4.1An Agricultural Feast

An Agricultural Feast It might be good idea to deal with the issue of money at this stage, especially on the topic of tithing. Tithing might not be that important when it comes to real church life, but it has a huge and dramatic impact in understanding church life and our modern institutional church culture. The practice of tithing to the church is so intertwined with our church experience that most would never question its origin or its biblical validity. However, would you take some time with me to consider some scriptures that you might not have looked at before? I believe that the manner in which the church deals with money tells us a lot about its core spiritual values. For instance, Paul writes in: 1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (KJV) A passage that deals with tithing quite thoroughly is found in: Deu 14:22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year. Deu 14:23 And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always. (KJV) From this passage we understand that the Israelites: A: Gave their tithes to the church B: Gave their tithes to the pastor C: Ate their own tithes Imagine that; the tithers ate their own tithes before the Lord! You may say: “Well, that is then; today you can’t eat your money.” Let us read further from verse twenty four up to twenty six and see what God commands the Israelites concerning money when it comes to tithing: Deu 14:24 And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee: Deu 14:25 Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine

hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose: Deu 14:26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household, (KJV) Q: A:

So what did the Israelites do when they stayed too far from the place where they were commanded to eat their tithes? They exchanged their tithes for money so it would be easy to travel to the place where God commanded them. Once they arrived they were to buy whatever their hearts desired for food and drink and then FEAST before the Lord.

In other words, tithing was a FEAST to celebrate God’s blessings on Israel’s agriculture. It was not money that was given for church buildings, programmes and salaries. A question that you might be asking at this point is: were the Levites and the priests not supposed to live from the tithes? Well, let us read further: Deu 14:27 And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee. Deu 14:28 At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates: Deu 14:29 And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest. (KJV) So from this passage; which of the tithes were not eaten by the tither, but were set aside to be given away? Was it their monthly tithes, perhaps annual tithes, or was it the tithes of the third year? This passage of Scripture clearly shows us that the tithes of the first two years were eaten before the Lord by the tithers themselves. It was only the third year’s tithe that was given away. The third year’s tithes were not only given to the Levites, but were distributed among the strangers, the orphans and the widows and only a portion of the third year’s tithes went to the Levites. Can you believe it? Even though a major portion of the third year’s tithe went to the Levites, some of the tithes also

needed to go to the orphans, stranger and widows. In other words the tithes on the third year went to all who were not in a position to provide for themselves. This same instructions is repeated in: Deu 26:12 When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled; Deu 26:13 Then thou shalt say before the LORD thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them: (KJV) Furthermore, tithing could not be practiced every seven years, as the seventh year was the Sabbath year. Every seventh year the land was to be rested and so no harvest were to be reaped in that year. Whatever the land brought up that year was left for whomever to eat and enjoy free of charge. Lev 25:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath unto the LORD. Lev 25:3 Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruit thereof; Lev 25:4 But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the LORD: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard. Lev 25:5 That which groweth of its own accord of thy harvest thou shalt not reap, neither gather the grapes of thy vine undressed: for it is a year of rest unto the land. (KJV) The next question we need to look at is how did the Priests receive tithes? We read in: Num 18:25 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Num 18:26 Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe. Num 18:27 And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress.

