Truth on Tithing [Show me the Money]

By B. “Ashanti” Davis

Malachi 3: 10-11 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there might be meat in My house, and try Me now in this says the Lord of hosts, If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.

Before I go any further, let say this, I am not trying to tell anyone not to pay tithes, because the Bible says “let every person be fully persuaded in their OWN minds”...Romans 14: 5, (in whatever you do). I John 3: 20-21 reads...“if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts”. If you feel that tithing is a New Testament practice, then "Amen". However I do not believe it is a New Testament directive.

Also, if you are in a church that believes in "tithing", and you are a member of that church, you should tithe because the Bible says... obey them that have rule over you...Hebrews 13: 17.

What I do want to talk about is the abuse of collecting tithes, and to put "giving" back in its proper prospective. So, let's continue...

Discernment: knowing the "spirit" behind a thing, whether it is the Lord, the devil, or "flesh". What “spirit” is behind the requests?

What spirit is behind it? Peter had a direct revelation from God, (Matthew 16: 13-17), but a few verses later he made a great mistake by making a statement that wasnt even in his flesh, but directly from Satan because it was a directly against the will and plan of God, (verses 21-23). Can be spiritual, and still be in error…

The Challenge: The "fleecing of the flock", the "merchandising of the gospel", the "franchising of the gifts", "the prostituting" of my Jesus.

The Vision: I saw a shepherd shearing a sheep for wool, but he was cutting so deeply with the shaver that he drew blood, and the wool couldn't grow back, replenish itself. The sheep was “screaming”, and bloody from the process.

The Revelation: The Lord said the leaders were like that, taking too much from the people, digging so deep, so much so, that they were depleted to the point where the people couldn't replenish themselves. The Lord also told me the "tithe" had become the foundation of the church, and this was never meant to be so, Christ is the only foundation of the church. Everything is about "giving" to the church, and "getting" a return, and this process has become our "god".

Looking up Malachi 3:10, as I was reading this verse, the Lord told me to look up four words in their original language:

*Storehouse-depository, cellar, storage place, to store up.
*Meat- fresh leaf, supply with food/feed/provisions.
*Windows-as in lurking, to lie in wait, ambush: (which means a surprise attack from a concealed position).
*Blessing-prosperity, benefit, abundance, altogether.

So this is how this scripture could read...

"Bring ye all the tithes, (a tenth), into the (depository/storage place) that there might be (provisions/supply) in My house, and prove, (investigate or examine), Me NOW, that I might open the (ambush/surprise in a concealed position/something lying in wait) of heaven and pour you out a (benefit/abundance/prosperity) that you might not have room enough to receive it. AWESOME! So the Lord is promising to "ambush" you with a blessing, and it could be prosperity, [but not necessarily], because a "benefit" is whatever you may need, at the time. Bless God!

One of the problems is that we have lost our perspective.

First lets look at who the Lord was talking to in Malachi, chapter 3…He was talking to the priest, rebuking them for NOT doing with the tithes what was meant to be done, [read Malachi chapters 2-3].

Secondly, let’s look at who the tithes belong to:

A- The tithes is the Lord's, so He has the right to designate where they go, and what they are for.

1- Deuteronomy 14: 22-26
2- Leviticus 26: 30
3- Malachi 3: 8-10

B- Why did the Lord institute the paying of the tithe? First to care for the "workers” in the Tabernacle, let me explain…

The Lord had 12 Tribes of Israel when He brought them out of Egypt, (Genesis 49: 1-28):
Reuben, Simeon, Levi,
Judah, Zebulun, Issachar,
Dan, Gad, Asher,
Naphtali, Joseph, and Benjamin.

When the Lord set the tribes toward the "promised land", He separated the tribe of Levi unto Himself to be priest to care for the Tabernacle. Then He took the tribe of Joseph, and divided it into two (2) new tribes named after Joseph's sons, (Ephraim and Manassah), to make up once again the twelve (12) tribes, (Numbers 26: 28-37). Twelve (12) is the Lord's number of government, establishment.

Moses, along with Aaron and his 4 sons, (Exodus 28: 1,41), were taken out of the Levites, which made up the Aaronic Priesthood. The remaining tribe of Levi, (Numbers 18:2-6), is what made up the Levitical Priesthood, and was given to the Aaronic as a gift for the work of the tabernacle, (Numbers 18: 2-3, 6).

Look at Numbers 18...the Lord gave the offerings to the Aaronic Priesthood, (Numbers 18:8-9), and He gave the TITHES to the Levitical Priesthood, (Numbers 18:21), for "salary", and for distribution by them as the Lord saw fit.

Then the distribution went as follows, in Numbers 18:27, a tenth of the tithe was to be a heave offering, and was to be given to Aaron, and his sons. Then in Deuteronomy 14: 28-29, and 26: 12-13, the Lord list who else gets the tithes; the STRANGER, the fatherless, the widow, and the poor, they were not to be forgotten because that was a transgression.

So Aaron and His sons were established leadership in the tabernacle, (Exodus 28: 1,41), with no portion, [sacrifice for ministry sake], in the land because the Lord was their portion, and they were provided for through offerings...by reason of the anointing, (Numbers 18: 8-14).

