TITHES WERE ABOLISHED BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS. 

By God's grace and mercy, He continues revealing His truths concerning the deception of churches to have their congregations to pay tithes. I am glad some pastors (though I have not had of any in here Kenya) have stopped collecting tithes from their congregations after they, and especially their congregations came to know the truth about tithes. But I wonder why one should call themselves a pastor and not know the truths about tithes even before starting a church. This is one truth that God will reveal to you when you are interested in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

But even while some have stopped the collection of tithes in their churches, they still persist to be prosperity gospel churches and they persist in unrighteousness and canarlity and they compromise the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In another article I will post my own understanding about tithes and how God showed me and continues to show me that tithe paying is irrelevant to the New Testament Christian and usually leads to bondage to those who do it.

This week, in my studies about deliverance, God led me to an article that further shows how and why tithes are not to be paid by Christians today. Tithes have been abolished under the New Testament covenant. It will also enable you to understand the Abraham Melchizedek tithe and how even by that encounter, it's not necessary for Christian today who is under the New Testament to pay tithes.
The article is good also for the people who want to study extensively by scriptural evidence and explanations as to why tithes are not a necessity.

I am not against Christians giving to ministries especially ministries that preach the uncompromised whole truth of the word of God and enable people to be set free through deliverance. I have seen without the shadow of doubt the problems that arise in people's lives when they give to pro tithe ministries. This is because pro tithes ministries/churches are not telling people the truth about paying tithes; that it's not a necessity and that it has been taken away by the New Testament that we are now under. People giving to churches that encourage tithing eventually come under bondage because they are tieing themselves to the old covenants, a covenant that has been taken away by being fulfilled by the blood of Jesus.

I came to realise the truths about tithes as I was reading the book of Deuteronomy. I saw the way the Levites handled tithes was not consistent with the way churches handle tithes today. This was a concern for me especially since there was a special tithes for widows, the fatherless and strangers (poor foreigners who were living in peace with the Israelites).

At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates:

And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest. 

Deuteronomy 14:28-29

It concerned me that single mothers and widows and the poor in the church that I was in were struggling to pay their tithes.  I had a friend who couldn't even afford a packet of milk for her daughter and would struggle to give to the church because she was afraid of being "a robber before God" as is preached in many churches.

Many will use the Abraham and Melchizedek encounter as a justification for paying tithes under the New Testament.
Why then are churches using the Levitical Law to preach about tithes because it's under this abolished Law that people tithed regularly.

Am I against the Old Testament altogether and am I suggesting that Christians should read only the New Testament? No, I'm not against the Old Testament. Infact, when I open my bible to read I like to read the Old Testament because it explains a lot of things about the New Testament.  And also as I've said, it's even by reading the Old Testament that I started to see the inconsistencies of the tithing doctrine in churches. The New Testament clearly explains how and why we are not under the Mosaic Law when it comes to giving.


TITHING, AND WHY IT NO LONGER APPLIES.
THE CHANGING OF THE PRIESTHOOD AND THE TITHE.

by Richard R. Suarez

The scriptures make a deliberate effort to show that there are distinct differences between the many covenants that existed prior to the commandments of Mount Sinai, and the statutes and ordinances that followed. They also emphasize the difference between them and the "better covenant" of the New Testament.

Briefly, the main differences between covenants are, to whom and for what purpose a particular covenant is made, and for how long it is in effect. There were so many covenants throughout biblical history that it would be too tedious to even list all of them much less explain them in the context of this writing. Therefor we will limit ourselves only to the ones that pertain to this subject.

There are only two covenants that directly address the priesthood and the tithe. The first covenant is the Abrahamic covenant (for Christians this one is ours) and the Mosaic covenant (this one was made for the Hebrews at Sinai).

The Mosaic covenant, often referred to as "the law", actually consists of several different and distinct parts. First there were the "ten commandments", then the statutes (the oral law) and finally the handwriting of ordinances. This appears to be the way the scriptures describe them. (2Ch.33:8, Ex.18:20, Ki.17:34 " 37, Eze.11:20,etc.)

Ex 34:28 And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.

De 4:13 And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, [even] ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.

De 10:4 And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and the LORD gave them unto me.

Ex 31:18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.

De 9:10 And the LORD delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them [was written] according to all the words, which the LORD spake with you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly.

