Tithe Part 2

Have you ever been badgered, or felt condemned for not tithing? Have religious leaders told you that God won't physically bless you or give you financial freedom if you are not a liberal and cheerful giver or if you do not tithe regularly at church? Do you naturally think of your own money as amounting to 90% of your net income? Do you automatically set aside a tenth for God?

The answer to the question "Does tithing cause Blessings?" Is emphatically NO. However, in this present age of Grace under the New Covenant, Christendom teaches that one must physically tithe to receive physical blessings from our Heavenly Father. Christendom makes tithing a work of salvation under the New Covenant, not realizing it is an ordinance of the Law of Moses under the Old Covenant. This is a grave dispensational error. Ephesians 2:8-9 says: "For by grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of Yahweh, not of works lest any man should boast."

Does The Bible Support Tithing in This Present Kingdom Age of Grace?

In short, the Holy Scriptures do not support this long held Christian tradition and custom some two thousand years after the death, burial, resurrection of the Messiah, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles in the upper room June 6, 33 AD, Jerusalem (Acts 2:1-3). So anyone tithing or teaching such a doctrine has absolutely no understanding of the mission of the Messiah and the establishment of the New Covenant.

Instead of benefiting the giver, tithing was and is the main source of funds for building religious empires, increasing salaries, erecting churches, advancing evangelical missions, etc. One should also note that the so-called Science of the Mind or new psychology religions teach that tithing must be performed to receive physical blessings from our Heavenly Father. The Apostle John in Revelations (a panoramic vision and revelation given to him in 96 A.D., on the Isle of Patmos) prophesied of this great abomination by modern day religions. In the 18th chapter he says that Mystery Babylon the Great, Mother of Harlots, the Abominations of the Earth, would make merchandise of men's souls (Rev. 18:9-13). Former television evangelists Jimmy and Tammy Baker with their "Praise the Lord" (PTL) show, and others, are excellent examples of this Harlot's religious frauds perpetrated on the masses.

Does Tithing Differ from Donating?

The reader should understand the difference between tithing and donating. Under the Law of Moses tithing was mandatory. Churches use the Law of Moses to justify their request for tithes. On the other hand, a donation is a free will gift. An individual feels no condemnation in donating whatever he wants to give from his heart. It must be understood by the readers and truth seekers that soul salvation is not predicated on giving one dime to anybody.

Tithing is mandatory in most churches of Christendom and taught in a way that causes condemnation if the parishioner doesn't or cannot give. In fact, for members of the so-called church to be in good standing, they must tithe or be removed from the church rolls. Ministers play various members against each other by boasting on those that are able to give large tithes. The ministers and the congregation look upon these members in high esteem for their tithe. Those unable to give large donations may be shunned by the pastor and other good standing members. Religious leaders use this form of mind control, psychology, and peer pressure on church-goers to manipulate both the giver and the size of the tithe. The manipulation that religious leaders use to get large tithes places an extra dose of condemnation on the congregation.

Can Tithing Save Your Soul?

It is also implied by many ministers that tithing will save one's soul. However the Apostle Peter states something quite contrary in I Peter 1:18-19: "For as much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of the Messiah (Christ), as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: " Peter knew the blood of the Messiah was the only acceptable price for sin. But since congregation members are totally ignorant of what the scriptures states on the matter, religious leaders convince them that the reason they aren't receiving blessings from Elohim (God) is because they haven't been tithing.

Now this is part of the circus atmosphere of Christendom to get people to give tithes and deceive men's souls of their eternal inheritance. Thus we see that Christendom is causing the people to sin against Our Heavenly Father and His Son by tithing which is a violation of the New Covenant and denies that the Messiah fulfilled the Old Covenant of Moses. The Apostle John warned all to come out of Mystery Babylon and not partake of her SINS for he said:

"And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and Elohim hath remembered her iniquities (Rev. 18:4-5)."

Did The Messiah Come To Fulfill the Law (Tithing)?

