This may be difficult for many. So, I’ll begin with, “Come, let us reason together.” Please, don’t take any offense without first thoroughly searching the Scriptures to see if what I’ve written lines up with what He had his Spirit instruct men to write.
The subjective matter of the tithe is subtly tied together with any given individual’s or collective’s concepts of righteousness, grace, works, faith, and agape’ love. If one were to visit any twelve given congregations over a twelve week period, one would perhaps hear a sermon on giving that is tied together with each congregation’s doctrine concerning the rest of the above mentioned list. What I find oddly interesting is that, were one to go, let’s say, to a congregation whose doctrine centers on the Ephesians 2:8-9 scripture concerning “saved by grace through faith”, one might hear that we’re “not under the law of works” any longer, but at the same time, during the sermon on giving, one might hear mention of the “tithe” as stipulated under Levitical law. It may be framed as a “suggestion”, or mentioned in passing with “the Lord loves a cheerful giver” or “this is our reasonable act of worship”; I have, in some cases, even seen it printed on the collection envelopes, “one tenth sayeth the Lord.”
My question is:
“Doesn’t it seem a bit contradictory that while we profess to no longer being under the Law, yet we fall back to the position of tithing when it comes to giving?”
My next question, following this, would be, “If the Levitical priesthood of the Law is no longer under operation, and we, as believers, no longer have the Levites among us as priests, then who is the one tenth for?”
I might also ask, “If Yeshua ha Messiach is now our High Priest, having fulfilled and replaced the priesthood of fallen men, then shouldn’t we give our tithe to Him?”
And then the statement of Yeshua concerning giving to Him would come to mind: “Whoever does so unto the least of these does so unto Me.”
So, I would ask, “Who are the least of these? Is my contribution being distributed to them, or is it being used for the church mortgage and salaries and administrative costs?” In my confusion, I may eventually come to the conclusion that it’s easier to give the tenth and ask no questions, and to let the people we pay to make such decisions worry about where it goes.
Many of us, in a sense of what’s “right”, will figure our budgets to include the giving of ten percent, or five, or fifteen, and stick to it, changing it only when a greater need arises. We may want a new car, the water heater may go out, it may be christmas time. One of the concerns of any church administrator may be: “How much will be in the till this week? Will it meet our obligations?”
Thus, the tithe is often directly tied to the oaths we make, both personal and “religious”; a pastor’s pay, the church mortgage, the building fund for a bigger building, support of an overseas missionary team. Sometimes we will have visiting speakers whose transportation costs and “love gift” must be accounted for. Discussions about “how much money do we need” and “where did the money go” often account for the most heated disagreements in a congregation.
My direct concern is that enforcing the tithe, even loosely, as a central guideline for giving, causes us to then disregard the Words of Yeshua, the direct instructions of Yeshua concerning such matters. We then fall into Cain’s mistake, and Israel’s repetitive mistake, of taking care of our own “needs for tomorrow”, and giving a portion of what’s left to administrative costs. As a result, the very people whose burdens we were instructed to “carry” are left out in the cold; our very brothers and sisters, and the widow and orphan and afflicted and the stranger and the homeless, are neglected. Even when we “meet the requirements of the Law”, however, God is not pleased when we don’t meet these other needs. Let’s make a careful observation of what Yeshua, our Advocate and Judge, said concerning such things.
“Then He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, ‘Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty has put in all the livelihood that she had.” Please keep that thought, and turn with me to Genesis 4:3-5: “And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstlings of the flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering.”
Something that should be noted here for cultural relevance is that for a widow in that day and age to give all she had would take great faith. If a widow in that culture had no son to take care of her once her husband died, then she was generally in the position of having to sell off all that she had, little by little, until all was gone, just to survive. Once everything was gone, she would have to beg in order to eat. There was no social security, and people, as people are wont to do, only did as much as was required by the Law in regards to taking care of the afflicted, the widows, and the orphans. They wouldn’t visit them in their distress; the widows, orphans, and afflicted would have to go to the marketplace or the temple and beg if they wanted to eat (Isaiah 58:6-9)
Now, if you’ll take note, the “an offering” of Cain was not pleasing to God, as were not “the offerings” of the abundance of the “rich” very impressive to Yeshua. Also, it is important to note that the incident with Cain and Abel takes place (in terms of context) immediately after it is shown that there is a “way” back to Eden. At the same time, the widow’s “all the livelihood that she had” can be compared to Abel’s “of the firstlings of the flock and the fat thereof.”
