Some of the remnant people are having trouble paying their regular bills, of which our Lord has promised to help us with. Yes, the Lord promised to care for us in this area, as I will get into a little later, but only when we are faithful to our duty first. Those of us that tithe see that the Lord does indeed give us what we need each and every month, but not always what we want. He is truly a Father to His children in that respect because quite often we want that which is not good for us, and so out of love for us, He prevents such a prayer from being answered. For example, can you imagine all the trials and temptations we go through in life being compiled along with having massive riches some of us dream about?
- 1 Timothy 6:9, "But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition."
Often the Lord keeps riches from His people simply because He knows what it can do to us. How many of us have heard about those people that have gone from rags to riches by winning the lottery only to see their lives completely destroyed by the money? First off, the lottery is gambling, and gambling is in fact a sin. How so you ask? What is the main objective to gambling? A quick unnatural increase in money without working for it. Ask any gambler and they will tell you, once you get your first "big win" you are hooked into an unnatural lust for money.
- 1 Timothy 6:10, "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
- Hebrews 13:5, "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
- Proverbs 13:11, "Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase."
- Ecclesiastes 5:10, "He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity."
When the devil helps them win riches the Lord did not plan for them, they fall hard. They actually made a TV special on Discovery channel some years back about how people were destroyed by winning millions. This ended up on TV because some look at it as a strange phenomenon. It’s amazing what money can do to some peoples lives. Yes some people are rich by God’s will because He needs them to help further His message by using their riches to do so. Even so, what does the Lord declare to those that are given much in this world?
- 1 Timothy 6:17, "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;"
Years ago when I saw one of those specials on Discovery I found that almost all of them that won the lottery blew their fortunes on absolutely ridiculous things! Even though the lottery payments were set in stone to only last 20 years if received over time, everyone of them spent the money as if it would never run out. The fix was in and Satan had created a love for money within their hearts. They trusted the riches instead of the God of Heaven, and their idol failed each and every one of them. What most fail to realize is, the Lord lays claim to all that own, as it is His gift to them in whatever measure He declares is good for them.
- Haggai 2:8, "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts."
- Psalms 50:10-11, "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine."
- The truth then is, man truly doesn’t own anything. We were born naked bringing nothing into this world, and we will most assuredly die without taking anything out as well. Jesus said in…
- Matthew 25:14, "For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods."
- “Let each bear in mind that his capabilities are only lent him, and that by these God is testing him to see whether he will use these entrusted talents to honor God and work for the good of his brother and his neighbor. -Upward Look page 273.2
Since we came into the world with nary a stitch of clothing upon us, how is it man is able to gain anything, let alone the power to get wealth? It all has to do with the Father’s will for each individual. For it is written,
- Deuteronomy 8:18, "But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth..."
- “God also entrusts men with means. He gives them power to get wealth. He waters the earth with the dews of heaven and with the showers of refreshing rain. He gives the sunlight, which warms the earth, awakening to life the things of nature and causing them to flourish and bear fruit. And He asks for a return of His own. Our money has not been given us that we might honor and glorify ourselves. As faithful stewards we are to use it for the honor and glory of God.” -Christ's Object Lessons page 351
Since it is all God’s decision as to what lot in life we receive, especially since this is also the same God that grants us eternal life when all is said and done, what should be our attitude towards such a God as this?
- Luke 10:27, "And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind..”
Besides accepting Christ as Lord, as is every man’s God given right, wise choice, and Heavenly gift. How else can we honor God and declare Him Lord in our life?
- Proverbs 3:9, "Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:"
How do we honor Him in this way? What is it He is asking us to do here?
- Leviticus 27:30, "And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD."
According to this passage, the Lord literally owns the tithe before He gives it. Just like the tree in the midst of the garden, and just like any test we experience in life, tithing is also used by our Father to see if we will do His will. He gives us whatever we need in life to pay our bills, as well as a few extra blessings. Seriously, look around in your own home and you will find all sorts of things that cannot be eaten. So, yes He understands that we need the little extras in life from time to time.
Since we understand, according to Leviticus, the tithe is holy unto the Lord. If we do not give back that which He has given in the first place as a test unto us to further the work of the Gospel, what sin are we guilty of?
- Malachi 3:8, "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings."
What is the Lord talking about here? How do we rob Him? Is it when we use our tithes to pay our bills, to help friends in need, get a toy we’ve been craving for, or simply refusing to tithe altogether? Why does He consider it robbery? Think about it. First of all, it was never your money to begin with, just like the tree in the Garden of Eden was not given to Adam and Eve. The tithe was given to you only so that you would give it back. When you don’t, you rob God. And if that's not bad enough for the Christian to contemplate, perhaps reading what Ecclesiastes 5:13 says may help; which is, "There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt."
