Saturday, November 4, 2023

THE MISUSE OF MALACHI 3:10; THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN

 THE MISUSE OF MALACHI 3:10; THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN 


Tithing teachers often claim that the "windows of heaven" in Malachi 3:10 refers to God pouring down money, expensive homes, expensive cars and a list of material items "if you tithe." As seen below in a careful study of the Hebrew words used in Malachi 3:10 and in proper context of Malachi 3:11 which states that the results of the windows of heaven opened would be the following...

1. "neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field" ...that is to say their agricultural produce would not die, rot and fall to the ground due to a lack of water. This is a clear reference to the results of an abundance of water being supplied by God.

2. The other blessing was stated as a form of divine protection from crop destruction by the devourer, or locust destroying crops; "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground."

In Malachi 3:11, who or what is “the devourer”? A devourer might be anything that devours crops in the farm, e.g.; locusts, worms etc., but usually refers to locust.

In Exodus, locusts were the 8th of 10 plagues inflicted on Egypt, where the Israelites were enslaved. “They will cover the face of the ground so that it cannot be seen. They will devour what little you have left after the hail, including every tree that is growing in your fields."

From March to October 1915, a plague of locusts stripped areas in and around Israel of almost all vegetation. This invasion of "biblical proportions" seriously compromised the already depleted food supply of the region.

In 2013, Haaretz (an Israeli newspaper) reported;

"Israel Sprays Crops Across Negev in Battle Against Locust Plague. Agriculture Ministry spraying pesticides to try and save crops from what it has defined as 'medium-size' swarm; insects covered nearly 2,000 acres of desert overnight."

As in Genesis 7:11 and Genesis 8:2, Malachi 3:10 refers to WATER from the windows of heaven, water provided by God in Malachi 3:10 resulting in the promise in Malachi 3:11 for crop growth and a healthy abundant harvest, not "windows of heaven" pouring out private jets, a Rolls Royce, mansions, multi million dollar homes and multi million dollar bank accounts "if you tithe to your favorite minister."

COMPARISON OF THREE SCRIPTURES USING THE PHRASE "WINDOWS OF HEAVEN."

The exact same phrase "windows of heaven" is used in all three verses...

>> Genesis 7:11 - "windows of heaven" ...were opened, resulting in the flood of Noah.

Genesis 7:11 - "In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened."

Hebrew;
"windows"
Original: ארבּה
Transliteration: 'ărubbâh
Phonetic: ar-oob-baw'
Definition: Feminine participle passive of H693 (as if for lurking); a lattice ; (by implication) a window, dove cot (because of the pigeon holes), chimney (with its apertures for smoke), sluice (with openings for water): - chimney, window.

Hebrew;
"of heaven"
Original: שׁמה שׁמים
Transliteration: shâmayim shâmeh
Phonetic: shaw-mah'-yim
Definition: The second form being dual of an unused singular; from an unused root meaning to be lofty ; the sky (as aloft ; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve): - air, X astrologer, heaven (-s).

Hebrew;
"were opened"
Original: פּתח
Transliteration: pâthach
Phonetic: paw-thakh'
Definition: A primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically to loosen, begin, plough, carve: - appear, break forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-) grave (-n), loose (self), (be, beset) open (-ing), put off, ungird, unstop, have vent.

>> Genesis 8:2 - "windows of heaven," resulting in the flood of Noah.

Genesis 8:2 - "The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained;"

Hebrew;
"windows"
Original: ארבּה
Transliteration: 'ărubbâh
Phonetic: ar-oob-baw'
Definition: Feminine participle passive of H693 (as if for lurking); a lattice ; (by implication) a window, dove cot (because of the pigeon holes), chimney (with its apertures for smoke), sluice (with openings for water): - chimney, window.

Hebrew;
"of heaven"
Original: שׁמה שׁמים
Transliteration: shâmayim shâmeh
Phonetic: shaw-mah'-yim
Definition: The second form being dual of an unused singular; from an unused root meaning to be lofty ; the sky (as aloft ; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve): - air, X astrologer, heaven (-s).

>> Malachi 3:10 - "windows of heaven"

Malachi 3:10 - "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

Hebrew;
"windows"
Original: ארבּה
Transliteration: 'ărubbâh
Phonetic: ar-oob-baw'
Definition: Feminine participle passive of H693 (as if for lurking); a lattice ; (by implication) a window, dove cot (because of the pigeon holes), chimney (with its apertures for smoke), sluice (with openings for water): - chimney, window.