So what did Christ and the Apostles teach about giving? After all, we should heed their instructions if Yeshua is the Author, Finisher, and Cornerstone of our faith, and if the Apostles are the Foundation of the ecclesia.
Yeshua never taught against the Law; when He seemingly contradicted the Law, it is because He was teaching how to fulfill, or complete, the Law. Every single one of Yeshua ha Messiach’s instructions has its origin in the Scriptures, better known as the Old Testament. Here’s what Yeshua said to do concerning possessions and money and giving:
- Take no thought of tomorrow, what you’ll wear and what you’ll eat; your Father in Heaven knows you need these things: The widow shown above knew this Truth, and she acted upon it in faith. I hope I get to meet her!
- Store not up for yourselves treasures on earth: In today’s world, it’s not considered “wise” to not save for retirement, or for our children’s’ college, or for an “emergency fund”, or for a new house, or for groceries. It’s even taught so in many churches. But what does the Word say about this world’s wisdom? What does the Word say about storing up for ourselves? Is the Word making suggestions, or is the Word instructing us and expecting the obedience of faith? (Luke 6:46)
- Whatsoever you do unto the least of these, you do unto Me also: One time, while I was explaining to a pastor that we should provide for the needs of the homeless, he responded to me: “There are places already set up for people in those circumstances.” Do we rely on the world’s “social programs” and “places” to take care of the needs of the less fortunate? On that day, will He say, “Go to those places you relied upon to take care of My needs to meet your spiritual need?” How many times have we come across a less-than-distinguished looking person and bothered to ask them if they needed anything, even a drink of water?
- Sell all your possessions and distribute equally amongst your congregation members, to each as they have need: What? Are you kidding? Well, no, actually. Yeshua said it several times, to forsake all, and to give everything. The Apostles taught such, and did such (Mark 10:29-30, John 12:25, Luke 14:33, John 6:63, Acts Chapter 2, Chapter 4). Why do we “miss” this teaching?
- The Word says that, “No man can serve two masters,” and, “You were bought at a price; do not become the slaves of men.” There are two areas in christendom today in which it seems we are not adhering to these important instructions. First, in that we build church buildings, and then save for future “bigger” church buildings. Many times, churches rely on mortgage loans for such buildings, and thus “enslave” themselves to “oaths for tomorrow.” The Word is quite clear in pointing out we’re not to do this, and yet we disregard these instructions, and justify ourselves by borrowing from “christian” lenders. Even if christian, the lenders are nonetheless tied into the world banking system, and since we have become indebted to them, they become our masters. Secondly, the christian of today continues to take loans from the world banking system to buy cars and houses, to pay for our child’s college education, and to meet other “needs.” Same problem. We have disregarded God’s instructions, and become indebted to masters. We become unable to heed the day by day leading of our true Master when we are indebted to others. Our cares of the world then keep us from generously helping others. We even call these cares of the world “responsibilities.”
- Be content day by day with clothes to wear and food to eat: Most of us, in becoming stained by the world, have become “need-obsessed.” We consider a bigger house, a newer car, multiple appliances, and “good” clothes as being needs. Thus, John’s words are made manifest: “Whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” When a believer with a good income continues indebting himself to meet his own wants, and others go without, they are in clear violation of the Spirit of the Word of God. The answer to this is in I John 2:15-16 and I John 3:16-18, but we disregard these essential instructions. Why?
- Throughout the Word of God is the theme of keeping ourselves unencumbered from this world’s debts and goods so that we can be helpful to others. If our money is tied up in our own comfort, how can we be obedient to God’s desires that we “let our light shine?”
God is clearly not impressed by our magnificent church buildings; He is concerned only about how we keep our “houses,” our persons that have been given to Him. If we claim to have given Him our entire selves for Him to dwell in, then how is it we continue giving ourselves to worldy goods and neglecting the needs of those around us? The answer, unfortunately, is that we have been seduced by this world, by Baal, and that we do not serve God, but ourselves. No, I am not condemning; I’m stating the simple Truth.
Picture, if you will, Yeshua or the Apostles walking into one of our homes today, and seeing all of the worldly goods that are designed to appeal to our desire for comfort. Would they say that we have been enticed by the world and worldly things? I don’t believe “grace” covers this one. God doesn’t give grace to the disobedient and rebellious. He gives grace to the humble (selfless) and obedient. And yet we still claim to know Him. This is known in His Word as apostasy. “Having a form of godliness but denying the Power thereof.”
