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God's Definition Of Tithe - Religion - Nairaland

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God's Definition Of Tithe by otitokoro1: 10:30am On Feb 23, 2011
Having looked at the definitions of tithes from different human views, we must now look at the context of tithes from the view of God. You will agree with me that the mind of God cannot be known elsewhere apart from His word. No genuine Christian discards the Word of our father in heaven for any other words. God has lifted His word above His name. No matter what we feel or think can change the word of God. He is no respecter of any man. There is no repository to knowledge but God. So let no man try to look away from the word of God as not properly stated. The word of God cannot change, except we change to please His word.
I will only use this chapter to link all the words that relates to tithes so as to open our eyes to realities of God’s word. I will enjoin us at this moment to pray for Holy Spirit to clear our mind and keep it open for the truth. We are here to bear witness of what we know.
I have carefully choosing the text below for the analysis of what God meant by our tithes. All the quotations are from KJV.
Mentioning of tithes in the bible includes:
Leviticus 27:30- 32
29None devoted, which shall be devoted of men, shall be redeemed; but shall surely be put to death.
30And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD's: it is holy unto the LORD.
31And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof.
32And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.
33He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.
34These are the commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel in Mount Sinai.

Comments: This did not in any way describing or defining tithes. God in His word here provided the quality of things that must be brought forward as a tithe to Him. The position of God here is to ensure that people will not bring leftover to Him. Verse 32 is a sort of standard that the tithes must meet. God is not a beggar, He is the one that blessed the payer, and the tenth is His. Under a normal provision of the Word of God, all account must be rendered to God, who will now confirm the tithe as the correct measure. God is our senior partner He takes His share first.
Another important point to note here is that, you can redeem back your tithes by paying additional 5% as stipulated in vs. 31. For instance if you are paying tithes on your asset, out of your ten plots of land, you may have paid tithes of the one in a particular location that you later desire not to release. Then you will pay first and then you take the process of redeeming it by paying 5% in addition to the value of the property. Understanding all this provisions will help us to know what exactly God meant by tithes.

Numbers 18:27-28
27And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshing floor, and as the fullness of the winepress.
28Thus ye also shall offer a 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.

Comments: From verse 26, it is evident that the above message is directed to Levites. It is telling them the implication of God’s provision for them even though they have no inheritance among the people. They were also asked to give offering called heave offering to God. So Pastors that doesn’t pay tithes should desist from such today. God must be honored first in all things. It also spelt out how churches with branches must operate among their church in vs. 28c. It is also important to note that the passage is underscoring the fact that tithes are to be received by men of God.

Deuteronomy 12:16-18
16Only ye shall not eat the blood; ye shall pour it upon the earth as water.
17Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand:
18But thou must eat them before the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto.
Comments: This did not describe or define tithe, rather the text above has only one theme: to emphasize to this people where they must bring all sacrifices. This will help them not to practice idolatry innocently. This goes to warn us that our God is meticulous He pays attention to details. He told them they may eat out of their offering provided the blood is not consumed only in a place where He shall choose. If you give your tithe to orphanage and other charitable organization apart from a bible believing church, it is a form of idolatry, God does not recognize it. If you want to give to charity, it is good but you should not give your tithe for such purpose. It is against the will of God the Author of tithe. God choose His house for every of offering that He commanded. Remember alms are not a form of offering they are interpersonal relationship between us human beings and this pleases God.

*Deuteronomy 14:22-25
22Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed that the field bringeth forth year by year.
23And 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.
24And 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:
25Then 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:
Comments: Here is where the sources of tithe were stressed by God Himself. And from this place a comprehensive explanation on tithes was given. It became clearly stated that tithes come form our INCREASE. And He also pointed out money as a medium of paying our tithes. However, something about tithes here that we must note is that God is not looking at His children as working for others. However, today, we found ourselves working for others. Then the increase of our salary become tithable.

