When you tell someone that God's commanded tithing is of the Law of Moses, "the law," many will inevitably say something like "that's legalism, we don't tithe legalistically, we volunteer to do so." They may also add "we tithe under grace."
The word of God makes it clear that God's commanded tithe was in fact of the law, a matter of the law, not a matter of grace, NOT A MATTER OF VOLUNTEERING," and is indeed therefore legalism...
> Jesus explained it...
> ref. Matthew 23:23 - "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."
> Hebrews confirmed it...
> ref. Hebrews 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:"
> Malachi instructed it...
> ref. Malachi 4:4 - "Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments."
>> A question you can ask your tithing friend is this...
Can you show me any scripture...EVEN ONE...outside of the law (the Law of Moses), or scripture referring to the law, instructing a Christian to tithe?
Where is tithing instructed or commanded non-legalistically OUTSIDE of the law? Please provide chapter and verse clearly, and in proper context, stating that God has done so.
______________________________
Copyright 2019, Anthony Todd, All rights reserved. Permission to copy and distribute this article must be obtained in writing from Tithing Study Online.
Permission can be requested at: tithingstudyonline@gmail.com. Upon permission to do so, it is granted under the strict condition that no content of any article be removed or altered, and that all articles are to remain intact as is when used. You must include a notation that any article distributed originated from Tithing Study Online, and include our blog URL as: https://ExaminingTithingDeceptions.blogspot.com.
Sunday, June 30, 2019
Ownership given by God...
If some of you have noticed, tithing teachers, in an attempt to "slot" tithing into the New Testament (actually trying to fit a square peg into a round hole), take many of the clear rules and principles of tithing and simply ignore them, or more like toss them into the trash trying to create some kind of "New Testament tithing."
One such rule or principle that is conveniently ignored is the doctrine of ownership. The tithe(s) were the property of the Levite, they owned the tithe. It wasn't given to them as charity, or a free will offering, it was a situation of 100% God given ownership, it was their inheritance, it was the Levite's property...
"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 meeting." - Numbers 18:21
Note; when you inherit something, you OWN it.
>>> Taking, not asking for...
If you will notice; when God instructs the Levite concerning the tithe(s), the scripture refers to them as "TAKING the tithe," never asking for it, never being given the tithe as a form of charity or even a free will offering to the Levite. The Levite was instructed to TAKE the tithe; why?...because it was nothing less than their personal property.
If you were a farmer and you had grown 100 rows of corn, the Levite had the God given right of ownership to come on to your farm and TAKE his property, that is to say TAKE 10 rows of corn, and you, as a farmer, hence a tither, had NOTHING to say about it. The Levite was protected by God's Law. Refusing to surrender the Levite's property, the tithe of your corn (in this example), was illegal and a violation of God's Law.
>> Note: TAKE the tithe is commanded, not begging for it, not given as a "free will offering"...
"And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites TAKE tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes to the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house." - Nehemiah 10:38
"Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye TAKE of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe." - Numbers 18:26
>>> Now the point...
If a tithing teacher were to follow this clear Biblical principle of TAKING the tithe, he or she would have, IF they had inherited the tithe, the right to TAKE it at will. They would have that right without asking you, as an example, and go into your bank account at anytime and TAKE what is "their property."
The point being is that the tithing teacher either owns (inherited) the tithe, OR they have no right to it at all. There is NOTHING in between, absolutely nothing. They either own it, or have NO right to it. They either have the right to TAKE it, or they have NO right to it at all.
The fact is, no New Testament Apostle, Pastor, Evangelist, Teacher, Prophet, or anyone else, has inherited the tithe other than the Levite, and therefore have NO RIGHT to any form of a tithe.
God gave the tithe(s) to the Levite, and God has NEVER taken it back, or given it to anyone else in any form what so ever. If your Pastor, or anyone, is demanding or receiving a tithe from you, they are a thief. My advise; refuse to pay anything to the thief.
As posted before...
>>> Since when has this changed; what scripture changes it?
> Leviticus 27:30-34
"A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. Whoever would redeem any of their tithe must add a fifth of the value to it. Every tithe of the herd and flock—every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod—will be holy to the Lord. No one may pick out the good from the bad or make any substitution. If anyone does make a substitution, both the animal and its substitute become holy and cannot be redeemed.
34 These are the COMMANDS the Lord gave Moses at Mount Sinai for the Israelites."
>> Note: These are the COMMANDS (not suggestions) from ALMIGHTY GOD (do you think He was kidding or really didn't mean it?) on tithes, and these COMMANDS are for THE NATION OF ISRAEL (read verse 34, last verse), not for Gentiles or the New Testament Church. And, these COMMANDS have not changed, or been alternated to include your local church.
______________________________
Copyright 2019, Anthony Todd, All rights reserved. Permission to copy and distribute this article must be obtained in writing from Tithing Study Online.
Permission can be requested at: tithingstudyonline@gmail.com. Upon permission to do so, it is granted under the strict condition that no content of any article be removed or altered, and that all articles are to remain intact as is when used. You must include a notation that any article distributed originated from Tithing Study Online, and include our blog URL as: https://ExaminingTithingDeceptions.blogspot.com.
One such rule or principle that is conveniently ignored is the doctrine of ownership. The tithe(s) were the property of the Levite, they owned the tithe. It wasn't given to them as charity, or a free will offering, it was a situation of 100% God given ownership, it was their inheritance, it was the Levite's property...
"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 meeting." - Numbers 18:21
Note; when you inherit something, you OWN it.
>>> Taking, not asking for...
