Thus saith the LORD of hosts: In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold, out of all the languages of the nations, shall even take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying: We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.
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*** “Some people say tithing is Old Testament law. No, it's not. It's an Old Testament principle.”? ~ Via a Pastor on giving!
Believers are responsible to measure 'the church*' teachings in the light of the truth of the Bible. It is our duty to recognize error.
The Levitical tithe was to meet a need, that of the Levitical priesthood and to help the poor. The Levitical priesthood and all laws and ceremonies pertaining to it ceased when the temple was destroyed in 70 CE. the Books of the Christian New Testament do not teach tithing. "The New Testament" offices or callings of a pastor, etc., are not the same as the Levitical priesthood, which was based on lineage and the Mosaic ceremonial laws, and that the "church*" building is not the same as the Temple. Detriments of the Tithe Teaching 1. The "churchs" tithe teaching can cause tithers to have an erroneous feeling of self-satisfaction, a feeling that they have "paid the bill" and placated God. This can become akin to a superstitious practice of "pleasing of the gods" we see in pagan cultures. Are tithers in some cases even attempting to buy their way into heaven? Wouldn’t this be the same as buying spiritual favor by purchasing indulgences? This practice was soundly condemned in Martin Luther's "Ninety-Five Theses." 2. Mal. 3:8 says, "’ Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.’ But you ask, "How do we rob you?" ‘In tithes and offerings….’" This verse is used prior to the passing of the offering plate in many "church" services to coax the congregation to get out their wallets. But, contrary to the meaning of the verse under the old covenant to which it refers, today people ARE robbing God, not of tithes, but of proper giving to the work of God and to the poor. When people "pay their bill" to the "church", they aren’t as apt to give that cup of water or $20 to a needy person around them. Therefore, they have robbed God by neglecting opportunities to perform a mitzvah in the form of helping the poor. People write out tithe checks in a dogged, joyless manner as if in bondage. They, too, are robbed. They are robbed of the joy of giving to real needs they can see with their own eyes. 3. Tithing can cause an undue financial burden on givers. Young families with children often are living hand to mouth anyway. So are many single parents, college students, and the elderly. They themselves are actually the poor who need help occasionally, yet by sitting in "the church", they are told that they must give up ten percent to a "church" that often is wealthy. 4. This brings us to the next point. It is not uncommon today for the incomes of "church"es (some of whom teach tithing and some of whom don’t), especially large ones in America, to have such enormous incomes that they have investment portfolios. They hire experts to help them manage their funds to make it grow. Why? So they can give to missions or the poor? So they can build more buildings, gyms, bowling alleys, climbing walls? So they can have huge paid staffs? Daycare centers? The kingdom of God has nothing to do with buildings. The early "church" grew by great leaps without buildings.
Trillion Dollar Church!
The American church system through its thousands of schemes to gather money, has amassed over a trillion dollars worth of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, insurance programs, real estate, etc. The interest they pay on the mortgages of their buildings could literally feed all the poor in the world!
The deceptive means 10’s of thousands of ministers use to raise money, of which the modern tithe is one of them, has drained our country of resources that could tremendously bless the world. But the church is sitting on the money. Now they are beginning to be fleeced themselves.
Recently, hundreds of the leading Christian organizations lost millions of dollars investing in a fund named "New Era." It was a scam called a "Ponze scheme." An evangelical, named Bennett, dropping the right names such as Billy Graham and Rockerfeller, convinced most of the leading Protestant ministries to invest as much as over 500 million dollars into a fund that promised them a doubling of their money over a 6 month period of time. Now anyone with a little sense should smell something amiss here, especially since conservative Christians should be looking at conservative investments that usually give a low return on investment. But top Christian ministries invested hundreds of millions of dollars in a fund started by another Christian, whose sole purpose in setting up the fund was to defraud them of their, or should I say "your" money. The federal authorities finally shut it down, but not before millions of dollars were lost. (See Dew from Mount Hermon, issue number 7 for more details.)
