Basic HTML Version
tithes and offerings as He commanded!
But many have become confused about the meaning of the
word "tithe," without realizing it. Remember, "tithe" is not a
special word meaning just GOD'S TENTH and nothing more. So many
have come to assume, from the common usage of the term, that the
word "tithe" refers only to that tenth set aside for God's work,
and paid to the minister---and that the REMAINDER of your income
is NOT TITHE. But the word "tithe" is merely an ancient English
word, no longer in common usage except in referring to God's tenth.
Actually the word means, simply, "TENTH." If you earn $100,
whether in wages, or income from farming, or what, the fact is
there are TEN tithes in that $100. "Tithe" means "tenth,"and there
are ten tenths in every dollar you earn or receive as income. It
is merely the FIRST tenth we have been accustomed to call by the
name "tithe," but as there are TEN tenths in every dollar, so there
will be actually TEN tithes in your $100 you have earned or
received. It is the FIRST of these tenths, (or tithes), that
belongs to GOD'S WORK---that is HOLY to God---to be paid to His
minister. The other NINE TITHES, or $90 remaining, God leaves for
you.
The only change in the tithing system under the NEW
TESTAMENT is explained in Hebrews 7 and I Cor. 9, where Paul
explains clearly and at length God has ordained ministers of Jesus
Christ are to live by the same system as the Levites of old---by
the TITHES of the people. And, the priesthood being changed,
tithes are no longer paid to flesh-born Levites, but to Spirit-
CALLED ministers of the GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST.
Now study carefully Deut. 14:22-29. Here we find a
SECOND and THIRD tithe out of every income mentioned. Remember,
the FIRST tenth is HOLY, belongs to GOD, is given to a true
minister of Christ for the ministry of the GOSPEL. But here we
find a TENTH of your wages, salary, or income, to be set aside
FOR YOUR OWN USE. Now you cannot pay the SAME $10 tithe out of a
$100 income to the minister to use in GOSPEL WORK, and spend THAT
SAME $10 on yourself. Consequently, when we read in God's Word
you are to lay aside ONE TENTH of all you earn or receive, FOR
YOU YOURSELF TO SPEND AT FEAST OF TABERNACLES AND PASSOVER TIME
ON YOURSELF, that of necessity is a SECOND tithe, and not the
same tithe you put in God's work!
Notice verse 22: "Thou shalt truly tithe (set aside a
TENTH---not the FIRST tenth, but A tenth)---all the increase of
thy seed that the field bringeth forth YEAR BY YEAR." Study this
carefully! You are to spend this ON YOURSELF. This tithe is not
holy. It is not for Gospel work. It is a DIFFERENT---a second
tithe. You are to lay this second tithe aside EVERY YEAR, and
take it with you to Feast of Tabernacles, Passover, and Pentecost,
and spend ON YOURSELF. It is your EXPENSE MONEY so that you CAN
afford to go! How wonderful are God's ways!
"And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art
not able to carry it (the tenth of your grain, fruit, live-stock),
or if the place be too far from thee, . . then thou shalt turn it
into money . . . and SHALT GO UNTO THE PLACE which the Lord thy God
shalt choose (it appears He has chosen Belknap this year): AND THOU
SHALT BESTOW THAT MONEY FOR WHATSOEVER THY SOUL LUSTETH AFTER
(bodily needs) . . . and thou shalt eat there before the Eternal
thy God, and thou shalt REJOICE (you will REJOICE if you obey
this), thou, and thine household, and the Levite (now, in N.T.