I know these are hard statements; check in the Word of God, and see if what I’m saying is consistent with what God says. Don’t look for “excuses” that exempt you from obedience; rather search with a whole heart for Him and His Truth. He knows that the things of this world are burdens that separate us from Him and from others. He wants us to break the chains and come to Him and receive in exchange eternal joy and gladness. But it seems that we want both our chains and His joy. It can’t be done. No one can serve two masters.
Now, let’s look at tithing and what it’s used for, and examine what the Scriptures, Jesus, and the Apostles had to say of these things.
Modern uses of tithing and ministry giving:
- Paying for the church building and maintenance expenses
- Paying for the administrative salaries
- Paying for “evangelical tools” such as tracts, videos, radio and TV shows, self-help books
- Paying missionary salaries
- Buying worship instruments and sound systems
- Church transportation (buses, etc.)
- Christian education
- Attorney’s fees and related legal expenses
- “Love gifts” for visiting speakers and musicians
- Meeting emergency financial needs of “church members”
I’ll approach these one at a time, and do my best to show what the Scriptures have to say about each item. I know that interpretation and conjecture can muddle the issues; but I will attempt to show the spirit of what the Scriptures have to say.
I already touched on #1, church building expenses. Allow me to point out, though, that the early Church, the “first love” Church, while they visited the Temple and the synagogues to preach the gospel, they met in peoples’ homes on a daily basis. God is not impressed by buildings. He says,
“Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build for Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist, says the Lord. But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My Word.”
It’s clear here, and in numerous other places in His Word, that God does neither require nor desire “houses hewn of stone and wood” for His habitation. And yet we get indebted to the world and make financial oaths in order to build “churches.” His ecclesia does not abide in such places. The Body, corporately and individually, is His temple, and is to be sanctified to Him. The early ecclesia knew this, and so went “house to house” to meet, worship Him, and provide for each other. Church buildings are nothing more and nothing less than manifestations of our vanity. (Romans 13:8)
In order to understand administrative salaries, we must first understand how the early ecclesia divided their money. To begin with, they sold all their possessions, lands, and houses and brought the money “into the body” to be divided as each individual had need. They considered nothing as “their own.” If we can’t understand and act on this principle, all other financial considerations crumble and return to worldly guidelines and methodology.
The early ecclesia would see that the needs of the poor; the widows, orphans, and destitute, were provided for first, as taught by the entirety of Scripture and by Yeshua and His Apostles (Acts 20:35, Gal. 2:10). Today, we provide such with our leftovers, the “scraps” that fall from the table. We must first meet our “obligations;” the mortgage and administrative salaries are the “constants” instead of the needs of the impoverished (“charities”).
Yes, Paul indicated that the teacher or apostle or pastor was worthy of “double honor.” Conjecturally, there are a few ways this can be interpreted. When the money was “divided equally,” perhaps the “pastor” would receive a double portion, since his “job” was to provide for the spiritual needs of the Body, and that kept him from maintaining a steady source of income. From the spirit of what is being said, though, I doubt such a person received or accepted such preferential treatment, although it’s clear that there were already those who “taught for profit.” Instead, those who were true to what they were teaching were most likely content with their food and clothing (ITim.6:6-8). Since their ministry often involved traveling, they may just have stayed wherever they were teaching.
There were not church secretaries, youth ministers, janitorial staff, and other such amenities which drain a Body’s resources. They divided everything according to need, and no one lacked (Acts 4:34).
When it comes to today’s evangelical methods, I must say that we have managed to replace the works of God with the works of men. Did Yeshua and the Apostles and the early ecclesia need more than the Word of God? Were they concerned with “keeping up with the world” in terms of “marketing christianity?” And yet, we don’t hesitate to use the corrupt things of the world to spread the “gospel message.” Weren’t we warned about this very thing? (Romans 3:8) Shall we do evil so that good may come from it? And yet in this very manner, “christian television” and radio and numerous other “evangelical outreaches” have gone out of control; if the name of Yeshua is mentioned, it seems that any action is justified. Tracts and videos and books and fish fries are not any of the methods we were told to use to exemplify our love one for another. The Word of God, and Truth, and Righteousness, and the Spirit of unselfish Love (agape’) are to be our banners! When we, through our own vain methods, attempt to build the House of God for Him, we’re building on sand, and our efforts will not stand. Why, then, do we contribute to such things?