But what did the rest of these Levites do in the tabernacle? They were the ones who took physical care of the tabernacle and all the furnishings, II Chronicles 5:5, (maintenance/housekeeping, etc). The singers, worship leaders, and musicians, (II Chronicles 5: 12). The gatekeepers, (II Chronicles 8: 14), and those that “distributed” treasures, (II Chronicles 8: 15). So, lets translate this to the New Testament. Generally, we know the Aaronic Priesthood is the Five-fold ministry, (Ephesians 4; 7-11), but we are never taught who the remainder of the Levitical Priesthood translate to;

These are the worship leaders, the choirs, the ushers, greeters, hostesses, and the deacons, (Acts 6:1-3). Anyone putting their time and talents, (consistently), in the work of the House of the Lord should be getting a wage from the tithes. (The people who keep the church clean and polished, janitorial, landscapers, the musicians, the office staff, for the most part, these people are given wages, (but there are others).

Matthew 10:10 reads...a workman is worthy of his hire, and I Timothy 5:18 reads...do not muzzle the ox... and we have taken those scriptures to only mean the Reverend/Dr., the Pastor, and the Bishop, but this is not so.

Leadership looks at everyone else as volunteers, "untapped resources" to be used as “free labor”, (and I have heard this first hand in some churches). James 5: 1-6 speaks regarding this, especially verse 4...the wages of the laborers in YOUR house, which you have kept back by fraud, cry out and the cries of the reaper have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth, (Gods armies, ones who fights).

Then there is the stranger, (those outside of your local assembly), the fatherless, (irregardless of how they got that way), the widows, (single parents in need), and the poor.

Now some will say that's Old Testament, but where is the scripture in Malachi coming from, which is always quoted to motivate people to pay tithes in the first place? Where are most of the scriptures coming from that are used to “compel” us to give, especially excessively to our leaders? If they tell us to pay tithes, and offerings, according to Old Testament scriptures, then I believe they should do what should be done with the tithes we pay, according to Old Testament scriptures.

Then some will say, "how is the ministry to be supported, the spreading of the Gospel"? First, through offerings, Jesus said so in:

-Matthew 10:8-15
-Mark 6:7-11
-Luke 9:3-6/10:2-12 and 22: 26,

Also, by faith, Luke 22: 35, the same faith they teach us to exercise, they need to exercise it, also. The “evangelizing” is to be supported by your faith, and offerings, (and that's New Testament). Then employment, Paul traveled, but he also worked while, and where he ministered, [until it became impossible for him to do so]:

-Acts 18:3
-Acts 20:33-35
-I Corinthians 11:9/12: 14

The Apostles didn't have at lot of "things", but they had a whole lot of "POWER" from God...Acts 3:6-8. Hold on, now, because this ride is about to really get rough.

We deal with the lust of the flesh, and sometimes with the lust of the eyes, (although that scripture is not applied to the desire for a larger membership-hmmmm), but we never deal with the pride of life, (I John 2:16).

Now, let me clarify right here, there would be nothing wrong with large numbers, if people were being prepared and sent out into the ministries the Lord ordained for them to do, (Luke 9:1-2). However, the Lord never intended for us to "stockpile" saints, or for our churches to be "storage barns" for the children of God. We discourage people from leaving our churches, then boast of the numbers we have, but David got in trouble for numbering God's people, (I Chronicles 12:1-17), because it was not to put them in order, (purpose), or to battle, (destiny). Also, read II Samuel 24: 10-25.

The sad thing is that our buildings are getting bigger and bigger, however less people are prepared for true ministry, or know what they are called to do, and are doing it. Christians are kept as perpetual “babes in Christ”, never growing from a point of dependency on man, to be sons, who are led by the Spirit of God…Romans 8: 14. Jesus’ disciples sat under him for less than three years, and He sent them out to ministry, with them checking in with Him from time to time for further instructions, and to deal with situations they could not. Now these were men who did NOT have the Holy Ghost. Also, if you had a child that still performed like at baby after the baby stage, you would consider them to be handicapped, disabled, retarded, so why are we not seeing any real growth among the Body of Christ?

Our evangelism is at an all time low; while we have membership drives instead, offering cruise, money, etc to get people to bring people to church...so much prosperity, and so little power. Then we just shift members from church to church, and our church doors are revolving doors because those that do get saved, dont stay, (and this cant continue to be blamed on exterior reasons).

Do you actually think Jesus wants us to continue building bigger buildings while His people, who He purchased with His blood, go lacking? While they justify themselves by saying, "we give them the Word, and teach them principles", look:
-Luke 6: 34-35
-Luke 9: 12-13...(Jesus said...YOU give them something to eat)
-Luke 14: 12-14

Look at James 2: 14-16...if a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one says to them depart in peace, be warmed and filled, (I will speak a word over you, pray, etc), but do not give them the things needful for the body, what does it profit? Also, I John 3: 16-18...whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God dwell in him. No where does it say this person has to have given to the church, first. Also, Jesus said…when I was hungry you feed me, thirsty you gave me to drink, etc…and the people He was talking to didnt even realize they had did it…Matthew 25: 34-46…that is how unconscious their giving was. However their was another group in that scripture who did not do it, and they were cast into hell.

