| (Copyright 2022) by Gary C. Miller (Pocahontas, Arkansas) |
|---|
| What is Biblical “increase”? Money earned, agricultural produce? The most common belief is that any money earned is Scriptural increase and must be tithed on; ten percent given to someone or a group. This belief crosses most religious lines and is often emotionally charged when challenged. Another, perhaps not as well publicized view, directly affects agriculture by teaching that tithes of produce (animal or plant) can be sold, and the money given as the tithe. A third minority belief says Scriptural increase refers only to agricultural products, and only they must be given as tithes. Once that old Middle English word “increase” (KJV; Strong’s Lexicon #8393), is Biblically defined, then we can decide which of these three beliefs is Scriptural. The Word The Hebrew (תְּבוּאָה tebuaw; SEC #8393) is translated in the KJV as “increase” (23 times; Deut. 14:22, 28; 16:15; 26: 12….; KJV); “fruit” (6 times as produce and 1 time as “efforts of the wicked”), “gain” (1), and “revenue” (5). When translated as “increase” and “fruit” those 29 times, it always refers to agricultural produce. The other seven [fruit (1), gain (1), revenue (5)] do not refer to produce of the land. Clearly, in the KJV tebuaw is translated “increase” and “fruit” over eighty percent of the time and refers to agricultural produce. Typically, verses using “increase” are interpreted as, “any gain gotten by productive effort.” Money is nearly always included as “gain” in such discussions of Biblical tithing. Usually the caveat is added that “increase” means the profit, the gain, after costs are deducted. For example, the farmer would tithe (give ten percent) only on the net crop value after deducting all expenses incurred. Or perhaps the wage earner could deduct such work expenses as travel, clothing, food. Is this the Biblical meaning of “increase” in such verses as: “You shall truly tithe all the increase (SEC #8393) of thy seed (SEC #2233), that the field (SEC #7704) bringeth forth year-by-year.” (Deut. 14:22; or v. 28; and Deut. 26:12; KJV)? Compare this King James Version translation using “increase” (SEC #8393), with these translations of the same word: “produce, crop” (Moffat); “yield, produce, fruit” (RSV); “what your fields produce” (NJB); “produce” (NAS). Corrupting the Scriptures The word “increase” used in the King James Version and the earlier Geneva Bible is from the Old Middle English used during the period from c. 1150 A.D. to c.1475 A.D. It meant exclusively agricultural produce. Old English word meanings did not suddenly change when the Geneva Bible (1560 A.D.) or the later King James Version (1611 A.D.) were published. Both are clearly Old Middle English versions and their use of the Old English word, “increase”, meant only agricultural produce. Expanding the meaning to “any gain gotten by productive effort” corrupts the meaning of “increase” to include…. money. In doing so, this misuse of the term opens the treasure chests of millions of bank accounts of unsuspecting followers who are fleeced with every paycheck. This corruption is not without consequences. Religion is now more about big business, opulent buildings and colleges, and a privileged class of elite preachers, and less about the true gospel, and the faith once delivered to the saints. This statement could be tested by simply drying up the money pipeline and observing the result: Quit writing tithing checks and see how unwelcome you become. Modern scholars, knowing whereof they speak from their knowledge of language, leave no doubt that agricultural produce is the proper translation of “increase” (SEC #8393) when referring to tithing. Genesis Record Clarifies But if there is an account comparing “increase” (KJV) with other facts related to crop production, the caveat that “increase” means profit can be decided right or wrong. There is such a record in Genesis showing the truth about the Hebrew word translated “increase” (SEC #8393): “Here is seed (SEC #2233) for you, and you shall sow the land (v. 23)…And it shall come to pass in the increase (SEC #8393),…give the fifth part to Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for the seed of the field, and for your food…(v.24).” (Gen. 47:19-24). Clearly, the “increase” included the total yield (1/5 + 4/5 = the whole). No “profit margin.” The source of the “increase” divided between Pharaoh and people working the land was the seed and sowing the land. The “gain from productive effort” was the total yield of produce. Obvious