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YES !
The purpose of this sermon is to put in context that tithe payers should be mindful in doing what they are doing rightly and let those who do not want to pay tithes, or who teach against tithes, think well and follow scriptures, for their good.
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Since all human beings are the creation of God anyone who pays tithes honours God and will be blessed.
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Definition of tithes:
One tenth of annual produce or earnings, formerly taken as a tax for the support of the Church and clergy.
This is not like the tax imposed on the people by the government , but tax rather imposed by God on all human beings for God’s purpose as stated (support of the church and clergy).
What does God say about tithing?
The Bible is very clear in Leviticus 27:30 where it says “A tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain or fruit, is the Lord’s, and is holy.” And Proverbs 3:9 (NIV) says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.” It’s critical to recognize that tithing is central to God’s law.
CATEGORIZATION OF TITHES.
What are the 3 tithes?
The Old Testament, which is the first half of the Bible written before the birth of Jesus Christ that focuses on the Jewish beliefs, describes three different types of tithes that the Jewish people were expected to pay: Levitical or sacred tithe. Feast tithe. Poor tithe.
(1) What is sacred tithe ?
The Levitical tithe was considered the sacred tithe. It was the first tenth of the harvest and was consecrated to God. It was given to the Levites, a tribe that was set aside to be priests and caretakers of the tabernacle and its furnishings. They were not allowed to own land, so this tithe made provision for them.
(2) What is feast tithe ?
The feast tithe was kept and set aside as savings used to fund trips to Jerusalem and religious festivals.
(3) The poor tithe was paid every three years. It provided for the needs of those in need, especially the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow.
NOTES :
- The Levitical, or sacred tithe (Num. 18: 21, 24).
- The tithe of the feasts (Deut. 14:22-27).
- The tithe for the poor (Deut. 14:28, 29).
The above tend relay the purpose of the tithing.
ARE THE ABOVE TITHING NOT BIBLICAL?
Some people are just being jealous of pastors ( our Levites by grace), who collect tithes for the above purpose of God mentioned. This is not fair.
The tithes we pay or receive today, have not been considered in the above categories, but the above clearly tells us three areas tithes have to be used.
If people criticise men of God for abuse in the use of tithes, as specified, the issue can be discussed.
But to say Christians are not to pay tax is like excluding Christians from being a part of divine purpose in God’s administration.
JESUS AND TITHES.
(1) Matthew 23:23 ►
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
(2) Douay-Rheims Bible ( Catholic Version)
Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you tithe mint, and anise, and cummin, and have left the weightier things of the law; judgment, and mercy, and faith. These things you ought to have done, and not to leave those undone.
NOTES :
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The Pharisees and others paid tithes in everything, but neglected, judgement ,mercy and faith. Jesus called them hypocrites for not doing the needful. Infact paying tithes brings divine blessings, but you will not be saved for eternity sake, if you live in sin.
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**As central as tithing is, God will not accept TIthes paid from the wages of a harlot or from the price of a dog.**
Jesus criticised the Pharisees in the issue of paying tithes, without being righteous to the laws of God.
Without going too deep, to other areas of scriptures, which need to mention people, who paid tithes, such people as Abraham and Jacob, let us read God’s command , blessings and curses over neglecting tithes, from the book of Malachi.
(1) THE COMMAND
3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, (Malachi 3 : 10(a)
God had been consistent about Tithes right from Leviticus and did not mince His words about the purpose: ” that there may be provision (food) for His priests, the poor , sojourners, the fatherless , the widow the needy.
It implies that our current churches, should look into the needs of such groups. It will appear that such people have been swept under the bed in most congregations.
(2) CURSES :
3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.3:9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. (Malachi 3 : 8 – 9).
A preacher who did not understand tithing went on social broadcast recently, to say the above quotation was directed to pastors. But reading in verse 9, “……. but ye have robbed me even this whole nation.”
The curse was referred to all nation, possibly those who do not pay tithes. Though we could read Israel in contex , God owns all people. The Jews are not all Judaistic in contemporary times we have great Jewish scolars who are Christians, who are renowned men of God, who accept Jesus as Lord.
Now examine the texture of curses on non tithers :
This will lead you to endevour to pay tithes.
(3) The blessings:
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.3:12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 3 : 11 – 12).
Now examine the texture of the blessings on tithe payers and I know they will encourage you to continue in tithe paying as a command of God.
AND TO UNLEARNED PASTORS :
If you have the call of God as a clergy, please go to a non-denominational Bible College any where in the world and learn at the feet of Gamaliel. Do not be ashaned to learn or you will be ashamed when you teach pseudo- theology.
Read 2 Tim. 2 : 15 , carefully :
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
What truth should you divide?
JESUS said:
“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28 : 20).
No one should teach opinion in the public places in dealing with the Word of God. We must teach what He has commanded.
We rather do brainstorm meetings, with other faithful people of God, on controversial issues, when we need clarity, than to engage in misleading the flock of Christ, more dangerously, especially in open social forum.
Let people teach thrash under their bed so no one hears it.
There is this warning to all preachers or teachers, no matter how highly placed, from the last verses of the book of Revelation:
22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (Revelation 22 : 18 – 19).
THE CHOICE IS YOURS OR MINE !
Thank you for reading and applying.
PRAYER :
LORD GUIDE US WITH YOUR EYE AND TAKE AWAY NAME MAKING FROM THE CLERGY, NO MATTER OUR RANK OR POSITION IN CHRISTENDOM, IN JESUS NAME AMEN.
Message coming from Miracle Valley @ Covenant Bethel, Umuehiri Umuele, Njaba LGA, Imo State, Nigeria.
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234 803 717 9735.
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