The Tithe Lie
"[Jesus] sent his disciples to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. And he said to them, 'Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.' " AND, when Jesus sent out seventy more, he told them: "Go your way, behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. Carry neither money bag, sack, nor sandals." AND "Jesus said to them, 'When I sent you without money bag, sack, and sandals, did you lack anything?' So they said, 'Nothing!' " Apostle Edward
Bible Verses: Luke 9:2-3; 10:3-4; 22:35
Cover – Jesus' Words 1
Basis Of Tithe Lie 3
Discussion 4-8
Apostle's Warning 9
The Tithe Law 10-11
God's Tithe Instructions 12-16
Man's Tithe Instructions 17-18
Today's Tithe Essence 19-20
What Jesus Taught 21-26
Seven Giving Principles 27-28
Giving Directly To God 29
Apostle’s Prayer 30
Salvation Prayer 31
The Apostle Edward 32-33
Two Heart Gate
"Will a man rob God?
Yet you have robbed Me!
But you say,
'In what way have we robbed You?'
In tithes and offerings.
You are cursed with a curse,
For you have robbed Me,
Even this whole nation.
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And prove Me now in this,"
Says the Lord of hosts,
"If I will not open for you the windows
of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it." Malachi 3:8-10
This Scripture in Malachi is the basis of the tithe lie. It is a very powerful Scripture. Who among us wants to rob God? The experienced tithe preacher plays on our emotions to teach that we rob God in two distinct ways using this Scripture. First, we fail to tithe [give the Church 10% of our gross income], and second, we fail to give offerings [in addition to the tithe]. I have heard many tithe teachings that use Malachi, but this is not the only Scripture abused.
I believed in tithing for a season. Anyone with a heart that wants to get close to God would be horrified to think they might be robbing Him. However, if they know God's Word, they can reject the tithe lie as a false teaching. They may also want to find a new teacher. At best, a tithe teacher is ignorant of God's Word. If they are not ignorant, then they are liars, because they know better than to add or subtract from God's Word.
I can hear someone's voice saying: "Apostle Edward, aren't you being harsh calling tithe teachers either ignorant of God's Word or liars?" No, I don't think I am. I believe that those two characterizations fully explain tithe teachers, regardless of their pedigrees or popularity or size of their ministry. This will become fully apparent to you by the end of this tract. For now, consider some Scripture.
"Some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things they affirm." 1 Tim 1:7-8
Jesus said [to some teachers]: "You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God." Matthew 22:29
"My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment." James 3:1
"So any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin." James 4:17 Amplified Bible
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables." 2 Timothy 4:3-4
FACT: False and ignorant teachers have existed from time immemorial, but in these End Times, it is ever more prevalent today. Scripture must fully support Bible doctrines!
The above Scriptures make it clear that God will hold teachers to a higher standard. This higher standard is reflected in James 4:17. Every teacher of God's Word should know not to add or subtract from His words.
"Whoever loves and practices a lie [is not allowed into the kingdom of heaven]." Rev 22:15
This Scripture refers to a lover of lies, not a person who tells a white lie here or there. A complete discussion of the issue of lying can be found in the Book Of Edward, Volume I, starting at page 83.
FACT: The tithe preacher lies about God's Word in Malachi 3 to raise money for their ministry and for their own personal gain.
"Whatever I [God] command you [to do], be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it." Deut 12:32
"Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words,
Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar." Psalm 30:5-6
"If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." Revelation 22:18-19
"God is not a man, that He should lie,
Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do it?
Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?" Numbers 23:19
FACT: God has made it clear we are not to add or subtract from His Word. And that if we do, there are serious consequences.
Apostle's Warning
God has several issues with tithe teachers. If you teach tithing, consider this as a warning from God to stop perverting His Holy Word.
By teaching tithing, you …
· ADD to and SUBTRACT from God's Holy Word.
· PERVERT God's Word for ministry and personal gain.
· IDENTIFY yourself as a lover and practitioner of lies.
· WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE to God's higher teacher standard.
And Jesus said: "[Woe] to whoever causes one of these [another] … to sin!" Mt 18:6-7
The Tithe Law
[22] "You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year. [23] And you shall eat before the Lord your God, in the place where He chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always.