too, is that money is in no way stated nor implied in the term “increase”; only what the land produced from the seed planted. This account is clear. We just have to accept what it says. Tithing on Money One correspondent, who tithes on his paycheck, stated that tithing on money was no burden because it was Scriptural. Those receiving the money simply convinced him they have the right to tax him ten percent. The group taxing him calls those “misguided”, who teach that only agricultural produce is to be tithed on. Is the Bible misguided? The record is plain: “…the tithe of the land (SEC #776)…seed of the land (SEC #776) or,… fruit of the trees…herd…or the flock…is holy to Yahweh” (Lev. 27:30, 32), — agricultural produce. Again, where is money mentioned? Productive Effort: Bible’s Command or Man’s Demand? That expression, “productive effort”, is often used with a non-Biblical definition of “field” as the primary basis of teaching tithing on money as “increase.” It goes something like this, “People work in many fields such as electronics, factory work…and the Bible demands a tithe of their productive effort, their produce, of that field.” So, their “increase” becomes their earned income. This usually refers to Deut. 14:22: “You shall truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.” (cited earlier). Clearly, one contemporary meaning of the word “field,” [“a realm of knowledge or special work”; Webster] is applied to a Hebrew word (“field “; SEC #7704), that simply means “a plot of ground.” Laws of Tithing: First Law Never Mentions Money This misunderstanding about tithing is cleared up by using definitions from Yahweh’s Law that will free us from manmade rules. We can then see His laws of tithing for ourselves. Scriptural tithing is a multiple-tithe system). The first-tithe law is found in Leviticus 27:30, 32: “And all the tithe (SEC #4643; a tenth) of the land (SEC #776), whether it be seed (SEC #2233) of the land (SEC #776) or of the fruit (SEC #6529) of the trees (SEC #6086), is Yahweh’s, it is holy to Yahweh” (v. 30). “And concerning the tithe (SEC #4643) of the herd (SEC #1241), or the flock (SEC #6629), even whatsoever passes under the rod, the tenth (SEC #6224) is holy to Yahweh” (v. 32). Notice nowhere is money (SEC #3701; silver) mentioned in these laws defining tithing. Not even once. Land, trees, seeds, flocks, herds are not money, not silver.Agricultural produce has value for sure. But it is not Biblical money. When Money is Mentioned Did Yahweh forget to include money in the tithing commands? Hardly. Money is very much a part of the Biblical record, but it never means seed of the land, fruit of trees, flocks, or herds; what is tithed on. Notice several examples: “…I bought the field and weighed…out the money (SEC #3701; silver): seventeen silver shekels” (Jer. 32:9). “…So David bought the threshing floor and… oxen for fifty shekels of silver [SEC #3701]” (II Sam. 24:24). [a shekel is 0.552 oz.]. By Law money was paid in silver shekels. Abraham bought a field with silver money: “…I will give you money [SEC #3701] for the field” (Gen. 23:13). Money was used to pay wages and make purchases: “…paid this money…to the masters of works… and these in turn spent it on carpenters and builders…on masons…stone-cutters, and on buying timber and dressed stone…” (II Ki. 12:12-13). Clearly, the use of money as a medium of exchange is in the Biblical record. But no command required those wage earners to give a tenth of their money earned to anyone as Biblical increase. The distinction between land, fruit trees, flocks, seeds, herds and Biblical money could not be more clear. Tithe Exchanged for Money Notice how the Bible contrasts the two; showing they are not the same: “And youshall eat in the presence of Yahweh…the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil…And if the distance is so great…you are not able to bring the tithe….