The other toss of the coin is, there are many wonderful things the Lord wants to do through His people, especially in the last days. But when they refuse to tithe, the ministers called to do the work are crippled, and the work slows to a crawl and even stops at times. Truth is, this is why some projects have been prevented over the years at this ministry. I pray about this often. There is so much we could be doing right now, but we simply cannot afford to do it. I praise and thank the Lord for those of you that do tithe faithfully. We do get a lot done with what you send because the Lord has taught us how to be wise stewards of our money. Those that do tithe will, and are being blessed for it. If it wasn’t for God’s people being faithful to the Lord’s voice, we would not have this ability to meet online each Sabbath, let alone keep the website going. So again I say thank you for being faithful to your Father’s voice on this. But the only true praise goes to the Father, who gives those blessings to share in the first place. As you all know, I never ask for money from a pulpit. But that does mean those that if you are blessed by the work done by this ministry on a regular basis are free not to tithe to it. If that which is shared here blesses you, then would it not be wise to tithe to this ministry to assure others get the same blessing you receive? This is how the church was able to spread the message 2000 years ago. This is how it spreads today.
The amazing this here is, many seek a way to do God’s work in their lives that are unable to teach or preach. Tithing is just such a blessing for all concerned. Even if you are not called to preach or teach, you can still do the work of the Lord by tithing to those that are called to teach and preach. However, if you refuse to do as the Lord leads, then you literally rob Him of what is rightfully His, and that which He wants done is slowed by your disobedience.
Who can the tithe be sent to? According to the Word of this God we worship, tithe is to be used in a very specific manner.
- Hebrews 7:1-2, "For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;"
Does Spirit of Prophecy confirm this?
- "The tithing system reaches back beyond the days of Moses. Men were required to offer to God gifts for religious purposes before the definite system was given to Moses, even as far back as the days of Adam. In complying with God’s requirements, they were to manifest in offerings their appreciation of His mercies and blessings to them. This was continued through successive generations, and was carried out by Abraham, who gave tithes to Melchizedek, the priest of the most high God." Testimonies, vol 3, p. 393.1
Also notice this...
"Christ is of the order of Melchizedek, and Christ is our High Priest today. That being the case, is it not written that "Abraham paid a faithful tithe to Melchizedek; (Gen. 14:17-20) and Jacob promised to pay tithe of all, even if he received only food and raiment. (Gen. 28:20-22) Those who belong to the great household of faith and are children of Abraham, will "do the works of Abraham." (John 8:39) They will pay a faithful tithe for the support of those who, like the Levitical priests, give their lives for the advancement of Christ's kingdom upon the earth. Just as the priest lived "of the things of the temple,...even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel." (1 Cor 9:9-14)" -The cross and its shadow
If the tithe was abolished as some preach, then why I ask doesn't Paul say so here? He is speaking of the tithe and if it was abolished he had a perfect opportunity to say so. But he never did. Plus the Word is plain in Malachi 3:6. It says "For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." And so if they tithed in the OT, they will tithe in the NT, for it is also written in Hebrews 13:8 that, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."
Some wonder if this priesthood is still valid today. In Hebrews 6:20 it says that, "…Jesus, (was) made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."
If Abraham paid tithe to the order of Melchisedec, and Jesus, who is in fact our high priest of the very same order, are we to follow Abraham’s lead here?
- Galatians 3:29, "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
Does Jesus confirm that which Paul preaches here to be truth?
- John 8:39, "They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham."
Better yet, while Jesus walked among us 2000 years ago, did He approve of the system of tithe even then?
- Matthew 23:23, "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."
He acknowledged they were doing right by paying tithe, and in the same breath rebuked them for ignoring other aspects of their duty. What does Paul say about those that did the work of the Lord in the Old Testament temple?
- 1 Corinthians 9:13, "Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?"
The tithe is to be given to the minister or pastor that you feel is blessed to do the Lord’s work as his only work on earth. In other words, when speaking of ministers that qualify to receive the tithe, this only applies to those that are working full time in ministry, and rightly so for as it is written in, 1 Corinthians 9:14, "Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel."
The tithe has been the norm since day one. Notice what it says here.
- Deuteronomy 18:1-2 The priests the Levites, and all the tribe of Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and his inheritance. 2 Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren: the LORD is their inheritance, as he hath said unto them.
In other words, the portion that the Levites depended solely upon to survive was what the people brought for sacrifice. That is why they were never given their own land as the other tribes had. The Lord set it up that way to test the obedience of the people as well as the faith of the leaders. Just like today's tithe; if people don't tithe, the full time preacher simply doesn't eat. And so in reality, as they did in the Old Testament, they still do so in the New. Jesus said in…
- Matthew 22:21, "…Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's."
