The Missing Gap In Tithing.

Implanted in Christianity is the false assumption that tithing is no longer binding on the modern day church. The task is mine to remove all the misconceptions and prove from a biblical perspective that tithing is a law and is therefore mandatory on all Christian today.

Deu 12:11 ................; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD:
God Command His group of people to tithe and we must also keep in mind that all of God's Law and teachings was giving to this group of people. God instruct His people that whenever a stranger meaning an outsider, enter into, onto or among His people they too must abide by all His Laws. God also made it clear that everything on earth is His, and apart from that, God call the tithes Holy. Lev 27:30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD. In Malachi we see that God accuse His people of breaking one of His commandment when they refused to tithe. Exo 20:15 Thou shalt not steal. Mal 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
My Question to all none believers is "Who changed God Laws?"
Who are you working for and who are you speaking for; we will look at the arguments and see what the word of God say about it.

Apologist argue that the practice of tithing was just a part of the ceremonial system introduced by the Old Covenant Law of Moses. Honestly I can't see how they arrive to this assumption. John 1:17 “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ”. Tithing started and ended with Moses under the Levitical Priesthood that's what they say but this text and yet the text doesn’t say the Law ended..the text stated that the Law came through Moses, It was not Moses that ordinate it or gave it. It is God's Law given to Moses to hand over to God's people.

Over 400 years before the Levitical Priesthood was established, Abraham in Genesis 14:17-20 paid a tenth of the spoils of war to Melchizedek who was priest of the Most High God. We see again in Genesis 28:20-22 where mention of the practice of tithing prior to the time of Moses. It is the account of Jacob where he promised Yahweh that “of all that you give me I will surely give a tenth to you” The Old Covenant could not take away what it did not bring just like Yahweh’s Sabbaths and Feast Days. The law predates Mount Sinai and Yahweh had made known all his laws to the Patriarchs.

Pastors who teach and speak about tithing I must agree is making a mess of things and causes much doubt among believers and none believers today. I believe the reason why this is so is because some might have alternate reasons and some have no understanding themselves. Their favorite scripture comes from Malachi 3, let’s examine.

Malachi prophesying about the day of the Lord.

The first two verses that opens chapter 3 clearly shows that this is an end time prophesy as well. Mal 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: ………..:2 But who may abide the day of his coming?...........God continues in: Mal 3:7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, wherein shall we return? Mal 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.Mal 3:9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. We read to verse 17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Still speaking of the that day to come, the end time. This clearly states that this sin of stealing from God continues until the return of Jesus Christ. How could this be if tithing was not for us today?

Mankind always want more proof from God and God know our ways, thoughts and reasoning so he always send a teacher or a prophet to remind us of His ways.

Not much study shows that there was an oral law of agreement between God and earth’s first settlers. Genesis 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. :9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

Adam and Eve knew God’s laws, how did Cain and Abel know what to sacrifice? Did it just pop into their minds? How did Cain know that he had transgressed a law when he killed Abel? How did Joseph know that adultery was a great sin? In like manner God told Abraham, Jacob and the nation His laws. In James 2:23 Abraham is called ‘the friend of God’ indicating a close relationship. By God’s own testimony in Genesis 26:5 “Abraham obeyed me and kept my requirements, my commands, my decrees and my laws” That’s how Abraham knew to tithe.

I know you will say that all I have mentioned was Old Testament era and there is not enough evident to show that tithe exist in the New Testament Church. You also argue that tithing was never money and have always been agricultural produce or food from inside Israel as recorded in Leviticus 27:30-32.

God have revealed several accounts and evident in His word to show otherwise, let us examine

Num 18:24 But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. So would you agree with me that it was required for all Israel to tithe?

Notice Proverbs 3:9-10 “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of your increase; then your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will brim over with new wine”

In the story of Abraham and Melchizedek, Abraham tithed on the spoils of war such as gold, silver and apparel, and any other items the victors’ judge valuable. This prime example of tithing shows Abraham giving 10 percent of a non-agricultural endeavor to God.

Leviticus 27:30-32 was referring to the third year tithing and not mainly to the one that was to take care of the Levi’s daily needs.

Luke 18:12. I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I possess. Shows that the Pharisee tithed on “all he possessed” not just agricultural increase. A minister been naive after i point this out to him ask me, " So they tithe on them furniture,shoe and underwear too." I shook my head and said, only if they dealt with it as a business and made some increase.

Isa_16:14 But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble. The word hireling, referred to, a person who works only for money. Job_7:1 Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an hireling?

Jesus also made this very clear in this parable of the labourers.

Mat 20:3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,

Mat 20:4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.

Mat 20:5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.

Mat 20:6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

Mat 20:7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.

Mat 20:8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

Mat 20:9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

Can we safely say that labourers were not subject to an obligation or liability of tithing?

How ironic it is that they all agree that Jesus and is disciples tithe since they were under the Law and Jesus was carpenter, Peter was a fisherman, Paul was now a tent maker, Luke the beloved physician,not farmers.

In Israel not everybody own lands, there had to be some that worked in the fields.1Chronicles 22:15 Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work.