[24] But if the journey is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, or if the place where the Lord your God chooses to put His name is too far from you, when the Lord your God has blessed you, [25] then you shall exchange it for money, take the money in your hand, and go to the place which the Lord your God chooses. [26] And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires …
10
[For whatever your heart desires]: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before the Lord your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household. [27] You shall not forsake the Levite who is within your gates, for he has no part nor inheritance with you."
[28] "At the end of every third year you shall bring out the tithe of your produce of that year and store it up within your gates.
[29] And the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do." Deuteronomy 14:22-29
God's Tithe Instructions
There are Two purposes cited by God in the "Tithe Law" He gave the Hebrews.
1. So you could learn to fear the Lord your God always. [v23]
2. So food would be available for the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widows within your gates [those close to you or within your community, neighborhood]. [v28-29]
There are Three yearly instructions.
1. Year 1 – Consume your tithe before the Lord. Don't forget to bring the Levites to the worship celebration.
2. Year 2 – Same as year one.
3. Year 3 – Bring your tithe [food] to a storehouse so other people could eat.
There are Five things God wants tithed.
1. Tithe the grain harvest. [v22-23]
2. Tithe the new wine.
3. Tithe the new oil.
4. Tithe the firstborn of your herds.
5. Tithe the firstborn of your flocks.
God said to tithe against His Increase.
God's increase in the yield applies. [Gross yield less input or costs = actual increase.] For example, if you planted 10 bushels of corn and only harvested 10 bushels of corn, there was no increase. If you harvested 20 bushels, your increase was 10, and you tithed 1 bushel of corn. God only expected you to tithe on the increase in the food resources that He gave you. Therefore, you tithed on blessings God gave you from the things He taught you to tithe against. [v22]
"To Tithe" meant worshipping God and feeding His people. It did not mean giving 10% of one's gross income to a church.
To tithe the firstborn of your flocks or herds meant that out of every 10 newborn animals, you were to give 1 as a tithe. Ergo, you did not tithe from the existing herd or flock, but only on the increase in that herd or flock that God gave you.
Tithing never involved giving money.
Tithing was all about learning to fear and worship the Lord your God and to provide food for His people. God's instructions do mention the word "money." However, it is in the context of transporting your tithe to a place where God would have you consume it. And, what are you to do with your tithe money? God says: "And you shall spend that money on whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine …" [v26]
A complete discussion of the tithe lie is not possible in this small tract. However, you can find a detailed discussion in Chapter 17 of the Book of Edward found on the Internet at -- http://www.bookofedward.org/
"For I am the Lord, I do not change;
therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob. Yet from the days of your fathers you have gone away from My ordinances and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you," Says the Lord of hosts. "But you said, 'In what way shall we return?' " Malachi 3:6-7
Immediately proceeding "Will a man rob God?", we see that God is talking to the nation of Judah. The people of Judah did not obey God's ordinances on tithing. As a result, God's storehouse lacked food and the Levites did not give a heave offering. This was a "tenth of the tithe" [Numbers 18:26].
The message in Malachi 3:8-10 is clearly directed to the Hebrew people in Judah. Immediately following Malachi 3:8-10 is:
"And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field," says the Lord of hosts; "And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land," Says the Lord of hosts [God Almighty]. Malachi 3:11
God instructs Judah through the prophet Malachi to obey the tithe ordinances and bring the tithe "that there may be food in My house" [v10]. God's food message is then reinforced by His words: "I will rebuke the devourer" [v11]. Ergo, God will provide great harvests for Judah if they obeyed Him. Note: I believe the Hebrews staggered their tithe so the storehouse was filled every year.
Man's Tithe Instructions
Tithe preachers teach four lies in an appeal to our emotions of love, fear and greed.
1. The tithe applies to everyone.
a. False – It applied only to Jews.
b. Ask a Rabbi if Jews tithe today.
2. God requires you to give 10% of your income to the church as a tithe.
a. False – It had nothing to do with giving money. It was about food.
3. God will curse you if you do not tithe.
a. False – Tithing is of the law and ironically Paul teaches that the exact opposite is true in Gal 3:10. "Cursed is everyone who does not continue … to do all things [written in the book of the law].
4. God will make you rich if you tithe.
a. False – Tithing is now a curse!