These "ten commandments" are the same commandments God says that he will replace or rewrite on the tables of the hearts of the "New Covenant" or Christian believer.

2Co 3:3 [Forasmuch as ye are] manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

Heb 8:10 For this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

Jas 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

Lu 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

It is no coincidence that the "ten commandments" of scripture contain no reference to the "tithe" or any other law that would apply to only a limited amount of time or dispensation.

The next part is the "oral law" or "statutes" as found in the book of Exodus chapters 20:22 through 34:28. I am referring to these as the oral law because these are the statutes God spoke to Moses but didn’t write down and are neither part of the "Ten Commandments" nor part of the "handwriting of ordinances" which were later written by Moses.

This leaves us with the third part, the "handwriting of ordinances" which are the body of the "Levitical Law" so named because it is found in the book of Leviticus. This body of work is what is referred to often as "the law", especially by the New Testament authors, and is replaced by grace.

Joh 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, [but] grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Ro 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Ro 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

When it comes to the statutes and ordinances, there is definitely a limitation as to whom and for how long they apply.

Hebrews 8:13-AV In that he saith, A new [covenant], he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old [is] ready to vanish away.

Hebrews 7:18-AV For there is verily a disannulling <115> of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

Hebrews 8:7-AV For if that first [covenant] had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

2Ch 33:8 Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.

According to the scriptures these ordinances were removed and done away with at the Cross by Jesus.

Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Ephesians 2:15-16, "Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:"

2 Corinthians 3:13-14, "And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished<2673>: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ."

disannulling - Strong's #115 athetesis {ath-et'-ay-sis}from 114; AV - disannulling 1, to put away + 1519 1; 2
1) abolition, disannulling, put away, rejection


abolished - Strong's #2673. katargeo, kat-arg-eh'-o; from 2596 and 691; to be (render) entirely idle (useless), lit. or fig.:--abolish, cease, cumber, deliver, destroy, do away, become (make) of no (none, without) effect, fail, loose, bring (come) to nought, put away (down), vanish away, make void.

The Apostle Paul is very clear about this. Having been a Pharisee he understood quite well the difference between the law and this "better covenant" we have in Christ.

Hebrews 8:6-AV But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

Hebrews 8:7-AV For if that first [covenant] had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

Hebrews 8:8-AV For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

Hebrews 8:9-AV Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

Hebrews 10:9-AV Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

By this time there can be no doubt as to the fact that at least one portion of the "Mosaic Law" if not all of it has been pre-empted by the "New Covenant". Actually, this "New Covenant" had its start four hundred and thirty years prior to the covenant delivered to Moses on Mount Sinai. This covenant was made by God and for Abraham and his seed. The Apostle Paul says that this covenant is ours through Jesus Christ and having been confirmed by God cannot be disannuled because it has nothing to do with the "law" which not being confirmed by God has been disannuled.

Ga 3:15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though [it be] but a man's covenant, yet [if it be] confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.

Ga 3:17 And this I say, [that] the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

Hebrews 7:18-AV For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

Now that we have a correct perspective of our relationship to the law and it to our "better covenant", we can look closely at a now obsolete "priesthood" and its exclusive relationship to the "tithe".

How did the priesthood get established and what was its purpose?

The concept of a "Priest" is contained throughout the Bible.

The Bible contains many references to priestly actions by individuals as far back as Adam. We see Adam's influence on his sons Cain and Abel, in that. We know that Cain and Able were instructed to give an offering to God by someone, someone taught them to offer a lamb as a yearly sacrifice for sin. More than likely it was Adam who taught them and received the offering in God's behalf.

Certainly it was Job's role as priest that is referred to in Job chapter 42 verse 8; Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you [after your] folly, in that ye have not spoken of me [the thing which is] right, like my servant Job.

Abraham also, sacrificed a lamb as a burnt offering as worship to God. (Gen. 22:5)

Through out the scriptures we have examples like these. It isn't until the Levite priesthood (under the Mosaic law) that a priesthood becomes structured. God instructs Moses that the Levites (one of the twelve tribes) will now give service at the altar under Aaron. As the population grows the number of Levites that give attendance at the altar also grows and becomes a morning to evening never ending stream of millions of animal sacrifices along with baked goods and produce of every kind. Gods plan to support this huge number of workers and their families is the "tithe"
(For more on the origins on the priesthood and the "Law" read part II)

Nehemiah 12:44-AV And at that time were some appointed over the chambers for the treasures, for the offerings, for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, to gather into them out of the fields of the cities the portions of the law for the priests and Levites: for Judah rejoiced for the priests and for the Levites that waited.

