₦airaland Forum

gohf:
I do understand your exegesis, from the point of clarifying the mustard seed to the view concerning laborers in God's house to the difference between what Abraham gave and what was demanded. I also noted your assumption in that it may have been practiced and learnt by Jacob though you noted it wasn't stated in the bible, as even the fulfillment of Jacob's vowed also wasn't recorded and one can claim such vow was carried out by his descendants who inherited the said land not because God original demanded it but because of the words of Jacob.

Now then therefore should we not also consider like the circumcision what is binding to the house of Jacob and what is binding to the church of Christ, especially of the "uncircumcised" in the flesh?

Both the house of Jacob, the circumcised who received the law "as the first fruit of nations" and the uncircumcised in the flesh but circumcised in the spirit are all the same for there is no difference between the two according to Paul in Romans 10:12. We are all encouraged to pay our tithes.

Do you also suggest that other than the Levities from the tribe of Levi, others could also collect the "tithe" and it would be lawful? Not considering whether the church should be under the law or not, but solely based on observing the said law.

I didn't make suggestion that other tribes were authorized to collect tithes_I didn't register that they were lawfully authorized to_my point was solely based according to the account in Deuteronomy 14. The people other than the Levites were to bring it to God's house. What applied to the church in wilderness and house of Israel also applies to the Church of Christ today! The only thing some don't consider is that we DON'T fulfill all in relation to tithing as the way Israelites did it then_we observe a fragment part of it or I should say, our tithing has been summed up to one that is, based solely on our income(if we compare their profession which was solely farming to our diverse occupations today) for if we are under the law, we would have to observe it the way it was done then. Again, we observe it in part.

Could you also explain Jesus's response to Peter, in the case you mentioned from the gospel where he was asked if his teacher paid the tribute, though you associated the tithe to tribute, have you considered Jesus's response that it is not the children of the house that pay tribute.

[b] I explained in the first place the difference between tithe and tribute/tax citing examples from the book of Genesis 14,28:20-22, Deuteronomy 14 and in first Kings. Tribute is a form of exaction on a weak and sacked community by military force. We are informed in Matthew 17:24 that TRIBUTE collectors confronted Peter by asking him a question that Jesus doesn't pay tribute money. Jesus asks Peter wanting to know his response IF the kings of the earth, the ones who have conquered another land, collect tribute from the strangers( those who are not part of their families or lands FOR IT DOES NOT SOUND WELL FOR A KING OF A LAND TO COLLECT TRIBUTE FROM HIS OWN PEOPLE) or from the CHILDREN. Peter said the kings collect tribute from the strangers not the children clearing it that Jesus does not mention tithe as seen in the passage. The children or sons of the powerful kingdom are free from paying tribute of any sort physically though they could be taxed as seen in the case of Joseph in Egypt during the drought_certain percentage was given to the king and this is what is applicable today too. A child of God is totally freed from paying any form of spiritual tribute for he is not a subject of either Satan nor his kingdom.
In this case, THERE IS NO ASSOCIATION OF TITHE WITH TAX OR TRIBUTE.[/b]

Now ask yourself are the children of God and those in the body of Christ supposed to pay tithe to who?

As all children of God, the Israelites paid their tithes to the Levites/Priests then, those in the body of Christ are expected to pay their tithes to their Pastors/Bishops. Note both Pastor and Bishop mean the same thing as shepherd who natures the flock.

Nevertheless I could consider the premise of your discuss when suggesting it's value to God's house and listing accurately all the tithes required by the laws of Moses but it becomes more debatable when you bring in Malachi and not consider even though you recognize that it referring to the priests you generalize it. Don't you know it is those who you keep in charge of your finance and not those who give you that you can accuse of theft.

You mean as in the case of Judas Iscariot who had the purse and was stealing from it? Both "those who have the purse" and those who pay would be accused of theft for we see in Hebrews 7:9 that Levi who also receives tithes pays tithe in Abraham. God charged the Levites to pay tithe of tithes.
Read Malachi 3:10 again_those who pay are primarily accused.

To compare alms, appreciation to that which is mandated contradicts it's self for that which is willing is not forced. To the extent you proclaim that such "disobedience" could give room to the devil and he claims them for himself, how did your "application" bring about such "conclusion"

I wrote in the introduction that the devil is advancing spiritually how he may bind A CHRISTIAN. We are also informed that he is an accuser of brethren in Revelation 12:10. God Himself has already accused those who refuse to bring the tithe to the house of God in the passage. If God Himself does, how less do you expect the slanderer, the devil, an accuser to accuse one of theft. The word therein is God's word and His word is settled in heaven! Once He has spoken, twice have I heard that power belongs to God.

Improper application of the law cannot bring salvation. This is sure! Improper application brings destruction. Tithe paying is a law of God and transgressing it means means overpassing the boundary of the law. And sin is overpassing God's law which is a disobedience.

Then again ask yourself would the improper application of the law bring salvation or destruction, if observing the law even saves?

gohf:
What importance is it saying you didn't make a suggestion when you promote that those who are not Levites should collect the tithe, or are your pastors Levites.

You are claiming that you observe the law in fragment, in part does that justify what you practice as what is right and true?

gohf:
Wanted to respond to other things you wrote but you are probably set in your ways and will look for a means to justify yourself. If there was no association between tithe, tribute and tax why mention them at all, are you trying to confuse people. When did temple tax become tribute to another king?

Why are you doing this?
You didn't even contradict the fact that I stated that it were the Levities who were accused of theft.

I even asked you a simple question as children of God who are we supposed to pay tithe to and you said pastors and bishops? Are they from Levi? Did God give any command that pastors are to collect tithes?. Did every sheperd in Israel collect tithe? Did every spiritual leader in Israel collect tithe? Did Samuel, Elijah, Elisha collect tithe, did Jeremiah or Isaiah collect it?

Captain4Jehovah:
TOPIC: What Do You Think About Mark 4:31, Matthew 9:37 and Malachi 3:10_Its Usage, Application and Criticism?

INTRODUCTION

God's word remains "Yea and Amen." God's word is true and settled in heaven. One dispensation goes another one comes but His word remains. The devil and his cohorts strategize and plan for each time and dispensation of the universe but man does not seem to notice. So, God's word must be studied, examined, used to fit in time. To fit in time does not mean the word has lost its value and power for other times and dispensations. There are many statements of Jesus which are difficult to understand though he spoke them to convey hidden intent of the Most High God. He spoke 39 parables concerning God's kingdom.