Num 18:28 Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the LORD of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the LORD’S heave offering to Aaron the priest. (KJV) Who was then responsible to tithe to the Lord, for the priests to enjoy? A) The church members B) The Israelites C) The Levites It was only the Levites and not the rest of Israel who were to give tithes to the priests. That meant that every three years when the Levites received a portion of the tithes from the rest of Israel, they would in turn give a tenth of the tithes they received to Aaron and his descendants — the priests of Israel. Keep this point in mind for a little bit later on in this study when we will look at when Abraham apparently paid tithes. To avoid any confusion let me briefly explain the difference between the Priests and the Levites. You might recall that God commanded, in Exodus chapter thirteen, that the firstfruit of all of Israel, whether it be agriculture or the firstborn sons of Israel, were to be dedicated to God. This they had to do because God delivered them from the Egyptians using the tenth plague by killing the firstborn from all of Egypt; of man and livestock. That meant that all the first-fruit whether it was agricultural or the first-born sons were dedicated to the service and support at the temple of God. Then, in Numbers chapter three verses forty to fifty-one, God commanded that instead of all the tribes of Israel having to give up their firstborn sons to do service for God, one of the tribes of Israel, the Levites, would substitute for the firstborn sons of the rest of Israel. The Levites then, in place of the firstborn of all of Israel, had to serve God in the tabernacle and later on at the temple in Jerusalem. Aaron, Moses’ brother, who was also from the tribe of Levi, was chosen by God to be the first priest for Israel. So, from that time on, Aaron’s descendants would form the priesthood. The rest of the Levites were then in service to Aaron’s descendants – the priests. For that reason, the Levitical tribe had to pay a tenth of the tithes they received from the other tribes in the third year, and give it to the priests of Israel. Again keep this in mind when we will be looking at when Abraham apparently paid tithes. This leads us to the next very important question: Who then, was responsible to

bring tithes in to the storehouse of God, and for that matter, what was the storehouse of God? Jerusalem was the city where God had placed His name, as we read in one Kings eleven verse thirty-six, and so it was there where Israel was to celebrate the feasts of tithing. It was also in Jerusalem where the house of God, or the temple of God, was built. The temple of God had storerooms all around the temple. These were called the storehouse. Understanding this let us read from: Neh 10:36 Also the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as it is written in the law, and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, unto the priests that minister in the house of our God: Neh 10:37 And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our 1. tillage. [farm land] (KJV) Before we read on, can you see the difference to what needs to be done with the firstfruit compared to the tithes? Israel brought their firstfruit to the house of God, but brought their tithes to the Levites. Now for a very important question: who were the tithers among the Israelites? It was only the farm lands that tithed. One needs to realize that tithing was an agricultural thing. There is NO reference in Scripture that business people, traders or common labourers had to tithe. Now keep in mind that Israel brought their tithes to the Levites as appose to the storehouse of God as they did with their first fruit as we read the following passage in: Neh 10:38 And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house. (KJV) Here is the big question. Who is responsible to bring the tithes to the storehouse of God if it was not the Israelites? The Levites and not the rest of the Israelites tithed to the storehouse of God. The Israelites were only responsible to bring the firstfruit offering to the house of God. This understanding to actual biblical tithing will form the bases for the next section that deals about the curse of tithing in the New Testament. 1. Insertion is mine for clarity.

4.2Tithing a Curse

Tithing a Curse After the first section you might ask: so, what is the big deal if we take some poetic license in interpreting Scripture concerning tithing? Well, the effect is more far-reaching than you might think. In this chapter, we will see from Scripture the actual spiritual consequences of teaching and practicing tithing. Let us first recap; in the previous section we learned that: 1. That tithing was an agricultural feast, which was only practiced by the farmers. 2. That the tithers ate their own tithes on the first and second years as a feast. 3. That only the thirds year’s tithes were dedicated to be given and distributed to the Levites, orphans, strangers and the widows. 4. The seventh year no harvest was to be reaped, so that year could not be tithed on. 5. That Levites were responsible to give a tenth of the tithe they received from Israel and dedicated it to the Priests and the storehouse of God 6. That the Israelites only gave their firstfruits to the storehouse of God and not their tithes. Now from this understanding let us look at a passage of Scripture that is so often used incorrectly to get Christians to tithe to a church institution. It is found in: Mal 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Mal 3:9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. (KJV) Before we read on, let’s interject something here. How many times has it been said to you that you have robbed God, when you do not pay tithes to the church? Yet ironically, by incorrect interpreting this passage many have placed themselves under a curse by tithing to the church. You might say “WHAT! How do we place ourselves under a curse when we give tithes to the church?” We will see just now, but let us first continue from: 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. Mal 3:11 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. Mal 3:12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts. (KJV) In forming a proper interpretation of this passage let me ask you a couple of questions: Q: A:

Q: A:

Does this passage in Malachi refer to MONEY or FOOD when speaking of tithing? Food of course, because it was to demonstrate God’s blessing agriculturally. Who would have brought tithes to the storehouse of God from the Law of God? The Levites placed a tenth of the tithes they received from Israel in the storehouse of God.

