4 Part audio series:

New Testament Giving – Click to download pdf

Please visit Dr. David Croteau’s own blog to learn more about tithing!

He did Ph.D. at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, studying under Dr. Andreas Köstenberger.

Dr. David Croteau is the author of

You Mean I Dont Have to Tithe?

http://www.amazon.com/Mean-Dont-Have-Tithe-Deconstruction/dp/1606084054/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312670572&sr=8-1

Also Dr. Croteau is the editor of

Perspectives On Tithing: 4 Views

Perspectives on Tithing: Four Views [Paperback]
David A. Croteau (Editor), Scott Preissler (Epilogue), Ken Hemphill (Contributor), Bobby Eklund (Contributor), Reggie Kidd (Contributor), Gary North (Contributor)

The sentence “the local Church is the New Testament storehouse” has been repeated over and over again by multitude of Pastors all over the world.

Okay, for heck sake let us make the following assumptions:

1. The New Testament local Church is indeed the storehouse and Christians must bring the whole tithe to the local Church.

2. Money was a tithable item in the Old Testament

3. Jews actually tithed ONLY 10% and not 23.3% in the span of 6 years

4. The early Church practiced tithing and the early Church fathers taught tithing.

Let us see how the early Church functioned:

Ephesians 4:11 – And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers.

Ephesians 4:12 – for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;

Ephesians 4:13 – until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:28 – And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.

Ephesians 4:11 – 13 clearly states that there are supposed to be 5 fold ministries in order equip the saints.

According to 1 Corinthians 12:28 in the Church 1st apostles, 2nd prophets, 3rd teachers and the Holy Spirit skips evangelists and pastors.

Therefore would it not be logical to conclude that apostles collected the money and distributed to the rest of the ministers.

Even the following verses do not mention about pastors and evangelists.

1 Corinthians 12:29 All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they?

1 Corinthians 12:30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they?

What we see around us are two man-made systems of church government:

(a) The pyramid system a.k.a . hierarchical pattern. This is a centrally-controlled system headed by a General Superintendent like what we see in the Assemblies of God, Church of God and other similar Pentecostal denominations. Senior pastors in these kind of pyramidal systems consider themselves matured and treat the immatured junior pastors badly.

(b) The independent system. In this system, each church is totally independent, called non-denominational and answerable to no one. One Charismatic religious leader builds an empire collecting all tithes and offerings. He has the ultimate control over all decision making processes. Or a Senior Pastor with many associate pastors under him running a huge religious enterprise. Many Churches that practice the Word-of-Faith theology belong to this category.

Neither of the 2 models conform to the New Testament standards but call themselves as New Testament storehouses.

The pastoral calling is a gift given to the church and not the title of the leader of a church. The leaders of the New Testament church were called elders – not pastors – and there was always more than one elder in every church. There New Testament leadership was always in plural. Now those who think that New Testament Christians need to tithe to their local Church need to answer the following questions:

1. Can the pro-tithers show one Church or denomination that has all 5 fold ministries in it? All we see is a single pastor controlled religious enterprise.

2. How can a single pastor attempt to equip the saints without the help of apostles, prophets, teachers and evangelists contrary to Ephesians 4:11-13?

2. If a Pastor gets the whole 10% what about the rest of the 4 ministerial offices?

3. If the early Church had practiced tithing how did they “divide” the tithes amongst all 5 fold ministers?

4. How did the early Church support miracle workers, ministers who operated in the gifts of healings, helpers, administrators and interpreters of tongues?

4. Since 1 Cor. 12:28 says “first apostles”, did Apostles collect 10% and distributed to other type of ministers. Apostles appointed PastorS (actually elderS). So is it safe to conclude that ONLY Apostles got the tithes and gave a small percentage to Pastors and other ministers?

5. 1 Cor. 12:28 also says “second prophets, third teachers” and it does not even mention Pastors and think about how Pastors could have collected tithes.

6. Also in the early Church pastorS were in plural and no where the Apostles appointed a single pastor to shepherd a Church. So how can it be right for a single pastor to collect the whole tithe?

7. All of us may not agree that the offices of Apostles and Prophets exist today but most of us agree that the other 3 offices do. So should the “teachers” get the tithe first and distribute it to the evangelists and pastors ?