Some people think that godliness is a path to riches, but they are greatly deceived.
"Men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness." 1 Tim 6:5-11
Today's Tithe Essence
The essence of today's tithe teaching is a give to get message taught to people who are ignorant of Scripture and who value their preacher's words over the words of God. These are intellectually lazy people who are emotionally programmed against God's Word. Verily I say they are truly deceived.
As a result, many tithe preachers live lives of luxury renting hotel rooms for $10,000 per night, according to one documentary. Many drive expensive cars, own private jets and multiple homes in luxury locations, all while teaching their flocks that each of them can also live lives of luxury just by tithing!
The tithe pitch is an effective money-raising tool, because it appeals to the raw emotions of love and fear. Then, it couples those two emotions with that of greed and its inherent desire for material things and wealth.
There is no doubt that tithing is an appeal to human emotions and that it can cause many to be led astray, seeking friendship with the world and easy money!
The pitch is as basic as the love of God, the fear of His curse, and the idea that He wants to give you all that your heart desires. This is a very seducing message to those ignorant of God's Word. And, any teacher who perverts God's Word teaching the tithe can reinforce the tithe message with countless Scriptures.
"The blessing of Yahweh is what brings riches; to this, hard toil has nothing to add." Proverbs 10:22 NJB
Proverbs says it is God's blessings that will bring riches, not tithing. Even this verse can be twisted. Yet, in the face of the entire tithe lie come the words of Jesus Christ to his disciples. Let's now go back to where I started this tract, the words of Jesus Christ.
What Jesus Taught
Jesus Christ sent his disciples out without any money, and they lacked nothing! How could that be? Think carefully about what Christ has taught us in this regard, and reflect on the Scriptures I cited on the cover page of this tract for a little while.
Ready to move on? It's quite a contrast, isn't it? Christ says we do not need money to be his disciple and an effective servant of God. Yet, many preachers now say they cannot be effective without tithes and offerings. Without money, how can we build a Church?
Do you believe Jesus or the tithe preacher? There is no contest here, is there? You need to accept the words of God and His Son over any teacher. That includes me, if you should ever find His Word contradicting what I say. Let me tell you a secret.
I firmly knew that the offering referred to in Malachi 3:8-10 was the heave offering that God required of the Levites. Remember, I taught you that it was "a tenth of the tithe." What you don't know is that I had actually taken it out, as I forgot the proof Scripture. I reasoned that if I couldn't provide a proof for you, this statement had to be deleted. However, God brought back to my memory Numbers 18:26, exactly where He gave the Levites these instructions.
It was important to me that you know this was an offering from the Levites that God referred to and not something more required of the people who were to tithe at the time.
The merchants of tithing would teach this as a second tithe to indicate God wants even more from you. However, it is God who called it "a heave offering" and defined it as "a tenth of the tithe." Well, back to Jesus.
Jesus talked about money a lot in the New Testament. One instance is in Matthew chapter 19. We read …
Jesus said: "And again I say to you that is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:24
You might think Jesus is telling the rich young ruler that he won't get into heaven, but that is not true. Jesus already confirmed to him that he was assured of eternal life, because he obeyed the commandments. See Matthew 19:17-19. However, the rich young ruler said, "What am I lacking?"
Jesus replied, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." Mt 19:21
You might ask, "Why didn't Jesus didn't tell him to bring the money into his ministry?"
Isn't that what a tithe preacher might say? Yes, it is. Bring in the cash brother! But Jesus had a different standard by which to build his Church. And while I am on that thought, how should a church get built today? Free will offerings should build it!
To quote one scholar: "The old covenant society which Moses established at Mount Sinai, whether religious or secular, was supported (at first) simply by free will contributions. This is precisely the way the Christian Church was financed at first."
Jesus knew something that modern tithe preachers don't know. Money is a master!
Jesus said: "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve [both] God and mammon [money]." Matthew 6:24
Jesus knew that the rich young ruler served a master called money, even though he had assurance of eternal life. Jesus' statement about how difficult it is for the rich to enter the kingdom reflects the fact that money is a power that exerts control over our thoughts and can be a powerful master of our lives.
How do you change masters? Give all the wealth away and follow Jesus Christ. In the process, you walk away from the things of this earth and focus on the things of heaven.