Deuteronomy 26:10-14
10And now, behold, I have brought the first fruits of the land, which thou, O LORD, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the LORD thy God, and worship before the LORD thy God:
11And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the LORD thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you.
12When 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;
13Then 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.
14I have not eaten thereof in my mourning, neither have I taken away ought thereof for any unclean use, nor given ought thereof for the dead: but I have hearkened to the voice of the LORD my God, and have done according to all that thou hast commanded me.
Comments: In this place again God define tithes by qualifying it with the increase. There is another form of offering that was mentioned here. First fruit offering. This is not our major review at present; God will tell us when the time is ripe to talk on that as time goes on. If we are no more at that time, God will raise another man according to His own heart.
On the issue of tithes, a fundamental point was equally addressed here as in the timing for tithes. However, time is critical in this issue, time is wisdom. The time of increase might be different by individuals and families. God assign time to every thing he commanded. We may choose to pay our tithe on daily basis, or weekly basis depends on your time of increase. Therefore it is recommended that tithe be paid without delay.
Another thing we must not take oversight is the manner of presentation of the tithe. It must be paid with praises and worship of God.

2 Chronicles 31:5
2And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD.
3He appointed also the king's portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of the LORD.
4Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD.
5And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the first fruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.
6And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps.
Comments: This text suggest to us that the law of God may be easily forgotten, God will raise someone to revalidate it. Who knows maybe for a time like this God gave us this opportunity. Lord I thank you. In the account of events that transpired in the above text, people on hearing the truth of the word of God, they obeyed. So I pray for you, at the end of this, changes will start by you in Jesus name.
Tithes is a command that God monitors by Himself. No wonder He mentioned that He will rebuke devourer for the sake of tithe payers. It is also important to note that God always bring to His people remembrance where they are no more doing His will. I pray you will heed to the word of the Lord today.
Nehemiah 10:34-39
34And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the law:
35And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house of the LORD:
36Also 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:
37And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.
38And 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.
39For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.
Comments: The first fruit is mentioned here for us to note how God design His worship of Him with our substances. Verse 38 specifically reemphasized the role of our pastor (priest) in our tithe valuation. Therefore on tithes payment the issue of what the right hand is doing should not be known does not arise. Your pastor must know your assets and investments at the beginning of your covenanted year so as to know what you will pay at the end. This might be unpopular view, but God does not necessarily go with majority. God goes with the truth. I will enjoin you as part of the process declare your assets and increase to your pastor if you care to follow due process in tithe payment.
Nehemiah 13:2-6
2Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.
3Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
4And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah:
5And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.
6But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:
Comments: This again is emphasizing on the right person to accept our tithes. Nehamaiah here alluded to what transpired even when Elaib the priest allied with Tobia (as tithe collector). This once again is suggesting to us that no matter our post in religious setting if we do not act according to the directive of God it is disobedience, no matter how perfect we may feel is our discretion. Never put it above God command. God is a consuming fire.
Malachi. 3:8-12
8Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10Bring 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.
11And 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.
12And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
Comments: This is a popular place that we usually quote when we want to demand for tithes. This statement does not define tithe but brings to remembrance importance of tithe to the payers. The statements here go further to call defaulter a Robber. This is where our heaven is at crossroad, if we do not pay tithes. This also is the most important reason we must understand everything about tithing. We must ensure we pay tithes correctly, i.e., according to the directive of God. This passage does not even say that people do not pay tithes I see it as talking to people who pay tithes based on what they feel is good for God. The passage if read from vs. 6 spoke about immutability of God’s word. When God said they rob Him they all were confused and they say how have we done the robbery? God told them in your tithe… look at that statement carefully, God did not say for nonpayment of your tithes but while you pay your tithes you rob me. The test emphasized in addition to our understanding of that passage that it is robbery to pay tithes without compliance with God’s Instructions. This is the fulfillment of what Jesus dealt with in his answer on tithes.
Matthew 23:21-24
21And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
22And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
23Woe 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.
24Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
Comments: This text is where our Lord Jesus Christ acknowledge tithe as a duty to God and quickly correct us that we must do it in obedience to the commandment of God. Jesus mentioned hypocrisy of religious leaders not because He wanted to condemn them, but he found out that they pay tithes in neglect of other commandments of God. Just many also believe today that once they pay every offering and levy to church, they are spiritually fit than those who are not paying. Jesus corrects, he said… PAY your TITHES and do ALL other COMMANDMENTS of GOD.
Obedience or Sacrifice?
The attempt here is not to reduce income to the church but to position the church on the true way of the Lord. Our Lord Jesus has charged us with a responsibility, when he said “Feed my Sheep…” He asked us to … to teach them to observe all things he has taught…” The position here is that I insist that the tithe is an unchanging biblical standard, or eternal moral principle, which reflects the character of God; therefore, it must not be abolished.
If we agree that God really want us to pay tithes, then we must pay it according to how He commanded us to pay it. Exact tithing should be observed by all Christians, and free-will offerings are to be given in addition to the mandatory tithe. Without exception rich or poor, the tithe must be returned to God first. Any bible believing church is obligated to teach tithing because it is a biblical command. It is also a shortcut to prosperity. Our Lord Jesus Christ came to put law into its right perspective, he also taught the hypocrites on how to pay tithes, he told them to pay it without neglecting other instructions of God that come with the tithes.
We must not lay heavy yoke on God’s people through what we teach. Let us teach the law of God with the right interpretation. It must be noted that only the correct practices in tithe payment will commit God to His promises on tithes. If you pay anything you call tithe without following due process, windows of heaven will not be opened. The correct tithe must consider the correct definition, the purpose, and limitations. From the list in this chapter, it is easy to demonstrate the contents of every recorded tithe found in the bible. It may interest us to know that God positioned us Christian as employer of labour and people that should have great assets. The thought of God towards us is of peace not of evil, to give us a future and a hope. It is the wish of God that a Christian may prosper and be in good health. How? It is by following the instruction of God that give power to make wealth.
The most considered definition of tithes according to the word of God is a mandatory sacrifice in goods or monetary form giving at the appointed time (year) of tithes to any man of God to fulfill our part in the covenant of blessing and prosperity made to us by the good God.
God knows that people are suffering in silence, they are working hard to please Him, but when the foundation is faulty, what can the righteous do. Today you will be launched into your prosperity and have the feel of God prosperity. God blessing makes you rich without any ado. That is God only makes you prosper without fear of sustaining the blessing. You will see that the rich people in our world today keep running after money so that their wealth will not become history. But when God blesses you such will be permanent as long as you follow His instruction. Psalmist talked from experience in Psalm 1, he said, a Blessed man will be like a tree planted by the river side. While other trees planted far from water may run out of water in dry seasons, the one by river side will get water always. He said everything that he does shall prosper. When you complied with tithe law, all you do will just be prospering in a way you will not be able to explain.
It was not an error when God talked of opening the windows of heaven. When a window of heaven is opened, do you need to go after contract when you should be in the house of God?
God want you to be a CEO not personal assistant to the unbelievers. God want you to be indispensable in the fast growing organization because without your presence they will go down to history. God want to rate you by your assets not by the peanut you collect. Imagine if all Christians are CEOs of most multinational companies and oil companies, who will control the economy of that nation? I pray God will reposition us for His purpose today in Jesus name.

