Tithes and offerings two words seldom ever used in their right contexts. So much is said about giving,
the question is does the bible teach about giving? Sure it does. One would have to examine what the scriptures say after hearing
what is being taught today. Christendom has taught us that those who do not tithe are robbing God and will suffer many consequences
for not doing so. Is this what the scripture is teaching or is it a doctrine
used by man to manipulate the people of God into giving in order to further their dreams and ambitions? Tithing is a
demand of man and not a command of God. Tithing is the same principle that Pharaoh used when he taxed the people of God
so he can build his city (empire). Tithing robs the people of God of their life and the rest the father promised
them.
Before we go further into this subject, let us rightly divide the word of truth and hear by the
spirit what the word of God has to say on such a popular subject. Christendom often uses scriptures that do not even deal
with tithing to teach the principle of giving to God's people. One such scripture
is Malachi 3:8-10. This verse must be first qualified before it is used. As a young Christian growing up in a word of faith
church I heard this passage use to condemn the people of God for not paying their tithes. Tithing is an Old Testament
principle given to the children of Israel and the primary
focus of Old Testament tithing was food, food for the stranger, Levite, widows and orphans. The subject matter of Malachi
3:8-10 is still food.
I would like to read this verse in a different light with an understanding on a different level. Malachi
3:10 says, Bring YOU all the tithes (first fruits) into the storehouse, that there may be MEAT(food) 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. Now that verse of scripture did not say God will open
the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing, but one will be forgiven to think that, since that is how it is read by many
today. The verse clearly states that God will open YOU and pour YOU! So many are running from meeting to meeting looking for
their stuff, when the stuff they are looking for is already in them, Christ in you the hope of glory.
Many still teach today that Abraham was a tither and so should we. If we read in Genesis 15 the covenant
given to Abraham, nothing is written about tithing. Under the covenant of the law and commandments given by Moses no tithe
of any kind is found. Finances for the religious and civil requirement came from free will offerings. One year after the book
of the law and covenant was given a system of tithing was formed (Leviticus 27:30-33).
When studying all the scriptures that deal with tithing, only the land owners and the animals they own was tithe. Servants
and slaves who worked the land were not required to tithe, since the produce did not belong to them.
The purpose of the tithe was to provide for the Levites, because they received a smaller portion than their
brethren. The Levites tithe what they received and that was given to the priests. We also see in the seventh year, there was
no planting of any kind, reaping or tithing according to Leviticus 25:1-7. If Christendom teaches the principle of tithing
why then do they not give to the people of God a break (rest) every seven years? I have yet to see this.
Still yet so many teach that tithing is a New Testament principle as recorded in Luke 11:42. We need to
qualify this scripture before it can be used in this context. When Jesus spoke these words, he was speaking to those still
under the Mosaic Law which was still in effect. Under the old order, the priesthood of Aaron, only the priest could TAKE tithes.
The priesthood after the order of Melchisedec RECEIVES offerings by a higher law of life. The priesthood has changed and men
no longer take tithes of the people. Read the book of Hebrews. Under the new covenant GIVING is done out of love, free will
and not law.
Another scripture used by Christendom to teach tithing is 1 Corinthians 16:1-3 and it is not
a tithing scripture. The collection of the saints was a voluntary effort to send relief to other saints and is made up of
free will offerings. The early church congregation was not financed by tithing of any kind. The Encyclopedia Britannica tells
us, that the Christian church depended at first on voluntary gifts from its members. The Americana states, it (tithes)
was not practiced in the early Christian church. Tithing robs the people of God from being a blessing to the Body of Christ.
Tithing is not a New Testament principle taught by Jesus or Paul. There is no scripture in the bible that gives any minister
the right to take tithes of the people, only a priest could take tithes of the people. Since the order has changed who gave
men that right?
The gospel of giving today has so robbed the people of God. It is based on greed and is man centered
and not scriptural. Have you ever wondered why there is such a popular desire for the golden streets and pearly gates of heaven?
These things mean nothing to the son of God who understands that the trying of his faith is more precious than gold that perishes?
The question is how could corruptible gold have anything to do with an incorruptible inheritance? The New Testament practice
of giving is not according to income, not based on law, but based on love for the Body of Christ. The New Testament or new
order of giving is 100%. Christendom teaches that Jesus preached more about giving....but giving of what? Matthew 23:23 say, woe
unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier
matter of the law, JUDGEMENT, MERCY AND FAITH: these ought you to HAVE DONE and not leave the other undone.
It is significant and of great importance that Jesus linked the weightier matter (love, mercy and kindness
etc.) with the subject of giving. It is also very interesting that the word judgment used here is the Greek word krisis
which is in the feminine gender and speaks of the soul or mind. It is far easier to give finances than it is to give love,
mercy and faith. Jesus here did not endorse finances rather he said you should have practiced the latter. If giving is an
issue, then 10% is a good place to start on the way to real New Testament giving which is 100%. In closing giving is an attitude
of the heart and it not only involves our finances but our heart, love and motive (the weightier matters) spoken of by Jesus.
John told us, for God so LOVED the world that he GAVE his only begotten SON! Let us truly learn the true principle of giving
for it involves our very life.
May the consciousness of Christ operate in all as we minister judgment, mercy and love as he has shown
us to all of creation.
Namaste,
Winston & Sarah
