Tithing

Before I begin to talk on the subject of tithing I need you to understand that I am all for helping and giving to all in need for we all far short at different times for different reasons. Yeshua told us to help our brothers and sisters when ever they were in need. However most people believe a tithe is due on all income, but this is a misinterpretation. A tithe is not owed on all income. It was specifically to be paid from the fruits of the earth, the livestock and basically, anything that Yahweh had directly created. The Biblical basis for this is found in Leviticus 27:30-34 “And all the tithe of the land, [whether] of the seed of the land, [or] of the fruit of the tree, [is] the LORD'S: [it is] holy unto the LORD. 31 And if a man will at all redeem [ought] of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth [part] thereof. 32 And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, [even] of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD. 33 He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed. 34 These [are] the commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel in mount Sinai.” Did you catch that tithing was done on things Yahweh created not man made things, such as money, so you see tithing is not scriptural under the New Covenant
Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to declare that Yahweh loves a cheerful giver in 2 Corinthian 9:7 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” Cheerful giving from the heart is a virtue, yet, dishonestly exacting ten percent of worshiper's paychecks under false pretenses is breaking the Old Testament law of tithing and can be considered a sin!
Many ministers will have to give account one day for teaching Malachi 3:8 out of context however it is not for us to judge Yahweh knows who they are. Now let’s take a close look at the surrounding verses. Malachi 3:7-10 “Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept [them]. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? 8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye [are] cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, [even] this whole nation. 10 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].”As you can see ministers standing up there preaching give me your money are taking it totally out of context for their own gain. I heard many ministers over my life time standing up ridiculing their congregations for not tithing and even teaching that they will be blessed if they give 10% of their paychecks as it states to do, yet wait a minute that verse didn’t say anything about your money did it? Yet there are some still today fleecing Yahweh of tithes and offerings, but wait until you find out who it is that Yahweh blames for this. Well after listening to those preachers who promise that you will go to hell if you don’t pay 10% of your hard earned money and then see the worldly items that ministers buy with the repenting tithers pay such as thousand dollar suits, airplanes and houses I would have to say that they are the ones Yahweh is going to blame. Right about now you may be wondering if those ministers have the right to quote these Scriptures to you in this manner? I would have to say no and what is worse is the fact that they know better. Technically, the tithe plus an extra 20% to 30% more is already being collected by the government Yahweh has put in power over us. Therefore the tithe collecting ministers are responsible before Yahweh for what they’ve collected.
All I can say is that you should pray for them, because scripture tells us in Luke 6:28 “Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”  I’m dead serious, for scripture tells us that it is not by our works that we will be saved; that's true please read Ephesians 2:7-9 “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” I have personally watched one Pastor go down from greed and I pray I do not have to watch another, however when they preach that everyone in their congregation is under a curse if they don’t give of their money or that our Father will bless them more well they are standing before you preaching falsehoods and those are the ones Yahweh is going to blame.
I have heard from many that they no longer wish to go to church because it has become a glorified country club where you have to pay your dues or else get condemned and still not get to hear the word of Yahweh as it is written in scripture. To those preachers all I can say is that they should be more like Paul who worked wherever he went in order to preach the awesome word of our Lord and Saviour Yeshua The Messiah, and not to be a burden on the church. I mean just think about it, the son of Yahweh, Yeshua the Messiah was a carpenter. You see Paul was not like some who ask payment for the word of Yahweh; for His word is to be given freely to all mankind. Paul never taught tithing or took tithes. However some churches such as Philippi contributed to Paul, we see this in Philippians 4:15-17 “Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” Paul did not teach the Gentile Believers to Tithe! It is indeed, "not scriptural" to try and tithe under the New Covenant.
Let’s see what Paul did teach about giving in scripture. 2 Corinthians 9:6&7“But this [I say], He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” The Scriptures state that Yahweh loves "Cheerful Givers," not "Cheerful Tithe Payers."
