TITHING & THE LOCAL CHURCH
By: Rev. O. F. Fauss
Question: What about “radio preachers” and big campaign evangelists asking their listeners to send their tithes and offerings to support their programs and campaigns? Doesn’t a person’s tithes belong to his home church and pastor?
Answer: It is sickening indeed to listen to many “appeals,” tricks and offers, designed to pull money from the poor, unstable people. I have heard it for oil bottles, white cloths, and red cloths, with “request,” and so on.
It would be well for all our ministry to endeavor to TEACH and TRAIN our people, that God has a plan in His Word for His church in this world, of which each one of us is an individual member of some local group somewhere. I try to advise my own congregation, where I feel that God has so willed to place me as the watchman over their souls (Hebrews 13:7), to clear with me the giving of any offerings to causes other that endorsed channels of their home church.
Please let me repeat what I have said before: Paul made it clear and plain in I Corinthians 9:8-14 (Please read). that even as God in the Old Testament had a plan to support the priesthood, or ministry He also ordained such in the New Testament.
Then, too, even in our day, when the ministry of this glorious gospel has brought us out of a world of sin, and has given us such a great experience, God has given us a plan, according to the Scriptures, to support the local and general work of God among us, and we will ALL do well to follow this plan.
Yes, your tithes belong to the storehouse of God, the place where you are fed; the place where you find help, comfort, fellowship and encouragement when you need it most. God has provided all you need
right there, where He has placed a faithful pastor and ministry to teach and admonish you, lead you, watch over you, with the hope of being able to finally present you to God in that glorious church at His coming. (II Cor. 11:2)
The New Testament certainly does not teach against tithing. But rather embraces it. The New Covenant brought us greater promises and blessings, which gave us a greater sense of responsibility and appreciation for His Word and the House of the Lord.
Jesus is our high-priest, not after the order of Aaron, but after the order of Melchisedic, to whom Abraham paid tithes of his spoil. Tithing was honored of God before the Law was ever given. The 7th chapter of Hebrews establishes the truth of God honoring such a service. God ordained that they which preach the gospel, shall live of the gospel, (I Cor. 9:17), and Paul said, “If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is to a great thing if we reap your carnal things?” (I Cor. 9:11).
The 3rd chapter of Malachi was not given altogether for the children of Israel in the Old Testament, but was prophetically given to the New Testament church. The first several verses refers to the Holy Ghost
baptism experience, then God shows the curse of robbing him, and the blessing of bringing the tithes and offerings into God’s house, and the chapter closes with the last 4 verses referring to the coming of the Lord, and Him remembering the people who are zealous of His NAME, and that is that Jesus’ only people, who will be ready and awaiting His appearing in the clouds of heaven.
Those who object to giving a 10th to the Lord, sometimes refer to “ALL” I have belongs to God, but His work seldom receives any of it. In fact tithes of our increase today, which is 10%, is far less than what Israel was compelled to give under the law, because it all added up to about 22% we are told, considering all the other gifts and offerings they had to give.
When we realize what God has done for us today, the call of God that brought us from sin, saved and washed us from our sins filling us with the Holy Ghost experience, delivering us from all the old habits and
expenses of the life of worldliness, bringing us into His fellowship and also with His people, how could a person feel right to give any less than one dime out of a dollar? In fact I feel that that dime belongs to God in the 1st place, then I get that extra blessing too by giving Some more of my 90%.
Some seek to condemn tithing, for they fear the pastor will receive “too much.” Why don’t they feel that way about the grocery man? Also the lawyer, the doctor, the contractor, the builder, the banker or broker? No man is ever accused of getting too much money but the preacher. It is a sin for him to enjoy a few comforts of life, after he has perhaps given the greater part of his life for his flock? I think not.
Examples have proven, a tithing church is a church who prospers spiritually and financially. It is equally so with an individual. “The liberal soul shall be made fat.”
Always, you FIRST obligation is to your church. It is pitiful for a pastor, which a burden on his heart for people, to see them bypass the plan God has given them when they are sick (read James 5:14-16), and
go hundreds of miles, seeking some demonstration such as a ball of fire, a white light, oily fingers, vibration of some sort, or “holy dirt” (and the Lord only knows what else), to obtain what God has promised them right there at their home church.