It has become the custom of apologetics in the manner they interpret God's word. They consider the Bible like any other historical books. Hence, its content is countered by world philosophy and human intellect with no regard for its spiritual content meant for man's ultimate salvation beginning from here.

BODY

1. Mark 4:31_Mustard Seed Spiritual and Contextualized Meaning in Relation to God's Kingdom Criticized.

"It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth"

There has been criticism about the invalidity of the quote above. What brings about this is the inclusion of "mustard seed" in the statement. Critics say if Jesus is indeed God who knows the end from the beginning(Rev. 1: he should not have used "mustard seed" to convey the meaning of God's kingdom because it is not the smallest seed ever known in the world(planet earth). He was trying to compare two things_"IT(God's kingdom) is like a grain of mustard seed." At some time, his disciples had to question why he spoke in parables and not in plain words to his hearers even his disciples were victims of the selfsame.(Matthew 13:11). He used what his hearers could easily understand. The critics say the correct seed should have been "orchid seed" not "mustard seed" because it is the smallest seed in the world, planet earth.

Ok! First, the smallest and commonest seed grown by farmers of Jesus contemporary time is mustard seed not orchid seed. He used mustard seed so that his hearers could easily understand his message. It's just like a typical teacher who teaches from known to the unknown, from the simple to the most difficult one. To be a good teacher, one needs to use what are within one's students' immediate surrounding to relay the core meaning of any topic. There must be something a good teacher uses to relay basic knowledge of a topic within the environment!

As students, his disciples and hearers never counter the usage of "mustard seed" to convey his message for it is certain there would be at least one intellectual among them.

Second, although orchid seed is the smallest of all seeds ever known, it does not grow into a big tree like mustard seed to convey the message about God's kingdom. Mustard seed does! Birds patch on it. They find rest on it. They make it their comfort zone where refreshment can be obtained.

Third, the word "earth" in the text does not connote the whole world, the planet earth but the soil so that no one would think he made a reference to the entire universe. The statement itself would have been invalid assuming orchid seed was planted in the environment.

2. Matthew 9:37_Its Usage in This Dispensation

"Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few."

The labourers were truly few as at the time Jesus made this statement considering the "workforce", his disciples and where the message about God's kingdom would reach. Unlike his contemporary disciples, there are many disciples today in the field who are harvesting nothing for the LORD GOD though they have large church members and auditoriums. Souls are not saved. Rather, they are sold to the devil instead. These are the thieves and robbers Jesus referred to in John 10:8.

There was a day I had the chance to listen to the message of a missioner. He mentioned that as he was singing the song of Baba Adelakun:"Amona tete ma bo*2 Aye n daru, Amona tete ma bo. Aye n baje o, Amona tete mabo." God told him to stop singing the song because there are many more lands to cover_ there are many souls to be saved.

There are still many souls wasting away. There are many more workers in the vineyard who bring in no soul into God's kingdom.

3. Malachi 3:10_Tithe's Controversy

"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."

A 1. Let Us Go to the Beginning

There are a lot of criticisms concerning paying tithes from all quarters. There has not been any criticisms and blasphemous statements about it until recently in Nigeria especially. But we need to go to the beginning where the first tenth part was given. Genesis 14 has the story.

A 2. Spoilt of War Equates Abraham's Tenth Part

Studying the chapter closely, I observed that the tenth part is not actually a "tithe"but a spoilt of war for a tithe is any tenth part from one's earnings and labours according to Levitical order or injunction. Every victorious war party shares "the spoilt of war." (Gen. 14:24; 1 Sam. 15:9). What makes Abraham's own different is that he gave "EVERY tenth part of the spoilt of war" to Mechizedek, king of Salem who happened also to be a priest of the Most High God not those things from his earnings. Compare Deuteronomy 14:29. He returned the people of the king of SODOM and "goods" which are spoilt of war. What was the reason for Abraham's gesture in spite "he went through hell" before he could recover all what were taken from him(Lot's wives and goods)? He was already blessed and contented( 14:23). Nothing was mentioned regarding paying a tenth part from his earnings or what was given to him. Compare Deuteronomy 14:22.

B. Tradition in Abraham's Household

However, the tenth part became a tradition in Abraham's household for we read in Genesis 28:20-22 where Jacob promised God he would give Him "a tenth part" of WHATEVER GOD WOULD GIVE HIM IN APPRECIATION OF GOD'S PRESENCE IN HIS JOURNEY. This is A VOW but Jacob's response to Jehovah's provisions would be a tenth part of all he would have. I "think" this, Jacob's response, fits a typical tithe. Read the text yourself! NOTE that Abraham had the grace to see Jacob his grandson_Jacob would either have seen his grandfather doing it or heard it from either Abraham or Isaac.

Additionally, no account is given in the Bible as to whom(priest) he gave it or whether he fulfilled his promise to God. But I am confident he did it!

C. Tithe,Tax and Tribute of War

Again, we should understand that tithes are not taxes. Tax has its origin too. Tax was recognized during the Roman empire BUT it had being prior to this(2 Kings 23:34,35). Compare Genesis 41:34, 47:24,26_one fifth of farm produces was given to Pharaoh. It was A FORM OF EXACTION IN ONE WAY TO BALANCE THE ECONOMY SITUATION OF THAT TIME IN EGYPT (Compare 2Kings 23:35_the people of Judah were forced to give an outrageous amount of money).

In this text, 2Kings 23:35, we see the powerful that dominates the least or the one without. I remember when I was still young watching episode Yoruba dramas. After a land is sacked by military force, the land will start paying tributes of any form to the king and chiefs of the powerful land. If the subdued land fails to pay her dues as at when due, the king will send soldiers to take away any available goods by force. This is a tribute! For instance in verse 33, Pharaoh-necho put Judah "to a tribute of an hundred talents of silver(talent here serves as a unit of money like naira and kobo), and a talent(unit of money) of gold." In verse 35, the Bible informs us that Eliakim(Johoiakim) "taxed(certain amount were demanded) the land(in order to meet the oppressor's demand) to give the money(the silver and gold) according to the commandment of Pharaoh: he EXACTED(forced, wrestled, imposed) the silver and the gold of the people of the land(even the poor), of every one according to his taxation, to give it unto Pharaoh-necho." [Emphasis added].

We see here that both come as a result of one war party dominating another and are paid BY FORCE. In fact, employees feel the pain of percentages of money deducted from their salaries each month these days! I believe some workers will be complaining about non correlation of percentages used to calculate their taxes_the percentages are not in conformity with their salaries_not Pay As You Earn. Two, while tribute of war is paid in goods, tax is paid in money majorly.

