Abram's Tithe (Abraham didn't Tithe), Moses' Tithe, and Christians (no, they are not kidding; originally posted July 2011)...

Easy to understand, easy to apply.

INTRODUCTION:

Matthew 5:18 “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

Why is the Old Testament important/necessary to a Christian? One reason is it defines for us terms used in the New Testament, without consulting any outside secular source. Stated differently, it allows God to define His own terms. Sacrifice, alter, fornication, redemption, Passover, Tabernacle/Temple, Priest, High Priest, Pentecost, feast, et cetera are all defined/delineated in the Old Testament.

So, we (can) derive Biblical principles from the Old Testament for practical Christian living without again coming under the purview of the Old Testament/Covenant. These ‘principles’ are what marked (elevated) the teachings of the apostles (above the Scribes and Pharisees), who quoted extensively (along with Paul) from the Law of Moses to teach Christian doctrines in the New Testament. The Apostles showed how the Old pointed to the New (and Christ). They illuminated the Old Testament types, in a way unrevealed before Christ’s earthly ministry. The Apostles teachings, God’s intent, and even what the Law says about itself, does not keep mankind in bondage to the Law, but set men free to enter fully into God’s grace.

A key point often glossed over is contained in Leviticus 27:34: “These are the commandments which the Lord commanded Moses for the children of Israel on Mount Sinai…” Pretty clear to most of us. Of course, if this only concerns the 10, and the Bible also says the Law will not pass until all be fulfilled…tithe isn’t included, and the discussions ended. But, if tithe is included, then Leviticus 27:34 still says Moses’ Law isn’t for the Gentiles. Either way problem solved, but we’ll continue anyway…

I'm not a Jew; either ethnically, or by conversion. Yes, the Bible says the Law is in effect (no part will pass) until all is fulfilled, but it is only in effect for those who have not accepted Christ as Savior, and has never been in effect for Gentiles (unless they are a converted). I will not be judged by the Law (though I am circumcised-TMI). These are the only two choices, or basis for God’s judgment…Grace or the Law. And the reason both are in effect is because between the two (there is a third...Do you know what it is?) God is able to righteously judge all mankind. The Law is not still in effect so the Gentile Christian can be ensnared by that which the Jews don’t/can’t even follow, or so man can combine the two in any manner his caprice (or the financial burdens of his secular business model) dictate.

Another instructive point studiously/strenuously ignored by the mandatory tithe enforcers is there is much in the Old Testament that hasn’t specifically been cancelled by something contained in the New. Yet, tithe is the only one that is enforced/promoted. But, as we all know (and have been taught), the Ministry is a business after all, and what is a business without profits? And why settle for a little profit when you can have lots of profit.

Deuteronomy 14:22-29 is the largest single text in scripture, concerning the tithe, so is its formal definition. This is a far cry from the miserly policy it has become, as practiced/enforced by the Body of Christ. The giving of tithe in the Old Testament was in the form of a tithe feast, or party, and was also the only inheritance of the tribe of Levi.

Tithe may mean 10%, but a tenth of what…the Old Testament tells us, clearly and succinctly in Deuteronomy 14:22-29 (and in many other Old Testament verses). The word ‘tithe’ is only a measurement/portion…‘of what’ is decided by God in his OT word. To illustrate, if I say I want a scoop, a reasonable question is “A scoop of what (or what flavor)?” So scoop (or tithe) is the measurement, and pistachio ice cream (or agricultural product) is the “of what?”

Leviticus 27:30 “The tithe…is the Lord’s: it is holy unto the Lord.”

“Will a man rob God?”...sure (and often, along with robbing God's people), but after reading the above/below post one may very well begin to ask...”Why is the church robbing man by making merchandise of the family of God?”

Malachi 3:8-10 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. For you have robbed Me. Even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food [i.e. food] in My house, and try Me now in this, says the Lord of hosts, If I will not open for you such a blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.’”

How many times have you heard the above passage used to guilt people into giving even more money for a new parking lot, church sign, missionary fund, new piano, song books, meet budget shortfalls, et cetera (never a tithe-barn though, curious isn’t this)? The only focus of tithing throughout the Old Testament was for food (i.e food). Food for the Levite, food for the stranger, food for the widow, food for the orphan, food for offerings; yet God doesn’t change the subject in Malachi. Malachi would have been a great place for God to ‘change’ anything, since this is the last book in the OT. But, the subject is still “food in My house.” You may want to spiritualize food (i.e. food), or massage the meaning to comply with your secular business model in the name of God’s kingdom, but the context of ‘food’ in the instance of Malachi (even after any spiritualizing you may wish to entertain) means…well, food (i.e. food).