But there was one scripture that messed me up totally.

Preachers always say, "the poor you have with you always", (Mark 14: 7), as though helping them is some futile effort that we have to tolerate until Jesus comes, but that is not what Jesus meant when He said it. The "poor" was to be an continual obligation for His people to care about, and Deuteronomy 15: 7-11 clarifies this:

“…you shall not harden your heart against that poor brother, but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend to him sufficient to his need, whatever he needs. Beware lest there be a wicked thought in your heart and you give him nothing...you shall surely give to him because for this thing the Lord your God will bless you...for the poor will never cease from the land, therefore I COMMAND YOU...you shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor, and your needy.

When I read this, I wept, my first thought was, "we are in trouble"! Why is this not preached???

We are so concern about our buildings, and boast of the size of our churches. We are at the point where we judge success by how large the membership is, and how grand our churches are, and so did the religious leaders of Jesus day. Well, guess how Jesus felt about their "grand" buildings, how did He feel looking at their manmade structures? Read Mark 13: 1-2, and Luke 21: 5-6.

We will quote scripture regarding David and Soloman building God a house, and how the people gave their best into it. And membership will rush to give hundreds, thousands, and in some ministries even millions, to build, (sometimes another building), but don't let a brother or sister need a ride, a meal, or a bill paid, because then "they" are trying to “use” you for your money. Not so according to scripture…

Do you not know that WE are the building of God? The Lord no longer requires a building, because we are it, (Acts 17: 22-25, 29, 30). The building is not the church, WE ARE THE CHURCH! This was the one of the first things I learned when I got saved; the church is a BODY of baptized believers. We are the church, who meets in a sanctuary, to prepare to bring God's kingdom, (Hallelujah)!

He dwells in us:
-John 14: 23/17:23
-Acts 7:47-50, I Corinthians. 3:9

You are God's building:
-II Corinthians 6:16/13:5,
-Ephesians 2: 19-22
-Heb. 9:11/10:5
-I Peter 2:5...you are also living stones.

Why do we disregard taking care of the people of God, building the spiritual building of God, to give all our time, talents, and treasures to manmade buildings, and we call this the "work of the Lord". Something is wrong with this picture. We give our old dented can goods, and our raggedy clothing to people, but according to scripture we should give our "best" to the "house" of the Lord…and many are sick , and dying in the church because they are “not discerning the Lords Body”…I Corinthians 11: 29.

Then we are told to sacrifice, and Elijah is used as the example, but the Lord said He has never required for anyone to sacrifice giving to someone who had more than they did, (I Kings 17: 8-16). Elijah had less than the widow. Proverb 22: 16 reads that “he who gives to the rich will surely come to poverty”.

It has been said to leave your money to the church, instead of your "drunk relatives", but the Bible says...a good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children...Proverbs 13: 22. II Corinthians 12: 14 reads...for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. Those who tell you this, is their family provided for? YES!!!

Saints, I have told you over and over, you better search the scriptures for yourself, (John 5:39). In Acts 17:11; the Bereans searched the scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so! At one time, the Lord said to me, "if the only way you know Me is through man, you are in trouble”! The Lord Jesus left a mandate for His leadership in Mark 10:42-45, and a challenge to the wealthy in Christ in Mark 10:21. Ask yourself, in that situation, what would you do? Then tell me about how you do not love money.

Then we are threatened with a curse if we don’t tithe, how are we going to be cursed by the One who died to deliver us from the curse of the law, and sin? Galatians 3: 13-14. How is it that we are taught if we sin, we will be forgiven, but if we do not tithe, we will be cursed??? I thought it was sin that separated us from God, not money, or a lack of it.

There is an "abomination of desolation", (Daniel 11:31, Matthew 24:15, Mark 13:14) a "detestable practice, or action that makes "ruined, devastated, wretched, or destitute”, in God's house. In John: 2: 13-16...“Jesus went up...and He found in the temple those who sold...moneychangers...doing business...and He said...take these things away...Do not make My Fathers' house, a house of merchandise. Read Ezekiel chapter 34 when you get home.

Because of the ideologies of the church, the church society has become a "caste system" of have's and have nots, when in Acts 2: 44-47...the people had ALL things in common...and the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Maybe this is the real problem with our evangelism. (Matthew 6: 32-33). We don’t need finances to build Gods church, we need to lift up Jesus, and He will DRAW to His church…John 12: 32. We have forgotten, Saints, we have forgotten the true Gospel, and left our First Love…Revelations 2: 4.

People no longer truly worship the Lord because they are no longer grateful. They pay tithes, and give with the promise that they will receive so when they do, they feel they deserve it…after all they did tithe. No longer grateful for the mercy, grace, and benefits of the Lord, just an exchange…so sad!!!

If tithing was so important, why is there is no recorded incident of Jesus paying tithes, [only of Him paying taxes…Matthew 22:21], and when the Apostles were discussing what parts of the law Gentiles were to follow, tithing was not listed...Acts 15: 23-29.