The
One of the
closest relationships today is of a man to his money. With most of us our
income is achieved through much effort and energy. We give up a great deal of
our lives to acquire it. Because life itself is sacred, that which we earn is
also regarded as sacred. Money in itself is not evil. It is the
"love" of money that is the ..."root" of all evil..., 1
Timothy
_________________________________________________
From earliest
times religious man has had a desire to share his wealth with a higher being.
Even in primitive religions are rites and ceremonies involving giving of
something of value to a supposed higher being. It could be foodstuffs, jewels
or in some of the baser religions-- human offspring. Giving valuables to a
higher being is considered a form of worship by most worldly societies.
Should We Tithe
Today?
Many, even among
those who call on the Name of Yahweh, believe tithing (giving 10 percent of
one's income) is no longer necessary. They believe the law, including that of
tithing, was nailed to Yahshua's death stake. Some think that tithing never
applied to those who engaged in occupations other than agriculture. Others
contend it was for Levites and temple worship only.
What is the truth of the matter? Can it
be revealed through a diligent study of the inspired Scriptures? We believe it
can. In this booklet the facts are made plain. The "mystery" of the
tithe is solved and our responsibility is presented in clear, concise language
so simple that even a child can understand.
Before we begin our study of this most
important subject, let us bow our heads before Almighty Yahweh and ask Him to
guide our minds in the way He would have us go. Laying aside all personal
convictions, prejudices, and selfish desires, let us approach His Word in
humble, reverential awe. Only in such an attitude of complete submission can we
hope to find His will. Let us exhibit the same faith that Yahshua had when He
said, "...nevertheless not My will, but Yours be done,"
Luke
It is imperative also that we understand
that Yahweh's Word--both Old and New Testaments--was written to and for His
people. It is a guide for those who want to obey and a constant reminder of the
sinfulness of those who transgress.
Yahweh Demands
Total Obedience
Consider what
the Heavenly Father told Israel: "Now therefore if you will obey My
voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure unto
Me above all people; for all the earth is mine: And you shall be unto Me a
kingdom of priests, and an holy nation,..." Exodus 19:5-6. Yahweh
was speaking to a special people, a people He truly loved. His people are
different from all others when they obey Him. We should never pridefully think
we will escape His judgments when we do wrong merely because we are called by
His Name. This is the way ancient
Tithing Law
given to Israel
The tithe was
established as a fundamental part of the law Yahweh gave
Yahweh, not Moses, explains who was to
pay the tithe, how it was to be used, and who was to receive it in Numbers
18:21-24: "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. Neither must the children of
The tabernacle and later the temple were
to be the center of worship focusing on Yahweh. The people were to recognize
the "tent meeting" as the place where Yahweh would meet with His
people and they could learn of Him. Yahweh specifically chose the tribe of Levi
to fulfill the office of priest to perform the services of the tabernacle. The
tithe produced from the earth was holy to Yahweh and was to be given to the
Levites. Ten percent was expected from that which the earth produced. The
Levites were given 48 cities scattered throughout
Tithing – A Part
of the Covenant
When
For the construction of the tabernacle, the
people contributed the valuables they had received from spoiling the Egyptians.
It would have been very difficult to tithe from their increase while wandering
in the wilderness. Once the tabernacle was erected, however, Yahweh enforced
His law of tithing to carry on His worship, Leviticus 27:34.
Note that the verse says these tithes
were commanded in
Nehemiah 10:34-38 shows that the practice
of tithing continued through the entire Old Testament and the Levites continued
to administer the tithes. As soon as they were freed from
Priests also
Required to Tithe
Yahweh's law is
just and applies to all persons equally, as we learn from reading the following
passages: "One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the
stranger that sojourns among you," Exodus
Because the law is equitable, the
Levitical priests tithed as well as all
Some have argued
that because the High Priest paid no tithes that tithing does not apply to all.
The tithing progression ended with Aaron and his family because he represented
the Great High Priest Melchizedek, and in a greater way, Yahshua the Messiah.
For those who say that tithes were paid
only from agricultural earnings we refer to the example of the priests' tithes.
Their earnings or increase had essentially no connection with agriculture. They
were not compensated for laboring in the fields or for caring for herds with
the tithes given them. Agriculture just happened to be the primary or perhaps
the only vocation among Israelites at that time.
