Lesson 264 - Senior
Memory Verse
"Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him" (I Corinthians 16:2).
Cross References
I The First Tithes
1. The tithes first recorded in the Bible were paid by Abram to Melchizedek, [GEN:14:18-20].
2. Jacob vowed to give tithes to the Lord, [GEN:28:20-22].
II The Israelites' Tithes
1. All tithes were considered very sacred and were given to the Levites and priests, [LEV:27:30-32]; [NUM:18:21], [NUM:18:24], [NUM:18:26-32].
2. The tithes were brought to the place of God's choosing, [DEU:12:5-6]; [DEU:16:16-17].
3. The blessing of God always followed the paying of tithes, [2CH:31:4-10]; [NEH:12:43-44]; [PRO:3:9-10]; [MAL:3:10].
4. The Children of Israel were charged with the sin of robbery because they failed to bring their tithes to God, [MAL:3:8-9].
III New Testament Commandments
1. Jesus commended the giving of tithes, [MAT:23:23]; [LUK:18:12].
2. The widow's mite counted more with God than the abundance of the rich men, [LUK:21:1-4]; [MAK:12:41-44].
3. The Apostle, through the Spirit of God, gave directions as to the proper method of financing the church,
I Corinthians 16:2; [HEB:7:2-8].
Notes
Equal Responsibility
The greatest thing that can happen to mortal man is the receiving of God's gift of free salvation, Jesus Christ, into his heart and life. Not one cent of earthly value could ever avail to buy this salvation -" it comes only through faith in God and in the consecration of man's heart and life to Him. We find that in order to retain this most valuable gift, however, the recipient must actively participate in advancing the Kingdom of God in one way or another. Every saved man is commissioned by God to "go... and teach all nations" [MAT:28:19]). The fulfilling of this commission requires finances, as well as consecrated lives. For many obvious reasons it is impossible for everyone to become a missionary and travel into distant lands to proclaim the good news of salvation; however, God has ordained a plan for spreading the Gospel into all the world, and He has proportioned the needed expenses equally to every one of His children. God's plan for financing His Church is called tithing, because each true Christian gives one tenth of his income to the cause of God, that the Gospel might be sent into all the world.
Plan Not New
The children of God from a very early period have practiced the paying of tithes, therefore, the plan is not new or peculiar to any one dispensation. The first Biblical reference to the plan is in [GEN:14:18-20], where we read that Abram paid tithes to Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of the most high God. Abram was returning home with the spoils of war after his great triumph over the five kings who had taken Lot captive from Sodom. Melchizedek met Abram in the valley of Shaveh with the blessing of God, whereupon Abram "gave him tithes of all." Although this incident is the first recorded instance of tithing, it is very apparent that Abram acted on a principle that had been previously taught him, for he knew exactly what to do. The Author of eternal salvation inspired the act.
Before the Law
Some people contend that the law of tithing was an ordinance singular to the Law of Moses. They argue that Christians live under the Dispensation of Grace; and, therefore, the law of tithing has passed away and is not binding upon them. Perhaps the Apostle Paul heard the first whisperings of this argument, for in his letter to the Hebrews he pointed out the fact that tithes were paid at least 400 years before the Law of Moses was instituted. The Apostle wrote about the very striking similarity between the priesthood of Melchizedek and the Priesthood of Jesus Christ. Possibly Melchizedek was none other than the Second Person in Trinity in human form during a short period of Old Testament history -" "without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God" [HEB:7:3]).
Abraham was known as the friend of God because of his faith in God, and he paid tithes to one who was "made like unto the Son of God." Every true Christian is made partaker of Abraham's covenant through faith in God and through grace; therefore the same rule that was in force for Abraham is in force for the Christian, today. Abraham walked with God, and he received a blessing from God as he paid tithes to God's true representative. God has not changed, nor have His ways. Even under the Dispensation of Grace, the man who seeks God's richest blessing will find that blessing as he walks in the footsteps of faithful Abraham.
Jacob also, long before the Law was given, vowed a vow to God in which he said, "Of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee" [GEN:28:22]). It might seem, from a first glance at his vow, that Jacob was trying to drive a bargain with God, but such was not the case. While Jacob slept, God outlined in a dream the nature of the blessings that were reserved for Jacob upon condition of his faithfulness. When Jacob awoke, he took firm grip upon God's promises by saying that as God fulfilled His Word, he (Jacob) would perform the duty that he knew to be right. No doubt Jacob had learned from his grandfather, Abraham, the rightness of tithing. Later on, God changed Jacob's name to Israel, saying, "As a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed" [GEN:32:28]). Jacob could never have prevailed thus with God if he had not kept his vow.
For Israel's Prosperity
The Word clearly shows, then, that the Law contained and strengthened an ordinance that was already established. God did not require the tithe from the Children of Israel for some selfish reason of unknown nature, but the tithes were taken and used in the Israelites' own behalf. Even in that early period, God's sanctuary required proper attendants and ministers, and these were found among the descendants of Aaron and the tribe of Levites. The priests and Levites gave all their time and attention to the service of the Lord's House. They had no inheritance among the Children of Israel; therefore, God gave the tithes of Israel to these ministers of the sanctuary for their living.
The Children of Israel were ever reminded of the fact that God had given them the land on which they dwelt. Further, they were to remember that it was the Lord who gave them the increase of the field, who "giveth thee power to get wealth" [DEU:8:18]). In reality, when the Children of Israel paid their tithes, they were returning to the Lord a small portion of the things He had previously given to them. How true this is of every man and woman who pays his tithes to the Lord.
Robbers!