Here are just a few things you will learn about tithing directly from the Scriptures:
1.Tithing was the Levitical Priests inheritance, as you can see. Numbers 18:21 “And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, [even] the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.” And in Deuteronomy 10:9 “Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD [is] his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him.” Also Deuteronomy 18:1 “The priests the Levites, [and] all the tribe of Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and his inheritance.” And, as there are no Levitical Priesthood today, no one can tithe under the New Covenant.
2 Yahweh did not tell Jacob that if he tithed He would bless him, but rather Jacob told Yahweh that if He blessed him first, then he would give Yahweh a tithe! Have you ever heard a sermon on the tithing habits of Jacob from any of the tithe collecting ministers? I know I never did. Well lets see what scripture says about Jacob’s tithing. Genesis 28:20-22 “And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, 21 So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: 22 And this stone, which I have set [for] a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.” Sounds a lot like some of our prayers to Yahweh today. If you will give me this or that then I will worship You. Well in most cases that does not work like it did for Jacob, believe me. For we can see His blessings upon us every time we awake or even breath.
3.Furthermore Yeshua The Messiah did not support His ministry through tithes. He told His apostles not to take money from any source when He sent them out to preach the gospel. After Yeshua’s resurrection, the apostles did not collect tithes or tithe money from the people either. Let's see what they were to take with them when preaching. Luke 9:2&3 “And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. 3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for [your] journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.”
4.Only Levites could collect tithes. Believing pastors or ministers are not "Priests of the Levi tribe!" Deuteronomy 18:1-5 “The priests the Levites, [and] all the tribe of Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and his inheritance. 2 Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren: the LORD [is] their inheritance, as he hath said unto them. 3 And this shall be the priest's due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether [it be] ox or sheep; and they shall give unto the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw. 4 The firstfruit [also] of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him. 5 For the LORD thy God hath chosen him out of all thy tribes, to stand to minister in the name of the LORD, him and his sons for ever. They can only accept freewill offerings; they dare not collect "tithes!" There are no priests of Levi anywhere on earth today to collect tithes. It is a sin for anyone to collect tithe money from anyone! And the wages of sin is death we see this in Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Yet our Heavenly Father was just as loving back then for scripture tells us that if a poor farmer in ancient Israel didn’t have an increase in his harvest he was not required to tithe, because scripture says to pay tithes on the increase only; so that also takes away a weekly tithing in today's world because no one gets a weekly pay raise. Deuteronomy 14:28&29 “At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay [it] up within thy gates: 29 And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which [are] within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.” And tithes were only once a year not weekly or monthly. Deuteronomy 14:22 “Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.”
5.Now apostle, Paul, often went out and worked with his own hands for provisions. Yet, he never taught tithing. Paul knew full well that tithing was not for Believers in Yeshua The Messiah. Paul absolutely never took one penny of tithe money to support his lifelong ministry! If Paul had taken just one hundredth of the salaries and wages of the Bbelievers under him, he would have never gone hungry, but would have been a very wealthy man. And did you know that not all the tithes were given to the Levites, fatherless, widows, and strangers. Some tithes were eaten by the tithe payer and his family, we see this in Deuteronomy 14:23 “And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.” Just another reason why tithing of money was out.
6. Many go to church today and hear their ministers say to pay tithes on the first tenth of their paychecks. That the first tenth belongs to Yahweh yet this is not to be found anywhere in scripture. Yahweh did not require the first tenth, but the tenth one we see this in Leviticus 27:32 “And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, [even] of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.” Just a wild guess, but I do not believe anyone stood there and tossed dollar bills under the rod.
7. You know back in ancient Israel, under the Levitical priesthood, money was not a tithable item. No one was required to tithe on money only on produce and herds! All ministers as well as others know that tithing money is not scriptural! If they don’t, then they never bothered to even read these scriptures on tithing. Any minister who teaches that the Bible gives them the authority to collect money as a tithe to Yahweh are doing so without Yahweh’s instructions. All throughout history Yahweh has never authorized any man or organization, for any religious purpose, to collect a tenth of another man’s wages! To know the law of tithing let's take a look at Hebrew 7:5-28“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: 6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. 8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he [receiveth them], of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. 9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. 11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need [was there] that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 14 For [it is] evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. 17 For he testifieth, Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. 19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope [did]; by the which we draw nigh unto God. 20 And inasmuch as not without an oath [he was made priest]: 21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) 22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. 23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: 24 But this [man], because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26 For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. 28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, [maketh] the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.”