8. Also according to Acts 13:1 same people were holding 2 ministerial offices. In the Church of Anitoch there were 5 individuals holding dual offices.

Acts 13:1 Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

Did they get more money for operating in 2 ministerial offices simultaneously?

Later in Acts 13:2, Paul and Barnabas were promoted to hold the office of the apostles!

Acts 13:2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

No where in the New Testament we can find any pastor collecting money neither in the form of tithes nor in the form of offerings.

Malachi 3:10 says “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.

In our modern day Churches there is not food for Apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists, helpers, administrators, faith healers, interpreters of tongues and miracle workers do not get their share. They are at the mercy of the senior pastors. Many fellow ministers are asked to “live by faith” by the senior pastors.

Therefore even if we assume that the New Testament Church is the modern day storehouse, it does not function like a storehouse.

In the New Testament, the Lord’s workers were supported financially in two ways: Some were supported by the gifts of believers, while others like Paul supported themselves.

What a glaring discrepancy from what we see today!

http://www.wickedshepherds.com

Christians wake up!

Our modern day tithe teachers are leaving an indelible impression in the minds of their followers that the ancient Jews tithed only 10% of their gross income and demand that Christians must also tithe 10% of their gross income to their local Churches.

However, to make such an assumption is totally false and contrary to the scriptures.

There were multiple tithes prescribed in the Mosaic law contrary to popular opinion. Let us focus on the 3rd tithe in this article.

Definition of the 3rd tithe:

After the Sabbatical year, on every third and sixth year the farm owning Israelites must keep the increase of their produce within their gates and distribute it to the Levites, the widows, the poor and the strangers.

The 3rd tithe is also known as:

The Charity tithe / Tithe for the poor / Welfare tithe

Some of the distinct things about the 3rd tithe were, little to no traveling and transportation involved and this is the only tithe for which God promises to bless the works of the giver. No promises were given for the givers of the 1st and 2nd tithes in the Mosaic law. Also after paying the 3rd tithe the tithers were required to offer a specific declaration and a prayer as prescribed in Deuteronomy 26:13-15. There are no instructions in the Mosaic law to offer any specific prayer after paying the 1st or 2nd tithes.

Proof from the law of Moses (Scriptures about the 3rd tithe):

Deuteronomy 14:28

“At the end of every third year you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in that year, and shall deposit it in your town.”

Deuteronomy 14:29

“The Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance among you, and the alien, the orphan and the widow who are in your town, shall come and eat and be satisfied, in order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.”

Deuteronomy 26:12 – 15

“When you have finished paying all the tithe of your increase in the third year, the year of tithing, then you shall give it to the Levite, to the stranger, to the orphan and to the widow, that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied.”

Questions and Answers about the third tithe:

1. What was tithable as the third tithe?

• One tenth of the increase in the produce. Money (Shekel) is not mentioned and the cattle are not mentioned either.

2. Who were the recipients?

• The Levites, the widows, the poor and the strangers (aliens) were the recipients and the final owners of this tithe.

3. Where should they bring the tithes?

• Within their gates and within the boundaries of their town.

4. What was the purpose?

• In order that the Lord God of Israel may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.

5. How often it should be paid?

• Every third year, that was on the 3rd and 6th year from the Sabbatical year.

6. Was it redeemable?

• No, it could not be redeemed. It must be given out and no redemption option was specified in the Mosiac law. The third tithe must not be converted into money.

7. When it was paid?

• At the END of the 3rd year.

8. Were livestock involved?

• No, animals were not part of the 3rd tithe.

9. What was the difference between the third tithe and the other two tithes?

• First tithe should be brought to the nearest Levite cities and the second tithe should be brought to Jerusalem.

• The purpose of the first tithe was to compensate the Levites for their loss of inheritance amongst the rest of the 11 tribes.

The purpose of the second tithe was to teach the fear of the Lord to the Jews.

• Levites become the final owners of the first tithe, the tithers themselves become the owners of the second tithes.

• Only the members of the tribe of Levi were the recipients of the first tithe. The tithers themselves consumed the second tithe with their household.

• First tithes could be eaten anywhere by the Levites and the 2nd tithes could be eaten only in Jerusalem.

• First tithes must be paid yearly and the second tithes must also be paid yearly but only during festival times which included the first born animal.