If you will notice; when God instructs the Levite concerning the tithe(s), the scripture refers to them as "TAKING the tithe," never asking for it, never being given the tithe as a form of charity or even a free will offering to the Levite. The Levite was instructed to TAKE the tithe; why?...because it was nothing less than their personal property.
If you were a farmer and you had grown 100 rows of corn, the Levite had the God given right of ownership to come on to your farm and TAKE his property, that is to say TAKE 10 rows of corn, and you, as a farmer, hence a tither, had NOTHING to say about it. The Levite was protected by God's Law. Refusing to surrender the Levite's property, the tithe of your corn (in this example), was illegal and a violation of God's Law.
>> Note: TAKE the tithe is commanded, not begging for it, not given as a "free will offering"...
"And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites TAKE tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes to the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house." - Nehemiah 10:38
"Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye TAKE of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe." - Numbers 18:26
>>> Now the point...
If a tithing teacher were to follow this clear Biblical principle of TAKING the tithe, he or she would have, IF they had inherited the tithe, the right to TAKE it at will. They would have that right without asking you, as an example, and go into your bank account at anytime and TAKE what is "their property."
The point being is that the tithing teacher either owns (inherited) the tithe, OR they have no right to it at all. There is NOTHING in between, absolutely nothing. They either own it, or have NO right to it. They either have the right to TAKE it, or they have NO right to it at all.
The fact is, no New Testament Apostle, Pastor, Evangelist, Teacher, Prophet, or anyone else, has inherited the tithe other than the Levite, and therefore have NO RIGHT to any form of a tithe.
God gave the tithe(s) to the Levite, and God has NEVER taken it back, or given it to anyone else in any form what so ever. If your Pastor, or anyone, is demanding or receiving a tithe from you, they are a thief. My advise; refuse to pay anything to the thief.
As posted before...
>>> Since when has this changed; what scripture changes it?
> Leviticus 27:30-34
"A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. Whoever would redeem any of their tithe must add a fifth of the value to it. Every tithe of the herd and flock—every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod—will be holy to the Lord. No one may pick out the good from the bad or make any substitution. If anyone does make a substitution, both the animal and its substitute become holy and cannot be redeemed.
34 These are the COMMANDS the Lord gave Moses at Mount Sinai for the Israelites."
>> Note: These are the COMMANDS (not suggestions) from ALMIGHTY GOD (do you think He was kidding or really didn't mean it?) on tithes, and these COMMANDS are for THE NATION OF ISRAEL (read verse 34, last verse), not for Gentiles or the New Testament Church. And, these COMMANDS have not changed, or been alternated to include your local church.
______________________________
Copyright 2019, Anthony Todd, All rights reserved. Permission to copy and distribute this article must be obtained in writing from Tithing Study Online.
Permission can be requested at: tithingstudyonline@gmail.com. Upon permission to do so, it is granted under the strict condition that no content of any article be removed or altered, and that all articles are to remain intact as is when used. You must include a notation that any article distributed originated from Tithing Study Online, and include our blog URL as: https://ExaminingTithingDeceptions.blogspot.com.
The Malachi Mumbo Jumbo
The Mumbo Jumbo; "As Christians, we are to obey Malachi and tithe!"
The Mumbo Jumbo UN-Jumbo'd...
How could the Book of Malachi be directly talking to New Testament Christians commanding Christians to tithe in the light of?...
>> 1. Malachi makes no direct mention of the future New Testament Church as a group of people who are to tithe. Not one word.
>> 2. Malachi warns (speaking for God) that those disobeying God would face deadly curses from God. God is our Father, He does NOT curse His own Children, and we have been redeemed from the Curse of the Law, Jesus becoming a curse for us on the Cross.
>> 3. In chapter two of the Book of Malachi, Malachi makes it very clear that he is speaking to, and warning, the Levite-Priesthood of his day; Malachi 2:1 - "This commandment IS TO YOU, oh Priests."
>> 4. Malachi states that the tithe was to be brought into the Storehouse by the Levites (remember; Malachi is addressing the Levite-Priesthood of his day); the New Testament Church is not the Storehouse; Ref.; Nehemiah 10:38 - "And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house."
>> 5. The tithing that God established, i.e., in the Torah (The Law), was the Law Malachi was writing under the authority of. The Law was, and is, the details of the Covenant between God and the People (or Nation) of Israel, though Gentiles would ultimately benefit from the Covenant (i.e.; Jesus our Savior), nowhere did God call or command Gentiles to tithe in The Law.
The mention of Gentiles makes no requirement of Gentiles to tithe (an offering is mentioned, but NOT a tithe)...
Malachi Chapter one...
"11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts."
>> 6. The tithes required of the tither must come from LITERALLY the Boarders of The Promise Land;
> Lev. 27:30, 32 "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 to the LORD.… And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passes under the rod, the tenth shall be holy to the LORD."
Trust me... "THE LAND" was not referring to somewhere in Brazil or your garden in upstate New York. It refers to The Promise Land given forever to the Children of Israel. THAT is where God's tithes were to come from.
>> 7. The opening verse clearly states (Malachi 1:1); "The burden of the word of the Lord TO ISRAEL by Malachi" ...NOT to the New Testament Church, "TO ISRAEL." (By the way; The Church is not "Spiritual Israel;" that is Replacement Theology mumbo jumbo and ignorant false teaching.)
>> 8. Every rebuke in the Book of Malachi is directed to The Children of Israel, NOT "non-tithing Gentles" or the New Testament Church; examples...
> Malachi Chapter one...
"5 And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The Lord will be magnified from THE BORDER OF ISRAEL.
