INTRODUCTION

1. First Things
2. Created to Choose
3. Birth of a Nation
4. The Angel of Death and the Life Giving Lamb
5. Dealing with Sin
6. God’s Lamb and Law of Redemption
7. Stewarding the Sabbath
8. Bridging Across the Covenants
9. First Fruits and the Firstborn
10. The Tithe
11. Questions on Tithing
12. Living in Liberty
13. Opening the Windows of Heaven
14. Paying the Tithe – Investing in God’s Purposes
15. SUMMARY
16. REFERENCE LIST
17. ABOUT THE AUTHOR

GOD’S PLAN FOR PROSPEROUS LIVING

George H. Meyers, Ph.D.

December 2000

INTRODUCTION:

The purpose of these chapters is for training pastors, leaders and believers who already understand the elementary principles of tithes, offerings and gifts. It is reinforcement training and meant to bring greater confidence for the release of God’s covenant promises.

God has a plan for His entire wonderful creation and especially for mankind His supreme creation. We recognize that we fall way short of reaching God’s “utmost for our highest” quality of life and prosperity.

The fall of man and entry of sin brought the mess that we encounter all over the world. But, God has provided a way back – a “paradise regained” with great promises for His people.

It is written, “my people perish for a lack of knowledge.” God has a plan but we do not fully know how to capture it. Even so, we know far more than we practice. It is the Lord’s purpose that His people “would prosper and be in health, even as their souls prosper.” However, in so many places in the world poverty and lack stand in stark contrast to the potential fulfillment of the promises of God.

In these chapters we will review some of the wonderful promises and try to understand more fully the “road less traveled,” that is – God’s way to true wealth.

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CHAPTER 1. FIRST THINGS

The order of first things begins with God – “in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1. When God created living beings He placed in them the seed of reproduction and increase. He commanded man to be fruitful and multiply and fill the whole earth.

“There is a way that seems right unto man but that way leads to death.” There is a way that people follow in their striving but the result is brokenness, hurt and poverty. God has a way that leads to fullness and prosperity for all who follow. Let us learn how to put first things first in God’s way to unlock the secrets of realizing true prosperity.

His office is Lordship and His station is His throne in the heavenlies. First means that He was existing before all else. Additionally, He has authority and preeminence in the order of all things. The builder and maker is God and to Him we give all reverence and Glory. To Him we will give account for all things.

When people put God first in all things then true prosperity follows. True wealth from God’s perspective produces a reverent, purposeful God-centered life on earth. This life is the first phase of eternity. Death is a predictable interlude out of our mortal, sin- influenced life and into salvation’s eternal bliss. Life in Christ results from an act in faith on our part while God effects a translation into the kingdom of His dear son. (Col. 1:13)

“Now then having been born again not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God, which lives and abides forever.” Peter 1:23

NOTE: Believers will not progress very far in their walk of faith in God without apprehending the total preeminence of God.

The order of first things requires recognition of God as the Supreme Founder, Ruler and Sustainer of heaven and earth. The nature of God is expressed in the three in one; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This must be taught clearly so the disciples we are training come into intimate personal relationship with Him and grow in the grace and knowledge of God throughout their entire lives.

God created man to be in close communion with Him so he may prosper us in all His ways.
“I would that you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2

Replacing curses with blessings set the Israel nation apart, but through the centuries they tended to forget their Creator and their chosen status just like former generations. God knew He couldn’t leave the issue of Lordship to their emotions, memories, or mood swings.

So along with the construction of the Tabernacle, God installed checks and balances in His system of Lordship to ensure that their confession was more than just words. By doing this, He established ways for His children to prove that He is first. The requirements were the Ten Commandments, the structure of the ritual of sacrifice, the statutes of the Tabernacle and what we now call The Law of First Things.

Hayes p. 44

Through Abraham God made covenant with man. Later, as Moses received the law, it began to establish a code for man’s relationship to God. The chosen nation had special requirements to be obeyed to qualify to receive the promised blessings.

God’s law of first things is the giving over as required of the firstborn and first fruits as an offering in faith, as required by God.

“The first offspring of every womb belongs to me, including all the firstborn males of your livestock, whether from herd or flock… Redeem the firstborn donkey with a lamb, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck… Redeem all your firstborn sons. No one is to appear before me empty handed” Ex. 34:19

“Bring the best of fruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God.” Ex. 34:26

NOTE: It is through the life and practice of first things that the revelation of the pre-eminence of God is eternally implanted into the spirit and actions of believers. Through understanding the principles of first things, teachers of the Word can lead believers into a lasting deeper commitment to new and abundant life in Christ.

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CHAPTER 2. CREATED TO CHOOSE

Man was created to have dominion over the earth. He was created to be a steward over all of creation.

When God created man, He created all things for his benefit. Man was not created to be slaves to God, but to rule on His behalf as kings or regents. All God asked of them was that they leave one selected tree alone. Adam and Eve were commanded not to touch it or eat its fruit. God’s intention was not to tempt them with the fruit of that tree, but to remind them that He was Lord. The tree of knowledge of good and evil was to be a constant reminder that, although they had been given power and authority, they were still ruled by Another. Their first step toward falling was forgetting their Foundation.

he fact is that the curse came to them because they neglected to put God and His commands first. Adam and Eve’s desire to be like God ruled their ability to make a quality decision. Like Lucifer, their agenda took first place and set in motion the perpetuation of evil among man.

Hayes pp. 6-7

It is written that “moreover it is required in a steward (servant) that he be found faithful.”
I Cor. 4:2

A steward is one that is given the responsibility of managing and caring for the property or affairs of another. God assigned man stewardship responsibility over the earth. Stewardship can also be identified as the process of receiving managing, increasing and giving. “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” Ps. 24:1 Therefore we are merely stewards over God’s possession.

As stewards we will be judged according to our faithfulness in handling God’s possessions. Even though we have been given dominion we are totally responsible to God for how we manage the allotment of the domain under our assignment.

NOTE: When we put God first in all things then we will steward God’s creation with excellence.

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CHAPTER 3. BIRTH OF A NATION

God, being disappointed with the rebellion of His creation beginning with Adam, raised up a people special to Himself. Abraham (Father of many nations) kept first things first and God built the Hebrew nation from his offspring. Abraham believed God and counted it as righteousness. (Rom. 4:3)

Abraham, though not perfect obeyed God when Isaac (name means laughter), the promised seed was prepared for sacrifice. Abraham was put to the test to prove that he was a faithful steward over the nation God was building through him. God promised great things to Abraham, our great progenitor (ancestor) and Father in the Faith. It was through Abraham that all of the families of the earth received the right for such great blessing. (Genesis 12:3)

Isaac was Abraham’s firstborn son according to promise. He was the one that God brought forth in a miraculous birth since Sarah was such an old woman when she conceived. Isaac is a type of Christ in his birth and life assignment.

Isaac’s son Jacob (name means supplanter) established the beginning of the “build out” of the Hebrew nation. The twelve sons of Jacob became the seed to which the promise of God to Abraham would begin to be realized. This blessing also included the promise of the land that God promised to Abraham. (Gen. 28)

Jacob was renamed Israel and Jacob’s favorite son was Joseph (name means he will increase.)

Joseph’s long journey led him to the place of authority and honor he had seen in a vision as a young boy. Many years later, the same brothers that had sold him into slavery, appeared before him in Egypt begging for assistance. As second in command, Joseph was able to provide valuable food and water for his father, his brothers and their families during the seven year drought.

Prophetically, Joseph had seen the coming of the famine and instructed the Egyptians to store up for its arrival. Joseph instructed his brothers to return to Canaan and bring his father to him to dwell under the shelter of Egypt until the drought was over.

Hayes p. 26

Genesis 45:23 says, “And this is what he sent back to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey.”

So the children of Israel, numbering seventy, went into Egypt and stayed for four centuries. In the beginning, the children of Israel were received by the Egyptians. But not long after the reign of Joseph had passed, the children of Israel became a threat to the Egyptians because they quickly multiplied and out-numbered them. (Ex. 1:9) The Egyptians placed slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites and worked them ruthlessly. The tactics of the Egyptians backfired because the children of Israel not only multiplied, but remained set apart due to their station as slaves. The children of Israel multiplied from 70 to roughly 2,000,000 people within 400 years. They had truly become a nation.

Hayes p. 27

NOTE: God’s commitment to fulfilling His promises is demonstrated in the miraculous protection and provision to the patriarchs and the assignments given to them and to their seed.

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CHAPTER 4. THE ANGEL OF DEATH AND THE LIFE-GIVING LAMB

When God was ready to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt, He selected Moses for the job. Although Moses had been raised in Pharaoh’s palace, he left Egypt and for 40 years (which is the number of transition), Moses dwelt in the wilderness. God was making Moses into the leader He would use to deliver His people out of Egypt.

