This article has been researched, organized, and laid out using information from the Bible and multiple other sources. The information found here may be offensive to some people. I do apologize, this was not the intended purpose.These analysis were not gathered out of judgment, malice or grievance toward any group or person. This blog is simply one sharing new vantage points, perspectives and ideas on ancient scripture.
Has tithes and offerings, become just another, “let’s get rich quick using other people’s money scheme?”
Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Malachi–
The book of Malachi is known all over the world, and is often used in Christian Churches.
It has become the book used by many Christian ministers to evoke guilt upon their followers. Today this universal supplication is often read aloud to motivate parishioners into contributing as much cash as possible towards the church, and especially towards its Pastor.
But was this Malachi’s, intended message?…
Malachi 1: 7-8 (KJV) Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, the table of the Lord is contemptible. 8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? Saith the Lord of hosts.
I get it, it can be kinda difficult to understand many of these ancient texts.
Basically, this scripture reveals that the LORD was angry because the sin and burnt offerings presented to HIM by HIS OWN people were completely unacceptable. These animals which HE specified, were to be given fat, perfect, and unblemished, were lame, blind, and sickly.
Malachi 1:14 (NIV)– “ Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a Great King,” says the LORD ALMIGHTY, and My NAME is to be feared among the nation.
When this scripture speaks of, “an acceptable male in the flock,” It is speaking about young animals. The kind that were used in burnt offerings to GOD. Not money, but first fruits, (referring to baby rams, goats, and sheep). Also, on occasion crops such as grains were offered.
Sadly, within the Christian Community this scripture is recited faithfully over and over for the sole purpose of soliciting cash. Unfortunately, Malachi has become a Christian favorite for all the wrong reasons.
Malachi 3:8-9 Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask,’ How are we robbing you? “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse – your whole nation – because you are robbing ME.
Understand, these tithes and offerings were important for Yisroel’s relationship with GOD. We know that without them, their sins could not be removed/ forgiven. This was a time before our savior, Yehoshua. Our redemption had not yet arrived.
(Verse 10) “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Again this is not describing money.
The scripture goes on to say, “Test me in this,” says the LORD ALMIGHTY,” and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
So, what kind of blessings will Yisroel enjoy if they listen and follow the LORD’s specific instructions?
Verse 11 continues, I will prevent pest from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the LORD ALMIGHTY. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the LORD ALMIGHTY.
Did you get that? He is not promising endless wealth, fame, or power and glory for their obedience through tithes and offering. He is promising healthy crops with no devouring pests!
So how did a scripture so pure and simplistic become so grossly distorted and abused?
The simple answer is…..
Most religions are physical, contaminated with man’s idea of what worship is or should be. Their beliefs are not pure (spiritual). Their trust is not in truth or GOD, their trust is in the flesh (and Satan’s delusion).
Corrupt priests, bishops, pastors and ministers take advantage of these scriptures twisting their messages into billions of tax-free dollars. Not for the humble benefit helping the needy, feeding the hungry, or clothing the naked, but to lavishly reward themselves with overly expensive homes, extravagant cars, and other unnecessary luxuries.
Luke 12:15 Then he said to them, “watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.
Understand, Yehoshua never cared about any of these useless, indulgences. He never taught this message either. These extremely wealthy, and faithless ministers are not working on behalf of Yehoshua and His Father (the One True GOD). They are working on behalf of their own lord and master, Satan, the deceiver.
1st Timothy 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lust, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
Faithless ministers erroneously instruct their parishioners that wealth acknowledges to the world that one is prosperous, privileged and blessed. Teaching by example that wasting large sums of money on luxury items and flaunting frivolous nonsensical pleasures is an acceptable practice that is encouraged.
Yet In Matthew 19:24 Yehoshua said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.
Also in scripture…
Matthew 19: 21 Yeshua answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.
This is a far cry from the messages promoted in many of the mega churches today!
These treasures that we work to achieve, although we live within a physical plain, are spiritual. If your heart is aligned with Yehoshua, and focused on heavenly sights; such as GOD (spiritual), all your treasures will be full and awaiting you in heaven. But, if your heart abides here within this sensual realm (physical); then this is where you will build your kingdom, aligning your desires to reflect all which is fleshly and physical (embodying all things sinful, evil and corrupt).
Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6: 24 No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick by one and look down on the other. You cannot serve GOD and money.
The Annual Temple Tax
The temple tax- was not a part of the tithes and offerings. The temple tax was paid annually by the Israelites and Levites (all males over 20) to provide for the upkeep of the temple.
But, what about the story of Ananias and Sapphira?
Acts 5:1-4 On the other hand a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, sold a property He kept back some of the proceeds, with his wife’s full knowledge, and brought part of it and set it at the feet of the emissaries. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Ruach ADONAI (the Spirit of The LORD)? and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land?
While it remained unsold, it was your own, wasn’t it? And after it was sold wasn’t it at your disposal (meaning under your authority to portion as you pleased)? How did this deed get into your heart? You haven’t lied to men, but to GOD.