Hebrew;
"of heaven"
Original: שׁמה שׁמים
Transliteration: shâmayim shâmeh
Phonetic: shaw-mah'-yim
Definition: The second form being dual of an unused singular; from an unused root meaning to be lofty ; the sky (as aloft ; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve): - air, X astrologer, heaven (-s).

THE BLESSING FROM THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN ('ărubbâh shâmayim shâmeh) RESULT IN...

Malachi 3:11 - "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts."

The promise in Malachi 3:11 is to the Nation of Israel under the Law of Moses for abundant crops, not privates jets for New Testament "tithers." Tithing teachers often "spiritualize" Malachi 3:10 in order to attempt to claim that the "windows of heaven" will open for the tither and pour out anything the tither desires...if they tithe enough money to the tithing teacher or their organization. This false claim is not only a misuse of Malachi 3:10, but also a blatant attempt to twist scripture, take scripture out of proper Biblical context and deceive Christians into handing over ten percent of their income to the tithing teacher. The Bible warns us...

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they draw to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto MYTHS." - 2 Timothy 4:3

And...

"Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you." - Deuteronomy 4:2

Additionally...

Context of Malachi 3:10...

"ye" - Levite Priests; Mal. 1:1,6-7; 2:1

"tithes" - agriculture and agricultural food by-products; Lev. 27:30; Deut. 12:17

"storehouse" - structure attached to the Temple in Jerusalem: 1Ki. 6:1-7

"house" - Temple in Jerusalem; 2Chr. 6:5-6

"windows of Heaven" - clouds; Gen. 7:11-12; 8:2

"blessing" - rain; Gen. 7:11-12; 8:2

Conclusion: Malachi is not saying to tithe money at your local church. It is speaking of agricultural tithes required by Law.

___________________________________________________________________

Copyright 2023, 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

A WARNING; MATTHEW 23:23

A WARNING; MATTHEW 23:23

To all you people who use Matthew 23:23 to "prove a Christian is told by Jesus to tithe," or that "Jesus confirmed tithing for Christians in Matthew 23:23," LISTEN CLOSELY....

The ENTIRE chapter of Matthew 23 was a long, hard, scathing, angry, powerful REBUKE by Jesus aimed at men who were evil, greedy, demonic, deceptive lying hypocritical blind guides and sons of satan who were on their way to hell, which said chapter included NOT ONE SINGLE WORD instructing Christians to tithe.

Still want to "tithe" based on Matthew 23:23?!

Be warned tithing teachers;

WOE UNTO YOU TITHING TEACHERS, YOU EVIL HYPOCRITES!!!...

 1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,

 2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:

 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 

 6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

 7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

 8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

 13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

 14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

 15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

 16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!

 17  Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?

 18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. 

 19  Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?

 20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.

 21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.

 22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

 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. 

 24  Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

 25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

 26  Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.

 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

 29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,

 30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.

 31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.

 32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.

 33  Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

 34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:

 35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

 36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.

 37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

 38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.

 39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

- Matthew Chapter 23.

___________________________________________________________________

Copyright 2023, 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 RISK

THE RISK

If you tithe based on Malachi 3:10, according to Malachi 3:7 you are placing yourself back under the Law of Moses and are subject to the curse of the law. How so? This so...

Malachi 3:7 - "Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances [THE LAW OF MOSES], and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?"

This is how they returned...

Malachi 3:10 - "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

The risk of doing so...

James 2:10 - "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."

Galatians 5:3 - "For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law."

Galatians 3:10 - "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them."

___________________________________________________________________

Copyright 2023, 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



TITHE AS JACOB?

TITHE AS JACOB?

You tithe as Jacob did? Are you sure? Consider...

>> 1. There is no record of Jacob tithing anything to anyone, not one verse in the entire Bible records a tithe from Jacob. So, therefore, it's pretty foolish to claim you "tithe because Jacob did" with no proof that he ever tithed.

Deuteronomy 4:2 - "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you."

Proverbs 30:5-6 - "Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar."

>> 2. Jacob's vow to tithe did not come from God, it came from Jacob. God did not respond to Jacob, in fact, God did not even acknowledge his offer to tithe.

Notice God's promise to Jacob did not contain instructions to tithe... "And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of." - Genesis 28:12-15

>> 3. Jacob added to God's word; Notice Jacob adding tithing to God's promise, adding tithing to God's word THAT GOD DID NOT REQUIRE...

