where he was well supported,
but out of his love for the church at Corinth and his
devotion in the service of God, he suffered financially
for their sake, and also for the sake of the gospel of
Christ. Certainly Paul was a living example of someone
storing up their treasures in heaven rather than on
earth.
Earlier we saw that Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek,
King of Salem and Priest of the Most High, which we
found was in fact the same divine personage that later
came as Jesus Christ. About 400 years after Abraham, God
established the Levitical Priesthood and commanded His
tithes be given to the sons of Levi.. But inHebrews
Chapter 7 we
find that the Church that Christ founded is not subject
to the Levitical Priesthood, but of the superior
Priesthood of Melchizedek that predated Levi.
Notice this explanation from "What You Should Know About
Tithing" by Dr. Herman L. Hoeh, -Paul tells us inHebrews
7:5-9, "And verily they that are of the sons of Levi,
who receive the office of the priesthood, have a
commandment to take tithes of the people according to
the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come
out of the loins of Abraham."
"Observe that this verse says that, according to the
law, the Levites had been given the commandment to take
tithes of the people. It was not left to the discretion
of the people as to whether they were to give a tithe -
or only a little offering. I want you to notice,
according to the law the Levites "have
a commandment to take tithes of the people." God
therefore, must have given a commandment that the
Levites do this. According
to the commandment of God in the law, it became the
Levite's responsibility to take tithes of the people.
Does this mean that tithing commenced with Moses and
the Levites? Let Paul continue with the answer; Verse
8, "Here men (the
Levites) that
die receive tithes"- not portions of tithes, not a
part of a tithe, or merely offerings - but "receive
tithes but there (speaking
of Abraham) he
receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth (speaking
of Melchizedek). And as I may so say, Levi also, who
receiveth tithes (according
to the law)paid tithes in Abraham. For he was yet in
the loins of his father (he
wasn't born yet) when
Melchizedek met him."(Abraham)
So tithes were being received even in
Abraham's day - centuries before the Levites were made
priests. Continuing; Verse
11, "If therefore perfection were by the Levitical
priesthood," (of
course it was not) then, Paul goes on to say, there
would have been no need to CHANGE THE PRIESTHOOD. But "the
priesthoodbeing changed, there is made of
necessity a CHANGE
in the LAW." (Verse 12)
What Paul is pointing out is that Abraham paid tithes
to Melchizedek . Though the Levites receive tithes of
the people, yet through Abraham the Levites indirectly
paid tithes to Melchizedek also. Christ today is High
Priest, with the rank of Melchizedek. Therefore, if even
those who died (the Levites) received tithes, HOW MUCH
MORE should the ONE (Melchizedek/Christ) who lives
receive tithes? That is Paul's argument.
That is the New Testament teaching! The tithes, then
are to go to the priesthood of Melchizedek - to Christ -
because Christ, who is Melchizedek, received tithes of
Abraham even before Levi was born! Tithing in the New
Testament therefore becomes even more important than it
was in the Old Testament." (End
of Dr Hoeh's article)
Galatians 6:6-10,
-"And let the ONE who IS TAUGHT the Word SHARE ALL GOOD
THINGS with HIM who TEACHES. Do not be deceived, God is
mot mocked; for whatever a man SOWS, this he will also
REAP. For the one who SOWS to HIS OWN FLESH shall from
the flesh REAP CORRUPTION, but the one who SOWS to THE
SPIRIT shall from the spirit REAP ETERNAL LIFE. And let
us not lose heart in DOING (this) GOOD,
for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.
So then, while we have opportunity, let us do GOOD TO
ALL MEN, and ESPECIALLY to THOSE who are of the
HOUSEHOLD OF THE FAITH."