As we know, the Word says the tithe is holy unto the Lord. This means we must obey and render unto God that which is His.
Paul also confirms years later that it is the duty of the New Testament Christian to give carnal means unto the ministers that were ordained to give them the spiritual things they needed.
- 1 Corinthians 9:11, "If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?"
- Romans 15:27, "…For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things."
Also notice what it says in Philippians 4:17. When speaking about the tithe Paul says it is "Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account." In other words, he didn't need their money. But he did need to see their fruit of obedience towards doing their God given duty with the tithe. Paul did not require their tithe for his need. It was simply a way to verify their Christian fruit.
As we learned earlier, the main reason the Gentiles were to tithe their carnal means unto the ministers is because 1 Corinthians 9:14 said, "…the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel." In other words, if the people didn’t tithe, the ministers would have to get secular jobs and therefore be unable to dedicate all their time to doing the work of God. Their studies would be less frequent, their knowledge of God’s will would weaken, their sermons would be less blessed, and the people would suffer for it. Amazing isn't it? When the people refuse to tithe, THEY are the ones that suffer spiritually for it. This is why we see a movement today by many false teachers that declare the tithe was done away with at the cross. I’ve even seen some SDA preachers teach this lie recently.
Some that refuse to tithe ignore all the New Testament references to it here and some even claim the tithe was only as it was in Abraham's day when he gave of his flocks and fields. They claim nowhere in the Bible Old or New Testament that we will find people tithing cash. Yet notice what Jesus says regarding a Pharisee who is in prayer the same time a publican is in prayer. As we know the Pharisee boasts of his good fruits of not being an extortioner, unjust, adulterer or even as the publican that can't even look up to Heaven as he prays. After exalting himself and insulting the publican he says in Luke 18:12, "I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess."
Now as we know, all the Pharisees were all about the money. Like Judas who carried the bag of money, they had cash on them at all times. This is why Jesus asked them to toss Him a coin so as to illustrate what He did in Matthew 22:21. And what of the fact the man behind the Pharisee was in fact a publican, or as we call them today, a tax collector. Or what of the fact the Pharisees had 30 pieces of silver to give to Judas who betrayed our Lord? No, those that claim there was no one ever tithing with cash are simply lying so as to hold on to their own cash.
Now, what I am about to share is for those among the remnant people that are having financial hardships that do not tithe. As intimated here, there is a reason you cannot make ends meet. I know, I too used to have such financial troubles. About 20 years ago or so I was convicted to tithe. But, since I had been doing the work for years along with a 9-5 job, I assumed I could tithe to my own ministry. Thing was, when I did this, I was still experiencing financial difficulties, until one day, I realized the tithe was to be a complete separation of my monies from myself. If I benefit in any way, even if it meant I bought tracts with it to pass out, I would not be blessed. Once I started to send tithes to other ministers that I trusted as preachers of present truth, the Lord blessed us in ways I cannot put into words. No, I did not become a millionaire, nor did I make any more money after tithing properly, and no my bills did not suddenly disappear. What I saw Him do was this. Before I was tithing properly, I was unable to pay my bills with 100% of my money each month. I was always late on my bills. Now that I was tithing properly, not only was I able to pay all my bills on time, even though I was doing so with 10% missing off the top, and a private amount missing in love offerings, I discovered each month that I would have money left over at the end of the month to bless my family with. I don’t know how the Lord did this, but suffice it to say, the car didn’t seem to break down anymore, the fridge ran smoother, and other unexpected expenses seemed to be far less in number through the month. It finally dawned on me one day that the Lord was actually protecting our finances just as He promised He would! And it was all done merely because we started to tithe properly!
Are you aware that this is one of those times in Scripture where the Lord says it’s ok to test Him?
- Malachi 3:10, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
One of the amazing things about tithe is, it’s one way to see God’s hand move. This is why the devil tempts people not to tithe. It makes God’s Word become very real in their lives. When I saw how the Lord blessed our finances it took me back a few steps. I was very surprised to say the least. At first I saw it as an amazing sign that He was involved in my life in a very personal way. And then conviction rested upon me that I was in fact robbing God when I held back the tithe.
We all know how unexpected expenses pop up now and again. These are of course tests from the Lord to see if we will continue to be faithful with our tithe. While at the same time warnings to those of us that are refusing to follow His will altogether. If we do as He commands in His Word, He will prevent Satan from taking all our hard earned cash on unexpected expenses!
- Malachi 3:11, "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts."
And by the way, when unexpected financial emergencies arise, and the only extra cash you have on hand is your tithe, there is no sin in using that tithe to pay for the emergency as long as you replace the tithe monies as quickly as possible. Just because you had an emergency doesn't mean you don't have to tithe. You still owe that money to the Lord. This too is a test to see what you will do at your next tithe interval. Reason being is, now you’re sending twice as much the following month, and it can become tempting not to send it.
