Tithing, Clergy Robbing Laity
Have you noticed that the "garden of Eden" failure is a type? And that it is repeated many times?Captivities are also repeated. For instance, God promised to remove the Israelites from Egypt after 430 years. However, when time came they were so evil that they gave Jehovah a bad name among the Egyptians. To vindicated His name, God rescued them by sending Moses as a "savior." He led them by faith through "baptism" at the Red Sea.
At Mount Sinai, He gave them a New Covenant like that of the patriarch Abraham. However, they had invited in a "mixed multitude" into their "fellowship" and with lots of Israelite help adopted the musical idolatry of Egypt (sin) before the Book of the Covenant could be written.
God tore up the covenant and gave them The Book of the Law. The general population became "strangers" from God and the tribe of Levi was forced to carry on animal sacrifices "added because of the musical transgression."
The common people had to support this CLERGY CLASS because they could not "come boldly before the throne of grace." The TITHE was to support this LADED BURDEN for which Lord Jesus would have to die.
In many nations, a 10% tithe of the food products supported both civil and religious functions.
Melchizedek was both KING and PRIEST.
Among the Jews the 10% tithe also supported the civil government.
The tribe of Levi gave 10% of the food to the priests to mediate with God.
The older generation fell in the "wilderness" and never saw the promised land which now became the killing fields of Israelites rejecting God and His Word.
The CANAAN THEME turned the younger generation over to Baalism.
Later, Israel's elders demanded that God "set a king over us." This was a "dominant pastor" and the elders of the tribes lost "congregational" control. God "gave them a king in His anger and He took them away in His anger." However, they were chosen to specifically carry out the penalty incurred when Israel rejected the WORD of God and turned to musical rituals at Mount Sinai.
Both "king" and people were doomed to captivity "among the nations" where they would be forced to bow to the non-functional pillar to the beat of musical instruments. They would be captive for 70 years and almost totally destroyed.
After the RETURN, Nehemiah and Malachi make it clear that the warning was to the PRIESTS who failed to teach and took the Levites food and gave it to the enemy of God living in the once "food pantry."
With Jesus, a "new Moses" came but the people refused to hear Him. Therefore, He said that they were like "children playing their instruments in the marketplace trying to get Jesus and John involved in the musical song and dance of Dionysus."
Again, the church fell into musical idolatry and God gave them a priesthood (always perverted) as a burden again imposed on their backs. Only as INDIVIDUALS can believers "go outside the camps" and find Jesus who does not live or worship in buildings made with human hands.
The Restoration Movement pried the clergy and rituals off the backs of people but the "mixed multitude" are always there to bring you back into captivity. Why is that? Well, Paul said "fools love to be fooled" and Dostoevsky wrote:
"I tell Thee that man is tormented by NO GREATER ANXIETY than to find some one quickly to whom he can hand over that GIFT OF FREEDOM with which the ill-fated creature is born. But only one who can appease their conscience can take over their freedom."
But what happened? Instead of taking men's freedom from them, Thou didst make it greater than ever! Didst Thou forget that
man prefers peace, and even death,
to freedom of choice in the knowledge of good and evil?
Nothing is more seductive for man than his freedom of conscience, but nothing is a greater cause of suffering."
Or, "Offenses will come but woe to those who cause them to offend."
C. Bruce White, Madison Marcher: Jesus did not repeal the Law of Moses on Tithing for the Tribe of Levi. Therefore, "the Hebrew writer did not repeal it, he affirmed it (Hebrew 7:4-8)
C. Bruce White at Madison Church of Christ is following the Kregg Hood restoration of the Legalistic Tithing along with the Levitical "musicians" to replace Lord Jesus Christ to "lead the worshipers into the presence of God."
This is the MELCHIZEDEK argument.
The TITHE of the Levi tribe related ONLY to food and drink and NOT cash. First, you will noticed that MELCHIZEDEK gave food and drink because Christ as PRIEST gives and does not need nor did He command our tithe.
It is very clear in Malachi that the people CURSED were the priests who failed the people.
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. Genesis 14:18
The later tithe related only to the tribe of Levi who BORE THE BURDEN under the Law of Moses. If the Law has changed then the priesthood has been changed.
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 7:11
Well, the first thing you have to do to sermons is to check and see "the rest of the story."
Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. Hebrews 7:4
This was not the product of the ground but was the LOOT stolen by the kings. Therefore, Abraham represents Christ removing the hands of the "kings over us" from the pocket of the poor. If you as A want to go fight a battle, recover B's property from thief C. Then you can ETHICALLY use this to give 10% of B's property as a FINDER'S FEE to the KING and PRIEST of Jerusalem.
Akrothinion (h205) ak-roth-in'-ee-on; from 206 and 1, qi/s (a heap); prop. (in the plur.) the top of the heap, i.e. (by impl.) best of the booty: - spoils.
And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: Hebrews 7:5
Remember that Melchizedek was both KING and PRIEST. Therefore, any tithe would provide both CIVIL SERVICES with FOOD and they in turn supported the SACRIFICING PRIESTHOOD with food.
The later tithe was given to the TRIBE OF LEVI. The Levites then gave a tithe of the tithe or 1% of FOOD ONLY to the priests. The rest of the total tithe was used by the priests and Levites who provided education and other CIVIL SERVICES.
If Dr. White uses Melchizedek as PROOF TEXT then you have the right to call him the next time you need a criminal caught and imprisoned.
As with Melchizedek and the tribe of Levi, the tithe went primarily to the TEMPORAL rulers:
If the king gave you large holdings then you had a right to rent it out and expect a tithe as RENT:
During the 16th-century Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther approved in general of paying tithes to the temporal sovereign, and the imposition of tithes continued
for the benefit of Protestant as well as Roman Catholic churches. Gradually, however, opposition grew.
Tithes were repealed in France during the Revolution (1789), without compensation to tithe holders. Other countries abolished certain kinds of tithes and indemnified the holders. By 1887 the tithe had been brought to an end in Italy. It was abolished in Ireland at the disestablishment of the Anglican church in 1871, and it gradually died out in the Church of Scotland.
In England in 1836, the tithe was commuted for a rent charge depending on the price of grain, and in 1936 the tithe rent charges were abolished. New methods of taxation were developed in those countries that provided financial support of the church out of government funds.
Tithe was never a legal requirement in the United States. Members of certain churches, however, including the Latter-day Saints and Seventh-day Adventists, are required to tithe.
Dr. White does not see God abrogating the FINDER'S FEE from warfare and therefore the LAW OF SILENCE says that: "God HATH NOT SAID, 'Thou shalt not collect the tithe from Christians.' Therefore, the Law of Tithing CASH is still in effect 3500 years later."
However, God gave this right ONLY to the Tribe of Levi, ONLY in Canaan and ONLY because of the "Law of Moses added because of musical idolatry at Mount Sinai."
If you are not from the tribe of Levi,
If you don't help the priests burn animal sacrifices and remove the garbage,
If you do not accept ONLY a daily dole of food AT the temple, IN Jerusalem,
If you don't work to provide the REST of your income,
If you DON'T still live under the CURSE of the Law of Moses,
If you don't wait until the END OF THE THIRD year to get YOUR tithe,
If you as priest are not happy with 1% of that 10%, third year tithe,
AND you teach or accept the TITHE then God calls you a ROBBER.
Therefore, if you are not a member of the tribe of LEVI, God NEVER gave you a command to take tithes.
Conclusion: one would have to be a fool to think that God has to CANCEL a law which He never INSTITUTED for you.
"O PRIESTS, this warning is to you. If you are going to be a Melchizedek Priest (i.e. Mormon) then YOUR name must be Jesus and YOU will now GIVE rather than RECEIVE.
But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. Hebrews 7:6
And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. Hebrews 7:7
The warning of Malachi was: "O priests, this warning is to you." The Spiritual lineage of Jesus is counted from Melchizedek and not from Abraham.
Abraham, representing the LEVI tribe gave tithes to Melchizedek.
And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. Hebrews 7:8
And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, paid tithes in Abraham. Hebrews 7:9
For he (Levi) was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. Hebrews 7:10
Simple conclusion: when Christ as a type of Melchizedek comes, the TRIBE OF LEVI will not receive tithes from the "children of Abraham."
On the contrary, the LEVITES AND PRIESTS will then have to PAY whatever Christ imposes upon them because the LAW BEING CHANGED they can no longer collect tithes to perform ANIMAL SACRIFICES when Lord Jesus Christ has fulfilled all types of ANIMAL SACRIFICES.
CHRIST "imposed" the law of tithing for those STILL UNDER THE LAW OF MOSES "because" they bought little twigs for tithing and DID NOT farm the land. Their tithe was not accepted because they DID NOT PRODUCE but took from the poor just as modern PRIESTS steal from the widows.
