the truth about tithe
TRANSCRIPT
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 1/43
THETRUTH ABOUT
TITHE by Bro. Jun Durias
Note: All scriptures were taken from the King James Version of the Holy
Bible.
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 2/43
Foreword
Almost every evangelical Christian in this generation knows what is
a tithe, and a majority of them practice tithing by giving ten percent
of their income to their pastors or to whatever church denomination
they belong. Most, if not all of the church denominations, require their
members to give tithe and some even go to the extreme by teaching that
if a Christian will not give his tithe, he will go to hell because he
robs God.
They have accepted this practice as a biblical truth and consider it
as one of the most important obligations of every Christian. Some
pastors also teach that if tithing is not being practiced, it is
impossible for a church to exist.
Shocking as it may sound, but there is not even a single verse in the
scriptures, which teaches or requires a Christian to give his tithe.
Neither is there any instance in the bible where you can find any of
the apostles or elders of the church, collecting tithe.
The most amazing fact is that Jesus Himself, the God who manifested
in the flesh, never collected tithe from anyone during His ministry
on earth.
If tithing is not required to a Christian, how can a church exist? How
are you going to raise the fund to accomplish the great commission by
evangelising the world?
I believe with all my heart that those who truly seek the will of God
will find this message an eye opener and will challenge many to live
a deeper Christian life similar to the first century Christians.
I dedicate this book to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who gave His
life a ransom for all of us who believe in Him, and to all Christians
who with all their hearts seek the will of our Lord and Saviour JesusChrist, and are willing to forsake everything including pride and
wealth for the sake of the kingdom.
Yours in Christ,
Bro. Jun C. Durias
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 3/43
Changing and disannulling of
the Levitical Law
“ If therefore perfection where 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?
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change
also of the law.” (Hebrews 7:11-12)
“ For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before
for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.” (Hebrews 7:18)
Note: Do not be confused which laws or commandments were disannulled
and which laws still exist.
The laws that were disannulled were national laws of Israel given to
Moses and were only for the nation of Israel. It includes material
offerings, ceremonials and ordinances, observation of holy days and
Sabbath days. They are what the scripture calls “shadow of the
substance”.
The laws that exist until now are moral laws that are for all men in
the world. They are love, honour and respect to God and parents; loving
thy neighbour as thyself; staying away from immorality, fornications,
murders, lying, stealing, covetousness, and so forth.
Tithing is a heave offering which is a kind of meat offering and it
is included in all other kinds of material offerings such as burnt
offering, sacrificial offering, wave offering, etc. They were
disannulled together with the Levitical priesthood when Jesus Christ
gave His life a ransom that we may be free from the curse of the law.
Though the bible recorded that Abraham gave the tithe of his spoil to
Melchisedec when he met him after he rescued his nephew Lot, it is
apparent that tithing became a law in Israel when God gave them the
commandment through Moses.
God’s purpose for this commandment were for Israel to:
- Support the Levites for they had special duties and
responsibilities (Num 18:21-24)
- Learn to fear God always (Deut 14:23)
- Rejoice by feasting before the Lord together with their family
and the Levites (Deut 14:26-27 )
- Help the strangers, the fatherless and the widowed (Deut 14:29)
Why the Levites were allowed by God
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 4/43
to take tithe from Israel
1 They were chosen by God to be the priests.
2 They were mediators between God and Israel.
3 They bore the iniquity of Israel.
4 They made atonement for the sins of Israel.
5 They had no inheritance in the land.
6 They had no other ways of living.
7 It was their reward for their service in the
tabernacle of the congregation.
God gave to the children of Levi
all the tenth in Israel
“ 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.
Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle
of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die.
But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the
congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute
for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel
they have no inheritance.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 have
no inheritance.” (Numbers 18:20-24)
It is seen from the above scripture that tithing is a heave offering,
which is a kind of meat offering, so when the laws of offerings (heave
offering, burnt offering, etc.) had been disannulled, it is understood
that tithing was included.
“Bring ye all the tithe into the storehouse, that there may be meat in
mine house ( …)” (Malachi 3:10)
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 5/43
Notice that tithe was referred as meat and not money. It was meat for
the food of the Levites, and not money for “building programs” and
lavish expenditures of church leaders.
These days the teachers of tithe use most of the time Old Testament
verses to support their doctrine because they cannot use New Testament
verses properly. But the fact is, in the time of the Law though moneywas already in circulation, Israel was never required to tithe their
money. They had to tithe from the increase of their land and the increase
of their cattle in the land of Israel, never in terms of money.
The age of the church began at the day of Pentecost when all the
believers received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Since the start of
Christianity, the apostles never required the Jewish believers to give
tithe and they never introduced tithing to the gentile believers.
The scripture says that the law had a shadow of things to come, and
it was our schoolmaster that brought us unto Christ that we might bejustified by faith.
Let no man judge you by the laws
that were already disannulled
“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of
an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days:
Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”
(Colossians 2:16-17)
Note: The law about meat includes dietary law, meat offering, and
tithing.
When someone will tell you, you have to offer burnt offerings and
sacrificial offerings and tithe; or you have to observe the Sabbath
days and other holy days because if you don’t you will be cursed byGod, then you will not feel guilty, for they were only the shadow of
things to come. You know that you are free from the curse because you
now belong to the body of Christ.
He is the reality and the substance of the things that were prophesied
to come, who released us from the curse and the bondage of the law.
No man is justified by the Law
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 6/43
“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for
it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things
which are written in the book of the law to do them.” (Galatians 3:10)
Note: Tithing is written in the book of the law.
“But no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident:
for, The just shall live by faith.”
(Galatians 3:11)
If you still want to live under the law, you have to comply perfectly
with everything written in the book of the law, or else you will be
under the curse. If you want to live under the law of tithing, you have
to comply perfectly with the law of tithing.
If you earned $10 000 and gave $990 as tithe, you did not comply withthe law of tithing because you gave less than ten percent which is
required by the law and you are under the curse.
If you comply perfectly with the law of tithing and neglect other laws
such as sacrificial offering or you violate the law of Sabbath, then
you are still under the curse.
That’s why the scripture says that no man is justified by the law in
the sight of God because no man can comply the law perfectly.