Tithe: the thought of its Author.

From all the above definitions and perspectives, tithe simply means a percentage (10%) of earning, income and produce. Most of these definitions were not defined as God’s to reflect the instruction God gave about it. All of the meaning was used to explain the intention of some people based on their understanding of tithe. We must also note that people tend to interpret statements to suit their intention. However, this is not to pass blame on anyone. We all have sin and fall short of glory of God.

It doesn’t matter for how long we have being holding unto this wrong way of tithing, but the most important thing is we made the correction. This is what God want from us. God said if man will turn from their evil ways, He will forgive all our iniquities.
Remember, when the world was wrong Jesus came to show the way, Jesus new we can make mistake he sent Holy Spirit to us, to guide us in the way we should go.

So to get us to real meaning and definition of tithes, from the biblical declaration, the tithe definition in its broadest sense means a tenth of one’s INCREASE – Deuteronomy 14:22. That is the broadest definition of tithe that should be accepted by most of the population of God’s people.

By analyzing the root of the Deuteronomy 14:22 we got this key word:

דברים 14:22 Hebrew OT: BHS (Consonants & Vowels)
עַשֵּׂר תְּעַשֵּׂר אֵת כָּל־תְּבוּאַת זַרְעֶךָ הַיֹּצֵא הַשָּׂדֶה שָׁנָה שָׁנָה׃
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
"You shall surely tithe all the produce from what you sow, which comes out of the field every year.
Bible in Basic English
Put on one side a tenth of all the increase of your seed, produced year by year.
Webster's Bible Translation
Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed that the field bringeth forth year by year.
King James Bible
Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed that the field bringeth forth year by year.