2 Corinthians 2:17 “Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.”…Yet, NTCC is a ‘for profit’ non-profit not-charitable Corporation.

We are going to start this article by granting the mandatory tithe camp a few advantages to move things along, and in the interest of giving them their self imposed and demanded handicap (Old Testament proofs)...as follows:

We will grant them their strongest (only) point (though not in the Bible) of, “Since tithe has never been done away with in the New Testament, it is still in effect.” So where does this leave the other side, how can they (non-mandatory tithers) get out of this hole I have placed them in? It turns out, and not surprisingly, quite easily.

Since we have been allowing tithing is still in effect because there are no specific prohibitions against it in the New Testament, and since there are no New Testament guidelines on how tithe is to be executed by Christians, we must refer to the Old Testament only, to find how this is to be accomplished.

So what guideline does the Old Testament offer regarding the place paid (and to whom), frequency, and form of tithe (NTCC says only to their Church, every paycheck, and in cash only…let’s see how this matches up with God’s word)? Well, this is what the rest of this article is about. With bonus content into the doctrinal cul-de-sac that is Abram.

For those of us that have given the issue of mandatory tithe for New Testament believers’ serious consideration, and have read much of the information available from both sides of this unnecessarily divisive issue, you will understand why I want to mainly concentrate on just two areas:

~ Abram’s Tithe.

~ Moses' Tithe.

The rest of you may ask, “Why just these two ‘proofs?’” Well, other than that is about all there is in the Old Testament, it’s because mandatory tithe enforcers use the above two topics, as the main/strongest/only proofs to bolster their case for strong arming the Body of Christ into mandatory tithe.

ABRAM’S (not Abraham) TITHE, AND THE CHRISTIAN... really?

Here are the facts: According to only what is contained in the Bible, Abram tithed (actually, less than 1/10) from the spoils of war, to a king/priest, and only in this one instance. Then, the other over 90% went back to Sodom.

But, the New Testament tells us to do the works of Abraham (John 8:9; Matthew 5:20), not Abram (it’s recorded Abraham only tithed when he was Abram). Or doesn’t this matter either?

A person either narrowly interprets the Word of God based only on what is written, or they don’t. If they don’t narrowly interpret in every case, then they are playing fast and loose with the Word of God. Forcing the Bible to say something through theological machination; either intentionally or out of ignorance. Tithe is the only topic where people—who otherwise narrowly/literally interpret the Bible—allow themselves broad latitude in the interpretation of God’s Word, the other most common ones are any verses that deal with gluttony (what the Bible says against gluttony [Old and New Testament] is strenuously ignored) and covetousness.

But, let’s ignore these facts and grant that a Christian should tithe because Abram tithed in accordance with the heathen custom of that time, and also because this singular action pre-dates the written law, so is therefore applicable to us today; and that the heathen custom of tithing was practiced (NTCC enforced) by heathen nations worldwide, though this reasoning also causes the Christian to bypass the Law (and any ‘proof’ it contains), and right back into the NT.

So the Abramic pattern for tithe is…from any spoils of war, and only to a king/priest, and the other (almost) 90% goes back to the country it was stolen from. This therefore excludes tithing to any church, and goes against the form, and reason (ancient custom) for Abram’s tithe, as contained in the Old Testament Law (that mandatory tithers also cite). Thus, we arrive at another NTCC anomaly (that we shall also ignore so this discussion may proceed further in the brain of all adherents)…Abram’s pattern contradicts the written Law, and current Christian justifications for mandatory tithe (though it was an historical heathen custom at the time). Interestingly, ancient heathen ‘tithe’ wasn’t always 10%. Actually, it was rarely (never) as little as less than 10% (except in Abrams case).

I know many say this account is proof Abram (again, not  Abraham) tithed before and after this series of events, but, since the Bible doesn’t say this (only that Abram tithed this one time), no conclusion should be drawn. But ultimately, why does it matter if Abram tithed before the Law? What Abram did legislates nothing for the Christian (we do the works of Abraham, not Abram). Just as it legislates nothing for the Jew. The Jews tithed under the Law because this is what the Law said to do, not because Abram did it as one of his heathen customs. The Bible tells us God’s Word will not pass 'till all is fulfilled, not that Abram’s works will not pass. We don’t even need the Bible’s account of Abram to know tithe existed before/without the law…secular history tells us this also.