To eradicate this ignorance and erroneous doctrine, one must go to the law and prophets or Old Testament (Isa. 8:20). This will enable all that have eyes to see, to understand how, where, and when tithing was instituted under the Law of Moses and the mission of the Messiah. Now the Messiah came to fulfill the Old Covenant and institute or establish the New Covenant by his death, burial, and resurrection (Mt. 5:17-18, Lk. 24:37, 44-46).

Do True Worshippers Worship Yahweh in Spirit and Truth?

The Messiah said to a Gentile woman at Jacob's water well that the time would come when true worshippers would not worship the Father in the temple or at mount Moriah (Jn. 4:20-23). He said: "Elohim (God) is Spirit; and they that worship Him, must worship him in Spirit and Truth" (Jn. 4:24). One worships Elohim (God) in Spirit by a knowledge and understanding of the scriptures. This will establish our faith in the Messiah in us (Eph. 2:8-9; Col. 1:26-27) through grace, and not by performing some traditional rituals or ceremonies of the church or works of the old Law of Moses such as tithing.

How is 'Fulfill' Defined in the Bible and the Dictionary?

The Messiah said that he had come to fulfill the Law and Prophets in the so-called New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, etc.). We will show later in this article what the New Testament is according to the scriptures. He stated in Matthew 5:17-18 the following; "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill 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." (See also Matt. 3:13-15; Lk. 24: 27, 44- 45). He did not say He came to institute as Christendom erroneously teaches.

Now Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary defines the word fulfill as follows: "2 a: to put into effect; b: to bring to an end; c: to measure up: satisfy; 3 a: to convert into reality; b: to develop the full potentialities". The word institute means "a: to originate and get established: organize; b: to set going: inaugurate." One can clearly see that the definitions of the words fulfill and institute are directly opposite each other, and the Messiah could not be doing both simultaneously. Thus the Messiah brought the Old Covenant to an end or translated it into the spiritual reality including tithes.

When Was the Law Instituted?

Yahweh instituted the law (Ex. 19th and 20th chaps.; 24:3-8; Heb. 9:19-22) at Mt. Sinai after the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt 1490 years before the birth of the Messiah. It was Moses that went up into Mt. Sinai and brought down the tables of stone upon which Elohim wrote the Law with His finger (Ex. 32:15-16). The reader and student of the scriptures must know and understand that the Old Covenant or Law of Moses was given to Jews only and not any Gentiles (Rom. 3:1-2; 19). Also that the Messiah was born of a woman (Gal. 4:4), lived, and died under this Old Covenant.

Is The Law Symbolical and Allegorical?

The Messiah told the religious teachers of Israel that they did not understand the law. In John 5:39 He said to them: "Ye search the scriptures (i.e., Law and Prophets or Old Testament): for in them ye think ye have eternal life (by performing the works of the Law of Moses); and they are they that testify of me." Now the Messiah was telling them that everything in the Law and Prophets (Old Testament) was pointing to or was a reflection of Him and His purpose and that He was Eternal Life.

The Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees who took the scriptures literally did not perceive the symbolism and allegory in the law. For example, the temple and tabernacle under the law typified the Messiah's body (Jn. 2:18-21). The Passover lamb slain and eaten pointed to the Messiah, the true Passover lamb (John 1:29; 1 Cor. 5:7-9) and the real spiritual meal (John 6:53-56, Job 34:3). In fact all sacrifices testified of Him (Heb. 10:1-18). The mandatory tithe from Israel to the Levite Priest was a reflect of a soul giving the Holy Spirit his total attention, worship, and faith, as the disciples forsook all and followed the Messiah (Matt. 19:27-30).

In short, the Old Testament was the Messiah's autobiography or life story, which the prophets wrote before He was born (1 Pet. 1:10-12). He appeared to them in visions and revelations and told them what to write before coming through the loins of the Virgin Mary. Thus the ultimate purpose of the Old Testament, according to Yahweh, was the prophecy of the coming of his Son Yahshua. It was not a code of conduct or ethics by which to live. To the Israelites, the Apostle Paul said the Law was a schoolmaster to bring them to the Messiah, so that they could be justified by faith (Gal. 3:24-25). Now that we understand both the mission of the Messiah and the purpose of the Holy Scriptures or the Law and the Prophets (Old Testament), we can begin our investigation of tithing and see if it is valid under the New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8th - 10th chaps.)

