THE NAKED TRUTH ABOUT TITHING, AND GIVING.

1. Tithe paid by spoils of war. Abraham paid tithe to Melchizedek, king of Salem, now called Jerusalem (Heb.7:2; Gen.14:20). This was done by the Hebrew patriarch, after defeating the Gentile kings. Heb.7:4 indicated that “… the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of spoils." The Greek word akrothinion, for spoils, meant the top of the heap or best of the spoils, which was reserved for a deity. In those ancient days, when a king was defeated in war, he and his subjects were taken captives, plus the entire treasures of his kingdom. This is exactly the spoils Abraham had. Tithe, Hebrew maser, Greek dekale, meant the tenth. Abraham did not go home, in order to give Melchizedek tenth of his properties. The Scripture, is clear that he gave tenth of the best of the spoils. Since Abraham was a Hebrew and the defeated kings were Gentiles, it is logical or precious to conclude that the best of the Gentile slaves were given to Melchizedek. This, in broader sense, was that Gentile Christians were given as a tithe to Hebrew faith by Abraham the father of faith, in which Melchizedek was a type of Jesus Christ. Therefore it is illogical for Gentiles who are already tithe in Christian faith to pay tithes. Taxes do not offer taxes. Gentile Christians are already tithes by themselves given to God.

2. Tithe paid by sacrifice. When Jacob made a covenant with God at Bethel, he concluded the transaction with the promise of tithing (Gen. 28:16-22). He said: “I will surely give the tenth unto thee,” Gen. 28:22. This was voluntary on Jacob’s part for God had not enforced it, before giving the Law. This tithe was a sacrifice which Jacob would perform, of all the increase of livestock God would give him.

3. Tithe paid by produce¸ not money. The Scribes and Pharisees paid tithe of mint and anise and cumin (Mt. 23:23) and rue and all manner of herbs (Lk. 11:42). Money was not paid as tithe, but was deposited in the treasury box, which was outside the temple area of worship (Lk. 21:1-4). This money was not considered as tithe in the first place. Also tithes were paid from first fruits (Prov. 3:9), as well as the firstlings of the flocks (Ex. 13:12-13). In tithing of the flocks, every tenth animal that passed under the rod, regardless of its kind, was taken, no substitution allowed (Lev. 27:32-33). In early times, those who tithe, were allowed to enjoy the tithes with the receiver (Deut. 14:22-23; 15:19-20), an act of celebration. Those who lived in far places, could turn their tithes into money, and later purchase flock, and farm produce needed (Deut. 14:24-26). It was an act of purchasing tithe.

4. Who collect the tithe and who to receive. In Num. 18:21, God Himself said: “And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.” There are several facts learnt here: (i) Only the Levites were allowed to collect tithes. (ii) Only the Levites were to serve in the priesthood, that is Aaronic (Num. 18:23). (iii) The tithe was for their inheritance (Num. 18:21), for they were not allowed to have any inheritance in Israel (Num. 18:23; Deut. 18:1-2). (iv) The Levites were to collect the tithes from the children of Israel (Num. 18:26), and again tithe the tithes collected as an heave offering of it for the LORD (Num. 18:26). Heb. 7:5, states: “And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have commandment to take tithes of the people according to law, that is of their brethren though they came out of the loins of Abraham.” (v) The purpose of tithing was for the service of the tabernacle, that is, Temple worship (Num. 18:21,23).

In the covenant of grace: (a) Any man can serve the Gospel in any capacity, either as bishop, apostle, deacon, teacher, evangelist, and so on. In the Gospel of Jesus Christ, there should be no archbishops, archdeacons, reverends, and other big religious titles. (b) No person is authorized to collect tithes whatsoever. No person is compelled to give tithe. (c) Majority had inheritance, unlike the Levites. (d) There is the Church of Jesus Christ, which is completely different from the Temple of Solomon, even though the former was a type of the latter.

(e) And no one is allowed to start, establish any religious organization and call it a church. 1 Cor. 3:11, states: “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” Majority who had established their ministries, denominations, had eyed themselves in tithes, defrauding their followers their hard earned money. These people served their own bellies, appetites, or earthly good; their god is money, being focused on material possessions as blessings they know; and by false doctrines flatter and deceive the hearts of the simple (Rom. 16:17-18; Philip. 3:17-19). Do not make yourself a priest in your own priesthood, which is neither Aaronic nor Melchizedek where Christ belongs to. Do not have your own church in order to make yourself bishop, apostle, reverend, and so on. The Church belongs to Jesus Christ. The tithes which were incumbent upon the Israelites can be summarized as follows:

A. The tenth of the remainder after the first fruits were taken, this amount going to the Levites for their livelihood (Lev. 27:30-33). There were no Levites among the Gentiles. B. The tenth paid by Levites to priests (Num. 18:26-28). C. The second tenth paid by the congregation for the needs of the Levites and their own families at the Tabernacle (Deut. 12:18), and D. Another tithe every third year for the poverty stricken (Deut. 14:28-29). These were the tithes that the Israelites, in Malachi’s day were withholding from and hence robbing God (Mal. 3:8; cf. Neh. 13:10). The offerings were separate from the tithes. The offerings in Israel were the first fruits of corn, wine, and oil (Deut. 18:4).