Q: A:

What did the other tribes of Israel put in the storehouse of God? They brought the firstfruit offerings and not their actual tithes to the storehouse of God.

Q:

What was the purpose of the firstfruit offerings of Israel and the tithes of the Levites in the storehouse of God? So that there might be FOOD in God’s house.

A:

Knowing this, how was God being robbed, as explained in Malachi three verse eight? The passage does not deal with money, but agricultural produce. As food demonstrates God’s provision agriculturally, Israel was robbing God of His HONOUR as the Provider of Israel. The more food there was in the storehouse of God, the more people could notice how God had blessed His people. Malachi chapter three does not speak about Christians giving a ten percent of their income to the church. By interpreting it that way would bring us under the curse of the Law. Let me explain this by reading what Paul writes in: Gal 3:10 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. (KJV)

According to Paul, if we want to practice the Law, such as the law of tithing, but don’t tithe according to all that is written in the Law, what will happen to us? It might be hard to accept but we will be cursed. Let me rephrase this; if we say we have to follow the law of God such as tithing, but don’t tithe exactly according to God’s commands we place ourselves under the curse of the Law. In other words, if we bring tithes to the church where as God commanded that tithing is a feast in Jerusalem before God, we are cursed. If we say we should tithe, but do not give our tithes to the orphans, strangers, widows and Levites in the third year, then we are cursed. If we say we should tithe, but don’t have Levites among us that would take a tenth of the tithes and place it in the temple in Jerusalem, which does not exist anymore, we place ourselves under a curse. I am not trying to be condescending, but only trying you to understand the seriousness of what Paul wrote to the Galatians. With every Law of God comes a curse if we don’t fulfil it to the letter as it is written in: Mal 3:9a Ye are cursed with a curse… (KJV) Paul continues with his instructions three verses further and writes in: Gal 3:13 Christ hath 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: (KJV) Do you see that when we try to follow the law of tithing, it is kind of a slap in Christ’s face —since He has redeemed us from the works of the law through His death on Calvary? If it is true that we place ourselves under a curse when we tithe to the church, why do some people claim that God blessed them when they tithed? Well; if we have an honest look at the church in general we would see that there are more people in financial distress who tithe faithfully, than those who are supposedly financially blessed by their tithing. Yet there are equal numbers of saints who prosper financially who do not tithe. God lets the rain and the sun fall on the righteous as well as the unrighteous, as we read in: Mat 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (KJV) Secondly the curse we place ourselves under does not have to do with financial wealth, but with our spiritual standing with God. Just because one prospers

financially, is no guarantee that one stands right with God. Yet spiritual blessing comes from God’s grace and not because we keep up some twisted version of God’s law. But we are cursed spiritually if we put ourselves under the Law from which Christ has redeemed us. My intention is not to make you feel condemned. I myself also used to hold on to the unbiblical practice of tithing to the church. What is important now is that when we hear the truth we need to make the decision to repent from manmade traditions that makes God’s Word of no effect. In one of Jesus confrontations with the hypocrisy of the Pharisees Jesus spoke these words against them: Mat 15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? Mat 15:4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. Mat 15:5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; Mat 15:6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Mat 15:7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, Mat 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (KJV) How was God not honoured by what the Pharisees and Scribes taught? They taught that giving to a religious institution – supposedly to God – comes above taking care of one’s family. This same corrupted value system that the Pharisees and Scribes taught is ruling the institutional church today. It is frequently taught in the institutional church, that we first have to give our tithe to the church, and only then give what we have spare to meet the needs of our family in Christ. Ask yourself this: what is important to God: supporting a religious institution or looking after ones’ family in the Lord? On what bases does God bless us and on what bases do we place ourselves under a curse? The answer to this will become even clearer as you continue this study.