[notice] then YOU SHALL EXCHANGE IT FOR MONEY (SEC #3701) and bind the MONEY in your hand and go…” (Deut. 14:24-25; NAS). No other verse links tithing with money; only this lone verse. Clearly, if the tithe was money, it would not be exchanged for money. This tithe is a second tenth of produce, used by the grower, that can be sold, and the money spent at Yahweh’s festivals. However, there is no law that allows exchanging a first tithe of produce for money. So, farmers could not legally sell their first tithe of produce (required: Lev. 27:30,32), and give the money as their “tithe”. That would be adding to the law (Deut. 12:32). Only the second-tithe command (Deut. 14:24-25) allows exchanging agricultural produce for money which belongs to the grower for his use at annual festivals; not handed over to some religious group. Freewill Offerings There are commanded freewill offerings, however, that can be given in money (silver, gold, other currency), but no set percentage is stated (Ezra 8:28; Deut.16:10). Scripture clearly separates freewill offerings from tithes on produce, firstlings, etc. (Deut. 12:5,6). Recall Malachi 3:8-9: “…Yet you have robbed me…In tithes and offerings…even this whole nation.”; including farmers and others. Freewill offerings are given on the New Moons and other occasions in the year. For example, in the three annual Festivals all males must appear before Yahweh, not appearing empty, but giving (no set percentage) as they have been blessed (Deut. 16:16-17). If not blessed with agricultural produce, then giving from blessings of money earned is acceptable. Also, during the Feast of Weeks, freewill offerings are required once each week of that seven-week feast as clearly shown in Deut. 16:10: “And you shall celebrate the Feast of Weeks to Yahweh your Elohim with a tribute of a freewill offering of your hand just as Yahweh your Elohim blesses you.” (NAS). Conclusion Twisting and redefining Scriptures to push the tithing-on-money doctrine is common, and big business. Collecting illegal “tithes” on money gotten from the sale of agricultural produce rather than the produce itself is one example. Then, of course, there is the unscriptural demand that all money earned as wages, salaries, commissions, or from retirement accounts, social security, investments, etc. must be tithed on. Peter warns us that some will pervert Scripture: “…they that are unlearned and unstable wrest (twist, turn around) [referring to Paul’s writings], as they do also, the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” (2 Pet. 3:16). When money is involved, beware, especially when tithing is the subject (Matt. 7:15). Now you know that Biblical increase is not money. You have read the Bible facts. So, you decide if you owe ten percent of your paycheck to some religious group. Is tithing on your paycheck Yahweh’s command or man’s demand? After all, it’s your money. —————————————————————————————————– Reprinted with permission from: International Congregation of Yahweh http://www.icyahweh.org/ —————————————————————————————————– |
| Iron Sharpening Iron In regard to: Tithing on the “Increase” Article by Gary C. Miller Comments by Laura Lee (Bismarck, North Dakota) |
|---|
| This article was a great article on tithing. The part I sometimes hate is when people want to slide other subjects or opinions into a really good article. Quote from Gary Millers article toward the end: Freewill offerings are given on the New Moons and other occasions in the year. For example, in the three annual Festivals all males must appear before Yahweh, not appearing empty, but giving (no set percentage) as they have been blessed (Deut. 16:16-17). If not blessed with agricultural produce, then giving from blessings of money earned is acceptable. Also, during the Feast of Weeks, freewill offerings are required once each week of that seven-week feast as clearly shown in Deut. 16:10: “And you shall celebrate the Feast of Weeks to Yahweh your Elohim with a tribute of a freewill offering of your hand just as Yahweh your Elohim blesses you.” (NAS). End Quote The parts I believe are not biblical I have highlighted in yellow. Let’s take Deut. 16:10 first. We are being told that Deut. 16:10 clearly says freewill offerings are required once each week of the seven-week period. I am sorry, but I am just not seeing that command in this verse. Perhaps there is a command for that someplace else in scripture, but it is not in this verse, and I have never heard of this command before. Deu 16:10 And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the LORD thy God with a tribute of a freewill offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give unto the LORD thy God, according as the LORD thy God hath blessed thee: Don’t get me wrong here, I sincerely believe people should give freewill offerings on any day they want to give one, however when you say this particular freewill offering is required every week for the seven weeks then you need to give us proof and Deut. 16:10 just does not give any proof of this command if it even exists. When the term feast of weeks is used here it is talking about Pentecost. Gary mentions freewill offerings being given on the “New Moons” and again you can give a freewill offering on whatever day you want to give it. Some in the church treat new moon days as if they are holy days when they are not. There is no command to keep new moon days or a need to require a freewill offering on the new moons which would be the first day of each month. Gary does not specifically give a scripture for this requirement or need to give a freewill offering on the new moons, so I will throw one into the mix here. First lets look at how translators do things. From: https://www.bibleinsight.com/newmoon.html NEW MOON – ‘CHODESH’ The Hebrew word ‘chodesh‘ corresponds to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance reference 2320. What we can notice is the three references 2818, 2019 & 2320 only differ according to the assumed vowels. As vowels are not present in the received Hebrew Old Covenant the scriptural context is used by translators to decide the most appropriate rendering. We can also notice that all three words essentially carry the notion of ‘new’. Only Strong’s reference 2320 has a meaning of ‘month’. Hence, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance 2320 does not strictly mean ‘new moon’. Rather it means ‘month’. So, when a translation of ‘month’ (or ‘new’) does not make sense then the expression ‘new month’ would have been appropriate. However, since it has been commonly accepted that Jewish months were lunar based the translation “new moon” has become normal. In any, case, one should not try to prove the existence of a literal ‘New Moon’ solely using this Hebrew word. In practice the Hebrew word, corresponding to ‘2320’, has been rendered: – ‘month’: The most common translation of the word ‘chodesh’ is simply as ‘month’. – ‘New Moon’: Translators noticing that Scripture uses the word ‘chodesh’ in a second religious context have chosen in these cases to simply render the Hebrew word as ‘New Moon’. The notion ‘New Moon’ has generally been viewed at a literal level. Nevertheless, there is reason to believe this term is being applied figuratively to reflect new phases in the plan of God! [ NB: It is worth noting that the symbol of the ‘moon’ is also used in a symbolic manner in Scripture (refer, Gen 37:9-10, Psalm 121:6, 148:3 and Rev 12:1). The moon is often thought to represent the feminine aspect of the church; due to the fact that the moon does not generate its own light but rather reflects the light of the sun (which is a symbol for Christ).] The Hebrew does have a word for ‘moon’, Strong’s reference 3394. So, if Scripture wanted to clearly refer to a “new moon” it could have done so by combining the Strong’s references 2318 and 3394. What we can observe is that translators have elected to render the Hebrew 2320 as ‘month’ unless the rendering would not make sense. Therefore, it is likely they have in some cases confused the true meaning of some verses. By incorrectly rendering ‘month’ when ‘New Moon’ (or ‘New Month’) was actually being discussed. (End Quote) One verse that is used to try to prove that new moons are to be kept is Ezra 3:5: Ezr 3:5 And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the LORD. If you look at this same verse in other bible translations, some of them have rendered “new moons” as “new moon” which in context makes more sense. In verse four it says they are making all the daily offerings and in verse six they are telling you when the offerings started. Bible translators do not as a general rule always have God’s Holy Spirit nor do most of them keep any of the Holy Days. So here they put “new moons” when they should have put “new moon”. Had it been translated correctly it would have been in reference to verse six where it is clearly talking about the Feast of Trumpets which is on the first day of the seventh month. Which is a new moon day and a high holy day. Ezr 3:4 They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required; Ezr 3:5 And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the LORD. Ezr 3:6 From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid. Ezra 3:5 is not the only place in scripture where I have seen them list new moon and then reference the other high holy days separately. In my opinion it is done this way in order to put more emphasis on the first day of the seventh month because in Hebrew it is known as the “Chief” month, the one that the entire Hebrew Calendar is set from. Again, thank you Gary for a great article in regard to tithing. |
Views: 32
Sign up to Receive [The "New" Church of God Messenger] weekly newsletter: