 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Tithing
Truth and tithing
Tithing is an Old testament mandate just like circumcision, but giving is eternal, but many preachers and teachers out
of fear of not receiving from their members do not teach the proper scriptural ideas on giving. But what does the bible
say? The bible itself in the old testament teaches that the old way, will be done away, read:
Jeremiah 31:31-33
31 “The day is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. 32 This
covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the
land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says the Lord. 33 “But this
is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep
within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
The main scriptural support used by many current teachers, for the validity of tithing wasn't even a tithe, but instead a
offering of one tenth, which is not the same. A biblical tithe is bringing one tenth of the harvest to the temple to care for
the priesthood, but look at the so called first tithe,
Genesis 14:14-20
14 When Abram heard that his nephew Lot had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men who had been born
into his household. Then he pursued Kedorlaomer’s army until he caught up with them at Dan. 15 There he divided his
men and attacked during the night. Kedorlaomer’s army fled, but Abram chased them as far as Hobah, north of
Damascus. 16 Abram recovered all the goods that had been taken, and he brought back his nephew Lot with his
possessions and all the women and other captives. 17 After Abram returned from his victory over Kedorlaomer and all
his allies, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). 18 And
Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine. 19 Melchizedek
blessed Abram with this blessing: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And blessed
be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods
he had recovered.
Using this scripture to support tithing now is as far off as saying Abram had to pay Melchizedek for the blessing which
is why it was giving after the blessing. God did not instill or instruct this, Abram did this as offering for a victory over his
enemies. The tithe represents the fruit of harvest not victories in war or commerce.
Lets look at the current instructions on giving as laid out for us in the new testament. In 2 Corinthians 9-Everyone
should be eager to give, but talk to God in prayer and give as he or she has decided to give not according to another
mans ideas or ability. The gifts given to the Church are to be ministered out to all in need that men may praise God.
2 Corinthians 9:1-15
1 There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the saints. 2 For I know your eagerness to help, and I
have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give;
and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. 3 But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting
about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4 For if any
Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of
having been so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the
arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly
given. 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap
generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for
God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having
all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever." 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply
and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every
way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many
expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God
for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with
them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing
grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
In 1 Corinthians 16-, we see giving should not hurt the giver, ever, but should be set aside for the people of God, not
for God, God gains joy in us taking care of each other not trying to provide for Him.
1 Corinthians 16:1-2
1 Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every
week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come
no collections will have to be made.
This teaching continues in 2 Corinthians 8:11
2 Corinthians 8:11-15
11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your
giving. Give in proportion to what you have. 12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give
according to what you have, not what you don’t have. 13 Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for
others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality.
14 Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you
when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. 15 As the Scriptures say, “Those who gathered a lot had nothing
left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough.”
In Mark 12 we learn loving others and looking out for them is more important than any gift or offering. Loving God and
our fellow man should naturally produce a sharing mindset within us that wants to give as God puts in our Hearts and
Minds.
Mark 12:32-33
32"Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33To
love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as
yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." 34When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he
said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
In Acts 24-Paul before the judge, Speaking of his faith and life, and bringing his own gifts for the poor and offerings in
keeping with the Jewish Laws that He still lived by but did not teach to new converts especially the non-jews
(gentiles), see the only commands enforced on the new believers in Acts 15 and Galations 2:10.
Acts 24:11-19
11 You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 My accusers did not
find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13
And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me. 14 However, I admit that I worship the
God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and
that is written in the Prophets, 15 and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of
both the righteous and the wicked. 16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. 17 "After
an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. 18 I
was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I
involved in any disturbance. 19 But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you
and bring charges if they have anything against me.
In Hebrews 10-The ways of the old priesthood replaced by the Perfect Priest Jesus Christ, God the Father does not
delight in the sacrifices we offer to men but the ones offered to Him. The new Covenant and its ideals and precepts
are laid out by Christ whom God the Father told us to listen to instead of the Law and the Prophets (the old testament)
in Matt 17, Luke 9, and Mark 9. The old way of dealing with the outside behavior of a man embodied in the old
covenant shown in the spilling of the blood and the sprinkling is replaced in the new covenant with the internalizing of
the blood, Christ said this is the blood of the covenant drink, Again God is showing us now He is trying to work with us
from the inside out, instead of the Holy Spirit resting on us He lives in us, instead of a steadfast rule that outlines every
thing we present to God, we are told the Kind of worshipers God wants will worship Him in Spirit and in truth, that we
are given the Holy Spirit who will live in us forever, As Jesus said make the inside clean and then the whole thing will
be clean Matt 23 and Luke 11.