A person who teaches tithing robs God’s people from hearing from God Himself about what and whom to give to each and every day. Someone who pays their taxes, and gives 10 per cent of their income to their pastor, plus offerings for missions, building fund, bake and rummage sales, etc., because the law or tradition of their organization pressures them to do so, is likely to develop an attitude that their giving is finished at the offering plate. They are so drained of finances that when Jesus arrives at their door for a piece of bread, their response might be, "Oh, I gave already at the church!" Laws such as the modern tithing law, instituted by either ignorant or deceiving ministers keep God’s children from hearing what they should be doing on a day to day basis! Yes, Mr. or Mrs. or Reverend Tithing Teacher, you are robbing people, God, and the world from the blessings He wants to pour out on them and through us! Now repent and stop it! His mercy endures forever! Go to the fountain of grace, HaShem, and discover how to enter into His rest yourself! Then and only then can you lead God’s sheep into that rest themselves. Until then all you will do is fleece them and eat them yourself!
"Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them." (Ezekiel 34:2-4)
"My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray; they have turned them away on the mountains. They have gone from mountain to hill. They have forgotten their resting place. All who found them have devoured them." (Jeremiah 50:6-7)
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that those who twist the Mosaic Law to say what it doesn’t say, are robbing God even though they may not be aware of it. They are also robbing themselves of much-needed rest, and they are robbing the world around them of the true blessings they are to bestow upon their neighbors. * Church
the words "church"
and "circus" both come from a similar pagan origin
circ-
+ (is a Latin root word meaning: circle [a ring; wheel],
round).
Circe Latinized
form of Greek Κιρκη (Kirke, Kirkh ), which possibly meant
"bird". In Greek mythology Circe was a sorceress who
hypnotized men, and changed men into animals, and made them her
slaves.
circle c.1305,
from O.Fr. cercle, from L. circulus "small ring," dim. of
circus (q.v.). Replaced O.E. trendel and hring. Meaning "group
of persons surrounding a center of interest" is from
1714.
circus c.1380,
from L. circus "ring," applied by Romans to circular arenas
for performances and contests (esp. the Circus Maximus), from or akin
to Gk. kirkos "a circle," from PIE *kirk- from base
*(s)ker- "to turn, bend." First attested use for "traveling
show" is 1791.
Church O.E.
cirice "church," from W.Gmc. *kirika, from Gk. kyriake
(oikia) "Lord's (house)," from kyrios "ruler, lord."
update: One of the absolute best examples of twisting scripture to form doctrine. Read also Detriments of the Tithe Teaching: "The "churchs" tithe teaching can cause tithers to have an erroneous feeling of self-satisfaction, a feeling that they have "paid the bill" and placated God. "
6 Bible Versions to twist Torah- which hasn't changed in 4000 years.
Remember
what Ravi Sha'ul (Paul) said as you read this blog post:
2
Corinthians 7 Each should give according to what he has
decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion... not
grudgingly or under compulsion?
1. Jesus said, John 14:15 - "If you love me, keep my commandments.” (NKJV) And
it is clearly commanded all the way through scripture. Some people say tithing
is Old Testament law. No, it's not. It's an Old Testament principle” (sic)
“Some people say tithing is Old Testament law.No, it's not.“ (As if the Old Testament [Torah] is bad) “It's an Old Testament principle.”
People like Creflo Dollar, Leroy Thompson and Donovan Burkett use scripture to extort MONEY = Heresy
Deuteronomy 14:23 - "The purpose of tithing is to teach you to always put God in first
place in your life." (TLB) ????
Lets look at what Deuteronomy 14:23 says
Deu 14:22 "Every year you must take one tenth of everything your seed produces in the field,
Deu 14:23 and eat it in the presence of ADONAI your God. In the place where he chooses to have his name live you will eat the tenth of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the firstborn of your cattle and sheep, so that you will learn to fear ADONAI your God always.
Deu 14:24 But if the distance is too great for you, so that you are unable to transport it, because the place where ADONAI chooses to put his name is too far away from you; then, when ADONAI your God prospers you,
Deu 14:25 you are to convert it into money, take the money with you, go to the place which ADONAI your God will choose,
Deu 14:26 and exchange the money for anything you want - cattle, sheep, wine, other intoxicating liquor, or anything you please - and you are to eat there in the presence of ADONAI your God, and enjoy yourselves, you and your household.
Deu 14:27 "But don't neglect the Levi staying with you, because he has no share or inheritance like yours.
Deu 14:28 At the end of every three years you are to take all the tenths of your produce from that year and store it in your towns.
Deu 14:29 Then the Levi, because he has no share or inheritance like yours, along with the foreigner, the orphan and the widow living in your towns, will come, eat and be satisfied - so that ADONAI your God will bless you in everything your hands produce.