• For the first tithe, if the tither wants to redeem the tithes from the land they must add 20% of the monetary value as a fine and give it to the Levites. However the livestock were not redeemable.

For the second tithe, no redemption option was specified. The second tithes might be converted into money however in Jerusalem they must use the same money to buy oxen, or sheep, or wine, or strong drink, or whatever their heart desired. No penalty was applicable if the 2nd tithe was converted into money.

• Levites got the Livestock (tenth animal that passed under the rod) and the first born male animals were part of feasts and participated the 2nd tithes.

• All other tribes traveled an average distance depending upon the location of the Levitical towns to deliver the first tithes. No river crossing involved.

For the 2nd tithe, the Northern tribes like Asher, Naphtali, Zebulen and Issachar traveled the longest distance to Jerusalem. The trans-Jordan tribes had to cross the Jordan river and obviously boats were involved in transportation.

• No promise (to bless the giver) associated with the 1st and 2nd tithes in the Law. The promise in Malachi 3 was specific to those who have returned from the exile when they were rediscovering their culture, religion and language.

• Scriptures for 1st tithe: Leviticus 27:30 – 33 & Scriptures for the 2nd tithe: Deuteronomy 12:5 – 7 & Deuteronomy 14:22 – 26

10. Is there proof outside the scriptures?

Yes, there are 2 important proofs outside the 66 books of the Bible.

a) Famous Jewish historian Flavius Josephus who lived in the first century:

Antiquities of the Jews – Book 4, Chapter 8 and verse 22

“Besides those two tithes, which I have already said you are to pay every year, the one for the Levites, the other for the festivals, you are to bring every third year a third tithe to be distributed to those that want; to women also that are widows, and to children that are orphans.”

b) The Apocryphal book of Tobit:

Tobit the son of Tobiel, son of Ananiel, son of Aduel, son of Gabael, of the descendants of Asiel and the tribe of Naphtali in his own words.

Tobit 1:6 – But I alone went often to Jerusalem for the feasts, as it is ordained for all Israel by an everlasting decree.

Taking the first fruits and the tithes of my produce and the first shearings, I would give these to the priests, the sons of Aaron, at the altar.

Tobit 1:7 – Of all my produce I would give a tenth to the sons of Levi who ministered at Jerusalem; a second tenth I would sell, and I would go and spend the proceeds each year at Jerusalem;

Tobit 1:8 – the third tenth I would give to those to whom it was my duty, as Deborah my father’s mother had commanded me, for I was left an orphan by my father.

11. Are there any objections about the 3rd tithe?

Yes, there are.

a) The 12 century Jewish Halachic arbitrator Moses ben-Maimon called Maimonides also known as HaRambam

Maimonides: “On the third and sixth years from the sabbatical year, after they have separated the first tithe, they separate from what remains another tithe, and give it to the poor, and it is called the poor’s tithe; and not on those two years is the second tithe, but the poor’s tithe.” — Gill on Deuteronomy 14:28; Maimonides, Hilchot Mattanot Anayim, c. 6, sect. 4. See also Speaker’s Commentary on Deuteronomy 14:28-29, and McClintock and Strong’s Cyclopaedia, vol. 10. p. 433.]

b) Selden and Michaelis also argue in the same direction, saying that a third tithe should be an excessive demand upon the income of a man who had already expended two-tenths of his increase (McClintock and Strongs Cyclopaedia, vol. 10, p. 434).

c) Peake likewise says: “It may be urged that it is not probable that a double tribute should be exacted from the crops.” And again: “Nor is it probable that a tax of nearly one-fifth of the whole produce should be imposed on the farmers.” (Article “Tithe,” in Hastings Dictionary of the Bible, I, p. 780.)

d) Jewish Talmud (Mishna & Gemmarah)

12. So did the Jews pay only the welfare tithe (which we call as the 3rd tithe) on the 3rd and 6th years instead of the 1st and/or 2nd tithes?