ONE IS FORCED TO PAY TAX EVEN AS IT IS DONE TODAY(Luke 19:. The government runs after an individual and organization in order to pay the tax owed besides the income tax and indirect tax(the two taxes are steady). ANYONE CAN QUOTE ME WRONG. I STAND TO BE CORRECTED! BUT YOU ARE NOT FORCED TO PAY TITHE THOUGH IT IS COMPULSORY AS TAX AND TRIBUTE OF WAR(Yoruba word for tribute is "ISAKOLE" and tax is "OWO-ODE".

PAYING of tax came into the land of Israel when the Romans gained control of their land. This tax was not primarily shared among the emperor, soldiers and chiefs, it was used for the public. It was introduced into the Roman government by Julius Caesar and then Augustus Caesar with certain percentages. Paying of tax was more evident during Jesus time where we see Matthew, the tax collector chosen by the Roman government NOT ISRAEL to collect it( Matthew 10:3; Luke 19:2,5,. Jesus was also confronted through Peter_"Doth not your master pay tribute?(Matthew 17:24). The word "tribute" means "custom" in usage which is a temple tax demanded from Jesus.

Why did I mention tax and tithe altogether? This is to clear the erroneous belief that Pastors extort members of the Church. While the government exacts and forces people to pay tax these days, tithe is not. While tax is used to provide social amenities, tithe provides both physical and spiritual blessings.

D. Tithe_No Mention of It As a Law in the Beginning of its Inception

There is no mention of it in any other places except the ones already mentioned i.e. in Genesis 14:20 and 28:22. However, God never made it a law to Abraham to pay every tenth part of his earnings neither was Jacob told. It came from their volition. Abraham's own was in appreciation while Jacob's own was both a TOKEN OF VOW and appreciation.

E 1. Its Statutory Beginning

Abraham had God's spirit like Adam_"every name Adam gave to all animals is what they bear" without God's intervention. Applicable, Abraham's tithing to Mechizedek, a priest became an injunction through ages until this present time.(Heb. 7:4)

E 2. The Church in the Wilderness Had a Law of it

The simplicity of tithing or better way to understand WHY God commands tithing is because of what the Israelites went through in Egypt_they were once a subject of hard labours and slavery. Compare Deuteronomy 14:28. Those who are entitled to it are the Levites, poor, widow, and stranger, fatherless_non-working class and less privileged. What does this mean? It means ALL THE FARM PRODUCTS OF THE FARMERS' MUST GO ROUND REGARDLESS. PEOPLE IN THE LAND OF ISRAEL must not complain of hunger. Or simply, they must not suffer as a result of hunger.

A relational angle of view of God's intent commanding His people to pay tithes is seen in Ecclesiastics 8:15 thus:

"Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun."

Notice that Deuteronomy 14:26 mentions about merriment__"and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household."

Exodus is the first book which has a record of God's commandment regarding tithe's concept. In Exodus 22:29, we have:

"Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me."

The first fruits including the Israelites' sons must be brought before the LORD WITHOUT DELAY. In reality, God does not eat it but primarily for the Levites BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DO SECULAR WORK BUT SPIRITUAL'S. You know, THEY MUST NOT GO HUNGRY. Also, the fatherless, widows, stranger and poor MUST NOT GO HUNGRY TOO. I mentioned it earlier! This is why it is a commandment. Note the last clause of verse 12: "...that they may eat within the gate, AND BE FILLED"

NOTE: The tithes collected by the Levites were not only meant to feed the less privileged but also for "furnishing" the house of God.

F. TYPES OF TITHES
There are three types according to Deuteronomy 14:22-29. They are Levitical tithe, rejoicing tithe and the poor tithe.

1. Levitical Tithe: Every tenth part from the other tribes of Israel farm produce is given to them(Nehemiah 10:37; Deuteronomy 14:22). The Levites are also commanded to give a tenth part of the tithes given to them_they are to bring it to the house of God (Heb. 7:9; Neh. 10:38; Matthew 23:23; Num. 18:26)

2. Rejoicing Tithe: It is so called because God wants His people to be happy after their hard labours. However, THIS MUST BE BROUGHT TO THE HOUSE OF GOD REGARDLESS WHERE THE GIVER LIVES(Deu. 14:23)_if the distance is far (where he lives is far from the LORD'S temple), the produces must be converted to money and brought to the house of God (Deu. 14:24-26). The Levites, fatherless, widow and strangers must be remembered too(Verse 28). THIS IS A SPECIAL TITHE GIVEN AT THE FEAST OF WEEKS, UNLEAVENED BREAD AND Tabernacles(Deu. 16:13-16*).
Notwithstanding, the Levites still remain the supervisors for they are in charge(Deu. 26:12).

3. The Poor Tithe: This is primarily for the widows, foreigners and fatherless(Due.26:12).

The Levites are still entitled to all these categories above(1 Cor. 9:13; Deu. 18:1-4).

G. Why Malachi 3:10?

The real reason why God sent this oracle to the Israelites, the priests inclusive is that they left the right orders_everyone was doing his own things the way he or she felt_religious corruption as touching tithes became norms of the day after their return from exile.

H 1. God Promises Blessings

The verse contains blessings to open the windows of heaven. One, God would send constant rain and all other factors for their crops to flourish would be available. He would rebuke devourers_pests and plants' and animals' diseases. These are physical blessings in relation to their farming.
Today, tithers receive not only physical blessings but also spiritual ones they cannot even imagine. It is also a means of defence in a difficult spiritual battle. Besides, it could serve as a means of deliverance and salvation for one. A similar case is referenced from Acts 10:4 in which God reckoned with Cornelius' alms. I am a testimonial to this!

H 2. Do's and Don'ts

Obedience to paying tithes equal blessings as seen in verses 10 and 11. But, you do not need to have the mind that God needs to do something immediately you pay it. You would not want to be Abraham who wanted to see what would happen to the sacrifice he made. "You must not look at it"! You must not dare God! Pay it, leave the rest to God. Let Him take care of the rest. Check Acts 10:4 for my intent here.

H 3. Timely Payment

The book of Deuteronomy 14:28-29 mentions bringing all tithes to God's house in time. Consider Exodus 22:29. Tithe must be paid without delay! This is what God told me.

