BAYO'S PERISCOPE

Dr. Samuel Bayo ArowolajuWednesday, December 7, 2005
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TITHES: NEVER REQUIRED OF CHRISTIANS BY GOD (PART II)


"When He said a new covenant, He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear" (Hebrews 8:13)

extend my sincere appreciation to all the readers of Part I of this article; particularly those who took time to write back including the two or three who disagreed with and criticized me. That is part of the beauty of the nature of God the Creator. As mighty as the God Almighty is, He never tampers with our will. He allows us to make choices such as between obedience or disobedience, light or darkness, knowledge or ignorance, and even life or death. It was interesting reading one of my critics. He said: "Although, I never bothered myself reading through the whole lot because they are bunch of irrelivant (sic) things". If he did not read through as confessed, how did he know that they "are bunch of irrelivant things"? My candid advice to him is to please go back and read the whole of Part I and this Part II and come up with his objections backed by the scriptures. I will be willing and ready to be part of an educative, informative and biblical discussion. I am open to learn from those who will use the truth, which is the Word of God and not tradition, as the fountain and foundation of their knowledge. To the many others with compliments and encouragements; thanks, it is gratifying to note that there are so many people who want to worship God in truth and in spirit. To others especially with questions, it is my hope to answer your questions as soon as possible. I hope to devote the concluding Part three to the matters and questions arising from parts I and II.


"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse." -- Mal iii. 10

Usually I always write back to acknowledge and appreciate the response of those who took time to read and write back to me. This time, I want to apologize because I will not be able to follow my set standard of acknowledging my readers individually as there was an unbelievably overwhelming response. Two people stood out of the crowd. One man said he had never before written back to acknowledge any article read but he could not just do that to this article. Another, Lillian Ajayi simply said: "God bless you for this truth! Surely, he came to set the captives free! May voices like yours never cease!" Let me add Amen here! The common thread between the responses is the fact that many people know this truth, believe in it, but do not have the boldness or courage to say it for the fear of persecution by the money minded religious people. This is why the response of Lillian, the second writer, is very relevant. The voice of truth has been silenced in our churches for too long. The prayer of Peter and John is still very germane today in view of the threats from most church leaders: "Now, LORD, look on their threats, and grant to your servants that with all boldness, they may speak Your word." Amen. (Acts: 4: 29).

Concluding Part I of this article, I said that tithes and offerings are Old Testament doctrines which are not taught in the New Testament or practiced by the New Testament Church during the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and the apostles. A search for the word tithe in the Old Testament brings about 33 hits from Genesis to Malachi, while the same search in the New Testament brings 7 hits; three times in two Gospels and four times in the Book of Hebrew. They are found in Matthew 23:23, Luke 11: 42 and 18:12. Then in the Book of Hebrew 7:5-9. There is no where in these passages where there is the slightest allusion to the fact that Christians should or must tithe in obedience to the commandments of God or Jesus or the apostles. The gospels' references to tithe were made by Jesus about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees of those days. Anyway, some of our pastors today are not better than the Pharisees of those days.

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Let me briefly deal with the ritual of offerings here because it has become an integral part of tithe in most churches. A special time is usually set aside for these and in some churches a very good speaker or orator is brought in to do a pep talk at the end of which he or she will shout: "Offering time", to which the church will echo "Blessing time". This is to make their victims believe that every amount of blessing that is received is tied to every amount of money offered as offering. The introduction of tithe is the most deceitful. In most churches the pastor would have prompted one or two people to come out and give "testimonies" of how God has blessed them because of their religious obedience to tithing even when they could not pay their bills. Then Malachi 3:10 is read to warn of the consequences of robbing God of His tithes. It is common to hear curses from the pulpit of some churches today of how devourers would enter the life and finances of those who refuse to tithe. This is to say the least an ungodly religious abuse. These pastors have equated the payment of tithes to salvation. To them and to the many religious proponents of tithes, if you do not pay tithes, then you are not saved! In doing this, they have neutralized the word of God. There is no other salvation save BY THE BLOOD OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!