There are biblical guidelines to supporting a “missionary” preacher or teacher. If one is anointed and sent out, his needs may be provided for until such a time that his “flock” grows and is able to feed and cloth him. In Paul’s case, he administered different “techniques” depending on the disposition of those he was ministering to. Sometimes he “made tents” as an example to those he was teaching. Sometimes other ecclesias of believers supported his efforts. It was all situational; depending on where and how the Spirit led him, so Paul did. There was no “pre-arrangement” or procedure. When a flock was mature enough, he would exhort them to give, knowing that they were building up for themselves treasures in The Kingdom. Mostly, though, it seems by the examples given to us in scripture that missionaries got by on the bare essentials, and were satisfied to do so.
Worship instruments, sound systems, choir robes; again, is God impressed by any of this? Again, no. Oh, the Word doesn’t say that a local Body shouldn’t take up a special collection so that a skilled player can acquire and maintain a musical instrument; what the Word does say, though, is that God won’t be pleased by our “praise songs” if we’re not meeting the needs of the poor amongst us and the poor who are brought to our attention. His Word doesn’t say that God looks kindly upon our “big, impressive worship teams” and the complicated musical array that goes along with them. A simple “harp” will do, and if we don’t have one, He’ll be pleased with the fruit of our lips as long as we’ve provided for others’ needs first. (Isaiah 58, Amos 5:21-24) We’ve gotten ourselves locked into a pre-established mindset that says that we have to have a building and a choir and a worship team; it’s all nonsense. Look to what the Word of God says we do need and how to purchase the Oil for our lamps.
As far as transportation is concerned, once again we’ve conformed to the image of the world instead of being transformed by the renewing of our minds. For about 6,000 years man used his feet, along with the occasional horse or camel. Today, we have separated ourselves from each other in such a manner that if it’s not a matter of a five-minute-drive, it’s not worth the inconvenience of visiting. And yet, there’s practically a “church building on every corner”, and “christian neighbors” across the street. “Oh, but they go to that other church.” And therein lies the problem; instead of diligently working through the Word of God to exhort each other in His Truth to solve our differences, we separate ourselves and hire unto ourselves teachers so we can “hear what our itching ears want to hear (II Tim. 4:1-4, I Tim. 4:1-2).” Why aren’t we meeting as Yeshua and the Apostles taught us to meet? Because it’s inconvenient, and/or it doesn’t entertain us. We’ve grown fat and lazy, and we think we’re warm and well-fed (Rev. 3:14-22). Our natural affection one for another has waxed cold. We don’t care, at least we don’t in deed and in Truth (I John 3:18). If there’s someone that we know is lonely or in some kind of need, why not walk over and invite yourself (if they’re willing) and meet their need? Yes, it’s that simple. If you’re in a “big church,” start neighborhood cell churches that meet daily, and walk to the meetings. Maybe then we’ll start noticing the needs of those around us. If there’s a disabled person, go to their house to meet, or acquire a wheelchair if they don’t have one and stroll with them to the local meeting, having an intimate and insightful conversation on the way. Start preferring to be with the needy; that’s what Yeshua did.
Christian education. Well, I believe in Christian education, but not in the way you may be used to thinking of as Christian education. You know those “cell churches” or “house churches” I was referring to? Well, each one can be a “base” for “bringing up our children in the Way they should go.” The purpose of this is not to teach them to be competitive with the world, but to be not of the world. Yes, we may have to meet legal schooling requirements. We must teach them math, history (in the beginning was the Word, … and because of corruption God flooded the world …), social studies (the Book of Proverbs), science (primordial slime is not equivalent to God’s Word), reading (with a heavy dose of Hebrew and Greek etymology), writing (how about a course on how David wrote the Psalms) and home economics (blacksmithing and woodworking and sewing and food preservation are quickly becoming lost arts). Above all means, we should not conform in any way to “modern education” as established by Mr. Dewey in the 1930’s. Mr. Dewey was the Secretary of Education under Franklin D. Roosevelt, and like most of Mr. Roosevelt’s staff, was an avid follower of Alice Bailey, Madame Blavatsky, and their host of spiritists supported by the Lucis trust, formerly known as the Lucifer Publishing Company. Lucis Trust has a distinguished office and presence in the United Nations Plaza to this very day. Be not conformed to the image of this world…
Christian Attorney. That’s like saying, “christian lion-keeper in the Coliseum.” (Nothing personal, Mr./Ms. Attorney!) Books have been written on the subject of churches and 501c3 tax exemptions. I’ll sum them up by saying that ecclesia bodies should have nothing to do with 501c3s. The word says to “render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s.” Romans 13:5-8 says, “Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they (governing authorities) are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” So why is it we have attorneys? Well, for one, to get out of paying taxes. We’ve been sleeping with the enemy!