6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O PRIESTS, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the Lord is contemptible.
8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of hosts."
Malachi Chapter one, verses five to eight, clearly indicate that Malachi, speaking for God, is dealing with and rebuking people of the Nation of Israel, not the New Testament Church.
> And Malachi Chapter two...
"11 JUDAH hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for JUDAH hath profaned the holiness of the Lord which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god."
Another rebuke to the the Children of Israel, in verse 11; JUDAH. Etc., etc., etc.
Where are Gentiles or The New Testament Church rebuked for not tithing in Malachi? NOWHERE!
Israel, or the people of Israel such as Jacob and the Levites (the Priests), are refereed to over and over again as the subject and target of Malachi's rebukes and commandments, but the GENTILES, or THE CHURCH, are NEVER rebuked, called out for not "bringing the tithe into the Storehouse," or warned of any curses for not tithing.
> Malachi chapter two states...
"8 But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of hosts."
Ye who? Ye who "corrupted the covenant of Levi," LEVI. Not the New Covenant.
>>> So, next time some tithing teacher tries to get you to "pay your tithe because Malachi tells you to," read him or her the above Eight Facts concerning the Book of Malachi.
And, Malachi wasn't talking to Christians when he wrote Malachi 3:8 to 12; he clearly stated that he was talking to, and rebuking, the Aaronic Priesthood of his day who were under the Old Covenant;
Malachi 2:1 "And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you."
And the principle here is...
Text taken out of context is a pre-text to deceptive text. Text must not be taken out of textual, historic, situational or any other context, or it is a foundation for false and deceptive doctrine.
Remember, when Malachi wrote his document, there were no chapter or verse divisions. He was addressing the Priests. And, to better understand Malachi, read Nehemiah chapter 13 to know what was going on that Malachi was talking when he mentioned "men robbing God." (Nehemiah and Malachi were writing at the same time).
And, it wasn't the common (non-Levite) people that were to bring the tithe into the storehouse, it was the Priest's job to bring a "tithe of the tithe" to the storehouse...
Nehemiah 10:38 - "And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house."
Numbers 18:26 - "Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the Lord, even a tenth part of the tithe."
______________________________
Copyright 2019, Anthony Todd, All rights reserved. Permission to copy and distribute this article must be obtained in writing from Tithing Study Online.
Permission can be requested at: tithingstudyonline@gmail.com. Upon permission to do so, it is granted under the strict condition that no content of any article be removed or altered, and that all articles are to remain intact as is when used. You must include a notation that any article distributed originated from Tithing Study Online, and include our blog URL as: https://ExaminingTithingDeceptions.blogspot.com.
The Mumbo Jumbo UN-Jumbo'd...
How could the Book of Malachi be directly talking to New Testament Christians commanding Christians to tithe in the light of?...
>> 1. Malachi makes no direct mention of the future New Testament Church as a group of people who are to tithe. Not one word.
>> 2. Malachi warns (speaking for God) that those disobeying God would face deadly curses from God. God is our Father, He does NOT curse His own Children, and we have been redeemed from the Curse of the Law, Jesus becoming a curse for us on the Cross.
>> 3. In chapter two of the Book of Malachi, Malachi makes it very clear that he is speaking to, and warning, the Levite-Priesthood of his day; Malachi 2:1 - "This commandment IS TO YOU, oh Priests."
>> 4. Malachi states that the tithe was to be brought into the Storehouse by the Levites (remember; Malachi is addressing the Levite-Priesthood of his day); the New Testament Church is not the Storehouse; Ref.; Nehemiah 10:38 - "And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house."
>> 5. The tithing that God established, i.e., in the Torah (The Law), was the Law Malachi was writing under the authority of. The Law was, and is, the details of the Covenant between God and the People (or Nation) of Israel, though Gentiles would ultimately benefit from the Covenant (i.e.; Jesus our Savior), nowhere did God call or command Gentiles to tithe in The Law.
The mention of Gentiles makes no requirement of Gentiles to tithe (an offering is mentioned, but NOT a tithe)...
Malachi Chapter one...
"11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts."
>> 6. The tithes required of the tither must come from LITERALLY the Boarders of The Promise Land;
> Lev. 27:30, 32 "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 to the LORD.… And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passes under the rod, the tenth shall be holy to the LORD."
Trust me... "THE LAND" was not referring to somewhere in Brazil or your garden in upstate New York. It refers to The Promise Land given forever to the Children of Israel. THAT is where God's tithes were to come from.
>> 7. The opening verse clearly states (Malachi 1:1); "The burden of the word of the Lord TO ISRAEL by Malachi" ...NOT to the New Testament Church, "TO ISRAEL." (By the way; The Church is not "Spiritual Israel;" that is Replacement Theology mumbo jumbo and ignorant false teaching.)
>> 8. Every rebuke in the Book of Malachi is directed to The Children of Israel, NOT "non-tithing Gentles" or the New Testament Church; examples...
> Malachi Chapter one...
"5 And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The Lord will be magnified from THE BORDER OF ISRAEL.
6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O PRIESTS, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the Lord is contemptible.
8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of hosts."
Malachi Chapter one, verses five to eight, clearly indicate that Malachi, speaking for God, is dealing with and rebuking people of the Nation of Israel, not the New Testament Church.
> And Malachi Chapter two...
"11 JUDAH hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for JUDAH hath profaned the holiness of the Lord which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god."
Another rebuke to the the Children of Israel, in verse 11; JUDAH. Etc., etc., etc.
Where are Gentiles or The New Testament Church rebuked for not tithing in Malachi? NOWHERE!