I. Curse and Allegation

It is evident in verse 9 that those who refuse to bring it to the house of God would be cursed. Why? Such persons are equally transgressors. God declares such persons robbers (verse 9). And this is the accusation the devil will be using against anyone who refuses to pay it. Remember he is an accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10). He may accuse one as a robber or thief(1Peter 4:15). With this, IT IS POSSIBLE for someone to miss heaven. You should understand that Satan only looks for disobedience to hold onto so that he may be using it against someone. A foothold of Satan therefore in someone's life makes it possible to claim one as his.

PAY YOUR TITHE AS YOU PAY YOUR TAX! GOD BLESS YOU.

Thankgod89:
If I may, I’d like to briefly address the point you raised about tithing.

Thank you for your passionate teaching on Malachi 3:10. It's evident that you have a deep commitment to honoring God through giving, and that dedication is truly admirable. However, I believe it's important to address a foundational truth: as believers in Christ, we are no longer under the Law, but under grace.

Hebrews 7:11–14 explains this clearly. The Levitical priesthood—through which tithing was instituted—has been replaced by a new priesthood in Christ, who came not from the tribe of Levi, but from Judah. Verse 12 says, “For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.” This signifies that the laws tied to that former priesthood, including the command to tithe, are no longer binding on believers in the New Covenant.

Today, we are called to give freely, generously, and cheerfully—not out of obligation or fear, but as led by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 9:6–7). The New Covenant is not focused on percentages, but on the posture of the heart. This doesn't mean we stop giving—it means we give as an expression of love, not legalism.

I also want to lovingly clarify that under the New Covenant, God does not curse His children for not paying tithes. The curse mentioned in Malachi 3:9 was specific to the Old Covenant system given through Moses. But now, as Galatians 3:13 declares, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.” Because of Jesus, no believer under grace can be cursed for falling short of the law—including the law of tithing.

While tithing may still serve as a useful personal discipline or starting point in giving, it is not a requirement under the New Covenant. Our giving should always be a joyful, faith-filled response to the abundant grace we’ve received in Christ.

Captain4Jehovah:
I really appreciate your enlightenment and little exposition regarding tithing. Remember tithe is not an act of giving which comes in form of A WILLING OFFERING for your main point and line of thought counter tithing equating tithe with a willing giving. While one is based on BELIEVERS' WILL according to your point, what the Bible teaches and RELIGIOUS OBLIGATION for we see this in the Bible many times where people of God brings offerings to the house of God(Ex. 35:1-36:7; Ezra 7:15-18; 2 Chronicles 6:7-9, 1 Chronicles 29; Mark 12:41), tithe IS EXPEDIENT.

A shift from the law, PRIMARILY THE LAWS OF MOSES which center on temple rituals to the divine grace found in Jesus ("For the grace which brought salvation has appeared unto all men" does not equate freedom from tithing. For at one point Jesus mentioned tithing without condemning the act in Luke 11:42 and Mathew 23:23.

The book of Hebrews 7:11-14 EXPLICITLY enlightens believers in Jesus Christ to forgo all LEVITICAL RITUALS WHICH ARE UNDER BINDING LAWS. We see in the Old Testament that priests/Levites mainly take care of temple rituals involving cleansing of sin and various uncleanliness (tithe is not a ritual and can't be changed). In fact, chapter 7 explains a change of priesthood and law to that law(WE HAVE A LAW OF THE SPIRIT OPERATING IN SPIRITUAL REALM NOW) found in Jesus' grace which the writer begins to highlight starting from chapter 5 and it ends in chapter 10. In other words, these laws are a drive for the rituals. Even one of these laws was mentioned to the leper Jesus healed of leprosy.

Moreover, I stated earlier in the introduction of the topical issue that the devil and his cohorts strategize against Christians as dispensation changes_"The devil and his cohorts strategize and plan for each time and dispensation of the universe but man does not seem to notice." I didn't just mention this. This is what is happening in the spiritual realm. I also mentioned "I am a testimonial to this!" This is what I know and was mentioned during my encounter with the devil as a means of deliverance. Although Christ did not mention tithing as a requirement in the New Testament, it is expedient for Christians to be wise. As Christians, we must not overrule all the injunctions of the Old Testament. For instance , personal hygiene which is one of the thorough physical cleanliness practised in the Old Testament period is also held high by the Most High God in our era. As God Himself warns us of physical uncleanliness, Satan could also use the selfsame against Christians.

Regarding failure to tithe and the curse that could be incurred, I want to tell you that every disobedience produces a curse automatically. It's just that we are being justified and covered all the time by the blood of Jesus because of the grace found in him. There are some preachings which cannot be accepted by even some big ministers of God these days. They don't preach it either because they know the repercussion since they themselves are doing the same negative things God frowns at.
As we are giving the grace under Christ, we are bound to ask God what is obtainable in Christianity. It is not a sin if someone doesn't know but it is important one seeks to know.

Again, we should understand that the Old Testament contains God's word. And we should understand that Satan selects those ones that he can use against Christians just like what he did to Jesus in Matthew 4. Again, we need to borne it in our hearts WHO A CHRISTIAN IS.

Captain4Jehovah:
Do you have Levites in your gathering today? If so, give your tithe to them or you could travel to Israel and pay it to anyone of them JUST TO FULFILL THE LAW and be freed from God's accusation about tithe.

You are claiming that you observe the law in fragment, in part does that justify what you practice as what is right and true?

It shows you didn't get the message of my response earlier! The Biblical Israelites were majorly farmers( consider Genesis 46:34) and THEY OBSERVED ALL THE TITHES IN FULL in the sense that they brought ALL TITHES OF ANIMALS, FRUITS, AND OTHER FARM PRODUCES to God's house(Deuteronomy 14:22-29; Malachi 3:10). They were even instructed to convert the farm produces to money if their residences are far away from God's temple. The case is different today: people only tithe from their primary monthly income.

Captain4Jehovah:
I would rather shut my mouth than trying to justify myself in order to claim what is not! I am telling you what all Christians must do. The law about tithe is not debatable nor negotiable! Christians cannot cut corners regarding to whom it must be given these days ! I SAY IT AGAIN, THERE IS NO ASSOCIATION BETWEEN TITHE AND TRIBUTE OR TITHE AND TAX. YOU DON'T EQUAL THEM FOR THEY ARE DIFFERENT. This is the real reason I tried to differentiate them. NOTE: The tribute money paid by Jesus is not tithe. Remember the Romans were in charge. Selected Jews were only given the right by them to collect it.
My main focus is primarily on tithe not tax and tribute. I ONLY let you understand that while tax/tribute are forcedly collected, tithes are not.
The temple tax was not supposed to be paid by Jesus for it was collected on his land by the Roman government and used for themselves not Israel government (they didn't have any government to remit the money to)_the kings of the earth don't collect tribute from their sons and daughters, it is from the strangers. As children of God, we shouldn't be paying tribute spiritually. This I stated earlier! This is one spiritual lesson from that verse of the Bible(Matthew 17:24-27).