4.3A Spiritual Principle

A Spiritual Principle Even if one presence such clear Scripture evidence that tithing to the church is unbiblical, you will still find some pundits of tithing who would still scratch in the dust for some kind of justification for this cursed practice. They will claim that tithing is a spiritual principle that was practised outside the Law of Moses. Let us look at some of the proof texts that are used as proof for tithing as a spiritual principle. The first passage that they would use is: Heb 7:1 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; Heb 7:2 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; Heb 7:3 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. Heb 7:4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. Heb 7:5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: Heb 7:6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. Heb 7:7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. Heb 7:8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. Heb 7:9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. Heb 7:10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. (KJV) Many use this passage to try and explain that Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek before Moses gave the Law of tithing. Their argument is that even if we are not under the law, we still have to pay tithes because tithing was practiced before the Law of Moses. The problem with their argument is that it is not consistently rationalised to the end. For instance, we see that there were other Old Testament practices such as blood offerings and circumcision that were also practiced by Abraham before the Law of Moses. If we say that it is not

necessary to circumcise, as Paul clearly teach throughout many of his letters to the churches, then we definitely should not tithe either. Furthermore, when reading Genesis 14 we see that Abraham gave 10% of the spoil he got from freeing Lot and the rest of Sodom. He distributed the remainder of the spoils to his servants and gave the rest of Sodom’s belongings back to them. He took none of the spoils for himself. We read this in: Gen 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. Gen 14:19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: Gen 14:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. Gen 14:21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself. Gen 14:22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, Gen 14:23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich: Gen 14:24 Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion. .” (KJV) Nowhere else in Scripture do we ever read that Abraham paid tithes from his actual earnings. Furthermore, the author of Hebrew, was not trying to get us to start tithing, but was trying to demonstrate the superior covenant we have with Christ, of whom Melchizedek was only a shadow. Remember I said keep the point in mind that when the Levites received tithes from Israel they were then to give a tithe from what they received to Aaron and his descendants who were the priests of Israel. The Levites were always responsible to give tithes to the priest according to the covenant of Moses’ Law: Num 18:25 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Num 18:26 Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe.

Num 18:27 And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress. Num 18:28 Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the LORD of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the LORD’S heave offering to Aaron the priest. (KJV) The author of Hebrews is therefore saying that Levites (not all of Israel), through Abraham, gave tithes to the priest: Melchizedek before the law of Moses; indicating the superiority of the covenant of faith. Keep in mind though the Levites always gave tithes to a PRIEST, whether it be through Abrahams loins to Melchizedek or directly to Aaron and his dependence. When looking at the concept of tithing as a spiritual principle we need to understand something about spiritual principles. If a principle of tithing is to be followed in this regard, we need to be consistent with the fact that Levites gave tithes to a priest and the priest did not pay tithes. I repeat the priests did not pay tithes. On that point let us read the following: 1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (KJV) 1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (KJV) Peter does not call Christians: Israelites or even Levites, but actual royal and holy priests. Why is this of any significance? Well we saw that the priests in the Old Testament received tithes from the Levites, but never had to pay tithes. If in fact, priests were to receive tithes and not pay tithes from Scripture, should not that principle, if any, apply to us who are called royal priests? So, if tithing was a spiritual principle, we should conclude that non-Christians are to pay Christians tithes every third year. In practice this is obviously not going to happen, but for argument’s sake that is the only principle that one can draw from Scripture. The second example for tithing outside the Law of Moses is when Jacob promises to give a tenth of what God would blessed Him with. We read about this in: Gen 28:20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,

Gen 28:21 So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: Gen 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) After reading this passage, you will see that there is no indication that God instructed Jacob to tithe. Jacob, out of his own choice, made a promise to God to give a tenth, and only from that with which God had blessed him. Because of this promise God held Jacob to his promise by commanding his descendants, the Israelites, to practice the feast of tithing. What is important to note is that even this passage there is no indication or instruction for us to pay a tenth of our salary to a church institution. The next attempt to justify tithing is that Jesus spoke of tithing in the follow three passages: Mat 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. (KJV) Luk 11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (KJV) Luk 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. Luk 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. (KJV) Once again after reading these passages we don’t see any indication that Jesus instructs Christians to pay tithes to the church. What we do see is that Jesus spoke to the Pharisees who as farmers would give a tenth of their agricultural increase. In all three examples Jesus was addressing them because they neglected to keep the more important instructions of the Law of Moses, while feeling justified by only practicing tithing. This is a very bad example for justifying the practice of tithing. As seen already that if we want to practice tithing while neglecting any of the Law of Moses we place ourselves under a curse, and from Jesus’ point of view we are plain hypocrites.