Notice the response to this passage from the Wycliffe
Bible Commentary page
1297, -"Here the thought returns to bearing one
another's burdens, but in the specific area of giving
for the support of Christian work. "Share"
means to participate in something along with
someone else. The one who is "taught
in the word" shares
his material goods with the one who teaches him. In this
way he participates in the work of the Lord. This is the
divine plan. Beware lest any try to set it aside. "God
is not mocked" The
word for mockery is "turning up the nose". No man can
successfully snub God or evade his decree that,
"whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" - the
immutable law of life. A selfish man "sows
to his own flesh", spending his resources to
gratify his own personal desires. He may expect to "reap
corruption". That
which might have brought reward by being invested in the
Lord's work will be nothing but a decayed mass, a
complete loss in terms of eternity. On the other hand,
by responding to the spirit in love and kindness, and
gladly participating in the extension of the Gospel by
supporting Christian workers, believers will be adding
interest to the capital of eternal life."(End)
Paul to the brethren at Corinth. 2
Corinthians 9:3-9, -"But I have sent the brethren, that
our boasting about you may not be made EMPTY in this
case, that, as I was saying, you MAY BE PREPARED; lest
if any Macedonians come with me and find you UNPREPARED,
we (not to speak of you) should be PUT TO SHAME by this
confidence." Remember,
the Macedonian Church financed Paul's Ministry to the
Corinthians for a time. They had proved their love and
faithfulness by their willingness to "be
robbed for the sake of the brethren at Corinth"(2Cor.
11:8) "So
I thought it necessary to urge the brethren that they
would go on ahead to you and arrange beforehand your
PREVIOUSLY PROMISED BOUNTIFUL GIFT, that the same might
BE READY as a BOUNTIFUL GIFT, and NOT AFFECTED by
COVETOUSNESS. Now I say, he who sows sparingly shall
also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall
also reap bountifully. Let each one do just as he has
purposed in his heart;(but remember what Jesus said,
"where your treasure is, there
lies your heart also") NOT
GRUDGINGLY or UNDER COMPULSION; for God
LOVES a CHEERFUL GIVER. And God is able to make all
grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency
in everything, you may have AN ABUNDANCE FOR EVERY GOOD
DEED; as it is written, "HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO
THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ABIDES FOREVER." This
"promised bountiful gift" was probably not tithes, but a
love offering for the brethren in Jerusalem who were
suffering a famine. But the principle of giving in the
service of God, His people and His work is clearly
defined.
Notice also Romans
15:26-27, -"For Macedonia and Achaia have been PLEASED
to MAKE A CONTRIBUTION for the POOR among the saints in
Jerusalem. Yes, THEY WERE INDEBTED TO THEM. For if the
Gentiles(Macedonia and Achaia were Gentile) have
shared in their SPIRITUAL THINGS, they are INDEBTED to
MINISTER TO THEM (Jewish
brethren) also
in their MATERIAL THINGS." Notice 1
Corinthians 16:1-4 as
well.
These Gentile converts to Christianity felt so
appreciative and even indebted to the Apostles and
brethren in Jerusalem because they had been served the
spiritual teachings and ways of God by them. They were
happy that they could give something to them, even if it
were only material goods.
Paul writing to the Church at Philippi. Philippians
4:10-19, -"But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now
AT LAST you have REVIVED YOUR CONCERN FOR ME; indeed,
you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.
Not that I speak from WANT; for I have learned to be
content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to
get along with HUMBLE MEANS, and I also know how to LIVE
IN PROSPERITY; in any and every circumstance I have
learned the secret of being filled and GOING HUNGRY,
both of having abundance and SUFFERING NEED. I can do
all things through Him who strengthens me. Nevertheless,
you have DONE WELL TO SHARE WITH ME in my AFFLICTION.
And you yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the
first preaching of the gospel, after I departed from
Macedonia, NO CHURCH SHARED WITH ME in the matter of
GIVING and RECEIVING but YOU ALONE; for even in
Thessalonica you SENT A GIFT MORE THAN ONCE for my
NEEDS. Not that I SEEK THE GIFT itself, but I seek for
the PROFIT which INCREASES in YOUR ACCOUNT. But I have
received everything in full, and have an abundance; I am
amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what
you have sent, A FRAGRANT AROMA, an ACCEPTABLE
SACRIFICE, WELL-PLEASING TO GOD. And my God shall supply
all YOUR NEEDS according to His riches in glory in
Christ Jesus."
The Philippians had no doubt expenses of their own
locally, so this was truly a "gift" which went beyond
God's required ten percent. But
isn't it striking and even a shame that this great man
of God suffered "going hungry" and "affliction" while
those being served spiritually lived in abundance
fleshly? Not
only did many take of Paul's spiritual teachings leading
to eternal life, but many through covetousness denied
him a share of their material things. Paul did not
complain, but simply learned to live without. His only
concern was for them who were not adding to their
account in heaven by giving today.