Is Tithing Mentioned in the Bible BEFORE Israel Received the Law?

Tithing is a Hebrew word that means "tenth." The first mention in the scriptures of tithing is after Abraham returned from slaughtering five kings that had kidnapped Lot and his household. He paid homage and tithes to Melchizedek, King and High Priest of Jerusalem (Gen. 14:18-20; Heb. 7:1-9), who blessed Abraham. This has a very deep spiritual significance. Abraham gave his tithe to Melchizedek from his heart. He wasn't following any custom, tradition, percentages, or law.

In another instance, Jacob vowed to give Elohim (God) tithes after seeing Him in a Vision (Gen. 28: 20-22). Elohim (God) told him that his seed would be blessed and multiply as the dust of the earth. Out of reverence and awe, Jacob voluntarily gave a tenth of this blessing to Yahweh (the Lord). Tithing was not required until the giving of the Law of Moses to the Children of Israel at Mt. Sinai, 1490 years before the birth of the Messiah.

Was Tithing to the Levites Instituted under the Law?

The children of Israel gave tithes to the priests, as Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek, King and High Priest of Jerusalem. The priesthood consisted of the high priest and two low priests who were the sons of Aaron. They were the only ones allowed to officiate and offer sacrifices in the tabernacle for Israel's sins. Now the other Levite priests aided in the assembling and disassembling of the tabernacle and carried the vessels, curtains, etc. (other parts of the tabernacle). Moses in Numbers 18:1-5 wrote as follows:

"And Yahweh (the LORD) said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father's house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood. 2 And thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father ... but thou and thy sons with thee shall minister before the tabernacle of witness. 3 And they shall keep thy charge, and the charge of all the tabernacle: only they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar, that neither they, nor ye also, die...and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you. 5 And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath anymore upon the children of Israel. 6 And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for Yahweh (the LORD), to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation."

Was The Priest's Only Job To Officiate in the Tabernacle for Israel?

Under the Law of Moses tithing was mandatory. There were two reasons Aaron, his sons, and the Levites priests received tithes from the children of Israel: (1) They had no land allotted as an inheritance for Yahweh was their inheritance; (2) They had no time to work the land or perfect any other occupation for gainful employment. Their job was to offer up sacrifices and officiate in the tabernacle for the whole body of Israel continually. Yahweh said the following in Num. 18:20-22: "And Yahweh (the LORD) spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel. 21 And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service that they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. 22 Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die."

Did Yahweh Demand Tithes of the Priests?

Under the Law of Moses the priests collected tithes from Israel. However, they were also required to offer up a tenth of the tithes they collected to Yahweh (the Lord, Num. 18:26, 31):

"Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for Yahweh (the LORD), even a tenth part of the tithe ... And ye shall eat it in every place, ye and your house-holds: for it is your reward for your service in the tabernacle of the congregation."

Did the Priests Store Tithes For The Poor?

When the Israelites got into Canaan Land, the priests stored the tithes at Jerusalem in the temple's storehouses (1 Chr. 27:25; 2 Chr. 32:28), the place that Yahweh (the Lord) designated for Israel to eat the tithes (Deut. 12:5-7). It must be understood that tithes were holy to Yahweh (the Lord); whether they were the seeds or fruits (animals and plants) of the land. If the tithe could not be carried to Jerusalem (Deut. 14:22-24), the giver had to sell it for money which would be taken to Jerusalem where it was used to purchase whatsoever the giver desired (Deut. 14:25-27). Every three years the priests brought forth the stored tithes that were left over after distributing them to the priests and gave them to the Levite, fatherless, widows, and strangers with-in the gate, that they should eat until they were satisfied (Deut. 14:27- 29; 26:11-13). Do you remember the last time your priest, reverend or rabbi opened the church treasury, allowed the needy to enter, and let them eat until they were full?