Pay your tithe to your God-ordained Pastor or Bishop. Simple!
You mentioned prophets not priests nor Levites. Those prophets you mentioned were not authorized to collect tithes! They dare not!
Pastors and Bishops are your Levites today. I believe you are not an Israeli!

Thankgod89:
Thank you for your detailed and passionate response. I’d like to offer a gentle clarification based on Scripture:

Jesus and Tithing (Matthew 23:23, Luke 11:42):

It’s true that Jesus mentioned tithing, but He was speaking directly to the Pharisees—Jews still under the Law—before the New Covenant was established through His death and resurrection. His statement affirmed the Law they were still bound to, but He never extended tithing as a requirement for His followers under grace.

MY RESPONSE
No! The Pharisees weren't present during this particular sermon which centered ONLY on the GENERAL BEHAVIORS of them regarding God's kingdom in total. Matthew 23:1 has this account. Again, he instructed both the multitude(the Bible does not record Pharisees' presence) and his disciples TO OBSERVE AND DO WHATEVER THEY INSTRUCT them to do according to THE LAW but they must not copy their own works(personal lifestyles and traditions which are against the laws of God)(Matthew 23:3). Ones of those behaviors of theirs which they did are the neglection of WEIGHTIER MATTERS OF THE LAW, JUDGEMENT(decision making when it involves two persons),MERCY AND FAITH in the living God_they left these undone while THEY CONCENTRATED ON TITHING. (Matthew 23:23).
That being said, the fact that THE APOSTLES DIDN'T PRACTISE TITHING DOES NOT EQUATE ITS ERADICATION as seen in the lifestyles of the apostles.

Hebrews 7 and the Change of Law:
You're right that Hebrews 7 highlights a change of priesthood—from Levi to Melchizedek (fulfilled in Christ)—and that this necessitated a change of the law (Hebrews 7:12). This shift is not symbolic; it’s structural. Since the Levitical priesthood has been set aside, the tithing system tied to it has also passed away. We now serve under the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2), not the Mosaic ordinances.


MY RESPONSE
Tradition has it that the early Church practised tithing. Even the Orthodox Jews are still practising tithing till today though not as the Biblical Jews did it.

On Curses and Disobedience:
Yes, disobedience always has consequences, but in Christ, the curse of the Law has been removed. “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13). If failure to tithe still brings a curse, then Christ’s atonement was not complete—which would contradict the gospel. We are no longer under law, but under grace (Romans 6:14).

[b]
MY RESPONSE
Curse manifests as a result of disobedience to even law of the spirit FOR WE ARE BORN OF THE SPIRIT. The old testament people never knew any knowledge about spiritual operations of the devil and his cohorts which tackle their misbehaviors anti to the being of God_they operated physical laws I should say not spiritual's! The first eye-opener to the effectual working of the devil(s) in the spirit against Christians is seen in Mathew 4_Christ's temptation. All what happened was in the spirit. Apostle Paul later let us know of those who we Christians fight_devil, demons( Ephesians 6:10-12). And then, I must say that(we all know) the devil is a smart being who has no regards for God, the laws of God and His words. An encounter with him would tell a Christian who he is. I mean the devil for he is real.
What is my inference here? The devil uses any part of the Bible against the people of God, he knows how he could bring one down. He doesn't want to know from which part of the Bible it comes either New or Old Testament! If Jesus' atonement (to be at one with God) through his blood has the potency to set us free from the curse of the law, what of the devil's allegation and accusation against us(Rev. 12:10)? We might not know! Most Christians don't know that the devil and devils are operational in the spirit against them JUST BECAUSE THEY HAVE ALIGNED WITH JESUS.[/b]

The Old Testament and Christian Wisdom:
I absolutely agree that we should not disregard the Old Testament. It is God’s Word and full of wisdom, history, and revelation. But we must interpret and apply it through the lens of the New Covenant. Many practices in the Old Testament (e.g. dietary laws, sacrifices, temple rituals) are not binding today, though they carry principles we can still learn from.

MY RESPONSE
I must append this as a final note that God's judgement on tithing in relation to the mention of the curse that could be incurred is not man's. Final and ultimate salvation of God for man is practically obtainable through His mercy, washing regeneration through Christ's blood and renewal of our souls by the Holy Spirit. I have no judgement against anyone for I am mortal. The issue raised as per tithing is not to create fear_I say it again, I wrote this based on revelation(Ephesians 3:1-12).



Finally, Christians are not commanded to tithe as an obligation. However, we are absolutely encouraged to give—generously and sacrificially—not to fulfill the Law, but as an act of love and faith. The New Testament calls for a heart-led response, not a percentage-based rule. And praise be to God, no curse awaits those who give less or differently than others. [b]We rest in Christ’s finished work.

gohf:
If you had been quiet you would have spared yourself from sin. Have you not lied against God, I asked you when did God ordain your pastors and bishops as tithe collectors for his children?

I have been justified for telling you the truth and therefore, I have the garment of righteousness on. If I hadn't told you, then I would have been held responsible for holding the truth back. Now, you read about it again! The physical Israel by birth and spiritual Israel through Abraham are one! As the Levites/priests then were ordained as God's viceroys then are pastors and bishops who are divinely ordained and authorized to collect tithes from the church today. They are the eyes of God. Treat them (the genuine ones) well!

Instead you still insist that they must give while claiming it will not be forcefully collected from them, even under the law of Moses tithes were not forcefully collected infact only the given knows if he has brought out all the three tithes required by the law. I write brought because some are eaten at a specific place.

When you teach a lie in the name of God, will you not be judged for it. Do you think lying that Jesus ordained bishops as levites would be a passable offense even if you claim that's what you were indoctrinated into.
Deliberate teaching of a spiritual discus is grossly an heresy! It is evident I made no mention that Jesus ordained Bishops as Levites. No! Bishops are substitutes for Levites_Levitical orders and temple operations are gone. Lastly, I didn't mention a force collection of tithes. This is the main reason why I differentiated between tax/tribute and tithe.

