Tithing - The Secret Of Prosperity

The world seeks financial security in all the wrong places. The only true financial security is found in the Father's tithing system. We will study this wonderful plan in this lesson.

Everything is His

1. To whom does everything in the world belong to?

“The earth is Yahuwah’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Psalm 24:1.

“I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds. For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof." Psalm 50:9-12.

"The earth is Yahuwah's and all its fullness." 1 Corinthians 10:26.

Answer: Our Father in heaven.

2. To whom does the silver and the gold belong?

Here Yahuwah is speaking, "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith Yahuwah of Hosts." Haggai 2:8.

Answer: Our Father.

3. Who has given us the capacity to develop the resources of the earth?

“Thou shall remember Yahuwah thy Eloah: for it is He that gives thee power to get wealth.” Deuteronomy 8:18.

“For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.” Acts 17:28.

“Every man also to whom Elohim hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of Elohim.” Ecclesiastes 5:19.

Answer: Our Father. 

4. As a continual reminder of Yahuwah’s ownership and man’s stewardship, what did He require of His ancient people?

“All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is Yahuwah’s: it is holy unto Yahuwah.” Leviticus 27:30.

Answer: Tithe is from a Hebrew word which means 'tenth'. While all we have comes from Yahuwah; He only requests us to return 1/10 as a reminder that everything is His. When we pay our tithe, we are but returning to Yahuwah what is already His.

5. How do we know that this divinely ordained tithing principle long preceded Israel’s organization as a nation?

“Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high El. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high El. And he gave him tithes of all.” Genesis 14:18-20.

Answer: Tithing was practiced by men long before the Jewish nation had an existence. The giving of one tenth of all by Abraham to Melchizedek is the first recorded instance of tithing in the Old Testament. It is the model for us. Abraham’s tithing is free from all the objections that are made against tithing on the ground that it is a Jewish institution.

6. What vow did Jacob make?

“This stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be Elohim’s house: and of all that Thou shall give me I will surely give the tenth unto Thee.” Genesis 28:22.

7. Could an Israelite use the tithe as he pleased?

“You shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes. . . . Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of Yahuwah thy Eloah.” Deuteronomy 12:8,28.

8. To what object was Yahuwah’s tithe applied?

“Behold, I have given the children of Levi the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.” Numbers 18:21.

“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.

Answer: The Levites were the tribe especially set apart for ministry to Yahuwah. Today the tithe is to be used for the support of Yahuwah's ministry throughout the world. 1 Corinthians 9:13, 14; Matthew 10:9, 10; Hebrews 7:6, 9.

9. Should ministers and workers of the gospel pay tithe on their income that comes from tithe?

“Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for Yahuwah, even a tenth part of the tithe.” Numbers 18:26.

10. Did Yahushua recognize the principle of tithing?

“But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of Yahuwah: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” Luke 11:42.

Answer: Yes, He did.

Tithe does little good for the giver when given for show or to earn favor with Yahuwah. Yahushua said the Pharisees did right in giving their tithe, but they did it from a wrong motive, and were neglecting essential virtues, such as love, mercy, and faith. They needed a change of heart. Matt. 23:23.

11. What material blessings did Yahuwah also promise as a reward of faithfulness?

“Honor Yahuwah with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all your increase: so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” Proverbs 3:9, 10.

A continual imparting of Yahuwah's gifts wherever the cause of Yahuwah or the needs of humanity demand our aid, does not tend to poverty. "There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty." Proverbs 11:24. The sower multiplies his seed by casting it away. So it is with those who are faithful in distributing Yahuwah's gifts. By imparting they increase their blessings. "Give, and it shall be given unto you," Yahuwah has promised; "good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom." Luke 6:38.

12. How did Yahuwah designate the withholding of His tithe?

“Will a man rob Elohim? Yet you have robbed Me. But you say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse: for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation.” Malachi 3:8, 9.

Answer: To withhold the tithe was regarded by Yahuwah as robbery. If robbing man is bad, how much more serious it is to rob Yahuwah! Luke 6:38; Proverbs. 11:24, 25.