Israel, or the people of Israel such as Jacob and the Levites (the Priests), are refereed to over and over again as the subject and target of Malachi's rebukes and commandments, but the GENTILES, or THE CHURCH, are NEVER rebuked, called out for not "bringing the tithe into the Storehouse," or warned of any curses for not tithing.
> Malachi chapter two states...
"8 But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of hosts."
Ye who? Ye who "corrupted the covenant of Levi," LEVI. Not the New Covenant.
>>> So, next time some tithing teacher tries to get you to "pay your tithe because Malachi tells you to," read him or her the above Eight Facts concerning the Book of Malachi.
And, Malachi wasn't talking to Christians when he wrote Malachi 3:8 to 12; he clearly stated that he was talking to, and rebuking, the Aaronic Priesthood of his day who were under the Old Covenant;
Malachi 2:1 "And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you."
And the principle here is...
Text taken out of context is a pre-text to deceptive text. Text must not be taken out of textual, historic, situational or any other context, or it is a foundation for false and deceptive doctrine.
Remember, when Malachi wrote his document, there were no chapter or verse divisions. He was addressing the Priests. And, to better understand Malachi, read Nehemiah chapter 13 to know what was going on that Malachi was talking when he mentioned "men robbing God." (Nehemiah and Malachi were writing at the same time).
And, it wasn't the common (non-Levite) people that were to bring the tithe into the storehouse, it was the Priest's job to bring a "tithe of the tithe" to the storehouse...
Nehemiah 10:38 - "And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house."
Numbers 18:26 - "Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the Lord, even a tenth part of the tithe."
______________________________
Copyright 2019, Anthony Todd, All rights reserved. Permission to copy and distribute this article must be obtained in writing from Tithing Study Online.
Permission can be requested at: tithingstudyonline@gmail.com. Upon permission to do so, it is granted under the strict condition that no content of any article be removed or altered, and that all articles are to remain intact as is when used. You must include a notation that any article distributed originated from Tithing Study Online, and include our blog URL as: https://ExaminingTithingDeceptions.blogspot.com.
The Tithe is the Property of the Tribe of Levi, and that has not changed.
One of the strongest questions you can ask a tithing teacher or a tither is that of "when and how did God take the tithes from the Tribe of Levi and give it to your church or other ministry? Chapter and verse, please."
Nowhere in God's Word is there even a hint that God has transferred the ownership of the tithes from the Tribe of Levi to anyone; not to any church, pastor, ministry or individual.
>> Numbers 18:20-21...
"And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel. 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."
>> Numbers 18:24-26...
"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. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe."
>> Nehemiah 10:37...
"And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.
>> Leviticus 27:30-32...
"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. And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof. And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD."
>> Nehemiah 12:44...
"And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited."
>> Deuteronomy 12:17-19...
"Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand: But thou must eat them before the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto. Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth."
>> Deuteronomy 26:12-13...
"When you have finished paying all the tithe of your increase in the third year, the year of tithing, then you shall give it to the Levite, to the stranger, to the orphan and to the widow, that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied. "You shall say before the LORD your God, 'I have removed the sacred portion from my house, and also have given it to the Levite and the alien, the orphan and the widow, according to all Your commandments which You have commanded me; I have not transgressed or forgotten any of Your commandments."
>> Nehemiah 10:37 ...
"And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage."
______________________________
Copyright 2019, Anthony Todd, All rights reserved. Permission to copy and distribute this article must be obtained in writing from Tithing Study Online.
Permission can be requested at: tithingstudyonline@gmail.com. Upon permission to do so, it is granted under the strict condition that no content of any article be removed or altered, and that all articles are to remain intact as is when used. You must include a notation that any article distributed originated from Tithing Study Online, and include our blog URL as: https://ExaminingTithingDeceptions.blogspot.com.
Nowhere in God's Word is there even a hint that God has transferred the ownership of the tithes from the Tribe of Levi to anyone; not to any church, pastor, ministry or individual.
>> Numbers 18:20-21...
"And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel. 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."
>> Numbers 18:24-26...
"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. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe."
>> Nehemiah 10:37...
"And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.
>> Leviticus 27:30-32...
"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. And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof. And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD."
>> Nehemiah 12:44...
"And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited."
>> Deuteronomy 12:17-19...
"Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand: But thou must eat them before the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto. Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth."
>> Deuteronomy 26:12-13...
"When you have finished paying all the tithe of your increase in the third year, the year of tithing, then you shall give it to the Levite, to the stranger, to the orphan and to the widow, that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied. "You shall say before the LORD your God, 'I have removed the sacred portion from my house, and also have given it to the Levite and the alien, the orphan and the widow, according to all Your commandments which You have commanded me; I have not transgressed or forgotten any of Your commandments."
>> Nehemiah 10:37 ...
"And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage."
______________________________
Copyright 2019, Anthony Todd, All rights reserved. Permission to copy and distribute this article must be obtained in writing from Tithing Study Online.
Permission can be requested at: tithingstudyonline@gmail.com. Upon permission to do so, it is granted under the strict condition that no content of any article be removed or altered, and that all articles are to remain intact as is when used. You must include a notation that any article distributed originated from Tithing Study Online, and include our blog URL as: https://ExaminingTithingDeceptions.blogspot.com.
Friday, June 21, 2019
A Typical Misconception and False Doctrine from Tithing Teachers...
Many, if not all, tithing teachers push the concept of "tithing from all monetary income," they claim to not do so will result in bringing a curse on the New Testament Christian's income, family, business...on and on the false and unbiblical threats go. While this article is not about the "curse" lies taught by many false teachers, I do want to address the subject of where the authentic tithe in God's system of tithing came from.