Yahweh distinctly told the Levites He
would exact their tithes, "And this your heave offering shall be
reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshing floor, and as
the fullness of the winepress. Thus you also shall offer an heave offering unto
Yahweh of all your tithes, which you receive of the children of Israel; and you
shall give thereof Yahweh's heave offering to Aaron the priest. Out of all your
gifts you shall offer every heave offering of Yahweh, of all the best thereof,
even the hallowed part thereof out of it. Therefore, you shall say to them,
'When you have heaved the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted unto
the Levites as the increase of the threshing floor, and as the increase of the
winepress. And you shall eat it in every place, you and your households: for it
is your reward for your service in the tabernacle of the congregation.'"
(Numbers 18:27-31) Would Yahweh's law have been "holy, just, and
good" if only the farmer had to tithe and no one else?
As already shown, Yahweh's laws apply
equally to everyone.
Abraham Tithed
before Levite System
The first
example of tithing mentioned in the Bible is Abram's giving a tenth of the loot
captured at the slaughter of the kings:
"And blessed be the most high
El which had delivered your enemies into your hand. And he gave him tithes of
all. And the king of
The Hebrew word translated
"tithes" in Strong's Concordance No. 4643, ma'aser, and means a
literal tenth or tenth part. These tithes were not from agricultural earnings,
either. This example of tithing occurred before the Levitical law of the tithes
and was paid to Melchizedek, Yahweh's priest who ministered to and blessed
Abram in the Name of Yahweh.
As to the extent of Abram's tithes, Henry
Landsell says in his book Tithes in Scripture, "Neither the Hebrew
of Genesis nor the Greek of the Epistle to the Hebrews limits the word
"all" to the spoils. In Hebrews 7:4 the writer argues that
Melchizedek was greater than Abram, because Abram paid tithes to him...The
tenth paid by Abram was not merely an offering which the patriarch was at
liberty to render or withhold as he pleased, but as payment of
obligation."
Also important
to note is that the example of Abram's tithing occurred about 700 years before
the law was given to Moses. We can draw the following conclusions from Abram's
example:
·
Although a ruler of a strong band of people, Abram acknowledged
a Being superior to himself by his tithes.
·
He gave tithes as a confession of obligation to El-Elyon,
Creator of heaven and earth. He acknowledged protection and guidance in his
activities.
·
He gave Yahweh's representatives his tithes as a return of his
just dues. Abram was made an example for humanity as the "father of the
faithful."
·
He refused to take any captured booty for himself, but gave
"tithes of all" with perfect naturalness and without explanation,
because it was already an understood and accepted institution.
Jacob Tithed 500
Years before Moses
Jacob was the
grandson of Abraham, and through him and his progeny was the covenant
continued. We find Jacob fleeing for his life from his brother Esau, spending a
night alone in the mountains, Genesis 28:10-22.
Awakening from a dream in which he saw
Yahweh atop a staircase (ladder), and hearing the covenant renewed in him and
his progeny, Jacob was shaken and awe-stricken. Trembling with fear, he arose
and declared that if Yahweh would protect and give him the bare necessities of
life, Jacob vowed that Yahweh would be his Elohim, also.
Jacob had not yet accepted Yahweh as his
Elohim. At this point he made a covenant with Yahweh that if he would bless
him, then Jacob would worship Yahweh as did his father Isaac, Genesis 27:20. In
that event, Jacob would also comply with the tithing law as a part of his
worship. Jacob arose, having asked for the bare necessities of life (clothing
and food--slave wages). He would follow in the footsteps of his grandfather
Abraham and his father Isaac and worship the same Elohim, accepting the
covenant.
Jacob can think of nothing that will meet
with higher approval than to return a tenth of all that Yahweh will bestow upon
him. "And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be
Yahweh's house: and of all that you shall give me I will surely give the
tenth unto you," Genesis 28:22. Yahweh blesses those who tithe to
Him. Genesis 30:43 tells us, "And the man [Jacob] increased
exceedingly, and had much cattle and maidservants, and menservants, and camels,
and asses." Yahweh first gives to His people so they can return a
tenth to Him.
The case of Jacob is important. Why did he
say he would return a tenth as did Abraham? Why not a sixth, a ninth or a
third? Obviously the tithe was already established. History shows that the
tithing principle operated even in pagan religions. It was as if the principle
had become known to mankind from a common source and then permeated even
heathen worship.