Now this one Scripture pretty much contradicts 99% of all sermons I have ever heard on the subject of tithing! This is the very first Scripture in the Bible that gives an account of someone giving a tenth or tithe of his personal possessions back to Yahweh. Check out how different it is from the teachings of most ministers today.
First Jacob truly recognizes Yahweh as Yahweh. He then begins to proposition Yahweh. Jacob concludes his proposition to Yahweh, should Yahweh meet all of his requirements, by saying that of all the things that Yahweh will first give To Jacob, Jacob will give Yahweh back a tenth. Believe it or not Yahweh honored Jacob’s proposition, and furthermore, Yahweh continued to honor this same principle of tithing all through Israel’s history. As Paul said, "Now what have you which you did not obtain? 1 Corinthians 4:7 “For who maketh thee to differ [from another]? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive [it], why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received [it]?” All that we possess comes from Yahweh.
I think it is time to ask yourself a rational question: Just how did Jacob actually give a tithe to Yahweh? Good question, so let’s go to scripture to find out. Let's look at Deuteronomy 12:6&7 “And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks: 7 And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.” And now onto Deuteronomy 14:29 “And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which [are] within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.” That’s how Jacob could tithe to Yahweh.
And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof. And concerning the tithes of the Herd, or of the Flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord. He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it.
So let’s review what we have learned about tithing through scripture.
1. The tithe comes from the "land," not from personal wages.
2. Products from "trees" were to be tithed. This not only included the fruit, but oils, etc.
3. Of "herds or flocks" it was the "tenth" that passed under the rod that was holy and dedicated to Yahweh. Here is another lie of modern clergymen. It was not the first tenth, but rather the tenth one, the tenth belonged to Yahweh, contrary to every pastor or minister I have ever heard, which insists that the first tenth always belongs to Yahweh. To them I would say read your bible.
4.Another interesting point is this. If a herdsman only had nine cattle, he didn’t tithe his cattle at all! Also notice that Yahweh did not even require the best of the cattle, just the tenth one to pass under the rod even if it was the smallest of them all. Remember, we are talking about tithing and not sacrificing (animals for sacrifice always had to be without blemish. Did you notice that this summary at the very end of the book of Leviticus does not mention the tithing of money? Maybe we should do more scripture searching and see if we can find it. Let's start with the book of Numbers.
Numbers 18:24-28, " But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer [as] an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. 25 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 26 Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, [even] a tenth [part] of the tithe. 27 And [this] your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though [it were] the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress. 28 Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the LORD of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the LORD'S heave offering to Aaron the priest."
According to the above Scriptures, could just anyone claim to be a representative of Yahweh and therefore have Israel pay tithes to him? Let’s read it again, " But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer [as] an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: " Now in order to be a priest one not only had to be of the tribe of Levi, but he also had to be of the family of Aaron. In fact if one could not trace his genealogy back to the family of Aaron, he could not be a priest of Yahweh. This is the whole point of Hebrews seven. Yeshua The Messiah is a priest for the eons of the rank of Melchizedek because Melchizedek predated the law stating that only sons of Aaron could be priests. Therefore Melchizedek’s genealogy is not given in the Scriptures, and The Messiah, who according to the flesh is of the line of Judah, can and will be Yahweh’s High Priest in the Kingdom of Yahweh.
Here is a warning to all impostors and would-be tithe collectors: There is no temple of Yahweh being managed in Jerusalem today. There is no Levitical priesthood to carry out official duties at such a temple and there is no need for such a priesthood at this time. Only Levites could collect tithes at the temple. Therefore, everyone collecting tithes today is a scammer or fake. If one cannot historically trace their genealogy generation by generation with no lapses to the family of Aaron, he cannot be a priest authorized of Yahweh at this time to collect tithes for the temple services and sacrifices.