If you impose the Levitical music (noise) and the Levitical TITHING you REPUDIATE the once for all sacrifice of the Melchizedek type. Now, the MELCHIZEDEK provides the FOOD and DRINK to the people and since the enemy has been conquered, you cannot be an Abraham and collect LOOT from those who have had their property stolen by the Kings of clergy.
The Origin of Biblical Tithes
1 - Abraham - Free-Will Giving
The Bible first mentions tithing in the story of Abram in Genesis 14:18f. When foreigners invaded and stole the property of the king of Sodom, lot and others, Abram rescued them and recovered everything. Under ancient laws, he could take 10% of the "loot." Melchizedek as king and priest fed Abraham. As a result, Abraham voluntarily gave the 10% booty to Melchizedek. Abraham typified the priesthood of the Levites. His free-will gift is no more binding than circumcision.
And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way. Genesis 4:11
And they took Lot, Abrams brothers son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed. Genesis 14:12
When they returned, the king of Sodom went out with empty hands. However,
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. Genesis 14:18
FOR this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; Hebrews 7:1
Melchizedek blessed Abraham and God. He was both king and priest of Jeru-Salem or Jerusalem. As a type of Christ, he gave food to the returning army. Because food was the only thing tithed in the Old Testament, Melchizedek served the people rather than demand a tithe.
By custom, Abraham could claim 10% of the loot but he gave it to Melchizedek. That is, the king of Sodom owed the tithe of all to the one who recovered it. Therefore, it was not Abraham but the king of Sodom who supplied the tithe.
Remember that Melchizedek was king of Jerusalem as a city-state which would include the surrounding country. This means that Abraham's gift of the king of Sodom's goods to Melcizedek was for both civil (Caesar) and religious (God) purposes. That is, as with the Levites, the 10% was for both the government and maintaining the temple. In the New Testament, Jesus paid the Temple tax and declared the children of the King to be free.
Abraham was offered all of the goods by the king of Sodom who could normally claim the tithe or ten percent of the returned loot. Because Abraham had "lifted up his hand to God" he would not take anything for the rescue because people could say that he had profited from ill-gotten goods.
There was no command for Abraham to give to anyone for religious purposes. He gave only the loot of the king of Sodom and none of his own income. In fact, there is no hint that Abraham gave a tithe to anyone for religious purposes because as senior male and Patriarch he could approach God without Levitical intercessors. Hence, there was no rationale for tithing before Israel sinned at Mount Sinai and was "laded" down with the Levites to be intercessors to keep the people away from the Tabernacle.
Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. Hebrews 7:4
And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: Hebrews 7:5
Under the Law of Moses, the Levites took tithes of their brethren so that they could serve as a priestly class standing between the people and God's presence in the Tabernacle.
However, in a typical sense, the Levites (priests) gave the tithe to Melchizedek who represented Christ and an enduring priesthood which would not need to make sacrifices over and over and would not, therefore, need a Levite to be the mediator or intercessor:
But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. Hebrews 7:6
And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, paid tithes in Abraham. Hebrews 7:9
For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. Hebrews 7:10
Out of what the Levites received from their brethren, it was they who were responsible for giving a tithe (1% of the people's tithe) to Melchizedek who represented both civil government and the total religious function. Therefore, if anyone was robbing God it was the clergy class who mishandled what they took from their brethren.
However, we must always remember that the Levitical priesthood was ordained to intercede or stand between the people and God's presence. This was to protect a violent, sinful people so that they could atone for their own sins through legally sacrificing. The Levitical priesthood did not make a single person more spiritual or ever able to stand on their own in the presence of a Holy God:
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 7:11
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. Hebrews 7:12
In giving the Book of the Covenant God promised to establish a kingdom of priests:
Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people; for all the earth is mine: Exodus 19:5
And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. Exodus 19:6
And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. Exodus 19:6
And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord. Exodus 19:8
After the mortal sin at Mount Sinai, God gave the Levites and the priesthood of Aaron. Paul in Galatians 3 leapfrogs over the Law of Moses and connects the New Covenant to the Abrahamic Covenant.
Before the Law, Abraham represented the clergy class giving directly to the Priest-King Who had taken the initiative by giving the food to the people. It was unlawful under the Law for a priest or prophet to take a wage of money; under the New Covenant, it was, according to Paul, unseemly.