Also significant is that Jacob's vow took
place 500 years before Moses. It was some 200 years after Abraham tithed to
Melchizedek, King of Salem. Nothing is mentioned about how Jacob would use his
tithe to worship Yahweh. Melchizedek is not mentioned. The Levites had not come
into service. How, then, did Jacob use his tithe in worship with no priesthood
around? Obviously, he was the priest of the family. He carried out the worship
for his family. Both Abraham's and Jacob's tithing contradicts those who say
tithing is only for the Levitical priesthood.
Not only were Yahweh's people to give Him
10 percent of their increase, but they were also to give an offering of
firstfruits of the crop before it was harvested. The amount is not specified,
but the firstfruits were always given before the harvest began as an offering
that the remainder of the harvest would be blessed of Yahweh, Exodus 22:29. The
firstfruits offering included wool, Deuteronomy 18:4. The choicest portions
were always offered, Numbers 18:12.
There were other offerings expected of
His people, which included the burnt offering, peace offering, sin offering,
trespass offering, meal offering, plus others such as the drink offering. All
of these were a part of the Levitical system commanded by Yahweh in
The law of
circumcision and animal offerings has come to an end in the Messiah. All of the
temple requirements have been met in the Messiah Who fulfilled these
"shadows" of the Levitical priesthood. However, the tithing law still
stands, for the Melchizedek priesthood has replaced the Levitical. Yahweh is
now building a spiritual temple for Himself, and the tithes and offerings
collectively build the temple.
From Genesis to Revelation the theme of
overcoming our carnal nature of satisfying the lusts of the flesh and the pride
of life are evident on every page. Yahweh's commandments are given us so that
we will grow to be more like Him. His laws have as their ultimate goal to
change us, to put Yahweh and our fellow believers first.
His laws are as necessary and good for us
today as they were when He gave them to
In giving His people His holy law, Yahweh
showed the way to an abundant, joy-filled, and productive life. And those who
remained faithful would receive everlasting life.
Yahweh is to us a loving Parent. A loving
parent would not allow his children to play with razor blades or matches. He
would not allow them to wander onto highways, nor crawl into abandoned
refrigerators. His concern is for the welfare of his children and he will guide
them into maturity with rules that are for their own good, allowing them to
grow into adulthood able to face the demands of our society with confidence.
Yahweh wants us to qualify for the Kingdom.
Unselfishness
Drives Yahweh’s People
A fundamental
theme running throughout the Old and New Testaments is Yahweh's exhortation to
His people to look away from themselves and behold Him and His goodness. He
reminds us over and over that His way of life is best for us. Only He has the
depth of knowledge and understanding to give the necessary guidelines to achieve
holy character and attitude. We are to overcome our personal greed and
covetousness and learn to put Him and His people first.
Yahweh had given
Yahweh's people are to be willing to
share with others so those in turn will be blessed and come to know the only
true Mighty One of the universe. In this way as others become converted, Yahweh
gets the glory and the praise. We are to be instruments of His goodness and
representatives of His way of life.
Take special note of two striking
examples of heeding Yahweh's law of giving. Both deal with the tabernacle or
When the call came to donate offerings
for the construction of the tabernacle,
Total, honest sincerity again was evident
some 1500 years later when the spiritual tabernacle was being built following
the ascension of the Messiah. Acts
Some, who could, sold houses and lands
and brought the money to the Apostles' feet. Those who needed anything to carry
out their work were thus aided in their efforts by those who had more. It is an
example of true giving, for the result was that more believers were added to
Yahweh as the evangel could be preached with more power. Yahweh Himself was the
beneficiary!
These examples of giving from the Old and
New Testaments are the result of true hearts. The former was to construct a
tabernacle for Yahweh to dwell in, and the latter to construct a spiritual
temple composed of the collective body of Messianic believers, Ephesians
2:21-22. Even today, those who help support a ministry that is proclaiming the
Good News of salvation is helping build a spiritual temple, just as did the
ancient Israelites. As more and more people hear the Good News and become
converted to Yahweh's truth, the spiritual temple grows both in numbers and in
holiness. Yahweh is praised and Yahshua is lifted up.
Certainly Yahweh's way does not change.
Those in the Old Testament were to tithe and then give offerings so that
Yahweh's worship might be exalted. In the New Testament, the collective saints
make up the temple, and their tithes and offerings are used to expand worship
of Yahweh as more converts become followers of His way of life and obey Him.