Is The Messiah the True Storehouse?

Yahweh (the Lord) spoke through Malachi and said: "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith Yahweh (the Lord) of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Mal. 3:10).

The reader must know and realize the true spiritual temple and storehouse (I Cor. 3:16; 6:19; 2 Cor. 6:16; Eph. 2:20-22; 1 Pet. 2:5) under the New Covenant is Yahshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) revealed within us. Yahshua (Jesus) has the power to open our hearts and minds, that is remove the scales or veil (our carnal opinions and theories about Elohim, God) from the mind's eye (2 Cor. 3: 13-16). The removal of this veil from our mind's eye is the window of heaven opening in us, whereby the Messiah's words that are Spirit and Life are received and understood within us (Jn. 6:63; 3:13). The blessing he is bestowing on us is Eternal Life (Jn 17:1-3; 1 Jn. 5:20).

Did the Prophets Warn Corrupt Priests?

In time the priests began to corrupt themselves by not giving Yahweh a tenth of what they received from Israel. Under the Law the prophet Malachi wrote to the priests, not the congregation of Israel, the following in Mal. 2:1-4:

"And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. 2 If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart. 3 Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it. 4 And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith Yahweh (the LORD) of hosts."

In Malachi 3:8, Yahweh (the Lord) continued speaking to the priests. "Will a man rob God (Elohim)? ..." Now religious ministers use this scripture to deceive and condemn the people into giving tithes, but in reality this scripture was written to the priests. The reader should re-read the first three chapters of Malachi to see whom the prophet is addressing: the people of Israel or the priests? Remember that Malachi is being shown a vision by Yahweh (Note to the reader: Compare Mal. 1:1 and 2:1 and follow the continuity of thought). Yahweh also appeared to Isaiah in a vision and said the following about the priests of Israel being the watchman: "His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter (Isa. 56:10-11)."

Did The Messiah Expose the Priest's Hypocrisy?

In the fulfillment or the so-called New Testament the Messiah told the Scribes and Pharisees that they paid tithes, but they did not live by the spiritual principles of mercy, judgment and faith as he stated in 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."

Did Sacrifices Under The Law Point to the Messiah, the True Sacrifice?

We must realize the Law of Moses is a type and shadow (Heb. 10:1-5) of a spiritual principle pointing to the Messiah. The sacrifices offered up under the law pointed to the Messiah being the only true sacrifice that the Father Yahweh (the Lord) accepted for the sins of man. It was the Messiah's death that brought an END to the Law of Moses or Old Covenant. The Apostle Paul wrote: "For the Messiah (Christ) is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth (Rom. 10:4)". Now the Apostle Paul further states the Law of Moses is a dead work, and the Messiah is the mediator of the New Testament. In his letter to the Hebrews he says: "How much more shall the blood of the Messiah (Christ), who through the eternal Spirit offer himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works (of the law) to serve the living Elohim (God)? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they that are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance (Heb. 9:14-15)." The Apostle Paul correlates the Messiah's blood or death as the cause of the New Covenant with the blood of sacrifices that established the Old Covenant. "For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which Elohim (God) hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. (Heb. 9:16-22)"

Did The Messiah Bring Sacrifices To An End?

Now it is obvious, from the above scriptural quotes, with no interpretation on anyone's part, that since the Messiah (Christ) removed the sacrifices offered under the law and established a New Covenant, this would necessitate a change in the Levitical Priesthood. The Apostle Paul states in Hebrews 7:11-12, 17- 28: "If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law ... For he testifieth, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec ... For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest ... Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec: (By so much was Yahshua (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. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermosts that come unto Elohim (God) by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, ... Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore."

If Sacrifices are not Valid, What Need is there for the Levitical Priesthood?