So why the narrow application? Why do I say, “So the Abramic pattern for tithe is…from any spoils of war, and only to a king/priest, and the other over 90% goes back to the country it was stolen from?” Or, stated differently, “Give almost 10% to the church, and give the other over 90% away.” Well, the overarching reason is because this is what’s written; and since Abram’s one recorded instance of tithing is used as a part of the justification for Christians to tithe, it is reasonable to expect the application of all that happened in this account (not just the occurrence of the word tithe). But, this can’t be done either, because what Abram did is against what the Old Testament commands concerning tithe; how to do it, and whom to do it to. The logical goal is to not take cultural traditions from multiple thousands of years ago, and apply them today just because they are recorded in the Bible (unless it’s clearly stated we should apply them).

But also…Elsewhere in the word of God, with issues that don’t relate to money (is a church really supposed to be a business?), the narrow approach/interpretation is always taught. For example…

Baptism by immersion only—because this is the way John did it (although a case could be made that water Baptism should only be done in a river, or running/living water [not in a baptismal pool]...or even only in the Jordan River [if it weren’t for the eunuch]);

Tongues/Glossolalia—the only proof of Holy Spirit Baptism, because this is how it happened in Acts (although the “rushing mighty wind,” the “cloven tongues of fire,” and the “miraculous works following” aspect is always given short shrift);

Holy Communion—Welch’s™ Grape Juice or MD20/20 served in clear-plastic shot glasses, and unleavened wafer squares served on faux gold platters, because this is the way Jesus did it (although, Jesus also held His Holy Communion in conjunction with the Passover feast, but this part isn’t followed by today’s church either—the ‘this cup’ and the ‘this bread’ was the Passover cup and bread [symbolizing an aspect of Christ’s earthly life/atoning sacrifice], and was part of a feast, with no relationship to the abbreviated/miserly/rote ceremony Christians have turned it into [NTCC has rote and miserly down]—Plus, Christ is our Passover)...and on and on.

Stated differently, I’m not the one picking and choosing how to understand/apply the Bible. Just some linear thinking here, which always reveals inconsistencies among the inconsistent.

A key point in the modern mandatory tither’s argument is that Abram gave one tithe 400 years before the Mosaic Law was written. As if this is proof Christians should also tithe. Yet, at the beginning of Genesis, we remember how Adam sinned, and God provided a sacrificial and suitable (God approved) substitute for sin. The mandatory Christian tithers don’t acknowledge that the ceremonial law started at Genesis 3:15, thousands of years prior to Abram. Although sacrifices are more antiquated than tithing, they accept sacrifices as being abolished, but tithe should be enforced (See Question 3). Probably because the mandatory Christian tithe enforcers are about the Father’s ‘business.’ And the Church IS a business (RWD [RIP]).

MOSES' TITHE, AND THE CHRISTIAN...really?

After God gave the written Law, the Jews became a people of a book. Therefore, any traditions or practices prior (Abram’s tithe, et al) to this (whether they agreed with, added to, took away from, or contradicted the written Law) are moot/inadmissible. The same goes for Christians; we have become the people of a book…albeit a New Book/Testament. It is the Law that shall not pass until all be fulfilled, not Abram’s pitiful tithing record (he wouldn’t even be allowed to attend an NTCC Conference).

Why keep granting the Christian should be tithing, when it's not Biblically believable? Because this potentially/theoretically gets us much farther toward consensus/change—at least for the non-agenda driven seeker—than any other tack I have read. Because, this forces them to bypass their rote, and now knee-jerk ‘to tithe or not to tithe’ defense, and defend why the cash tithe given to NTCC is “…not to be given to charity…,” since charity is exactly what God has declared (in His OT) tithe should be ordained for. A charitable inheritance for the Levite, charity to the poor, widows, stranger, et cetera, and charity funded celebrations of God (for our own, and others, benefit/enjoyment) for his glory. NTCC’s preferred (and only) methods of spending/hording, and not distributing tithe, omit/bypass “the law, judgment, mercy, and faith.” NTCC claims the ‘Full Gospel’ designation, so we should reasonably expect to see evidence of this. Just sayin’…So, don’t kill the messenger. Charity is an activity also strongly promoted in the New.

Not an exhaustive study. Just citing/discussing a few verses. This article can be fleshed out in the comments section.