I can say God is first place in my life, but there are two things you can look at
that will tell you what is really first place; the way I use my ____________ and
the way I use my ___________.
C. Tithing reminds me that everything was given to me by God.
Deuteronomy 8:18 - "And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who
gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He
swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” (NKJV)
This “Christian Development Course” from 'church' is an example of twisting scripture to make-up doctrine. Notice how many different versions of the bible FCoFt.WTx has to use to bend all these verses from the Torah.
(NIV NKJV TLB AMP MES GNB) 6 versions to twist Torah- which hasn't changed in nearly 4000 years.
"While we may think that only those who have been teaching this un-Biblical tithe should repent, it is just as important for those who have been tithing to clearly see that much of the fruit of their tithing has not produced good fruit; instead much of it has alienated the world from their Christianity. In other words, we must all repent—those who teach it and those who give it." Must Read:http://www.tentmaker.org/books/TheTitheisIllegal.html
From CHRISTIAN DEVELOPMENT COURSE First Church of Fort Worth
http://www.fcofw.org/cdc/Module%20201.Session%203.Student.pdf
Module 201 – Session 3-“Giving” page 1
Module 201 – Session 3 Giving
I. INTRODUCTION
A. The Bible is a book about __________.
1. The Bible talks more about giving than it does about heaven or hell.
2. Jesus talked more about giving than almost any other subject.
3. Over half of His parables have to do with _________.
4. There are more promises in the Bible related to giving than any other
subject.
I Corinthians 16:2 – “On the first day of the week let each one of you lay
something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections
when I come.” (NKJV)
I Corinthians 16:2 – “On the first [day] of each week, let each one of you
[personally] put aside something and save it up as he has prospered [in
proportion to what he is given], so that no collections will need to be taken
after I come.” (AMP)
II. WHY GOD __________ ME TO GIVE!
II Corinthians 8:7 – “But just as you excel in everything-in faith, in speech, in knowledge,
in complete earnestness and in your love for us-see that you also excel in this grace of
giving.” (NIV)
II Corinthians 8:7 – “Now as you abound and excel and are at the front in everything--in
faith, in expressing yourselves, in knowledge, in all zeal, and in your love for us--[see to
it that you come to the front now and] abound and excel in this gracious work [of
almsgiving] also.” (AMP)
A. Giving Draws Me ___________ To God.
1. Matthew 6:21- “…where your treasure is, there your heart will be
also.” (NKJV)
2. Wherever we put our money shows our ________________. The
question then becomes, where do you want your heart to be? Wherever
you want your heart to be, that's where you need to put your money.
B. Giving Is the Antidote To ___________________.
CHRISTIAN DEVELOPMENT COURSE
First Church of Fort Worth page 2
I Timothy 6:17-19 – “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be
haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all
things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give,
willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come,
that they may lay hold on eternal life.” (NKJV)
1. What is materialism? It's “_____.” What is the opposite of getting?
______________. The only way I can know if I'm having victory over
materialism is: am I willing to part with what I've got?
2. He says God gives us "richly all things to enjoy". God has blessed
you. But _______ ____________ comes from giving. We make a living
by what we get, but we make a _______ by what we give.
D. Giving ___________________ My Faith. .
Proverbs 3:5, 9 – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own
understanding; Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all
your increase…” (NKJV)
1. Faith is like a muscle. God uses finances to test your faith. God says that
the way we prove our trust, the way we demonstrate our faith, is by
giving the first part of our income back to Him.
Luke 16:11 – “If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous
mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?” (KJV)
Luke 6:38 - "Give and it will be given to you. For with the same measure that
you use, it will be measured back to you.” (NKJV)
2. God says, "I dare you! Let's see how much you want me to bless your
life. You give a cup, you get a cup of blessing. You pull up a dump truck,
you get a dump truck's worth. The measure you use is the measure
you're going to get."
3. Know why a lot of people don't give? They just don't ____________!
E. Giving Is An Investment For _______________.
I Timothy 6:18-19 – “Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to
give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to
come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” (NKJV)
Matthew 6:19-20 – “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where
moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust
doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:” (KJV)
CHRISTIAN DEVELOPMENT COURSE
First Church of Fort Worth page 3
F. Giving ______________ Us In Return.
Proverbs 22:9 – “A generous man will himself be blessed…” (NIV)
Proverbs 11:25 – “The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also
be watered himself.” (NKJV)
Proverbs 19:17 – “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that
which he hath given will he pay him again.” (KJV)
G. Giving Makes Me ___________.
1. Jesus said, Acts 20:35 - "It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (NIV)
2. Carl Menniger, one of the top psychiatrists in the nation said, "Giving is a
criterion of mental _____________. Generous people are rarely mentally
ill." The healthier you are, the more unafraid you are to give away. The
more you hold things in and are afraid to give away, that's an indication
that there's fear in your life.
III. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH ABOUT TITHING?
A. What is tithing? Tithe means a _________ part. It's a word that God uses
all through scripture. In the Bible, God tells us that we're to give the first
ten percent of all we earn back to God.
B. Giving _______ than ten percent is not tithing. Giving a tithe is giving ten
percent of my income and all my increases.
C. What's the difference between a tithe and an offering? Tithe is giving ten
percent of my income. An offering is anything I give in addition to my tithe.
IV. WHY SHOULD I TITHE?
A. God __________________ it.
Leviticus 27:30 – “A tenth of all you produce is the Lord’s and it is holy.” (GNB)
"'All the tenth given from the land, whether from planted seed or fruit from trees, belongs to ADONAI; it is holy to ADONAI."
Leviticus 27:30 – “A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the
soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.” (NIV)
Malachi 3:10 – “Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the
storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says
the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour
you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” AMP
CHRISTIAN DEVELOPMENT COURSE
First Church of Fort Worth
Module 201 – Session 3- “Giving” page 4
God could have said give ninety percent. But He just said ten. Simply
because He says it, we ought to obey it. But He does give us other
reasons.
B. Tithing demonstrates that God has _________ _________ in my life.
Deuteronomy 14:23 - "The purpose of tithing is to teach you to always put God in first
place in your life." (TLB)****
I can say God is first place in my life, but there are two things you can look at
that will tell you what is really first place; the way I use my ____________ and
the way I use my ___________.
C. Tithing reminds me that everything was given to me by God.
Deuteronomy 8:18 - "And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who
gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He
swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” (NKJV)
D. Tithing expresses my _______________ to God for the blessings He's
bestowed upon me.
Psalms 116:12 – “What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me?” (KJV) The answer?
Deut 16:17 – “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the
Lord thy God which he hath given thee.” KJV
Deuteronomy 16:17 – “No one is to show up in the Presence of God empty-handed,
each man must bring as much as he can manage, giving generously in response to
the blessings of God, your God.” (MES)
E. God says that refusing to tithe is _______________ from Him.
1. That's pretty strong but that's exactly what He says.
Mal 3:8-9 – “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.” KJV Malachi 3:8-9 – “Begin by being honest. Do honest people rob God? But you rob me day after day. You ask, “How have we robbed you?” “The tithe and the offering – that’s how! And now you’re under a curse – the whole lot of you – because you’re robbing me. Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don’t open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams.” [Sic](MES)
CHRISTIAN DEVELOPMENT COURSE
First Church of Fort Worth
Module 201 – Session 3- “Giving” page 5
2. When I spend my tithing money on anything besides my tithes, I'm
robbing God.
F. Tithing gives God a chance to prove He ________ and wants to ______ you.
Mal 3:10- “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.” KJV
Malachi 3:10 – “Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample
provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don’t open up heaven itself to
you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams.” (MES)
1. This is one of the most amazing promises in the Bible. God actually
offers you a challenge and He says I dare you. Start tithing and watch
what happens. He not only makes a promise to bless you with more,
but He promises to protect what you already have.
Malachi 3:11 - "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will
not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for
you in the field," Says the LORD of hosts…” (NKJV)
2. God says, Test me. Prove me…Tithe. Of all the areas He could have
chosen as a test, why did He choose finances? Because we spend
most of our lives revolving around money. Making it, earning it,
saving it, giving it, sharing it, and spending it.
G. Tithing proves that I really ________ God. 1. Jesus said, John 14:15 - "If you love me, keep my commandments.”**(NKJV) And
it is clearly commanded all the way through scripture. Some people say tithing is Old Testament law. No, it's not. It's an Old Testament principle.***
2. In fact, tithing was established before the law was given. The law was
established with Moses. God established tithing from the very first. Abraham
gave tithes 400 years before Moses was born. It's not part of Jewish law; it is a
life principle before the Jewish nation even became Israel.