Tithes and offerings are thus used to fulfill the Great Commission "to go
and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name..."
Tithing in the New Testament
Misunderstanding
of Yahweh's tithing law has caused some to say that tithing is not a New
Testament teaching. Yet, His laws were not voided in the New Testament as
Yahshua demonstrated repeatedly. If the laws were voided, it was by carnal man
and not by the authority of Yahweh-so they still stand. It is obvious that
Yahshua kept the tithing laws of the Old Testament. He specifically stated He
had come not to do away with the law, but to fulfill it in its highest intent
and meaning. He was referring to those who teach that the law has been
abolished such as prophesied: "But you are departed out of the way;
you have caused many to stumble at the law; you have corrupted the covenant of
Levi, says Yahweh of hosts," Malachi 2:8. This means those who
teach against Yahweh's law.
It surely was not the Messiah who taught
the people to stumble at the law, for we read that Yahshua established
scriptural law more fully: "Think not that I am come to destroy the
law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I
say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no
wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break
one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called
least in the Kingdom of heaven: But whosoever shall do and teach them, the same
shall be called great in the Kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, that except
your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and the
Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of heaven,"
Matthew 5:17-20.
When asked what was the greatest
commandment in the law, Yahshua clearly said that the greatest commandment was,
"You shall love Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart, and with all
your soul, and with all your mind,..." thus summarizing the
first five commandments, Mark
In this and in all other facets of His
life, Yahshua set us the example. Not only did the Messiah say that He did not
come to destroy the law, but He added that one of the smallest of Hebrew
letters (the yothe) would not pass from the law, neither would one of the
littlest of embellishments, the tittle. Everything would still be there. And to
make it more emphatic, He said that those who teach such a thing would be of
the least significance in the Kingdom. Furthermore, He said to His disciples
that if their righteousness did not exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees,
they would not enter the Kingdom.
The Pharisees did tithe. They were
diligent about tithing, and even made a big production of tithing. They
apparently had made a ceremony of tithing of the little spices of the garden,
which brought the Messiah to say to them in Matthew
Notice Yahshua did not tell them to stop
tithing. In fact, He commended them for it. But He pointed out their
hypocritical attitude in ceremoniously making a display of tithing for all the
people to see, neglecting the weightier acts of fairness, love, compassion and
understanding in dealing with the law. He condemned their showy acts of
flamboyant piety when their hearts were not really in doing Yahweh's law. Here
would have been a good place for Yahshua to state that the time would soon be
here when tithing would no longer be in force. He could have easily explained
that soon no longer would any tithing be required, just as He had explained to
the Samaritan woman that the time was coming when she would neither in
The law of tithing is still binding upon
the footstep followers of Yahshua, who are to keep His laws with the proper
attitude of willing obedience-doing so out of love for the Messiah and the
Father. The tithe is holy unto Yahweh and is used to build His worship, glorify
Him and lift up the Son.
Yahshua's enemies were never able to
accuse Him of not paying His tithes, though they continually watched His every
action. Neither were they able to accuse the disciples of not tithing or paying
their sacerdotal dues. When the disciples were asked whether their Teacher paid
the temple tax for its support, Peter was directed to catch a fish and take the
amount (stater) and pay the temple
tax for himself and the Savior, Matthew 17:24-27.
Other New
Testament examples
Even though
The Edomite, Herod the Great, recognized
the importance of Yahweh's worship to his people and rebuilt the temple. The
historian Josephus, himself a priest born in 37 C.E., corroborates the practice
of tithing in his day by stating that he had no need of tithes that were due
him and refused to take them (Life, section 15). He also speaks of
Ananias, the contemporary high priest, who had wicked servants who stole tithes
belonging to the priests, even beating those who would not give these tithes to
them and bringing death to the older priests by starvation (Antiquities,
Book 20, chapter 9, paragraph 2).
Same Laws in
Force in New Covenant
Yahshua came to
establish the New Covenant. The New Covenant in the New Testament places
Yahweh's law in our hearts and minds. Jeremiah 31:31-34 reads, "Behold
the days come says Yahweh, that I will make a new covenant with the house of
Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the [old] covenant that I
made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them
out of the land of Egypt; which My covenant they broke, although I was a
husband unto them, says Yahweh. But this shall be the covenant that I will make
with the house of Israel; After those days, says Yahweh, I will put My law in
their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their Elohim, and
they shall be My people. And they shall teach no more every man his brother,
saying, 'Know Yahweh:' for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to
the greatest of them, says Yahweh: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I
will remember their sin no more."