Is the priesthood God's ideal or was it a concession to Israel?

It is evident that even before the "law" certain individuals were already offering up burnt offerings and filling the role of priests as we discussed earlier. Now, with the law in place, God orders a structured priesthood under Aaron. God also institutes an order of sacrifices, offerings and atonements, none of which existed before as obligatory. It appears that God did not institute these for His pleasure or of his will if the New Testament author is correct:

Hebrews 10:1-AV For the law having a shadow of good things to come, [and] not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect

Hebrews 10:8-AV Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and [offering] for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure [therein]; which are offered by the law;

Hebrews 10:9-AV Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

Hebrews 10:10-AV By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [for all].

This leaves us to wonder if it was a concession or just a temporary covenant that institutes the priesthood and the tithe. Either way one thing is certain, God’s will was to sanctify us (set us apart) from that covenant and replace it with a better covenant.

Hebrews 7:11-AV 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?

Hebrews 7:12-AV For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

Hebrews 7:13-AV For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.

Hebrews 7:14-AV For [it is] evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

Hebrews 7:16-AV Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

Hebrews 7:18-AV For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

Hebrews 7:19-AV For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope [did]; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

Hebrews 7:24-AV But this [man], because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

Hebrews 8:13-AV In that he saith, A new [covenant], he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old [is] ready to vanish away.

The Apostle Paul uses three chapters to thoroughly explain the why the priesthood is changed (replaced). The Levitical priesthood ends and Jesus’ begins.

One of the things we must understand about the priesthood is that no matter what form it appeared in before the cross. It was only a shadow but not like what was to come to replace it.

Hebrews 10:1-AV For the law having a shadow of good things to come, [and] not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect

Heb 7:12 For the priesthood being changed<3346>, there is made of necessity a change <3331> also of the law.

The word changed does not mean to alter slightly. It doesn’t mean to leave in place and add something to it. This word comes from the word we get metamorphosis and means to replace with something totally different. Like what happens to the caterpillar that is transformed into a butterfly, no longer a creature that is in bondage to the ground but a new creature a monarch of the sky.

3346 metatithemi {met-at-ith'-ay-mee} from 3326 and 5087; Strongs’ definition:

1) to transpose (two things, one of which is put in place of the other)

1a) to transfer

1b) to change

5746 Tense - Present See 5774

3331 metathesis {met-ath'-es-is} from 3346; AV - change 1, translation 1, removing 1 Strongs’ definition:

1) transfer: from one place to another

2) to change

2a) of things instituted or established

Here are some other scriptures where the same word #3346 appears.

Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning <3346> (5723) the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated <3346> (5681) that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated <3346> (5656) him: for before his translation <3331> he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

It is a drastic mistake to assume that once something is established by scripture that it cannot be changed somehow attributing everything as God’s will. If that was the case the children of Israel would still be in bondage in Egypt and we would still be heathens.

Since the priesthood and the tithe under the law have become an integral part one of another (remember the only purpose of the tithe is to support the Levites) let us take a closer look at the "tithe".

What does "tithe" mean?

The word "tithe" Strong’s number 04643 ma`aser {mah-as-ayr'} or ma`asar {mah-as-ar'} and (in pl.) fem. ma`asrah {mah-as-raw'} from # 06240; literally means a tenth part. The word does not mean offering, gift or sacrifice as it has come to be known.

Where did the "tithe" come from?

We have no known usage of the word biblically prior its use in Genesis chapter 14 verse 20 where Abram returned from a battle against several kings who had kidnapped his nephew Lot along with many of the inhabitants and possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abram was greeted by the king of Sodom and a man named Melchisedec king of Salem, a priest of the Most High God. Abram gave Melchisedec a tenth part of the spoils of the battle (tithe), and then gave all the rest of the spoils (the possessions of the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah) back to the king of Sodom along with the inhabitants who had been liberated.