Giving and sharing of one’s goods
in the Church
Giving and sharing of goods or money in the church is not the sole duty
of the congregation to their pastors like in the Levitical system, but
giving in the church is the responsibility of everyone to every member
of the church for they all belong to one body of Christ, that the
blessings of God may be distributed equally.
God does not delight if we give out of fear (afraid of going to hell
if we cannot give our tithe) or grudgingly, or of compulsion, but it
is the delight of God if we give according to our heart’s desire, for
God loves a cheerful giver.
We must have good motive for giving. God promises that if we give we
shall also receive, and those who sow bountifully shall also reap
bountifully. Yet our motive of giving is not that we do it so that we
can receive more, but we give because we love our brothers and sisters
in the Lord. We give because we cannot afford to see them hungry and
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 7/43
in need while we have an abundance of supply. We give because we want
to raise a fund for evangelism as the Lord required. We give because
we see our pastor in need and we want to support him and his family.
So we give cheerfully as much as we want to, for we know we please God
by giving in a right and proper way.
COMPARISON BETWEEN THE AGE OF LAW
AND THE AGE OF GRACE
Age of Law (Law of Sin and Death)
Note: If you had offended in one point of the law, you were guilty of
the whole law, and the penalty was death.
James 2:10, Rom 6:23
I The law had a shadow of the perfect thing to come
II God dealt only with the Jews (the gentiles had no part with them)
III They must be circumcised to be part of God’s people (circumcision
of the flesh) Gen 17:10-14
IV Law was written in letter
V Ten major commandments:
Thou shalt have no other Gods before me
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image...
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy Godin vain...
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy...
Honour thy father and thy mother...
Thou shalt not kill
Thou shalt not commit adultery
Thou shalt not steal
Thou shalt not bear false witness againstthy neighbour
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house,Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife...
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 8/43
There are hundreds more of minor commandments that include:
-material offerings and tithing
-ceremonials and ordinances
-observation of holy days
VI Levites - they were mediators between God and Israel (they were the
priests and high priests)
VII For their sins to be forgiven, they had to go once a year to the
priests who were in charged of the tabernacle. They had to bring with
them a sacrificial lamb or other sacrificial animals to be killed, and
the high priest had to sprinkle their blood for the forgiveness of sins
(without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins) Lev 17:11
Since the tabernacle was not perfect (it was material, made with hands),
the high priests (Levites) were not perfect, the sacrifices (animals)
were not perfect, and the blood of the sacrifices were not perfect,it did not satisfy the demand of the law. The sinner remained in his
sins and had to come back again every year for the same ordinances and
ceremonies.
Age of Grace
(Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus)
Note: There is no more condemnation; we have passed from death untolife. Rom. 8:1, John 5:24
I The perfect thing has come. Col 2:17, Heb 10:1-10
II God deals with everyone (including the gentiles) who comes to Jesus
and accepts Him as his Lord and Saviour.
John 1:12, John 6:37
III Circumcision is of the heart
from unbeliever to a believer
from worldly to godly
from carnal to spiritual
from sinner to saint
Rom 2:29, Col 2:11-12, John 3:3-5, Acts 2:38
IV Law is written in the heart. Heb 10:16
V There are only two commandments:
Love God with all your heart, with all your soul,
with all your strength and with all your mind.
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 9/43
Love your neighbour as yourself.
From these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matt
22:40
Note: These two commandments are completely attached with each other.
You cannot love God without loving your neighbour and you cannot loveyour neighbour without loving God; That’s why Paul once said, “For all
the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy
neighbour as thyself ”. Gal 5:14
Some commandments that had nothing to do with loving your neighbour
were disannulled. Heb 7:18, Col 2:16-17
- material offerings
- observation of holy days and sabbath days
- ceremonials and ordinances
Some commandments that have to do with your neighbour were magnifiedto a higher level, such as:
Do not commit adultery
To
If you look at a woman with lust, you have already committed adultery with her in your heart
Thou shalt not kill
To
If you are angry with your brother without a cause, you shall be in danger of judgement
Some commandments were revised to something very different, such as:
Whosoever shall put away his wife let him give her a writing of divorcement
To
Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for the cause of fornication, cause her to commitadultery, and whosoever marry her that is divorced commit adultery
An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth
To
Whosoever smite thee on the cheek, turn to him the other cheek also; whosoever compel you to goone mile, go with him two miles; whosoever take away your coat give him your cloak also
In the time of the law, the Israelites had never entered into rest though
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 10/43
they observed rigorously the Sabbath days, as their sins were never
remitted by the blood of the animals though they obeyed and practiced
these ceremonials and ordinances year by year. Heb 4:6, Heb 10:4
As animal sacrifices and shedding of blood were only a shadow, so was
the observation of the Sabbath days a shadow of the perfect thing to
come. Col 2:16-17, Heb 10:1
In the time of Grace, every true believer who has received the Spirit
of Christ has entered into rest. Heb 4:3
“For he that is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased from his own
works, as God did from His.” Heb 4:10
VI Jesus – The mediator between God and men (He is the High Priest).
Every Christian has the duty to win others for Christ.
VII Jesus is the sacrificial lamb (without the shedding of blood thereis no remission of sins) Heb 9:22, Acts 20:28, Col 1:14
He died that we might live
He was bruised for our iniquities
By His stripes we are healed (Isa 53:5)
He became sin for us that we might become
the righteousness of God (2Cor 5:21)
Jesus died once and for all
The God who created us is the same God who
redeemed us God was manifested in the flesh and died in our place (John
1:10-14, 1Tim 3:16)
The tabernacle is perfect, pitched by God Himself in heaven. Jesus the
High Priest is perfect. He was the perfect sacrifice as the Lamb without
spot and blemish required by the law (He does not have even the smallest
sin in Him, and there is not a single germ in His body); His blood is
perfect that completely remit every sin of the believer (Thus He
satisfied and fulfilled the demand of the law. Matt 5:17 ).
Now the law is powerless against us. It has no more power to kill us.Every requirement and demand of the law was met and paid by Jesus our
Redeemer at Calvary. “It is finished” was the last words He uttered
before He died. As the scripture says, “Death is swallowed up in
victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks
be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”.
Jesus gave his life a ransom to save us, He paid the penalty of our
sin that is death, He redeemed us from the curse of the law, blotting
out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us. He destroyed
the sting of death, which is sin, so that we can have eternal life.