Hebrews 10
1 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can
never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2 If it
could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and
would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, 4 because it is
impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:"
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; 6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings you
were not pleased. 7 Then I said, 'Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—I have come to do your will, O God.' "
8 First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased
with them" (although the law required them to be made). 9 Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He
sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the
body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and
again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time
one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. 13 Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his
footstool, 14 because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. 15The Holy Spirit
also testifies to us about this. First he says:
16"This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord.I will put my laws in their hearts,and I will
write them on their minds."17 Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." 18 And where
these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to
enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is,
his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart
in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies
washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And
let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together,
as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day
approaching.
In Philippians 4-Paul Speaks to the Philippians about supporting his ministry and gifts to the Church in Jerusalem,
Paul has faced the hardships that come with following Jesus in a sick and dying world, He has know what it is to lack
and to be hungry. Paul encourages the Church to get involved as they have in the support of the ministry but does not
outline a economic structure such as a tithe or set amount to receive Healing or to become a partner in the ministry.
Philippians 4:10-19
10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned,
but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content
whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the
secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I
can do everything through him who gives me strength. 14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover,
as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not
one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in
Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking
for what may be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now
that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice,
pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
In Romans 12-Giving will not always be monetary and should not be looked down upon if it is not, God gives all gifts
and abilities to the body and they all serve the purpose He ordained. And all things must be done in proportion to what
God has given, time energy funds mercy encouragement leading, for apart from God we can do no Good thing. God
seeks the truth from us, and what ever he has blessed us with He expects us to use it to the benefit of others and for
his glory, all the gifts below benefit the receiver far more than the giver, just as God's gift of Grace through Jesus on
the cross.
Romans 12:1-16
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to
God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed
by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and
perfect will. 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought,
but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as
each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we
who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the
grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it
is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him
give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. 9 Love must
be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another
above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope,
patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those
who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in
harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.
God does indeed love a cheerful giver, but ritualistically giving because of a mandate we are no longer tied to is not
pleasing to God or necessary. Within the confines of a real functional relationship with God He will tell us when and
where to give, how much and how to do so. God puts seed in our hand for planting, but planting in the wrong place
and wrong time because some else told you to, is just as bad as not planting any at all. There are so many precepts
and teaching tied to giving God's way including supplying others needs and supporting leaders in the Church, but now
they are not to be tied to the Law but to faith, the Pastors of today must learn to have faith God will supply all their
needs through the congregation and their hearing from God on how to give, and give up teaching dead laws to force a
ritualistically giving that benefits no one except the recipient, the true biblical giving has a true reciprocal effect of
blessing to the giver and the receiver. The giver of today must also learn to operate in faith and give as guided by the
spirit, it may be a 10% offering, it may be one percent, it may be 95%, but we all must live by the word and faith in
God, for without faith it is impossible to please God.
Hebrews 11:6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that
God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
Those who teach these old testament ways fail to recognize the foreshadowing of these laws passing away, just like
we look to prophesy in the old testament to see Christ, we can look and see in these three scriptures alone the death
of the tithe. Also as taught by Paul obedience to one part of the law requires obedience to the entire law, otherwise we
are cursed again.
Psalm 51:16-17 16 You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. 17 The
sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
1 Samuel 15:22 But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your
obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of
rams.
Psalm 40:6-8 6 You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally
understand— you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings. 7 Then I said, “Look, I have come. As is written about
me in the Scriptures: 8 I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.”
In all things, pray and obey God. As Peter said, "It is better to obey God, rather than obey man."
Your brother in Christ, your servant in God Almighty.
Ben Underwood.