When you walk away from the things of this world, you become a true servant of God. Your focus is on stewardship and not on the ownership of physical things, where money is truly a master controlling one's thoughts.
"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15
In the Beatitudes, Jesus says:
"But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation [while on the earth]." Luke 6:24
Jesus knew money can buy everything, but without it you have to trust in God to get the job done that He wants you to do. This doesn't mean you won't have any money to work with. It means that God is the one you look to for resources, not a banker or anyone else. It is He that brings you what you need.
Tithing is a lie used by Satan's ministers of righteousness to exact money, to lead us astray, to make us friends of the world, and make us an enemy of God. So, what are some biblical principles of giving that we can practice today? That is the final area I will address in this short tract. How should we give today? How do we give to God?
Seven Giving Principles
1. You choose the standard for receiving.
"Give, and it will be given to you: Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." Luke 6:38
2. Give bountifully.
3. Give with a purpose in your heart.
4. Do not give out of necessity.
5. Be a cheerful giver.
"He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully, so let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or [out] of [some] necessity for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
6. Do your good deeds and giving in secret.
"But when you do your charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed [or giving] may be in secret; and your Father who sees [your gift] in secret will Himself reward you openly." Matthew 6:3-4
7. Understand that God owns everything.
"But you have given no glory to the God in whose hands are your breath itself and all your fortunes." Dan 5:23
"For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills, I know all the birds of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are Mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is Mine, and all its fullness." Psalm 50:10-12
Giving Directly To God
Do these six things to give directly to God.
1. Feed the hungry.
2. Give drink to the thirsty.
3. Take in the stranger.
4. Clothe the naked.
5. Visit the sick.
6. Go to those in prison.
"Come you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in prison and you came to me. … In as much as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren you did it for me [and my Father]." Matthew 25:35-40
Study the Scriptures cited in this booklet very carefully. While in the Spirit, God gave these Scriptures to me for your benefit.
Please open up your heart to God's Word and let Jesus Christ, our Teacher, become the example you follow all the way back to your own heavenly home.
Do this and you will not only love Jesus and the sacrifice he made for our sins, you will also fall in love with God. You can call Him heavenly Father in all of your prayers.
Apostle's Prayer
Heavenly Father and God of my brother Jesus Christ, who is our Teacher, hear my prayer. Bless every soul that reads this booklet and will open up their heart to Your Son Jesus and also to Your Spirit. And, to all who pray the salvation prayer on the next page, grant them repentance.
Salvation Prayer
Father God, I accept this special invitation of Yours to an eternal life in heaven.
I confess with my mouth that You raised Jesus Christ from the dead and that he is the first of many humans to be resurrected to be with You, as Your sons and daughters.
I believe in my heart unto righteousness and I will do my best to live a righteous life in Your eyes. I will follow the example of Jesus and be faithful unto my own death.
Father, I thank you that You and Your Son will become one with me to help me overcome this earthly life. I know that this will make us of one mind and that Your Spirit will dwell within me to guide my path back home. Teach me Your ways Lord.
The Apostle Edward
Please accept God's Invitation to an eternal life. This may be the only time you will be presented with God's Word.
These are only the basics, but they will get you started on a life with God and His Son Jesus Christ.
You must understand that Jesus Christ is God's human begotten Son; he is not God. It is as simple as believing what Jesus taught us and accepting Scripture over manmade church doctrine. If your church doesn't preach the Word, find another church that does. You can read more about this topic and others at http://www.bookofedward.org.
Notations in small caps such as Lord, He, Him, His, You, and Father refer to God.
All Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version (NKJV) unless otherwise noted. © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved
Scripture Key: If you keep the relationship between God and His begotten human Son straight, you will understand your Bible and God's invitation to an eternal life will be for real. It's a key to understanding His Word.
Contact Information: Apostle Edward may be contacted using an online feedback form or by mail. Prayers & donations welcomed.
Rev. Edward G. Palmer
Apostle Ministry, Inc.
13570 Grove Drive #361
Maple Grove, Minnesota 55311
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Copyright 2008-2013, Edward G. Palmer, All Rights Reserved. Permission is hereby granted to reproduce this booklet for non-profit use without restriction as long as the content is left unchanged. [4JLP-62-071808]
Two Heart Gateways