The bottom line is this that you won’t see any example from Scripture of Christians tithing in the New Testament. Tithing to the church is a man-made tradition, formed on bad interpretation of Scriptures, a couple of hundred years after the first apostles. The historical background also gives us some context how the practice of tithing came about. The first historical documents that give any mention of tithing to a church institution were by the third century leader, Cyprian of Carthage. Cyprian put forward the idea in around the year 250AD, that as the Levites were supported by the tithe, so also the Christian workers were to be supported by tithes. It was also him that wanted to make a clear distinction between the clergy and laity, where the clergy was seen to function in some kind of Levitical or priestly function and the laity would bring ten percent of their secular earning to them. This is the first document that the concept of tithing as a spiritual principle got 1. introduced to the church. Cyprian was a very good narrator and a lawyer before his conversion to the Christian faith. Even though he was young in the faith, he became an elder in a short period of time because of his prestige and eloquence of speech. Due to his background as a lawyer and narrator, he believed that one needed to be paid for one’s expertise. At this stage tithing was NOT a mainstream thought at all in the 2. church. Tithing only became a mainstream thought around 567 AD at the council of Tours, and, was again pushed forward on the agenda at the council of Macon in 585 AD. It was only in 787 AD under Pope Adrian 1 that tithing finally became 3. an official church practice. Why then only? Well, the financial support from the Roman Empire to the institutional church was drying up, and, as with any institution of man, the church needed money to function. So, with a bit of Scriptural gymnastics the practice of tithing to the church was born. How the church became institutionalised will be dealt with at a later stage. For now, just understand that the concept of tithing as a spiritual principle did not originate from Scripture but from an institution of man that needed to be funded. In the next section we will explore what the Bible actually teaches concerning New Testament giving. 1. Cyprian, Epistle 62-66, trans. Rev. Ernest Wallis, Ph.D., 65.1.43. (ANF 5:0 ), e-Sword 13.0.0 2. Pontius the Deacon, The Life and Passion of Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr. trans. Rev. Ernest Wallis, Ph.D. (ANF 5:0 ). eSword 13.0.0 3. The Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. XIV, 1912, s.v. “tithe.” Internet resource: http://www.tithing-russkelly.com/id15.html. 15 May. 2021.

4.4Biblical Giving

Biblical Giving So how did Christians practice giving in the New Testament if it was not tithing? Let us start this section with a very well-known passage found in: Act 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; Act 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. Act 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Act 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (KJV) Do you see today’s church having favour with all people? Of course not! How will a church that comes across like a money making business, have any favour among the people? Yet, imagine what an effect we will have in our community if they see how we look after the needs of our brothers and sisters in the Lord. This would truly bring honour to God among the unbelievers. What did it really mean for the Christians, in Acts chapter two, “to have all things in common”? We will get to this in at a later stage, but for now we can say that having all things in common is not about selling of all our possessions to give to the poor. Many of the saints did sell their possessions, but this was to meet the needs of the saints, and was only because they already “had all things in common”. “Having all things in common” has to do with sharing lives, which is very foreign to the institutional church. The early church would meet the needs among their family in the Lord, even if it meant selling their luxuries and abundance to do that. John the Baptist puts it this way: Luk 3:11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. (KJV) Let us have a look how Paul deals with having all things in common in: 2Co 8:12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. 2Co 8:13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: 2Co 8:14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a

supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: 2Co 8:15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack. (KJV) Is there any indication that Paul is saying that we should give in faith; even if we battle financially? No, not at all. He specifically teaches that one gives “according to what one HAS and not according to what one does not have”. Paul is not saying that one should be burdened because of the lack of others. What Paul was teaching was that the saints learn to meet each other’s needs, with the things we have extra. It is especially those who actually do have extra that have the responsibility to give to those who have need. This is what it means to have all things in common. Some would argue, that even if you don’t have, you should still give, by quoting the following example: Mar 12:41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. Mar 12:42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. Mar 12:43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: Mar 12:44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. (KJV) If you look carefully you’ll see that Jesus didn’t really give a command to the poor to give all they have, for this would have contradicted Paul’s teachings that only those who have should give. In this object lesson Jesus only illustrated that someone who give everything is giving more than someone who was giving out of their abundance. That was all the Jesus was getting at; nothing more. Let us now read a little further on from Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church: 2Co 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 2Co 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. (KJV)

Giving should be done from the heart and not by religious obligation. Giving under religious obligation is an outward pretence and not an inward leading of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit does not lead people to give 10%. Giving by the Spirit is not focused on a particular amount but meeting a particular need. After the Spirit has made us aware of specific needs that we should minister to, then WE – not the Holy Spirit, determine in our own hearts how much we should give. If some people determine in their heart to give 10% they should not blame the Holy Spirit for that. This is however an alien concept for those who are used to follow man made tradition instead of what Scripture actually teaches. Let us read further from: 2Co 9:10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 2Co 9:11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 2Co 9:12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 2Co 9:13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; (KJV) Do we read anything in this passage about Paul collecting for a church organization? You will see all through the New Testament, when a collection was made, it was for the needs of the saints and not for an organization. Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? Jas 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, Jas 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? (KJV) You might ask the question: Will this: “having all things in common” not motivate others to just sponge off the church? I suppose it might, especially if church is just something that one would attend like a religious club. However, for those who live with all things in common Paul instructs the following in:

1Ti 5:9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 1Ti 5:10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. 1Ti 5:11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; (KJV) According to Paul; who are we to support among the saints? Those who do not have the capability or the means to supply their own needs any longer, as long as they have proven themselves faithful to Christ by good works. From that context, we read Paul’s following instructions to the Corinthian church: 1Co 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 1Co 16:2 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. 1Co 16:3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. (KJV) As you can see, the collection was for the saints and not for a church organization. This instruction to the Corinthian church was in response to an actual church life event that we can read about in Acts: Act 11:28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Act 11:29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: Act 11:30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. (KJV) So, it is clear from Scripture that when needs arise, such as in a famine or, in modern terms, recession or where saints lose their jobs, we need to meet those needs. In whatever way you want to fill in the details, one thing is clear, and that is, you won’t find anywhere in the Bible where Christians tithed or collected money for a church organization or an institution. From this point let us have a look at supporting church workers in the next and last section on this topic.

4.5Supporting the Ministry

Supporting the Ministry If the church is not to pay tithes how are we to support the ministry? In this chapter we will be dealing with the biblical perspective of what is meant by living from the gospel. Paul writes in: 2Th 3:7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 2Th 3:8 Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 2Th 3:9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. 2Th 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 2Th 3:11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 2Th 3:12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. (KJV) What did Paul try to teach us through his example? That we ought to work to support ourselves. What does Paul then say, should we do with people who do not want to work? We should not give them anything. The context of this instruction is Paul giving himself as an example of how to work as appose to just “living from the gospel”. This is important to understand as we deal with this topic: “living from the gospel”. Paul writes in: 1Co 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. (KJV) The context of Paul’s words: “… so the Lord has commanded…” to the Corinthians, he referred to Jesus words in: Mat 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Mat 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Mat 10:9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Mat 10:10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. Mat 10:11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is

worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. Mat 10:12 And when ye come into an house, salute it. Mat 10:13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. Mat 10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. (KJV) According to this passage, who are those who preach the gospel? A) Those who give sermons on a Sunday at church. B) Those who preach the gospel to the lost from one place to the other, such as apostles. Well, the context is clear that this passage refers to apostles. Apostles are those who are sent out to preach the gospel and make disciples of the whole world. In other words, they are not pastors, but rather what some people would see as church planters or missionaries. Let us read another passage that some believe justifies pastors making a living from the gospel as opposed to only apostles. Paul instructs in: 1Ti 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 1Ti 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. (KJV) Who is to be counted worthy of double honour for their labour according to Paul? B) The Pastor C) The Head Elder D) Or the elders who labour well in preaching the gospel and teaching. This passage refers to any elder and does not even mention the word pastor. Also, the actual phrase “they who labour in word and doctrine” is also translated as “they who preach and teach”. Preaching was to the unbelievers and teachings were to those who were still spiritually immature and needed spiritual milk as explained in: Heb 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. (KJV)