Then again, when the “great campaign” is over, and sorrow strikes their homes, you will never see these people sending for their favorite radio speaker or big campaign preacher to stank by them, visit their loved ones in the hospital, or conduct their funerals. In time of need, they call that old pastor, who they said didn’t have the faith or the gift they needed before; but NOW he seems to be very handy to hold their hand when they are dying, or stank by them as they are going to the operating room, or have had a serious accident.
The Apostle Paul recognized the possibility of there being many instructors in Christ (and that would include many who have helped us all along the way), when he said, “For though ye have ten thousand
instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers…” I Corinthians 4:15) He referred to those whom he, through the gospel, had brought to God, and with patience and much time, had nourished and provided for, to make them acceptable to God.
Even in a home many can advise and suggest, but there is none who seems to know the “how” and the “what” like that man whom they call “Dad!” He may never seem as glamorous as someone Else, but he can be depended upon.
So, my dear friend, remember Paul’s advice in I Timothy 5:18 “For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And this, without a doubt, is your pastor.
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A STORY OF THE TENTH CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP
Article 2
By: Elder G.T. Haywood
It was against my grain. For more than two years I had labored among a small band of people, taking such as they gave me. The work grew slowly. I prided myself in the fact that our little mission had never taken a collection, nor asked anyone for one copper cent. Throughout the entire time, we were able to meet ever indebtedness that came against us. I could not ask, or speak about money, lest someone think that I was in the ministry for what financial gain I could get out of it.
My clothes were secondhand, and occasionally patched at the elbows and knees. Often times my shoes were ‘half-soled’ from within with folded newspapers. My wife was contented, and bore everything with patience. A faithful wife is a treasure! What little money was deposited in the Freewill offering box on the post near the entrance, was used to pay the mission rent, the fuel bill, and the light bill. The balance went
towards the ‘support of the pastor..’ Thus we lived, and God alone knows how.
It was on Sunday morning at the ‘five o’clock prayer meeting’ that the work of the Lord came to me saying, ‘You must speak on tithes and offerings this morning.’ As I remained on my knees with about twelve of our little bank of thirty saints, I pleaded with God to relieve me of the matter. To speak about money, I felt, would be my ruin. I had preached for nearly three years without mentioning it. “How could I do it now?” I wept before God as I continued pleading to be relieved. Finally, He showed me that I was keeping the people from a blessing.
At the close of the prayer meeting, I returned home and began preparing for the eleven o’clock service that morning. The time speedily arrived. I entered the mission again, and immediately went to prayer. The saints began to gather in, it seemed, one-by-one. Still, I pleaded, but received no answer. What must I do? Suddenly, as if a voice spoke from heaven: ‘Preach about Jacob’s ladder.’ Thank God! My prayer had been heard! I felt sure that God had relieved me of my responsibility.
I rose from prayer, and after the congregation had sung several hymns, I took my place behind the pulpit. I at once found the place (after some searching) and began to expound on Genesis 28. Verse by verse I preached, and the Spirit of God began to fill the room. The saints were rejoicing in the truths that were being unfolded. As I came to the last verse, expecting to close my discourse, I was astonished to find in the last verse of this chapter, “And of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.”
It was like a thunderbolt from the sky. I thought I had escaped preaching tithes. Here it was right before my eyes, unexpectedly. There was nothing to do but obey. From that last verse, I set before the People God’s financial plan. All eyes were riveted on me. When I concluded, one of the elderly saints arose. I began to fear, lest she was rising to reprove me for speaking for money I awaited my reproof. To my surprise, she said, “We have all been wondering why you have not taught us tithes and offerings before.” From that day forward, the saints were faithful with their tithes and offerings. From a little bank of thirty saints, we increased to a congregation of over 1,000.
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SHOULD TITHES BE ON THE GROSS OR NET?
Article 3
QUESTION —
Should tithes be paid on gross or net?
ANSWER —
My conviction is that tithes should be paid on the gross with the exception of the amount taken out of the paycheck for old age pension or retirement. This amount is added to by the employer and paid to you after you retire, and should be tithed at that time.
All the rest taken out of your paycheck, whether withheld for income tax, or for insurance, or for union dues, is to be considered as payments on debts which you owe like other bills such as rent, groceries, car payments, utilities, etc. Payments on debts and bills should never be deducted before you pay your tithes.
If these items were not deducted for you from your paycheck you would have to pay them yourself, just as some who are self-employed must do, right along with their other obligations. Tithes should be paid first
to the Lord before taxes to the government, insurance, or union dues, just like it should be before rent or grocery bills.
QUESTION —
I heard that if one was working when they began paying tithes on their earnings, that after retirement and you’re on Social Security (I’m not talking about S.S.I.), your monies are free from tithes, as they were paid while you were working. I that true or not? Also, does one pay tithes on an inheritance?
ANSWER —
A good rule to follow which applies in this case as well as other cases is that which is enunciated in Deuteronomy 14:22. Here the Lord told those Israelites who tilled the ground: “Thou shalt truly tithe
all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.”
The key phrase is “All the increase.” This means that tithes should be paid on everything which comes to you that is on increase over that which you previously had. It does not say that it must be wages or commissions or profits from sales. It says “increase” which includes any and all of those things as well as from any other source which adds to or increases that which you previously possessed, whether it be wages, gifts, inheritance, commissions, profits, or whatever.
Of course, if you are retired and are now receiving monies on which you have previously tithed, you do not have to pay tithes again on those particular amounts. These could be considered the same as money you had previously received, paid tithes on, and banked in a savings account. If you withdrew these funds, you would have to pay tithes only on the interest you received since you had already tithed on the amounts you had banked.
However, that which you are receiving after retirement which you did not pay tithes on, such as the amounts contributed by your employer, must be tithed by you as you receive them.
In the event you did not pay tithes on the amounts taken out of your pay check which you are receiving now, you need to tithe these amounts also.
I suggest you be exceedingly careful that you keep accurate records and that you are careful that the tithe of “all your increase” is paid. When the books are opened and men are “judged out of those things which are written in the books” (Revelation 20:12), can you say for sure that one of them will not be a ledger?
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IF IN DOUBT — TITHE
Article 4
If a man owed me money and he was having a hard struggle to make a living, and by all common sense reasoning there appeared very little prospect of ever getting my money back, I would try to persuade the to
BEGIN TITHING. I confidently believe if I could induce him to tithe his income — that is, to pay one-tenth of it to the Lord – he would sooner or later pay me back every cent the owed me; because he would prosper.
Tithing solved serious financial problems of me an dat the same time brought me spiritual blessing that far outweighed the material gain.
When I began tithing twenty-one years ago I was hopelessly in debt. Misfortune which came when I first began to be a wage earner plunged me “deep in the red” and in trying to work out, repeated misfortunes
came one after another so that, like the frog endeavoring to escape from the well, when I jumped up two feet I fell back three. That was awfully discouraging and I had almost given up hope of ever getting out of debt when I was persuaded to begin paying tithes to the Lord, one-tenth of what I earned.
When I was first challenged to tithe I almost smiled it seemed so ridiculous for me to think of it. Why I said it would be dishonest for me to “give away” any part of my income to church or anything else when I owed money to those who had trusted me; before I could give money I must pay my creditors. But I was troubled for I was a Christian and I knew that tithing was scriptural — that the Bible stated a definite portion (one-tenth) should be paid to the Lord each week.
So I prayed for light and understanding as to what really was duty in my own “peculiar’ circumstances. Then there came to me this startling fact; the Lord was my first creditor. If any creditors should be given
preferences, it was He. He certainly had first claim on me. Then I looked at Malachi 3:10. and I saw God saying there that if I trust Him and tithe, He would open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing
so big that there would not be room enough to receive it. So I decided to begin tithing, and I nailed the purpose down with Malachi 3:10.
On the first of the following month when I drew my salary I took out one-tenth and put it aside for the Lord’s work to be placed on the offering plate the following Sunday morning. During the first two months it went pretty hard, and I had to pray harder and harder and to hang on to Malachi 3:10. It looked for a little while as if God had forgotten about opening the windows. But I set my jaw and hung on. I kept a careful account to be sure that I was fair with God, even to the penny. Then things began to come to pass. Ways came to me to earn more money ways I never dreamed of. Altogether unexpectedly, my salary was increased. I have not the space here to detail the different means that came to my hands for making more money. I wish I could tell you about it sometime. It is like a thrilling romance.
In less than a year I was out of debt and buying my own home. Up to that time I had lived in a rented house. I saved up something against old age. That was all wonderful — but the greatest joy was in the
dispensing of the “Lord’s Tenth.” It grew to much more than a tenth — more than double that amount. Formerly it made me grit my teeth to hear a missionary sermon or any appeal for money for the church was
over and above the tithe. I was so helplessly in debt.