>> FIRST, there is no such thing as monetary tithing (tithing from money, gold, silver, etc.), it simply doesn't exist and never has. All tithes consisted of fruits, vegetables and clean live stock from the Promise Land...
"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 to the LORD.… And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passes under the rod, the tenth shall be holy to the LORD." - Lev. 27:30, 32
"And this your heave offering shall be reckoned to you, as though it were the grain of the threshing-floor, and as the fullness of the wine-press." - Num. 18:27
"Thus you also shall offer a heave offering to the LORD of all your tithes, which you receive of the children of Israel; and you shall give thereof the LORD’s heave offering to Aaron the priest." - Num. 18:28
"You may not eat within your gates the tithe of your grain, or of your wine, or of your oil." - Deut 12:17
"You shall truly tithe all the increase of your seed, that the field brings forth year by year." - Deut. 14:22
>> SECOND, God's concept of tithing was that it was NOT to be a product of the tither's own labor per se'; rather the tithes were to come from the increase God gave. The concept is simple; the tither sowed his seeds that God provided and God brought about the increase; God even provided the seed to sow...
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater," - Isaiah 55:10
"Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit." - Leviticus 26:4
"So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." - 1 Corinthians 3:7
"Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;" - 2 Corinthians 9:10
So therefore, as you can easily understand, it is God who gives (or insures and causes) the increase. In the case of Herdsmen; it was God who caused the flock and herds to multiple and prosper. The Herdsmen tended his herds, but God was the God of their increase as He blessed their herds.
Where did the tithes come from? The Children of Israel were to surrender the tithes from the Increase God entrusted to them, NOT the fruits of their own labor; the tithe was to come from God's increase, not their own increase. God's increase was the sole property of the Levite as decreed by God, which was trusted into the hands of the tither who then surrendered it to the Levite and was blessed by God for doing so, or faced a curse if he didn't surrender the tithes as the Law required.
"Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year." - Deuteronomy 14:22
The tithe; the sole property of the Levite...
"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." - Numbers 18:21
>>> Now, under the New Testament...
The increase principle is still a truth we live under, but stated somewhat differently seen in this verse Jesus taught...
"Freely you have received, freely give"...Notice; no labor involved, you received freely, and are to give freely. No tithing involved, there is no such thing as "Christian tithing," but God being the one who gives freely to us is still true for us today. It's not wrong for us to give money freely where God leads us to do so, but if you will notice in Matthew 10:5-8, Jesus never mentions money where he ends his statement "Freely you have received, freely give"...
"These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." - Matthew 10:5-8
>>> The bottom line is this; in the New Testament we are to be free will givers giving from what God has freely given us...
"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." - Luke 6:38
______________________________
Copyright 2019, Anthony Todd, All rights reserved. Permission to copy and distribute this article must be obtained in writing from Tithing Study Online.
Permission can be requested at: tithingstudyonline@gmail.com. Upon permission to do so, it is granted under the strict condition that no content of any article be removed or altered, and that all articles are to remain intact as is when used. You must include a notation that any article distributed originated from Tithing Study Online, and include our blog URL as: https://ExaminingTithingDeceptions.blogspot.com.
>> FIRST, there is no such thing as monetary tithing (tithing from money, gold, silver, etc.), it simply doesn't exist and never has. All tithes consisted of fruits, vegetables and clean live stock from the Promise Land...
"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 to the LORD.… And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passes under the rod, the tenth shall be holy to the LORD." - Lev. 27:30, 32
"And this your heave offering shall be reckoned to you, as though it were the grain of the threshing-floor, and as the fullness of the wine-press." - Num. 18:27
"Thus you also shall offer a heave offering to the LORD of all your tithes, which you receive of the children of Israel; and you shall give thereof the LORD’s heave offering to Aaron the priest." - Num. 18:28
"You may not eat within your gates the tithe of your grain, or of your wine, or of your oil." - Deut 12:17
"You shall truly tithe all the increase of your seed, that the field brings forth year by year." - Deut. 14:22
>> SECOND, God's concept of tithing was that it was NOT to be a product of the tither's own labor per se'; rather the tithes were to come from the increase God gave. The concept is simple; the tither sowed his seeds that God provided and God brought about the increase; God even provided the seed to sow...
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater," - Isaiah 55:10
"Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit." - Leviticus 26:4
"So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." - 1 Corinthians 3:7
"Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;" - 2 Corinthians 9:10
So therefore, as you can easily understand, it is God who gives (or insures and causes) the increase. In the case of Herdsmen; it was God who caused the flock and herds to multiple and prosper. The Herdsmen tended his herds, but God was the God of their increase as He blessed their herds.
Where did the tithes come from? The Children of Israel were to surrender the tithes from the Increase God entrusted to them, NOT the fruits of their own labor; the tithe was to come from God's increase, not their own increase. God's increase was the sole property of the Levite as decreed by God, which was trusted into the hands of the tither who then surrendered it to the Levite and was blessed by God for doing so, or faced a curse if he didn't surrender the tithes as the Law required.
"Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year." - Deuteronomy 14:22
The tithe; the sole property of the Levite...
"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." - Numbers 18:21
>>> Now, under the New Testament...
The increase principle is still a truth we live under, but stated somewhat differently seen in this verse Jesus taught...
"Freely you have received, freely give"...Notice; no labor involved, you received freely, and are to give freely. No tithing involved, there is no such thing as "Christian tithing," but God being the one who gives freely to us is still true for us today. It's not wrong for us to give money freely where God leads us to do so, but if you will notice in Matthew 10:5-8, Jesus never mentions money where he ends his statement "Freely you have received, freely give"...
