FINANCIAL - TITHE
Scripture Reading - Hebrews 7:4,5,8 and 22 KJV
4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
There are people that don’t believe in “tithing”. Some think that “tithing” was only a part of the Mosaic Law of the Old Testament. Since all Christians firmly believe that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of The Law, there are some who hold the doctrine that “tithing” was done away with in Jesus but that is contradicting the above scriptures. The Book of Hebrews was written for the New Testament church so God is speaking to us. The Christian is an intrinsic part of God’s New Testament church, because we represent The Body of Christ. The Body of Christ operating in love through the guidance of the Holy Spirit is how God chooses to operate under this dispensation. We give “tithes” to Jesus because we love Him instead of paying “tithes” to a man or organization. We notice that the “tithe” is basically “a tenth” of your increase (spoils), it is not a tenth of everything you own but rather a tenth of your increase. This is mentioned because giving a tenth on something you sell is only necessary if you make a profit on that sell. Typically, people will pay “a tenth” on the income (check) they receive from their employer. If you are self-employed the tenth becomes the percent of the extra profit (abundance, increase, your wage) after the expenses of the business have been paid or accounted for. In other words, if you wired a new outlet in someone’s home, your profit would be the charge (agreed cost) minus the car gas, the small portion of workmen’s insurance (divided by 365 days for an annual policy), the new equipment installed, paper goods for receipts (administrative cost), etc…. So paying the “tithe” on the amount left after expenses would be paying your “tithe” on the increase. We (ihlcc) know that some teach that everyone should “tithe” on all money that comes into your possession but that only works if your expenses are small. The Lord did not intend (want, desire) to make “tithing” a burden but rather a blessing for His children. So when “tithing” consider that your “tithe” is going directly to the Lord Jesus. He is our High Priest of the New Testament, even though it would appear that you are giving your “tithe” to a church or pastor the scripture states He (The Lord Jesus Himself) receives them. So take refuge and joy when giving your “tithe” because it is your personal present to the Lord. “Tithing” blesses the Father God and Lord Jesus Christ because that is their chosen system to meet the needs of the clergy, the pastor, the priest and the staff. So be faithful in your “tithing” to give God the opportunity to be faithful in His blessing unto you, both naturally and spiritually. Amen!