For Every Great Battle, There is a Great Victory!

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Dear Partners and Friends,

The True Purpose of the Tithe

In this newsletter, we’re going to explore the true purpose of the tithe, said to be a tenth of our increase, equated to a tenth of our monetary income, and typically said to be given to your local church.

The tithe is a hot topic for many as it is often used as a means for misconduct, scandal, and deception. In this matter, you simply must use discernment when giving the tithe. I will not tell you who I believe to be crooks or not. That said, much of the modern church believes the “old testament” laws have been done away or “nailed to the cross.” If you attend a church that believes this yet still tells you that you must tithe 10% to them, well, that’s definitely something to discern.

In the First Writings, what the modern church has called “the old testament,” there are three specific reasons for collecting the tithe, along with the most important reason of all, that being an act of worship and obedience to the Most High. This tithe is given to Him. The other three reasons are: to support the Levitical priests; to fund the appointed feasts; to support the welfare of the poor. That’s it, that’s the true purpose of the tithe. Anything outside of that should be considered an offering.

In the Second Writings, what the modern church calls “the new testament,” it is the misuse of the tithe that is mentioned most. In Matthew 23:23 (and similarly in Luke 11:42) our Messiah Yahusha (whom the world calls Jesus), has this to say, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you tithe the mint and the anise and the cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the Torah (the law of Yahuah); the right-ruling and the compassion and the belief. These need to have been done, without neglecting the others.” Here we see that the tithe, while still part of the Torah and still to be practiced, should be seen as lesser importance to the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness.

And Hebrews 7 & 8 (stop and read this passage, along with Genesis 14) describes the giving of a tenth of the what they recovered in battle in relation to the priesthood of Malkitsedeq (Melchizedek)- the priest of the Most High Elohim- in which Abram gave Malkitsedeq a tenth. We see here that the tenth, originally to be given to the Levitical priests only, is now to be extended to those who are not of the lineage of Levi; we see that our High Priest according to the order of Malkitsedeq is Yahuah our Messiah. This is a whole subject of its own, to which I am still learning.

The Second Writings also implores the giver to do so joyfully and cheerfully, that you have all that you need in order to do good. “Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not of grief or of necessity, for Elohim loves a joyous giver. And Elohim is able to make all favor overflow toward you, that you, always having all you need in every way, have plenty for every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9: 7-8 Though this passage is not speaking directly on tithing, we can still apply its message to the condition of our hearts as we tithe.

Let’s explore the three given purposes of the law (command) of tithing as laid out in the First Writings.

To support the Levitical Priests: Numbers 18: 20-24, “And the Lord said unto Aaron, Thou shalt have none inheritance in their land: neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel. For behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve in the Tabernacle of the Congregation. Neither shall the children of Israel any more come near the Tabernacle of the Congregation, lest they sustain sin, and die. But the Levites shall do the service in the Tabernacle of the Congregation, and they shall bear their sin: it is a law forever in your generations, that among the children of Israel they possess none inheritance. For the tithes of the children of Israel, which they shall offer as an offering unto the Lord, I have given the Levites for an inheritance, therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel ye shall possess none inheritance.”

Here we see, since the Levitical priests shall possess no inheritance or land, they shall be given tithes for their service to the Tent of the Congregation. One could conclude that those who have given their lives to ministry should be supported by their congregation. I’m not saying this is the whole conclusion, but, it is certainly a possibility. See also 1 Timothy 5, 1 Corinthians 9:14, and Galatians 6

Side note: While the tithe should also be used to support the upkeep and expenses of the place of assembly, nowhere in scripture is the tithe called to be used for extravagant luxuries. If you feel led to give to such amenities, I would encourage you to consider it a gift.

To fund the appointed feasts (appointed times): The tithe, specifically the tenth of crops and livestock, were to be taken to the place of worship designated by Yahuah our Elohim in order to provide the food for the appointed feasts/ times. Deuteronomy 14: 22-27, “Thou shalt surely tithe all the increase of thy seed, that which cometh forth from the field year by year. And thou shalt eat before Yahuah thy Elohim, in the place which He shall choose, to cause His name to dwell there, the tithe of thy grain, of thy new wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herd and of thy flock; that thou mayest learn to fear Yahuah thy Elohim always. And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it, because the place is too far from thee, which Yahuah thy Elohim shall choose, to set His name there, when Yahuah thy Elohim shall bless thee; then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thy hand, and shalt go unto the place which Yahuah thy Elohim shall choose: and thou shalt bestow the money for whatsoever thy soul desireth, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul asketh of thee; and thou shalt eat there before Yahuah thy Elohim, and thou shalt rejoice, thou and thy household. And the Levite that is within thy gates, thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no portion nor inheritance with thee.”

How do we know this passage is for the appointed times and not the weekly Sabbath meeting? Because of the command to travel to the designated place of worship.

To support the welfare of the poor: Deuteronomy 14: 28-29, “At the end of every three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase in the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates: and the Levite, because he hath no portion nor inheritance with thee, and the sojourner, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that Yahuah thy Elohim may bless thee in all the work of thy hand which thou doest.”

Yahuah our Elohim commands us to feed the sojourner, fatherless, and widow. And we see where His heart is regarding the poor in Matthew 25: 31-40, “And when the Son of Adam comes in his esteem, in all the set-apart messengers with him, then he shall sit on the throne of his esteem. And all the nations shall be gathered before him, and he shall separate them one from one another, as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left. Then the sovereign shall say to those on his right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the reign 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, was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous shall answer him, saying, ‘Master, when did we see you hungry and we fed you, or thirsty and gave you to drink? And when did we see you a stranger and took you in, or naked and clothed you? And when did we see you sick, or in prison, and we came to you?’ And the sovereign shall answer and say to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, and in so far as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”

In His Service,
Rebecca Hamilton, Founder/ Executive Director
For Every Great Battle, There is a Great Victory!!

To read The Holy vs The Profane series CLICK HERE