This was already promised in Isaiah
42:21, in which He was prophesied to enlarge upon the law in its full spiritual
intent. He was to show us that the keeping of the law was a matter of attitude.
Yahshua taught the principle behind the law, the real meaning that many of the
Israelites had missed. They already had the written law, but failed to see the
real purpose behind it. The results it was meant to produce hadn't made an
impression.
Speaking of the New Covenant of the New
Testament, Hebrews 8:8-12 (a direct quotation from the Old Testament) contains
no mention of doing away with Yahweh's law. In fact, the Old Covenant was
established with the people who could not keep it (verse 8) because the Holy
Spirit was not yet given. Since the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was sent
to this earth, making possible the keeping of Yahweh's law. Yahweh's
commandments are now in the hearts of the people to empower them to remember
His laws and to keep them.
After the destruction of the temple,
animal sacrifices were no longer required. Since the shedding of Yahshua's
blood, we no longer slay an animal nor provide tabernacle or temple offerings.
The lessons and principles of the offerings are still with us, though. The
temple offerings foreshadowed some part of the redemptive work of the Messiah.
Now we offer the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of our lips, Hebrews
When the chief priests and scribes were
trying to entrap Yahshua by asking whether it was lawful to give tribute to
Caesar, the Messiah told them to render to the government that which the
government required, Luke 20:19-25. And in the same breath He told them to give
to Yahweh that which belongs to Him. Old Testament Law said the tithe belongs
to Him. Old Testament Law said the tithe belongs to Yahweh (Leviticus 27:30),
and Yahshua upheld and taught Old Testament laws, which honored Yahweh.
The Purpose of
Tithing
The tithe was to
honor Yahweh and sanctify His worship. It was to pay homage to Him and glorify
His temple. The tithe also provided for the ministers of Yahweh. It was that
which Yahweh required each person to give from their increase so His ministers
would be able to support themselves and their families while continuing to
minister to the people of Yahweh, Leviticus 18:8-14. Yahweh's service is
continued with today's ministers, and the need for tithing continues. Ephesians
4:11-12 tells us, "And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets;
and some, evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the
saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Messiah."
Both the above verses and 1 Corinthians 12:28 show that the Ekklesia (the
called-out ones, the general Assembly) does have ministers and a presbytery that
Yahweh has established. Just as under the Levitical priesthood, the tithe
should be paid to Yahweh's representatives, those who are doing the work in the
vineyard.
Paul likens today's true ministers to
Levites ministering at the altar, 1 Corinthians 9:13-14. Yahweh's ministers
today pay tithes back into the treasury to publish Yahweh's Name and proclaim
the message of the
The Messiah
Upheld Tithing
Occasionally a
question arises whether the Messiah specifically taught tithing in the New
Testament. As already stated, the Messiah commended the Pharisees for their
tithing of mint, anise and cummin. He agreed that this they should have done.
That part was good. Yahshua did not at all times mention each of the
commandments when He had occasion to discuss them. When the young ruler came to
him (Matthew
James also wrote of keeping the law (
In sending out the twelve to preach the
Good News (Matthew 10:5-16) the Messiah specifically told them to take neither
gold, nor silver, nor more than one coat, as "the workman is worthy of his
meat." The Messiah is clear in His expectations that those who hear of the
The pattern set up for the sending out of
the 12 and the 70 was followed in the New Testament, as will subsequently be
shown. The last command He gave the disciples was to wait for the promise of
the Holy Spirit, Acts 1:4-8. He added that they were to be witness unto Him in
The practice of tithing places Yahweh and
His worship before all else. He commands first place in the heart of the
believer, even before family, Matthew 10:37: "He that loves father
or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter
more than me is not worthy of me." See also Matthew 19:29.
Paul Expected
Financial Support
Did the Apostle
Paul teach against tithing as some allege? There is no Scripture that teaches
he ever did such a thing.
The letters to the assembly at
Perhaps their doubt about his apostleship
was their reason for not supporting him in his missionary work. We find him
vigorously defending himself in 1 Corinthians, chapter 9. Notice his defense,
beginning in verse 1: "Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I
not seen Yahshua Messiah our Teacher? Are not you my work in the Teacher? If I
be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine
apostleship are you in the Teacher. My answer to them that do examine me is
this, Have we not power to eat and drink?" The Greek word
translated "power" in this passage is "exousia" and means
"in the sense of ability." Paul is asking whether he cannot expect
the Corinthian Assembly to furnish him food and drink for his labor of love
among them.