5. Where tithes were kept. Mal. 3:10 states: “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 a blessing, that shall not be room enough to receive it.” The storehouse was the chambers in the Temple, built by Solomon, where tithes were brought into (cf. Neh. 10:38; 13:12). This Temple was built by God’s command, not human thinking of what was best for them, and their style of worship. Establishment of ministry or denomination was not God’s command to man in order to have his own church. The popular message by the Gospel saboteurs, that, the storehouse referred to denominations presented as local churches, is a deception, used to win trust of adherents, whereby they can be monetarily defrauded. “Meat in mine house”, referred to food enough, in abundance, that were used by priests, and their families, generally the Levites. “Prove me now herewith,” that is, God issued a challenge to the children of Israel, to attempt to outgive Him.

The response for tithing was made clear. First, “if I will not you the windows of heaven,” that is, to bring rain, which continually flows, for your crops (cf. 2Kgs. 7:2). God’s blessing is not money. Therefore it is not money flowing from heaven. Simon Magus, was rebuked for attempting to purchase the gift of the Holy Ghost with money (Acts 8:18-24). Second, pour you out blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it, that is, a hyperbole: the thought is that God would provide superabundance. They would have increase in flocks. The blessing would come not because God got 10% of the wealth, but because in giving the tithe they were in the place of obedience and subjection to God. The outward sign of their obedience and subjection was the giving of the tithe. God the Owner of all the silver and gold, including everything in this world does not depend on the tithes given. 6. The principle of tithing does not hold today.

This is because: (i) The Temple of Solomon was destroyed by Titus, Roman General, in 70 A.D., bringing it down to its knees. No Levites, is serving there, for it has not been rebuilt. No temple employee is in Jerusalem to be supported with tithes. All the tithes collected were taken to Jerusalem, unlike the current which ended into individual, personal fat accounts. If one wants tithes, let him make himself a Levite, rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem, and serve right there, and thereafter collect tithes from fellow Levites. (ii) There are no Levites among the Gentile blood. Levites are descendants of Jacob, Israelites proper. (iii) The Church of Jesus Christ is made up of genuine Christians across the globe. Peter called the genuine Christian as lively stones; their Gospel responsibility as holy priesthood; and their faith as spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 2:5). Paul called them the body of Christ (Rom. 12:4-5; 1 Cor. 12:12). The Church of Jesus Christ is completely different from the Temple which was made of dead stones. Solomon was the builder of the Temple. Jesus Christ is the Builder of the Church. (iv) The local church, a cryptic way of identifying denomination, is not the Temple, neither its chambers called storehouse. People who support their local churches with their gifts of ministries, from the money they have, or believed to be entrusted with, are supporting religious fraud, Vatican projects, conspiracy, and overall corrupt worship. (v) Preachers today had inheritances: lands with title deeds; large estates; convoy of cars/ fleet of buses; personal jets; magnificent homes/ residences fully equipped with swimming pools, health clubs, sauna, with pianos which play by themselves; had record labels or book contracts; charge money for the seminars they host, and are engaged in stock and bond market. Their bank accounts are super fat. These preachers are servants of their own bellies, or appetites (Rom. 16:17-18; Philip. 3:17-19). They are completely different from the Levites, and therefore should not be supported with tithes. (vi) Tithing is not the advancement of God’s kingdom on earth, as preached by religious conmen, specifically Word of Faith Movement, otherwise called Charismatics, plus Pentecostals. Jesus Christ publicly said: “My kingdom is not of this world”… (Jn. 18:36). The kingdom of God does not need fraud to advance it. When tithes are given, it is the planting of manmade churches. In fact it is the advancing of satanic kingdoms which hold religions, ministries, and denominations together.

(vii)) And when the priesthood was changed from Aaronic to Melchizedek; from Levi, to Jesus Christ, there must also be a change from Law to the Gospel (Heb. 7:12). The priesthood of Aaronic accepted only Levites, who were supported by tithes. The priesthood of Jesus Christ, on the other land, accepted Christians from all parts of the globe, who preached the Gospel freely, and are not supported by tithes. Matt. 10:8 “… freely you have received, freely give”.