Yet, today we have tithe collecting ministers in every denomination collecting tithe money by the millions annually. And yes by years end they will be begging for more to get them out of all the financial debt they have accumulated this year. Everyone needs to realize that the whole system changed under the New Covenant. Let’s again go to scripture for proof. First we see that Yeshua said that the temple would be destroyed in Matthew 24:1&2 “And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to [him] for to shew him the buildings of the temple. 2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”
Next we find that Yahweh does not dwell in temples made with hands in Acts 17:24 “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;”
Then we see that the true Believer under the New Covenant are now Yahweh’s temple, 1 Corinthians 3:16 “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” That is why the next important question was asked. 2 Corinthians 6:16 “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”  We also find a warning about the new temple in 1 Corinthians 3:17 “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are.”
I would think that all theologians would know that when a temple ceases there are no more need for temple priest therefore they too cease. And that is what happened to the old temple and priesthood for each individual Believer under the New Covenant forms a new priesthood, We see this in 1 Peter 2:9 “But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” You are a chosen race, Right about now you may be wondering just how under the New Covenant, does a Believer give a Tenth, when he is supposed to give his All? Let’s move to the book of Romans for the answer. Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.”
So as you see we no longer have priests with spiritual infirmities interceding for us, instead we have Yeshua The Messiah as our perfect intercessor and High Priest seated at the right hand of Yahweh in the heavens Hebrews7:28 “For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, [maketh] the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.” Now let’s jump up a chapter for the last part of what I said. Hebrews 8:1&2 “Now of the things which we have spoken [this is] the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.”
At this time in history, Israel owes no tithe to anyone. And, of course, we Gentiles who are a new creation and the true Israel of Yahweh, Galatians 6:15&16 " For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace [be] on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God."
Gentiles were never instructed to tithe in the first place. Please read all thirteen books of the apostle Paul to the Gentiles and you will not find one verse where he instructed the Gentiles to pay any thing in tithing money to anyone. If you can find it please email me with it. Show me the Scripture!
Back in the days of tithing the rejoicing and eating one’s own tithe before the Lord was a very personal and reverend act of worship and communion with Yahweh. Not unlike our prayers today. You see others may share and profit from our prayers, but we offer them to Yahweh, and not to men.
I know this is long but there will be just a bit more on the subject of tithing. The next one is very important for it is the only one mentioning money.
Deuteronomy 14:24-29 " And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; [or] if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee: 25 Then shalt thou turn [it] into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose: 26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household, 27 And the Levite that [is] within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee. 28 At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay [it] up within thy gates: 29 And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which [are] within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest."
Let’s make sure we understand exactly what we read of the money. If the walk be a long one then shall thou turn it into money, and once you get where you are going you are to buy what you want to eat and drink before the Lord and rejoice unto Him And that means you and your household not the pope, or minister.
This was to happen every three years and only on our increase! Remember how Jacob said "if" Yahweh would bless him, "then" he would give Yahweh a tenth? Yahweh plainly asks for a tithe of the "increase" only. Next the tithe payer is to "eat" this offering before the Lord.  I do not really think money would taste very good with all the hands that have touched it.
Now we did see something about money, but it had nothing to do with giving up our wages. We did see that the third years was a special tithe where they took all the increase and set it aside for the Levites, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widows.
This third year of tithing is mentioned again in still another place in Deuteronomy which is Deuteronomy 26:12&13 "When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, [which is] the year of tithing, and hast given [it] unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled;13 Then thou shalt say before the LORD thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of [mine] house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten [them]:” Again we notice that Israel never tithed from their wages, but on their “increase.”
Contrary to all the deceiving ministers today's, no matter what their denomination is in the world, Yahweh never intended for people to tithe on what they didn’t have, but only on the Increase of what Yahweh had given them.
Time and again Yahweh told Israel that they were to tithe on their increase yearly not weekly or monthly and then only from their abundance, not on any decrease. Although the apostle Paul never taught Gentiles to "tithe," period. He did teach them in the way of, "giving." And Paul used the very same principle in giving as Yahweh commanded in tithing.