I recall years ago this happened to me where I was unable to tithe one month due to an unexpected expense. Sometimes I was tempted at the end of the month not to send a tithe off because it was 4 weeks worth, and when I had to send the tithe off that was 2 months worth, the enemy tried to tempt me again. The enemy of souls will try to tempt you by making you focus on how much money your actually sending off. Especially when it’s a lot more than you’re used to sending, even though you owe it. If you are faithful to the Lord, He will do as He promised, and all will be well.
- Luke 6:38, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
Both my wife and I, as many of you have no doubt witnessed, when we give unto the Lord in tithes He blesses us as promised. And when we give love offerings, He blesses us in the way in which we give here as well. But here it is all based on how we give. Tithing is a set in stone 10%. Love offerings are based on your heart. If we are generous in our love offerings, the Lord is generous in the blessings. If we are stingy, then our blessing will be small as well. Because He clearly said in that passage, that He bases our blessings on how we bless others. Love offerings can be used for many things, and not just for the ministers. There are many things love offerings can be used for. One quick example is it can be used for the poor.
- 2 Corinthians 9:6, "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."
- 1 John 3:17, "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"
- "Brethren, do not leave the burden of your poor upon the people and institutions at Battle Creek, but come up nobly to the work and do your duty. Deny yourselves of some things in your houses or in your dress, and lay by in some safe place a sum for the needy poor. Let not your tithes and thank offerings to God be less, but let this be in addition." - Testimonies, vol 4, p. 511
Some think it’s ok to send their tithe to the poor. But as we just learned, this is not to be done. Love offerings can be given them, but never the tithe. In fact, Spirit of Prophecy confirms this.
- "The tithe is set apart for a special use. It is not to be regarded as a poor fund. It is to be especially devoted to the support of those who are bearing God's message to the world, and it should not be diverted from this purpose." - Review and Herald, vol 3, p. 418 col 2, Dec 1, 1896
- "...those who are officiating in this work see that there is not money in the treasury to pay the minister. They are withdrawing the tithe for other expenses,--to...some charity. God is not glorified in any such work. We have to raise our voice against this kind of management." - Manuscript 17, March 14, 1897 (Series A #10, p. 19):
- “Let each regularly examine his income, which is all a blessing from God, and set apart the tithe as a separate fund, to be sacredly the Lord's. This fund should not in any case be devoted to any other use; it is to be devoted solely to support the ministry of the gospel. After the tithe is set apart, let gifts and offering be apportioned, "as God hath prospered" you.”-- Review and Herald, May 9, 1893. {CSW 129.2}
We can, and we must help the poor, yes. But not by crippling the work of the Lord. We are not to give love offerings to the point of crippling our selves either. This is why Sister White is quoting, 1 Corinthians 16:2 wherein Paul, when speaking of helping the poor in Jerusalem that those that give should only give “as God hath prospered” them.
All of us have been given means by which to bless our fellow man. We should do so as often as the Lord allows. But tithing, that is something he commands of His people to be given with every increase. If we are truly striving unto that perfection, it will be noted in our obedience to our God.
One last thing. Notice this:
- Hebrews 7:1,2,9, "For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham."
- Hebrews 7:21-24, "(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood."
Since we know Abraham tithed unto Melchisedec, and we know the order of Melchisedec that Jesus became our High Priest in, that order is INCHANGEABLE. And so, those that declare you no longer need to tithe declare the eternal priesthood of Jesus Christ is a lie.
If you truly want all the blessings the Lord has to offer. If you truly want to be part of the Gideon band. If you truly want to see your Father in Heaven smile. Then we must follow our Lord’s lead in this. In John 5:30 Jesus, our perfect example said, "…I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me."
ONE LAST THING:
- Malachi 3:7-8 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? (8) Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Some claim thay verse 7 confirms the return of feast days (ordinances) for our day is legit; but they ignore the next verse (#8) wherein it does not say it's the feast days they need to return unto but the tithes and offerings instead.
If the previous verse (7) was about the feast day ordinances, why is there no mention of them in this verse wherein it answers the question on how they need to return unto the Lord?
And so, not only does this passage show it’s not about feast days, it also shows the tithe is still valid. For even to this day people think this passage speaks of today but to prevent having to tithe they mix it up to make it appear as feast days are how we return unto the Lord.
If you are moved by the Lord to tithe to this ministry, please click here.
"If you have sinned by withholding from God His own in tithe and offerings, confess your guilt to God and to the church, and heed the injunction that has been given you, 'Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse.'" -- Letter 16g, 1892.
Source: RemnantofGod.org