Thankgod89:
Christianity is both apostolic and prophetic. As followers of Christ, we are called to follow the example and teachings of the apostles. If the apostles did not practice something, we should be cautious about embracing it.

I gave it a thought over again to respond to your argument. It's certain the argument would continue until Jesus comes back again to the earth. FOR IT IS CERTAIN HE SHALL COME AGAIN!
Whether Christianity is apostolic and prophetic, those who tithe with pure heart regarding the selfsame have positive testimony to share. God is not man. Some Christians' failure in line with tithing is centered on the attitude of the heart.

For your information, Jesus never paid or received tithes, and neither did the apostles. The system of tithing was specific to the Israelites under the Law of Moses and was administered by the Levitical priesthood.

[b] Tithe existed before the laws of Moses came into force. The same God who lived in Abraham, Jacob, the twelve tribes of Israel and the apostles, lives in the gentiles who are Christians today. This same law was evidently practised by the contemporaries of Jesus. Since it was not a compulsive type of giving(The LORD DOES NOT RECEIVE GIVING FROM THE SOUL WHOSE HEART IS NOT RIGHT WITH HIM) to the LORD NOT MAN( I think if we Christians should view it in this light, the noise about it would have been reduced) from its inception, it is left for individual Christian to decide what he wants to give to God whether percentage-wise or free-will gesture for the gospel cause.
Levites are the ambassadors, representatives or viceroys of the living God. There is no way they are totally different from pastors and bishops of these days_pastors and bishops are also representing God in His house.
Although Jesus NEVER PAID OR RECEIVED TITHES, he NEVER CONDEMNED IT EITHER. So, it is left for everyone of us to decide our path in relation to doing it.[/b]

The apostles lived and ministered under grace, not law. If we are also under grace, why then should we return to practices rooted in the law?

Of course we cannot return to the hold of the laws which are over 600 except tithe (notwithstanding they, the laws served as a tool to live a life full of righteousness for the Israelites and remained examples of the thing to come in Christ), the origin of tithe came from volition which was later commanded by God to be observed. NOTE THIS VERY WELL: IT IS ADVISABLE ONE CONTINUES WHAT ONE STARTS WITH GOD THAN TO LEAVE IT UNDONE SOON_IT IS BETTER NOT TO INITIATE IT IN GOD AT ALL.

The Bible teaches that Jesus is the fulfillment and end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes (Romans 10:4). Therefore, it is inconsistent for those under grace to continue enforcing a system that was fulfilled in Him.

Tithing, as prescribed in the law, was to be received by Levites. So how does anyone today—who is not a Levite—justify receiving tithes?

LEVITES/PRIESTS THEN_GOD'S REPRESENTATIVES_ EQUALS PASTORS/BISHOPS_GOD'S VICEROYS _THESE DAYS.
I WANT TO ADD THIS EQUALLY: Most of the collectors, I mean pastors/bishops are to be blamed too in the way they demand for a tenth part of members' monthly income_it sounds to members as if they were forcing them to bring it at all cost to them. It should have been by a simple message, clear and sound: "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." It is out of compulsion_NOT BY FORCE.

Thankgod89:
When you said, "those who tithe with a pure heart have positive testimonies to share," I had to laugh. God's power or response cannot be validated by people’s experiences or testimonies. He is God—He doesn't react; He acts proactively. And let’s be honest—many people tithe and still have no testimony to show for it.

What I'm trying to say is this: God has already put everything in place for His children to enjoy. His blessings are not tied to whether you give or not. God cannot be motivated or manipulated by our giving.

You mentioned Abraham. Let me clarify—Abraham’s tithe was a one-time event. Nowhere else in the Bible do we see him tithing again after what he gave to Melchizedek. A single event like that cannot be used to establish a consistent practice.

In fact, Abraham gave that tithe and also the rest spoil to make it clear that he did not become rich from the spoils of war—he wanted no accusation of benefiting from those gains. So using that story as a basis for tithing is shaky.

The same goes for Jacob. If tithing were a standard, we should have seen Isaac practicing it too, but the Bible makes no mention of him ever tithing.

Captain4Jehovah:
"God's power or response cannot be validated by people’s experiences or testimonies" when translated into my mother's tongue means that: " A ko le fi idi agbara tabi idahun Olorun mule nipase iriri tabi eri awon enia". How would man know He exists(His name) IF His MIGHT is not manifested through His providence? How would he APPRECIATE the selfsame power and response of His IF MAN HAS NOTHING TO SHOW FOR IT. Even those people of Israel who whored by serving the Queen of heaven in Jeremiah 44 testified to her providence.

"He is God—He doesn't react; He acts proactively." you penned shows you don't understand who God is. First of all He is a living fully composed Spirit who feels just as we do. Genesis has a record of the rejection of THE PERSON OF Cain and OFFERING AT THE MOMENT HE WAS OFFERING to the LORD(Genesis 4:4). And God asked him why he was angry in verse 6. In Genesis 6:6, we are informed "He was hurt in His heart." Noah's sacrifice tells us about His positive reaction_" And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in His heart..."(Genesis 8:21).

"And let’s be honest—many people tithe and still have no testimony to show for it."
Read "Do's and Don'ts" of what I posted. "A ki n wo" just like Abraham did on the sacrifice he made for the LORD. Two, what is the source of the tithe? Three, what is a Christian heart's stance while giving it. God cannot be mocked!

"His blessings are not tied to whether you give or not."
It seems you don't know who God is! He is both wicked I should say and good_"Olorun buru beni o si JE alanu ati olore-ofe. Iha ti enia ba ko si ni yio ko si enia." No cheating! No blessings of God if you don't give to Him(Psalm 18:24-26). Forget about the general grace of God on every creature_He gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good ,and he sends rain on the just and unjust alike"(Matthew 5:45)

I assume you meant "God cannot be bribed or we cannot cut corners" when you wrote "God cannot be motivated or manipulated by our giving." HE CAN BE MOTIVATED. "IWURI NI O MA NJE FUN ỌLỌRUN ALAYE NIGBATI ENIA BA SE OHUN TO DUN MO O NINU JOJO. YIO SE EYI TI O YANILENU LEYIN IFIFUNNI WA. APERE EYI NI A RI NIGBATI ABRAHAM YONDA OMO RE KAN SOSO FUN ỌLỌRUN. NOAH NKO? Consider the widow's mite too! It was a clear-cut offering in that she gave her all resource to the LORD. But it is true we cannot manipulate Him by giving because He cannot be mocked.