If you are really eager to give, then it isn't important how much you have to give, because Yahweh wants you to give what you want without hurting your own family. We know this from 2 Corinthians 8:10-14 “And herein I give [my] advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. 11 Now therefore perform the doing [of it]; that as [there was] a readiness to will, so [there may be] a performance also out of that which ye have. 12 For if there be first a willing mind, [it is] accepted according to that a man hath, [and] not according to that he hath not. 13 For [I mean] not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: 14 But by an equality, [that] now at this time your abundance [may be a supply] for their want, that their abundance also may be [a supply] for your want: that there may be equality:”
Just a few chapters later Paul informs us that one day we all will stand before the judgment seat of The Messiah and give an account of our lives, 2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad.”
I just thought of still another book dealing with tithing in the Old Testament. This section of Scriptures deals with a special tithe and offering given to New priests and Levites set up by Hezekiah after cleaning house in the cities of Judah by destroying the idols and altars to pagan gods.
Nehemiah 10:35-39, " And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house of the LORD: 36 Also the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as [it is] written in the law, and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, unto the priests that minister in the house of our God: 37 And [that] we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage. 38 And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house.39 For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where [are] the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God."
No mention of money here either only agricultural products of the fields. Only the Levites and priests could have access to these tithes and offerings in the house of Yahwhe . Are you aware of the fact that besides the Ten Commandments, there are an additional 600 laws, precepts and commandments in the "Scroll of the Law," the Old Covenant? Well there are.
What is really amazing is that of those 600+ laws, modern preachers latch on to only one of them that they say is absolutely binding on Believers today. Tithing! And the book of Malachi as we saw earlier Malachi 3:7-10 “ is their primary Old Testament source to prove that Believers must tithe today or they are robbing Yahweh.
I like games as much as anyone so let’s play a game called simulation.
Let’s assume for the moment that they are right and that Malachi is really a prophecy for Believers today, proving that they should be "tithing." If the "tithing" part of Malachi’s prophecy is for us today, then the rest of the book is also true for us today. So the assumption is that Believers must pay tithes today or they are robbing Yahweh. And to whom are they to pay these tithes? To the Levitical priesthood in the temple of Yahweh?
No self-appointed minister of the gospel today would tell anyone such a thing for they know that there is no temple and no Levitical priesthood today. So they place themselves in the position of Levitical Priest, and therefore since they claim to be Yahweh’s ministers of the Gospel, they claim a right to the tithe of Yahweh.
Okay then, let’s see what Yahweh has to say to these ministers of the gospel. Malachi 1:6 “A son honoureth [his] father, and a servant his master: if then I [be] a father, where [is] mine honour? and if I [be] a master, where [is] my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?”
Listen you self-appointed ministers of the gospel if you teach that this prophecy gives you a right to take tithe money, then it is also you, that Yahweh the Almighty is condemning for despising His name!
Yahweh said that the priests offered polluted bread upon His altar. Malachi 1:7&8 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD [is] contemptible. 8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, [is it] not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, [is it] not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.” They offered blind, lame and sick sacrifices. Yahweh told them to offer such things to their governor and see what he would think of their offering. Look at the personal life style of these modern ministers of the gospel and compare it with the way they treat the widows, strangers, and fatherless.
Now let’s look at Malachi 2:1 "And now, O ye priests, this commandment [is] for you." And in verse 9 God says, "Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law."
So plainly, if the interpreters of this prophecy say it represents the people of America who hold back tithes and offerings from Yahweh’s "representative ministers," then they must also accept the fact that Yahweh calls them, contemptible and base. Yahweh is holding the priests [or according to Christian interpretation, the modern ministers of the gospel] to the greater blame. The Levites controlled the tithes and offerings in the storehouses, and therefore had a responsibility to care for the less fortunate. But this they didn’t do. Malachi 3:5 “And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in [his] wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger [from his right], and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.” Did you notice what it says in Malachi 3:8, "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings." Remember in the Old Testament offerings were given voluntarily. How does one "rob" by not giving something he is not required to give in the first place? Again, the answer is simple. The Priests were causing Yahweh to be robbed of the glory and fellowship He would have had with His people, had not the Priests so corrupted themselves and thus also caused the people to withhold offerings.