Leviticus 27:30-33 “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lords: it is holy unto the Lord. And if a man will redeem aught of his tithe, he shall add unto it a fifth part thereof. And 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. He 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 that for which it is changed shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.”

Here is what NTCC is willing to ignore (the fact that anyone has to ignore anything neutralizes any Old Testament justification for Christian tithe) from this portion of scripture:

~ That tithe is agricultural only.

~ That tithe can be bought back with a 20% simple interest on the amount of the tithe. So the simple interest on $100 in tithe is $20. We also have to ignore this because why would you want to buy back money?

~ That no determination is to be made whether cash tithe is good or bad. This would be good news to the prostitute, drug dealer, gambler, thief, et cetera…if churches would only accept the tithe from these types of activities (after the NTCC Testament pattern).

What I am not willing to ignore from this portion of scripture:

~ Well…I will ignore everything contained in this verse, other than the word ‘tithe.’

• Maybe this is the key to understanding the tithe non-issue…Any time the word ‘tithe’ appears in the Bible, this is proof that “All Christians pay tithe, and give offerings (cash only please).”

1st example of TITHE - Numbers 18:21-24 “And unto the children of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they serve, even the service of the tent of meeting. And henceforth the children of Israel shall not come nigh the tent of meeting, lest they bear sin, and die. But the Levites shall do the service of the tent of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, and among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. For the tithe of the children of Israel, which they offer as a heave offering unto the Lord, I have given to the Levites for an inheritance.”

Here is what NTCC is willing to ignore (the fact that anyone has to ignore anything neutralizes any Old Testament justification for Christian tithe) from this portion of scripture:

~ That tithe is for the children of Levi only (i.e. excludes any other tribe/family, or any non-Levite Christian, and all Gentiles).

• An interesting point is modern Jews do not tithe (because they can’t [according to the Torah]), and they are invariably blessed financially. So much for the recurring NTCC statement “God will get his tithe one way or the other.”

~ That Christians will be struck dead if they go to church (tent meeting).

~ That the statute of tithe is “of (from/for) the children of Israel.” This is another thing conspicuously ignored by mandatory tithe adherents…that the Old Testament tithe law was for a certain people (Jews), in a certain place (Middle East), during a certain time (until John/Jesus, or if you prefer…until Christ was resurrected or the temple was destroyed). Just as the Sabbath was (when is the 6th day’s sundown during the far north’s 6 month day).

• Again, the Bible says the Law is in effect (will not pass away) until all be fulfilled, but it is only in effect for those who have not accepted Christ as Savior. I will not be judged by the Law. No Jew who becomes a Christian will be judged by the law. These are the only two choices…Grace or the Law. And the reason both are in effect is because between the two (and one other thing), God is able to righteously judge all mankind. The Law is not still in effect (will not pass) so the Gentile Christian are ensnared by that which the Jews don’t/can’t even follow, or so man can combine the two in any manner his caprice dictates. Plus, the NT tells us we are free from the law of sin and death.

~ That tithe was pay for a specific type of service in the tent of meeting (because God shares why it was given). Since this service had the specific purpose of expiating Israel’s sin debt to God, while our sin debt was expunged in Christ. Yet, Pastor Davis believes God for us (except where the healing of his immediate family is concerned).

What I am not willing to ignore from this portion of scripture:

~ Well…I will ignore everything contained in this verse, other than the word ‘tithe.’

2nd example of TITHE - Deuteronomy 14:22-27 “Thou shalt surely tithe all the increase of thy seed, that which cometh forth of the field year by year. And thou shalt eat before the Lord thy God, in the place which He shall choose to cause His name to dwell there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herd and of thy flock; that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always. And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it, because the place is too far from thee, which the Lord thy God shall choose to set His name there, when the Lord thy God shall bless 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: and thou shalt bestow the money for whatsoever thy soul desireth, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul asketh of thee: and thou shalt eat there before the lord thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou and thy household: and the Levite that is within thy gates.”

Here is what NTCC is willing to ignore (the fact that anyone has to ignore anything neutralizes any Old Testament justification for Christian tithe) from this portion of scripture:

~ That tithe is agricultural only.

• Ironically, to obey this ‘feast’ portion of the Old Testament tithe command, the mandatory tithe enforcer must convert his ‘cash’ tithe into groceries.