1 Timothy 5:17-18, -"Let the
Elders (Pastors) who rule well be considered worthy of
double honor, especially those who WORK hard at
PREACHING and TEACHING. For the Scripture says, -"You
shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing" and "The
Laborer is worthy of his wages." An
ox laboring in the harvest is entitled to eat of it as
he labors, but if a muzzle were placed over his mouth he
could not feed himself as he works. Paul's point here is
similar to his argument that the priests that serve in
the Temple were worthy to partake of the provisions in
it. God who owns all things had specifically set those
provisions aside for them. Although the tithes and
offerings were brought to the Temple by the people, it
was never actually theirs to give, or to keep for
themselves, -it was simply put into their hands first in
order to test their faithfulness and teach them to be
faithful stewards of what belongs to God.
Titus 3:13-14, -"DILIGENTLY
HELP Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that
NOTHING IS LACKING for them. And let OUR PEOPLE also
LEARN to engage in good deeds to MEET PRESSING NEEDS,(of
others) that
they may NOT BE UNFRUITFUL." Again
the local Churches of God had their own expenses which
were probably covered by their tithes and offerings. It
is sure that many practiced the "pure religion" of
helping the poor and needy in the household of God and
in their community.(James
1:27) But
they were to learn to gladly help "meet pressing needs"
of others, or God would consider them "UNFRUITFUL"!
About 1800 years ago the last living Apostle of Christ,
now well over 100 years old, wrote a letter to a friend
and brother named Gaius. He wrote Gaius because of his
reputation for helping others and said that he would
have written the Church as a whole, but its leader,
Diotrephes would not accept him nor anyone he sent. So
John wrote Gaius. His purpose for writing is to
introduce some brethren who were traveling preaching the
gospel of Christ, and is asking Gaius to be sure and
help them financially when they arrive, because they had
determined not to accept any contributions from the
Gentiles. Now Notice 3
John Verses 7-8, -For they went out for the SAKE OF THE
NAME, ACCEPTING NOTHING from the GENTILES. Therefore WE
OUGHT TO SUPPORT SUCH MEN, that WE may be FELLOW-WORKERS
with THE TRUTH." Notice
that John did not say "YOUOUGHT
TO SUPPORT SUCH MEN", but
included himself and said "WE OUGHT
TO SUPPORT SUCH MEN."In helping these
devoted men, John tells Gaius that they were sharing in
the Lord's work with them. It
is a honor to know and share in the work of the Lord,
and truly a blessing sent from God.
TEACHES US TO BE FAITHFUL
Paul said in Galatians
3:11 that the"righteous
man shall live by FAITH." And in Hebrews 11:6, he says
"Without FAITH it is impossible to please Him, for he
who comes to God MUST BELIEVE that He is, andthat He is
a rewarder of those who seek Him."
Hebrews 11:1 gives
us God's definition of FAITH, "FAITH
is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of
things not seen."
God PROMISES to BLESS all of us who will prove ourselves
wise and worthy stewards of the Lord's tithes and
offerings, but also PROMISES to CURSE those who will
"ROB GOD"(Malachi 3) by
not faithfully bringing them into the storehouse of God.
Those that will be worthy to meet the Lord in the air at
His return will be "Called,
Chosen and Faithful".(Rev.17)It
takes FAITH to let go and trust God to fulfill His
promises, but without it one cannot
please Him nor
stand with Christ at His return. Remember the admonition
from James
2 -"Faith without WORKS is dead." We
must have WORKS of FAITH.
If we are truly faithful with the Lord's tithes and
offerings, acknowledging them as HOLY
to the Lord, just think what can be accomplished in
our community. How many others will be served and
benefit from our good deeds. There are so many to be
reached, and they must be led and taught in God's
wonderful way of life. IT
IS OUR MOST HOLY COMMISSION.
We must be willing to give all we have if need be, just
as Christ did, -to give up all we are today, in order to
become all we can become in the Lord, tomorrow. Praise
God and His Christ for this marvelous calling!
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