How I wish somebody could have told me this story when I was fifteen! How much joy I have missed! How much financial misery I have suffered! How different it could have been if I had just known! Before I began
to tithe, financing seemed to have a curse attached; since I began to tithe it seems to have a blessing attached to it. For twenty- two years I have not worried about money. Oh, sometimes there is close
figuring, but it always with the consciousness, that the Lord, my Saviour, Partner and I are figuring together and I know it will work out and it does.
(The original source and/or publisher of the above material is unknown.)
PARTNERS WITH GOD
Article 5
By: David F. Gray
Since you are now a child of God, one-tenth of your income, as the tithe of what you earn, belongs to the Lord. See Malachi 3:8-11. This means that you are taking God in as a partner in your Business, and
you have become a partner in God’s business. Start tithing immediately, and regularly, if possible every Sunday (I Corinthians 16:2), or as often as you receive your earnings. Thus you will find the great joy that comes with being a real partner in God’s name, and God in turn puts a blessing on the remaining nine-tenths and causes it to go farther than nine-tenths without His blessing. Let the tithe be the first fruits, that is, the first tenth, then God will bless the remainder. “Honor the Lord with thy substance and with the first
fruits of all thine increases; so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9,10. Then, you have returned to the Lord His portion, you are simply returning to Him what is already His. God’s added blessing comes upon those who give the Lord an offering out of their portion. These offerings should be given to the avenues of church work, and also for foreign missions since missionary work is in God’s plan who said, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
As you begin and enjoying God’s blessing that goes with it you will find your needs well taken care of by the providing had of God; and the church will prosper and grow and enlarge her borders. Your part in
this has made you a partner in God’s work through your tithes and offerings. “The liberal soul shall be made fat; and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” Proverbs 11:25.
Withholding tithes robes God. Malachi 3:8-11.
Love of money root of evil. I Timothy 6:10.
Tithes are holy unto the Lord. Leviticus 27:30,31.
Christ as Melchisedic authored tithing. Hebrew 7:4-12; Hebrews 5:6.
God tells where the tithes go. Numbers 18:20,21; Malachi 3:10.
Offerings blessed of God. Proverbs 3:9,10; Proverbs 11:25; Malachi 3:8.
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“TITHING”
Article 6
By: Rev. Oliver F. Fauss
Question: Do you think the New Testament teaches tithing?
Answer: Yes! I do! There are some who fail to see that “grace” does not do away with our obligations to God’s house and His ministry. It is true that the sacrificial laws of burnt offerings of animals was fulfilled when Jesus offered once and for all himself on the cross for our sins. He did not relieve man from his duties and obligations in material matters in supporting the work of the local church. It may be true that Jesus was talking to the Pharisees when he said, “These (paying tithes) ye ought to have done, and not leave the other undone,” but He was talking to New Testament followers of His when He said, “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case inter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:30).
The New Testament certainly does not teach against tithing. But rather embraces it. The New Covenant brought us greater promises and blessing, which gave us a greater sense of responsibility and appreciation for His Word and the House of the Lord.
Jesus is our high-priest, not after the order of Aaron, but after the order of Melchisedic, to whom Abraham paid tithes of his spoil. Tithing was honored of God before the Law was ever given. The seventh chapter of Hebrews establish the truth of God honoring such a service. God ordained that they which preach the gospel, shall live of the gospel, (I Cor. 9:14), and Paul said, “If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we reap your carnal things?” (I Cor. 9:11).
The third chapter of Malachi was not given altogether for the children of Israel in the Old Testament, but was prophetically given to the New Testament church. The first several verses refers to the Holy Ghost
baptism experience, then God shows the curse of robbing him, and the blessing of bringing the tithes and offerings into God’s house, and the chapter closes with the last four verses referring to the coming of the Lord, and Him remembering the people who were zealous of His NAME, and that is that Jesus’ only people, who will be ready and waiting His appearing in the clouds of heaven.
Those who object to giving a tenth to the Lord, sometimes refer to “ALL” I have belongs to God, but His work seldom receives any of it. In fact tithes of our increase today, which is ten percent, is far less that what Israel was compelled to give under the law, because it all added up to about twenty-two percent we are told, considering all the other gifts and offerings they had to give.