Every believer has passed from death unto life, and there is now no
more condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 11/43
“ Verily, verily, I say unto you, if a man keep my saying, he shall never
see death.” John 8:51
“Verily, I say unto you, there be some standing here, which shall not
taste of death, till they see the son of man coming in His
kingdom.” Matt 16:28
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that
believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest
thou this? ” John 11:25-26
Now that we are already redeemed from the curse of the law, we are no
more servants of sin unto death, but servants of righteousness unto
life. We shall no longer live under the shadow because we are now in
reality with the substance, Jesus our Lord in our midst. The legalisticceremonials and ordinances of the law such as sacrificial offerings
and tithings, observation of holy days and Sabbath days etc. no longer
bind us, but we are to obey the new commandment that our Lord has given
us. Let us love one another as Christ loves us.
ILLUSTRATION OF THE RELATION AND
THE WAY OF GIVING BY BELIEVERS
Age of Law vs. Age of Grace
(Church Age)
1. Age of Law (Levitical system of giving)
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 12/43
Notice here that the Levites were separated from the congregation of
Israel because they had special duties. They were priests and mediators
between God and Israel. Israel could not go directly to God. They had
to pass through the Levites.
2. Age of Grace (Church system of giving)
ONE BODY
All are members of one body and Jesus is the head. Jesus supplies the
blessings to everybody and everybody shares the blessings to everybody.
Everybody gives to Jesus by offering their body a living sacrifice,by their service, by their worship, and by their obedience to His will,
not by tithing.
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 13/43
Notice here that apostles, pastors, evangelists, etc. are part of the
body and considered elders but not mediators between God and the
congregation.
3. What is happening now in the Church (pastors and ministers are
acting like Levitical priests)
Notice what actually is happening now. Pastors and ministers are
separated from the church members and are acting as Levitical priests.
I believe that this is what Jesus means when He said; I hate your
doctrine of Nicolaitanes (Revelation 2:15). This is a clergy-laity
relationship. The clergy subdued the laity by teaching them to give
their tithe and offerings to them.
The results are:
1. Church members lost their responsibilities to help oneanother because they are giving all their tithe and offerings
to the pastors and ministers.
2. There are many church members who are poor, needy, and
neglected while pastors, ministers, and evangelists are
enjoying luxurious life because they have collected lots of
tithe and offerings.
Questions:
Is Jesus happy with this situation???
Is this the will of Jesus???
The pastors often say, Give to Jesus by giving your tithe to us…, But
Jesus said, Give to me by giving to your poor brethren, and to your
brethren who are in need.
(Mat 25:34-40)
Pastors, elders, and evangelists are not
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 14/43
mediators but members of one Body
In the “Age of Grace” pastors and ministers are not considered priests
or mediators between God and men, but they are elders of the church.
All Christians are members of the royal priesthood. (1Peter 2:9) Sowho will give tithe to whom? For everyone is a member of the royal
priesthood.
We have one high priest now, Jesus Christ, but He never collected tithe
while He was on earth physically. He is also part of the body for He
is the head of the body.
Notice, Paul said that every part or member of the body is as important
as any other member though they have different functions.
The foot has his own function, and the hand has his own function, the
eye and the ear have their own function but they are all members of
the body.
“ And the eye can not say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again
the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble,
are necessary.” (1 Corinthians 12:21-22)
Likewise pastors, evangelists, elders, and the least of all the members
are members of one body and cannot be separated one from another where
the head is Christ Himself. Isn’t it wonderful?
“ And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable,
upon these we bestow more abundant honour, and our uncomely parts have
more abundant comeliness.
For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body
together, having given more abundant honour to the part which lacked:
That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should
have the same care one for another.
And whether one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or one
member be honoured, all members rejoice with it.
Now you are the body of Christ, and member in particular. And God hath set some in church, first apostles, secondarily prophets,
thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps,
governments, diversities of tongues.” (1 Corinthians 12:23-28)
The Church is the Body of Christ
The church is not an organization, neither is it a nation like Israel
with kings and/or priests as mediators between God and Israel, but the
church is the body of Christ, one family in which every member has a
responsibility one to another. The strong are responsible for the weak,
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 15/43
and the affluent are responsible for the needy.
The government of the church is not a national government like Israel
that is dominated strictly with rules and regulations, with taxes or
tithe, but rather it is a family government dominated with love and
help to one another.
The head of the church said: “ A new commandment I give unto you, That
ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love
one to another.”
(John 13:34-35)
“Bear ye one another ’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (Gal.
6:2)
“ As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men,
especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” (Your brothersin the Lord) (Gal 6:10)
“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of
that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews
or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink
into one Spirit.”
(1Cor 12:12-13)
The will of God for His church is that the members live in unity as
one body with Jesus Christ Himself as the head.
The practice of tithing causes a separation between the clergy and the
laity, and thus contradicts the will of God.
Christians should not pattern themselves with the Levitical system of
the Old Testament because we are living in reality. We are living under
grace. The Levitical system is only a shadow of this reality.
The apostles’ instruction to the Church
composed of gentiles
“Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the
disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? ” (Acts
15:10)
“Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among
the gentiles are turned to God:
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 16/43
But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of
idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from
blood.” (Acts 15:19-20)
“ As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and
concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep
themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.” (Acts 21:25)
Here are the scriptures with the instructions of the apostles and
the elders to the church composed of gentile believers mentioned
twice in the book of Acts.
If you read the whole chapter fifteen of the book of Acts, you will
notice that some of the Pharisees who became believers were trying
to convince the gentile believers that it was necessary for them to
be circumcised and to observe the law given by Moses.
Those gentile believers did not know anything about the laws of
Moses. They did not know anything about circumcision, about
sacrificial offerings, about tithing, about keeping the Sabbath day
and other laws of Moses.
However, the apostles and the elders from Jerusalem did not say: “You
don’t need to be circumcised, you don’t need to observe the Sabbath,
you don’t need the burnt offering, or sacrificial offering, you don’t
need the heave offering, but you have to give your tithe because it
is very necessary for the church to exist. And for evangelism to be
accomplished effectively, you must give your tithe to us because weare the apostles and the elders.”
According to the way the pastors and ministers now teach the church
in matters of offerings and giving, it seems that the above paragraph
was really the instruction of the apostles to the gentile believers.