When the fatherless, and widows, and strangers were taken care of with food that brought glory to Yahweh because it was He who blessed Israel so they could do such things in Yahwhe’s name. But they failed Yahweh. They defrauded and robbed Him of His glory. The people, themselves stopped bringing tithes and eating before the Lord because they knew the priests were corrupt and many today feel the same way. Can you imagine wanting to be associated with the priests of Malachi’s prophecy and all the contemptible things Yahweh has to say about them just so they can fake a reason to collect people’s money? Actually 1 Samuel gives us a glimpse of how some of these vile priests lived. 1 Samuel 2:13- 17 "And the priests' custom with the people [was, that], when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand; 14 And he struck [it] into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither. 15 Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw. 16 And [if] any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and [then] take [as much] as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, [Nay]; but thou shalt give [it me] now: and if not, I will take [it] by force. 17 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.” Sounds just like the priests in the prophecy of Malachi. I’ve heard it said that the reason the priests wanted the offerings of flesh raw, before cooking, was so that they could sell the meat for money, yet there is no way to know for sure.
Yahweh tells the priests in Malachi’s day to, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house… " Not just the priests, but also for the fatherless, the orphans, the widows, the strangers who had been neglected, thus defrauding or robbing Yahweh of the glory due to Him. This Scripture has absolutely nothing to do with giving money to ministers of Yeshua The Messiah.
By the time of our Lord’s ministry the priests were even more corrupt. We see this in Matthew 23:23 "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier [matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”
Even in the New Testament, when Yeshua discusses the topic of tithing it is with words of "Woe to..." and "hypocrites"! Historically, presently, and prophetically, it is always the priests, the "ministers, and the shepherds who lead Yahweh’s people astray. Those shepherds who sat in Moses’ seat had their minds on the flesh and not the spirit. They desired position, power, materialism, and recognition from other men sounds all too familiar doesn’t it?. That’s why I have to say that not much has changed since our Lord criticized the clerical hypocrites of His day. If anything, they have gotten worse, because today they threaten their followers with damnation for all eternity if anyone should fail to turn over a tenth of their wages. A person must be spiritually void and mentally deranged to gloat in such a revolting, and blasphemous doctrine that would accuse our Heavenly Father of a sin of such magnitude. May Yahweh have mercy on all who have fallen victim to spreading such a lie. I tell you truly that the Lord our Yahweh would never agree to such a vindictive idea. Please do not fall prey to believing that one scriptural lie about being blessed if you give money for Yahweh, for Yahweh blesses who He chooses and when He chooses and not for money. Just about the same account as Matthew 23:23 can be found in Luke 18:11-14 “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”
Scripture tells us that Yeshua did not come to do away with the law, and the portion of the law dealing with tithing was still in effect during His ministry. Not many years later the armies of Titus destroyed the Levites, destroyed the temple, destroyed all Jerusalem and in so doing destroyed tithing. Yeshua knowing this destruction was coming shortly, put little emphasis on tithing. He was more interested in spiritual things of much greater consequence than tithing meat, and herbs. Yeshua informed us that we would fare better following the tribute collector who didn’t tithe. I mean after all, he did return to his home "justified" as we seen in verse 14.
Yeshua never really taught people to tithe during His ministry, because it was a given in those days  so there was no need to emphasize it, however, by stressing what He called the weightier matters of the law-love, judging, faith, and so forth.
Well, there we have it. Did you see anything about Gentile Believers giving a tenth of their hard earned money to self-appointed preachers of Yeshua The Messiah?