What I am not willing to ignore from this portion of scripture:

~ That this tithe took the form of a feast (I will ignore that this feast is to occur at the physical place on earth God the Father had chosen to dwell; whether it is Tabernacle or Temple).

~ That part (or even all) of the feast can be wine or strong drink (just to keep things interesting), if the tither (or heathen guest) so chooses.

3rd example of TITHE - Deuteronomy 12:6-7 “And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and the heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herd and of your flock: and there you shall eat before the Lord your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households.”

Here is what NTCC is willing to ignore (the fact that anyone has to ignore anything neutralizes any Old Testament justification for Christian tithe) from this portion of scripture:

~ That there is no earthly Temple or Tabernacle anymore.

~ Burnt offerings, heave offerings, vows, freewill offerings, firstlings of animals, and sacrifices.

What I am not willing to ignore from this portion of scripture:

~ That tithe took the form of an open (sinners welcomed) feast.

Deuteronomy 14:28-29 “At the end of every three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase in the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates; and the Levite, because he hath no portion 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.”

Here is what NTCC is willing to ignore (the fact that anyone has to ignore anything neutralizes any Old Testament justification for Christian tithe) from this portion of scripture:

~ Everything.

What I am not willing to ignore from this portion of scripture:

~ That this once-every-three-year tithe took the form of an open feast at a person’s homestead, supplied by the persons entire tithe for that year (nothing for the local church every third year, or for HQ). A feast to include the Levite (Pastor?), stranger (non-Jew/sinner), fatherless (how about the childless, as is the legislated condition of most NTCC couples), and widow (there will soon be more instances of this as NTCC’s ministers are fast approaching the end of life, and women historically now live longer than men).

• These different tithes added up to potentially as much as 30% for some years. But, no tithe was paid every 7th year. This would result in no income for a church business during the 3^rd, 6^th, and 7^th year. There are other intricacies involved, to be in complete compliance, but hopefully I’ve made my point. But what is my point? Well, if you are going to tithe, do it God’s way. Don’t make random stuff up, and pass it off as God’s requirement, so you can fund a bloated extra-Biblical church bureaucracy and real estate program, that leaves no outlet for the charitable distribution of corporate income.

RULE 11: Since any critique should also provide a solution to be useful (Alinsky), here’s my solution on how NTCC could more accurately/completely observe God’s Old Testament mandatory tithe command:

1. Have a week-long feast two (or more) times per year (they could still use the campground).

2. Open it to the general public (they could still use the campground).

3. Every third year, only one feast (or even one year long feast), and this at the person’s home (i.e. no NTCC National Conferences every third year, and no groceries for HQ…overseers can still visit; maybe you can get Pastor Davis to attend your feast, as long as you pay his way there).

4. Every seventh year, no feasts at all.

5. Allow any type of food or alcohol to be consumed during a feast.

6. No preaching, teaching, or exhorting (the tithers rejoice as they please, with no requirement for the non-tithers to do anything other than eat and/or drink).

7. No dress code (since the ‘stranger’ is Biblically allowed to attend) for the non-tither.

8. Still restrict showers to a mandatory 5 minutes, and still afford everyone the privilege of providing their own toilet paper and towels. Continue to not provide maid service or bedding, while still charging full secular motel rates. You can also apply this policy at your own home year round, or just during the every-third-year feast.

• Around 1981, I lived in a boarding house in Fort Worth, Texas for about a year, and it was not owned or run by church folks. The charge was 70 bucks a week. For this I got a room (shared with one other guy), 3 meals a day (all you could hold cooked Texas breakfast and dinner, and a substantial Texas sack lunch) 6 days a week (but Texas sack lunches were available on Sunday), bi-weekly maid service, temperature controlled room, and a common bathroom (per 2 rooms…with toilet paper included, and no time limit on showers/baths). They even set a heaping plate of food aside for you if you told them you were working late. We provided our own towels and linen. You could even show up during meals if you didn’t live there, pay $2.50 (or give the cook a 6-pack, or pack of smokes), and eat all you wanted, or even eat for free if you had to, and didn’t do it too often. There was no curfew, or visiting restrictions (other than no females), and you could even hang outside after dark. Compare this with what you get for your 280 bucks ($40 X 7) per week at the Campground (isn’t the campground paid for by now). I know Servicemen’s Homes are a better deal than my boarding house (or Conference), but the operating expenses for Homes are not managed by HQ, those of the Campground are. Plus, you have to pay to get to Camp. Plus, I wasn’t paying tithe and offerings at the Boarding House. For me, tithes and offerings made my ‘rent’ for the Servicemen’s Home about $1,000/month in 1993 (for this I received a shared room and shared bathrooms, and access to the common areas, and great shared dinners). Yet, HQ always touts Servicemen's Homes and the Campground as such great bargains...and a blessing?