However the instruction was this: You don’t need to observe such
thing (what the Pharisees have told you) except only that you need
to keep yourselves from things offered to idols, and from blood and
from strangled, and from fornication.
Note: It is very apparent that such thing referred to circumcision
and the laws of Moses which includes dietary laws, observation of
Sabbath days and holy days, ordinances, offerings, tithing , etc.
Christians’practice of giving
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 17/43
“For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
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 an equality:
As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and
he that had gathered little had no lack.” (2 Corinthians 8:13-15)
“For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want
of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;”
(2 Corinthians 9:12)
The above scriptures are examples of how God’s blessings were
distributed among Christians in the early church. Note that help and
support among Christians were not limited to a local group or
congregation, but were extended to other places where the brethren
were in need.
During the journey of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land,
God supplied them with manna every morning that they might have food
to eat in the wilderness. Some gathered more and some gathered less,
but they that gathered much had nothing over, and they that gathered
less had not lacked. For the next morning, the remains of the manna
bred worms and stank, and when the sun waxed hot it melted.
Notice that in 2 Corinthians 9:12 it is part of the administration
of the church to supply the need of the saints. (Church members)
It is God’s will that His supply and blessings shall be shared among
the children of God.
For no matter how much you have stored in your storehouse one day
all of them will melt away, for the whole earth will be consumed with
fire.
(See 2 Peter 3:10-12)
1 Corinthians 16:1-3
“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order
to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in
store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when
I come.
And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them
will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.” (1 Corinthians
16:1-3)
So many pastors and teachers of tithe commonly misuse the above
scripture, and usually, they quote verse two only. I have read not
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 19/43
elders were being shared to everyone, and they were ready to give
everything for the good of the whole church.
Christians’ practice of giving for the extraneed of an evangelist
“Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my
affliction.
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.
For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.” (Philippians 4:14-17)
Paul, the founder of most churches in his time, did not require any
of them to give him tithe to support him in his missionary journey.
But as shown in the above scripture, the supports that were given to
him were gifts of love and free will.
Christians’ duty of giving
“ Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave
to that which is good.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour
preferring one another;
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in
prayer;
Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.” (Romans
12:9-13)
Notice that in verse thirteen distributions to the necessity of the
saints are part of the administration of the church.
Christians’ way of giving and God ’s promise to
the cheerful giver
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 20/43
“ But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly;
and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not
grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
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:” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)
How About Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42?
“ 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, judgement, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and
not to leave the other undone.” (Matthew 23:23)
“ But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner
of herbs, and pass over judgement and the love of God: these ought ye
to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” (Luke 11:42)
The above two scriptures are commonly used by pastors and evangelists
to prove that Jesus did really gave them the consent to collect tithe
from the congregation.
I believe that the above two scriptures were the same incident whenJesus mentioned tithe and were recorded by Matthew and Luke in their
own words.
If we examine this incident very carefully, we will notice that Jesus
was talking to the Scribes and the Pharisees who were still under the
“Age of Law” at that time.
So being under the law, it was still their duty to pay all kinds of
tithe.
Notice that Jesus was not teaching His disciples to give their tithe,
but He was rebuking the Scribes and Pharisees who were not His disciplesfor their hypocrisy.
Though they gave their tithe to obey their law, they omitted the
weightier matters of the law: judgement, mercy and faith.
Tithing is material, carnal, and temporal; It was part of the law that
was disannulled, while judgement, mercy, and faith are moral, spiritual
and eternal.
During the time when Jesus was on earth physically, the law was still
implemented although it was already in the transition period.
Notice also that Jesus observed all the laws of Moses. He was
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 21/43
circumcised at the eighth day, He was dedicated to God according to
the manner of the Jews, He entered the synagogue every Sabbath day and
so forth. The scripture says that He came to fulfil all the laws.
The “Age of Law” ended at Jesus’ death at Calvary and the “Age of Grace”
or Church Age started at the day of Pentecost.
So it is very clear that the above scriptures can never be used to prove
that Jesus did really authorized the pastors and ministers, or
evangelists to collect tithe from the Christians.
Hebrew Chapter 7
“ For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who
met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by
interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of
Salem, which is King of peace.
Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither
beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God;
abideth a priest continually.
Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch
Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the officeof 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:
But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of
Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of
whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in
Abraham.
For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.If therefore perfection where 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?
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change
also of the law.
For He of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe,
of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses
spake nothing concerning priesthood.
And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 22/43
power of an endless life.
For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of
Melchisedec.
For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for
the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope
did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
(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:)
By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to
continue by reason of death:
But this man, because He continueth ever, hath an unchangeable
priesthood.
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.For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled,
separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
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.
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.” (Hebrews 7:1-28)
Since the day of Pentecost, when the Age of the Church started untilthe end of the book of Revelation, this is the only chapter in the bible
where tithe was ever mentioned.
Many pastors and evangelists use this scripture also to teach the church
to give tithe.
However, if we will examine this chapter very carefully, we will find
out that this scripture does not teach at all that Christians should
practice tithing.
The reason why Paul mentioned tithe here is to prove that Melchisedecis higher and much superior than Abraham.
He said that Abraham gave Melchisedec tithe and Melchisedec blessed
Abraham.
Paul explained that the one who receives tithe and gives the blessing
is higher than the one who gives tithe and receives the blessing. Then
Paul continues to explain how great the high priest Jesus is, His
priesthood is far more excellent than that of the Levites because He
ariseth from the similitude of Melchisedec.
Paul reasoned out that the Levites are descendants of Abraham who is
inferior to Melchisedec because he gave tithe to Melchisedec and
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 23/43
Melchisedec blessed him. Therefore, the priesthood of the Levites is
much inferior than of Jesus Christ, for the reason that Jesus is a High
Priest forever after the order of Melchisedec.
So it is evident that the scripture has no bearing at all to their claim
that pastors and ministers or evangelists had been authorized by God
to collect tithe from the congregation.
1 Corinthians 9:14
“ Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should
live of the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 9:14)
Many pastors use this scripture to prove that the Lord directed them
to collect tithe from the congregation, but their belief is only a
misconception of the truth.
1st There is not even a word tithe mentioned here.