Are you still one of those that needs to be taught while you should have been a teacher by now? Might it be that that thing you call church wants to keep you spiritually immature so that they have an audience Sunday after Sunday, making a living off you from motivational speaking instead of truly equipping the saints for the work of ministry? Now, of course if you still need to have someone teaching you, Paul instructs this in: Gal 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. (KJV) Nevertheless; sharing in all good things does not mean the same as making a career of being a pastor. Sharing in all good things follows the principle of having all things in common. It means that if you are still being taught by an elder how to listen to the voice of our Lord, then you need to share the good things you have with the one who teaches you. This might sound very strange to you, but it will make sense to you in the parts to follow where we deal with how the New Testament “church” actually functioned. When Paul was admonishing the elders in Acts twenty to “shepherd the flock well” he continued by saying to them in: Act 20:33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. Act 20:34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. Act 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. (KJV) Does this passage give any indication that elders lived from the gospel? Is it not more plausible to conclude that elders were to do secular jobs like everyone else to support themselves, but may be rewarded for their efforts in preaching the gospel and helping the maturity of new Christians? The problem that we have today, is that we are reading the Scriptures with an unbiblical westernized mindset that sees the traditional “ministry” as some kind of career one enters into. Yet from a biblical context the ministry was compared to a day labourer who brings in the harvest. Luk 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would

come. Luk 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. (KJV) Day-labourers were hired by the land-lord when it was time for the harvest that was brought in. They were then paid as the land lord willed; as seen by the parable told by Jesus in Matthew 20 from verse 1-15. When the harvest was completely brought in; the day labourers had to look for somewhere else to harvest the crops. There was no permanent monthly salaried person when it came to harvesting. It is from that context we read Paul saying things like: 1Co 9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? (KJV) None of the passages in scripture indicated that “pastoring” a church was a career. Even the apostles did not do it as a career, but were called to bring in the harvest. Furthermore, the apostles had a trade they practiced alongside their calling to make disciples. Most of the apostles were fishermen. Paul, Priscilla, and Aquila were tent makers, and Luke was a physician. While the apostles were busy preaching the gospel, discipling the converts and planting churches, the churches assisted them financially so that their needs would be met. When they were not busy making disciples and planting churches, they did secular work to supply their own needs through their own trade. I would like to conclude this part of the teaching by addressing the concept of peddling the word of God. Paul writes in: 1.

2Co 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt [peddling] the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. (KJV) What is “corrupt/peddling the word of God”? It is selling our ministry to others. Meditate on what is peddling the Word of God when you go to church, attend Christian guest speaker meetings or your local Christian book store again. Some would remark that Jesus and his disciples had a money box as we read in: Joh 13:29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. (KJV)

What does it prove? Well, that people ministered to Jesus and His disciple’s needs. We read about this in: Mar 15:41 (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem. (KJV) There is no indication that Jesus and the apostles were ever paid for their ministries. One only read about their needs being met. There is a big difference of having one’s needs met to that of being paid for the ministry. It does not matter how one looks at it but if we are honest with ourselves then we have to admit that being paid for “the ministry” is the same is peddling the word of God. Jesus said in: Mat 10:8b … freely ye have received, freely give. (KJV) There are probably still a lot of unanswered questions in your mind. You may be wondering “How on earth can the church as you know it, actually function if we are to follow what the Bible teaches about tithing and giving?” What type of servant of the church will still serve the church if he does not have the security of a salary? Those are very good questions. Are you ready for some radical answers to those questions?

1. Insertion is mine for clarification.

Chapter 5: Church Fellowship