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES/THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:

• Tithe under the law was only for the purpose of giving the Levites an inheritance (though it was also used for general feasts); yet the Christian’s inheritance is Christ. Can/Should the case be made that if you want the Levite’s inheritance, you exclude yourself from the Christian’s inheritance?

• Jacob made a vow to (among other things) tithe from his increase. If tithe was the universal heathen norm (as proponents of Christian tithe aver), why the vow? But, how could Jacob tithe with no Levites and no national tabernacle/temple in place yet? One way is he could have given it to anyone in need (or he even broke his vow).

• Jewish Rabbis today (those who should know the Mosaic Law better than Gentile Pastors), do not collect tithes because they know only Levites can collect the tithe. Since the genealogical records were destroyed in the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD, Jews can no longer determine true Levites.

• Cain and Abel gave offerings, not tithe. Also, Abel brought the firstborn of his flock, so this couldn’t have been tithe (unless the firstborn of his flock [only 1 sheep can be the firstborn] was also 10%). Cain’s could have been. Or maybe is was the firstborn of each ewe. In which case is would probably have been more than 10%.

• The only purpose for tithe, as stated in the entire Old Testament Law, was as an inheritance for the Levite, and for the sole purpose of their sustenance (since it was only agricultural products), and for open feasts (everyone is invited). This is why Old Testament tithe was always agricultural. Not for a house payment (they were provided cities, and farm land), car payment, college for the Pastor’s kid(s), church buildings, et cetera...food only. RULE 11: So provide (if you want to) the Pastor (and his family) with a parsonage, furniture, appliances, clothing, car, and gasoline, pay his utilities, pay his cable/internet/NyQuil/phone bill, send his kid(s) to college, et cetera as an offering; then convert 10% of your income (your tithe) into groceries, and what they (the Pastor) don’t eat can be used to operate a soup kitchen and/or pantry to feed the poor, widows, and/or non-Christians, and for twice (or more) yearly church feasts. I guess you could even give your tithe in cash, but only if there is a stipulation that it is to be put into a single purpose checking account, only to be used to feed the Pastor and his family, the poor, widows, and/or non-Christians, and for twice (or more) yearly church feasts.

• RULE 11: Since the ‘tithe feasts’ for the entire nation of Israel were only located in one place, there should only be one huge Church/Tabernacle/Temple for the world-wide body of Christ to meet for mandatory feasts (like Mecca for the Muslims); denomination would not be allowed to be a consideration (sorry NTCC). So, no need for local church buildings (sorry NTCC), or all the costs associated with them (sorry NTCC). But, you can have ‘home church’ (sorry NTCC) after the pattern that is contained in the New Testament (sorry NTCC). Or, because NTCC is so aggressively insular, they can only have theirs at their campground (no toilet paper, linens, towels, or maid service provided).

• Since all the word ‘sabbath’ means is rest (like the only thing tithe means is ‘tenth’), why do we have mandatory church? Could this ‘gathering of ourselves together,’ that we are not supposed to forsake, actually be for a ‘feast?’ Very likely.

• I have yet to read an in-depth tithe book, or article, that doesn’t somewhere at least intimate there is little (no) support in the New Testament for tithe. This is why all in-depth arguments for tithe rely so heavily on very selective portions (never from Leviticus) of the Old Testament, church history, secular customs and history, the Apocrypha, non-linear logic/reasoning (even the Talmud, of all things), et cetera. Therefore, if one’s conscience/interpretation will enable a person to promote/enforce Christian tithe because it is contained in the Old Testament (and it is clearly there, of this there is no argument), then they should also be willing to adhere as closely as one is able to at least the purpose for (charity) its existence (and even its form—i.e. agricultural products only—if one was really as fanatical about tithe [and the Bible] as its adherents would like us to believe they are). That is, only if one wishes to be consistent/Biblical.