Here are the answers to the objections:

a) Deuteronomy 26:12 mentions about “the year of tithing” because years 3 and 6 were the most expensive year for the Jews.

b) If the 3rd tithe had replaced the 1st tithe how did the Levites survive for those 2 years because they paid this tithes only at the end of the 3rd and 6th years

c) If the 3rd tithe had replaced the 2nd tithe did the Jews not celebrate the 3 pilgrimage festivals during the 3rd and 6th years or did they celebrate the 3 pilgrimage festivals without bringing any food to Jerusalem?

d) The Levites needed to survive during the sabbatical year. Therefore they got tithes twice during years 3 and 6, especially on year 6.

e) There is no verse in the Old Testament which says (as its primary subject) that the 3rd tithe should be replaced by 1st and/or 2nd tithes during the 3rd and 6th years.

f) Christians do not believe in the Jewish concept of the oral law. Post-exile Jewish Rabbis added a lot of man made laws and interpretations into their lives. Therefore the 39 books of the Old testament is enough to justify that there was a 3rd tithe apart from the first two. We need not rely upon the interpretations of HaRambam and Rashi.

g) Even though Jewish commentators overwhelmingly agree with Maimonides’ interpretation of the 3rd tithe, Abraham Ibn Ezra, a contemporary of Maimonides who was also a great Jewish commentator recognized that the 3rd tithe was distinct from the other two.

13. Did the Christian Church Fathers write about the 3rd tithe?

• Yes, a few of them wrote about the 3rd tithe.

a) Jerome who included the book of Tobit in the Latin Bible (Vulgate)

Jerome says one tithe was given to the Levites, out of which they gave a tenth to the priests; a second tithe was applied to festival purposes, and a third was given to the poor (Commentary on Ezekiel 45:1, 565. quoted in McClintock and Strong, 10, 434).

b) John Chrysostom who was Archbishop of Constantinople (349–407 A.D) and a contemporary of Jerome believed that multiple tithes existed:

Homily 64 on Matthew 19:27 section 4

And how much did they bestow in alms? One may ask. For this very thing, I am minded to say now, that they who do not give may be roused to give, and they that give may not pride themselves, but may make increase of their gifts. What then did they give? A tenth of all their possessions, and again another tenth, and after this a third, so that they almost gave away the third part, for three-tenths put together make up this. And together with these, first fruits, and first born, and other things besides, as, for instance, the offerings for sins, those for purification, those at feasts, those in the jubilee, those by the canceling of debts, and the dismissals of servants, and the lendings that were clear of usury. But if he who gave the third part of his goods, or rather the half (for those being put together with these are the half), if then he who is giving the half, achieves no great thing, he who does not bestow so much as the tenth, of what shall he be worthy? With reason He said, “There are few that be saved.”

Hebrew words used regarding the 3rd tithe:

al-maw-naw’ – Widow

ger – alien, stranger, immigrants, sojourner

yaw-thome’ – orphan

teb-oo-aw’ – Produce, revenue, gain

NASB Word Usage

crop (4), crops (6), gain (1), harvest (4), income (4), increase (3), produce (10), product (3), revenue (2), yield (5), yield may increase (1).

We have been taught by our modern day word of faith preachers that tithing is a “law of prosperity” and they demand tithes from widows, orphans and aliens contrary to what the Israelites practiced. If widows, poor, aliens and orphans were the recipients of the tithe, then how would their “law of prosperity” become applicable to windows, orphans, poor and aliens? In fact many mammon loving preaches live a luxurious life using tithes from widows who live from their social security/pension. They misuse Malachi 3:10 where it says “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse…” but totally ignore about this important triennial tithe which actually promises ” in order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do” – Deuteronomy 14:29b.

In many Churches tithing is a requirement for membership. Why don’t they deny membership to those who refuse to tithe to the widows, orphans, poor and strangers? How can they deny membership to widows and poor who cannot afford to tithe especially if they have huge medical bills to pay as in the case of Loretta Davis. Please read how Loretta was kicked out of the Church for not paying tithes.