God instructed Moses, “Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord: Israel is My son, My firstborn. So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, indeed I will kill your son, your firstborn.” Ex. 4:22

God told Pharaoh, “if you don’t free My firstborn, Israel to serve Me, then I am going to take your firstborn–every one of them in the land.” God was establishing a precedent when He instructed Moses to tell Pharaoh to let His firstborn go so that the firstborn may serve Him. He was ready to initiate His Law of First Things and His first course of action was to deliver His “firstborn.” God considered Israel His firstborn because they were descendants of Isaac, the firstborn son of Abraham, whom God promised to make a holy nation.

The plagues (curses) against Egypt were a demonstration of the justice of God and confirmation of God’s commitment to the promises given to His chosen people, Israel.

The plagues were a curse against the firstborn of man and animals under the stewardship of Pharaoh. The Passover was a blessing – the lamb as “savior” prevented death, as the angel of death passed over the houses marked with the blood of the lamb. (Ex. 12)

This was a foretaste (first fruits) of Jesus, the Passover Lamb, sacrificed for the sin of the world. “He who knew no sin became for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” II Cor. 5:21. Truly Christ has become a Passover Lamb for us.

Pharaoh lost everything through his rebellion toward God, but the Israelite nation was saved and gained everything through obedience.

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CHAPTER 5. DEALING WITH SIN

Just as Abraham was willing to sacrifice his firstborn son on an altar, God required the sacrifice of countless animals as atoning sacrifice. The law, being a schoolmaster until the appearing of Messiah, was to teach errant and rebellious Israel that they needed a savior to remove their sin.

The Passover rescued Israel’s necks from the yoke of Egypt’s slavery, but the law given after escape to the wilderness was more than their sinful nature could endure.

Although the Law provided for the atonement for their sinful nature as well as their trespasses, no one could perfectly recall every single act, thought or deed that was an offense against God. For this reason, once a year, Yom Kippur, The Day of Atonement, served as a corporate cleansing from the unintentional (ignorant) or unknown sins.

One of the rituals of Yom Kippur that made it different from the rest of the holy days, was the ceremony of the scapegoat. The priest would choose two goats. One would be chosen to die and the other to demonstrate the relinquishing of sin. Israel’s crimes against God were ceremonially laid on the back of the scapegoat and then it was allowed to freely trot away into the desert. The other goat was placed on the altar and sacrificed to cover the sin of the scapegoat. This ceremony was a clear demonstration of the future coming and purpose of Christ.

Yom Kippur was a consuming ritual. First, the priest would slay the animal and catch the first flow of blood in a cup. Moving into the Holy Place, the High Priest would then assume his duties at the table of showbread and the golden lampstand. The High Priest would lift the veil concealing the Most Holy Place and enter in. He would then move to the Ark of the Covenant and pour out the innocent blood onto the Mercy Seat. There the blood would cover the translucent gold lid, which contained the convicting evidence of the sin of Israel, the Ten Commandments.

All God could then see was the blood of an innocent lamb and not the sin of His people. Hence comes the term Yom Kippur which means “to cover.” God would then push the judgment of sin forward one year until Yom Kippur returned. He did not push the sin itself forward, but only the judgment of it.
Hayes 74,75

Yom Kippur was the temporary postponement of the judgment for sin. God had given Israel the Ten Commandments to live by, but He knew He couldn’t establish ten rules and change the world. And because the Law of Moses made nothing perfect by itself, He had to complete the original purpose of the Law, to re-establish relationship between God and man.

Israel went right on sinning and God began to speak prophetically through the prophets that the coming Messiah would set all things right.

Under the sacrificial system, the offering of animals and other items for sacrifice was a costly process. It has been estimated that about 30,000 sheep and goats would be herded into Jerusalem for a major sacrificial holy day.

Man is under a curse because of sin. The sacrificial law was only a temporary solution. It is only through Messiah that a permanent remedy for sin was to be found.

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CHAPTER 6. GOD’S LAMB AND LAMB OF REDEMPTION

The training focus that we are using in this chapter is First Things. God has a Son – His firstborn and only begotten Son. The Holy Spirit carried the Seed of God to the womb of Mary. Overshadowing her, she conceived. Jesus was born of a virgin and increased in wisdom and stature. Because Jesus didn’t have a genetic earthly father, He would bypass the genetic inheritance of iniquity, which is trans-generational sin. Therefore, unlike any other human, He was sinless.

The Lord established the law of the firstborn initially at Passover, “Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You shall take it from the sheep or from the goats.” Ex. 12:5

The firstborn lambs were to be consecrated to God (set apart for God’s purposes). God said to Moses: “Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; it is Mine.” (Ex. 13:1-2)

Jesus met the criteria of the perfect sacrificial lamb. He was firstborn, without blemish. His fate was sealed by His birth order. As the firstborn, He belonged to God. He was destined for sacrifice. He was Messiah, Christ, Redeemer, one given in our place to redeem us from the curse of the law. He shed His blood to remove our sin from us forever.

Redemption is to buy back something that was enslaved. Much is lost because of the consequences of transgression against the laws of God. In Christ we can begin the restoration process. Bondage or slavery blocks the fulfillment of God’s purposes. Even though both slave and free may inherit eternal life, liberty creates an environment where greater increase can occur.

Persecution of believers, while stifling personal freedoms may nevertheless ignite believers to take risks to preach, teach and testify. This can propel church planting movements forward against great odds and expand the Kingdom of God to multitudes. Even though materially poor, impassioned and oppressed believers may be rich in God’s measurement of true prosperity.

“Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?” James 2:5

There is a richness of this world and also a poverty of soul. Jesus said that you will always have the poor with you. Poverty may be a curse because of idolatry or lawlessness; or it may result from famine or war. Disease can leave families destitute. It may result from sin or simply some wrong economic choices that have been made, or even a natural disaster. Poverty may simply be the absence of blessing.

Jesus redeemed us from sin, but often the consequences of the former lifestyle of sin have dramatic continuing effect. For example, a husband strays into sexual promiscuity and returns home to pass the deadly, irreversible disease of AIDS on to his innocent wife. To her it is a sure death sentence, but she is a victim of the sin of her adulterous husband. This is one of the greatest injustices occurring in the world today. The innocent suffer and ask God, why?

Examples like this show how one’s action, lifestyle and habits can have deleterious social and physical consequences. All sin can be forgiven, but the consequences of sin may exact a high price, even on innocent parties and sometimes, even life itself.

Stewardship is a broad term. In the above example, it was the husband’s failure to properly steward his own passions, bringing destruction on himself and his family. True prosperity was negated for everyone touched by the consequences of sin.

No one is an island unto himself. Right relationships lived out in covenant with God and man yield the blessed fruit of righteousness. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom. 6:23

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of sin, poverty and disease. In Him we have a chance for a brand new beginning. There is no special virtue in poverty anymore than spiritual virtue in riches. One may be so poor that he cannot see God in his hopeless circumstances. On the other hand one may be so economically rich that he senses no need for God. It is poverty of both the spirit and soul to believe one can be totally self-sufficient within himself.

The unfathomable riches of God are so great that any person, regardless of their depth of depravity, can be redeemed from their lostness, be found by Christ and be transformed by the Holy Spirit into Christlikeness. This is what “true riches” is all about.

Moses forsook the riches of Egypt where he had a position of privilege, choosing to suffer affliction and to identify with God’s people, rather than be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. Moses exchanged the riches of Egypt for poverty in the desert in order to be equipped by God for leadership and eternal destiny.

The Apostle Peter had limited material goods, but exercised true riches at the Gate called Beautiful where the lame man was healed.

“Then Peter said to (the lame man): ‘Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.’ And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.” Acts 3:6-7

To prosper may mean rejection, false accusation and suffering. This was extremely well demonstrated in the account of the Israel nation during the time of Joseph. He was essentially the kinsman redeemer of the future leaders of the tribes of Israel, even though they sold him into slavery. God redeemed him because of his righteous and faithful life.

The life of Joseph exemplifies prosperity from a biblical perspective. After being sold into slavery by his brothers to the Midianites, he was purchased by the Egyptian Potiphar, the warden of the prison. Prosperity from God’s perspective pursued Joseph because of the call of God on his life, his personal discipline and his commitment to righteousness. He, over time, advanced from obscurity through travail to become the second in command of Pharaoh’s empire. He was faithful, even as a prisoner, but God equipped him with spiritual gifts for greatness. He was faithful in every small task and his promotions came from God, who honored him and brought forth advancement.

“And his master saw that the Lord was with him and the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority.” Gen. 39:3-4

“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.” Luke 16:10

To be prosperous does not always involve luxury and comfort.

World Map Digest p. 20

Consider Job; he was one of the most wealthy men of the East. God permitted him to be stripped of family, friends, possessions, social status and health. Through it all he perceived the eternal purposes of God and passed the test of the assignment that God permitted Satan to place against Job. Later God redeemed him from all the terror, pain and loss of everything and restored him to greater prosperity than he had known before.

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro thoughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”

2 Chron. 16:9

Christ the Redeemer is truly the Lamb of God that not only takes away our sin, but restores us to position through justification to achieve God’s original assignment and purpose for our lives. Birth is only achieved through travail and our character is only revealed through our response to adversity.