"These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." - Matthew 10:5-8
>>> The bottom line is this; in the New Testament we are to be free will givers giving from what God has freely given us...
"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." - Luke 6:38
______________________________
Copyright 2019, Anthony Todd, All rights reserved. Permission to copy and distribute this article must be obtained in writing from Tithing Study Online.
Permission can be requested at: tithingstudyonline@gmail.com. Upon permission to do so, it is granted under the strict condition that no content of any article be removed or altered, and that all articles are to remain intact as is when used. You must include a notation that any article distributed originated from Tithing Study Online, and include our blog URL as: https://ExaminingTithingDeceptions.blogspot.com.
The Improper Use of Hebrews 7:8
Many tithing teachers and tithers often refer to Hebrews 7:8 as a "proof text" that a Christian must tithe, and that tithing is commanded in the Bible, the New Testament, today.
Their basic claim is that Hebrews 7:8 says that "Jesus is still receiving tithes today so therefore we must tithe," and they usually claim that Melchizedek was, and is, Jesus.
Prosperity gospel false teacher Kenneth Copeland once claimed "for those of you who don't believe in tithing, the Bible says he who ever lives still receives tithes."
That false and misleading quote of Hebrews 7:8 is found in Copeland's teaching series called "The laws of Prosperity," and is keeping with the prosperity gospel's false teachings on tithing.
Let's take a close look at Hebrews 7:8 and what it actually says by taking it apart and by looking at that verse piece by piece in proper context. We will use the King James Version.
Here is the breakdown of Hebrews 7:8;
"And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth."
>> 1. "AND HERE"
Those two words, "AND HERE," are referring to Hebrews 7:5-7...
"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: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better."
The "HERE" refers to a time in the past when Abraham met with Melecheidek and paid him tithes, and Melecheidek blessed Abraham, thus demonstrating that Melecheidek was greater than Abraham by receiving tithes from Abraham and blessing him. This is said to be "without all contradiction " that the lessor is blessed by the greater.
Also, "HERE" refers to a time when Levi (tribe of) PAID TITHES IN ABRAHAM (not TO Abraham, but rather IN or THROUGH Abraham); "And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham." - Hebrews 7:9. This shows that ALSO Levi (the priesthood of) was inferior to Melchizedek.
>> 2. "MEN THAT DIE RECEIVE TITHES"
Those men that die is a reference to Levites who had the command to take tithes of their brethren, namely, from descendants of Abraham and Sarah, and had all died. Another point showing the inferiority of the Levitical priesthood; that they die in contrast to Melchizedek who continues to live. It also is a reference to the sons of Levi paying tithes in Abraham.
Kenneth Copeland, a man who receives tithes, has claimed that "tithing is God's system for living." I it find interesting that God in Hebrews 7:8 calls men that receive tithes as "MEN WHO DIE" ...just a thought, Kenneth.
>> 3. "BUT THERE HE RECEIVETH THEM"
The words "RECEIVETH THEM" are two words added by King James translators, and are not words found in the Greek text that we have which was used as source text for the King James Bible. Though added or not, RECEIVETH THEM is still referring to BACK THERE, ("but THERE he receiveth them") and is not stating that Melchizedek is currently receiving tithes today; "but THERE he receiveth them" is a reference to something that happened in the past, that of Melchizedek receiving tithes from Abraham, and the Levites both taking tithes from their brethren and paying tithe in Abraham. This shows that BOTH Levi and Abraham are inferior to Melchizedek, and in the case of Levi, an inferior Priesthood to Melchizedek.
The Aaronic Priesthood of the Tribe of Levi was a mortal Priesthood comprised of mortal men who die. To sustain the Aaronic Priesthood on earth, God gave them all the tithe of Israel...
"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." - Numbers 18:21
This is in obvious contrast to the ever living eternal Priesthood of Melchizedek that is not in need of tithes, or to be sustained by tithes. Why would an eternal being, an eternal Priesthood, require a constant taking of tithes to live? To claim that the Priesthood of Melchizedek is still receiving tithes today is to claim that the Priesthood of Melchizedek is mortal rather than perceptual and eternal, and therefore would not be superior to the Aaronic Priesthood as is declared in Hebrews chapter seven...
"And without all contradiction the less [Abraham and Levi] is blessed of the better [Melchizedek]." - Hebrews 7:7
The eternal nature and condition of the Priesthood of Melchizedek is declared...
"The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." - Psalm 110:4
The tithes paid to Melchizedek by Abraham and Levi were symbolic of, and a demonstration of, the superiority the Priesthood of Melchizedek. Abraham's paying of a one time tithe to Melchizedek was not intended to sustain Melchizedek as were the paying of tithes to the Priesthood of Aaron. The writer of the Book of Hebrews reveals Melchizedek as...
"Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually." - Hebrews 7:3
This is not a person or Priesthood in need of anyone's continual paying of tithes to them.
>> 4. "OF WHOM IT IS WITNESSED THAT HE LIVETH."
"WITNESSED" in this case means VERIFIED, a truth, has been seen, on record, well known, a clear fact that cannot be denied. And what is the verified fact? ...That Melchizedek is still alive not having died.
>> As you can see, Hebrews 7:8 says NOTHING of Melchizedek (or Jesus) continuing to receive tithes today (i.e., under the New Testament), or Christians being told to tithe based on Hebrews 7:8. That claim is simply FALSE.
>> Hebrews 7:8 In proper context (Hebrews 7:5-11)...