13. What stewardship did Paul declare was given to believers in the gospel dispensation?

“Do you not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? And they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Master ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 9:13, 14. See also verse 11.

Answer: The apostle here referred to Yahuwah's plan for the maintenance of the priests who ministered in the temple. Those who were set apart to this holy office were supported by their brethren, to whom they ministered spiritual blessings. "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." Hebrews 7:5. The tribe of Levi was chosen by Yahuwah for the sacred offices pertaining to the temple and the priesthood. Of the priest it was said, "Yahuwah thy Eloah hath chosen him . . . to stand to minister in the name of Yahuwah." (Deuteronomy 18:5.) One tenth of all the increase was claimed by Yahuwah as His own.

14. Who was tithe to be given to in the time of the Apostles?

"Mine answer to them that examine me is this...Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?...If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?...Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple?...Even so hath the Master ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel." 1 Corinthians 9:3, 7-8, 11, 13, 14.

"The laborer is worthy of his reward." 1 Timothy 5:18.

15. Today, how is Yahuwah's tithe to be used in His true ekklesia?

Answer: It is to be especially devoted to the support of those who are bearing Yahuwah's message to the world, and it should not be diverted from this purpose.

Yahuwah's ministers are His shepherds, appointed by Him to feed His flock. The tithe is His provision for their maintenance, and He designs that it shall be held sacred for this purpose.

16. How is tithe and offerings to be kept in a home ekklesia settings?  Can the ekklesia trust one of the members from among themselves to be a treasurer to keep the records of the money?

“Look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the work.” Acts 6:3.

For new, small ekklesia, we are given this extremely practical counsel in regards to choosing a leader for an ekklesia. “Such arrangements should be made for the little companies accepting the truth as shall secure the prosperity of the [ekklesia]. One man may be appointed to lead for a week or a month, then another for a few weeks; and thus different persons may be enlisted in the work, and after a suitable trial someone should be selected by the voice of the [ekklesia] to be the acknowledged leader, never, however, to be chosen for more than one year. Then another may be selected, or the same one may be re-elected, if his service has proved a blessing to the [ekklesia].…Many fail to exercise proper discernment in these important matters where eternal interests are involved.” Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, page 619,

Answer: Yes.

17. Are there other areas that Yahuwah has specified His sacred reserve could be used for other than gospel ministers?

Answer: Yes, there are other areas such as publishing houses and medical missionaries .

A. We can support the ministry by publishing and distributing printed truth.

B. A minister of the gospel who is also a medical missionary, who can cure physical ailments, is a much more efficient worker than one who cannot do this. His work as a minister of the gospel is much more complete.

NOTE: Institutions that are Yahuwah's instruments to carry forward His work on the earth must be sustained. Publishing houses furnished with facilities for doing a great work in the publication of the truth to be sent to all parts of the world. These institutions are ordained of Yahuwah and should be sustained by tithes and liberal offerings. In other words those agencies who are active in getting Yahuwah's precious present truths out to others--are the only ones to be supported with Yahuwah's sacred tithe, then it becomes easy to discern all the other areas that are not to be supported with Yahuwah's tithe.

18. Are unfaithful ministers or fallen churches to be supported with tithe?

Answer: No, If we give money to churches in apostasy and corruption, or to those who are teaching error, or to those who are involved in fanaticism, or to other areas of Satan, then we are held guilty before Yahuwah of furthering and advancing apostasy.

It would be poor policy to support from the treasury of Yahuwah those who really mar and injure His work, and who are constantly lowering the standard of Christianity.

The Jewish leaders were masters at getting their church membership to believe that it was not their individual duty to carry out their own convictions regarding Yahuwah's money. But, as a rule, they were to pay their tithes, offerings, and gifts into the church system, and then let their leaders control where this money should go.

Yahuwah has made each one of us His trusted stewards. Hence we are held individually responsible for where we give Yahuwah's sacred money and to whom it goes to support. And no one--not even the ekklesia--has the authority to tell us differently. The money belongs to Yahuwah, and not to the ekklesia or its leadership!