Genesis 14:20-AV And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

Hebrews 7:4-AV Now consider how great this man [was], unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

This gift or offering that Abram makes to Melchisedec is a one time event. It cannot be misconstrued as a mandated, ceremonial or traditional (as under the law) form of giving. It is however curiously similar to the type of giving described in the New Testament. Abram was blessed by Melchisedec so he blessed him back by giving him some of the loot.

The tithe is not a part of and is not mentioned as one of the commandments that God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai. It only appears as part of the "Levitical law" the handwriting of ordinances penned by the hand of Moses which was abolished at the cross.

It is only in Leviticus that the word "tithe" takes on an entirely new meaning. According to the Levitical law, it was ordained by God to collect tithes of the people to support the priests that served in the temple, and their families. The reason for this was because the Levites unlike the other tribes were not given lands and herds, what God calls an inheritance.

Numbers 18:24-AV But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer [as] an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.

Numbers 18:26-AV 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 the LORD, [even] a tenth [part] of the tithe

Here in Nehemiah we have a clear statement that the tithe is for the Levites and preists, and it is the tithe on that tithe they have received that is for the "storehouse" or "treasure house".

Nehemiah 10:37 And [that] we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner o f trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage. Nehemiah 10:38 And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house.

At this point the "tithe" becomes a doctrine of the law and no longer just another word like "tenth", "fifth", "quarter" or "half". It becomes an obligatory act along with hundreds of other acts required by the law that until Liviticus had no such connotation. Acts like picking up sticks, lighting fires, leading animals, etc. now become a sin and punishable even by death if performed on the Sabbath. Hundreds of normal acts that people did or didn’t do before the law now are not allowed or become mandatory under it.

Just because there is a pre-law use of the word tithe, It doesn’t establish it as a doctrine of mandatory giving any more than the pre law use of the word circumcision establishes it as a mandatory practice. In fact according to the Apostle Paul, the fact that something like circumcision which was practiced before the Mosaic Law, once becoming part of the body of the law, now is contrary to grace and not to be observed by the Christian believer. Paul goes on to say that if you observe one law you are a debtor to do the whole law and are fallen from grace.

Ga 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Ga 5:2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

Ga 5:3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

Ga 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace

Ga 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Ga 5:9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

No other New Testament author deals with or mentions the tithe except Paul. He treats the tithe with the same disdain as he treats circumcision. In reference to any command of tithing Paul says he never told anyone to do it and never wrote them to tell them to. The reason he gives is that it hinders the gospel of Christ.

1Co 9:12 If others be partakers of [this] power over you, [are] not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

1Co 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

1Co 9:15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for [it were] better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.

1Co 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation [of the gospel] is committed unto me.

1Co 9:18 What is my reward then? [Verily] that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

Again there is no mention of a Christian observance of the tithe by Paul even when he is referring to the support of those that preach the gospel. This is consistent with all the other New Testament scriptures regarding giving and receiving. At the same time Paul reinforces that mandatory giving is not part of our covenant.

2Co 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Lu 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

What does the New Testament say about giving and the support of the ministry?

All the new covenant scriptures uphold one basic principal. This principal is called "free will" and is in harmony with every other principal of our covenant. "Free will" is the cornerstone of faith. We are saved by a free will act of faith. Nowhere in our covenant does it say that we are obligated to perform any act to fulfill our part of the covenant. In fact it says that Jesus fulfilled everything, he is the "author and finisher of our faith".

Therefore, the type of giving in this better covenant must be "free will giving". The strongest reference on giving in the support of a minister or particular ministry is to that of the teacher.

Ga 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

Ga 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

One of the biggest mistakes made by Christian leadership today is to go outside of our covenant and embrace doctrines of the law, or any other covenant. It seems impossible that we did not know that to do so is abusing our power in the gospel. That Paul's words of warning went unheard is beyond reason. Nevertheless ministers, whether knowingly or not are leading their congregations into bondage and condemnation.

We frustrate grace and hinder the very gospel we swore to preach.

I can't tell you how many times my wife and I have invited a guest to church, usually someone we are trying to witness salvation to, just to have some pastor hammer the congregation with Malachi chapter three. No wonder the guest never returned. The gospel they heard preached was quenched along with the Spirit and untill this study I didn't understand why even though in my spirit I knew there was something wrong.

Malachi should never be used against a New Testament believer. The entire book was given to the prophet to rebuke the priests and religious leaders that were under the Levitical Law. There is nothing to gain in using it unless the intent is to intimidate and condemn. Let us look for a moment at these all too familiar scriptures.