Original Word: תְּבוּאָה
Transliteration: tebuah
Phonetic Spelling: (teb-oo-aw')
Short Definition: produce
Word Origin from: bo
Definition: product, revenue


If this truth is accepted as it is written in the bible. Then the word increase can now be looked up from English meaning. I have found the word INCREASE as “to make more in size or amount”. It is different from income. Income in its application is general while increase is specific. Therefore, it can now be understood that tithes payment on our income looked at the increase on them. For example it is expected that your tithe-able income will be your net income. Your salary is a type of income so on your salary you must determine its increase and pay tithes on it.
Re: God's Definition Of Tithe by afrobaby(f): 10:45am On Feb 23, 2011
What still baffles me is the fact that money or tithes from income in terms of money was never mentioned, it is allabout increase of land, seed of the land, of ur flocks etc, nothing like ur salary or so, can u talk on dis

U can read dis http://home.alphalink.com.au/~sanhub/tithing.htm

Then also read DEUTERONOMY 14:22-29, DEUT 12:17-18 and tell me what u think
Re: God's Definition Of Tithe by otitokoro1: 11:03am On Feb 23, 2011
What still baffles me is the fact that money or tithes from income in terms of money was never mentioned

The measure in terms of money became acceptable when God approved converting the substances into money. I feel money easier to carry about than all those things mentioned. God also is aware of that and He confirmed it.
Re: God's Definition Of Tithe by afrobaby(f): 11:09am On Feb 23, 2011
I don't want what u feel, forget abt feeling, what does the bible say, is their any biblical passage to support dis?
Re: God's Definition Of Tithe by otitokoro1: 11:23am On Feb 23, 2011
*Deuteronomy 14:22-25

Verses 24-25
"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:
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:"
Re: God's Definition Of Tithe by KunleOshob(m): 11:27am On Feb 23, 2011
otitokoro1:

*Deuteronomy 14:22-25

Verses 24-25
"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:
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:"

Otitokoro, why are you being deliberately dis-honest ? cos in verse 26 of that scripture you are quoting out of context God gave specific instructions of what the money should be used for and paying it to the temple as cahs was clearly not an option.

Deuteronomy 14:25-26:
25 If so, you may sell the tithe portion of your crops and herds, put the money in a pouch, and go to the place the Lord your God has chosen. 26 When you arrive, you may use the money to buy any kind of food you want—cattle, sheep, goats, wine, or other alcoholic drink. Then feast there in the presence of the Lord your God and celebrate with your household.
Re: God's Definition Of Tithe by afrobaby(f): 11:31am On Feb 23, 2011
The problem I have with some christians is the fact that they neglect some parts of a passage and only go to d ones dat actually applies to them
Deuteronomy 14: 22-29 says

22Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.

23And 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.

24And 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:

25Then 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:

26And 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,

27And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.

28At 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:

29And 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.

Isn't dis clear that it is actually talking about tithes from land, because naturally, income earners don't need to sell our money to buy money again
Re: God's Definition Of Tithe by otitokoro1: 11:37am On Feb 23, 2011
Isn't dis clear that it is actually talking about tithes from land, because naturally, income earners don't need to sell our money to buy money again

In Lev. 27:32. By implication as could be related to Ezk. 20:37 all source of income to Christians that are legitimate are commanded for tithe payment.
Re: God's Definition Of Tithe by afrobaby(f): 11:45am On Feb 23, 2011
I guess you are a really confused person, did u actually read the passages u quoted or u are just saying what u were told in Church
Leviticus 27:32 says:
32 Every tithe of the herd and flock—every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod—will be holy to the LORD.

while ezekiel 20:37 sayss
37"I will make you (A)pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant;
Abeg, read ur bible
Re: God's Definition Of Tithe by otitokoro1: 11:56am On Feb 23, 2011
I guess you are a really confused person, did u actually read the passages u quoted or u are just saying what u were told in Church
Leviticus 27:32 says:
32 Every tithe of the herd and flock—every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod—will be holy to the LORD.

while ezekiel 20:37 sayss
37"I will make you (A)pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant;
Abeg, read your bible

I thought you are a bible scholar? Sorry for taking you too far! Things of the spirit cannot be comprehended by carnality.
Re: God's Definition Of Tithe by afrobaby(f): 12:04pm On Feb 23, 2011
otitokoro1:

I thought you are a bible scholar? Sorry for taking you too far! Things of the spirit cannot be comprehended by carnality.
Can u imagine, you are among the people causing pagans to make mockery of Christianity because the Bible which is supposed to be our watch word is not even understood by many of us, or we don't even read them, Bible scholar indeed, no wonder, u only take the part that can support your argument
Re: God's Definition Of Tithe by KunleOshob(m): 12:14pm On Feb 23, 2011
@otitokoro
Why don't you respond to my observation? Or is it safe for me to conclude that you deliberately and fraudulently quoted the bible out of context?
Re: God's Definition Of Tithe by PastorAIO: 2:17pm On Feb 23, 2011
You these guys, don't you know that Oruko l'o n ro eni. Translated to English meaning, Your name heralds you. It is your name that will tell us who you are.