One of the most grievous indictments laid against the Children of Israel was the charge of robbing God. The people seemed surprised and arrogant in their answer: "Wherein have we robbed thee?" No doubt they had kept up a ritual and were faithfully observing traditions, thinking their own works and ideas would suffice, instead of doing the whole Word of God. The answer to their query came swiftly: "In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation" [MAL:3:8];[MAL:3:9]). This serious charge shows the value that God places upon every part of His Word. It is a dangerous thing to trifle with God's commandments. Ananias and Sapphira lost their lives and souls because they paid only part of the price and lied to God and men about it. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" [GAL:6:7]).
New Testament Doctrine
When the Lord sees good in any man's life, He commends the good; but when He sees evil in any life, He is just as quick to condemn the evil. So it was with His comment about the Pharisees' tithing. They were so careful about this particular law that they tithed even the common herbs of mint, anise, and cumin. Jesus said that they were not to leave this undone; in other words, He sanctioned the law of tithing and brought it over from the Old Dispensation into the New Dispensation -" right into His Church. Jesus commended the good of tithing, but He condemned the Pharisees for omitting the weightier matters of the Law -" judgement, mercy, and faith. No man will get to Heaven for tithing alone, but neither will he find an entrance into God's City if he knowingly and wilfully withholds from God the portion of goods that belongs to Him.
As has been shown, the Apostle, in his letter to the Hebrews, sanctioned the paying of tithes. He spoke further to the Corinthians church about freewill offerings. This Gentile body of believers was very much concerned with the needs of the poverty-stricken brethren in Jerusalem. Paul told them how to put their concern to work: "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come" [1CO:16:2]). This contribution is understood to be an offering over and above the tithes of the Corinthian church, because Paul called the offering their "liberality," or gift.
The giver of a freewill offering is often at liberty to designate the disposition of his gift. In the above case the saints at Corinth indicated they wanted to relieve their brethren. Perhaps in other cases, the Lord lays a burden upon one's heart to send financial aid to a missionary, or to help pay for a church building, or to give money toward the publishing of the Gospel literature. The freewill offering is a gift indeed.
Tithes are not a gift to God; they are our due unto Him -" they are God's. God gave the Children of Israel all the good things they possessed, and requested their tithes in return. Likewise God has given the Christian "every good gift and every perfect gift"; therefore one-tenth is not an unreasonable amount to give back to Him. Tithing is based upon any income, whether from business or wages. In business, the net profit is the basis for calculation. In wages, the base wage is used before any deductions for taxes, social benefits, living expenses, etc., are taken out.
God's Bounty
No Christian should feel too poor to pay tithes. In fact, many people who have struggled financially all their lives have been materially blessed when they began giving the Lord the tenth that belongs to Him. That is God's promise: "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" [MAL:3:10]). Again, "Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine" [PRO:3:9];[PRO:3:10]). The Lord loves to have the children of men take their stand upon His Word and prove Him. He will fulfil His Word every time. On the other hand, some who were materially blessed of God as they paid their tithes, lost all their worldly possessions when they withheld their tithes from God. "Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me."
God honours the trust that is placed in Him. Jesus commended the poor widow who cast her two mites into God's treasury. Her gift, small as it was, stood out in the Lord's opinion more than the large contributions of the rich men, because intermingled with her gift was the faith that God would supply her future needs. The widow gave all she had -" "even all her living." Does not the same Lord see the tithes of His people that cost the most to give? If they are given in simple faith, the Lord will never fail to note the giving and bless the giver.
What about debts? Some might question whether it would not be better to pay debts before paying tithes. That is a question as to whether it would be better to owe God or man. The curse of God is pronounced upon those who withhold their tithes, but the blessing of God has always followed those who conscientiously paid their tithes. Would not wisdom and prudence dictate that earthly debts would be cleared away faster if God's blessing rested upon the life, rather than God's curse?
To Whom?
"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? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel" [1CO:9:13-14]). Jesus told the appointed seventy, "The labourer is worthy of his hire" [LUK:10:7]). Then those who give their time, talents, and labour to the preaching and publishing of the true Gospel are worthy to receive the tithes of other Christians. Tithes are used also for the construction and upkeep of the House of God.
The Christian should be careful to whom he pays his tithes. Jesus warned: "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.... by their fruits ye shall know them" [MAT:7:15];[MAT:7:20]). Search out the church and its message and be sure that it is measuring up to the exact standard of God's Word before paying tithes into that organisation. "Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (I [JHN:4:1]). The person who helps spread false doctrine by paying tithes or money into those channels becomes a partaker of their evil deeds.
Success
Can the Church afford to substitute something else for God's plan of finance? Many organisations have tried every scheme of finance except God's plan, and they have failed in their endeavours. However, the people who are willing to obey God's Word have proved the truth of His promises.
In Apostolic Faith churches a small receptacle is placed at the rear of the church auditorium for the purpose of receiving the tithes and offerings. No individual records are kept of the contributors. No one knows how much each man puts into God's funds, except the giver and God; but the truth of God's promise has been demonstrated time after time. The tithes have been brought into the storehouse, the windows of Heaven have been opened, and the blessings of God have been poured out until the Gospel has circled the world. "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them" [JHN:13:17])
Questions
1. Who was the first man to pay tithes? To whom were the tithes paid?
2. How did Jacob feel about the matter of tithing?
3. What did the Law of Moses say about the law of tithing?
4. Were the Children of Israel always careful to pay their tithes?
5. How does God feel about the people who withhold their tithes from Him?
6. What did Jesus say in regard to tithings?
7. Are any people to consider themselves too poor to give unto the Lord His due?
8. How did the Spirit, through Paul, outline God's financial plan for the Church?
9. For what purposes are tithes to be used?