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:
6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
>>> The Interlinear version of the Bible ...
The Interlinear version (exact word for word from the Greek) of Hebrews 7:8 reads like this...
"And here indeed tithes dying men receive in that place moreover being testified that he lives on."
Where do you see anything about "tithes still being received today by anyone"? NOT ONE WORD about Jesus, or Melchizedek, still receiving tithes today.
>> Melchizedek still receiving tithes today? No proof of that at all. We are to be free will givers, NOT tithers. We have no instructions in Hebrews 7:8, or anywhere, to tithe.
______________________________
Copyright 2019, Anthony Todd, All rights reserved. Permission to copy and distribute this article must be obtained in writing from Tithing Study Online.
Permission can be requested at: tithingstudyonline@gmail.com. Upon permission to do so, it is granted under the strict condition that no content of any article be removed or altered, and that all articles are to remain intact as is when used. You must include a notation that any article distributed originated from Tithing Study Online, and include our blog URL as: https://ExaminingTithingDeceptions.blogspot.com.
Their basic claim is that Hebrews 7:8 says that "Jesus is still receiving tithes today so therefore we must tithe," and they usually claim that Melchizedek was, and is, Jesus.
Prosperity gospel false teacher Kenneth Copeland once claimed "for those of you who don't believe in tithing, the Bible says he who ever lives still receives tithes."
That false and misleading quote of Hebrews 7:8 is found in Copeland's teaching series called "The laws of Prosperity," and is keeping with the prosperity gospel's false teachings on tithing.
Let's take a close look at Hebrews 7:8 and what it actually says by taking it apart and by looking at that verse piece by piece in proper context. We will use the King James Version.
Here is the breakdown of Hebrews 7:8;
"And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth."
>> 1. "AND HERE"
Those two words, "AND HERE," are referring to Hebrews 7:5-7...
"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: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better."
The "HERE" refers to a time in the past when Abraham met with Melecheidek and paid him tithes, and Melecheidek blessed Abraham, thus demonstrating that Melecheidek was greater than Abraham by receiving tithes from Abraham and blessing him. This is said to be "without all contradiction " that the lessor is blessed by the greater.
Also, "HERE" refers to a time when Levi (tribe of) PAID TITHES IN ABRAHAM (not TO Abraham, but rather IN or THROUGH Abraham); "And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham." - Hebrews 7:9. This shows that ALSO Levi (the priesthood of) was inferior to Melchizedek.
>> 2. "MEN THAT DIE RECEIVE TITHES"
Those men that die is a reference to Levites who had the command to take tithes of their brethren, namely, from descendants of Abraham and Sarah, and had all died. Another point showing the inferiority of the Levitical priesthood; that they die in contrast to Melchizedek who continues to live. It also is a reference to the sons of Levi paying tithes in Abraham.
Kenneth Copeland, a man who receives tithes, has claimed that "tithing is God's system for living." I it find interesting that God in Hebrews 7:8 calls men that receive tithes as "MEN WHO DIE" ...just a thought, Kenneth.
>> 3. "BUT THERE HE RECEIVETH THEM"
The words "RECEIVETH THEM" are two words added by King James translators, and are not words found in the Greek text that we have which was used as source text for the King James Bible. Though added or not, RECEIVETH THEM is still referring to BACK THERE, ("but THERE he receiveth them") and is not stating that Melchizedek is currently receiving tithes today; "but THERE he receiveth them" is a reference to something that happened in the past, that of Melchizedek receiving tithes from Abraham, and the Levites both taking tithes from their brethren and paying tithe in Abraham. This shows that BOTH Levi and Abraham are inferior to Melchizedek, and in the case of Levi, an inferior Priesthood to Melchizedek.
The Aaronic Priesthood of the Tribe of Levi was a mortal Priesthood comprised of mortal men who die. To sustain the Aaronic Priesthood on earth, God gave them all the tithe of Israel...
"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." - Numbers 18:21
This is in obvious contrast to the ever living eternal Priesthood of Melchizedek that is not in need of tithes, or to be sustained by tithes. Why would an eternal being, an eternal Priesthood, require a constant taking of tithes to live? To claim that the Priesthood of Melchizedek is still receiving tithes today is to claim that the Priesthood of Melchizedek is mortal rather than perceptual and eternal, and therefore would not be superior to the Aaronic Priesthood as is declared in Hebrews chapter seven...
"And without all contradiction the less [Abraham and Levi] is blessed of the better [Melchizedek]." - Hebrews 7:7
The eternal nature and condition of the Priesthood of Melchizedek is declared...
"The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." - Psalm 110:4
The tithes paid to Melchizedek by Abraham and Levi were symbolic of, and a demonstration of, the superiority the Priesthood of Melchizedek. Abraham's paying of a one time tithe to Melchizedek was not intended to sustain Melchizedek as were the paying of tithes to the Priesthood of Aaron. The writer of the Book of Hebrews reveals Melchizedek as...
"Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually." - Hebrews 7:3
This is not a person or Priesthood in need of anyone's continual paying of tithes to them.
>> 4. "OF WHOM IT IS WITNESSED THAT HE LIVETH."
"WITNESSED" in this case means VERIFIED, a truth, has been seen, on record, well known, a clear fact that cannot be denied. And what is the verified fact? ...That Melchizedek is still alive not having died.
>> As you can see, Hebrews 7:8 says NOTHING of Melchizedek (or Jesus) continuing to receive tithes today (i.e., under the New Testament), or Christians being told to tithe based on Hebrews 7:8. That claim is simply FALSE.
