TITHE
Tithing is the ultimate expression of faith, worship to God and acknowledgement that Jesus has risen and that He lives.
The tithe is the acknowledgement of God's ownership of everything. He is Lord, and the act of paying His tithe testifies of this fact. Paying tithes is the ultimate acknowledgement that Jesus lives, because you don't pay tithes to the dead. The Church is the designated depository of the tithe. "Give it God's way or don't give it at all" There are many Pastors and Christians who believe that Christians do not have to or need to pay tithes. I am writing this message on the tithe to prove that these people are liars or just mis-informed. Many say that you do not need to pay tithe because Jesus redeemed us from the tithe, but the truth is that Jesus redeemed us from the law and the curses of the law:
Galatians 3:11-13, "11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for the just shall live by faith. 12 and the law is not of faith; but, the man who the does them shall live in them. 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree."
​
Please understand this; that Jesus came to take away that what was against us. The law of Moses that was under the old Covenant. In the book of Hebrews it said that if the first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for the second Covenant. Most Christians truly don't understand that the law could not give us righteousness because of the weakness of our flesh. Let's read Galatians 3:21-25 "21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come we are no longer under a schoolmaster."
​
I say all of this to let you see that Jesus came to redeem us from the law of Moses and not the tithe. The tithe was being done even before the law came into existence. The bible tells us in the book of Genesis that Abraham upon seeing Melchizedek, gave Melchizedek tithes of all. Also, it showed that Melchizedek brought bread and wine. This typifies that the communion table ( Jesus gave us bread and wine) and the tithe (we as Abraham's children are required to tithe). Tithe was before the law, during the law and has pass through the cross into grace because it was before the law.
Let's verify this through the book of Hebrews 7:1-22
1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated "king of righteousness," and then also king of Salem, meaning "king of peace,
3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually. 4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. 5 And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; 6 but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. 8 Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. 9 Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham 10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him. 11 Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?
12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. 13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest 16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. 17 For He testifies: "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek." 18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, 19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. 20 And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath 21 (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: "The Lord has sworn And will not relent, 'You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek'"), 22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant."
​
Conclusion: Abraham, father of us all, paid tithe to Melchizedek and Levi paid tithe by being in the loins of Abraham. If Jesus was made a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek (not after Aaron) Hebrews 7 verses 14 - 17, and if we being children of faith are children of Abraham; Galatians 3 verse 29, then as our father Abraham paid tithe to Melchizedek. Then we as Abraham children should pay tithes to Jesus ( High Priest after the order of Melchizedek). This shows that there was tithe paid before the law, during the law and after the law. Through the order of Melchizedek before and after the law and through Aaron during the law. You don't tithe to the dead, you tithe to the living, they tithe to God in the Old Testament because God was a living God, we tithe under the New Testament because Jesus is a living Saviour! Leviticus 27 verse 30; all the tithe is holy unto the Lord.
​
Finally: Many will say that since there are no more Levites then there is no more tithe. This also is an untruth, because if there are no more Levites, then God lied. God said it in Genesis 17 He was establishing a covenant with Abraham and his seed after him forever. If we read in Leviticus 26, God said that He would scatter Israel among the Gentiles, but He would not cast them away to utterly destroy them. He said He would not break His covenant with them because He is their God. Then if we read Romans 11, Paul says, that God has not cast away His people, he said for he is a Israelite of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. He said, God has not cast away His people who He foreknew. He said, till this day God still has a remnant of His people left. This means there are still Levites today or else how can Jesus in Matthew 15 came for the whole house of Israel and how can the whole house of Israel be restored in the book of Revelation. But that's another message.
​
As God said in Malachi return to Me and I will return to you, and they said, how shall we return. God said in tithe and offering, He said you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Jesus in the gospels said your tithe you ought to have done, Jesus also said to give Caesar what's Caesar's and give God what's God's. If we read Leviticus 27:26-32 it said the tithe is holy to the Lord. Deuteronomy 14:24-28 also told us that tithe could be money and not just fruits, grains, animals etc... and if you want to know who and where the tithe go, read Numbers chapter 18 verses 20-21; And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel. 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. also Numbers 18 verses 25-32; And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 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. 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. 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. Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave offering of the LORD, of all the best thereof, even the hallowed part thereof out of it. Therefore thou shalt say unto them, When ye have heaved the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the threshingfloor, and as the increase of the winepress. And ye shall eat it in every place, ye and your households: for it is your reward for your service in the tabernacle of the congregation. And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it, when ye have heaved from it the best of it: neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the children of Israel, lest ye die.
​
As we can see from the scriptures above, the tithe was always for those who did the work of the tabernacle or temple. They had no way of making a living while doing the work of God, so God gave them the tithe to live off of. God doesn't need your tithe, God knows if He didn't have a tithe the people would let the man of God starve and die.
​
If you read 1 Corinthians 9 verses 9-14 we can get a better understanding of this. 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power, but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so have the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
Listen at what God is saying here, (if other use this power over you) if you tip the 15% - 22% at restaurants, tip at car washes, valets etc. and you are not willing to give God His 10% when He is giving you the eternal life. That only means that you value the carnal and earthly things more than the spiritual and Godly things. If this is you, good luck in getting to heaven. The bible says, the carnal or earthly mind is enmity against God. It says to be carnally minded is death. Also, they that are in the flesh cannot please God. A true man of God gives you words of life (man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God does man live). So getting fed at a restaurant means more to you than getting fed by God. The word says, if you get taught spiritual things, you should give back carnal things. All I can say to that is, it's your choice!
​
Two things we see here: one, God has placed money, jewelry and other carnal things in the same category as the fruits, grains, vegetables and animals of the tithe. Second, God says, the preachers should live from the altar the same way the priests and Levites lived from the temple and altar in the old testament. The priests and Levites lived of the tithe of animals, grains, vegetables and fruit. In the modern world we don't trade, bargain or tithe with any of these, we use money. Today money is our livelihood. Money is looked on the same as animals, grains, vegetables and fruit. Don't let any of Satan's false prophets bewitch you. God offerings of the Old Testament also included taking money; Exodus 25 verses 1-3, 1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. 3 And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. God said, I am the Lord and I change not. These false teachers want you to lose your connection to God. Malachi 3 verses 7-12; said this, 7 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. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. 12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
No wonder Satan and his false teachers don't want you to tithe. Because if you pay your tithe, then God opens the windows of Heaven for you and rebukes satan and those false teachers and keeps them away from you.
​
Galatians 6 verses 6-10
6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
​
Philippians 4 verses 13-19
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
15 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. 18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
​
Matthew 22 verses 17-21
17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
​
Matthew 23 verse 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.
​
2 Corinthians 9 verses 5-12
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness. 6 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. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower (God) both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
We can see from the scripture above that Jesus is talking about money for tributes. You are either going to give to God or you are not. Again, you make the choice! I will end with this, because this is one of the biggest problems in Christianity. Christians want all the benefits of God through Christ Jesus without doing anything for God or doing anything He says". God does not need your money, for He said, every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills and the world is Mine, and the fullness thereof. Therefore, the only true way to show God worship (worth ship) is when we are willing to take of our livelihood and give it to Him. Not because He needs it, but because He said so. He said if you don't bring the tithe into His storehouse there will be no meat in His house. The meat is the word of God, this means if your Church does not teach the tithe, God's true revelation may not come through that Church. Remember man does not live by bread alone, but every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. You tithe because it testifies that Jesus Lives and proves that we believe in His resurrection from the grave!