Jacob tithed. Genesis 28:22 – “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.” (KJV)
Abraham tithed. Hebrews 7:4 – “Now consider how great this man was,
unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the
spoils.” (KJV)
V. _______________ SHOULD I TITHE?
CHRISTIAN DEVELOPMENT COURSE
First Church of Fort Worth
Module 201 – Session 3- “Giving” page 6
Malachi 3:10 - "Bring your whole tithe to My Storehouse ..."
I should tithe where I ____________. In the Old Testament, the place of
worship was called the Temple. In the New Testament it was called the
synagogue or the church.
VI. WHEN SHOULD I TITHE?
I Corinthians 16:2 – “On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside,
storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.” (NKJV)
A. What is the first day of every week? _____________. What do you do
on Sunday? You go to the place of worship. That's when you're to give.
You're to give at the place of worship.
VIII. HOW SHOULD I TITHE?
A. We're to give ________________. God is more interested in my attitude
than the amount. He doesn't look at the amount you give; He looks at
the amount you have left over, in proportion to what you gave.
II Corinthians 9:6-7 – “[Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly
will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that
blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings.
Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart,
not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes
pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do
without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his
giving].” (AMP)
B. “As you purpose in your heart” does not mean if you don’t want to,
don’t give. It means the purpose in your heart should be to give
cheerfully, not grudgingly, willingly, not reluctantly.
C. Give ______________. "God loves a cheerful giver."
Bumper sticker:
"God loveth a cheerful giver but He also accepteth from a grouch."
The Greek word for "cheerful" is the word from which we get our word
"_______________". If you can't tithe cheerfully, what you need to
work on is your _______________.
D. Give _________________.
2 Cor 8:1-4 – “Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God
bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; 2 How that in a great trial of affliction
CHRISTIAN DEVELOPMENT COURSE
First Church of Fort Worth
Module 201 – Session 3- “Giving” page 7
the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of
their liberality. 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their
power they were willing of themselves; 4 Praying us with much intreaty that
we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to
the saints.” KJV
II Corinthians 8:1-4 – “Now friends, I want to report on the surprising and
generous ways in which God is working in the churches in Macedonia province.
Fierce troubles came down on the people of those churches, pushing them to
the very limit. The trial exposed their true colors: They were incredibly happy,
though desperately poor. The pressure triggered something totally
unexpected: an outpouring of pure and generous gifts. I was there and saw it
for myself. They gave offerings of whatever they could-far more than they
could afford!-pleading for the privilege of helping out in the relief of poor
Christians.” (MES)
E. They gave beyond their ability. This is the first financial principle of
giving a tithe. People ask, "What if I can't afford to tithe?" I say, "You
can't afford not to." If you want God's blessing on your finances, you
need to tithe.
F. Give ____________________.
II Corinthians 9:6 – “[Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly
will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that
blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with
blessings.” (AMP)
II Corinthians 9:6 – “Remember: A Stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish
planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it
over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you
against sob stories and armtwisting. God loves it when the giver delights in
the giving.” (MES)
G. The key to giving …
II Corinthians 8:5 - "They first gave _________________ to the
Lord." (NKJV)
If God owns me, He's going to own my wallet. I need to first give
myself to the Lord.
**For six days you may perform melachah, but the seventh day is a complete Sabbath, holy to the L-RD ... it is an eternal sign that in six days, the L-RD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.-Exodus 31:15-17
Shabbat is the most important ritual observance in Judaism. It is the only ritual observance instituted in the Ten Commandments. It is also the most important special day, even more important than Yom Kippur. This is clear from the fact that more aliyot (opportunities for congregants to be called up to the Torah) are given on Shabbat than on any other day.
Shabbat is primarily a day of rest and spiritual enrichment. The word "Shabbat" comes from the root Shin-Beit-Tav, meaning to cease, to end, or to rest. SOURCE: http://www.jewfaq.org/shabbat.htm
*** “Some people say tithing is Old Testament law. No, it's not. It's an Old Testament principle.”??? Believers are responsible to measure church teachings in the light of the truth of the Bible. It is our duty to recognize error.
The
Levitical tithe was to meet a need, that of the Levitical priesthood
and to help the poor. The Levitical priesthood and all laws and
ceremonies pertaining to it ceased when the temple was destroyed in
70 CE. The B'rit Hadashah: (The New Covenant). the Books of the New
Testament does not teach tithing. The B'rit Hadashah (the New
Testament) offices or callings of pastor, etc., are not the same as
the Levitical priesthood, which was based on lineage and the Mosaic
ceremonial laws, and that the "church"
building is not the same as the Temple. Detriments
of the Tithe Teaching 1.