Malachi 3:8-AV Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

Malachi 3:9-AV Ye [are] cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, [even] this whole nation.

Malachi 3:10-AV 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].

Malachi 3:11-AV 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, saith the LORD of hosts.

Let us take one verse at a time.

Malachi 3:8-AV Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

According to the New Covenant it is God’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom. Is the payment for sin paid by the blood of Christ or not?

Hebrews 7:27-AV 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.

Hebrews 9:12-AV Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption [for us].

Malachi 3:9-AV Ye [are] cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, [even] this whole nation.

There is no curse for the New Covenant believer. Which nation is being referred to?

Ga 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree:

Ro 8:1 [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, ...

Malachi 3:10-AV 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].

The word meat in this scripture is the word prey. The word for sacrificial animals, live animals to kill.

Hebrews 7:27-AV 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.

Malachi 3:11-AV 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, saith the LORD of hosts.

God gives us the power to rebuke the devourer. Those of the "Law" did not have this authority.

Lu 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

These scriptures in Malachi obviously have nothing to do with Christianity. Yes, they are in the Bible. But not everything in the Bible applies to everyone. The big defense by proponents of the tithe is that it is a biblical concept. If that is the real reason how come they are not also pushing circumcision, Kosher dietary laws, animal sacrifice, burnt offerings, Sabbath observance, etc. I tell you, I believe it is a smoke screen for the real reason. The real reason is they just won’t trust God. Yes, they have no faith that God will really supply all their needs like the scriptures say. Like Abraham when he went into his wife's handmaiden. Just giving God a hand. Sure he promised, but! The end result, children of bondage!

There are plenty of wonderful scriptures in our Christian covenant about giving and receiving. One of the truly exciting concepts that the scriptures have is that of giving. A true opportunity to bless and be blessed. When we do give, God is glorified, because he knows we don't have to. We do it because we want to and God truly loves a cheerful giver.

Question to Sanctified People: 

I lived a life of fornication in the past. I have slept with many men. I have also had many abortions. Can God bless me with a God ordained husband and bless me with children and a home of my own? 

Word from Sanctified People: 

This question was sent about a year ago. I encouraged the wonderful lady in Christ but the question has never left my mind. This type of question requires that final answer that will allow one to move on in life without self condemnation but with freedom and power in Christ. I pray that this word blesses many women, and men too, that need that assurance from God. 

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18 

God has forgiven you dear sister in Christ. The blood of Jesus speaks better things than the blood of Abel (or any other shed blood), Hebrews 12:24. 

From the moment you humbled yourself and cried out in repentance for forgiveness, God has forgiven you. God has forgiven you of all your sins, blotted out the handwriting of spiritual and physical decrees that were and are against you and took them out of the way, nailing them to the cross. God has spoiled spiritual principalities and powers and Jesus has made a show of them openly triumphing over them. Colossians 2:13-15. 

Let's look at the background of abortion in a spiritual biblical view and how God dealt with the issue. 

As I was reading my bible this month, I read the story of King Manasseh of Israel in 2 Chronicles 33. I felt the strength and power of God from this chapter.

King Manasseh was a wicked, sinful king who made his children pass through the fire. Making one's sons and daughters pass through the fire is a term used in the bible many times to describe giving children as burnt human sacrifice to a pagan god. In our present times, that's what we call abortion. In the times of the kings of Israel, a parent would literally give their child (especially a male) as a burnt human sacrifice to the god Molech, Chemosh, Baal and any other psgan god they worshipped. This was one of the highest form demon of worship that would yield quick and tangible results especially in giving one success and prosperity. We see in 2 Kings 3, king Joram of Moab gave his son as a burnt offering on the city wall so that Moab would prevail against Israel. 

Abortion is sacrificing the lives ones children in order to have a better life or maintain the current life that one is living. Sacrificing a child because one feels that the child(ren) will interfere with how life is now or will prevent them from achieving something in life. 

One lady said "The modern woman sacrifices her children so she can further her career, look desirable to whatever end, stay in a relationship with a man without "being tied down" with the responsibility of raising a child."

There has never been a worse lie from the devil than this: to have parents sacrifice the lives of their children. The bible says that children are a blessing. In my experience as a single mother, a child brings deliverance and blessings in ones life. So for the devil to lie to a parent to have an abortion is to delay their deliverance from a life of sin or hinder the deliverance completely.