>> Hebrews 7:8 In proper context (Hebrews 7:5-11)...
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:
6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
>>> The Interlinear version of the Bible ...
The Interlinear version (exact word for word from the Greek) of Hebrews 7:8 reads like this...
"And here indeed tithes dying men receive in that place moreover being testified that he lives on."
Where do you see anything about "tithes still being received today by anyone"? NOT ONE WORD about Jesus, or Melchizedek, still receiving tithes today.
>> Melchizedek still receiving tithes today? No proof of that at all. We are to be free will givers, NOT tithers. We have no instructions in Hebrews 7:8, or anywhere, to tithe.
______________________________
Copyright 2019, Anthony Todd, All rights reserved. Permission to copy and distribute this article must be obtained in writing from Tithing Study Online.
Permission can be requested at: tithingstudyonline@gmail.com. Upon permission to do so, it is granted under the strict condition that no content of any article be removed or altered, and that all articles are to remain intact as is when used. You must include a notation that any article distributed originated from Tithing Study Online, and include our blog URL as: https://ExaminingTithingDeceptions.blogspot.com.
Monday, June 17, 2019
The ONLY People Who Had The Command to Tithe
The only people that God has given a command to tithe are the Nation of Israel. No one else.
That is to say, only the physical descendants of;
> Abraham and Sarah, to...
> Issac and Rebekah, to...
> Jacob and Leah, Zilpah, Rachel, to...
1. Reuben
2. Simeon
3. Levi
4. Judah
5. Dan
6. Naphtali
7. Gad
8. Asher
9. Issachar
10. Zebulun
11. Joseph (Ephraim, Manasseh)
12. Benjamin
...which became THE NATION OF ISRAEL.
The command to tithe was given to the NATION OF ISRAEL through the LAW OF MOSES.
No one else in God's Word has been given instructions from God to tithe. That is to say the Nation of Israel who received the Law of Moses, were commanded to tithe, not any other people;
"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:" - Hebrews 7:5
"The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi." - Malachi 1:1
"Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even THIS WHOLE NATION." - Malachi 3:8-9
"Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments." - Malachi 4:4
"He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto ISRAEL. He hath NOT dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord." - Psalm 147:19-20
IN FACT, we have no record of God commanding Abram or Jacob to tithe, and in the case of Jacob, who claimed he would tithe, scripture records no incident that Jacob ever tithed anything to anyone at anytime.
In Abram's case, we have only one incident of him tithing, NO OTHER, and NO scripture instructing anyone to tithe because Abram did that one time; not to Jew or Gentile. God did not even instruct the Nation of Israel to tithe because Abram did who was the very Father of their Nation; why then would God tell the New Testament church to tithe based on Abram? Simply stated; God did not.
If you believe any of this to be wrong, please produce SCRIPTURE recording God instructing ANY OTHER PEOPLE, ANY OTHER NATION, to tithe other than the Nation of Israel. Chapter and verse, please...
"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." - Acts 17:11
______________________________
Copyright 2019, Anthony Todd, All rights reserved. Permission to copy and distribute this article must be obtained in writing from Tithing Study Online.
Permission can be requested at: tithingstudyonline@gmail.com. Upon permission to do so, it is granted under the strict condition that no content of any article be removed or altered, and that all articles are to remain intact as is when used. You must include a notation that any article distributed originated from Tithing Study Online, and include our blog URL as: https://ExaminingTithingDeceptions.blogspot.com.
That is to say, only the physical descendants of;
> Abraham and Sarah, to...
> Issac and Rebekah, to...
> Jacob and Leah, Zilpah, Rachel, to...
1. Reuben
2. Simeon
3. Levi
4. Judah
5. Dan
6. Naphtali
7. Gad
8. Asher
9. Issachar
10. Zebulun
11. Joseph (Ephraim, Manasseh)
12. Benjamin
...which became THE NATION OF ISRAEL.
The command to tithe was given to the NATION OF ISRAEL through the LAW OF MOSES.
No one else in God's Word has been given instructions from God to tithe. That is to say the Nation of Israel who received the Law of Moses, were commanded to tithe, not any other people;
"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:" - Hebrews 7:5
"The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi." - Malachi 1:1
"Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even THIS WHOLE NATION." - Malachi 3:8-9
"Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments." - Malachi 4:4
"He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto ISRAEL. He hath NOT dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord." - Psalm 147:19-20
IN FACT, we have no record of God commanding Abram or Jacob to tithe, and in the case of Jacob, who claimed he would tithe, scripture records no incident that Jacob ever tithed anything to anyone at anytime.
In Abram's case, we have only one incident of him tithing, NO OTHER, and NO scripture instructing anyone to tithe because Abram did that one time; not to Jew or Gentile. God did not even instruct the Nation of Israel to tithe because Abram did who was the very Father of their Nation; why then would God tell the New Testament church to tithe based on Abram? Simply stated; God did not.
If you believe any of this to be wrong, please produce SCRIPTURE recording God instructing ANY OTHER PEOPLE, ANY OTHER NATION, to tithe other than the Nation of Israel. Chapter and verse, please...
"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." - Acts 17:11
______________________________
Copyright 2019, Anthony Todd, All rights reserved. Permission to copy and distribute this article must be obtained in writing from Tithing Study Online.
Permission can be requested at: tithingstudyonline@gmail.com. Upon permission to do so, it is granted under the strict condition that no content of any article be removed or altered, and that all articles are to remain intact as is when used. You must include a notation that any article distributed originated from Tithing Study Online, and include our blog URL as: https://ExaminingTithingDeceptions.blogspot.com.
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