“Does God Require Tithing Today?”

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Lesson Thirteen

INTRODUCTION

Virtually all modern Western nations have come to possess more wealth during the past few decades than ever before in history. Yet, these nations are plagued with staggering public debt and other fiscal problems, partly because of the cost of military defense and combating crime. Why this dilemma? Are there principles that would keep people and nations on a sound financial basis, if observed and carefully followed? This lesson answers these questions.

As Creator, God has set laws in motion for our own good. Obeying these laws brings stability in all facets of life—including financial stability. God created all human beings, and He holds prior claim over us and all that we possess (Psa. 89:11).

God allows us to be in partnership with Him. Although He is Creator and sustainer of all that exists, He turns over to us not just 10% or even 50%, but rather 90% of what is entirely His. Even the 10% He reserves for Himself comes back to us, as He uses it for the benefit of humanity—teaching mankind His truth, which will make it free (John 8:32). His truth frees us from financial worries and gives peace of mind, fulfillment and eventually eternal life.

Just as obeying the Ten Commandments brings us into harmony with God’s spiritual laws, leading to true fulfillment in all aspects of life, we likewise benefit from being in harmony with God’s financial laws. In His concern for humanity, God uses the 10% that is due Him to improve our lives spiritually and materially. The 90% He allows us to keep extends much further than the original 100%, considering the spiritual and material blessings that come from being in harmony with His laws.

When we live contrary to God’s laws, we bring curses upon ourselves instead of blessings. Notice what God says in regard to complying with His financial laws: “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me. But you say, Wherein have we robbed you? In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse: for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation” (Malachi 3:8-9). Most people today fall into this category. Few have sought to obey God’s laws, including those regarding tithes and offerings.

God tells us to prove Him, as to whether He will fulfill the following promise: “Bring you all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove Me now herewith, says theLord 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).

If this were not enough, God extends His promise further. Notice what else He promises: “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, says the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for you shall be a delightful land, says the Lord of hosts” (Mal. 3:11-12).

The promises in these verses were not limited to ancient Israel. They are living promises, still in effect today, for those who will take God at His word and actually PROVE HIM!

Doing the Work

(1) Who created all that exists? Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 1:2; John 1:3; Ephesians 3:9.

Comment: The Scriptures emphatically show that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was the One by whom God [the Father] made the worlds.

(2) Are God the Father and Christ still working? John 5:17.

(3) Was Christ, in His physical lifetime, working under the constraints of time with a sense of urgency? John 9:4.

(4) Were the original apostles told by the resurrected Christ to take His gospel message to the world? Acts 1:8.

(5) Did Christ command His faithful servants even in our day to do the work of carrying His gospel—good news of the soon-coming kingdom of God—to modern Israel and all the world? Matthew 24:14; 10:23.

Comment: These verses refer to our time, just before the end of this age. All the cities of modern Israel will not be reached before Christ returns. This could only apply to our age.

(6) Is the gospel announcement to contain a warning message as well? Ezekiel 33:7-9.

(7) What are the timeframe and contexts of Ezekiel’s prophecies? Ezekiel 6:8-10; 7:6.

Comment: This warning is part of the First Commission, mentioned later in this lesson.

(8) As people are given the news about future events and the true gospel, should they be expected to pay for this precious truth? Matthew 10:7-8.

Comment: Doing the Work of God is indeed real work! And God has provided a means to support this Work just before end-time calamities befall this world.

Tithes Paid to Melchizedek

(1) What great office does Christ hold today? Hebrews 4:14.

(2) What is the order of the high priesthood that Christ holds? Hebrews 5:6, 10.

Comment: The Hebrew spelling for this order is “Melchizedek,” while the Greek spelling is “Melchisedec.” Both refer to the same Personage.

(3) To whom did Abram pay tithes after God gave him victory over his enemies? Genesis 14:18-20.

(4) Exactly how much is a tithe according to Scripture? Leviticus 27:32; Hebrews 7:1-2.

Comment: Whether counting cattle or determining a portion of income, a tithe means one tenth.

(5) How do we know that Melchizedek was of the God Family? Hebrews 7:3.

(6) How do we know He was not the Father? John 5:37.

Comment: The Member of the God Family who became Christ had existed as Melchizedek, as well as the God of the Old Testament, who instructed the patriarchs of ancient times and later gave the Ten Commandments to Moses and all Israel.

(7) When Abram paid his tithes to Melchizedek, what did God do as a result of his faithfulness? Genesis 14:19-20.

