| by James Steinle (Swanville, Minnesota) |
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| Tithing has long been established in the various COG’s and emphasized in many religious denominations and usually by most “ministers” (generically speaking) that have a “work”. It seems most feel the tithe(s) is still COMMANDED by Scripture and especially on money. However, how closely do those who like to be receivers of tithes follow and teach actually what the Bible commands about tithing? Remember, we are not to add to or take away from what is taught in Scripture. For many years I tithed on my wages in a 1st tithe, a 2nd tithe (to attend the fall Feast of Tabernacles) and every third year an additional 3rd tithe with the 7th year off, for the poor in the Worldwide Church of God (which they taught using faulty, and maybe greedy, understanding). Some Questions: What did the tithe (or ‘s) consist of in the OT? “And all the tithe of THE LAND, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, it is Holy (set-apart) unto Yehovah.” (Lev. 27:30) It also included the herd or the flock per verse 32. Nothing else was included. What we see here is only what Yehovah Himself actually CAUSES to have life in itself and that HE causes to increase. Notice, money made by man is NOT included. Money is talked about many times in the OT starting with Genesis 17:12 and 30 times it is mentioned in Exodus through Deut. Notice in Ex. 30:11-16 where ALL (rich & poor) were to pay a half-shekel (no more or no less) as an offering when Moses took a census. The Israelites had money. But nowhere in the Bible are we COMMANDED to tithe on something man has made himself, i.e., money. Our Savior said in Mark 12:17 when he was brought a coin in a test to him, “And Yayshua answering said unto them, Render [return] to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marveled at him.” Man’s money is not something that God has fashioned Himself. We need to be careful about adding anything or deleting from Scripture Deuteronomy 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. (See also Deut. 4:2; Proverbs 30:6 which confirms this command with a total of three witnesses). Who did the tithe of the land go to (other than every 3rd year out of seven) when they were actually in the promised land?) Answer: the Levites. Question: Why? Because they had no inheritance in the land. The Levitical priesthood served the physical Temple, and that system is now abolished. Do we now equate as a Levite anyone who says they are a minister or are doing a work? Not necessarily. Do most ministers nowadays own homes and property? For most the answer is yes. Some may say, “Abraham gave a tithe of ALL to Melchizedek in Gen. 14.” He did, but the point is Abraham GAVE (voluntarily) a tithe of all the booty of war. Notice the phrasing of this question carefully: Are we COMMANDED by our Creator to send a TITHE of our MONEY to the ministry? I do not find that in the Scriptures. However is it proper and right if we WANT to support those doing a good work even with our money? That answer is YES. (Luke 10:1-8; 1 Cor. 9:1-15; 1 Tim. 5:17-18) Our Father at this time in history wants to know what is in our heart. He wants to know if we will be like Him in His generosity and outgoing loving concern. Are we storing up and concerned only for ourselves or do we truly love others as ourselves? There is a priority that we are to provide for our own family, then others in the faith and then others as we have opportunity. (1 Tim.5:8 & Gal. 6:10) However, notice that in 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 Paul talked of a local assembly’s GIFT to another assembly in need. He did not say anything about a REQUIRED third tithe. One caveat, if we have in the past made a vow to tithe on our money to our Creator, then we would have to work that out with Him! |
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