Christ has truly redeemed us to allow us to inherit the fullness of the measure of true prosperity to reach our eternal destiny in Him. The degree to which we fulfill our potential is up to us. Regardless of circumstances, our prosperity is based on our faithful response to each successive challenge. These can divert us from God’s plan for our lives or equip us for a higher level of faithfulness and service.

To redeem means to buy back, to get full possession of, to recover by paying a price. The firstborn of men and animals belonged to God. It was “devoted” – a sacred or holy (set apart) thing irrevocably given over to God.

But the firstborn of the animals, which should be the Lord’s firstborn, no man shall dedicate; whether it is an ox or sheep, it is the Lord’s. And if it is an unclean animal, then he shall redeem it…Nevertheless, no devoted offering…shall be sold or redeemed; every devoted offering is most holy to the Lord. Leviticus 27:26-28

God did not allow the substitution of a firstborn clean animal. You could not redeem one clean with another, the redemption practice was reserved for the unclean. If it was firstborn and one of the five acceptable sacrifices – it had to die. The clean sacrifices were: oxen, goats, sheep, pigeons and turtledoves.

Redeeming the unclean was provided for. Although God’s instructions regarding the sacrifice of the firstborn clean thing seemed straight forward enough, what was to be done with firstborn animals that were considered unclean – such as a donkey? Remember the definition of ‘redeem’ is “to buy back by replacing with an acceptable substitute.”

In Leviticus 27:27a, God gives us the answer – “If it is an unclean animal, then he shall redeem it according to your valuation…” (That means redeeming it with money.)

By redeeming something from God, we are acknowledging His claim on it by paying for it with an acceptable substitute. What if the Israelites had an unclean first animal but didn’t have an acceptable substitute with which to redeem it? God addressed this issue in Exodus 13:13 which says, “Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem by substituting for it a lamb, or if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck…” Hayes p. 47

This means that if you can’t redeem it, you must kill it. The fact is that all firstborns belonged to God. This shows the state of man in sin, uncleanness. Jesus (Messiah and Redeemer) became sin on our behalf that we are forgiven and “redeemed” from the curse of the law. Christ paid for our sin and our unclean state with His own blood thereby paying the ransom for our redemption. Now we have right standing with the Father because we have been cleansed from our sin. We are redeemed!

NOTE: Jesus, the lamb of God, firstborn and clean was a totally appropriate sacrifice to be paid to redeem unclean (sinful) Israel. We have been redeemed by the sacrifice of
Jesus–God’s firstborn Son who died to redeem us from our sinful state.

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CHAPTER 7. STEWARDSHIP THE SABBATH

From the beginning, God set a pattern for His creation to follow. He created the world and all that is in it in six days and on the seventh day He rested. In the fourth commandment, “Remember the Sabbath, keep it holy,” He expressed His plan for His creation to pause and remember that life and meaning for living are found only in Him ‘ our Creator God.

The principle of Sabbath (Shabbat) in the New Testament focuses on the reason for its observance, which is to protect us from falling away from the faith. The Word tells us that if we do not enter into God’s rest we will fall and be lost. Hebrews 4:1, 9-11:

“Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it’There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of (Israel’s) disobedience.“

It is through entering the rest of God that we get to know the God of rest. The Sabbath principle is in itself the foundation for a life of increased holiness and spiritual sensitivity. It is the discipline of coming away and intentionally seeking to lay hold of the Sabbath rest of God. Hebrews 4:11

The Western lifestyle of achievement and productivity is demanding. It takes discipline to find meaning and joy in the simple things of life, to appreciate quietness and seek after godliness with contentment, which is great gain according to I Timothy 6:6. Many Christians confuse the happiness gained from material possessions with the true satisfaction that comes from following hard after God and seeking His kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. God reveals to us that it is good to enjoy the benefits of what our work has produced. We see by His example that our pursuit of godliness includes a health sense of rest.

Revival and restoration of the Church in these last days will include a much greater embracing of the knowledge and celebration of the Sabbath. Our modern understanding and cultural practice has replaced the Sabbath with the word “day off” or “weekend,” but we have missed God’s intent. The culturally established, Christian “Sabbath” (Sunday), is often the most hectic day of the week for people in ministry. Some leaders have realized that another day of the week must be taken as a day of rest and restoration.

The Ten Commandments fall clearly into two categories ‘ the first four are related to our relationship with God, and the last six are related to our relationship with other people. These commandments given in Exodus 20 and repeated in Deuteronomy 5, form the code of morality and ethics God uses to keep people in right relationship with Himself and all of mankind.

Of all the Ten Commandments, observing the Sabbath is the least understood and practiced by humankind. Exodus 31:14-15 reads,

“You shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that personal shall be cut off from among his people. Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.”

In the commandment, we are called to rest from labor and that if we don’t obey we will be eternally cut off from our people and have our physical life terminated. We have no problem understanding that murderers will not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, but our minds and spirits are dulled to believing that the same could be true of Sabbath breakers.

When sharing with Israelis about a personal relationship with God, they invariably ask, “Do you keep Shabbat?” That seems to be a starting place toward godly living from their point of view. Even the secular Israeli community regards observing the Sabbath as an integral part of existence. The understanding of the call to rest from labor and cease from work speaks of more than simply not doing certain things. The commandment is telling us not to focus excessively on our lives or worry about the future. Shabbat is much more than physical rest and refreshing. It is a holy reflection on our relationship to God.

God’s command for Sabbath obedience is for the purpose of drawing His creation to a more intimate relationship with Himself. The emphasis is on God’s sovereignty over all the created order and His desire for intimacy with mankind. In Exodus 20:8-11, the fourth commandment is linked to creation:

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work’For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but He rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”

When the Sabbath command is repeated in Deut. 5:12-15, the last portion is based upon Israel’s gratitude for their liberation from bondage in Egypt.

“Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded ‘Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath Day.”

In Hebrews 4, the Sabbath is associated with a clear call to enter the “rest of salvation” through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Keeping the Sabbath is not an act of religious duty, but an act of humble confidence in the saving grace of Christ. Jesus showed the religious leaders of His day the heart and purpose of the commandment when He delivered people from demons, healed the sick and crippled and took walks on the Sabbath. Mark 2:23-3:6 includes the statement by Jesus to His disciples, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” Our Lord did not cancel its observance.

We need to be sure we are not trusting in our own efforts and repent of neglecting the discipline of setting aside one day each week to look up and be restored and refreshed in spirit, soul and body. Our health as individuals and families, and the health of our ministry depend upon our faithfulness to obey God’s commands. Truly, obedience to Sabbath rest is better than sacrifice. It requires discipline to set aside time for personal and corporate worship and to make time to read, reflect and respond to the Word of the Lord. It is the quiet place of internal stillness and rest where we learn to listen and hear God above all the other demands for our time.

Rob Stearns, founder of Eagles Wings Ministries, has written. “One of the greatest treasures being rediscovered by the Body of Christ today is the blessing of the Sabbath. More than just a day off, the Sabbath is a day consecrated to the Lord. It does not have to be a glum religious exercise, but can be full of life, family, friends and refreshment. But, it must be a day apart from work, given to enjoy the Lord and the blessings He provides.”

Stearns believes the principle of the Sabbath is parallel to the principle of the tithe. In tithing we declare that 90% of our income, blessed by God, will go farther and be more effective to meet our needs than 100% used in disobedience. In honoring the Lord with a Sabbath day apart, consecrated to Him, we declare that our lives are more productive in six days when we enter into the God-appointed rhythm of observing the Sabbath, demonstrated to us by God Himself in creation. A living understanding and practice of keeping the Sabbath holy is a powerful witness that the Kingdom of God has come in our lives.

You can purpose in your heart to faithfully practice a Sabbath day when you set aside your agenda, expectations and desires and simply give ourselves to the Lord. We want to spend more time in personal worship and quiet reflection to make ourselves available to clearly hear the voice of God and to bask in His presence and enjoy intimacy with our Creator God, the Blessed Controller of all things.

NOTE: As the tithe is always the first tenth, similarly the weekly Sabbath is always the seventh day (Saturday). Sunday is simply the first day of the week, not Shabbat.

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CHAPTER 8. BRIDGING ACROSS THE COVENANTS

Abraham the patriarch was originally an idolater who did not know the one true God. It took tremendous trust for Abraham to leave his familiar surroundings and begin the journey of faith. Abraham was called of God, responded to God and God led him to the land He promised to give to him. After the battle of the kings described in Genesis Chapter 14, Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils of war to Melchizedek, the King of Salem (Jerusalem). Then Melchizedek blessed Abraham.

This tenth or tithe was in recognition of Melchizedek being the greater and Abrahm the lesser. The tithe recognizes the pre-eminence of God as possesser.

Jesus is our Great and High Priest. Jesus is more than our Savior. When we offer tithes and offerings to Him, He receives them and serves as our Great and High Priest. In the same way that we go through Him to the Father, He receives our tithes and presents us to the Father.