A 65-year-old wheelchair-bound woman with congestive heart failure was kicked out of her church because she was not paying her tithe, NBC 4 reported. Loretta Davis told NBC 4′s Mike Bowersock she was shocked when she received a letter saying she was no longer considered a member of her church, The Living Word Tabernacle. Davis made an agreement with the church that she would give 10 percent of her income. Then she became ill and stopped making payments, so the church revoked her membership. “Since Jan. 5, I’ve been in the hospital 15 times,” Davis said. “I’ve suffered with cellulites since I’ve had the open heart (surgery).” Davis is no longer paying the church $60 per month from her $592 per month Social Security check, Bowersock reported. “I have my tithes that I was supposed to pay, but I have not paid them since this has went on,” Davis said. “In the time of (Davis’) need, they should be caring, supporting, asking what she needs — help her if she needed help,” said Teresa Meeks, who is Davis’ daughter. “I was so hurt on what they did to her.” The church moved out of its building in Waverly earlier this year and Davis’ dismissal has become the talk of the town, Bowersock reported. In a letter to the editor of the local paper, the former pastor said it is true that Davis lost her membership for not paying her tithes. In the same letter, he said Davis was not kicked out of the church for not paying her tithes. The Rev. Paul McClurg, who started the church, said Davis is still welcome to attend church but is not allowed to be a member. The issue upset Davis’ 83-year-old mother so much that she quit the church. The members have been holding services in a Lion’s Club hall while waiting to build a new church. There are at least two former members who will not be attending with them.”

Only for the 3rd tithe a return blessing is promised in the Mosaic law unlike the first 2 tithes. Why this principle is ignored by the prosperity preachers today? Testing God in Malachi 3:10 was specific to the Jews who returned from the Babylonian captivity and not to the Christian Church!

Tithe teachers gleefully quote Jerome and Chrysostom as tithe proponents in the early Christianity but hide the fact those 2 men also believed in multiple tithes.

Christians, please understand, how tithing was practiced in the Old Testament period and be on guard against the mammon loving wolves.

How many tithes? Here is a brief description about all 3 tithes:

Tithe # 1 – Ma’aser Rishon was a tenth of the crops and the tenth animal that passes through the rod every year. The Levites were the receipients and this tithe could be eaten anywhere in Israel. Sub-tithe: A tenth of this tithe must be given to the Priests. Livestock was not redeemable but the crops were by paying 20% of money in addition to the actual value.
Other name(s): Levitical tithe, first tithe

Tithe #2 – Ma’aser Sheni was a tenth of the crops only, not livestock. But Jews were commanded to add the firstborn animals, but not a tenth of the animals. The original owners are the recipients, could be eaten only in Jerusalem. Buy back option not available. This tithe could be converted to money for transportation purposes only but in Jerusalem the same money must be used to buy food and it must be eaten by the owners, their families, relatives and the Levites. This tithe must be paid every year in one of the 3 festivals. No sub-tithe involved.
Other name(s): Festival tithe, feast tithe

Tithe # 3 – Ma’aser Ani every 3rd year of the 7 year cycle. Windows, orphans, Levites and the poor were the receipients and it should be only eaten within the gates of the city. No sub-tithe involved.
Other name(s): Welfare tithe, charity tithe, poor tithe

The total of all three tithes = 20% over a 7-year period / 23.3% over a 6 year period as follows:

Year 1 = 10% (Tithe #1) + 10% (Tithe #2) = 20%
Year 2 = 10% (Tithe #1) + 10% (Tithe #2) = 20%
Year 3 = 10% (Tithe #1) + 10% (Tithe #2) + 10% (Tithe #3) = 30%
Year 4 = 10% (Tithe #1) + 10% (Tithe #2) = 20%
Year 5 = 10% (Tithe #1) + 10% (Tithe #2) = 20%
Year 6 = 10% (Tithe #1) + 10% (Tithe #2) + 10% (Tithe #3) = 30%

Year 7 = 0% – the seventh year land Sabbath

140% / 7 = 20% – in 7 years

140% / 6 = 23.3 % – in 6 years

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Martyr

Did Justin Martyr record incidents of early Christians tithing?

Justin Martyr – First Apology

http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf01.viii.ii.lxvii.html

Chapter LXVII.—Weekly worship of the Christians.

And we afterwards continually remind each other of these things. And the wealthy among us help the needy; and we always keep together; and for all things wherewith we are supplied, we bless the Maker of all through His Son Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Ghost. And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succors the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need.

In chapter 67 of his book first apology Justin Martyr explains how the early Church collected money.

…And the wealthy among us help the needy

• Tithe collection was not mentioned and obviously no one gave “seed offering”.

…and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succor the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need.

• No mention about the collection of “His” tithes!!!

There is no proof of early Christians following the “eternal moral principle” of tithing in Justin Martyr’s writings.

Church father Justin Martyr never advocated tithing and the early Christian Church never practiced tithing as we see in today’s Churches.

