So how does the teaching of 'tithing' in the church today match the revelation of God in Christ Jesus in the New Testament.....that of GRACE and TRUTH?

 

Have you ever noticed that the teaching of tithing is almost never presented with 'Grace'

and

Have you ever questioned why you (if you are one of those who are not on the receiving end of the gravy train) have that niggling doubt that tithing is TRUTH  (1 John 2:20)...in the way it is deceptively packaged....and becomes a demand totally contrary to the New Testament teaching and practice of Jesus and the apostles.

 

After listening to a preacher rant and rave about how all christians should belong to a local church...and how they should tithe if they are commited members, I said to God that I felt this was all so wrong and most preachers just do not seem able to see it. The following are the two scriptures which God spoke to my heart a short while later....scriptures that we all know even if not in this context.

 

John 1:14

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth .   NKJV

 

Brethren....grace and truth are NOT doctrines.....they are the manifestation GOD in a person ...Jesus

The teaching of 'tithing' fails the test of 'Grace and Truth'

How did HE present truth? (except when he was confronting deceiving religious leaders who misrepresented God's law...and exalted themselves over others)....He presented it in an unbelievably GRACIOUS manner which none could deny!

How did He show us as God's children what was required of us?

 

Matt 11:28-30
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."   NKJV
 

The teaching of 'tithing' fails the test of being truth because it is not 'easy and light....(ask most families who are battling to make ends meet)...and ...note the 'lowly in heart' which certainly does not decribe the heart of those preaching tithing.  isis  is is

 

Tithing also fails the following aspects

 

THE TRUTH

Tithing in the bible is ONLY ever commanded of the Israelites (Lev 27:1 & 34).... and NEVER of Gentile (Acts 15)

Tithing is part of the LAW (Lev 27:34, Mat 23:23 and Heb 7:5)...and the curse of Malachi 3 ONLY applies to those under the LAW (Mal 1:1 and 4:4)....tithing is NOT a 'spiritual principle'....or in anyway applicable under the NEW covenant of GRACE (Heb 7:12 and 18-19)

Tithing as required in the bible ONLY applied to FOOD and produce of the Land (Lev 27:30 & 32...Malchi 3:10 ...Mat 23:23).....NEVER of money or income earned by any worker.

Tithing was only ever to be given to the LEVITES (Num 18:21-24).....and NEVER to churches or their leadership (see Acts and all epistles)

Tithing was only given to the Levites in exchange forfeiting their INHERITANCE IN THE LAND (Num 18:21-26)  ... most preachers today OWN property contrary to this requirement

Tithing was required to be EATEN by the giver and his family for 2 years at feasts.....and only given away to Levites every Third year...'THE Year of Tithing".... (Deut 14:22-29,  Deut 26:12-15, Amos 4:4)

Tithing in the third year was also to be shared with the POOR (Deut 14:28-29 and Deut 26:13)....the POOR received from the tithe they did NOT give it!

There was no tithe in the seventh year.....the lands were to be left Fallow (Lev 25:4).....why is this never taught?

  

Tithing also contradicts clear New Testament principles

 

Matt 17:25-27  "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?" 

26 Peter said to Him, "From strangers."

Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free.  NKJV
 

 

How did HE demonstrate the way of leadership....and ministry to the body...vs what we see in most 'churches' today?

 

Matt 20:25-28
25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.  26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.  27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave —   28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."    NKJV
 

Brethren, this was addressed to the APOSTLES...the leaders who were to be slaves and servants. Slaves and servants do NOT demand money from you.......they serve WITHOUT demand.....according to the example which Jesus so graciously set!

 

2 Cor 12:14
And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.   NKJV

Acts 20:35
35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said,  'It is more blessed to give than to receive'    NKJV
 

For those who claim to be 'Fathers of the house'  (being the local churches they rule over)....the time has come to OBEY your master's commands as to how fathers OUGHT TO and MUST behave

  

Matt 10:7-10
7 And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'  8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.  9 Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts,  10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.     NKJV
 

 Brethren....ministers are free to receive FOOD... ie hospitality....This is NOT a right to demand MONEY as a salary!

 

Luke 16:13
"You cannot serve God and mammon."     NKJV

 

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 "Father I cannot see how those purporting to be your servants can continue to preach this deception before YOU to your CHILDREN"

 

...are they deaf to your voice?

...are they blinded by their greed to your word ?

...have they hardened their hearts to the leading of your Spirit?

...or are they tares among the wheat....false apostles, false teachers and false prophets ....savage wolves among your flock?