“And the priest shall take the basket from your hand and set it down before the altar of the Lord your God.” Deut. 26:4

In the early church era, believers lived in Hebrew culture and were not separated from old covenant obedience. Through the teaching of the disciples of Jesus and the apostles teaching doctrine, the early believers received Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb that removed the sin of the world. The temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD and the believers were scattered to the ends of the known world. Animal sacrifices ceased at the time of the destruction of the Temple. Jesus continues to be the eternal Passover Lamb, a perpetual sacrifice.

Roman rule continued, Jewish culture in Jerusalem declined in influence, but the Church became a powerful force across the Roman dominated world. The Hebrews lived in an agrarian society. Formerly, the tribe of Levi was set aside to oversee God’s administration. Through the priesthood, worship, sacrifice and commitment to the covenant was enacted. Christ became the fulfillment of the purpose of the law.

Jesus did not come to take away the law, but that the eternal spiritual influence and social stabilizing purpose of the law would be realized. Progressively certain influential theologians erred in their teaching about the law. They believed that when Jesus came it ended the law since we are in a new covenant with Him. This is partially true. (Hebrews 8:13) However, Jesus Himself stated that He did not come to do away with the law, but that through Him its intended purposes and blessings and social stabilizing benefits were to be fully realized. The law was given that it may go well with man.

“Do not think that I came to abolish the law or the prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill.” Matt. 5:17

This fulfillment was not the taking away of the covenant, but to become the Lamb of God, the promised Messiah who would set all things right. Now the new covenant is in Christ the Redeemer. He came that the curse of the law and all of its sacrifices are removed. Because Jesus was sacrificed once and for all for us, in Jesus there is no longer any need for animal sacrifices.

“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” I Cor. 5:21

The law governed how people should live and worship and it contained a total lifestyle package. The law was written in the Torah, the first five books of the law. The religious leaders interpreted, dissected and added to the law their additional requirements as recorded in the Talmud. These added requirements became a load too heavy to bear.

Now, Jesus said that He did not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it! He became the permanent sacrifice. He condemned the additions to the laws of God that were written in the Talmud since it became even too complex for the religious leaders to follow.

As the Apostle Paul discipled the churches he taught mostly on the new covenant. He taught as a Jewish Rabbi, one completed in Christ. He understood the old covenant as a schoolmaster that would take the Hebrew nation plus the Gentiles into a new covenant, one with better promises than the old covenant with its emphasis on ritual sacrifices and dietary laws. (Gal. 3:24-29)

Without the schoolmaster or tutor, it is virtually impossible to comprehend the completeness and character of the new covenant, with its promises that are better than the old covenant.
Paul was able to transcend from the old into the new covenant. His epistle to the Hebrews is an excellent example of the transitional training to “bridge across from the old to the new covenant.”

The long list of rules and regulations was supplanted by the simple explanation of the gift of grace. Grace was not something to prevent responsibility or accountability, but to train believers in how they should live in righteousness. Believers were to live by faith in Messiah, the One who came to make all things right.

Christ, the Redeemer, became a curse on our behalf so that we would become the righteousness of God in Him. Now the curse of the law was removed in Christ. Does this mean also that in Christ the old covenant blessings were cancelled? Clearly, that is not the case. The curses were removed through the sacrifice of Christ, but the blessings are available only to those who receive Him by faith. “And if we belong to Christ, we are Abraham’s offspring and heirs according to the promise.” Gal. 3:29

We are in Christ by faith, but faith must lead to obedience. The new covenant has many requirements too, but things not so clearly spelled out as in the old covenant. Therefore, we must really be people of faith who study the “logos” (written) word; and also be so grafted into Christ, “the vine” that we receive the “rhema” (revealed) word also. Gal. 3:6-14

Abraham is truly accepted as the progenitor of Jews, Christians and Muslims. As we bridge from the old covenant to the new we can in the same way, as heirs of Abraham in Christ, bridge back to the old covenant. Truly Christ became a curse for us (law) so that in Christ (grace) the blessings of Abraham might come to us, Jews and Gentiles and we might receive the promise by faith. What promise? All of the promises that were given to our common ancestor Abraham. So great and wonderful are these promises that they were stated again to Jacob to reconfirm God’s intent.

If we reject the Abrahamic Covenant, we reject the promises to Abraham and his offspring.
Possibly in some way we can be framed or formed by the old covenant, but clearly be finished by faith in Messiah and His new and better covenant.

Some of the blessings promised to Abraham in the old covenant are:

“And I will make you a great nation,

And I will bless you, and make your name great;

And so you shall be a blessing;

And I will bless those who bless you,

And the one who curses you I will curse,

And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Gen. 12:2-3

Some time later after Abraham arrived in Canaan, the Lord appeared to him again and said: “…For the land which you see I will give to you and your descendants forever.” Gen. 13:15

While in Canaan Abraham lived among many kingdoms. A war developed and Abraham’s nephew, Lot, was taken captive. Then Abraham enjoined the battle, rescued Lot and returned to the Kings Valley. It was there that Melchizedek, King of Salem (peace, shalom) came out to meet him. He was a priest of the Most High God, a type of Christ or Christ Himself.

“And he blessed him and said, ‘Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.’ And he gave him a tenth of all.” Gen. 14:19-20

God appeared to Abram again and restated His covenant with him. God said that in this covenant he would multiply him exceedingly and make him (Abraham) the father of many nations. (Genesis 17:1-5) Now Abraham, the covenant keeper, was promised exceeding great fruitfulness in covenant with God.

“For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is circumcision, that which is outward in the flesh. But he who is a Jew is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from man but from God.” Rom. 2:28-29

In today’s environment of freedom, liberty and pluralism there is a weakness – lack of obedience. Commitment and covenant are hardly understood at all. Whereas outward circumcision, a requirement of the law, is not required under grace; nevertheless, only the circumcised of heart will inherit the blessings.

Since the promised blessings to Abraham were given 430 years before the law, those promised blessings transcend the Mosaic law (old covenant). Therefore, the blessings promised to Abraham and his seed (Christ) descend down to us in Christ today.

“And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you.” Gen. 17:7

This then was the covenant of circumcision. In Christ all of these great and glorious promises are fulfilled. Jesus was not of the tribe of Levi (priests), but of Judah, which means praise. He was of the likeness of Melchezidek. Through His Spirit we are circumcised of heart. (Heb. 7:14-15)

This Jesus, our Great and High Priest, abides forever as a permanent priest, able to save forever and He ushered in a new covenant.

“But now, He has obtained a more excellent ministry by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant enacted by faith on better promises.” Heb. 8:6

These promises are better than the old covenant of Moses with its works based on sacrificial law.

Why are Christians reluctant to tithe? Why do they often use the excuse that they are not under the old covenant law and therefore exempt from the tithe? The main reason must be that they have not been effectively trained in the benefits of tithing. They know that we have a better covenant in Christ than in Moses, but they are weak in understanding the old covenant and its transcending promises.

However, the promises given to Abraham and his seed descend even to us, heirs of the promises in Christ. Through His blood, covenant and our faith we are grafted into the family line of Abraham and therefore are heirs of the great promises.

NOTE: Abraham tithed so we tithe and do not eat the sacred portion. In Christ the sacrificial law is fulfilled and the promises of God to Abraham are for us even today.

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CHAPTER 9. FIRSTFRUITS AND THE FIRSTBORN

The firstfruits offering was an offering of the first produce of the harvest.

“The first of the firstfruits of your land you shalll bring into the house of the Lord your God.” Ex. 23:19

“Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: When you come into the land which I give to you, and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest.” Lev. 23:10

The firstfruits were presented as an act of worship and were to be used to sustain the physical needs of the priesthood. They were a remembrance of the great way in which God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt.

“And you shall answer and say before the Lord your God: My father was a Syrian, about to perish, and he went down to Egypt and sojourned there, few in number; and there he became a nation, great mighty and populous. But the Egyptians mistreated us, afflicted us, and laid hard bondage on us.

Then we cried out to the Lord God of our fathers, and the Lord heard our voice and looked on our affliction and our labor and our oppression. So the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm, with great terror and with signs and wonders.

He has brought us to this place and has given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the Land which You, O Lord, have given me.

Then you shall set it before the Lord your God, and worship before the Lord your God.” Deut. 26:5-10

“All the best of the oil, all the best of the new wine and the grain, their firstfruits which they offer to the Lord, I have given them to you.”
Num. 18:12

“That you shall take some of the first of all the produce of the ground, which you shall bring from your land that the Lord your God is giving you, and put it in a basket and go to the place where the Lord your God chooses to make His home abide.” Deut. 26:2

The firstfruits were from trees and plants. Likewise there is the principle of the firstborn of man and animal. The firstborn males of all clean animals and man belonged to God. They could be redeemed, but only by the silver shekels as required in some cases, or for a firstborn son another acceptable sacrifice.

Now, the firstborn clean animal was considered to be an offering that was devoted to destruction or ‘the devoted thing‘. Devoted means “the irrevocable giving over to the Lord, not to be taken back again” and destroyed means “to be consumed with fire as a sacrifice.”