• RULE 11: The nation of Israel was Commanded to tithe to the Levites, and the Levites were Commanded to tithe to the High Priest (Numbers 18:24-28). Therefore, since all Christians are now spiritually Levites, if we have to tithe, we should only tithe 1% of our income (1/10 of 1/10 is 1%) to a Pastor (High Priest). A Pastor (loosely using the Old Testament as a pattern) doesn’t have to tithe anything. The tithe from $100 would/should be $1 for the born again congregant. We (as spiritual Levites, and non-Pastors) keep the 9%, and the 90%. So why don’t I count all Christians income as tithe-able, since it is taught that all income is an increase? Simple, because by and large our income doesn’t come from spiritual ministrations, but secular sources (our secular job), so logically our income could be counted as if it was coming from the non-Levite tribes of Israel. They gave 10%, and then the Levite priest gave 10% of the 10% to the High Priest. If 100% of our pay comes from secular pursuits/sources, 10% of this we pay to ourselves, and 10% of this 10% we pay to our Pastor. The Pastor (High Priest) doesn’t pay tithe on any income (or benefit) he receives from the church. For a church with 20 tithe payers, each making $2,000/month, this is $400/month for food. Plenty for a Pastor, his wife (not divorced), and a few chirins. Not much left over to feed others, but as he is faithful, and works the NTCC Blitzkrieg program, attendance is guaranteed to increase, and before long there will be free church feasts for all...Glory! If Pastor Davis [RIP] now also wants to exclusively claim the title ‘High Priest’ (in addition to Apostle, Is NTCC, Business Man, Can’t Remember/Never Missed/All I Do, Senior Pastor, First Up, Doctor, PhD, Here First, et cetera), NTCC’s Pastors should pay only 1%.

• Why are NTCC’s ministers allowed to marry divorced women when this violates Leviticus 21:7? Remember, there is nothing in the New Testament that cancels this. Nor will following Leviticus 21:7 contradict anything written in the New.

• From the entrance of the people into Canaan to the reign of Solomon—a space of nearly five hundred years—there is nothing specifically mentioned about tithes. Lots about offerings though. It is inarguable there is not much on tithe in the New Testament, but it should possibly be noted there is not much more contained in the Old. Yes, there is enough Old Testament tithe verses to meet the ‘two or three witnesses’ requirement, but not much more.

BESIDES TITHING the Pentateuch commanded the non-Levite Jew to give (and not just to the Tabernacle/Temple). This offering for the poor was not tithed on (as follows):

Leviticus 19:9-10 “When ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleaning of thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather the fallen fruit of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and for the stranger, I am the Lord thy God.”

• This scripture commands an offering be given to the poor (with no stipulation that they be Jewish—or in our case Christian), and the non-Jew (stranger). Nothing in the New Testament has done away with this.

Again:

Deuteronomy 24:19-21 “When thou reapest thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands. When though beatest thine olive tree, thou shall not go over the boughs again . . . . When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it after thee; it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.”

• So why do I include the two directly above portions of scripture, that inarguably deal only with offerings (no tithe was paid on the offerings)? Because, using the mandatory tither’s logic the commandments to give offerings have not been done away with, because there is no portion of the New Testament that does away with them (one of the arguments to support using the Old Testament to validate Christian tithe).

• In spite of what the Bible clearly commands (as seen above), NTCC chose to include “…not to be given to charity…” in the tithing portion of their Doctrinal Statement. Maybe because, for NTCC, the Body of Christ and God’s work through his people on earth truly is a business—pity—and what is a business without profits? And why settle for a little profit when you can have lots of profit. They are missing out on so many blessings, and the personal type of joy that only comes through complete obedience to God’s Holy Word, and selflessly and sacrificially doing for others. Besides, who doesn’t like a good old fashion feast every now and again?

And let’s not forget the Law concerning things Jews had to pay shekels for (only if they wanted to redeem them [See Leviticus 27]). This is how cash was injected into the Temple program, and among the Priests. The tithe was not used to accomplish this. This has not been done away with in the New Testament either. Of course, we have been redeemed in Christ. Although, Christ is also our inheritance; yet NTCC also wants the Levite's inheritance (the tithe).

Deuteronomy 16:16-17 commands: “Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which He shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the Lord empty: every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which He hath given thee.”…This has not been done away with in the New Testament either.

QUESTIONS:

1. If tithe was intended to be perpetual, or carried over to Christians, why is it stressed in every Old Testament instance tithe is mentioned, that it is for the Levite only?...And why is tithe not mentioned in Acts 15 (the Temple was even still standing at this point)? Mankind’s covenantal relationship with God is no longer through the Old Covenant. We are now in a covenantal relationship with God through a New Covenant ratified by Jesus Christ, not Moses (or Abram).

