A Simple Lesson in Tithing
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Much discussion on tithing has been clouded with mixing in the subject of offerings. In this article on
tithing, we will limit comments to tithing only.
The Tithing commentary, boils down to two issue: ( 1) Is tithing a law (or a "mandatory" Law) (2) Is
tithing only on agricultural products and therefore applicable only to "farmers?"
How can this be "proven" in scriptures. We will begin by reading 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."
There it Is clearly written, tithing was a commandment and a law.
The fundamental theme of Hebrews 7:1-11 is tithing Now take a look at Hebrews 7:12, "For the
priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law." What was changed? The
priesthood, from the Levitical to the Melchizedek. But now notice, the law (of tithing) was not actually changed,
it was transferred (Strong's #3346). Of course, since the priesthood was changed (transferred from Levi back
to Melchizedek), the law, being immutable, unchangeable, forever, had to be ceded to the "new" administration.
And that was a priesthood that was to last how long "Forever," Hebrews 7:21 tells us, ".....Thou art a priest
forever after the order of Melchisedec." We also can notice in verse 24, an unchangeable priesthood. "This man,
because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood."
Doesn't that make sense? Here we have a priesthood that "passes not away," implementing a law that has
transferred from one administration to another.
What is a "mandatory" law? Josephus says of Ananias, the high priest: "He also had servants who were
very wicked, who joined themselves to the boldest sort of the people, and went to the threshing floors, and took
away the tithes that belonged to the priests, by violence, and did not refrain from beating such as would not give
these tithes to them. So also other high priests acted in the like manner, as did those his servants, without any
one's being able to prohibit them: so that some of the priests that were of old wanted to be supported with those
tithes died for want of food." (Antiquities, bk. xx. ch. ix. sect. 2). We should firmly believe in keeping God's
mandatory laws! Thanks be to God we are free to do so because they are righteous holy, and good for us
Is tithing only for farmers? If the tithe is only on harvested crops; knowing only farmers grow crops,
then only farmers are to tithe; then only farmers are blessed for tithing as Malachi 3:10 says. "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."
Why would God require only farmers to tithe? Is it to teach them a lesson not to be greedy; or is it so God
can bless them only? Observe Genesis 14: "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and
He was the priest of the most high God. And He blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God,
possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy
hand. And he gave [not mandatory] Him tithes of all" (Genesis 14:18-22).
Gave God tithes of what? Of all. He had just taken goods and victuals, Genesis 14:11 tells us, "And they
took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way." Here is Abraham, father
of the faithful, giving a voluntary tithe, setting an example for his progeny. Notice also that God is said to be
possessor of heaven and earth.
If God possesses all earth, we must ask: What do we have (physically) that is not from the earth? Grain,
animals, minerals, even we, ourselves, are dust. Does it not seem to follow then that all "Increase" is titheable?
Even our strength comes to us from the sun in the heavens through the earth.
The earlier argument was made that only the increase of the field was tithable because the blessing was of
the increase of the field, but look at the last part of Deuteronomy 16:15, "Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn
feast unto the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD shall choose: because the LORD thy God shall bless
thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice." Works equals
anything one makes or does.
Reading Malachi's message again. "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). "This whole nation," seems all inclusive, it doesn't say "only you farmers."
How should tithes be administered? Some members of God's churches are struck by how many ministers
are not receiving tithes; We can assume for the same reasons Paul and Josephus declined in their day. Who is
to receive and administer tithes today'?
Question: Who is or was entitled to the tithe? The answers are: (A) Melchizedek, (B) The Levites and
priests, and (C) The Melchizedek priesthood.
Jesus today represents (or is) that priesthood. And more than that, He is our high priest. So what then are
we? "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices,
acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.... But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar
people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous
light" (I Peter 2:5, 9).
If Jesus is our High Priest, and we are His royal priests, doesn't that make us responsible for the
administration of our own tithes?
Now, using the conclusions presented: (1) We should tithe, (2) We may choose to tithe to any work of God,
large or small, (3) We may spend a tenth of our increase on a work that we deem God approves.
So let's "Honor the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns
be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine" (Proverbs 3:9-10). Substance and increase
both imply wealth, and gain in no way is limited to harvested crops and, yes, the blessing is a bounteous harvest.
Isn't it interesting that God blesses us with seven days and asks that we give one day of time back to Him.
Then the possessor of heaven and earth gives us all the blessings of earth and we are to return or dedicate one
tenth back to Him. Ah, but just as man wants to covet all time to himself, he wants to covet all things to himself.
Church of God, in Truth