There are more hypocrites in our churches today as nobody should or could make the offerings that were made in the Old Testament days. What types of offerings are we expected to make, in cash or yam or bull or goat? Are the pastors the "High Priests" making the offerings on behalf of the church? An objective student of the Bible will know that there are many types of offerings as commanded of God through Moses to the children of Israel according to the Old Testament. For the avoidance of doubt these include but are not limited to burnt offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings and guilt offerings which were expected to be offered with the blood of animals without blemish or defect. The grain offerings expectedly were offered with fine flour. Each of these and other offerings has laws guiding them and Aaron and his children, who were the priests of their people. So, where do the churches today get the doctrine of offerings which have become an integral part of tithe as the source of income for our churches?

The truth of this matter is that neither God nor Jesus nor the apostles ever asked Christians to tithe or make offerings. Since there is no written example of tithes and offering in the New Testament, a reasonable conclusion is that they are not Christian practices. Tithes and offerings were only required of the children of Israel in accordance with the commandments specifically given to them through Moses or Joshua and NOT to the Christians through Jesus or the apostles. It is only the native doctors as priests of their gods that still have room for offerings of goats and fowls in their religious rituals today.

There is no doubt in my mind that the New Testament is a continuation but most importantly the fulfillment of the Old Testament. However, the Laws of the Old Testament are no longer binding on Christians though some believe the contrary. Some argue that the laws and commandments of God are the same; so, they must be obeyed by Christians, since they believe that they are also "children of Abraham". Some even say that they are the "modern Israel", whatever that means to them. Copiously, they quote the Bible saying that Abraham was the first to pay tithe and so they should also pay. Gleefully, they sing that Abraham's blessings are theirs. Then you wonder how many of them can do what Abraham did to earn his blessings and positions with God. In concluding their argument they usually say that all the promises of Abraham and Israel are for them, as well as all the laws and commandments of Israel. To talk the talk, they have to walk the walk.

Let me quickly try to address one serious misconception and misunderstanding which is the source of the greatest misleading teaching by some teachers. I have heard it taught by proponents of tithes that Abraham paid tithe before the Laws and therefore Christians, as children of Abraham, should tithe today even if they are not under the Laws. I can't but ask God to grant His people the spirit of understanding of His Word. What is frequently quoted is what happened between Abram (this was before he became Abraham) and Melchizedek king of Salem who was the priest of God Most High. That was when Abram returned from the battle he fought to free his nephew Lot. Abram brought with him some spoils of war including goods and people. The first thing we have to note here is that there was no tent, no tabernacle and no Temple or anywhere so declared or designated as the house or "store house" of God where the tithe should be kept. Let us read together:

"Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him (Abram) and said: "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand. And he gave him a tithe of all. Now the king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the persons, and take the goods for yourself." But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I have made Abram rich'-(Genesis 4:18-23). This is a simple story written for the understanding of all who can read and understand, without the necessity of interpretation.

For those who might have been taught differently for whatever reasons, this passage simply says that it was Melchizedek the king and priest who first gave Abram bread and wine before Abram "gave him a tithe of all". If you are in doubt, please read this passage again. Abraham did not tithe before he was blessed. He was blessed before he gave his tithe and he did not give out of lack or want. Then I want the readers to note that there is no where in the Bible that it is recorded that Abram or Abraham ever "gave a tithe of all" again till the end of his long and blessed life. Let me quickly take you back to the time when Abram left Egypt with Sarai his wife. The Bible says that Abram was "very rich in livestock, in silver and gold" (Genesis 13:1-2). Yet, he was not recorded to have given tithe of all or part to any priest or God from this wonderful blessing and riches he and his wife brought out of Egypt. I appeal to anyone who can point to me any other Bible passage(s) where Abraham gave tithe more than one time in his life time. Then, if Abraham the father gave tithe just once in his life time, what justification do his "children" have to give tithe weekly or monthly throughout their life today?

Then, another person that is frequently quoted as a tither before the Laws and an example to follow by the church today is Jacob, the grandson of Abraham. His name was later changed to Israel from whom the nation and State of Israel derived its name. While embarking on a journey, Jacob made a vow to God saying, "If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father's house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God. And this stone, which I have set as a pillar, shall be God's house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You" (Genesis 28: 20-22). Here, Jacob following the footsteps of his grandfather Abraham waited until God first blessed him before giving a tithe. Again there is no record in the Bible that Jacob gave another tithe to God throughout his life. Neither was there a tent, a tabernacle or a Temple where the tithes were taken. Then can you ask your pastor for me why Isaac or Esau did not pay any tithe even as direct son and grandson of the same Abraham respectively?