2. Why don’t mandatory tithe teaching churches ever teach on gluttony? Why is gluttony such a popular/acceptable sin among those in the Body of Christ? No drinking, no gambling, no lying, no adultery, no bowling, et cetera, but eat all you want at the buffet. Either there is an epidemic of glandular problems among those in the Body of Christ (God could heal them...right?) or some fat folks are gluttonous. You decide.

3. Since all of the fleshly Old Testament types (circumcision, sacrifices, the Tabernacle/Temple, the Levites, the alter, the High Priest, et cetera) have now become a reality through Christ, why does the requirement for tithe (the major purpose of which was to temporally support the Old Testament temporal types, that [again] have all been done away with) remain in some people’s mind?

4. Of the 613 laws (Dake [an NTCC approved study Bible] says) contained in the first five books of the Bible written by Moses, why is it, that aside from the Ten Commandments, tithing is virtually the only other law (not contained in the New Testament) that the modern Church tries to retain? But, they retain it in name only, since there is no similarity between Moses’ law of tithing (or Abram’s) and modern Christian tithing, except the aspect of the ten percent definition of the word. Christian tithing is an extra-biblical concept and doctrine—aside from the ten percent it has nothing in common with the pattern and purpose for the tithing law of Moses (or even Abram’s ‘example’).

5. Why does NTCC require all of their Pastors to pay tithe? Is Pastor Davis the High Priest?

6. Why does the leadership of NTCC say, “We recognize the scriptural duty of all people, as well as ministers, to pay tithes unto the Lord. Tithes should be used for the support of the active ministry and for the propagation of the Gospel and work of the Lord, and are not to be given to charity or used for other purposes.” while simultaneously ignoring/not doing as much as they can concerning what the Old Testament commands concerning tithe?

7. Why tithe on ‘before taxes’ income? If we pay taxes (with sales tax, property tax, federal and state income tax, et cetera we only get about 50% of our pay), or give offerings from what we make, that part of our pay is not an increase. Did the Jews tithe on dead animals, failed crops, or the corners they didn’t harvest? Did those that received charity tithe on what they received? NTCC teaches you must tithe on your welfare check and food stamps. If a cow is dead it can’t pass under the rod, and if a crop fails it cannot be harvested.

8. Why didn’t God include ‘tithe’ in the 10 Commandments?

9. Why are NTCC’s ministers allowed to marry divorced women when this violates Leviticus 21:7? Remember, there is nothing in the New Testament that cancels this. Nor will following Leviticus 21:7 contradict anything written in the New (see also PERSONAL NOTE above).

CONCLUSION:

Instead of benefiting the needy, modern tithing is the main source of funds for building religious empires.

Old Testament tithe was only ever used for Levite support, feasts (i.e. charity, even if it is not directly stated in the verse), and charity…without exception. This is why I didn’t have to expound on every Old Testament tithe verse (although, there aren’t many more of them)—they don’t contradict my premise. Yes, tithe does mean 10%, but this is all that is ever taught/stressed by the mandatory tithe enforcer/promoter. But, God’s word also defines the 1/10th’s form (agricultural), location (only at the Tabernacle/Temple) for paying, and purposes (the tribe of Levi’s inheritance, and substance for feasts and charity).

It is illogical/disingenuous to teach that Hebrews 7:18 abolished every ordinance pertaining to the Levitical priesthood except tithing. Furthermore, in all the New Testament references (over 70) to Abraham (not Abram), the only practice of his that the New Testament tells us to follow is his faith. It should be inarguable that Gentiles had no obligation to Tithe in the Old Testament.

It is absurd (and disingenuous) to cite Old Testament scripture as proof of a Commandment for Christians to tithe—and in the absence of any New Testament direction on how this nefarious/nebulous tithe is supposed to be executed—then choose an application (to run a modern bloated non-charitable corporate church program) and form (cash only) for tithe, contrary to these same verses.

RULE 11: If you want to tithe, do it in a manner that is as close as possible to what the Jews were commanded to do, and ensure you invite me to the feast. If you insist on receiving cash tithe (and don’t want to use it for food), ensure you give it away (include ‘sinners’ also), in accordance with the Old Testament command, and Christ’s teaching on feasts.

RULE 11: If you receive tithe, use it in a manner that is as close as possible to what the Jews were commanded to do, and ensure you invite me to the feast.

Gregory the Unlearned