2nd If you read Luke 10:1-9 (I believe that this is the scripture Paul
was referring to) Jesus appointed seventy disciples to go and preach
the gospel of the kingdom. He told them not to provide themselves with
anything because the labourer is worthy of his hire. However, He didnot tell them to collect tithe and offerings but He told them to eat
and drink whatever was given to them.
This is what Jesus means when He said the labourer is worthy of his
hire.
3rd If the church shall raise a fund and be distributed to each one
according to his need, the pastor also will have his own share because
the scripture said that he is worthy of double honour.
Is he not living of the gospel then? Yes, he is living of the gospelbecause he preaches the gospel and receives his share from the church.
The whole church is also living of the gospel.
The scripture said that what we sow the same shall we reap.
If we sow the seed of an apple we shall reap fruit of apples and we
shall eat apples.
If we sow the words of God by preaching to the congregation such things
as “giving and sharing to one another the blessings of God”, and making
ourselves an example to what we preach then they will bear fruit thatwe can reap and be partaker of them. What fruit? The fruit of “giving
and sharing to one another the blessings of God”.
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 24/43
Note: The pastors are partakers of the fruit of the congregations but
not reapers of their fruit for themselves alone.
I believe that this is what the Lord means when He said that those who
preach the gospel shall live of the gospel, because tithing was never
part of the gospel of Christ.
In verse eighteen of the same chapter Paul said: “What is my reward
then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of
Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.”
Paul’s words are very clear, he does not want to charge for preaching
the words of God; he does not want to abuse his power as an apostle.
His joy is not to preach the gospel and receive but to preach the gospel
without receiving. For him, that is his reward.
This is the opposite of what most pastors now teach in the church.
If Paul was collecting tithe for him and the other apostles from the
congregation, it would be impossible for him to say those exact words,
or it would be a contradiction.
I am very definite that although some of the apostles asked support
from the church it is different from the practice of the pastors and
the evangelists these days, by collecting tithe from the congregation.
Yes, the pastors have the right to be supported by the church, but every
Christian who is in need has also the right to be supported by thechurch.
Some false declarations about tithing
1. Some pastors say that tithing started before the law, was
practiced during the law, and it must go on after the law. Theyalso say that Abraham gave his tithe to Melchisedec so we must
follow what Abraham did because he is our father in faith.
This reasoning is shallow and has no bearing whatsoever with
Christians’ responsibility of giving.
1st The scripture says that Abraham gave the tenth of all his spoil.
It also says that Abraham killed his enemies, took all their goods and
gave the tenth to Melchisedec. Does it mean then that we shall also
kill our enemies, take all their goods and give a tenth of them to our
pastor because we are to follow what Abraham did? Of course not.
2nd Circumcision is a very similar case. In fact it is heavier than tithe
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 25/43
in the Old Testament. It started before the law, (Abraham was
circumcised before the law of Moses) and it was practiced during the
law.
Does it follow then that we still need to be circumcised in this Church
Age to please God? Of course not, for we have better than that.
3rd First fruit offering is another similar case. It started before the
Law of Moses; its record is much earlier than tithe and circumcision.
(Cain and Abel practised first fruit offerings) it was practiced during
the law. Does it follow then that we should practice first fruit
offering in the Church Age to please God? We know we have better than
that.
4th Abraham gave his tithe to Melchisedec the high priest. The
Israelites gave their tithe to the Levites who were priests that took
care of the altar. They were mediators between God and Israel and had
no inheritance in the land.
To whom shall we give our tithe? To the pastors? Are they mediators
between God and men? Do they make atonement for our sins as the Levites
did?
5th If tithing is necessary for a Christian, there is no man worthier
to receive it than Jesus Christ our high priest. But the fact is, during
His ministry on earth He never collected tithe from anyone.
Are we followers of Jesus? He never collected tithe.
Are we followers of Paul and the apostles? They never collected tithe.
2. Some say that tithing gives equal burden to every Christian from
the poorest to the richest. However this is not true.
Consider this: suppose one Christian is a millionaire and he is earning
$20 000 a month. His tithe is $2 000 a month. After giving his tithe,
he still has $18 000 a month plus his millions in the bank. So no matterwhat you say, he still has an abundance of wealth and is still living
a luxurious life.
Another poor Christian is earning $700 a month. He pays his apartment
for $300 and his bills $100 a month. Because he is poor he owes some
money and pays another $100. He has three children who need to buy shoes
and sweaters. He gave $70 for his tithe, paid his bills and bought some
necessary things and food. Now he’s got $30 left which is the only money
he has until the next pay day.
Do you think that the $70 is a light burden to give as the $2 000 fromthe millionaire?
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 26/43
Where is the storehouse?
Some pastors will read Malachi 3:8-10 and then tell the congregation
to bring their tithe to God’s storehouse otherwise they will be cursed
by God. Then at the end of the service they will collect tithe and put
it in their storehouse.
If we will consider this matter very carefully, we may ask this
question: where is the storehouse of God? Or where is the true
storehouse of God?
What I know is that there is only one storehouse that God refers to
in the Old Testament. It is where the Israelites brought all their tithe
and offerings for the Levites in the time of the law.
Now there are thousands of storehouses, and everyone claims that they
have the true house of God.
Every denomination, every congregation, every evangelist, every
pastor, has his own storehouse, and everyone has a different doctrine.
So which of them has the true storehouse of God?
The truth is, the storehouse that Malachi was referring to in Malachi
3:10 does no longer exist because the Levitical law was already
disannulled.
Tithe is not necessary in the Church
Someone might ask if we can find a verse in the bible written literally
that tithe is not necessary in the church.
My reply is: can we find a verse in the bible written literally thatburnt offering, or wave offering, or sacrificial offering is not
necessary in the church?
But we understand that these are included to such things as circumcision
and the Law of Moses that were disannulled. That’s why they are not
being practiced in the church.
Unscriptural system of collecting
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 27/43
from the congregation
Because of this unscriptural system of collecting from the
congregation, there is a tendency for a pastor to be tempted to desire
to have lots of members and rich members that the collection may be
bigger.
He may justify himself by thinking that his motive is Godly, that he
wants lots of people to be saved and that he may teach them the words
of God.
But temptation is always there and the motive will finally become a
double purpose: To obey the great commission by preaching the gospel,
and at the same time to have more earnings by having more members,
especially rich ones.
However Jesus warned us not to serve two masters, not to serve both
God and mammon (money).
