Part 41: Tithe Is Not Money
In the name of God, Master of the universe, Ruler of the
earth.
During the time of the Old Law money was not accepted
or required by the Lord as part of the sacrificial ritual and blood offering. The
tithe and/or blood offering to the Lord always consisted of an edible substance
eaten by the Priests and worshipers are burned.
(See Leviticus 27:30-32, Deuteronomy 14:22-23, a tithe
is not money).
Meanwhile, has money ever been referred as holy unto
the Lord as noted in Leviticus 27:30-33?
A further note on the tithe as something edible is
revealed in the following scriptures. Tithe in the Old Testament times go
directly back to the giver. (Deuteronomy 12:17-19). The tithe is offered and
eaten by all participants during years one, two, four and five of a 7-year
cycle, Deuteronomy 1:5-7, 14:22-23. Therefore, Christians today are not really
tithing. Meanwhile tradition, mis- conceptions and in many cases straight out
lies have caused many people in the church to accept a method of giving
sponsored by greed and the lust for money.
Ironically Christians are told that eating the tithe
is forbidden. This may come from a misinterpretation of Leviticus 27:31.
However, Deuteronomy 26:12-14 may also lead to this misunderstanding. Money can
never be interpreted as the substance of the tithe, nor has it been considered
a consumable item.
The Purpose of the Tithe
There were at least five major purposes for the tithe.
Do any of the purposes reflect the act of tithing in the churches today?
1. Support the Levities Numbers 18:21, 23-24.
This tithe should not be confused with the tithe in
Deuteronomy 12:17-19. The tithe in Deuteronomy 12 is the second tithe and
follows the tithe in Numbers 18.
2. Tenth of the tithe for Lord's offering.
Tenth given to Aaron the Priest as the Lord's
offering. Numbers 18:26, 28-29, 32. If the tithe consisted of money what is the
best part of it?
3. Every three years for the Needy. Every 3rd and 6th
year of a seven-year cycle, the fatherless, the widows and foreigners eat from
the tithe until satisfied. Deuteronomy 26:12-13, Deuteronomy 14:27-29.
4. Un-gathered harvest for the Needy.
Some of the remains are left over for the needy to
gather. Deuteronomy 24:19-21, Deuteronomy 26:12-13.
5. Seventh year for you.
Every 7th year the agricultural yield stays with the
people. See Leviticus 25:2-7. This year also cancels all debts. Deuteronomy
15:1.
On a final note, money is not the topic of discussion
in Malachi.
carl@freedomjournalpress.comcastbiz.net