When God gives you a child, He deems you worthy of such a calling as parenting. He sees good in you and knows that if you trust and believe in Him, He will deliver and bless you, your children and the next generations. God is capable of taking a sinful situation, forgive you, cleanse you, deliver you and bring a miracle out of it. 

It's the same thing in this situation; God is able to take your broken pieces as a woman in need of forgiveness and healing, and He is able to forgive you, cleanse you, deliver you and bring a miracle out of it.

Yes, God can bless you with a God ordained husband and bless you with children and a home of your own.

The story of King Manasseh shows that he did a lot of evil. Let's look at the wicked things he did: 

He built again the high places for pagan gods which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.

He also built pagan altars in the house of the Lord. And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord.

And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he caused much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.

And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God. So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel.

The Bible describes him as a very wicked and evil person. He did not heed to God's warning when God sent His prophets to warn him. Therefore, God brought the king of Assyrian against the children of Israel. King Manasseh was taken by the Assyrian king put in thorns and bound with fetters and was carried to Babylon.

When King Manasseh was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before God and prayed unto him. God was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea. 
God forgave him and brought him back from  captivity. 

This is my message to you. God is listening to your humble sincere repentance. "A broken and contrite heart, He does not despise." Psalms 51:17.

Repentance is realising your sin, genuinely asking for forgiveness from God and turning completely from the said sin. Repentance is not a mere "I'm sorry" apology to God, it's turning away from that sin. If it's difficult to turn away, seek deliverance and keep working through the issue until you are completely free and the sin looses it's appeal to you. When you are completely free from a sin, you no longer desire to do that sin and you hate it. (You do not hate the sinner but the sin).

For you to want God's standard of holiness is a good thing. Before God, we are all filthy sinners in need of His forgiveness and grace. So many people in your position would have given up on God and just continue in a life of sin and end up in hell. But your courage and trust in God makes you know that surely there's hope for you. There's hope for many people deep in sin. 

Believing that you have been forgiven and living in the freedom and power of your forgiveness can be difficult to accept. God's standards are high and it is true we are the worst of sinners. This can become a snare for many people as they become gripped in shame and guilt, and some people never move on. But Jesus tells us to cast our burdens and cares upon Him. He is able to lead you and carry you through. 

God knows the genuineness in your heart. You cannot lie to Him nor to yourself. Whenever you go before Him in prayer, tell Him everything including your fears. 

The devil will try to plant thoughts of doubt, self hate and condemnation, self pity and guilt. This happens to a person who is trying to move on into another level of spiritual growth and maturity. He will tell you any lie to keep you from moving forward and from going for your blessings in the Lord. 

But we know as the bible describes the devil; he is a deceiver and an accuser of brethren (Revelations 12:9-10). The devil lays on you things and sins which you even have not committed and makes you guilty of them. He's a liar. Cast him and those thoughts out. 

Say, "Spirit of fear, condemnation (say what you're feeling) I bind you right now with hot chains dipped in the blood of Jesus. Come out now, in Jesus name. You have no authority in my life. Come out now in Jesus name!"

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:5 

Another powerful way to attack the devil is to use the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God as one of the weapons in spiritual warfare. Print out bible verses about being washed by the blood of Jesus and the forgiveness of sins. Read them and speak them out into the spirit during your prayer times. Apply them to yourself by saying, "I'm forgiven and washed by the blood..." The spirit realm hears and responds and each every day you will be getting closer and closer to your reassurance till finally, you will be walking in victory. 

Read out the bible verses everyday and tell God to open your eyes to see, feel and be able to live in His forgiveness and grace. 

Walk in your freedom dear sister in Christ, knowing that God has forgiven you. Be willing and ready to be led by Him.

WHERE ARE ALL THE GOOD GODLY GUYS/LADIES??

Proverbs 31:10 "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."!

A friend once asked me, "It seems like worldly men are really good looking, I mean like when you walk around in malls and see all the guys, they're 'cute'. But you know, they're worldly men. Are there men of God that are good looking with that allure of character and looks that the worldly men seem to have going on for them? And where are such guys?"