“ (…) for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he
will hold to the one, and despise the other (…)”
(Matthew 6:24)
Because of the wrong belief that God has authorized them to collect
tithe from the congregation, the pastors do not feel the guilt when
a poor Christian gives them his last penny to pay his tithe, while they
themselves prosper financially.
How about those testimonies of others that after
giving their tithe God blessed them
financially?
Our doctrine and practice and our way of living, must first of all,
be based on the scriptures.
If we will make the testimonies of others as the foundation of our
doctrines then we will be a confused generation. For so many people
have their own fascinating testimonies, even those who practice cults
or those who are pagans and unbelievers.
Among the millions of tithe givers, there may be some hundreds, or even
thousands who have incredible testimonies that God blessed them
financially after they gave their tithe. But these incidents happen
to anybody, even to those who don’t practice tithing.
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 28/43
There are thousands who have their wonderful testimonies after they
made a devotional prayer to “Mother of Perpetual Help” or to some other
saints. I used to have a devotional prayer to the “Mother of Perpetual
Help” and I also had a testimony that God gave me a job with a high
salary.
I believe that if we make a survey, we will find out that there are
more rich people financially who don’t practice tithing than those who
do.
God said that He gives His supply to both the good and the evil. He
gives rain and sunlight to both the just and the unjust.
Some say that they feel guilty or they feel the effect of the curse
if they don’t give their tithe. The reason for that is they are doing
things contrary to what they believe as true. They were brainwashed
by the so-called evangelists who themselves do not understand what theypreach, or maybe were driven with wrong motive. They are still slaves
of the law of tithing.
What we are after for is not what most people believe, but what the
biblical truth is. Jesus admonished us to seek the truth and the truth
shall set us free.
And finally, God did not promise that He would bless the church if they
practice tithing, but the promise of blessings in the church is when
the church is of one spirit, of one heart, of one mind, helping one
another, and being a cheerful giver.
Summary
AGE OF LAW AGE OF GRACE
I The Levites should take tithe from
IsraelChristian leaders should not take
tithe from anyone
II
Israel was under the “ Age of
Law”
which was also the “ Law of Sin
and Death” given to them by God
through Moses
Christians are living under the “ Law
of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus”
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 29/43
II
I
God commanded the Levites in
their law that they should take
tithe from Israel who was also
their brethren
God, even Jesus, did not command
the apostles or any Christian leaders
to take tithe from anyone. In the
contrary, the apostles instructed the
church not to observe such things
I
V
God separated the Levites
from all Israel to be priests andmediators between God and Israel
God, even Jesus, did not separate
Christian leaders from otherbelievers to be priests and mediators
between God and other Christians
(they belong to one body together
with other believers)
V
God did not give the Levites
inheritance in their land, so tithe
was a substitute for their means of
living
God, even Jesus, did not prohibit
Christian leaders to inherit or own
properties
V
I
I
The Levites should not do other
works for their livingChristian leaders can do other works
for their living
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 30/43
T
i
t
h
i
ng
w
a
s
o
n
l
y
a
s
h
a
d
o
w
o
f
t
h
e
t
h
i
n
gs
t
o
c
o
m
e
,
t
h
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 31/43
e
r
e
a
l
it
y
i
s
f
o
u
n
d
i
n
o
u
r
L
o
r
d
J
e
s
u
s
C
hr
i
s
t
.
S
o
C
hr
i
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 32/43
s
t
i
a
n
le
a
d
e
r
s
s
h
o
ul
d
f
o
l
l
o
w
t
h
e
e
x
a
m
p
l
e
o
f
o
u
r
L
o
rd
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 33/43
J
e
s
u
s
,
o
f
P
a
u
l
,
a
nd
o
f
o
t
h
e
r
a
p
o
s
t
l
e
s
wh
o
n
e
v
e
r
t
oo
k
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 34/43
t
i
t
h
e
f
r
o
m
a
n
y
o
n
e
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 35/43
When our Lord Jesus Christ gave His life as a ransom for our sins, He
redeemed us from the curse of the “Law of Sin and Death”.
When we receive the Spirit of Christ we become a part of Him, and we
become subject to the “Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus” which
is also the “Law of Love”.
A true Christian becomes an imitator of Christ. That is what Christian
means, “Christ like” or “Imitator of Christ” because we have the Spirit
of Christ within us. So when we receive the Spirit of Christ, gradually
we become like Him who is full of love and compassion. It is Christ
in us expressing Himself through us.
“ I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ
liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the
faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Gal
2:20
When a true Christian see that his pastor or one of his brother is in
need, he is moved with compassion, and with spontaneous reaction, he
will give his help and support cheerfully.
“ Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for
us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.But whoso hath this world ’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and
shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love
of God in him?” (1John 3:16-17)
When a pastor or an evangelist see that some of the church members are
in need, he is moved with compassion, and with spontaneous reaction,
he will give his help and support cheerfully; instead of taking tithe
and offering from his poor brethren.
“ Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be
burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought
not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.” 2Cor
12:14
I believe that this is the will of our Lord Jesus, and by doing so;
the light of genuine Christianity will shine in the darkness.
Did not Jesus our Lord said that those who are the first will be the
last, and those who want to be the greatest will be the servant of all?
God is not so much interested with our sacrifices and offerings as He
is interested with our love and compassion with each other.
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 36/43
“ Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high
God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves of a
year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands
of rivers of oil? Shall I give my first born for my transgression? The
fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord requireof thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with
thy God?” Micah 6:6-8
“ For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more
than burnt offerings.” Hos 6:6
Every Christian leader should go back to the original system of church
administration, and the original system of collection and distribution
to the necessity of the saints. They must stop collecting tithe fromthe congregation because it is an abolished law and not applicable to
Christianity.
I believe that this is a vital thing to do so that we can feel and
experience the true meaning of Christianity, and very essential in
preparing the church for the soon coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ.
Conclusion
Tithing is a heave offering, and like all other kinds of material
offerings, had their origin after the fall of mankind.
Material offerings were man’s way to approach God that he might be
accepted by God (Gen 4:6-7). Man was a fallen creature and was separated
from God because of sin.
In the “Age of Grace”, the true Christians are already reconciled to
God. We have already access to enter the Holy of Holies without the
need of offerings and sacrifices, because our Lord Jesus Christ has
already done the final sacrifice and offering (Heb 10:18).