All Christendom would concur that the priest's sole purpose was to offer up sacrifices for the sins of Israel. And since under the New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 10:1-22) Israel is spiritual (Rom. 2:28-29) and the offering of physical sacrifices has been abolished, what need, then, is there for the Levitical Priesthood? It must also be abolished. It follows that since the priesthood has ended; tithing to them likewise has ended. Because both the Levitical priests and sacrifices have been abolished, to whom should physical tithes be given under the New Covenant? Anyone collecting tithes under grace is a fraud and a robber; receiving money for services not rendered.

Are There Examples of Types in the Law that Point to Spiritual Principles?

It must be remembered that all things written in the Law and Prophets, including tithing, were types and shadows of spiritual principles. The high priest under the law was a type and shadow of the Messiah who is the true high priest after his death, burial, and resurrection. Abraham's deliverance of Lot, his household, and all his goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, from the five wicked kings (Gen. 14:9) typifies or reflects the Messiah delivering the dead souls of men from the satanic spirits' lying doctrines by his death, burial, and resurrection (Matt 27:51-53; Heb. 2:14-15). Abraham returning to Jerusalem, the city of Peace and Righteousness, with Lot and his substances typifies the Messiah returning the souls of men to a resurrected or spiritual state of mind in which Yahweh (the Lord) created Adam prior to the transgression. It is absolutely necessary for the reader to realize that the city of Jerusalem typifies the spiritual minded state of a soul in peace, joy, and righteousness - the kingdom of Yahweh (the Lord). The Apostle Paul said that the: "... Kingdom of Yahweh is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Rom. 14:17; see also Gal. 4: 26). The Messiah told the Pharisees that the Kingdom of Yahweh comes not by observation for it is within a man (Lk.17:20).

How Do You Tithe Under the New Covenant?

One may ask "How does one tithe under the New Covenant or how did the Messiah translate physical tithing into its spiritual reality?" First of all one must realize that tithing will not purchase eternal life. To repeat the Apostle Peter, he stated: "For as much as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: ... (1 Pet. 1: 18-19)." The Apostle Paul further stated that tithing or offerings: "was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; ... (Heb. 9:9)." Thus we see that tithing has nothing to do with soul salvation.

Can We Review Tithing under the Law?

To understand how to tithe under the New Covenant, one must review how it was done under the law. Remember Israel gave tithes to the Levitical priests as the law stated. The priest, especially the high Priest, was the mediator or intercessor between Yahweh and the people. Now there is but one mediator under the New Covenant between the people and Yahweh; that is Yahshua the Messiah, the true high priest after the order of Melchizedek (1 Tim. 2:5). The Messiah is not in a physical body but is a quickening or life giving spirit. So, it is impossible to give physical tithes to the true and only high priest.

What Sacrifices are offered Under the New Covenant?

In addition, the Apostle Paul told the Hebrew assembly that sacrifices offered up under the New Covenant were not physical goats, bullocks, lambs, etc. However, spiritual sacrifices are from the fruits of our lips. Paul stated the following concerning spiritual sacrifices: "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to Elohim (God) continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not for with such sacrifices Elohim (God) is well pleased (Heb. 13:15-16)." If sacrifices are not physical, then tithing cannot be physical either.

The tithes or the fruits came from the land under the law. Man's physical body which came from the dust of the earth (Gen. 2:7) correlates with the land. Spiritually, the tithes from the fruits of the land or from these clay houses (i.e., physical body-the temple) are the fruits of the spirit, which are faith, love, peace, meekness, etc. (Gal. 5:22). The Apostle Paul stated that a man believes with his heart or mind and confesses what is in his mind or heart with his mouth (Rom. 10:9-10). Thus it is the fruits of our lips that are offered to the true high priest Yahshua the Messiah in our temple. The Messiah told His disciples that they couldn't bear forth any fruit except they abide in Him (Jn. 15:1-5) Now the Apostles Paul and Peter said in their epistles that we must offer spiritual sacrifices in our temple, as the children of Israel did under the law in types and shadows. The Apostle Paul quotes: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of Elohim (God), that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto Elohim (God), which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Elohim (God, Rom. 12:1-2)." In addition Peter said: "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by (Yahshua the Messiah) Jesus Christ (1 Pet 2:5 )." Thus we see according to the scriptures and the writings of the apostles that tithing or any other dead works of the Law of Moses is not valid in this age of Grace.