Comment: God knew of Abram’s intent to honor Him with his tithes even before he delivered them, and blessed him accordingly. God delivered the enemy into Abram’s hands as a result of his obedience and faithfulness.

(8) Did Abraham faithfully keep all of God’s laws, included tithing? Genesis 18:19; 22:17-18; 26:5.

(9) Did Jacob also pay tithes to God? Genesis 28:22.

Comment: As Abraham’s grandson, and Isaac’s son , Jacob was well acquainted with God’s laws, which were in effect before mankind was created. Well before the time of Moses and the giving of the Ten Commandments, God’s true servants were faithfully observing God’s laws, which included tithing.

Tithing to the Levitical Priesthood

(1) Why does God hold claim to the first tenth of whatever is earned or produced? Deuteronomy 10:14; I Corinthians 10:26; Job 41:11.

(2) Does everything we achieve or hope to achieve come from God, who gives us life, breath and the means to attain those things? James 1:17.

Comment: Whatever resources we command, God has given them to us, and we owe Him, as it were, a token “rent” of the first tenth. When people comply, God gives them back—many times over—blessings that far outweigh this rent for the resources He has given us. This happens because of being in harmony with God’s laws, which are living forces that apply to all people of all times. Blessings result from obedience.

(3) What change did God command during the time of Moses, with regard to whom tithes were paid? Numbers 18:21.

Comment: During the time of the patriarchs, tithes were paid to Melchizedek. Now God had the tithes directed to the Levites for their service in the tabernacle. The Levitical priesthood began at this time and their work benefited all Israel. Thus, God directed the tithe to the Levites, who, in turn, dedicated themselves to the duties that God defined.

(4) Did God set aside one entire tribe of the twelve tribes of Israel to devote their services to the various responsibilities associated with the priesthood? Numbers 3:6-8.

Comment: Of the entire tribe of Levi, only the sons of Aaron were to serve as priests (Ex. 28:1). The other duties were divided among the sons of Gershon, Kohath and Merari. They served by transporting, setting up, taking down and maintaining various parts of the tabernacle, as explained in Numbers 3 ALL. Numbers 3.

(5) What were the Levites, who received the tithes, commanded to do with them? Numbers 18:26.

(6) To whom did the Levites pays their tithes? Numbers 18:28.

Comment: After the Levites received their tithes, they paid a tenth of that tithe to Aaron, the high priest. In this way, the lineage of Aaron was supported for the hard work they rendered in the tasks of daily sacrificial rituals.

(7) Exactly who in the nation of Israel were required to pay tithes? Numbers 18:21.

Comment: The entirety of Israel paid tithes. (Even the tribe of Levi tithed on the tithes they received.) Remember that in the time of the patriarchs, tithes went directly to Melchizedek for the purpose of ministering to individuals He had called. Melchizedek (the God of the Old Testament) then changed the priesthood to the Levites, who were now His representatives. Thus, the tithes went to the Levites who performed ritualistic sacrifices, which served as a schoolmaster to Israel, teaching them obedience (Galatians 3:24).

We see that God first worked with individuals whom He called. Then, through the Levitical priesthood, He worked with a nation—Israel. In this end-time ministry, which began with Herbert W. Armstrong, and continues with His true Church to this day, the message is being presented to thewhole world through the power of technology. God’s Work, which will continue until the end of this age (Matt. 24:14), is supported by tithes, which God has always used to underwrite His ministry.

(8) What is the result of negligence in paying God’s tithes? Malachi 3:8-9.

Comment: God says that anyone who withholds His tithes is guilty of robbing Him and will be cursed with a curse. God is the owner of all that exists, and He requires those who serve Him to obey His laws so that they may develop character and reap blessings instead of curses.

Offerings

(1) Does God require more than tithes alone? Malachi 3:8.

Comment: God expects His servants to go beyond the minimum 10% with occasional freewill offerings to express appreciation to Him.

(2) Did Israel give freewill offerings on various occasions? II Chronicles 31:14.

(3) During Christ’s millennial reign, will offerings be expected and even required of everyone? Ezekiel 20:40.

Comment: Require means “To authoritatively order or enjoin someone to do something; to demand; to impose need or make necessary; to place under an obligation or necessity.”

(4) On what special occasions is it mandatory to bring an offering? Deuteronomy 16:16.

Comment: This verse discusses the three times [seasons] that God’s people are to come before Him on the Holy Days. The final season includes four separate Holy Days—the Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day. On all seven of these Holy Days, God’s people are to appear before Him and present an offering.