Justin Martyr – Second Apology

There is no mention about Christians tithing in Justin’s 2nd apology either!

Dialogue with Trypho, the Jew – Justin Martyr

http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf01.viii.iv.xi.html

Chapter XI – The law abrogated; the New Testament promised and given by God

But we do not trust through Moses or through the law; for then we would do the same as yourselves.

Now, law placed against law has abrogated that which is before it, and a covenant which comes after in like manner has put an end to the previous one; and an eternal and final law—namely, Christ —has been given to us, and the covenant is trustworthy, after which there shall be no law, no commandment, no ordinance.

These were the statements made by Justin Martyr to Trypho, the Jew which obviously indicate that Justin did not follow the law of Moses!

http://tithingstudy.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/leverite_marriage_law_vs_tithing_law.pdf

The Tithe That Binds - Rory O Moore

The e-book version of this book is available in “.pdf” form and please click the link below to download.

The Tithe That Binds – Rory O Moore – Click here download the e-book in pdf form!

Downloadable MP3s:

Play Part 1 on-line directly!

Download Part 1 MP3 file:

The Tithe That Binds – Part 1 / Rory O Moore Interviewed By GeorgeAnn Hughes of The Byteshow

Play Part 2 on-line directly!

Download Part 2 MP3 file:

The Tithe That Binds – Part 2 / Rory O Moore Interviewed By GeorgeAnn Hughes of The Byteshow

© 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 by GeorgeAnn Hughes
All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Acknowledgements:

I would like to thank GeorgeAnn Hughes of “The Byte Show” for giving her approval to upload Rory’s interview about tithing in this blog.

Many thanks to Rory Moore, who is the author of this book for granting me permission to make this e-book available in this blog.

©2009 Rory O Moore. All Rights Reserved.

Not for New Testament Christians

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

Tom Brown, a Word of Faith preacher says the following in this website:

Notice Jesus said, “You should have practiced the latter (justice, mercy and faithfulness), without neglecting the former (tithing)….Some argue that Jesus’ words are not applicable to us today, because Jesus was under the Law and spoke to those under the Law. Their theory goes something like this: Jesus was giving an instruction to the Jews so His words are not binding to us. The problem with this interpretation is that these teachers are bringing Christ down to the level of a Jewish prophet or Teacher of the Law. Jesus is the Word of God made flesh, so this means every word that comes out of His mouth is eternal. He cannot say anything without it being “spiritual law” and everlasting. Jesus emphasizes this point by saying, “Heaven and earth may pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matt 24:35). These supposed Bible teachers are making the words of Jesus pass away—obsolete and out of date.

If Christians need to use the logic of the likes of Tom Brown, then we should also consider the other saying of Jesus and obey them! Shouldn’t we?

1. Thou shalt not tell anyone about thy healing…

Matthew 8:4 / Mark 8:40-44

Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.

Matthew 9:30

And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them: “See that no one knows about this!”

a) Christians are not supposed to tell anyone if they get healed.

b)Take the offering prescribed by Moses to the Pastor of the local Church?

2.Thou shalt evangelize ONLY the Jews and not other people group.

Matthew 15:24

Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep–the people of Israel.

3. And say to non-Jews that God’s blessings are not for gentiles

Matthew 15:26

Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.

4. Thou shalt not proclaim that Jesus is the Messiah to anyone…

Matthew 16:20

Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ.

Wondering if tithe teacher John Hagee referred this verse before declaring that Jesus was not the Messiah.

5. Christians must sell all their possessions and give them to the poor.

Matthew 19:21

Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

6. Christians must follow all man made laws including Corban offering!

Matthew 23:1-3

v1. Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples,

v2. The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses.

v3. So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach.

Notice, in verse three Jesus says “So practice and obey whatever they tell you…”

7. The Word of Faith people should NOT call Kenneth Hagin Sr., Dad/Papa.

Matthew 23:9

Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.

The WoF community often describes Kenneth Hagin Sr., as Dad Hagin or Papa Hagin.

8. No tithe “teachers” in our midst, only tithe brothers!

Matthew 23:8

But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers.

We have a lot of WoF teachers.

9.Christians need to call Apostle Peter as Apostle Satan (and remember the scripture cannot be broken)

Mark 8:33

But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”

10. Justification is NOT by faith but by obeying the commandments of Moses!

Matthew 19:17

And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

So in order to lead an unbeliever to salvation, Christians must ask them to keep the commandments of Moses instead of asking them to trust Jesus.