“But the firstborn of the animals, which should be the Lord’s firstborn, no man shall dedicate; whether it is an ox or sheep, it is the Lord’s. And if it is an unclean animal, then he shall redeem it…Nevertheless, no devoted offering…shall be sold or redeemed; every devoted offering is most holy to the Lord.” Leviticus 27:26-28 NKJV

The confusing part of the previous verse is the part about dedicating the firstborn clean animal. This simply means that firstborn clean animals could not be dedicated for any other type of sacrifice. They had to be destroyed by fire as a tithe offering, as it was not acceptable to dedicate a firstborn lamb as a sin offering. Hayes p. 46

Also, God did not allow the substitution of a first-born clean animal. You could not redeem one clean with another. If it was firstborn and one of the five acceptable sacrifices-it had to die.

Redeeming the Unclean –

Although God’s instructions regarding the sacrifice of the firstborn clean thing seemed straight forward enough, what was to be done with firstborn animals that were considered unclean-such as a donkey? Remember the definition of ‘redeem’ is “to buy back by replacing with an acceptable substitute.”

In Leviticus 27:27a, God gives us the answer – “If it is an unclean animal, then he shall redeem it according to your valuation…”

By redeeming something from God, we are acknowledging His claim on it by paying for it with an acceptable substitute. What if the Israelites had an unclean first animal but didn’t have an acceptable substitute with which to redeem it? God addressed this issue in Exodus 13:13 which says, “Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem by substituting for it a lamb, or if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck”

Hayes p. 47

Jesus – an example of a firstborn –

“Now when the days of her (Mary) purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him (Jesus) to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written, every male who opens the womb (firstborn) shall be called holy to the Lord) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” Luke 2:21-24

This was the acceptable price of redemption for a firstborn boy. Jesus was a firstborn – but much more. He was born to be the Lamb of God. Later he was sacrificed because of His primary purpose. A firstborn son (a firstborn lamb) – He was sacrificed (crucified) by God’s plan and He voluntarily became the Lamb of God, to become the sin offering (atonement) for all mankind for all time.

NOTE: God owns all of the firstborn and He required special handling of all firstborn males. The loss of the firstborn of Pharaoh (bondage to sin) was a contrast to the saving of all firstborn of the Jews that were under the blood atonement or Passover.

NOTE: First things is exemplified clearly in the principle of the firstfruits, firstborn and the tithe.

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CHAPTER 10. THE TITHE

The tithe is one tenth. It is simple to calculate, count and handle. It is not just any tenth, but the first tenth! In following the principle of “first things” the tithe must be the first tenth.

According to the Bible, the first thing that should come out of your increase is your tithe. By giving to God first, you actually honor Him with the firstfruits of your increase.

When you give the tithe first, get ready for a pleasant surprise. It will amaze you when you see what God does with the ninety percent you have left. It will go farther than the original one hundred percent would have gone. The reason is that God will rebuke the devourer and remove the curse from your remaining ninety percent.

The Lord wants all the tithe, not everything you have. He doesn’t want you to be left empty handed, His desire is to make you full. He considers your tithe His. It is holy and you should treat it as such. Robertson p. 19

The tithe was first instituted through Abraham and became the standard. Abraham paid tithes 430 years before God gave the law through Moses to the Hebrew nation in the wilderness. The tithe is intricately connected to the first of everything.

“And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s; it is holy to the Lord.” Leviticus 27:30

“If a man at all wants to redeem any of his tithes, he shall add one fifth to it.” Leviticus 27:31

The principle here is that the tithe belongs to the Lord. If one wants to buy back the tithe of anything there is a 20 percent charge above its value to redeem it.

All livestock was to be tithed. There was to be no selecting out certain lambs to give. As the lambs passed under the rod for counting, every tenth lamb was set apart as a tithe. The breeding flock was not tithed, only the increase of the lambs born in a given year.

If the tithe means a tenth, why a tenth? Because, ten in the scripture is always the number for redemption.

Ten Camels – for Isaac’s wife, Rebecca.

Ten Donkeys – sent to bring Israel to Egypt.

Ten Plagues – used to free the Israelites from Egypt.

Ten Commandments – for the Israelites to obey.

The Tenth Day – Passover

Anytime there is a redemptive work in progress, there will be a number ten involved. So there were ten plagues and then the children of Israel were redeemed out of Egypt. There were Ten Commandments, and God said, “If you will obey then these ten things, I will redeem you.” How many of you understand that God could have thought of more than ten things to require of His people. But, every time ten is used, God is working to buy back that which He desires.

If the tenth is a type of redemption, then why must it be first? Because when it’s given first it breaks the curse of destruction off of the remaining 90%, releasing it to be used for its best purpose!

Hayes p. 105

NOTE: The tithe recognizes that God is the rightful owner of all things and that we are stewards over His creation.

A tradition in the Western USA when selling cattle is called the “gate cut.” Without selecting specific animals, an agreed number of cattle are driven through a gate. When that number is reached the gate is shut. In a similar way the tithes of animals did not permit sorting and keeping the very best. The owners would select the best from among the 90 percent remaining to add to their breeding flock or herd.

The tithe is on the increase: “You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year.” Deut. 14:22

The tithe is always ten percent. “Abraham gave Melchizedek one tenth of all the spoils.” Genesis 14:20

Again the writer of Hebrews in the New Covenant restated the principle of the tithe, “Now consider how great this man (Melchizedek) was. To whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils.” Hebrews 7:4

Our human nature and God’s divine nature are vividly seen in our attitudes toward possessions. Our integrity is being judged according to God’s Word!

“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed me! In what way have we robbed you? In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed me, even this whole nation.” Malachi 3:8-9

Tithing isn’t something you do because you can afford to do it. It is something you do to honor God. It is an act of obedience, trust, faith and confidence in Him. Why is this important? It is important because giving your tithes into the good ground of your local church is necessary to keep the windows of heaven open over the finances and well-being of your family.

“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now in this, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room to receive it.” Mal. 3:10

This is the only place in God’s Word where He challenges His people to put Him to the test. He commits to pass the test of His promise of financial and physical provision as the result of his promise as stated:

“Prove me now in this says the Lord of hosts…And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground. Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field; says the Lord of hosts. And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land, says the Lord of hosts.” Mal. 3:11

We must remember that tithing was practiced by Abraham 430 years before the law of Moses. Jesus taught about tithing and insisted that His people must live righteously before Him.

“Woe to you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of law; justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the other undone.” Matt. 23:23

“Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” Prov. 3:9-10

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matt. 6:33

Jesus did not cancel the tithe but through His teaching amplified its true meaning. His Lordship requires righteous living on our part so the full complement of the blessings promised to Abraham and his seed may fall upon us. Jesus shows us the way to appropriate the full measure of these promised blessings.

America is a blessed nation, but a recent research report showed that only eight percent of American Christians tithe. If all Christians tithed there would be sufficient income to achieve every needed ministry, care for people in special need, disciple and train all believers and fulfill the Great Commission. Tithing is so simple that it is overlooked and neglected because people tend to make simple things complex.

Because of the neglect to obey the command to tithe, the devourer, Satan and the spirits of darkness bring destruction. Families experience severe financial problems, sickness, marriage and family stress and many other problems.

By faithful tithing God restricts, rebukes or disables the devourer for our benefit. The obedient believers tithe and give offerings according to faith and commandment and God rewards that obedience. This is living in God’s divine order and brings about the blessings of promise. God demonstrates His benevolence to the obedient. Do not rob God, pay the tithe and expect to prosper in all ways.

The tithe is also a principle of the New Covenant. The Apostle Paul wrote: “On the first day of the week let each of you lay something aside, storing up as God has prospered him so that no collection will need to be taken after I come.” I Cor. 16:2

Let us look more closely at the specifics of Paul’s instruction:

• First day of each week – Firstfruits of your time
• one of you – Total participation
• Lay aside an offering – Prepared giving
• As God has prospered you – Proportionate or percentage giving
• No special collection will be needed

This is the ingenious plan of God. If every Christian would simply give God the firstfruits (the first 10% of all they earn) there would be no need for “special collections.” Fundraising projects would be eliminated. In God’s plan there would be sufficient funds to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the widows, orphans and destitute and to evangelize the world.

NOTE: We will encourage others to pay tithes in obedience and to multiply wealth with diligence, wisdom and faith.

Tithing was such an integral part of the life of God’s covenant people that it did not require a whole set of re-statements of tithing rules to the followers of Jesus. They clearly understood the principle of first things, firstfruits and the tithe. The early believers relied on the old covenant and then added the new covenant epistles and gospels as they were written.

This assumption is stated in Hebrews 7:8: “Here mortal men receive tithes, but there He receives them of whom it is witnessed that He lives.” The presentation of tithes and offerings was an act of worship and remembrance.

Deuteronomy 26:4 tells us that Jesus receives our tithes personally and places them before the altar of God. Can you see where we have missed it by just stuffing some money into an envelope and dropping it into the offering basket without a thought and without worship? Jesus Himself then directs the pastor concerning the distribution of the tithes and offerings. Therefore when we give tithes and offerings, we can truly say we are giving to the Lord. Robertson p. 47

After the law was given through Moses in the wilderness, the tithes that already belonged to God were brought to the tent of meeting, or later to a place prescribed to receive them.

NOTE: Paying tithes and giving offerings is a test of His Lordship in our lives. The Levites also were permitted to pay tithes. They took the first tenth of the tithe from the people. They selected the best of what the people gave and offered them up as a heave offering. It was reckoned unto them just like it came from their own threshing fields or vines.

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CHAPTER 11. FREQUENT QUESTIONS ON TITHING

1. Do I tithe on the gross amount of my income or the net? Tithe on your gross income from wages. The difference between the gross and the net includes benefits to you like health insurance, government supplied roads, police and fire, etc.
2. Isn’t the concept of tithing an Old Testament law that was not taught in the New Testament scriptures? The principle of tithing is actually older than the old covenant because Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek in Genesis 14. Jesus endorsed the paying of the tithe in Matt. 23:23. Also, Paul, the apostle in I Cor. 16:2 said, “On the first day of each week let each one of you bring an offering as God hath prospered you.” This is speaking of percentage or proportionate giving.
3. What if my spouse is not saved and does not allow me to tithe? You are not held accountable for what you do not possess. I would suggest, however, two options. First, don’t just assume your spouse won’t allow it. Choose a time to appeal to him/her and ask if you can give a regular portion of income. Secondly, if you do not have money to give, give time to the ministry of your choice and God will honor it.
4. I own a business. How do I tithe from my business? Tithing is computed based on increase or profit. There are several ways to compute profits and certain times when that can be done. Work out the details with your accountant. I believe God is calling large numbers of Christians to start businesses for the purpose of furthering His kingdom.
5. Where should my tithe be paid – all to my church or part of it to a missions cause or media ministry? The scripture says in Mal. 3, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse that there may be meat in My house.” This is normally translated to mean the local church. Many people however, are not connected to a local church. In that case try to make sure there is an accountable leader responsible to administer finances in a godly manner.
6. Do all the tithes belong to the pastor or minister? The scripture says in Numbers 18:24 that the tithes are for the Levites which were the ministry tribe. That does not mean, however, that all of the tithe is to be used by the pastor. Only one Levite functioned as the high priest and hundreds of others did the “work of the ministry.” Their work was also supported out of the tithe. The minister or pastor in a New Testament church should be supported by and administrate the tithes to the effectiveness of all the work of the ministry. Tithes should not be paid to any organization that is not directed by God-called ministry.
7. Is the tithe limited to just ten percent? The tithe is always ten percent. However, many financially successful families give offerings way above the tithe. Pray that God will so multiply your income that you can give two or three or more times the ten percent.
8. What if I am in a situation where there is financial abuse? God will never hold you accountable for the performance of those stewards He placed over you. God will judge His servants. You pray for them and remain faithful and allow God to remove unfaithful stewards.
9. Should ministers pay the tithe? Yes, for two reasons. First, because as a leader we must be examples. Secondly, the scriptures say in Numbers 18:26, “When you Levites take tithes from the Israelites which I have given you from them for an inheritance, then you shall present an offering from it to the Lord, even a tenth of the tithe.” Since prosperity is to be gained from faithfulness to the tithe, the Levites prospered by tithing also. Otherwise the devourer would destroy them financially like anyone else.
10. What if I have not been tithing properly in the past? This is the beauty of new testament grace. In the old testament you would be punished. Because of the forgiveness we have through Jesus’ blood, you simply repent and purpose in your heart to begin now being faithful in giving the tithe from this day forward.

Questions 1-10 adapted from Hayes p. 149-152

11. Why do Christians resist the principle of the tithe? Many believers do not read nor understand the old testament. They believe that only the new testament contains the guiding principles of grace and that following old testament statutes would place them back under the bondage of the law. Actually, the law was established that it may go well with us. The law contains the blessings given to our father in the faith Abraham and his offspring. Since Abraham paid tithes and instituted that as a practice 430 years before the Mosaic covenant, the law should not be an issue at all. Many people are denied manifold blessings because they do not follow God’s plan for prosperous living. They are robbing God as noted in Malachi and the blessings of prosperity are denied them.
12. Isn’t tithing just a ritualistic system, devoid of faith? If one searches out and lives by the whole counsel of God, then the principle of first things comes into focus. The first of everything belongs to God and tithing is only returning to Him what is truly due Him. Now that we have a money economy, it is simple to calculate the tithe. Business owners tithe on increase (profit) just like a breeder tithes on the number of calves or lambs born in the springtime.
13. How can we encourage believers to tithe? Believers should be trained in the principle of first things and the whole counsel of God. (Acts. 20:27) Then they will accept tithing as faith and practice in their lives. When they make excuses to not tithe it is to their own hurt and lack. One cannot expect the blessings to flow down unless one tithes faithfully. Instead we can expect our prosperity to be devoured, our crops, jobs, investments, flocks, marriages and families open to the work of the Enemy.

NOTE: When believers are trained to follow Jesus and to bridge across the covenants they will be able to comprehend the old covenant. The old covenant embodies the fullness of the richness of the blessings, so often missing in the lives of believers in the church today.

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CHAPTER 12. LIVING IN LIBERTY – PROMISES REGAINED

New life and liberty in Christ is not found in the Mosaic law but in Christ and His fulfillment of the law. Jesus said that He did not come to abolish the law – but to fulfill it.

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” Rom. 10:4

It is only in Christ, since we are not all Jews by birth and not totally and unwaveringly faithful and living in total compliance to the Mosaic law; that we inherit the promises. We being afar off were brought near to God through Jesus.

“For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold to the beginning of the confidence steadfast to the end.” Heb. 3:14

We belong to Jesus who gave His life to buy us back from our slavery to this world system (Gal. 4:3-5) and Satan’s dominion.

As we put Jesus first in our lives in submission to Christ, we are legal citizens of heaven while still living on earth. Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world…”
John 18:36

Kingdom living allows us to enjoy the benefits of the new covenant in Christ with sin removed and righteousness restored. In Christ, our obedience flows out from a right spirit, in relationship with Christ.

“For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.” Rom. 7:22

This inward empowerment is through Christ alone and his work and our relationship with Him:

“For the law of the spirit of life in Christ has made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2

In Christ’s redemption we are now adopted as sons:

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive adoption as sons.” Gal. 4:4-7

He who lives under the law alone must obey every point of the law, but the law was a tutor to bring us into liberty in Christ.

“Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” Gal. 3:24-25

Wandering in a new covenant era wilderness seems to be the state of so many believers, similar to the way the Hebrew nation was delivered from Pharaoh’s kingdom, but wandered for forty years in the wilderness. They did not fulfill the laws of obedience to cross over by faith into Canaan, the promised land. In the new land they would inherit the promises given to Abraham way before the law was given.

Likewise Christians are often caught in the ravages of their life choices, often bad choices. Prosperity is consumed by the destroyer, Satan. They may be close to the Kingdom and its benefits but have not yet crossed totally over. The Jordan River of the old covenant was the line of demarcation from the wilderness. Those bound in sin blocked passage into the land of promise. Ultimately, crossing the Jordan brought the people against new battles that were required to seize their rewards.

For new covenant people, there seems to be an invisible barrier. The barrier of the Jordan River is crossed only by obedience, not to the sacrificial law but by obedience to the commands of Christ. To the promises in the old it was Canaan – to the new it is the Kingdom of God. To the present and future, it is the transcending Kingdom of heaven.

In the ministry of Jesus, He taught the principles of the Kingdom of God. This was the essence of the new covenant. We are a special (peculiar) people unto God and through Christ are made acceptable to Him.

Liberty ushers us into a new and better relationship with God in Christ because it has better promises than the old life. Jesus became a curse for us. Now then through adoption as sons of God through Christ, we are in an even better position than being only adopted sons of Abraham. Whereas the promises to Abraham are great, the promises in Christ are even greater. I am a son of Abraham by relationship, but a child of God by adoption.

To regain the promise we can see that God always has conditions in His covenants.

• Adam – Keep the garden, but don’t eat of the tree.
• Abraham – Receive the blessings, obey the covenant of circumcision
• Moses – Live under the law and sacrifice, but give God the glory
• Christ – We are joint heirs with Christ, but faith and obedience are required.

While we have liberty from the sacrificial law because Jesus the Lamb of God is our eternal sacrifice, we through Jesus receive all of the promises. It is just as if we have kept every point of the sacrificial law when we live under the perfect law of Christ. As Christ came to fulfill the law, in Him the blessings of obedience are released in us.

Abraham believed God and it was reckoned unto Him as righteousness. We receive the Lordship of Jesus into our lives by faith and His Spirit adopts us as children of God into His Kingdom.

NOTE: May it never be that we so separate ourselves from the historical covenants of God with His people, that we cannot access by faith the incredible blessings of those covenants with their enduring promises.