Other Tithes

Many are confused about the issue of tithing partly because of misunderstanding about two other tithes that God required ancient Israel to pay. The tithe that we have discussed thus far is the “first” tithe. This is the 10% that belongs to God, which we are to turn over to His Work and His representatives. People who practice tithing do not “give” the first tithe to God. They merely present to God what already belongs to Him.

(1) In addition to the first tithe, what was the second tithe that God commanded Israel to set aside? Deuteronomy 14:22-26.

Comment: This tithe was not paid to the Levites or priests, but put back for use by the person saving this “second” tithe. God instructed His people to save this tithe for use during His Feasts and Holy Days. He was essentially commanding His people to budget their own resources so that they could appear before Him—especially at the Feast of Tabernacles—and rejoice in a way that is more rewarding and fulfilling than those unfamiliar with this experience could ever realize. (Note: “Whatsoever your soul lusts after” (Deuteronomy 14:26) is better translated “whatsoever your heart desires.”)

(2) Where are the Feast of Tabernacles and the other Holy Days to be observed? Deuteronomy 14:23.

(3) Did the command to observe these Feast days apply only to ancient Israel while under the Levitical priesthood—or was it forever? Exodus 12:17; Leviticus 23:21, 31, 41.

Comment: The Feast Days and Holy Days stand or fall together. The scriptures above point to the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Pentecost, Atonement, and the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles. They are to be kept forever! That extends well beyond the time of the Levitical priesthood. Thus, the second tithe associated with keeping these Feast days is very much applicable today and even in the coming millennial reign of Christ (Zech. 14:16).

(4) In addition to the first and second tithes, what else was Israel commanded to set aside? Deuteronomy 14:28-29.

Comment: This tithe was not paid annually, but only twice in a seven-year period. The purpose of this tithe is thoroughly covered in the scripture cited. It is a far superior “social security” plan than those provided by any modern nation. Yet, the amount paid in is far less than what the average worker is required to remit to his government. God’s ways are more equitable than anything devised by man. This will be practiced on a global basis during Christ’s millennial reign. (For more detailed information on the second and third tithes, you may wish to read our article “The Other Tithing Questions”)

The Melchizedek Ministry Returns

(1) In the Old Testament, Melchizedek was High Priest. In what capacity is the resurrected Jesus Christ serving in this New Testament era? Hebrews 3:1; 4:14.

Comment: After having qualified to replace Satan to rule the earth, and having trained His Church in warning this world, Christ serves as High Priest to intercede on behalf of those He has called to qualify to rule with Him in the kingdom of God.

(2) Did Christ command His servants to deliver the message of the soon-coming kingdom of God to all the world? Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:10.

Comment: Delivering the gospel of the kingdom of God to all the world is the First Commission of God’s Church. The “Ezekiel Warning” is also part of this commission.

(3) Was another commission given to God’s Church? I Peter 5:2.

Comment: The Second Commission was clearly to provide spiritual nourishment for those God would call into His Church.

(4) As High Priest, does Christ empower the Church of God? Romans 15:19; Acts 1:8, 2:4.

(5) How can one identify the true Church of God, as opposed to others merely claiming this title? Isaiah 8:20; Galatians 1:6-9; I Timothy 3:15; II Timothy 3:14.

Comment: God’s true Church is grounded in the truth, and continues in that truth, having proven the foundational understandings, and remembering from whom they learned them.

(6) Since Christ directs His Church, would He direct tithes to support the Work of the first and second commissions, just as tithes were directed to the Levites? Hebrews 7:5, 12, 17.

Lesson 14: “What is the Old Covenant?”

Many believe that the Old Covenant refers to a harsh Ten Commandments law, while the New Covenant pertains only to grace and promises not based on law or obedience. Although popular, such traditional concepts are completely wrong. Professing Christianity has never understood the significance of the two divisions of God’s Word.

Comment: Hebrews 7 ALL .Hebrews chapter 7 begins by showing that tithes were originally presented to the Melchizedek (or Melchisedec) priesthood. It shows the temporary change as Christ worked with Israel under the Levitical priesthood—for about 1,500 years. This chapter also explains that the Melchizedek priesthood reappeared with Christ as High Priest, greatly superceding the Levitical priesthood of ancient Israel. Christ, as the Melchizedek High Priest, is using His Church for a crucial commission of warning the world of terrible end-time events that precede the establishment of His kingdom on earth.

Our booklet End All Your Financial Worries explains Hebrews 7 ALL. Hebrews 7 and other interesting aspects of the Melchizedek priesthood in greater detail. It also shows more about the scriptural basis for God requiring His servants to tithe.

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