James 5:4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. God also mention in Malachi, Mal_3:5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

None believers of the tithing law argue that tithes were only to the Levi and the temple system have been done away with so this alone put an end to tithing. Heb 7:5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

Before we examine the book of Hebrews concerning the Levitical Priesthood let us take a look at some very important New Testament scriptures.

Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Rom 13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. This is a very serious statement there are penalties for fighting against what God have ordained.

Let’s continue, Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

Rom 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for hebeareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Rom 13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. Verse :6 For, for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. The word of God say pay this suggest wages, or something that is owed, and the word tribute from the Greek phorosbasically mean, a tax and all this is surely not some free will offering as they would want you to believe. Rom 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. This word render from the Greek apodidōmi mean to repay, recompense, requite, restore, reward. What should they render, the text say their dues, the word web dictionary state the meaning of dues as been, Owed and payable immediately or on demand. The Greek opheilē mean indebtedness, that is, a sum owed; obligation, that is, duty: - debt, due. This is what you owe this is a obligation and not something debatable. The following verse explain,

Rom 13:8 Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

The Word of God couldn’t be clearer that this, no wonder it is written in 1Ti 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

1Co 9:8 Say I these things as a man? Or saith not the law the same also? It is said in the Law.

1Co 9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

1Ti_5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

1Co 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. Ordained taken from the Greek word dee-at-as'-so ; to arrange thoroughly, that is to institute, prescribe, etc.: - appoint, command, give, set in order.

God ordain tithing to those who attend onto His Holy Work. The only evidence where ministers were ordained to receive payment for their service were with the tithes that was given to the previous workers, the priests that attend unto the work of God. This was not nor ever meant to be free willed offering.

The Levi’s In the Old Testament were the called out ones to do the work of God.

The Church today is the call out ones to do the work of God and like the Levi’s we have no inheritance in the land; our inheritance is the Kingdom of God. Mat_25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Rev_5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Free will offering co-exist together from the Old Testament era along with tithing. Deu_12:11 Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD: This then brings us to another argument that freewill offering cannot be given in addition to tithes. We also see in Exodus 35:20-22 and Exodus 36:2 where Moses sends out a request for freewill offerings in addition to tithes.

Paul said, 1Co 9:12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

What does this implies, it simply states the fact that the people were still tithing and this was going directly to the work of the gospel of Christ. Paul said we do not take our portion of the tithe because we do not want to be hindering the progress of spreading the gospel of Christ. This is what 1Co 9:12 meant. If others be partakers of this power over you. What others?, must be others in the ministry and partakers of what?, read the argument, partakers of what was due to or owed, partakers of what was ordained by God Himself, of this power over you, the Greek exousia meaning, privilege, authority, right, over you.

Anti-tithers scuffle through the book of Hebrews concerning the Levitical Priesthood to find argument to support their theory about the abolishment of this tithing law. They have indeed managed to deceive many unlearned. Heb 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. They say that Ministers in the New Covenant church are not qualified to receive any kind of tithe because only the Levites could receive the tithe in the Old Testament.

There is in the New Testament where tithes are mentioned to some extent. That was when Abraham was mentioned as tithing to Melchizedek. Now Jesus is known as a priest after the order of Melchizedek. My conclusion, whether warranted or not, is that if Melchizedek received tithes, though not being a Levite, tithing was not limited to the Levitical priesthood and this is there plain in all the different versions of the bible. Genesis 14:18-22 Abraham was showing honour and respect to God and to the Melchizedekian Priesthood where Melchizedek was both “King of Salem” now Jerusalem and also priest of the Most High God. Melchisedec is God

Heb_6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Jesus has now replaced Melchizedek as High Priest, therefore isn’t it appropriate that we now serving under the priesthood of Jesus Christ paid him reverence and respect by paying our tithes?

Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Hebrews 5:10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Numbers 18:28 “in this way you also will present an offering to the Lord from all the tithes you receive from the Israelites. From these tithes you must give the Lord’s portion to Aaron the high priest”. The Levites paid tithes to the Aaronic Priesthood showed that there is something sacred about the tithe. Paying your tithes is an act of worship unto almighty God. According to the scriptures some of our tithes are the Lord’s Portion. This suggests that tithes do not stop with the Levitical priesthood. Levitical priesthood had a high priest.

Heb 7:5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

Heb 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

What we see is a change in the Law not a cancellation. It said the priesthood been changed not an annulment of it. The Priesthood continues and if we have a High Priest the apostle now act as priests.

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

Heb 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

Heb 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.:28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

The book of Hebrews talks about the better and higher priest hood.

The New Testament tithe gone back to the original state.

Christ has always been high priest.There are no assign levi today but tithe still belong to God so what was done, GOD re-designated to whom it should be paid. That’s the change.

The Levi’s In the Old Testament were the called out ones to do the work of God.

The Church today is the call out ones to do the work of God and like the Levi’s we have no inheritance in the land; our inheritance is the Kingdom of God.

Mat_25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Rev_5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Tithing is a universal principle not restricted to a particular covenant tribe or nation. The work of God continues, Abraham tithe to Melchizedek, the tithe is now paid to the ministry of Christ.

Tithing applies to all people today whether you earn minimum wage or not. God defines the basics of how we are to worship him and honor him with a portion of the increase He gives us is clearly a part of the worship He commands. The Bible has proven that the law of tithing is still binding on the Church of God today.