From the above, Abraham and Jacob gave tithes voluntarily in appreciation of God's blessings and just one time in their life time, which was before the Laws. By the Laws and commandments of God through Moses to the children of Israel, God asked the nation of Israel to bring tithes both yearly and triennially (NOT WEEKLY OR MONTHLY). If the first two tithes were voluntarily given by Abram and Jacob; then, why the force, the intimidation, the coercion, extortion or manipulation by our church leaders to make people tithe today without the Laws? The God ordained tithe was made as part of the over 360 ordinances directed to the nation of Israel. How many out of these hundreds of ordinances and Laws from the Old Testament are as religiously kept in our churches today like Malachi 3:10? Why is tithe so special? As sin is sin before God, so commandment is commandment. If one is obeyed, the others deserve our observance or obedience. The passing grade for God is 100% and not 99.9%.

Many people I have spoken with about tithe cannot defend it except by saying: "I just believe in tithing". Yes, anybody can believe anything. Yet, the truth will forever remain the truth. I cannot but be so sorrowful and bewildered in my heart at the extent of the ignorance and brainwashing of many people in the name of religion. Many people are in chains and shackles of ignorance. Many people are abused and made to feel guilty and sinful when they cannot afford to tithe. No wonder the Bible says; "My people perish for lack of knowledge" (which is ignorance). Jesus crowns this wonderful revelation by saying, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free". The truth here is the Word of God without which we are in perpetual bondage as many believers of tithes and offering are. Many Christians are in bondage of not even knowing their true identity or who their Redeemer is. Having being born again, a Christian is no longer born of the corruptible blood or of the will of man but of God and hence become a child of God.

As a Christian, I am not living under the Old Covenant made through Moses with Israel on Mount Sinai. I am living in the New Covenant made through Jesus by His death on Mount Calvary. No longer do I need to make any offering again as none is superior to that made by Jesus through His blood on Calvary more than 2,000 years ago. That day, as a vivid testimony for all to see, the curtain at the Temple was ripped open. The Holy of Holies and the altar of offerings made by hands were rendered unnecessary for further offerings, as they were never sufficient to clean our sins and iniquities in the first place. About 750 years earlier, God spoke through Prophet Jeremiah: "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD" (Jeremiah 31:31).

The writer of the Book of Hebrews after quoting this passage said: "When He said a new covenant, He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear" (Hebrews 8:13). Simply this means that God introduced the new covenant because the old one has become obsolete because of the disobedience of the people to whom it was given and the introduction of the new means the disappearance of the old one. The disobedience of any law renders it ineffective and calls for the enactment of a new one. It is therefore right to say that all the laws, rituals, commandments, ordinances and any other paraphernalia of the old covenant that are inconsistent with the new one have grown old, obsolete and unnecessary.

To those who do not believe in the introduction of the new covenant as a replacement of the old, it will be doubtful if they are Christians and followers of Jesus who came to fulfill the Law, which nobody before him could obey. Look at it this way, instead of the Ten Commandments; He gave us two; to love God and love man. In these, all the Ten Commandments are embedded and fulfilled and not abolished. Instead of the hundreds of ordinances, the rituals of killing over 700 animals annually for atonements, Jesus the Christ surrendered Himself to be killed and His blood shed once and for all for a better cleansing. Instead of depending on equally sinful priests for atonements, Jesus made himself the High Priest who though was tempted but without sin. Instead of the tabernacle built with hand, He entered a more perfect and greater tabernacle not of this creation. Today, instead of the Temple built by hands, our body has become His Temple.

How many of those who say that they are still under the Old Testament can obey its Laws including the Ten Commandments to the letter of God's own standard of perfection? When last did they obey the laws of burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings and guilt offerings, as recorded in the Old Testament? When last did they obey the laws of animals and food which forbid the mixture of meat and dairy? How many of these religious people have two sets of dishes and cutlery in the house separately used, washed and kept for meat and dairy? How many obeys the laws of Sabbath including not cooking at home or working, including driving to the church on Sundays? How many keeps Saturday as Sabbath? How many obeys the laws of motherhood or womanhood as regard to uncleanliness either of the blood of child birth or monthly cycles or the laws of manhood as regards to bodily discharge? How many of the "modern Israelites" men stayed with their bride for the first one year after marriage without working for the sake of knowing her as required of the Mosaic Law? There are more questions than answers.