Paul now shames them in his vivid
examples of those who labor and are compensated for their efforts. Listen to
him in verses 5-6 of 1 Corinthians 9: "Have we not power[authority,
right] to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren
of the Savior Yahshua, and Cephas Peter? Or I only and Barnabas, have not we
power to forbear working?" Other translations clarify his statement: "And must Barnabas and I alone keep working for a living, while you
supply these others?" Paul clearly is chiding them for not
supporting him and Barnabas as they labor in the Word.
"Who goes to war any time at
his own charges? Who plants a vineyard, and eats not of the fruit thereof?" (verse 7). Paul likens himself to a soldier fighting the fight of faith,
and asks, "What soldier has to pay his own expenses in the army?
What farmer does not harvest a crop who does get to eat some of it? What
shepherd takes care of the sheep and the goats and does not get to drink some
of the milk?” Those who provide for others should be recompensed
for their labor.
Paul continues to drive home the point to
the Corinthians that they are lax in their responsibilities. Notice his rebuke
in verses 8-10: "Say I these things as a man? or says not the law
the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, 'You shall not muzzle the
mouth of the ox that treads out the corn.' Does Yahweh take care for oxen? Or
says He it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written:
that he that plows should plow in hope; and he that threshes in hope should be
partaker of his hope."
Why would Paul appeal to the Old
Testament if he were not applying what was already written there as a lesson
for the Corinthian Assembly, and ultimately to us? Why bring in Old Testament
injunctions if Paul was not relying upon them for his teaching? Certainly if
the law was done away, Paul would have no reason to apply Israelite law to the
Gentile Corinthian Assembly. Or are we to believe that Paul taught from the Old
Testament even to the Gentile converts simply because the New Testament had not
yet been written?
Paul had already made reference to Peter
as receiving support from those to whom he ministered in verses 5 and 6. Paul
is showing that Yahweh expects His people to support the ministry by the tithes
from the people.
Read what Paul has to say in verses
11-12, "If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if
we reap your material benefits? If others share this rightful claim upon you,
do not we still more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we
endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the Good News of
Messiah." (RSV)
The Corinthian Assembly lacked maturity
and Paul treats them as babes. He reiterates that he has sown spiritual food
among them, and points out that he has a right to expect some benefits in
return. But the Corinthians were simply immature and did not fully accept Paul
as an apostle even though he pointed out the many benefits they had received spiritually
through him. We'll look closer at Paul and the Corinthians momentarily.
Paul again refers to the Old Testament in
verse 13, "Do you not know that they which minister about holy
things live of the holy things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar
are partakers with the altar?" If the Old Testament was not in
effect, why did Paul appeal to the law of Deuteronomy 18, having to do with the
sustenance of the priests? Paul is simply acknowledging the principle of
tithing and offerings found in the Old Testament. He makes the analogy that his
labor in the Word is every bit as important as those of the altar in the
temple. In verse 9 Paul specifically mentions the law of Moses taken from
Deuteronomy 25:4. Here he is unmistakably upholding the law supporting the
priests, which has to do with tithing.
It is clear from verse 14 that the
ministers preaching the Good News of the Messiah should live from the physical
fruit of their labors. Those benefiting from the Good News should support those
ministering to them. Paul is following the Old Testament example and in turn is
also following the Messiah, who told His disciples to “provide neither
gold, nor silver...for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet
staves; for the workman is worthy of his meat." Matthew 10:9-10.
The same thought is found in Mark 6:7-11 and Luke 9:1-5 and 10:3-12. Yahshua
and Paul both taught and followed the same principle of expecting those who
received the spiritual benefits learned through hearing the Good News of the
coming Kingdom to support those doing the work in the ministry.
Both Yahshua and Paul knew the benefits
and blessings that come to one who places Yahweh first in one's life. Too many
people don't trust enough in Yahweh's Word. They lack faith in His promise to
bless those who lay up their treasure in heaven. He simply will not give us a
command to tithe and not follow through with blessings for our obedience.
Corinthians
Suspicious, Jealous of Paul
The Corinthian
Assembly was the weakest of any Paul ministered to. The Holy Spirit was with
them, however, and Paul said they came behind in no spiritual gift (1
Corinthians 1:7) and were given a full understanding of the truth, verse 5.