I don’t see any problem in the Word with giving “love gifts” to visiting ministers. Having said that, allow me to say I don’t see a problem in the Word with it as long as the visiting minister is teaching the True Word in a spirit of exhortation, that is, Truth. Most often, one can discern the Truth because it aligns perfectly with the Word of God and causes us to squirm in our seats. If we’re not enjoying it, and it’s perfectly in line with Scripture, it’s probably True exhortation. As far as music, does it just “sound” good and spiritual, or is it the Truth that they are singing? Are we worshipping God with our lives as a result, or are we enjoying the feeling? Are we testing the spirit? Or are we simply enjoying entertainment?
Finally, we come to the “last item on the list.” Unfortunately, it is the last item on the list in most churches. Are the needs of the poor in the body being met first out of the collection plate? Are we driving our new car to church and avoiding parking next to the ’78 bomb in which that disreputable-looking person arrives at services each week? Are we asking them if all of their needs are being met? Unfortunately, the needy people in our congregations are usually “counseled” at one time or another that God is not blessing them financially because of some sin or irresponsibility on their part. But what if God made them just the way they are to provide an opportunity for two parties to be blessed, both the giver and the receiver? Some people, after all, are just not ambitious enough, and that is frowned upon in our culture. But if Yeshua was to approach the new car and the clunker as their owners stood next to them, which one do you think would receive His mercy? Which one would He approach with compassion?
We’re raised in our society to believe it’s wrong to “share our problems” with others. But in the Word of God we’re instructed numerous times to bear each other’s burdens. Also, if the practices of the foundational church were being adhered to, no one would need to divulge embarrassing details. Distributions would be made, and no one would lack. Of course that new car driver may not like that type of equality too much.
Do we make taking care of the needs of others our first priority? Do we visit the widow and the orphan and the destitute stranger first? Or in our hurry to get to the pancake house after church do we put it off? Don’t ask me what’s right; ask the Word.
OK, So back to tithing. Simply put, if we’re still adhering to the (dead) doctrine of tithing, we’re still under the Law, the dead (unrighteous) works of the flesh. We may as well continue to try being justified by the entirety of the Law without the Way, which is impossible. But Yeshua ha Messiach gave us His answer. He said to forsake all, and to give all. Do I need to define all? No, because Yeshua already did. He said to forsake “everything that we have.” He even made a list so that we wouldn’t misunderstand what He meant by all. “Fathers, mothers, wives, children, brothers, sisters, houses, lands, possessions, even our own lives.” Forsake means to abandon. To leave behind. To not go back, or look back. Pretty simple. So why don’t we get it?
When we pray or sing to God that we’ve given Him everything, have we really given up everything else that is important to us? Are we trying to be “wise” or “good stewards,” but using the world’s wisdom to do so? Unfortunately, it appears that the answer to this question is “yes.” In direct defiance to the words of Yeshua, the Word of God, we find a way, our way, to hang onto our worldly goods. This is not good stewardship; it is disobedience, plain and simple. A good steward would be using everything God had given them to meet the needs of others. In fact, the entire Word of God is the story of two definitive groups of people: those who held back, and those who didn’t. The unrighteous and the righteous. And the One who came to warn us to not hold back from God if we want to Live. If we claim to believe, we would do well to remember that we’ve been bought for a Price.
Do you feel as if I’m being too harsh? Am I saying anything that Yeshua, or the Prophets, or the Apostles didn’t say? That they didn’t do? How can we justify hanging onto our material possessions, our agendas, even our wives and families, if we weigh truthfully what the Word of God tells us; what Yeshua ha Messiach died to tell us, and what the early ecclesia believed and practiced?
The Word tells us that in the end times, God would raise up watchmen to shout out a warning to those who claim to follow Him. Am I one such type of person? I make no claims; He hasn’t told me in terms of assigning a title to me. The way I see it, I’ll find out what I “am” when I get there, after my unclean works have been burned up. But this I know: that to not declare this message would be disobedience. To not declare this message would not be of faith, and therefore, to me, sin. God has shown us His Truth in His Word. He gives many warnings to those to whom He reveals Truth who don’t share it with others. I do not want to stand in front of Him with your blood on my soul.
10%? I don’t think so. “To whom much is given, much is expected.”
Jeremiah 6:10-20, II Tim. 4:1-5, I Tim. 6:3-19, II Thess. 2:7-11, Mark 10:29-31, etc, etc, etc………