Speaking at the Council of Jerusalem, where the apostles and disciples of Jesus gathered to discuss the Church doctrines, Peter told the gathering that the Gentiles deserve no greater burden than that which neither they (the apostles) nor their fathers could bear. There is no greater burden than the Mosaic Laws as contained in the Old Testament. Concluding his speech, he said, "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials" (Acts 15: 1-29). Then he went on to mention such essentials, none of which include tithes and offerings. The only offering or sacrifice that we need to offer to God as Christians today is SELF. The apostle Paul is so clear about this in his instruction to all the saints or believers in Rome. He said: I urge you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service and worship (Rom.12: 1).

There is a biblical record of Abram starting the voluntary tithe followed by Jacob his grandson. There is no record that Isaac paid tithe. There is a biblical record of when and how the mandatory tithing started in the Old Testament. I have not found when and where there is a similar or corresponding biblical record of who paid tithes and when tithing, either voluntary or mandatory, started in the New Testament. That should raise a question to all followers of the New Testament teachings and a red flag to demanders and payers of tithes alike today. Let me repeat again. Clearly, tithes and offerings are Old Testament doctrines which have no place in the New Testament and therefore the Church. There is only one time when Jesus the Founder and Leader of His Church mentioned the word tithe throughout His life and teachings; it was to ridicule the religiosity of the Pharisees. There is no other place where either Jesus or the apostles, to whom He handed over the Church, asked any Christian or the Church to pay tithe. Of all the teachings of Peter, James, John and Paul the great apostle of the Gentile and church planter, no place was given to the doctrine of tithes and offerings.

Therefore, if tithes were NOT given in the New Testament Church or instructed by Jesus or the apostles, then, how did it come into our churches today? Clearly, it was instituted not by God but by man. Historically, its introduction was at the discretion of the bishops who assembled at Tours in 567 and the agreement of the Council of Macon of 585. As the Church grew, payments of tithes came into the Christendom by ecclesiastical enactments. In the modern time, payment of tithes was found in the British Statute of Westminister of 1285 in England.

The distortion of the Mosaic Laws started almost immediately. Instead of two types of tithes that the Laws of God commanded the Jews, the laws of man started with three types. They had what was called "predial tithe" of increase of annual crops. Secondly, they had "mixed tithe" of cattle, milk, cheese and wool. Thirdly, they had "personal tithe" of industry or occupation. Tithes were exempted, for instance, when there was no annual increase on tithable items; no tithe on inherited or donated property, spiritual corporations, owners of uncultivated lands, and those with legal renunciation or who received papal privilege. Also the Fourth Council of Quebec in 1868 declared that payment of tithe is binding in the "conscience of the faithful", that is, the believers. The above historical perspective goes to show that tithe, as we have it today in our churches, is only in accordance to the laws of man and not the Laws of God.

So far, have I advocated that Christians should not give or contribute money for the running of the Church? NO. I am not unaware that no organization, social or spiritual, can survive without money. The Bible states that Judas Iscariot was the Treasurer of the apostles. A Treasurer keeps money. At Tiberias, located on the other side of the Sea of Galilee, in Palestine, Phillip the apostle complained to Jesus that they did not have enough money to feed the multitude. These are indications to the effect that even during the time and Ministry of Jesus, there was the need for money. The facts however remain that the Ministry of Jesus and those of the apostles who came after Him were never financed through tithes and offerings.

Then the question is; what is the biblical way of generating money for the Church without tithes and offerings? How should the Church of Jesus Christ, established in the New Testament, under the New Covenant go about funding the work of the Gospel? Put in another way, how do we have money to run the Church today without tithe and offering and without putting unnecessary burden or yoke on the believers? Yes, it is true; the scripture says that those who serve the altar should live by the altar (1 Cor.9:13) but how do the pastors feed fat without the church is being starved? These and other questions will hopefully be answered in Part III. We appreciate your patience and hope for Part II, Hope to see you then.

ALSO SEE

TITHES: Never required of Christians by God (Part I)

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Copyright - 2005 Dr. Samuel Bayo Arowolaju