When we realize what God has done for us today, the call of God that brought us from sin, saved and washed us from our sins filling us with the Holy Ghost experience, delivering us from all the old habits and
expenses of the life of worldliness, bringing us into His fellowship and also with His people, how could a person feel right to give any less than one dime out of a dollar? In fact I feel that that dime belongs to God in the first place, then I get that extra blessing too by giving some more of my ninety percent.
Some seek to condemn tithing, for they fear the pastor will receive “too much.” Why don’t they feel that way about the grocery man? Also the lawyer, the doctor, the contractor, the builder, the banker or
broker? No man is ever accused of getting too much money but the preacher. Is it a sin for him to enjoy a few comforts of life, after he has perhaps given the greater part of his life for his flock? I think not.
Examples have proven, a tithing church is a church who prospers spiritually and financially. It is equally so with an individual. “The liberal soul shall be made fat.”
(The original publisher of the above material is unknown.)
TITHING IS ESSENTIAL TO SALVATION
Article 7
By: Robert E. Henson
It is basic and essential when considering the doctrine of tithing to remember that it is a God-ordained plan. It was not dreamed up by a preacher or computed on the mathematical tables of some resourceful
human being. It is a plan instituted by Jehovah, commanded by God, commended by Jesus, and proven by saints the world over.
Leviticus chapter 27 sets forth the first of a series of Old Testament commands on tithing. God commanded that all the tithes, whether it be the seed of the land or the fruit of the tree or of the block or herd was holy unto the Lord. There is a very common misconception today that tithing applies only to monetary income such as the weekly or bi- weekly check received from the factory or office. Actually tithing should be computed on increase as well as income. An form of increase even beyond earnings is subject to God’s law of tithing. According to the American College Dictionary, the word “tithe” is defined as the payment of the tenth part. Its Scriptural definition is also specifically referred to as the one-tenth part of that which becomes ours through work or charitable gifts. Thus a man who makes $200.00 a week and put $15.00 in tithing envelop has not paid tithes, for he has not given the tenth part to God. I will even go one farther than that. If makes $200.00 a week and puts $19.99 in the tithing envelope, he still has not paid tithes. There can be no alteration of God’s universal law of the full one-tenth part.
There are some who faithfully pay tithes until they get into a financial “pinch” and then they begin to note that the preacher is driving a nice car or the Church is in no financial strain. They reflect to themselves that the preacher won’t miss their tithes for a few weeks or they think he just doesn’t need them. Or they say that the Church can make it alright for a while until they “catch-up” on their bills. The primary reason for such thinking is a mistaken idea as to whom we pay tithes. Tithes are NOT paid to the preacher. Nor are
tithes paid to the Church. TITHES ARE PAID TO GOD! Thus the searching question in Malachi 3:8 was not, “Will a man rob the preacher?” Nor was it, “Will a man rob the Church?” But rather the penetrating question raised by the prophet was, “Will a man rob God???” The congregation retorted with the question, “Wherein have we robbed God?” The answer from God was swift and comes in that same verse. God said, “In tithes and offerings.” The in Verse 10 of the same chapter he again reiterates his command. “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse…” It must be said there is designed place for sai ts to pay their tithes. That is not some healing evangelist or some begging radio preacher. The place tithes ought to be paid is in your
local church? Tithes paid to God through the local church also have a designated purpose. It is for the support of the ministry of that local church
However, Malachi 3:10 not only contains a command but also a promise. “…prove me now herewith, saidth the Lord of hosts, If I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there
shall not be a last refutation I wish to make. Every so often someone throws up the argument that tithing was entirely an Old Testament Doctrine. This room enough to receive it. What a glorious, bless packed promise!!
One last refutation I wish to make. Every so often someone throws up the argument that tithing was entirely an Old Testament Doctrine. This is absolutely false. First of all, there is no place in the Holy Writ
where the plan of tithing was ever changed or deleted. Secondly, Christ admonished the Pharisee, who paid tithes even on their salt and pepper and other spices, that while they were absolutely right in paying their tithes, they had let some other things go undone that were also essential and also needed to be done. Thirdly, Paul refers to this doctrine of tithing in Hebrews Chapter 7. He refers to it in such emphatic tones, thus leaving no doubt as to the fact that it was a doctrine actively practiced by the New Testament Church in his day.
Yes, tithing is absolutely essential to one’s eternal salvation. What other conclusion could be reached in the light of the Scripture???
(The original publisher of this material is unknown.)
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