NOTE: The tithe, rights of the firstborn, the tithe, firstfruits and redemption at Jubilee were characteristics of a society living in liberty.

Jesus is the high priest and our all in all. He releases a spirit of perpetual Jubilee among those walking in His steps.

In becoming flesh, Jesus made the impossible – reality. Since Jesus’ time on earth, God had empathized more than ever about the frailty of flesh. Jesus, fully God, and fully man, would reconcile both. The last words Jesus spoke as a man showed He understood how god the Father felt about His children at that moment:

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34

It’s as if He said, “Father I know You must hate what You are seeing, but remember why You sent Me. You sent Me because they don’t know any better. We have a greater perspective and understanding. I am doing this to bring them to a place of right standing. When they are joint heirs, they will understand.”

Not only was Jesus pleading our case, He excused our behavior. This was Jesus, Our Great High Priest, making intercession for us even as He was dying. God was reminded of His word and the reasoning behind the act of sacrifice. Jesus, the Son of God, would take on the curse of the Law and allow Himself to die. God was willing to do whatever it took to restore us to full relationship with Him. At the moment Jesus gave His life because of His love for us, there was nothing loveable about us. In fact, we were spitting in the face of the One who came to save us. But Jesus, full of compassion for His people, saw us for what we were and prized us for what we could become. He wanted communion with the family he created. The redemptive release by the lamb would make the possibility of that relationship a reality.

Could the fulfillment of the Law be more clear than this? Jesus was the Lamb. We were the scapegoat. Jesus poured out His own blood as the High Priest.

If the clean is first given, then all that comes thereafter is redeemed. We were the unclean, so the Father sent a clean, spotless, sacrifice. Because the clean animal, firstborn, cannot be redeemed, but has to die, Jesus the clean, redeemed humanity, the unclean. Jesus was freely given as the ‘devoted thing.’

Jesus’ death and the method by which it took place fulfilled the Law. This is what Jesus meant when He said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” Matthew 5:17

Hayes pp. 82-83

If we take what we have learned about redeeming the unclean with the clean, the lesson of the Law is clear. We lay down our sinful lives to be filled with Christ’s fullness. The last Day of Atonement will prove to be the most powerful day in history. God’s firstborn Son has become the sacrificial lamb who died for all people. A Passover Lamb for us.

NOTE: Some believers say that they have liberty from the old covenant law and therefore are not required to tithe. They are untutored in that the law was given for their benefit. Through the law believers had the liberty to receive the Abrahamic blessings in covenant. Liberty in Christ removes us from the sacrificial law as Christ became a curse for us (sin) that we might receive the Abrhamic blessings of those declared in right standing with God.

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CHAPTER 13. OPENING THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN

Faithful teachers of God’s way to His people must teach His way of proper handling of possessions. We have established that the firstfruits, firstborn and tithes belong to God. Through proper understanding of God’s word, people are released into true prosperity. The great admonition of Deuteronomy Chapter 8 was given so that after Israel was to become wealthy they would not forget God.

“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is written this day.” Deut. 8:18

We must teach about man and his money and man and God’s abundance given to us to steward:

“For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge, and people should seek the law from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.” Mal. 2:7

Malachi helps us to understand about an open heaven. The spirit of God responded to the people of God by opening the windows of heaven. Through disobedience of God’s people the devourer (Satan) was permitted to close the windows. Our inheritance in Christ is to abide in Christ the vine, under an open heaven.

As Jesus preached, He addressed the Kingdom of Heaven in many ways so we would not miss it. Malachi admonished the people to present acceptable sacrifices to God; however, they were cursed with a curse for robbing God of His tithe. They were sacrificing blemished lambs, but God was willing to give His sinless and spotless Son as a sacrificial Lamb – to atone for our sin.

God’s plan is for us to be transformed by His power to Christlikeness.

“I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

God gave His best, can we give less? We want an open heaven where we overflow with the promised blessings. To those that reverence Him, there are precious promises.

“Delight yourself in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

With the windows of heaven opened and our vats overflowing with new wine, we confirm the Lord’s desire to bless His people:

“Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor My righteous cause; and let them say continually, let the Lord be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.” Psalm 35:27

NOTE: Abraham gave as a result of a relationship to God; under Moses Israel gave in obedience to a legal requirement; but under Christ we give through love by faith in anticipation of an abundant harvest of God’s true prosperity.

Blessings minus curses equals blessings of prosperity God’s way:

“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree), that the blessings of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Gal. 3:13-14

God receives us as righteous because it is written: “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
II Cor. 5:21

Knowing who we are in Christ helps to remove the brass heaven above us and opens up the heavens for us to receive the prosperity God has in store for us:

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health just as your soul prospers.” 3 John vs. 2

Jesus as the fulfiller of the law leads us to be true worshippers and to enter into His rest. In relationship with Christ and His completed work on our behalf, there is not a brass heaven above us that we cannot penetrate, but rather an open heaven resulting from God’s grace and our obedience.

Our stewardship of His resources placed under our care is a test of our faithfulness. The tithe is in recognition of God as Creator and Possessor. The tithe helps us to remember and never forget who he is and what He has done for us in the manifold gift of grace in Christ.

New covenant stewardship can be described as “giving made simple–give and it shall be given unto you.”

“Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38

Jesus, the provider of the new and better covenant, paid our debt in His completed work of grace. Our giving is not “a debt that we owe, but a seed that we sow.” We give and act in the power of the seed by faith relating to His grace.

Giving leads to receiving in God’s economy. One sows seeds with anticipation of a harvest. The harvest comes in many ways – watch closely for those harvest blessings promised to you by His grace.

“For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17

It is clearly the Lord’s purpose that those who are true worshippers, that follow Him should prosper. This prosperity means safety, wellness, happiness, health, and peace. Think about how pleased God is that the blood of Jesus has cleansed us from sin and righteousness now prevails – His children have authority to prosper in every way.

NOTE: My wife, Janet and I have three children and 13 grandchildren. We delight in the prosperity of our children in their marriages, children, economic prosperity, health and family. We would that all families everywhere prosper in this way!

Because we use money for exchange in most of the world today, we tend to see stewardship only as the proper use of money. Life is so much more than money. We must oversee our lives, families, employment, communities and environment, thus fulfilling the Great Commission and employing spiritual gifts:

“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10

We see in this scripture that we are called to exercise stewardship in the administration of the spiritual gifts given to us. It is clear that stewardship – giving and receiving – is so much more than money; but the faithful handling of money and possessions is so valuable in training us in faithfulness:

“Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful…” I Cor. 4:1-2

Possessing joy is the ultimate sense of wellbeing and fulfillment of purpose in life. It is that inner peace and satisfaction that possesses you with a very beneficial overflow towards other people. Such joy, unspeakable and full of glory only comes as a fruit of the Spirit of the Living God. This is living life in its abundance as is the desire of Christ for us.

Stewardship of the land and creation is required. Manna was given only for a day at a time. True wealth for a lifetime is given for us to use, and to also pass on to others. Manna would spoil, but true wealth will increase and multiply.

After occupying Canaan following their release from Egypt, the Israelites failed to let the land rest every seventh year as good stewards according to the law. After 490 years in Canaan they were carried away to Babylon and the land had its full seventy years of rest that had been missed.

NOTE: An open heaven is available to believers who know the purposes of God in their lives. This open heaven releases the blessings of true prosperity for all that will live out the principles of God in obedience. True prosperity for individuals and nations helps them to be all the God planned that they could become.

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CHAPTER 14. PAYING THE TITHE – INVESTING IN GOD’S PURPOSES

For over 1,000 years there has been on-going theological debate on whether the tithe is for today or not. A good scriptural case can be made for it being for today, but some still believe that it is not a requirement. Since this has been a contested issue for so long, the issue is probably not going to be resolved in our lifetime.

A pastor might ask himself, “Do I want the people in my parish (assembly) to give ten percent of their increase to the work of God? If not the tithe, then what? If there is a more effective way to get all the members of your congregation to give at least ten percent, it needs to be shared to help train others.

One would normally not say to his assembly, “we do not want you to give ten percent of your increase.” Rather, pastors most often are careful to not offend their parishioners who have not been taught the full counsel of God.

A starting place –

The paying of the tithe is a good starting place for giving. It can be administered by families in a systematic way. There are those who have insisted that they are “New Covenant” keepers only, but they have inadvertently separated themselves from every old covenant promise. For these, the principle of the tithe is often practiced by calling it something else, but do not withhold God’s blessing from your followers by not teaching them to be faithful stewards.

The persisting theological separation on the issue of the tithe is the interpretation of old covenant vs. new covenant. Some say that when Jesus spoke on the cross, “it is finished,” every point of the Mosaic Law ceased to be valid. The veil was torn so we can now go individually into the Holy of Holies to pray to God.