"And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first. And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God: And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee." - Genesis 28:19-22

>> 4. Notice Jacob adding tithing to God's promise, adding tithing to God's word THAT GOD DID NOT REQUIRE...

"And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first. And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God: And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee." - Genesis 28:19-22

CONCLUSION

If you truly "tithe as Jacob did" you wouldn't be tithing at all. Jacob is not an example of tithing, or any reason to tithe.

The word of God NEVER references Jacob as a reason to tithe, or an example to follow as a tithe payer.

___________________________________________________________________

Copyright 2023, 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



TITHE AS ABRAHAM?

TITHE AS ABRAHAM?

You tithe as Abraham did? Are you sure? Consider...

>> 1. Abraham tithed with Levi in his Loins. Is the tribe of Levi in your loins? Is Levi descended from you?

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:"

Hebrews 7:10  - "For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

Hebrews 7:9 - "And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham."

>> 2. Abraham tithed to Melchisedec...TO MELCHISEDEC...not to a New Testament pastor, church or anyone else. Where does God's Word give authority to any pastor, minister or church in the New Testament to receive tithes on behalf of Melchisedec? Answer; NOWHERE.

Hebrews 7:6 - "But he [Melchisedec] whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises."

>> 3. Abraham's tithe confirmed  the superiority of the Order and Priesthood of Melchisedec over the tribe and priesthood of Levi by having Levi in his loins when his tithe was given. Is your tithe being used by God to confirm the superiority of the Order and Priesthood of Melchisedec over the Levites? Why would God have to do so, confirm and establish, over and over again with your "tithe" to a church, pastor or some other ministry the superiority of Melchisedec? Was it not firmly confirmed and established once and for all? Or, did God fail to do so? NO, God did not fail!

Hebrews 7:4 - "Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils."

Hebrews 7:6-7 - "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."

Hebrews 7:21 - "( For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec: )"

>> 4. Abraham's tithe, the purpose thereof, was to confirm the superiority of the Order and Priesthood of Melchisedec over the tribe and priesthood of Levi by tithing to Melchisedec in Abraham; how could your tithing to your church confirm Melchisedec as superior over Levi? Answer; it can't. Why would God have to attempt to confirm Melchisedec as superior over Levi over and over again with your tithe? Answer; He doesn't, it has already been established FOREVER. God does not need your tithe to your church to attempt it over and over again.

Hebrews 7:6-7 - "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."

Hebrews 7:21-22 - "(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament."

CONCLUSION

God has never intended any other tithe other than Abraham's singular tithe to Melchisedec to confirm the superiority of the Order and Priesthood of Melchisedec over the tribe and priesthood of Levi. If you are "tithing because Abraham did," your tithe effort is worthless, not required and an unbiblical waste of time. You have been deceived by deceptive tithing teachers who are deceitfully using Hebrews chapter seven to fool you into tithing. DON'T BE FOOLED!

To claim that you are "tithing because Abraham did" is foolishness. The New Testament NEVER refers to Abraham and his tithing as an example to be followed today by a Believer under the New Covenant.

In the Bible, there is no record of any patriarch; any prophet or any apostle giving tithes of their monetary income.  So when you accuse me of robbing God because I do not give tithes of my monetary income you also accuse the patriarchs, the prophets, and the apostles of robbing God.

___________________________________________________________________

Copyright 2023, 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

TEST GOD PER MALACHI 3:10?

TEST GOD PER MALACHI 3:10?

Malachi 3:10 - "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove [**bâchan] me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

THE TEST CONDITION

In order to "test God" per Malachi 3:10, the following facts would also apply to the "tester"...

1. The tester would place themselves under the whole Law of Moses (the works of the Law), not merely that of testing God in the tithe only. Because...

2. The tester is told in Malachi 3:7 the following; "Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?" ...which is pursuant to tithing under the Law of Moses.

Note: "MINE ORDINANCES" which is the whole Law of Moses. The only way back to tithing per God's command in Malachi 3:10  would be through the Law of Moses as stated in Malachi 3:7, the tester would then be subject to the following...

3. Galatians 3:10 - "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them." And to...

4. James 2:10 - "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." Meaning...

5. They who would test God in the tithe would also be subject to testing God in the whole Law of Moses as stated in...

6. Nehemiah 10:29 - "They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;"

And...

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."

7. The tester would be involved in wickedness; Malachi 3:15 - "And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt [**bâchan] God are even delivered."