Tithing for Believers today is not scriptural. We are not under the old covenant. We are now "...competent dispensers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit.." As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 3:6 “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” Yet even if we had known Yeshua according to flesh, nevertheless now we know Him not. So that, if anyone is in The Messiah, they are a New Creation; the primitive passed away and all has become new. 2 Corinthians 5:16&17 “Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we [him] no more. 17 Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
The problem is that most Believers and most all ministers who teach tithing on people’s wages, don’t begin to understand what it is that is "New."
What is the New Testament? What is the New creature? As long as we cling to circumcision, tithing, reading the bible, or anything else physical that one thinks will make him spiritual, he will never understand the New Testament or the New Creation that The Messiah is bringing.
Now I would like you to read a couple more things then I’ll close.
First let’s read Galatians 6:14-16 “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availed any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace [be] on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.”
Do you comprehend what you have just read? What is "...this rule..."? We just read the answer in 2 Corinthians 5:16 “Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we [him] no more." We are no longer doing things "
That verse means anything according to the flesh, which means circumcision for it is a fleshy thing after the flesh, and sacrificing animals is physical (after the flesh), as well as tithing for it to is physical and a fleshy thing.
Let’s go back over 2 Corinthians 3:6 “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." Circumcision is of the heart and it involves the Heart, Mind, and Spirit of a person! Notice how clear Paul makes this in Romans 2:29 “But he [is] a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision [is that] of the heart, in the spirit, [and] not in the letter; whose praise [is] not of men, but of God.”
Yeshua The Messiah is not interested in the letter, in the physical or in the flesh as we find in Romans 8:8 “oh then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”
Even baptism is of the heart. The thief on the cross was not baptized in water, yet Yeshua said he would be with Him when He comes in His Kingdom. Romans 6:3&4 “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
As you can see it’s all about the Spirit and not water, foreskins, and money!
Yahweh doesn’t need or want ten percent of anything we have. Yahweh wants one hundred percent of us! His very Son, Yeshua died for all of us, and He wants all of you, not just a percentage! Yahweh doesn’t want your money, He wants your spirit! For you are already bought and paid for in full by Yeshua The Messiah so quit trying to add your ten percent worth. We are now to live on a standard far above what we ever knew before The Messiah called us to become new creatures in the spirit. This can only be done through the power of Yahweh’s spirit. Our flesh profits nothing as we see in Romans 8:9&10 “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness.”
One living in the spirit is not all concerned about physical things of the letter and of the flesh. For the kingdom of Yahweh is not food and drink Paul’s whole ministry was proof of that. If people feel they need to give something to Yahweh, something physical, something they can see and feel good about very well for them I say try this. Romans 12:1&2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
That’s right, I’m asking you to offer yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Yahweh, and be transformed by the renewing of your mind through Yeshua The Messiah our Lord. I think we can all agree that would be more than ten percent of our wages or garden produce as well as what Yahweh really wants.
In closing I'd just like to say, that Paul worked with his hands to support his own ministry, which was spiritual! That is, the underlying attitude as to why Paul would not become a burden to any of the churches, and therefore, chose to work with his own hands which is what we should do to keep our ministry alive and well. The apostle Paul stated over and over in his epistles that we should follow him, be imitators of him, follow his example, do as he did, live as he lived, and so forth. How many modern ministers follow his example as he instructed? Very few indeed. Probably not one in a thousand modern ministers would ever stoop so low as to work with their own hands to support their own ministry. Today Brothers and Sisters in the Lord Yeshua The Messiah let that not be said about Divine Word Ministries!
Give to the fatherless, the orphans, the strangers, and the needy as Yahweh gives you ability. However do not give your hard earned money to televangelists who peddle the word of Yahweh for money! And don't send money for prayers. Those too are suppose to be given freely out of brotherly love. God tells us we are all brothers and sisters. God wants you to know the truth about tithing, and just like all of Yahweh’s truths, they will set you free! Scripture tells us to freely give so, you can still give as you are lead. If you are lead to give, then give. If you are not lead to give, then don’t give. It is a personal matter between you and Yahweh. Anyone telling you that you have to tithe or be condemned ask them to prove it through scripture just as I have done.
I pray you have a happy and blessed day in the Name of our Savior Yeshua the Messiah!