How Are We To Tithe?

Everyone would agree there is a great deal of theol ogical confusion. Yahuah does not change in any way; there is no shadow of turning. And yet, time, circumstances, an d altered teachings make it seem that what He once called an abomination is now pleasing to Him. How so? Men teach us the 7th day of rest is outlawed (by or der of the Catholic Council of Laodicea, 363-364 CE, canon 29) , that we may eat unclean animals for food, and that most of Yahu ah’s Commandments are now annulled, having been “nailed to the crux.” They didn’t nail “tithing” to the crux, but kept it in force. Why do Christian pastors teach against obedience to the Ten Commandments, yet complain when people don’t tithe? If keeping the Ten Commandments is being "legalistic," then ho w could tithing (to those telling you to do so) not be the same? The Truth is, we are to obey in every way, and bein g legal in Yahusha's eyes is very, very good; we should pursue living exactly as He lived. Tithing is an arrangement established on the princi ple of giving back to Yahuah. Ten percent of our increase is the base amount that everyone is to render, and it is fair because it is the same for e veryone, as a flat tax would be. It is more blessed to give than to re ceive for many

reasons, and expresses to Yahuah that we recognize how He is worthy of a portion of our labor. We have nothing at all that we have not received ou rselves (1Cor.

4:7). Abraham gave a tenth of the booty to the priest o f Salem, indicating it may be more than only food, although the most common tithe involved the giving of animals and pro duce during the festival times. While the Temple stood, prior to 70 CE, the tithe w as given to the priesthood for their support, and distributed to th e needy of the assembly. With the destruction of the Temple and its operatio n, this priesthood has been suspended, and in the Renewed C ovenant we are under our High Priest of the order of Malkizede q. We are Yahusha’s followers if we are immersed and u nder His authority. His function in this priesthood is prima rily one of announcing the coming of His reign, and repenting t o be restored to favor (2Cor. 5:18-20, Col. 1:21). We teach the nations everything He commanded us to obey, and live by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of Yahuah. As His ambassadors, we continue to function in His power, and we still give to those in need of support. We are obliged to note any needs in our own family in order that they not be a burden on the assembly. Teachers have always been all over the map in regar d to how to tithe properly, but Yahusha is our Teacher on this subject. Teachers must not focus the tithe on themselves rec eiving it, only to partake in it to sustain them as they work in th e harvest. His Word is trustworthy, but the words of men are n ot. Here are some texts to whet your appetite on discerning His will about the tithe: “If any believing man or woman has widows, let such assist them, and do not let the assembly be burdened, in order t o assist those who are truly widows. Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of d ouble respect, especially those who labor in the word and teaching . For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer is worthy of his wages.’” - 1 Timothy 5:16-18 see also: 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, Acts 4, 1 Yn. 3:17, and 1 Tim. chapter 5

Lew White, Torah Institute www.fossilizedcustoms.com/tithing.htm