First I laughed. Hard. Not at the question but at the genuinity of it because it's so real. I've lost count on the number of times single women have asked me about who, when, how they're going to get married. It's a sincere matter to them, and to me too. Most of the time single women (and men) are saying they're waiting for a Godly spouse but they're lost between genuinely yearning for God and falling for the outside worldly pressures.

I told my friend yes. Yes, God has those type of men and women on his side too. Yes, there are handsome, 'cute' as some women put it, clean shaven and well groomed, good scented and well outfitted men of God.

But why are we focusing on the physical?

Let's look at what God's Word says

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31:30

But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance (face), or on the height of his stature (height and build); because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 

Clearly, my friend needed a mindset renewal. Because, all that concern on the physical doesn't really matter anyway. It's the God in your God ordained husband that will draw you him. Not his looks or what he's doing. God in that person will draw you to him. Meaning that, you also have to be in God to be found by your God ordained husband. And when I say 'God in that person', we're not saying that the very moment you notice him, he has to be speaking in tongues, prophesying, casting and binding devils, preaching, singing and dancing for God, or laying prostrate on the church floor bubbling in the Spirit. No, not necessarily. Some people can put up a spiritual show because they know a gullible, desperate person will be drawn in by such displays.

When Anna and Simeon met Jesus, He was just a baby. Jesus hadn't performed any miracle yet, he hadn't gone out to preach yet. He was just a baby. Yet they knew that they were in the presence of the Messiah. Mary and Joseph didn't come in the temple with pomp and glamour. In fact they were poor. They wouldn't get noticed in most of today's prosperity gospel charismatic churches. Mary and Joseph had with them their turtle doves offering which was an offering poor people could afford. Simeon and Anna noticed the Messiah because the glory of God was on Him, and they burst out in prophesy and thanksgiving.

A husband will not always appear like a good looking guy to everyone. And I don't mean he'll be some ugly, dirty, stinking man who needs a lesson or two on hygiene and style, what I mean is he will surpass the physical outlook. Just like Moses, He will "shine" because of the glory of God on him, not necessarily because of how handsome he is. And those who are in that level will see God in him.

I always like to use the story of King David and the story of Ruth to elaborate this situation. Where were these two characters when they were noticed and chosen? It was God in David that had him chosen and anointed by Samuel. It was God in Ruth that had her get noticed and favoured by Boaz. Same with Queen Esther, it wasn't just her looks but the glory and favour of God on her.

Now let's look at the question again and refocus it. Where is the God ordained husband and where is the God ordained wife?

Even the bible asks it in Proverbs 31:10 "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."!

The truth of the matter is that these virtuous women and the men of valour are hidden. Your God ordained husband or wife is hidden/covered by God. That is why for all single mothers I talk to, I always tell them they've got to be covered and hidden by God as a protection from God to deter the attacks of the devil. When in fornication, women are left uncovered and never covered spiritually. You need to get covered and be aware of that covering.

Psalm 91 isn't just a psalm about protection from thieves and accidents. It's a psalm showing the protection of God in all areas of our. When someone tells me (with a smirk and a sense of accomplishment) that they get contacted and asked out by many men or that they attract certain types of men, my question is, "Why are you exposed? Why are you not in the secret place of the Almighty under His wings?"

Circumstances in life that you think are a disadvantage, will hide you. When God chose David, he was hidden in the pastures shepherding and having personal hidden victories overcoming lions and bears. When God chose Gideon to save Israelites from the Midianites, Gideon was hidden, the lowest in his family. Mary mother of Jesus was a humble woman. Ruth was in the special groups category, an alien (stranger/foreigner), lower than a poor Israelite widow woman.

God hides His precious things. That's His nature. It is also revealed in creation; precious stones are hidden underneath the earth. Just imagine you can be standing on the ground and just beneath it, there are precious stones of great value and worth! And in order to get the precious stones, you have to dig and find them. You have to find their 'hiding place' and dig them out. But why does God hide people? He hides them for many reasons.

First of all, and truly for God, He would rather a person fulfills the assignment he/she was created for and goes to heaven and escapes eternal damnation, than for that person to get married to a person who is a stumbling block. Marriage is a very beautiful institution created by God, but it is not everything. God does not see either state of marriage or singlehood as one being better than the other. He can use either a marriage or singlehood in accordance to His plan to fulfil His will. None is better than the other. That's not to say that one shouldn't desire marriage especially if they desire a Godly marriage. Infact for single Christian men and women who want to marry, it's commendable to desire a Godly marriage. God is pleased when you take a concern of such magnitude to Him because it shows you trust Him and want to marry within His will and laws.