11. Thou shalt randomly enter into any house and thou shalt not stay in Hotel rooms!

Luke 9:4 / Luke 10:7

“Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that city.

When we go to minister to the lost, Christians should randomly enter into a house and stay if they accept Christians. We should not make reservations to stay in hotel rooms! No continental breakfast and wireless internet for tithe teachers!!!

12. Thou shalt not attend thy Father’s wake/funeral and when thy Father dies, thy shall proclaim the Gospel everywhere!

Luke 9:60

But He (Jesus) said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.

13. Christians should not carry wallet,money, check book, credit card when they go for ministry!!!

Luke 10: 4

Carry no money belt, no bag, no shoes; and greet no one on the way.

Christians are not supposed to wear shoes, boots and sandals and we should go bare foot while going for ministry. No bags are allowed and we can save on flight ticket. Greet no one on the way…. Christians should not say Hi to anyone on the way, no smiling, no good mornings and no good afternoons. No eye contacts but frown at whoever you come across on the way!

13. Follow Jesus’ method while evangelizing:

Luke 10:25-26

v25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”

v26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”

Christians must ask seekers “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”

14. Thou shalt not wash thy hands and thou shalt not use hand sanitizers!

Luke 11:38

When the Pharisee saw it, he was surprised that He had not first ceremonially washed before the meal.

15. Never invite friends and relatives for lunch or dinner!

Luke 14:12

And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment.

16. Only invite poor, crippled, lame and blind

Luke 14:13

But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,

17. Thou shalt celebrate the passover!

Luke 22:8

And Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it.”

All the above mentioned points were uttered by Jesus Himself and we know His words will not pass away even when heaven and earth pass away!

Therefore tithe teachers, why do you need to obey Matthew 23:23 alone? What about the other sayings of Jesus?

Now the truth about Matthew 23:23 / Mark 11:42

• Tithing is not the primary subject of Matthew 23:23

• Jesus was talking to the Pharisees who were still living under the Old Testament law.

• Jesus considered tithing as a less central aspect of the law and justice and mercy are the weightier matters.

• Jesus was not commanding New Testament Christians to tithe here.

• Also during the time of Jesus, the understanding was the existence of multiple tithes. Please refer to the post regarding

the third tithe in this blog for further information. If Christians should follow what Jesus had said in Matthew 23:23
tithing, we should tithe 23.3 % in 6 years (all 3 tithes) and should not tithe during the 7th year!

• Another condition to tithe in the Old Testament was, the tither must be living inside the promised land and “tithes” from

outside of the promised land would have been considered as “unholy”.

• Jesus was not referring to money here but talking about garden herbs which fall under the food produce from the land

category.

Let us first examine the writing of Saint Irenaeus who was one of the early Church Fathers:

Who was Irenaeus?

Saint Irenaeus, was bishop of Lugdunum in Gaul, which is now Lyons, France. His writings were formative in the early development of Christian theology. He was a notable early Christian apologist. He was also a disciple of Polycarp, who was said to be a disciple of John the Evangelist. His best-known book, Against Heresies (c 180) enumerated heresies and attacked them. Irenaeus wrote that the only way for Christians to retain unity was to humbly accept one doctrinal authority—episcopal councils.Irenaeus was the first to propose that all four gospels be accepted as canonical.

From Irenaenus’ Popular Book – Against Heresies

Chapter XIII.-Christ Did Not Abrogate the Natural Precepts of the Law, But Rather Fulfilled and Extended Them. He Removed the Yoke and Bondage of the Old Law, So that Mankind, Being Now Set Free, Might Serve God with that Trustful Piety Which Becometh Sons.

Section 3

“And for this reason did the Lord, instead of that [commandment], `You shall not commit adultery,’ forbid even concupiscence; and instead of that which runs thus, `You shall not kill,’ He prohibited anger; and instead of the law enjoining the giving of tithes, to share all our possessions with the poor; and not to love our neighbors only, but even our enemies; and not merely to be liberal givers and bestowers, but even that we should present a gratuitous gift to those who take away our goods”

Please pay attention that Irenaeus saying “…instead of the law enjoining the giving of tithes, to share all our possessions with the poor…”.