Note: Malachi 3:10 and Malachi 3:15 BOTH employ the same Hebrew word "bâchan" translated "prove" in Malachi 3:10 and "tempt" in Malachi 3:15 which calls it "wickedness." (See ref. below.)

8. The tester would be wasting their time because Malachi 3:10 was addressed only to Old Covenant national Israel and the nation's Levite Priesthood, NOT to New Covenant Christians...

Malachi 1:1 - "The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi."

Malachi 1:6 - "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?" 

Malachi 2:1 - "And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you." 

9. The Christian tester is not under or subject to the Law of Moses, it's abolished relative to New Testament Christians...

Hebrews 7:18 - "For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof."

Romans 6:14 - "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."

10. The tester would also be subject to this rebuke...

Galatians 3:1-5 - "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" 

CONCLUSION

Test God in the tithe? Not a very wise Idea for a New Testament Christian.

>> Ref.;

** Original: בּחן 

Transliteration: bâchan 

Phonetic: baw-khan' 

Definition: A primitive root; to test (especially metals); generally and figuratively to investigate: -  examine, prove, tempt, try (trial).

>> FOOTNOTE; TEST GOD?

Yes, God told the nation of Israel it was permitted to test Him in the tithe...

Malachi 3:10 - "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove [bâchan] me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

But notice; God DID NOT recommend it when seen in the context of the whole council of God's Word...

Malachi 3:15 - "And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt [bâchan] God are even delivered."

Matthew 4:7 - "Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."

Deuteronomy 6:16 - "Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah."

Psalms 78:41 - "Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel."

1 Corinthians 10:9 - "Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents."

Tithing teachers love to read Malachi 3:10, but for some reason avoid Malachi 3:15, Matthew 4:7, Deuteronomy 6:16, Psalms 78:41 and 1 Corinthians 10:9.

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Copyright 2023, 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



HEBREWS CHAPTER SEVEN

HEBREWS CHAPTER SEVEN

What is DISANNULLED? What is WEAK? What is UNPROFITABLE? These three...

1. The Levitical Priesthood (which could bring perfection [salvation] TO NO ONE, Hebrews 7:11).

2. The Law of Moses relative to New Testament Christians who are NOT UNDER THE LAW (Romans 6:14, Acts 15:24).

3. Tithing, which is of the law of Moses (Hebrews 7:5, Numbers 18:21-24, Matthew 23:23).

In Hebrews Chapter Seven tithing is mentioned 7 times, verses number; 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 9 again, focusing CLEARLY ON TITHING, and while proving the superiority of Christ's priesthood, ALSO places tithing (along with the rest of the law of Moses) in a position of INFERIORITY and declares it all...

ALL THREE ARE WEAK, ALL THREE ARE UNPROFITABLE, AND ALL THREE ARE DISANNULLED (CANCELED)...INCLUDING TITHING.

"For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof." - Hebrews 7:18

AND...

If we are to tithe BECAUSE Abraham tithed, then logically, and if Abraham is to be our example concerning tithing, we should also tithe AS Abraham tithed; unless you can find a scripture that says; "Tithe because Abraham tithed, but not like him" - 1 Nonsense 3:1. 

Abraham also circumcised before the law; should we circumcise also, why just tithing? ... and Abraham gave all he was in possession of (not just 10%) which was property he didn't own; should we do the same, tithe as Abraham did, on other people's property? Also, where does the word of God instruct anyone to "tithe because Abraham did?"...NOWHERE; not to anyone in the Old or New Testaments. Abram, and his one time tithe to Melchizedek, is NEVER used in God's Word as a reason for, or example of tithing. 

Abram's tithe in Genesis 14 was a non-compulsory tithe. Abraham gave a tenth to Melchizedek of his own free will. The voluntary nature of Abram's tithe counteracts arguments that would link his tithe to any form of compulsory giving on a regular basis. 

Abraham paid a one-time tithe of war spoils from his local battles, and he followed the local Arabic custom to pay that tithe to the Semitic priest-king Melchizedek. Abraham was a very wealthy man before this time, and he didn’t tithe from that, but paid a tithe from the aforementioned war spoils. This event was the only instance recorded in the Bible of Abraham offering/paying a tithe. (Hebrews 7, Genesis 14, Psalm 110).

>> Here is how Abraham tithed... 