Yet, they argued, contentions arose among them, divisions were rampant, and
Paul called them carnal (3:3). They allowed a man to have his own stepmother,
chapter 5, and tried to outshine one another in the showy gifts such as
speaking in tongues. They were spiritual babies and Paul had to deal with them
as babies, 1 Corinthians 3:1-3. See especially 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.
Paul did not feel he could approach them
on an adult level for several reasons. They were suspicious of him and felt
certain he was making money from them in some way, 2 Corinthians
But Other
Assemblies Gladly Helped
Other Assemblies
in the Body of Messiah had supplied the means to take care of the expenses of
Paul in ministering to the Corinthians. The brethren from
It is apparent from Paul's writings to
the Corinthians that he in no way wanted them to accuse him of making money
through preaching the Good News to them. He carefully avoided that issue by
refusing to take support of any kind from them. In so doing would they not be
able to accuse even those working with him, such as Titus, of preaching the
Good News for personal profit (2 Corinthians
Paul did, however, as noted, obtain
sustenance from those in
The Philippian Assembly was instrumental
in supporting Paul's labors, verse 15. Other ancient authorities read
"money for my needs" (RSV margin). Twice in Thessalonica the assembly
helped him, verse 16. But what really thrills Paul is not so much the benefit
he received at their hand, but the increased blessings that will be theirs.
Verse 18 is especially pertinent to this
study. Paul contends he now has even more than he needs. The generosity of the
Philippians fills him with joy. The things brought to him by Epaphroditus Paul
says are an odor of a fragrant offering to Yahweh— sacrifice that pleases
Yahweh!
Paul was so overjoyed with the generosity
of the Philippians that he told them that such gifts to him to help proclaim
the Good News of Messiah were like a sweet-smelling offering that pleases
Yahweh well.
Not only does Paul say that the tithes
and offerings given him please Yahweh, but also that He Himself will see to it
that the Philippians are blessed with having all their needs supplied. When we
are in harmony with the will of Yahweh, we cannot outgive Him. He will bless us
now in this life and will also lay up treasure for the Kingdom, Matthew
6:19-21.
Perhaps Luke expresses the thought better
in the Living Bible: "So don't be afraid little flock. For it gives
your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. Sell what you have and
give to those in need. This will fatten your purses in heaven! And the purses
of heaven have no rips or holes in them. Wherever your treasure is, there your
heart and thoughts will also be," 12:32-34.
The early Assembly was very close in
fellowship as they willingly sacrificed their material goods to proclaim the
Good News. Notice Acts 2:44-45, "And all that believed were
together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and
parted them to all men, as every man had need." The early
believers knew that it would take money and effort to proclaim the Good News
and so they willingly gave of their substance to provide the means.
This same attitude of sharing was what
the early disciples had when they got the infant Assembly off the ground, Acts
4:32-37. We should not understand from this that the early disciples sold
everything and were destitute. Far from it. But rather that they saw to it that
everyone had the necessities of life and were willing to provide others
anything they could. Those who were able, sold land and houses and brought the
money to the Apostles to give to those in need. Philip yet had his house in
Acts 21:8, showing they were not as some have proposed in a communistic
environment. Rather, it was a joyful sharing of possessions to proclaim the
Good News of the Messiah.
Man Turns to
Appeasing Own Lusts
From Genesis
through the establishment of the New Testament Assemblies we see that the
practice of tithing was carried out and followed by the people of Yahweh. The
Old Testament shows Abraham giving tithes to Melchizedek and being blessed of
Yahweh because of it. Those of the faith are blessed with faithful Abraham who
is known as the Father of the faithful. This includes not only his physical
progeny, but the spiritual as well.
The Old Covenant was essentially made
with the nation
Unable to worship properly during the
Babylonian captivity, the Jews finally were able to return under Zerubbabel and
begin to reconstruct the walls of the city of
The people kept putting off construction
of the temple, contending that the time was not yet come to construct it,
Haggai 1:1-4. While the curse was pronounced upon the Jewish nation, the
example is for us who neglect Yahweh. Notice Yahweh's words (verses 5-11):
"Now this is what Yahweh El-Shaddai says: 'Give careful thought to
your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never
have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are
not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.' This
is what Yahweh El-Shaddai says: 'Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into
the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take
pleasure in it and be honored,’ says Yahweh. 'You expected much, but see, it
turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?' declares
Yahweh El-Shaddai. 'Because of My house, which remains a ruin, while each of
you is busy with his own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have
withheld their due and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the
fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the
ground produces, on men and cattle, and on the labors of your hands.'"