Here is another passage by  Irenaeus on the same book “Against Heresies”:

Chapter XVIII.-Concerning Sacrifices and Oblations, and Those Who Truly Offer Them.

Section 2:

“And the class of oblations in general has not been set aside; for there were both oblations there [among the Jews], and there are oblations here [among the Christians]. Sacrifices there were among the people; sacrifices there are, too, in the Church: but the species alone has been changed, inasmuch as the offering is now made, not by slaves, but by freemen. For the Lord is [ever] one and the same; but the character of a servile oblation is peculiar [to itself], as is also that of freemen, in order that, by the very oblations, the indication of liberty may be set forth. For with Him there is nothing purposeless, nor without signification, nor without design. And for this reason they (the Jews) had indeed the tithes of their goods consecrated to Him, but those who have received liberty set aside all their possessions for the Lord’s purposes, bestowing joyfully and freely not the less valuable portions of their property, since they have the hope of better things [hereafter]; as that poor widow acted who cast all her living into the treasury of God.

Please notice that Irenaeus saying ” …And for this reason they (the Jews) had indeed the tithes of their goods consecrated to Him, but those who have received liberty set aside all their possessions for the Lord’s purposes…”

Here he contrasts between the Jews living under the law and the New Testament Christians who were living in the liberty of Jesus Christ.

Conclusion:

• Irenaeus believed that tithing was part of the law of Moses.

• This statements by Irenaeus proves that the early Christians did not tithe.

• The early Christians believed that they were commanded to share all their possessions with the poor INSTEAD of tithing.

• Irenaeus recorded that the Jews had tithed but Christians set aside all their possessions. He actually contrasted between Old Testament Jews and New Testament Christians!

• Money is not mentioned by Irenaeus at all.

It is interesting to see that these writings appear in his book “Against Heresies“. Irenaenus probably would have labeled all modern day tithe teaches as heretics!

Therefore my friends, please realize that the early Church never practiced tithes and they did not even believe that they were commanded to tithe unlike what our modern day tithe teacher tell us.

May the Lord open the eyes of whoever reads this blog post about the dangers posed by the mammon loving Pastors.

Sources:

http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book4.html

http://slaveoftheword.blogspot.com/2006/03/tithing-in-ante-nicene-period-second_05.html

If they take Matthew 23:23/Luke 11:42 as a command for New Testament Christians to tithe here are the questions they need to answer:
1. According to the Talmud and Flavious Josephus the Jews practiced
multiple tithes (almost 3). How did the early Christians practice all 3 tithes?
2. Did the early Christians who did not own farms and cattle give 23% of their earned income to their Churches?
3. Levitical tithes were yearly and it went to Levites according to their
locations. Who are the Levites today and who were the Levites in 1st century
Christianity?
4. How did the “NT Levites” take the 10% of the 10% to the “NT Priests”?
5. If the NT Pastor is the priest don’t we have to tithe to the ushers, choir,
greeters and other Church staff members and let them tithe from their tithes to
the (senior) Pastor?
6. Why does the Senior Pastor collect all tithes today and give salaries to the
staff members and leave many Church workers unpaid? The OT High Priests did not
do that. The OT Aaronic Priests received only 1% of the total tithe.
7. In the OT the High Priests themselves did not tithe but why do our modern day prosperity
preachers tithe to their cohorts?

8. Regarding the festival tithe, do Christians need to go to Jerusalem to observe it as the Jews did? What is our Jerusalem now? Did the NT Christians practice pilgrimage to Jerusalem?. The festival tithe must be taken to Jerusalem. If that was prescribed to NT Christians we should make pilgrimage to Jerusalem like the Muslims visit Mecca?!?!?!

9. The 3rd tithe for poor (Charity Tithe): Why don’t tithe asking Pastors give their congregation the liberty to take care of the poor? Why would it go to the benevolent funds controlled by the Church board? Poor people need to go through hoops to get some help. That really complicates the process?
10. Even if we assume that tithing was commanded to NT Christians the pro-tithes fail to consider one important thing:

* The plurality of the NT Church leadership.

Therefore the pro-tithers still would not meet the NT model of tithing even if it was practiced by the early Christian church.

New Testament Christians Don’t Be Deceived By These Mammon Lovers!!!