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A study of Prosperity and Affluence invariably includes the practice of tithing. In most cases, it is taught with a dogmatism that is unparalleled in the whole study of TRUTH. We want to deeply prove the practice beyond the superficial, illogical and materialistic way it is normally approached. Tithing is normally encouraged for all the wrong reasons, a gross materialization of a beautiful spiritual law.
For those of
you who wish to understand the historical origin and answers to
those questions; I have included here, some references from
Tithing in Bible (see below),
where Abraham gave a tithe of all he had to Melchizedeck, King
of Salem, who had blessed him. Today there are whole religious
denominations that require tithing of all their adherents. Many
other religious groups suggest it as a discipline. Let us
establish the point that tithing is an excellent practice that I
strongly recommend to anyone who is seeking to change their life
from indigence to affluence.
Truth students and/or those who study
Bible know and often refer to the classic reference of
Malachi 3:10 (ASV) “Bring ye the whole tithe into the
storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and prove me now
herewith, saith Jehovah 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.” Beautifully put, it is sheer
poetry! Who can argue with it? But, we should also examine
the practice in the time of Malachi.
Under Levitical law, the tithe was a form of taxation, a
requirement; it was not a love offering or charitable
contribution at all. In theocratic government, tithing had often
been the method of creating revenues to support the government.
Since God is true ruler, it is easy to see that the government
treasury is the storehouse of the Lord.
In early Israel, under the leadership of Moses, twelve tribes
were managed by priests, and the system was supported by the
tithe. There was nothing voluntary about it. The Mosaic code was
rigidly enforced, and in some cases, infractions were punishable
by death. This is the biblical source where our contemporary
practice of tithing was derived. However, the tithe did not
originate there. Some form of tithing was practiced almost
universally throughout the entire ancient world. We find
evidences of it in Babylonia, in Persia, in Egypt, in Rome, and
even in China.
Now without judging the merits of tithing, I find this line
reasoning illogical. Under their law, the Israelites were bound
to many restrictive observances. There are references to people
actually being stoned to death for nothing more than gathering
wheat on the Sabbath, (infraction of the fourth commandment).
But we don’t put people to death in modern times for playing
golf on Sunday! But times have changed, we say. Then why should
the rigidity of the tithing observance remain unchanged?
Jesus seemed to have made a career out of upgrading the laws
and practices of the Old Testament into the light and needs of
contemporary times. For instance, he said concerning many
commandments, “You have heard it said of old, but I say unto you
…..” He also said “I have come not to abolish them (the laws)
but to fulfill them.” (Mt. 5:17)
If you carefully examine the Ten Commandments, they
would appear to be a series of restrictive laws. However, a
deeper look will reveal to you underlying essence, that
supportive framework for the spiritually mature. Late Rev. Eric
Butterworth’s tells us in his book Spiritual Economics:
“Infants may need playpens and children may need fences to keep
them from straying into danger.” But as people mature, there
must come a time when they put away childish things. He also,
points out that Jesus taught the law of consciousness, that one
always has a choice, though one must live with the effects of
his or her choice. You receive as you give, and if you would
receive more, you can give more. But you have complete freedom.
(Page 196 in Book Spiritual Economics by Rev. Eric Butterworth),
see
(Reference in Resources)
Books you find on tithing often display flashy dollar signs,
suggesting that tithing is a sure way to get rich quick. Some
say that tithing is a magic cure for all ills. But if prosperity
and healing results from tithing, it is manifested as the
fulfilling of the law: As you give, so you receive. The
materialistic approach to tithing is so prevalent because of its
effectiveness. Giving is a fundamental spiritual law. You cannot
live without giving, as you cannot live without breathing. You
inhale and exhale naturally for breathing is a part of the vital
process of life. No one dictates how deep your breath should be,
and so your giving and tithing should also be a natural process.
Kahlil Gibran, in his classic work The Prophet says: "You
give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when
you give of yourself that you truly give…. Give as in yonder
valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space." What
counts for you is how you deal with them in consciousness. When
you understand “who you really are” and “how our world comes
about”, then you begin to see things from the perspective of the
ever-present God-substance or the Source. You will be in the
creative flow of abundance which will bless your life with
sustained affluence and prosperity, and in turn, your energy
will vibrate prospering influence to lift the world.
(Full
Text of The Prophet by Kahil Gibran)
Practice of Tithing in Bible
Quotes from the Bible on "Practice of Tithing" in Bible,
from Genesis, Malachi, and New Testament
The First Book of Moses, called Genesis 14:17 And the
king of Sodom went out to meet him, after his return from the
slaughter of Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him, at
the vale of Shaveh (the same is the King's Vale). 14:18 And
Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he
was priest of God Most High. 14:19 And he blessed him, and said,
Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and
earth: 14:20 and blessed be God Most High, who hath delivered
thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him a tenth of all.
The Fifth Book of Moses, called Deuteronomy 12:17 Thou
mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy grain, or of
thy new wine, or of thine oil, or the firstlings of thy herd or
of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy
freewill-offerings, nor the heave-offering of thy hand.
In Malachi 3:10 Bring ye the whole tithe into the
store-house, that there may be food in my house, and prove me
now herewith, saith Jehovah 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.
Following Scriptures are found in New Testament, and beleived
to reflect Jesus the Christ's thoughts and teaching on Practice
of Tithing in Bible.
The Gospel According to St. Luke 6:38 give, and it
shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken
together, running over, shall they give into your bosom. For
with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again.
The Gospel According to St. Matthew 10:8 Heal the
sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons:
freely ye received, freely give.
Here we have focused on subject of Practicing of Tithing in
Bible, but practice of tithing, which means acknowledgement for
and to Source/ God/ Infinite have been practice throughout ages
in many religious belief system.
Click here to view - The American Standard Version of the Holy
Bible The American Standard Version (ASV) of the Holy Bible
was first published in 1901. It has earned the reputation of
being the Rock of Biblical Honesty. Although the English used in
the ASV is somewhat archaic, it isn't nearly as hard to
understand as some passages of the King James Version of nearly
3 centuries earlier. This translation of the Holy Bible is in
the public domain, since its copyright has expired. You are
encouraged to download, copy, publish, and use this translation
freely
Click here to view – The World English Bible The World
English Bible is an update of the American Standard Version that
is still in the Public Domain, but uses more modern English.
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