Truth is bitter indeed and some just cannot bear the taste of it.

After studying these Tithing Debates that have occupied us here on NL for years I have come to the conclusion that those for whom the truth is bitter can never and will never acquire a taste for the truth. No amount of arguing and demonstration will correct them. Otitokoro can only do what he has learned from his father, like father like son. His father is the Father of Lies.
Re: God's Definition Of Tithe by garyarnold(m): 7:16pm On Feb 23, 2011
The ONLY people in the Old Testament that were commanded to tithe were those who INHERITED THE PROMISED LAND WITH EVERYTHING ON IT. They got the land, house, animals, crops, etc. ALL FREE AND CLEAR. No mortgage payment or rent to pay. And THEY were commanded to tithe on the crops and animals and take it to the Levites who INHERITED the tithe INSTEAD OF the promised land with everything on it. No one else tithed.

I find it quite offensive that pastors have appointed themselves to be the receiver of what belongs to God. After all, the pastor says the tithe belongs to God. Then he self-appoints himself to receive the tithe!!!

God never gave any pastor or church permission to receive his tithe or his gifts. God commanded His tithe be taken to the Levites, FOREVER, in Numbers 18.

Since the tithe belongs to God, if your pastor accepts it isn't he stealing it from God?
Re: God's Definition Of Tithe by HISservant: 7:43pm On Feb 23, 2011
OFFERINGS TO THE LORD - (source - http://www.familyradio.com/en/graphical/literature/openforum/offerings.html).  I would have to agree.

Caller: Is tithing for today or was it just for the Old Testament?

Mr. C.: Technically, tithing was part of the Old Testament ceremonial law. They were to bring one-tenth of their produce or one-tenth of their income to the temple, where the tribe of Levi, particularly the priesthood that came out of the tribe of Levi, was supported. That was all they had to be concerned about insofar as giving.
    In the New Testament, after Christ went to the cross, God assigned a vastly greater task to the believers. Our task is to go into all the world with the Gospel. Therefore, the requirements for our life are way beyond that which was demanded of Old Testament believers.
    The Old Testament believers had a minimal or limited condition to meet, namely, the support of the priesthood. We have the enormous task of getting the Gospel into the whole world. One of the best verses that lays this out is
Romans 12:1: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.


    Effectively, God is saying, “I want you! I want everything. What health you have, I give you. Whatever wealth you have, I provide for you, but it is to be utilized as greatly as possible to get out the Gospel.”
    We are saved not to simply live out our life, and say, “Glory be! I am a child of God.” We are to live out our lives and obey Him; “Glory be! I am a child of God, and I am to love my neighbor as myself.”
    Who is my neighbor? Anyone who has the spiritual need for salvation, and that is the whole wide world. Believers are to desire the same highest good for them that God has given to us, namely, salvation. We want to live as economically as possible and make as much as possible available to help send forth the Gospel into the world. That is the role of the New Testament believers.

Caller: Does Malachi 3:8-10 pertain to us today?

Mr. C.: There we read:

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 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.

In the historic setting, this is talking about the ancient nation of Israel. They were to bring their tithes, from their crops and so on, into the temple treasury for the support of the priests of the tribe of Levi.  Spiritually, this passage is talking to all of us. The Old Testament tithes represented bringing in people who become saved. In other words, we are saved to serve; we are saved to make an increase. God saved us, and it is not God’s intention that we simply say, “It is wonderful that I am saved. Now all I have to do is live with the Bible, pray, and live out my life, and all is well.” That is not what God says.  God says He has saved us, and we are His ambassadors. We are to go out into all the world with the Gospel. There is to be an increase of the Gospel. There are other people who are to become saved. We are to be faithful witnesses so that others will become saved. When someone becomes saved, it is like bringing that person as a tithe into the storehouse. This passage is not speaking about money. Historically, it was talking about money, but for us today, it is speaking about bringing the Gospel so that people will become saved. As a matter of fact, in the New Testament, God does not want ten percent of our money, He wants it all. God says in