Jesus abrogated the tithe by paying the total debt and permitting each believer to come boldly before His throne.
For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. Hebrews 7:13
For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. Hebrews 7:14
And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Hebrews 7:15
Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. Hebrews 7:16
Tithing under the law made nothing perfect. Rather, it gave food (only food) to the Levites because the sinful people (under law) could not "draw night unto God." However, under a new law, we do not tithe to have someone intercede for us:
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. Hebrews 7:19
Christ was not of the tribe of Levi and therefore took no tithes. As God, the Spirit, He does not need to be fed. A new priesthood of believers does not need a Levite-like priest or intercessor because our High Priest replaced all legal priests:
Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the peoples: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. Hebrews 7:27
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. Hebrews 4:14
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
Tithing of the king of Sodom's goods represented the Levites tithing to the Aaronic Priest. Christ was not a Levite and does not make intercession like a Levite who needed to be fed. Our citizenship is in heaven and we can come boldly before the throne without a human Levitical intercessor. Therefore, to demand the tithe is to claim the role of Jesus Christ as Intercessor. To give to Him we must give cups of cold water (and more) to the poor, widow and stranger.
In fulfillment of prophecy, the end-time churches will be mega-churches built on the Tower of Babel or Jerusalem Temple model of a priesthood USING music and musicians to create the Babylonian Harlot form of religion. However, like the music of the king/queen of Tyre and Babylon, the ill-gotten gain will go with then into Sheol.
Remember, that Abraham did not give the LOOT from battle (not produce from the farm) directly to Melchizedek as a type of Christ. Christ HAS NO AGENTS who stand between Him as High Priest and each believer as a priest who can come boldly before the throne of grace without killers of animals or musical noise makers.
"There's no question that the Jews understood that the apostles were teaching something new and contrary to law keeping. Acts 18:13 "these man want us to worship contrary to the law" Acts 21:21 "you teach us to forsake Moses". Christ was born under the law but was also the "end of the law" Romans 10:4."
"The facts are Abraham did not practice the law of tithing, his giving that 10% was a type and shadow of tithing just like John the Baptist was a type and shadow of Elijah. There is no Scripture he practiced regular tithing. There was no law (Moses or Levitical priesthood) at that time. There is no scripture that Melchizedek ever came for a tithe again. There is no law (Moses) at this time, period.
This may have been prophetic because in sinning through musical idolatry at Mount Sinai, the trIbe of LEVI "bore the burden" and TITHED a TITHE to the priests or 1% of the food to the priests to substitute for the "first begotten sons."
Be careful when restoring the Law of Moses and its "noise" for animal sacrifices:
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. Ja.2:10
Those who restore the CURSE of the Law are Cursed eternally:
For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Hebrews 7:26
Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the peoples: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. Hebrews 7:27
For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. Hebrews 7:28
Since Christ does not make daily sacrifices, He does not need Levitical musicans (noise makers) nor sub priests. Therefore, there CAN BE NO TITHE for a JOB WHICH DOES NOT EXIST.
Bruce White will say that God didn't CANCEL the food tithe but CHANGED it from food for the daily dole at the temple into CASH for the preacher's retirement plan fulfilling the Tobiah in the Food Pantry Prophecy.
But you can FOOL some of the people SOME of the time. Any one who CLAIMS the tithe of wages is the ROBBER of Malachi.
1. Abraham gave 10% to the priest (Gen. 14:20).
2. BUT he gave 10% of the LOOT of the enemy king to Melchizedek who was BOTH king and priest (Gen.14:20-23; Heb.7:4)
3. Abraham gave 90% of the LOOT from whom it had been looted. (Gen 14:23)
4. Abraham is recorded as tithing the enemy's LOOT only once in his life.
5. Abraham was rich and we have no clue that he ever drove 10% of his increase up to Jerusalem in his entire life.
6. This was prophetic of the tribe of LEVI who would give a tithe of their tithe to the PRIEST.
How do we give to Jesus?
And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. Mt.10:42
Paul applied the free will giving ONLY to the poor and insisted that "this is not a command."
The early church saw THOSE WHO PROSPERED giving to THE DESTITUTE but "only if willing."
Don't get caught with the "feathers" of stolen chickens still in your teeth when Jesus comes.
Gogol defended hisThe Government Inspector in After the Play,
Some of us who are ready to have a good laugh at a man's crooked nose,
Have not the courage to laugh at a man's crooked soul. Gogol