7. The act of giving is not tithing. The measure of giving is summed up in 1 Cor. 16:2, which states; “ Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come”. Here, we understand the following solid facts: (a) That giving must be regular, and planned (“upon the first day of the week”, that is, Sunday). (b) That giving must be all inclusive. All Christians, including preachers. None is exempted (“let every one of you”). The rich and the poor, slaves and free, all were to have a part in the sacrifice of giving of their possessions. (c) That giving must be systematic (“lay by him in store”). (d) And that giving must be proportionate (“as God hath prospered him”). The amount of each giving must be proportionate to the givers’ income.

The principle of giving in the New Testament surpasses the tithes which the Levites collected, and its purpose also outweigh the priests, or preachers as well. To begin with, the measure is “as God hath prospered him.” It is possible for a person to deceive himself by giving tithes of the money he receives, or the wealth he had accumulated. But provided it doesn’t match up the prosperity given him by God, he is robbing God. As he continue prosper materially, he must increase his giving. There should also be the motive of giving. 2 Cor. 9:6-7, states: “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly: and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

“He which soweth sparingly,” that is, one who does not give as God had prospered him (cf. Prov. 11:24; Lk. 6:38; Gal. 6:7). One’s return, or prosperity, is determined by his giving. Before God you don’t invest, but give. Since God owned everything, including you, then He is at His own liberty to deny, or give you the prosperity. That giving must be undiscriminating, as well as unrestrained, is perfectly understood here. “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart.” That is, the giving must be from open heart. There is no minimum quota, nor a minimum percentage. For each individual it is a mount to be determined in accordance as God had given you in your daily survival. “Not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” There is to be a willing heart and sincere desire on the part of the one giving in order to participate. God is not interested in your money neither the preacher of the Gospel (Ps. 50:10-12). Prov. 22:9 indicates: “He that hath bountiful eye shall be blessed: for he giveth of his bread to the poor.” “Cheerful,” is rendered Greek hilaron, from which the English term “hilarious” derives. Giving is not a joke; it is a serious Christian responsibility. Secondly, giving should not be hypocritical, neither the platform for seeking public reputation. The left hand should not know what the right hand is doing (Mt. 6:1-4). Hypocrites’ aim is to win human praise, whose parade and pretense is spiritually futile. Thirdly, giving is for the benefit of all saints (1 Cor. 16:1; 2Cor. 9:1), including the preachers (1 Cor. 9:1-14). James 1:27, states: “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this. To visit the fatherless and widows in their afflictions, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” Visiting the orphans, and widows, emphasize the act of giving. Destitute brothers and sisters in Christ, should also be assisted by giving (James 2:14-17). Fourthly, anyone regardless of race should be assisted through giving. In Mt. 6:42, Jesus Christ said, that: “Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.” Not only giving is commanded, but borrowing as well. “Him that would borrow of thee.” Jesus Christ made it crystal clear that a loan should be looked upon as a potential gift. When genuine Christians lend something to someone, they should not expect to receive in return. Yet spurious, greedy Christian impostors would ask: “Is this practical?” The answer is: “Yes it is!” But that which is spiritual, in accordance to faith which Christians walked by, is not always that which is practical. There are many statements in Proverbs against borrowing, lending, and surety (cf. Prov. 6:1; 11:15; 22:7; 27:13). While the genuine Christians are warned of the dangers of borrowing and lending, Jesus Christ made it crystal clear that the believer ought to be willing to lend to those in need.

“Give him that asketh of thee.” Even the beggar on the street should be ministered to through the provision of giving. This Gospel message forms the basis of all Christian giving, and provides the proper social application of the statement to the physical needs of man as well as his spiritual needs. In the world, the obsession with material goods and possessions, makes them recoil at the thought of giving away what they have acquired. However, if you take the opposite direction, not the will of the majority, in the world; if you were willing to concentrate on the treasures of heaven, and be content with only necessary food and clothing, you would accept these words literally, willingly, and practically. The message from Jesus Christ presupposes that the person who asks for help has a genuine need, or purpose of doing so. Since it is impossible to know whether the need is illegitimate in all cases, it is possible to give to a score of fraudulent beggars, than risk turning away one legitimate person in the real need. Before God you have the case to answer, when brought forward in the judgment day. If the person who asked for the giving was fraudulent, con artist, then he will be judged as a thief. If the person was genuine but you assumed him to be fraudulent, then you will be judged as a liar, as well as greedy person. Everything in this world belongs to God. Use them right here, for you will not take them along with you in the next word.