Romans 12:1: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

We are to live very modestly and make everything possible available to help send out the Gospel so that people can become saved. Those who become saved are like tithes brought into the storehouse. It is OK to give ten percent, but that is a minimum. God wants our whole life. He wants us to be witnesses of the Gospel.
Re: God's Definition Of Tithe by garyarnold(m): 7:55pm On Feb 23, 2011
As usual, quoting Malachi 3 totally out of context.

First of all, the general public didn't take their tithe to the Temple or storehouse. The tithe was taken to the Levites who lived in the Levitical cities. The Levites then took a tenth of the tithe to the Temple for the priests. It is that tithe, the tenth of the tithe, that went to the storehouse. (Nehemiah 10:37)

Let’s look at Malachi 3. First, who is God speaking to – the priests or the people?
We need to study the entire Book of Malachi rather than take a few verses out of context.

By the time we get to verse 6 in chapter 1, we see it is the priests that are being addressed at that point.

In both chapters 1 and 2 of Malachi there is a conversation going on between God and the priests. Every time the word "you" is used, it is referring to the priests. Chapter 3 continues with this conversation. In verse 5 God says "And I will come near to you to judgment…, " In the Old Testament, during this period of time and generally speaking, only the priests could get near to God. It is only in the New Testament that born again believers, you and I, can get close to God. So up to chapter 3 verse 5, God is speaking to the priests. The word "you" is still referring to the priests. There is nothing in the scripture to indicate this changes when you get to verse 8. But that's not all.

Read Numbers 18:29-30 and then read Malachi 1:14. Those verses explain robbing God of the offerings. The PRIESTS, not the people, robbed God of the offering by giving to God the worst instead of the best.

In Nehemiah 13 we are told that the priests stole the Levites portion of the tithe; therefore, they had no food to eat at the temple, and they went back to their own fields.

Therefore, taking the Levites portion of the tithe is the robbing God of the tithe. Or to put it another way, THE LEVITES WERE ROBBED. God said He was robbed because the tithe was not taken where God directed.

Next, in Malachi 3:10 God says to bring all the tithes to the storehouse. The people took the tithes to the Levites who lived in the Levitical cities, not to the temple. The Levites took the required tithe of the tithe to the temple. (See Nehemiah 10:37-38) Only those tithes ever made it to the temple. The priests then took those tithes to the storehouse. It only makes sense if God is speaking to the priests in this verse.

Since in Numbers 18 God makes it perfectly clear that the tithe belongs to Him, and He gave it to the Levites, anyone who takes God’s tithe to their local church must also be robbing God since the Levites are not the ones getting it.

I see no way around this. Either the tithe ended per Hebrews 7:18, OR those who take God’s tithe to their local church must be robbing God since God gave clear instructions where to take His tithe. There is nothing in God’s Word to show that God ever changed those instructions. Therefore, the only conclusion I can reach is that taking a tithe to your local church is NOT paying the tithe to God. It is giving it to man. Nowhere in God’s Word does He give permission for the Christian Church to receive His tithe.

Therefore, IT IS A SIN AGAINST GOD to take God’s tithe to your local church. IT IS A SIN for any pastor to accept God’s tithe.
Re: God's Definition Of Tithe by KunleOshob(m): 1:52pm On Feb 24, 2011
^^^
Evidently no one pays or practises the biblical tithe today, what we have I practise is the fraudulently manipulated man made version that is being used to extort money from the gullible sheeple on a continuos basis today.
Re: God's Definition Of Tithe by otitokoro1: 5:35pm On Feb 24, 2011
@otitokoro
Why don't you respond to my observation? Or is it safe for me to conclude that you deliberately and fraudulently quoted the bible out of context?

Bible is not like literature books you read. So, grin
Re: God's Definition Of Tithe by KunleOshob(m): 5:40pm On Feb 24, 2011
^^
So that gives you the leaway to add and subtract from it contrary to the instructions of God abi Verse 26 of that passage stands firm why don't you give us the "spiritual" interpretation of it.
Re: God's Definition Of Tithe by emmyileri(m): 9:24pm On Mar 21, 2022

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