We are now seated with Christ in heavenly places (Eph 2:6). We are one
with God. The spirit of God is within us, and we are a part of the body
of Christ.
This is the reason why Christians are no longer required to be
circumcised in the flesh, nor to observe the Sabbath days and otherholy days, nor to do any kind of material and sacrificial offering,
which includes tithing.
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 37/43
Actually, we are now in a better position than Abraham was in his time.
If God would raise Abraham to life in our time, Abraham would not give
tithe anymore. Instead, he would offer his body a living sacrifice,
holy and acceptable unto God, which would be his reasonable service
(Rom 12:1)
“ Wherefore, when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and
offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: in burnt
offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said
I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me) to do
thy will, O God.” (Heb 10:5-7)
Giving is very important and a responsibility of every Christian. The
entire New Testament is composed of many scriptures that encouragegiving with promises of blessings from God to the cheerful givers.
The question is: To whom shall we give? How shall we give? How much
shall we give?
God does not need our money or any of our goods, for he is the supplier
of everything and He owns everything.
“ Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my
footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the
place of my rest?For all those things hath mine hand made; and all those things have
been saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is
poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” (Isaiah
66:1-2)
When Jesus met the rich young man He did not say sell all you have and
give it to me, or to Judas who was responsible for the fund, or to any
of the apostles, or the rabbis.
But Jesus said to the rich young man: “(…) If thou wilt be perfect,
go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have
treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.” (Matthew 19:21)
The pastors, the ministers, or the evangelists have no right to collect
tithe from the Christians even though they will say that they need it
for the ministry.
So to whom shall we give our love and free will offerings? And how much
shall we give?
God’s blessings and supplies of goods should be circulated to every
member of the body of Christ, which includes the pastors, the ministers,
the elders, and every Christian, that there may be equality in the
church.
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 38/43
“ (…) He that hath gathered much had nothing over; and he that gathered
little had no lacked.”
(See 2 Corinthians 8:14-15)
The pastor or the elder of every local church or of every congregation
can be responsible for the giving and receiving that the blessings ofGod may circulate properly.
Every Christian can give as much as he wants, according to what he can
afford and according to his heart’s good pleasure, for God loves the
cheerful giver.
Every Christian must be aware that the more he gives, the more God will
bless him.
“ He that soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly, and he which soweth
bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”
The funds that have been collected can be also used for evangelism and
for the support of pastors and elders who work full time for the Lord.
The apostle Paul said: “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy
of double honour, especially they who labour in the word or doctrine.
For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth
out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.” (1Timothy
5:17-18)
Yes, the one who rules the church well is worthy of double honour, but
not worthy to collect tithe from the congregation for himself and hisministry because he is not a Levitical priest, and the ministry is not
for the pastor alone but for the whole church which is the body of
Christ.
It is therefore evident that tithing was never practiced in the early
church.
It is true that there was a collection in the church, but there was
also a distribution.
Giving is not the sole duty of the laity to the clergy like in the
Levitical system, but giving is the duty of every Christian to every
Christian that there may be equality and that God’s blessings will
circulate properly in the whole body of Jesus Christ.
May our Lord Jesus Christ reveal to us more of His will that we may
live a deeper Christian life.
Amen.
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 39/43
Addendum
After I finished writing the manuscript, I decided to consult the
encyclopaedias about tithe. I found out that the practice of tithing
among Christians started only at the sixth century.
This is another proof aside from the Holy Bible that the first
Christians never practiced tithing because Christianity started at
the first century.
They began to practice it after many false doctrines were introduced
to the Church. These are impurities to the true words of God.
Here are two articles about tithe:
“tithe (from Old English teogothian, “tenth”), a custom dating back to Old Testament times and adopted by
the Christian church whereby lay people contributed a 10th of their income for religious purposes, often
under ecclesiastical or legal obligation. The money (or its equivalent in crops, farm stock, etc.) was used tosupport the clergy, maintain churches, and assist the poor. Tithing was also a prime source of subsidy for the
construction of many magnificent cathedrals in Europe.
Despite serious resistance, tithing became obligatory as Christianity spread across Europe. It was
enjoined by ecclesiastical law from the 6th century and enforced in Europe by secular law from the 8 th
century. In England in the 10th century, payment was made obligatory under ecclesiastical penalties by
Edmund I and under temporal penalties by Edgar. In the 14 th century Pope Gregory VII, in an effort to
control abuses, outlawed lay ownership of tithes.
During the 16th-century Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther approved in general of paying tithes
to the temporal sovereign, and the imposition of tithes continued for the benefit of Protestant as well as
Roman Catholic churches. Gradually, however, opposition grew. Tithes were repealed in France during theRevolution (1789), without compensation to tithe holders. Other countries abolished certain kinds of tithes
and indemnified the holders. By 1887 the tithe had been brought to an end in Italy. It was abolished in
Ireland at the disestablishment of the Anglican church in 1871, and it gradually died out in church of
Scotland. In England in 1836, the tithe was commuted for a rent charge depending on the price of grain, and
in 1936 the tithe rent charges were abolished. New methods of taxation were developed in those countries
that provided financial support of the church out of government funds. Remnants of the tithing system do
exist, however, in certain Protestant European countries. In West Germany, for example, citizens must pay a
church tax unless they formally renounce membership in a church.
Tithe was never a legal requirement in the United States. Members of certain churches, however,
including the Latter-day Saints and Seventh-day Adventists, are required to tithe, and some Christians in
other churches do so voluntarily.
The Eastern Orthodox churches never accepted the idea of tithes, and Orthodox Church membershave never payed them.”
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 40/43
The New Encyclopaedia Britannica
Volume II 15th
Edition 1993
“tithes. The tenth part of all fruits and profits due to God and thus to the Church for the maintenance of its
ministry. The payment of tithes has been held to be enjoined not merely by ecclesiastical law but by naturaland divine law — by natural law because it is essential to the maintenance of religion, which is enjoined by
natural law; by divine law because the payment of tithes is specifically ordered in the OT (Lev 27: 30-2,
Deut 14: 22-4). It is, however, only implied in the NT (Mt. 5: 17-19, 23:23) which places much greater
emphasis on voluntary giving (e.g. 2 Cor. 9: 6-7).