Tithing is an Old testament mandate just like circumcision, but giving is eternal, but many preachers and teachers out
of fear of not receiving from their members do not teach the proper scriptural ideas on giving. But what does the bible
say? The bible itself in the old testament teaches that the old way, will be done away, read:
Jeremiah 31:31-33
31 “The day is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. 32 This
covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and brought them out of the
land of Egypt. They broke that covenant, though I loved them as a husband loves his wife,” says the Lord. 33 “But this
is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep
within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
The main scriptural support used by many current teachers, for the validity of tithing wasn't even a tithe, but instead a
offering of one tenth, which is not the same. A biblical tithe is bringing one tenth of the harvest to the temple to care for
the priesthood, but look at the so called first tithe,
Genesis 14:14-20
14 When Abram heard that his nephew Lot had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men who had been born
into his household. Then he pursued Kedorlaomer’s army until he caught up with them at Dan. 15 There he divided his
men and attacked during the night. Kedorlaomer’s army fled, but Abram chased them as far as Hobah, north of
Damascus. 16 Abram recovered all the goods that had been taken, and he brought back his nephew Lot with his
possessions and all the women and other captives. 17 After Abram returned from his victory over Kedorlaomer and all
his allies, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). 18 And
Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine. 19 Melchizedek
blessed Abram with this blessing: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And blessed
be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods
he had recovered.
Using this scripture to support tithing now is as far off as saying Abram had to pay Melchizedek for the blessing which
is why it was giving after the blessing. God did not instill or instruct this, Abram did this as offering for a victory over his
enemies. The tithe represents the fruit of harvest not victories in war or commerce.
Lets look at the current instructions on giving as laid out for us in the new testament. In 2 Corinthians 9-Everyone
should be eager to give, but talk to God in prayer and give as he or she has decided to give not according to another
mans ideas or ability. The gifts given to the Church are to be ministered out to all in need that men may praise God.
2 Corinthians 9:1-15
1 There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the saints. 2 For I know your eagerness to help, and I
have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give;
and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. 3 But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting
about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4 For if any
Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of
having been so confident. 5 So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the
arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly
given. 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap
generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for
God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having
all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever." 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply
and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every
way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many
expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God
for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with
them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing
grace God has given you. 15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
In 1 Corinthians 16-, we see giving should not hurt the giver, ever, but should be set aside for the people of God, not
for God, God gains joy in us taking care of each other not trying to provide for Him.
1 Corinthians 16:1-2
1 Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every
week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come
no collections will have to be made.
This teaching continues in 2 Corinthians 8:11
2 Corinthians 8:11-15
11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your
giving. Give in proportion to what you have. 12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give
according to what you have, not what you don’t have. 13 Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for
others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality.
14 Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you
when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. 15 As the Scriptures say, “Those who gathered a lot had nothing
left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough.”
In Mark 12 we learn loving others and looking out for them is more important than any gift or offering. Loving God and
our fellow man should naturally produce a sharing mindset within us that wants to give as God puts in our Hearts and
Minds.
Mark 12:32-33
32"Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33To
love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as
yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." 34When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he
said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
In Acts 24-Paul before the judge, Speaking of his faith and life, and bringing his own gifts for the poor and offerings in
keeping with the Jewish Laws that He still lived by but did not teach to new converts especially the non-jews
(gentiles), see the only commands enforced on the new believers in Acts 15 and Galations 2:10.
Acts 24:11-19
11 You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 My accusers did not
find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13
And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me. 14 However, I admit that I worship the
God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and
that is written in the Prophets, 15 and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of
both the righteous and the wicked. 16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. 17 "After
an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. 18 I
was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I
involved in any disturbance. 19 But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you
and bring charges if they have anything against me.
In Hebrews 10-The ways of the old priesthood replaced by the Perfect Priest Jesus Christ, God the Father does not
delight in the sacrifices we offer to men but the ones offered to Him. The new Covenant and its ideals and precepts
are laid out by Christ whom God the Father told us to listen to instead of the Law and the Prophets (the old testament)
in Matt 17, Luke 9, and Mark 9. The old way of dealing with the outside behavior of a man embodied in the old
covenant shown in the spilling of the blood and the sprinkling is replaced in the new covenant with the internalizing of
the blood, Christ said this is the blood of the covenant drink, Again God is showing us now He is trying to work with us
from the inside out, instead of the Holy Spirit resting on us He lives in us, instead of a steadfast rule that outlines every
thing we present to God, we are told the Kind of worshipers God wants will worship Him in Spirit and in truth, that we
are given the Holy Spirit who will live in us forever, As Jesus said make the inside clean and then the whole thing will
be clean Matt 23 and Luke 11.