Is There a Penalty for Continuing to Tithe Under Grace?

Now if the world dogmatically believes and continues to perform the works of the Law of Moses, as taught by Mystery Babylon, they will suffer the wrath of Yahweh. There are no grounds to support this belief in the Bible. In fact, the last meeting of all the apostles in Jerusalem, in A.D. 52, was concerning whether the Gentiles should keep the Law of Moses as some of the Pharisees taught (Acts 15:1-9)? They stated that: "For as much as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment. (Acts 15: 24)." What they agreed on in this meeting is as follows: "For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well (Acts 15:28-29)." We see that tithing was not mentioned by the apostles and elders as an act of worship for the Gentiles to perform. Do you think they made a mistake?

Don't Tithers Believe the Messiah Ended the Law?

In short anyone that is tithing from a physical standpoint is denying the Messiah had the power to fulfill and remove the old covenant. This means you are calling the Messiah a liar and you are still dead in your sins. Anyone performing any ritual or work of the Law of Moses hasn't accepted the blood of the Lamb.

In concluding this article, there are no better words of admonishment to those that disannul the New Covenant than the Apostle Paul: "He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of Yahweh (God), and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord (Yahweh). And again, The Lord shall judge his people (Heb. 10:28-30)." So, we see the breaking of the New Covenant, by performing works under the Old Covenant, is not going to be taken lightly by the Messiah.

Now the apostles did take donations, not tithes, from the people as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. Luke wrote in the books of Acts: "And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart (Acts 2:44-46)."

What Did Ananias and Sapphira Do Wrong?

It must be emphasized that these were donations and people gave according to their hearts. Now Ananias and Sapphira his wife sold some land and lied to Peter about how much they sold it for. This resulted in them dropping dead. Peter told them the following: "..., Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? And after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto Elohim (God) ... Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of Yahweh (the Lord)? Behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband (Acts 5:3-4, 9-10)."

It is clear from these scriptures that the error Ananias and Sapphira made was they lied about the price. And most importantly they could have done with their land as they saw fit. They weren't obliged to give anything to the assembly.

Do Today's Religious Leaders Perform Any Work that Deserve a Tithe?

The Apostle Paul said if a man doesn't work, he doesn't eat. (Acts 17:18) Paul worked for all his necessities (Acts 17: 33-35) for he was tentmaker by trade.

Are today's ministers and priests greater than Paul?

Ministers of Mystery Babylon have their congregation mortgaging their homes to build churches. Those that perpetrate such deception will receive the wrath of Yahweh for violating the New Covenant. Paul said let a man examine himself and see whether he is in the faith (1 Cor. 11:28; 2 Cor. 13:5). Prove all things and hold fast to those that are true (I Thess. 5:21).

Think Deeply Before Concluding a Matter

In closing, the following quote from Dr. Kinley stresses the importance of thinking on a matter before reaching a conclusion "... Nevertheless, we must, for our own Eternal welfare, regardless of our present so-called Church affiliation, keep an open mind to proven facts, which Satan, the Adversary, who was created to oppose the TRUTH, is always present to influence us in the wrong direction. Did it ever occur to you that we remain ignorant of attested TRUTH and scientifically proven facts, most particularly because we fail to make a PERSONAL, detailed INVESTIGATION of important matters? This failure to investigate positively retards the progress of our understanding and knowledge in every vocation and phase of life, both physical and spiritual. Sometimes, stopping and thinking for a moment over the essential things of life eliminates many regretted years of poverty, sickness, humiliation, embarrassment sometimes, death and destruction. Therefore, we should learn to pause and TRY TO THINK INTELLIGENTLY before we finally conclude affirmatively or negatively. We should do this before an ultimatum or final decision is rendered on any secular subject. The majority of us are, to some extent, guilty of this negligence." (Elohim, the Archetype Original Pattern of the Universe, Introduction, paragraph five, page 1)