"You mentioned Abraham. Let me clarify—Abraham’s tithe was a one-time event. Nowhere else in the Bible do we see him tithing again after what he gave to Melchizedek. A single event like that cannot be used to establish a consistent practice."

But GOD COMMANDED ISRAELITES to bring it to His house. Jesus mentioned it WITH NO CONDEMNATION!

In fact, Abraham gave that tithe and also the rest spoil to make it clear that he did not become rich from the spoils of war—he wanted no accusation of benefiting from those gains. So using that story as a basis for tithing is shaky.

Abraham was in his Father when he met Melchizedek_he was in God_his spirit was in agreement with God_"His spirit beareth witness with our spirit that we are children of God." The essence of this is that whatever he did as far as tithing is concerned is what God accepted and later commanded for Israel. Remember Adam's participation in creation story_"...and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock,..."(Genesis 2:19). As Israelites are Abraham's progenitors, so are the rest of those who find salvation in Christ Jesus regardless of tribe or race today. What is expected of Israel is also expected of non-Israel today!

Thankgod89:
Before you shift the focus of this discussion, let me clarify what I meant when I said God's power cannot be validated by people’s experiences. That statement was in direct response to your claim that some people tithe and have testimonies. Please don't deviate from the subject. Anyone can claim to have experienced God's power, but that doesn’t necessarily mean their testimony is rooted in true reliance on God. So, don't misquote me.

Now, regarding my statement that God cannot be motivated—you responded by saying I don't understand who God is. Let me make this clear: God is omniscient; He knows all things and nothing catches Him off guard. So how can anyone motivate or impress Him? The examples you gave don’t show God being impressed—they’re simply anthropopathic expressions (human language used to describe divine actions). God is not human, and He is never surprised or moved by human effort in the way we might imagine.

As Philippians 1:6 says: "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (NIV)


Philippians 2:13
"For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." (NIV)

Jesus also said, "Without me, you can do nothing."

If you're going to claim people have testimonies because they tithe, then can you point to anyone who has been cursed for not tithing? We must be careful not to assign to God characteristics He has not revealed about Himself. He is God over all. I'm glad you quoted a verse that reveals the fullness of His character. Just know this: your tithes do not move Him, and your giving will never alter His nature.

gohf:
Captain4jehovah you have not answered the question, WHO and WHEN were your bishops and pastors ordained to collect tithe?

Captain4Jehovah:
Anyone can claim to have experienced God's power, but that doesn’t necessarily mean their testimony is rooted in true reliance on God. So, don't misquote me.

I appreciate you stated clearly why stage-managed miracles/testimonies are rampant these days.

So how can anyone motivate or impress Him? The examples you gave don’t show God being impressed—they’re simply anthropopathic expressions (human language used to describe divine actions). God is not human, and He is never surprised or moved by human effort in the way we might imagine.

In response to your reply I shall quote one passage from the same Malachi 3:10 and the other from Exodus 5:20. In Malachi 3:10, God states and I quote:

"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 one way, God says TEST ME by VALIDATING WHAT I SAY YOU SHOULD DO. In another sense, He says MOVE ME BY YOUR TITHE_PROVOKE, INSPIRE, INDUCE ME BY GIVING ME YOUR TITHE. The inference from your statement that God is omniscient and nothing catches Him off guard by man's impression is established in the right or bad statehood of his heart at the moment he offers Him the gift. He is all-knowing God. It's just like what apostle James said when he made a reference to why prayers are not answered at the moment of offering them to him_there is a evil intent in man's heart. No one can impress Him by a robust or meager gift when his heart is evil(being evil has a deeper meaning). He would say, "you that I have known your heart before bringing your gift to me. I know why you are doing so. I won't accept you and gift. Consider Cain's and Abel's offerings. Even Jesus reckoned Abel as a righteous man in Mathew 23:35.

In another sense, all we have is His(Psalm 50) notwithstanding, He expects us to give back from the little we have for we know no one can gain the whole world!
Again, man can impress Him. First of all, He gives us free will to choose our path. The sons of Jonadab son of Rechab in Jeremiah 35 is a perfect example. God tested them through Jeremiah:"kindly place bottles of wine in front of them in my holy temple. Tell them to drink it." Their following response was shocking in spite it was through God's prophet: "our father before he died has ordered us not to taste or drink wine." And then God spoke through the same prophet on the spot:

"And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you:

Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever." Verse 18-19.

Another case is seen in the parable of talents. Those who were given 5 and 2 talents and made profits from it were compensated unlike the one who buried his for he perceived God as a hard man.

When a man does something for God which satisfies Him, He responds by a promise and blessings.

Anthropopathic expressions cannot be used to screen spiritual content though the written words came through mechanical means which were inspired by His Spirit .The words came from God to express the position of HIS BEING. The message of God must be understood through human language anyway as it is glaring there is heavenly language. Also, those expressions are not solely reserved for man but also for God and any other supernatural beings if we would justify it through the light of Psalm 115 where the Psalmist convinces us that God can talk, walk, see, and hears unlike graven and molten images. He is a LIVING GOD NOT DEAD. A dead figure feels nothing. Another angle of view of this is the truth for instance, that the devils(demons) can suffer injuries. They feel the pain of such. Consider the gadarene demonic man through whom the demon representing many more demons inside of him spoke a fact of torture_"...I adjure thee by God that thou torment me not." My point is, God reacts to man's actions just like we human no matter who He is.

Exodus 20:5 expresses a character which is exclusively reserved to God as far as having a rival_whoring after another god is concerned _jealousy. He says," ...for I the LORD thy God I am a jealous God". In other words, HE FEELS THE WAY MAN'S DOES(Exodus 2:22-23).

Captain4Jehovah:
Anyone can claim to have experienced God's power, but that doesn’t necessarily mean their testimony is rooted in true reliance on God. So, don't misquote me.

I appreciate you stated clearly why stage-managed miracles/testimonies are rampant these days.

So how can anyone motivate or impress Him? The examples you gave don’t show God being impressed—they’re simply anthropopathic expressions (human language used to describe divine actions). God is not human, and He is never surprised or moved by human effort in the way we might imagine.