(New International Version)
The basic message of Haggai is not with
the building of the temple, but with priorities. The people had fallen into the
trap of taking care of their own needs first, neglecting Yahweh. They had
become selfish and self-centered in their outlook. All the good things are of
Yahweh to give or withhold. From the day that we put our priorities first,
Yahweh will bless every aspect of life.
The New Covenant
is made with individuals. We are given free choice to become a follower of the
Messiah. Yahweh calls, and Yahshua chooses who it is He wishes to be in His
Body. If we answer the call and put our hand to the plow, there is no looking
back, Luke 9:62. But our job is still to build the spiritual
It’s In Your
Hands
What about you?
Do you have your priorities in balance? Do you put Yahweh first in your life?
The principle of tithing is to show that you place Yahweh before anything else.
The tithe is to teach us that our first obligation is to Him. The first 10
percent of your increase is to be used for construction of the spiritual
temple, the Body of Messiah. The Bible says that to withhold what is Yahweh's
is actually to rob from Him. "Will a man rob Elohim? Yet, you have
robbed me. But you say, wherein have we robbed you? In tithes and offerings."
Malachi 3:8.
If we make Him our first priority, Yahweh
has given an ironclad promise that we not only will prosper on earth, but will
also be rewarded for eternity in His Kingdom. Given the blessings for
obedience, can there even be a choice?
Begin now to give to Yahweh what He
demands. Discover the prosperity He has promised will be yours when you put Him
first. You can't afford not to!
Answers to
Questions on Tithing
Q: Why
do you emphasize tithing?
A: It is a command
of Yahweh. Tithing helps us place Yahweh first in our lives. We return to Him
the 10 percent portion of all He has given us. He is the life-giver and owns
the entire earth, Psalm 24:1. Tithing is a discipline that helps prevent our
spending foolishly. Too often people give what is left after they have taken
care of their own wants and lusts. If Yahweh could take care of the children of
Q: Author George
Foot Moore is quoted as having said about the tithe in his work on Judaism,
"All of these applied to the letter of the law only to the
A: Leviticus 27:30
reads, "And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the
land, or of the fruit of the tree, is Yahweh's; it is holy unto Yahweh.”
"Land" is from the Hebrew erets (No. 776 in Strong's
Exhaustive Concordance) and includes more than just the
Q: Was not the
tithe on agricultural products and livestock only?
A: Throughout the
Bible Yahweh says He owns the land. The erets is His. Leviticus 25:23-28
gives a lease arrangement for those using the land, but it belongs to Him. Many
Old Testament Scriptures show His ownership. Psalm 85:1, Isaiah 8:8, Isaiah
14:2, and Hosea 9:3 are good examples. The Bible refers to the tithe as it
pertains to raising crops and livestock for the simple reason that
Bible scholars point to the riches of
Note the striking similarity between the
above valuables and those mentioned in Exodus 35:22-28 in the construction of
the tabernacle. Religious
Q: Wasn't the tithe
as originally given to
A: No. There were provisions for receiving money as well. In 2 Kings
12:1-10, under the reign of good King Jehoash, the priests received money in
the temple. Barnes' Notes says that they received not only the half
shekel temple tax and those vowed to Yahweh, but also free-will offerings. The
priest Jehoiada drilled a hole in the lid of a chest and set it beside the
altar to receive the money (2 Kings 12:9).
The purpose was to collect funds to
rebuild the temple that had been neglected for Baal worship. As the primitive
agrarian economy began to become more involved in commerce and trading,
increased use of coins and money instead of bartering foodstuffs and cattle
came into being. The Messiah observed Israelites giving to the temple treasury,
Mark
To say that tithes and offerings were
always animals, grains, and foodstuffs is not in keeping with the scriptural
record. Over time the society of the day dictated that those living in the
cities could receive money for their wages. Even Yahshua's band of 12 had a
treasurer (Judas) who carried the moneybag. Therefore, money was the medium of
exchange instead of trading and bartering. By then most agricultural products
had a monetary value.
Q: The Old Covenant as inaugurated between Yahweh and
A: Exodus