Greed is sin, and if one doesn’t know, it is condemned in the Gospel. Majority, notably those parading themselves as Christians revealed their true wicked characters, and at the same time judgmental when they are requested for help, or to give. Jesus Christ even appreciated the giving of cold water to His disciples, called Christians (Mt. 10:42). If one doesn’t have money, surely he cannot miss water. Christ revealed that upon His Second Coming, in the judgment day, He will tell the greedy who are the goats separated from the sheep, that: “Depart from me, ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels,” Mt. 25:4. Things not done, or rejecting the acts of giving towards the needy will be considered as the work not done to Christ Himself (Mt. 25:42-45). Christ again will say to the generous, who exercise giving, that: “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world,” Mt. 25:34. Reason provided in Mt. 25:35-40. Giving is not salvation, but is a good behaviour shown by a person who is saved, born again, experienced regeneration, and living in Christ. Humanly speaking, according to the nature of living in the current world, such behaviour as Christ calls for here is impossible. Only genuine Christian, who is controlled by the Holy Ghost, can live a self-sacrificing life. Only as Jesus Christ, the only Saviour is allowed to live His life in the genuine Christian can insult (Mt. 5:39), injustice (Mt. 5:40), and inconvenience (Mt. 5:41), be repaid with love. This is “the Gospel of the second mile.” Fifthly, giving had no limit. It flows continuously. Lk. 6:38 states: “Give, and it shall be given unto you: good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Here is the principle that giving cannot outgive the Creator. God is the Creator, because He created everything in this world, for His own personal use, including human beings. Therefore we use everything in this world, for the short life we have, not because we owned them, but as caretakers, for we leave them right here, in the world when we die. Naturally, all our substance belongs to God. But as we give it back to Him, He is always generous in returning it to us again. Every cheerful giver knows both the joy of giving and the joy of God’s blessed provision. God entrusts more wealth to those who He knows will properly dispense it.

Love manifests itself in giving (Jn. 3:16; Eph. 5:23). The Christian living is a ministry of giving, expenditure. Those who give generously are rewarded generously. The picture is of a man with a large apron – like fold in the front of his garment. Currently pockets, in trousers, had replaced this. The man uses it for carrying seeds. The more widely he broadcasts the seed, the greater his harvest. It is a fixed principle in Christian life that we as the genuine Christians reap according to our sowing, that our actions react upon us, that the same measure we mete to others is the same that shall be measured to us again. If genuine Christians sow material things, they will reap spiritual treasures of inestimable value (cf. 1 Cor. 9:11). It is also true that what we keep, we loose and what we give we have (cf. Mk. 8:35). Much was spoken by our Lord regarding giving. Giving can be in in the form of money, farm produce, real estates or properties, clothing, and many more, from the smallest gifts to the largest gifts. The Lord spoke so, because these things touches everyday life, and is so liable to misuse, especially money. In fact both Solomon in Proverbs, and Jesus Christ gave many warnings regarding wine, women, and wealth. Here is the sum:

WINE. It is a mocker, in the case of Solomon, and is consumed by people lacking moral standard, who in turn are eternally perishing. In the Gospel, drunkards would not inherit the kingdom of God.

WOMEN. To Solomon, avoid strange women that can seduce you into adultery, fornication. In the Gospel, marriage is the cure for immorality, and must be permanent as placed, instituted by God, and is undivorceable, as commanded to man.

WEALTH. To Solomon, wealth is vanity, an avenue for temptation, and fraud. In the Gospel, wealth should be the source of Christian giving. The destitute should be helped wherever the need warrants. This is quite different from the armed forces manifestos, which is wine, women, and war, the three W. Sixthly, the giver is blessed more, as compared to the receiver. In Acts 20:35, Paul the apostle spoke: “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of our Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” These words of Jesus Christ are not in the Gospel, though they may be included in the many things John the apostle mentioned were not written (Jn. 21:25). But to be “more blessed to give than to receive” might illustrate: (i) Reward from the Father for the secret alms giving (Mt. 6:4). (ii) Laying up treasurer in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal (Mt. 6:20). (iii) The attitude to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Mt. 6:33). (iv) Reward for continuous giving (Lk. 6:38). (v) That God loveth a cheerful giver, in 2 Cor. 9:7, is an indication of blessings. (vi) The giving of God’s kingdom to the genuine Christians who are described as little flocks. Lk. 12:33 states: “Sell that ye have, and give alms: provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasurer in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.” (vii) Giving fundamentally illustrates the character needed for a neighbour. The case of a Good Samaritan who helped the robbery victim, served as an example (Lk. 10:30-37). The victim was attacked, robbed, and stripped of clothes. Here: First, the giver must be proved a true neighbour. Second, he must have a compassionate heart. Third, he must have a helping hand. Fourth, he must have unlimited concern. Fifth, he must give up personal comfort, physical energy, and valuable time. The truth is this: Greedy person says what’s mine is mine. Fraudulent person says what’s yours is mine; and a Giving person says what’s mine is yours, we’ll share. In other words, the giver is blessed more than the receiver. Psalms 19:9-11 states: “The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honey comb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.”