In response to your reply I shall quote one passage from the same Malachi 3:10 and the other from Exodus 5:20. In Malachi 3:10, God states and I quote:

"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 one way, God says TEST ME by VALIDATING WHAT I SAY YOU SHOULD DO. In another sense, He says MOVE ME BY YOUR TITHE_PROVOKE, INSPIRE, INDUCE ME BY GIVING ME YOUR TITHE. The inference from your statement that God is omniscient and nothing catches Him off guard by man's impression is established in the right or bad statehood of his heart at the moment he offers Him the gift. He is all-knowing God. It's just like what apostle James said when he made a reference to why prayers are not answered at the moment of offering them to him_there is a evil intent in man's heart. No one can impress Him by a robust or meager gift when his heart is evil(being evil has a deeper meaning). He would say, "you that I have known your heart before bringing your gift to me. I know why you are doing so. I won't accept you and gift. Consider Cain's and Abel's offerings. Even Jesus reckoned Abel as a righteous man in Mathew 23:35.

In another sense, all we have is His(Psalm 50) notwithstanding, He expects us to give back from the little we have for we know no one can gain the whole world!
Again, man can impress Him. First of all, He gives us free will to choose our path. The sons of Jonadab son of Rechab in Jeremiah 35 is a perfect example. God tested them through Jeremiah:"kindly place bottles of wine in front of them in my holy temple. Tell them to drink it." Their following response was shocking in spite it was through God's prophet: "our father before he died has ordered us not to taste or drink wine." And then God spoke through the same prophet on the spot:

"And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you:

Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever." Verse 18-19.

Another case is seen in the parable of talents. Those who were given 5 and 2 talents and made profits from it were compensated unlike the one who buried his for he perceived God as a hard man.

When a man does something for God which satisfies Him, He responds by a promise and blessings.

Anthropopathic expressions cannot be used to screen spiritual content though the written words came through mechanical means which were inspired by His Spirit .The words came from God to express the position of HIS BEING. The message of God must be understood through human language anyway as it is glaring there is heavenly language. Also, those expressions are not solely reserved for man but also for God and any other supernatural beings if we would justify it through the light of Psalm 115 where the Psalmist convinces us that God can talk, walk, see, and hears unlike graven and molten images. He is a LIVING GOD NOT DEAD. A dead figure feels nothing. Another angle of view of this is the truth for instance, that the devils(demons) can suffer injuries. They feel the pain of such. Consider the gadarene demonic man through whom the demon representing many more demons inside of him spoke a fact of torture_"...I adjure thee by God that thou torment me not." My point is, God reacts to man's actions just like we human no matter who He is.

Exodus 20:5 expresses a character which is exclusively reserved to God as far as having a rival_whoring after another god is concerned _jealousy. He says," ...for I the LORD thy God I am a jealous God". In other words, HE FEELS THE WAY MAN'S DOES(Exodus 2:22-23).

Captain4Jehovah:
Who do they represent on earth? They were ordained to the day they were commissioned!

gohf:
they represent Mammon and their pockets prophecing miracles prosperity and money based on their own made up lies. Even though you cannot answer you are adamant and stubborn on your believe. Did God ordain your pastors to take tithes or they ordained themselves to collect what God gave the Levites?

Thankgod89:
Let me drop this in addition to my response,

Jesus said, "No one has seen God at any time" (John 1:18). That means many of the portrayals of God in the Old Testament are types and shadows—they point forward, but they aren't the full picture. Christ is the true and complete revelation of God. So, any character trait that Jesus didn’t display cannot rightly be attributed to God.

Of course Jesus is the express image of God for God Himself is in Christ!

In one of your responses, you said God is both “good and wicked.” That tells me you're still forming your view of God based on Old Covenant acts, rather than the revelation of God in Christ. I’m not surprised, though—it seems your main goal is to justify tithing as a requirement for receiving blessings.

The more you relate with God, the more you understand who He really is! Have you not read about this in the Bible: "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Luke 13:3. In other words, the living God is not a respecter of person! You have read and heard about David who took what was not his and killed the owner of the selfsame. I am talking about Uriah and Bathsheba. God dealt with him severely not minding he was His. Who was David? Who are you? Who is man?(Heb. 2:6_But one in a certain place testified, saying, WHAT IS MAN, THAT THOU ART MINDFUL OF HIM? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?)
I justified my claim of God being good and wicked by citing an example from Psalm 18:24-26. So I did not form any view of God in accordance to the Old Testament Acts. But mind you, the same God who operated through Moses IS THE SAME GOD in Christ under whose wings we have all come to find cover and grace(Matthew 23:37).

Let me ask you: if your earthly father can do you good without expecting anything in return, how much more the love of our Heavenly Father? If you're claiming God must receive tithes before He can bless us, then I honestly question whether you've come to know Him in the light of Christ.

Have you not read what our Lord Jesus Christ who says: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." You know, my mum used to tell me that "igbokose o ko je" meaning that if you don't work, you don't eat. This is the way our earthly parents relate with us regardless our status in the family. The same goes for our heavenly Father. We are all aware that God's love is outgoing and this love of His does not give man liberty to shy away his responsibility to God.

If you're claiming God must receive tithes before He can bless us, then I honestly question whether you've come to know Him in the light of Christ.

"Igbokose, o ko je." Since tithe is a form of giving, if you don't do it, you don't eat. Thank God you quoted from Ephesians 1:3. First, although the blessings of God are ready-made, they are not for those who disobey His order. Tithing is an order! Do not think the blessing mentioned in the text means physical blessing. No! It is spiritual blessing. You reap both spiritually and physically when you tithe.I gave you an example of my case! Although it is not about tithing, Cornelius is another example in relation to giving in Acts 10. Another one is the widow of Zarephath (1Kings 17:8-16) who gave her last to Elijah. She was a Sidonite, a gentile yet she was blessed in folds.
Lastly, if the apostles quoted from the Old Testament and Jesus quoted and taught from the same, in what way do God's words remain invalid in the New Testament period? I am wondering!

I've told you before—you cannot move God by your giving or by your actions, no matter how sincere your sacrifice may be. The Bible says, “He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). What could you possibly offer in exchange for that?

God hates lazy bones. God does not like ingrates. He abhors the ungrateful. 2 Timothy 3:2 has this way: "For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, UNTHANKFUL, unholy". Jesus gave his life for man's redemption. He asked for his due from God and it was granted.(John 17:1-5; Heb. 10:12).

I understand where you're coming from. But you need to come to know God through Christ—not through a system that treats Him like a negotiator.

Truly He is not a negotiator; He is a reconcilator. His Son Jesus is a negotiator through his blood. The system of tithing is not faulty; it is the belief of people that needs to be corrected.