God also hides people so that they're not discovered by the wrong people who will be stumbling blocks.

He hides people so that they can maintain intimacy with Him and so that they can FIND and be FOUND by their God ordained spouses and continue living their God ordained lives.

Where does God hide them? He hides them in His secret place! They are under the shadow of the Almighty, He covers them with his feathers, under his wings, Psalm 91:1-4. 

The secret place is a place of holiness and sanctification, honour, a place of an intimate relationship with God. A place of truth in your inner being, whereby you cannot lie to God or to yourself. A place of being totally sold out to God not because of what He gives you or does for you, but for just who He is: Holy. A place where you cast down your crown, cease to exist, and only Him and His will matters.

People in the secret place know that they are hidden and they choose to remain there under the will of God. For them to be reached (in this case of marriage that we're discussing), one has to ascend to that secret place of God to reach them!

These type of hidden people do not approach anyone unnecessarily for a  relationship of "let-me-date-you-and-see-how-this goes-then-we-can-get-married-if-things-work-out". The truth of the matter is, dating for years is not necessary when you're hidden in God. God will speak and confirm to you when you find your God ordained spouse. All you will do is court the person as God is confirming to you the situation. Abraham's servant knew Rebecca was Isaac's appointed wife through God's confirmation. He prayed and God answered. You do not have to date but to court. One good pointer is if the person is within God's will, you can proceed to ask God about him/her. If the person is not within God's will for you, don't bother. Don't bother asking God about a fornicative person. God cannot give you a fornicator for a husband or wife. If you ask God for a spouse, be prepared to live in holiness and purity because that is God's parameter.

People who are hidden by God know that it is the work of God to ordain and provide a spouse for them of equal measure. These hidden people are not anxious,  counting down years and being bitter as they complain that they are the last in their group of friends in the marriage race. They present their requests to God and trust Him to work in His perfect will, Philippians 4:6. The devil, however, can hinder a Godly marriage from a person and in such a situation a person will require deliverance. Satan can hinder a Godly marriage because he knows it will be a powerful testimony that will lead many to Christ in joyful hope.

Hidden people are busy working on their God given assignments and responsibilities that they have no desire for unnecessary things in their lives. Being in the perfect will of God is what matters to them, including praying according to the will of God for their ordained spouses. God vigilantly covers and hedges in these people so tightly that nothing that God hasn't allowed will penetrate their covering. Just like the case of Job, the devil told God, "You have covered this fellow so tightly, I went round his hedge, there's absolutely no doorway!" (paraphrased).

And God informed the devil that yes, Job chooses to be covered and does what God requires to remain in the covering of God.

One of the reasons one does not find those good and precious elusive men or women is because it may be not your time yet. And God will let you know it and He will give you the grace to carry on in the wait with thanksgiving and without anxiety. You will need to be doing the assignment that God has for you at the moment waiting in joyful hope.

Another reason you may not find or be found is you might be a threat to the hidden men and women of God, a stumbling block. You pray for a very high quality spouse, and that is good thing to ask for because God wants the same for you, but the problem is you may not be the high quality person to the person you are asking for, you are a stumbling block. Isaiah 57:14 "...Prepare the way, Take the stumbling block out of the way of My people.” 

The reason you are a stumbling block is because you refuse to be prepared by God. God is preparing you or wants to prepare you, to enable you to get ready for that man or woman. He wants to prepare man or woman so that you can be able to notice them. A prepared heart is a heart that is receptive to the Lord's leading and instruction. One that is able to hear God say, "There is what you are looking for". You may see a precious stone laying on the ground but because you do not know how to detect the properties of the precious stone, you will just pass it. A precious high quality man or woman prepared by the Lord has Godly properties.

Stay on God's altar as He prepares you for a Godly marriage. Let God take you through deliverance from things that can cause you anguish in future. One thing for sure, get deliverance from fornication. This is the number one hindrance to a God ordained marriage. It's a process and a journey, but one which you will appreciate as God takes you through it. I must say that it's not easy but it's worth it. It will save you a lot of trouble in your marriage in future. God will walk with you closely throughout this journey; leading you, guiding you and covering you for good things ahead.