The early Church depended on offerings. In the 4th cent. payment of the tenth part of all the produce
of lands began to be taught as a Christian duty and in the following cents. this gradually became established.
In England the payment of tithes was strongly enjoined by the legatine synod of 786 and legally enforced by
King Athelstan’s Ordinance c.930. Once received, tithes were subject to canonical division into four parts
between the bishop, the clergy, the fabric of the church, and the relief of the poor. However, this was not
universally observed and the poor and the bishop were sometimes denied their share. In England a tripartite
division excluding the bishop survived until the eleventh cent. but eventually tithes were left at the entire
disposal of the clergy who received them.
At first, the owner of the land might pay the tithe to what clergy he pleased. Probably they were
usually paid to the bishop, who distributed them among his clergy. But, as the parochial system developed,
the tithes of each parish were allotted to its own ‘parson’, often by the action of the lord of the manor, who in
this way provided the endowment necessary for securing the right to build a church on his estate. In time, the
allocation of tithes became the general law.
Tithes were of three sorts: praedial, mixed, and personal. Praedial tithes came immediately from the
ground, such as grain, timber, and fruit. Mixed tithes came from things nourished by the ground, such as
calves, lambs, chickens, milk, cheese, and eggs. Personal tithes arose from the net profits of labour and
industry. Wild animals were not subject to tithes, nor was barren, uncultivated land. Tithes were further
divided into great tithes (chiefly corn, hay, and wood) and small tithes (all others). The amount actually
produced was irrelevant to this distinction. Tithe was payable annually even if the fruits had grown withoutbeing collected — as in the case of saffron, gathered only once in three years. The BCP provides for payment
of tithes, with other ecclesiastical dues, at the time of communion on Easter Day.
The incumbent, when entitled to the whole tithes of a parish, was termed a rector. But tithes could be
appropriated to a spiritual person or corporation (and, after the dissolution of the monasteries, to lay people
as well) who were then normally compelled to provide and endow a clergyman to reside in the parish and
perform the ecclesiastical duties, under the name of vicar. The vicars endowment usually took the form of a
portion of the glebe, together with the small tithes, because they were troublesome to collect, while the rector
(or appropriator) retained the great tithes for himself. Strictly, impropriation was the term correctly applied to
lay people, and appropriation to bishops, colleges, religious houses, and the like.
Originally all land in England was theoretically subject to tithe, but there were a number of
exceptions, including land held or derived from certain privileged orders (e.g. the Cistercians, Templars, and
Hospitallers), Church or glebe land occupied by the incumbent himself, and forest land occupied or leased bythe Crown. The right to tithe could also lapse after non-payment over many years. However, the most
important means of freeing land from tithe were: (I) the composition real, whereby until 1571 real property
was given in exchange for the exemption of other property, and (II) the modus decimandi,, or modus,
whereby tithe was commuted to some other, more convenient, annual payment. Tithes were also commuted
by statute to ‘corn rents’ or rent-charges on land, particularly when common or waste land was enclosed; the
value of this charges fluctuated with the price of corn.
The desire to obtain exemption from tithe was prompted as much by the inconvenience of a levy in
kind as by a wish to fix or limit its value. By the 19 th cent. the anomalous nature of tithes was widely felt,
and the Tithe Act 1836 established a procedure for the commutation of all tithes into tithe rent-charges on
land. This was further refined until by the Tithe Act 1936 all tithe rent-charges were extinguished and
replaced by an annuity payable for 60 years by the landowner to the Crown, while the Crown compensated
the owner of the rent-charge in turn with an appropriate amount of 3 per cent redemption stock charged on
the Consolidated Fund. The Finance Act 1977 finally ended payment of the annuity by the landowner, and in
1988 all the remaining stock created under the 1936 Act was redeemed from the beneficiaries by the
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 41/43
Treasury. Tithes have therefore ceased to exist in England all together.
In Scotland, tithes were collected under the name of teinds until their abolition in 1925. In Ireland,
tithes were abolished in 1871. They have never been part of the law of the United States of America,
although similar payments were sometimes made.”
The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church
3rd
Edition 1997
Some phrases to be pondered upon
In the time of the law, God was above His people
In the time of the ministry of Jesus on earth, God was beside Hispeople
In our time, which is the Age of Grace, God is within His people(Col 1:26-27, Gal 2:20, 2Cor 13:5, 1Cor 3:16)
Salvation or eternal life is given to us freely which we can receivethrough faith
Jesus commanded His disciples, freely it was given to you (gospelof salvation), and freely you have to give it
When we give the gospel of Christ, we have to give it freely withoutcharge
Now a day the gospel of Christ is being paid with tithe and offerings
There is no religion or denomination or any kind of organizationthat can save us
Christ came and died for us to give us salvation freely, but man
made religion out of the gospel of Christ to gain money
Jesus said, “I am the way the truth and the life, no man cometh unto
the Father but by me”
Religion is a stumbling block to our salvation because it creates
confusion
There are thousands of different Chritian religions and everyone
has different doctrine
A seeker of truth will ask, “Which of them is the truth?” The answer
is none of them is the truth
7/31/2019 The Truth About Tithe
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-truth-about-tithe 42/43
Only Jesus is the Truth, only Jesus is the Life and only Jesus isthe Way
The blood of Jesus is not the blood of a Jew, neither is it the bloodof a Gentile, but it is the blood of God. Acts 20:28
“Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast
the words of eternal life.” John 6:68
If you are in Jesus and Jesus is in you, you are
sure of your eternal life
(At the back of the book)
A Book: Challenges the entire Christian world to search and prove if tithing
was really practiced by the first Christians.
A Fact: The practice of tithing in Christianity began more than four hundred years
after the birth of Christianity.
A Consequence: Tithing in Christianity is not scriptural. It is an erroneous doctrine,
and therefore contrary to the will of God.
A Call: Stop the practice of tithing and be an instrument for the restoration of the
genuine Christianity.
“Because of the wrong belief that God has authorized them to collecttithe from the congregation, the pastors do not feel the guilt when a poorChristian gives them his last penny to pay his tithe, while they themselvesprosper financially.”
“ Are we followers of Jesus? He never collected tithe.”
“ Are we followers of Paul and the other apostles? They never collected tithe.”
“ But whoso hath this world ’ s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up
his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? ” 1John
3:17