1. The example of Abraham is not a normative pattern; some people claim that tithing is required because Abraham gave a tenth to Melchizedek, and he lived before the Mosaic covenant (the Law) was in place. Such an example hardly prove tithing is for all time, however. Abraham’s gift to Melchizedek was a one-time event; there is no evidence he regularly gave God (or anyone) a tithe. 

2. Abraham tithed on the spoils of war (which would be illegal under the Law, which is the tithing system, rules and procedures GOD ESTABLISHED; God did not establish a system of tithing outside of the Law of Moses, the Torah. There is no such a "second tithing system" in the Old or New Testament). 

3. Abraham tithed by paying 10% to a Priest, Melchizedek, and the remaining 90% he gave to a pagan King (and some to his men); in Abraham's case, to the King Sodom. 

4. Abraham tithed one time (no record of Abraham ever tithing before or after, and no record of him teaching Issac to tithe or anyone else...Abraham was not a tithing teacher). 

5. Abraham tithed without being commanded to do so. God never held Abraham responsible for tithing, and did not tell him to do so. We have no record of any such command from God to Abraham. 

6. Abraham tithed on things he didn't own. Some of which were Lot's property ("And he gave him tithes of all." - Genesis 14:20). 

7. And, possibly, Abraham tithed human beings taken in his rescue of his Nephew, Lot. 

8. Abraham tithed directly to a Priest, NOT to a church, tithing teacher or TV Evangelist. Also, he didn't tithe to an organization, but rather to a person; Melchizedek. 

9. Abraham tithed because of a ONE TIME special event; the slaughter of the Kings upon rescuing Lot, his tithe was not a regular weekly event. 

10. God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision, yet tithing, not given by God, is held in higher priority by tithing teachers than a God-ordained covenant; the covenant with Abraham was confirmed with circumcision, not tithing. 

11. Abraham tithed to a KING, Melchizedek; are we to treat pastors as KINGS and the church they oversee as a "Kingdom run by a KING?" 

12. Since God NEVER called the Children of Israel to tithe based on Abraham tithing to Melchizedek (there is NO SCRIPTURE commanding the Children of Israel to tithe as Abraham did), the very Abraham who was the Father of their Nation, and HIGHLY revered; why would God instruct the New Testament Church to "tithe as Abraham did?" 

13. Abraham tithed to Melchizedek, thus according to Hebrews 7:5-8, proved and established that Melchizedek was superior than Abraham; when we tithe to a pastor or other person, are we to then conclude they are superior to us? 

14. That is "Abrahamic tithing" ...AND WOULD BE ILLEGAL UNDER THE LAW, and the Law (or reference to the Law) is the ONLY PLACE God has ever commanded tithing. 

15. And, how and where does scripture say that Abraham's tithe was an "eternal law," and why weren't the Israelites tithing BEFORE the Law, since Abraham's tithe was supposed to be some kind of "eternal law" and was before the Law of Moses, the Torah? Where is it recorded in scripture that Israelites tithed before the Law and did so because of Abraham tithing? Nowhere. 

16. Abram's tithe didn't come from the Promise Land, it came from spoils of war from Sodom and Gomorrah. In God's system of tithing, any tithe from outside the Promise Land was illegal. 

Genesis 14:11-12... 

"And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way. And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed." 

>> Tithing is not a New Testament doctrine; there is no such thing as "New Testament tithing," or "Tithing under grace." If tithing was required and taught in the New Testament for Christians, it would have to be clearly detailed and outlined in the terms and conditions of the New Testament like all promises and commands of the New Testament are. Tithing instructions would be clearly included in the New Testament. 

No such terms, conditions or details are outlined anywhere in the New Testament. 

>> Tithing teachers enjoy pulling out highly selective sections of scripture to fool their followers into handing over their "tithe" money. That is called taking scripture out of context to deceive. They love the "BECAUSE" part, they hate the "AS" part. 

>> THE WORD OF GOD warns us to be careful and alert... 

"That we from now on be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;" - Ephesians 4:14

As a friend of mine has pointed out...

"Better read the account of Abraham tithing to Melchizedek again (Hebrews ch. This time, I suggest you take the blinders of religion off and read with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Abraham did not tithe his own wealth (Genesis 13:2) He tithed the property of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. (Genesis 14:16-23)

Abraham only tithed after killing a bunch of wicked people. Are you killing wicked people before you tithe?"

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Copyright 2023, 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



A REQUIREMENT TO TITHE?

A REQUIREMENT TO TITHE... 1. Does not continue into the New Testament. 2. Is not recorded as being practiced in the New Testament. 3. Is not...