In 2009, we are not under the Law, Jesus said In Luke 16:16: “the Law and the prophets was until John the Baptist (voice crying in the Wilderness in Isaiah).”John the Baptist died about 2000 years ago.
Luke 16:16 says:
"The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it ( ESV Bible).”
Churches collect tithe. People give tithe and it is the Law. If we wish to be under the Law then we should follow it completely. What does the Bible say on Tithing?
Deuteronomy 26: 11-12says:
“And thou shalt rejoice in all the good which the LORD thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thy house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is in the midst of thee.
When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithe of thine increase in the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, to the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be satisfied ( JPS Tanakh),”
The tithe from the increase on the third year was to be divided into 4 parts (the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow) according to the law. In other words 2.5%+2.5%+2.5%+2.5%= 10%, that is how you split that into 4 parts.
Should we give? Yes, it is better to give than to receive. If you are not under the Law God may ask you to give more or less, we should hear His voice to know what we are to give. The Pharisees followed the Law, but what did Jesus say about them and tithing?
Mathew 23: 23 says:
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others (ESV Bible).”
Jesus said that tithing was not as important as judgment, mercy, and faith. I have heard many messages where Finances have been taken out of the context of Gods word, and that is why I wrote this thus far. If anything I would be more concern that Jesus does not call me the following: “Woe unto you, scribe and Pharisee, hypocrite!”
Next time you hear God asking you to give, give what he asks you to give….
We must give! But, if you wish to give under the Law then read what Jesus said about the Law in Luke 16: 16-17….
Malachi 3:9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you.bretheren
ReplyDeleteThe thing about this verse is that it is usually the one that is heard in many churches when tithe is the subject. I feel that it is used by many to intimidate the bretheren into giving. It is true that money is needed for works, but are the funds being used for the work of spreading the gospel or are the funds being misused. Who is responsible and accountable? Both the giver and the receiver.... I attended a service once, in which one was not allowed to take comunion unless they gave first. I know how I responded to this matter, how would you respond?
Reference:
ESV Bible
In the following verse, Jesus is quoting the prophet Jeremiah:
ReplyDelete“Mark 11:17 and he was teaching them and saying to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers."
The following is the original quote:
“Jeremiah 7:11 has this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, I myself have seen it, declares the LORD.”
Of course when we put it into context, Jesus was angered by the money changers in the Temple, but my question is whether the situation has to be specific to money changing to be robbing because God’s house was to be a house of prayer for the nations? Is the purpose of God’s house prayer or is it a business that generates money for personal gain?
Deuteronomy 14:22-29 reads:
ReplyDelete"Deu 14:22 "You shall tithe all the yield of your seed that comes from the field year by year.
Deu 14:23 And before the LORD your God, in the place that he will choose, to make his name dwell there, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.
Deu 14:24 And if the way is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, when the LORD your God blesses you, because the place is too far from you, which the LORD your God chooses, to set his name there,
Deu 14:25 then you shall turn it into money and bind up the money in your hand and go to the place that the LORD your God chooses
Deu 14:26 and spend the money for whatever you desire--oxen or sheep or wine or strong drink, whatever your appetite craves. And you shall eat there before the LORD your God and rejoice, you and your household.
Deu 14:27 And you shall not neglect the Levite who is within your towns, for he has no portion or inheritance with you.
Deu 14:28 "At the end of every three years you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in the same year and lay it up within your towns.
Deu 14:29 And the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance with you, and the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, who are within your towns, shall come and eat and be filled, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands that you do ( Holy Bible, ESV)."