19. In what particular are the tithe and the Sabbath alike?

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of Yahuwah thy Eloah: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days Yahuwah made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore Yahuwah blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” Exodus 20:8-11. “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is Yahuwah's: it is holy unto Yahuwah.” Leviticus 27:30.

Offerings

20. Beside the tithe, what else did the children of Israel give to further the work of Yahuwah?

“And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which Yahuwah commanded, saying, Take ye from among you an offering unto Yahuwah: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of Yahuwah; gold, and silver, and brass.” “And they received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning. And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made; And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which Yahuwah commanded to make.” Ex. 35:4, 5; 36:3-5.

Answer: Offerings other than the tithe.

21. With what regularity should Christians set apart their tithes and offerings for the cause of Yahuwah, and on what basis?

“Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as Yahuwah hath prospered him.” 1 Corinthians 16:2.

Answer: Tithing does not belong to “the law of commandments contained in ordinances,” which were nailed “to His cross.” It is not typical, nor does it foreshadow anything. It is a continual reminder of Yahuwah’s ownership. The death of Yahushua did not change the fact of Yahuwah’s ownership. It rather deepens the Christian’s realization of his debt. The obligation to acknowledge that ownership by tithes and offerings is thus strengthened, not diminished.

Windows Of Heaven

22. In what spirit should we give our offerings?

“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for Yahuwah loveth a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7.

“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:1-4.

“For ye know the grace of our Master Yahushua, the Anointed, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9.

Answer: With true gratitude of heart for the blessings He has bestowed.

"In the days of the apostles, men went everywhere preaching the word. New [ekklesia] were raised up. Their love and zeal for [Yahushua] led them to acts of great denial and sacrifice. Many of these Gentile [ekklesia] were very poor, yet the apostle declares that their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality. Their gifts were extended beyond their ability to give. Men imperiled their lives and suffered the loss of all things for the truth's sake." Testimonies For The Church, Volume 3, page 413.

"]Yahuwah[ designs that the exercise of benevolence shall be purely voluntary, not having recourse even to eloquent appeals to excite sympathy. '[Yahuwah] loveth a cheerful giver.' He is not pleased to have His treasury replenished with forced supplies. The loyal hearts of His people, rejoicing in the saving truth for this time, will, through love and gratitude to Him for this precious light, be earnest and anxious to aid with their means in sending the truth to others. The very best manner in which to give expression to our love for our Redeemer is to make offerings to bring souls to the knowledge of the truth. The plan of redemption was entirely voluntary on the part of our Redeemer, and it is the purpose of [Yahushua] that all our benevolence should be freewill offerings." Testimonies For The Church, Volume 3, page 413.

23. Where is the only place our money is secure?

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matt. 6:19-21. [Luke 12:33, 34]

Answer: Any money we possess is a trust that belong to the Father, with it we can meet our necessities and the rest is to be spent in Yahuwah's service. Then, when everything in this world perishes, we shall have a treasure in the heavens, which faileth not.

24. What divine promise to Israel of old may be claimed equally by believers today?

“Bring you all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat In Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, said Yahuwah of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Malachi 3:10.

Answer: There are many thousands of earnest Christian people in every land who have embraced Yahuwah’s plan for the support and extension of His work. Without exception they testify that, as they have rendered a faithful tithe, Yahuwah has blessed what remained as He did the barrel of meal and the cruse of oil of the woman of Zarephath. With one accord they rejoice in reaching higher ground in faith and life. And as they have seen the result of their giving in souls won for the kingdom of Yahuwah, they have found a satisfaction of spirit which is indeed their chief reward.

Yahuwah calls for His tithe to be given in to His treasury. Strictly, honestly, and faithfully, let this portion be returned to Him. Besides this, He calls for your gifts and offerings. No one is compelled to present his tithe or his gifts and offerings to Yahuwah.

Our Father in Heaven has done so much for us. Tithing is a privilege. Yahuwah tells us to put Him to the test. “Prove me”, He says. Will you take Him at His word?