Verse 5: As soon as he heard these words, Ananias fell down, and died. Great fear came upon all who heard about this.
Verse 7: continues, After an interval of about three hours, his wife came in not knowing what had happened 8) Peter responded to her, “Tell me if you sold the land for this much.” She said, “Yes, for that much.” 9) Then Peter said to her, “How did you agree to test the Ruach ADONAI (Spirit of the LORD)? Look, the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door- they will carry you out too! 10) Immediately she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came back in, they found her dead, and carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
Today some believe that this story alludes to the fate of those who do not give generously to the church and its pastor.
But Ananias and Sapphira’s true offence,
Was revealed clearly by Peter. Unfortunately, they both lied knowingly and willfully in the presence of the Holy Spirit. They were free to give any amount of the proceeds to the emissaries, just as Peter stated. They had no reason to lie about the amount. This very lie spoken in the presence of the Holy Spirit caused their untimely demise. This scripture confirms how important it is to acknowledge that we must worship GOD in Spirit and in truth.
Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, that every idle (vain) word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of JUDGMENT. verse 37, For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers.
Matthew 6: 19-20 “Do not store up for yourselves wealth here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and burglars break in and steal. Instead, store up for yourselves wealth in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroy, and burglars do not break in or steal.
Paul explains the contrast between true disciples of Yehoshua haMashiach, and those full of deception, boasting lies.
1st Corinthians 4: 7-13 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? Already you are full ! Already you have become rich! Without us (the disciples) you have become kings! Indeed, I wish you were kings so we also might be kings with you! For it seems to me that GOD has put us, the emissaries, on display last of all – like men sentenced to death. For we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people. We are fools for Messiah’s sake, but you are wise in Messiah! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, but we are dishonored! To this very hour we are both hungry and thirsty, dressed in rags and mistreated and homeless. We toil, working with our own hands. When cursed, we bless. When we are persecuted, we endure. When we are slandered, we speak kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the dregs of all things- even to this moment.
These are the words of Paul, the Emissary of Yehoshua, who is not claiming physical riches. He said we (Yehoshua’s disciples) are, “hungry, thirsty and homeless.”
Today’s Christian church would probably look down on someone such as Paul, with all their expensive designer clothes, luxury cars and homes. They would probably even claim that he must not be working in full righteousness, because he is admittedly homeless, hungry and poor (as they have chosen to measure men according to their wealth and prestige and not according to their acts of faithful service). Unfortunately this current system of greed, and narcissism is owned and operated by Satan, the Devil. If your church is filled with idols and images. If you and other parishioners participate in pagan rituals such as, Sunday rest and worship, Communion, Easter, and Christmas, then you are not working in GOD’s truth, but have fallen under Satan’s deception.
Being under the old covenant, it was only natural Yehoshua would tell the Pharisees to obey the law of tithing that Moshe ordained.
Today this should no longer be practiced. Understand that with Yehoshua’s’ death and resurrection the system of tithing was significantly changed. No more offering young animals, Yehoshua was the final, perfect and unblemished sacrifice sent to us from GOD, HIMSELF. How we contribute today is through love, generously volunteering our time and aid to the sick, the poor, and the homeless.
We have been charged with the responsibility of helping the needy, remembering the old, and visiting those forgotten in the prisons.
John 6:27 Do not work for the food which passes away but for the food that stays on into eternal life, which the Son of man will give you. For this is the one whom GOD the FATHER has put HIS seal.
When Yehoshua spoke to the many thousands who came to hear him, He never asked for donations. He did not expect any money or reward for teaching, helping or healing. In fact, His many miracles included bread and fish, enough to feed all who came to witness the truth.
Matthew 2316 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ 17 You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? 18 And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’ 19 You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it. 22 And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it.
Tithes, (old English) from the Greek meaning dekate, or tenth part, according to Hebrew law, (terumat hamaaser) one tenth of newborn animals, specifically herd animals, goats, sheep, bullocks etc. were given as tithes. They would be offered by bringing them to the temple in Yerushalayim and presented to the Levitical priest. The priest would slay the animals on the altar and place the blood into the most holy place inside the Temple.
Crops and grains were also offered. The priest presented it to GOD as the law specified (Leviticus 17:11) For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that make an atonement for your souls.
Isaiah 55: 1-2 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why spend money on what is not bread or {ungodly bread}, and your labor on what does not satisfy {insufficient}? Listen, listen to ME, and you will eat what is good; your soul will enjoy the rich food that satisfies.
John 7:37-38 Yeshua stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water‘”
We do not labor to earn profit; we labor to receive gifts that are not of this world.
Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man to gain the whole world, and lose his own soul.
Matthew 7:22 Many (minister’s, preachers) will say to me on that day, ‘LORD, LORD, LORD, did we not prophesy in Your Name and in Your Name drive out demons and, in Your Name, perform many miracles?’23, Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!’
Jude 1: 11 They are damned, for they follow in the footsteps of Cain. For profit they give themselves over to Balaam’s error. They are destroyed in the uprising of Korah. (GOD sent fire from heaven to consume them.)
Delivered by Owr Bayit Shomer
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