Jesus trained His disciples saying,

“Woe to you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay the tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done without leaving the others undone.” Matt. 23:23

Jesus commanded them to pay the tithe! He taught His disciples, “these you ought to have done,” and that tithing was part of obedience, directly linked to the “weightier” matters of justice, mercy and faith. He clearly stated in this passage that they ought to have paid the tithe on the increase of everything. He was a teacher of the Mosaic Law. This same Jesus said in the Great Commission “…teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…” Matt. 28:20

When Abraham paid tithes to Melchezidek, he recognized his greatness, because the lesser pays tithes to the greater. Jesus, in the rank and order of Melchezidek (or probably Christ Himself) is the head of the Church. It is reasonable for using that pattern, that we should faithfully pay tithes to Christ.

The tithe was either paid at the Temple or collected by the Levites in the villages and brought to the Temple. It was brought into the literal storehouse in the Temple area and stored in heaps which were managed by the Levites. (Deut. 14:22-29)

These same tithes were given to help care for God’s people. There were offerings specified for the care of the priests. The Temple care was provided by the Temple tax.

The early Church was a contrast to the Church today. The early Church was composed of Jewish believers in Messiah, knowledgeable of the requirements and blessings of the law. They followed Jewish cultural traditions. The cultural adjustments were a conflict when Gentile converts came to Christ. At that point the circumcision of the flesh gave way to the circumcision of the heart, the dietary laws were lessened for the Gentiles and the Temple sacrificial worship ceased completely at the Temple in Jerusalem in AD 70 when the Temple was destroyed.

The Jewish believers were now complete in Christ and they were trained by the apostles. They were part of a movement that identified with Christ, not with a building. They came to Christ and took Christ with them wherever they went. In Jerusalem it was originally to the Temple, later each believer became the Temple of the Holy Spirit. As the tabernacle in the wilderness moved when the people relocated, so the Temple of the Holy Spirit now moves within the Body of Christ embodied in the person of the believers. A new covenant – a new body. The Temple of the old, the indwelling Holy Spirit in the believer today!

With the Temple in Jerusalem no longer being the place for the storehouse of the tithe, should it be paid and if so, where? The tithe was the increase of all of their toil and possessions. Those things specially mentioned are grain, wine and firstborn of herds and flocks. If the distance to the Temple was too far to carry the presentation, all could be sold for money that could be carried. The money would buy grain, wine, oxen or sheep in Jerusalem. These things were to be prepared and eaten before the Lord, rejoicing with each household. “And don’t forget or neglect the Levites, God’s ministers that had no inheritance of land or flocks among you.”

At the end of every three years the tithe was to be brought and laid in store in the towns. This was for the Levites, fatherless, widows and aliens. In this way, no one was to be neglected.

The tithe was part of the prescribed economic system. For example:

“At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel the loan he has made to his fellow Israelite. He shall not require payment from his fellow Israelite or brother, because the Lord’s time for canceling debts has been reclaimed. You may require payment from a foreigner, but you must cancel any debt your brother owes you. However, there should be no poor among you, for in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you, if only you fully obey the Lord your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today. For the Lord your God will bless you as he has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. You will rule over many nations but none will rule over you.” Deut. 15:1-6

This blessing was promised so there would be no poor among them. The Jews were to open their hand to the poor and loan to their brother Jews without interest so they could be restored to sufficiency. There was to be no exploitation, i.e. usury nor withholding help to a Jew that fell on hard times.

They were to open their hand to the poor and needy and when that was done it was promised, “and the Lord will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand.” Deut. 15:10

When these principles were followed, it would alleviate and prevent poverty in the land among Jews and aliens alike. A Jew that was sold into slavery was to be redeemed, meaning their relatives were to act as a kinsman redeemer to purchase their freedom.

If we are able to comprehend the broad plan of God, there is an embracing rather than resisting of the principle of the tithe. It first of all is to cause us to remember that:

• All things belong to God and came from Him.
• We are caretakers of the earth.
• We have dominion over all things.
• We are agents of God in dominion.
• All things from creation are good. The sacrifice of the old covenant was fulfilled and completed in Christ.
• The sacrifice was a joyous festive time to remember God who blesses and rescues His people.
• The tithe was to be presented as a token of remembrance of God.
• We are stewards or caretakers of covenants that God has made with us.
• The tithe was to be presented and also partially eaten of by families in a rejoicing memory of how God provides for and protects His people.
• Through the tithe, the poor were taken care of.
• The tithe provided for God’s assigned ministers of the covenant.
• The paying of the tithes opened the windows of heaven.
• An open window brought economic freedom for all.
• The promises given through Abraham were released or restrained by man’s handling of the tithe.
• Offerings served a different purpose from the tithe.
• When the tithe was faithfully paid, there was food in God’s house and all prospered.
• Blemished offerings blocked the release of the promised blessings.
• Jesus taught the people that they should tithe.
• Tithing releases prosperity on families, communities and nations.

God’s purpose revealed –

By understanding God’s purpose to bless His people we are better able to grasp the understanding of what God has put in place for His people. When we fully recognize who God is and what He has done for us it is easier to accept the full scope of the purpose of His covenants. God has met mankind in each epoch – so that it may go well with them.

Today, in developed nations we are the most monetarily blessed of all people of all time. In addition, we have the blessed Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth; the blood of Christ to cleanse us from all sin; and the promise of Jesus coming again to establish His millennial rule upon the earth and make all things right.

NOTE: In our new life in Christ we do not have to discard the blessings of the old covenant (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) to receive the fullness of Christ and His provision under the new and better covenant.

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SUMMARY

These observations will not answer every question nor develop every theological position on this subject. This presentation is exploration more than exegesis. Perhaps it is more an appeal to the principle of first reference, preferring to go back to the point of the first introduction of the principle of the tithe that reinforces that of first things.

So that He may have pre-eminence in all things in our lives, in Christ we appeal that the principle of first reference will be considered. That first reference takes us back to Abraham paying a tithe. Also, we accept that God is worthy of the “first,” that of the increase He grants to us. We willingly return it to Him in recognition of His rightful ownership of all that we have. Could we give less than a tenth?

When we focus on first things and putting Jesus, our covenant maker first in everything, then the response of our heart is one of gratitude, honorable duty and privilege in returning to Him the sacred portion. In so doing, we are also bridging back to identify with our father in the faith who showed us how to honor the great “prince of peace” or king of Salem in the rank and order of Melchezidek. We realize it is a great privilege to have one so willing to receive a tithe from us so that we are assured of full acceptance.

Having full confidence of the granting of these same blessings of such great promise, confirms the wonderful covenants from Him who loves us so much. It is in this attitude of mind and spirit that the Shalom of God can fall upon us and the people that God has put under our shepherd’s staff. May that “Shalom” in its full and complete meaning, purpose and power be released in understanding and action so powerfully to bring economic release, a rich harvest of souls and total prosperity for all.

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REFERENCE LIST

Beehner, John F. 1999. True Wealth – By the Book Jacksonville, Florida: By the Book Publishing.

Hartman, Jack.. 1983. Trust God for Your Finances. Manchester, NH: Word Associates.

Hayes, Mike. 2000. When God is First. Dallas, Texas: Mike Hayes Ministries.

Hayford, Jack. W., Editor. 1991. Spirit Filled Life Bible, New King James Version. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishing.

How to Avoid Financial Tangles. Economic Education Bulletin 1995. Great Barrington, MA: American Institute of Economic Research.

Howard-Brown, Rodney. 1993. Thoughts on Stewardship, Volume One. Louisville, KY: (R.H.B.E.A.) Rodney Howard-Brown Evangelistic Association.

Prosperity. World Map Digest. Burbank, CA: Oct-Dec., 1999.

Robertson, Norman. 1994. Tithing – God’s Financial Plan. Matthews, NC: Norman Robertson Media.

The Promise, Purpose and Pitfalls of Prosperity. World Map Digest. Burbank, CA: Oct.-Dec., 1999.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

George H. Meyers, Ph.D.

There is enough wealth in the world’s natural resources and technology to adequately provide for all people. In the creation God established life-giving seed that multiplies. Social instability resulting from disobedience causes unstable families, marginalized communities and warring nations.

God’s original plan was thwarted by sin, but He promises restoration of all things. Through covenants, He makes blessings available and triumphs over sin through Messiah who brings “shalom” to individuals, families communities and nations.

This practical guide will strengthen knowledgeable teachers to more clearly train others in God’s principles of stewardship. These chapters will enlighten trainers in national Christian movements among the nations so they can disciple their leaders to train believers to steward their resources and spiritual gifts to release the Shalom of God into their communities.

Dr. George Meyers and his wife served as missionaries in Ethiopia and Sudan. In his current role as Executive Director of Calvary International and the Alliance for Missions Advancement (AFMA), he influences Great Commission ministry in many countries of the world.

Dr. George Meyers and his wife lived and served as missionaries in Ethiopia, Sudan and Guatemala. He is presently Senior Vice President of Go To Nations, formerly named Calvary International. They both enjoy mentoring and advising Christian leaders in many countries, teaching faithful men and women the things which have been taught to them, thus leaving an enduring legacy.

2 Tim. 2:2 The couple has three married children, 13 grandchildren and a large network of business and missions professionals all over the world.

Last updated: October 2012

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