Hebrews 10
1 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can
never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2 If it
could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and
would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, 4 because it is
impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:"
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; 6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings you
were not pleased. 7 Then I said, 'Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—I have come to do your will, O God.' "
8 First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased
with them" (although the law required them to be made). 9 Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He
sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the
body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and
again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time
one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. 13 Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his
footstool, 14 because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. 15The Holy Spirit
also testifies to us about this. First he says:
16"This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord.I will put my laws in their hearts,and I will
write them on their minds."17 Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." 18 And where
these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to
enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is,
his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart
in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies
washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And
let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together,
as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day
approaching.
In Philippians 4-Paul Speaks to the Philippians about supporting his ministry and gifts to the Church in Jerusalem,
Paul has faced the hardships that come with following Jesus in a sick and dying world, He has know what it is to lack
and to be hungry. Paul encourages the Church to get involved as they have in the support of the ministry but does not
outline a economic structure such as a tithe or set amount to receive Healing or to become a partner in the ministry.
Philippians 4:10-19
10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned,
but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content
whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the
secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I
can do everything through him who gives me strength. 14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover,
as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not
one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in
Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking
for what may be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now
that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice,
pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
In Romans 12-Giving will not always be monetary and should not be looked down upon if it is not, God gives all gifts
and abilities to the body and they all serve the purpose He ordained. And all things must be done in proportion to what
God has given, time energy funds mercy encouragement leading, for apart from God we can do no Good thing. God
seeks the truth from us, and what ever he has blessed us with He expects us to use it to the benefit of others and for
his glory, all the gifts below benefit the receiver far more than the giver, just as God's gift of Grace through Jesus on
the cross.
Romans 12:1-16
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to
God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed
by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and
perfect will. 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought,
but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as
each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we
who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the
grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it
is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him
give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. 9 Love must
be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another
above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope,
patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those
who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in
harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.
God does indeed love a cheerful giver, but ritualistically giving because of a mandate we are no longer tied to is not
pleasing to God or necessary. Within the confines of a real functional relationship with God He will tell us when and
where to give, how much and how to do so. God puts seed in our hand for planting, but planting in the wrong place
and wrong time because some else told you to, is just as bad as not planting any at all. There are so many precepts
and teaching tied to giving God's way including supplying others needs and supporting leaders in the Church, but now
they are not to be tied to the Law but to faith, the Pastors of today must learn to have faith God will supply all their
needs through the congregation and their hearing from God on how to give, and give up teaching dead laws to force a
ritualistically giving that benefits no one except the recipient, the true biblical giving has a true reciprocal effect of
blessing to the giver and the receiver. The giver of today must also learn to operate in faith and give as guided by the
spirit, it may be a 10% offering, it may be one percent, it may be 95%, but we all must live by the word and faith in
God, for without faith it is impossible to please God.
Hebrews 11:6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that
God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
Those who teach these old testament ways fail to recognize the foreshadowing of these laws passing away, just like
we look to prophesy in the old testament to see Christ, we can look and see in these three scriptures alone the death
of the tithe. Also as taught by Paul obedience to one part of the law requires obedience to the entire law, otherwise we
are cursed again.
Psalm 51:16-17 16 You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. 17 The
sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
1 Samuel 15:22 But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your
obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of
rams.
Psalm 40:6-8 6 You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally
understand— you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings. 7 Then I said, “Look, I have come. As is written about
me in the Scriptures: 8 I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.”
In all things, pray and obey God. As Peter said, "It is better to obey God, rather than obey man."
Your brother in Christ, your servant in God Almighty.
Ben Underwood.
This teaching below is not to try to stop others from giving, but is to set believers free from the teaching of
tithing (giving a set 10%) It will show that it is only taught in the Old Testament not the New. We each must
learn to give as God calls us to through Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit and that may be 10 percent or it
may not. Read the Word of God and listen to His Spirit as He directs you!
Your brother and servant,
Ben
tithing (giving a set 10%) It will show that it is only taught in the Old Testament not the New. We each must
learn to give as God calls us to through Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit and that may be 10 percent or it
may not. Read the Word of God and listen to His Spirit as He directs you!
Your brother and servant,
Ben