The "churchs"
tithe teaching can cause tithers to have an erroneous feeling of
self-satisfaction, a feeling that they have "paid the bill"
and placated God. This can become akin to a superstitious practice of
"pleasing of the gods" we see in pagan cultures. Are
tithers in some cases even attempting to buy their way into heaven?
Wouldn’t this be the same as buying spiritual favor by purchasing
indulgences? This practice was soundly condemned in Martin Luther's
"Ninety-Five Theses." 2.
Mal. 3:8 says, "’Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.’ But
you ask, "How do we rob you?" ‘In tithes and
offerings….’" This verse is used prior to the passing of the
offering plate in many "church"
services to coax the congregation to get out their wallets. But,
contrary to the meaning of the verse under the old covenant to which
it refers, today people ARE robbing God, not of tithes, but of proper
New Testament giving to the work of God and to the poor. Didn’t
Yeshua say that a cup of water given in His name is given unto Him?
When people "pay their bill" to the "church",
they aren’t as apt to give that cup of water, or $20 to a needy
person around them in Yeshua’ name. Therefore, they have robbed God
by neglecting opportunities to minister to Him in the form of the
poor. People write out tithe checks in a dogged, joyless manner as if
in bondage. They, too, are robbed. They are robbed of the joy of
giving to real needs they can see with their own eyes.
3.
Tithing can cause an undue financial burden on givers. Young families
with children often are living hand to mouth anyway. So are many
single parents, college students, and the elderly. They themselves
are actually the poor who need help occasionally, yet by sitting in
the "church",
they are told that they must give up ten percent to a "church"
that often is wealthy.
4.
This brings us to the next point. It is not uncommon today for the
incomes of "church"es
(some of whom teach tithing and some of whom don’t), especially
large ones in America, to have such enormous incomes that they have
investment portfolios. They hire experts to help them manage their
funds to make it grow. Why? So they can give to missions or the poor?
So they can build more buildings, gyms, bowling alleys, climbing
walls? So they can have huge paid staffs? Daycare centers? What WOULD
Yeshua do? Would He build any buildings at all? The kingdom of God
has nothing to do with buildings. The early "church"
grew by great leaps without buildings. "The kingdom of God is
not meat or drink." (Rom. 14:17) The kingdom of God is people.
SOURCE:
**** Deuteronomy 14:23 - "The purpose of tithing is to teach you to always put God in first place in your life." (TLB) ????
Lets look at what Deuteronomy 14:23 actually says:
Deu 14:22 "Every year you must take one tenth of everything your seed produces in the field,
Deu 14:23 and eat it in the presence of ADONAI your God. In the place where he chooses to have his name live you will eat the tenth of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the firstborn of your cattle and sheep, so that you will learn to fear ADONAI your God always.
Deu 14:24 But if the distance is too great for you, so that you are unable to transport it, because the place where ADONAI chooses to put his name is too far away from you; then, when ADONAI your God prospers you,
Deu 14:25 you are to convert it into money, take the money with you, go to the place which ADONAI your God will choose,
Deu 14:26 and exchange the money for anything you want - cattle, sheep, wine, other intoxicating liquor, or anything you please - and you are to eat there in the presence of ADONAI your God, and enjoy yourselves, you and your household.
Deu 14:27 "But don't neglect the Levi staying with you, because he has no share or inheritance like yours.
Deu 14:28 At the end of every three years you are to take all the tenths of your produce from that year and store it in your towns.
Deu 14:29 Then the Levi, because he has no share or inheritance like yours, along with the foreigner, the orphan and the widow living in your towns, will come, eat and be satisfied - so that ADONAI your God will bless you in everything your hands produce.
The purpose of tithing is to teach you to always put God in first place in your life? Has Deuteronomy 14:23 said this? This is the opitome of Twisting scripture. e.g. Twistianity at the least, blasphemy at the worst. Run from men like this and the Creflo Dollars of the world. Who's robbing G-D? If your pastor is a fraud...
2 Corinthians 7 Each should give according to what he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion...
not grudgingly or under compulsion?
http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/song_7757322
Sincere ... But Sincerely Wrong
2 Peter 2:1-3 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
