Hope of Israel Ministries (Ecclesia of YEHOVAH):

A NEW LOOK At the Tithing Command!

by HOIM Staff

As most Christians are aware, tithing is a concept that is first found in the Old Testament, and as such its relevance is sometimes questioned. “I thought we could ignore the Old Testament?” some might wonder. While there is evidence of the importance of tithing in the New Testament, we can actually go back in time, even before the Mosaic Law commanded the Israelites to tithe, in order to find a rationale for tithing today.

Clearly tithing was YEHOVAH God’s financial system in ancient Israel, but what about now? Are Christians still obligated to tithe? Today, many modern religious leaders teach that tithing is no longer required. They say that when the Messiah died the Old Covenant ended, and that with its demise there was an end to tithing. They say that there is no direct command from YEHOVAH God to tithe in the New Testament.

Did Tithing End with the New Covenant?

While it is true that Christians are no longer under the Old Covenant, it is not true that the practice of tithing was discontinued under the New Covenant. First, consider the validity of the argument that there is no direct command to tithe in the New Testament. What need would there have been for the Messiah or the apostles to command people to do what they were already in the habit of doing? As will be demonstrated later, the New Testament Church did tithe. Even after the Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D., the Church continued the practice of tithing -- although there was a change made as to who received the tithe (Hebrews 7:12).

The opponents of tithing look for a direct command from YEHOVAH God in the New Testament telling them that they must tithe, but shouldn’t they be looking for just the opposite? Shouldn’t they be looking to see if there is any command to STOP tithing?

YEHOVAH’s commands are in force until He gives us instructions to do otherwise. For example, when the apostles were led by YEHOVAH God to understand that those of the northern 10 tribes in dispersion were not required to be circumcised, they were careful to write letters explaining this decision. However, there is absolutely not a single word in the New Testament telling us that we are NOT to tithe!

Finally, realize that there was no written command in the Old Testament to tithe during the time of Abraham or Jacob. Nevertheless, they knew that they were obligated to tithe. Tithing has been understood and practiced since the beginning of the line of Adam by all who worship the true God.

The early New Testament Church continued the practice of tithing because the Scriptures that they read commanded them to do so. They read the Old Testament. The Old Testament Scriptures were the biblical authority for the Messiah and the early Church, and they should guide us today as well. Notice some examples of the Messiah’s view of the Old Testament. In John 17:17 he said, “thy word is truth.” In this statement, the Messiah referred to the Old Testament Scriptures. He trusted in those words, and we can trust them also.

In another case, when tempted by Satan, the Messiah exclaimed that we are to live by every word of YEHOVAH God (Matthew 4:4). Again, he spoke of the Old Testament writings which also included the instructions to tithe (Deuteronomy 8:3, 14:22). Long after the death of the Messiah, the apostle Paul also continued to validate the Scriptures in the Law, the Prophets and the Writings. For example, YEHOVAH’s apostle to the Israelites in the Diaspora writes:

"But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:13-17).

There was no New Testament when Timothy was a youth, and still none during the lifetime of Paul. Here, Paul is speaking of the Old Testament. He tells Timothy to continue in what he had learned in the Scriptures during his childhood. The apostle reminded the young evangelist then, and he reminds us of Israel today -- the Old Testament was inspired by YEHOVAH God and it is profitable for doctrine! Those Scriptures Paul and Timothy read clearly state that the earth and everything in it is YEHOVAH’s, that the tithe is holy, and that it belongs to Him.

As Paul prophesied, evil men have grown worse, deceiving and being deceived. False teachers continue to deceive people regarding YEHOVAH’s truth about many things, including the truth about tithing. Those who teach that tithing is obsolete would do well to notice what the Messiah clearly stated regarding the power of the law to endure long after his crucifixion and resurrection. Our Savior said that YEHOVAH’s law will continue to be valid as long as heaven and earth exist! The Messiah declares:

"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:17-20).

Our Savior told the religious leaders of his day that he did not come to do away with the law. In fact he made it clear that whoever teaches others to break even the least of the commandments will be called the least in the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God. From these words alone there is only one possible conclusion. Those who teach that the New Covenant does away with tithing are not telling the truth.

In the above statement, the Messiah also says that our righteousness must exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees. The Scribes and Pharisees practiced YEHOVAH’s system of tithing, and the Messiah never said that the Pharisees should NOT tithe. The truth is that the words of the Messiah state the very opposite:

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone" (Matthew 23:23).

The Messiah censured these religious leaders for being picky regarding issues of lesser importance, while ignoring the more important matters. While correcting these religious leaders, it would have been the perfect time for the Messiah to reveal that there was no longer a need to pay a tithe, but he did not! Instead, just days away from his crucifixion, the Messiah gave a direct and public validation of the practice of tithing.

While on earth the Messiah made it clear that he expected people to tithe. In one example, when the religious leaders tried to trap him, they asked if YEHOVAH’s people were obligated to pay taxes to Caesar. The Messiah said:

"Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s" (Matthew 22:18-21).

The Messiah stated that these religious leaders were to pay what was owed to Caesar, but they were also to give to YEHOVAH God what was His. The subject matter was certainly money, and the Messiah was referring to the tithe. The tithe is YEHOVAH’s, and the Messiah clearly said we must give to YEHOVAH God what is His.

While the New Testament makes it clear that the ceremonial laws and the sacrificial laws are no longer applicable, it never suggests that we are to abandon the rest of YEHOVAH God’s law. In fact, the Bible shows that Christians are to keep the law in its spiritual intent. It is the unconverted mind that rejects YEHOVAH’s law. Paul writes:

"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Romans 8:7).

This verse makes it clear that the person whose mind is converted and has entered into the New Covenant is subject to YEHOVAH God’s Law. The book of Hebrews states:

"This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the LORD, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them" (Hebrews 10:16).

Obviously, the New Covenant does not do away with YEHOVAH’s law. Instead, through the spirit of YEHOVAH God, His law becomes an integral part of our thinking and actions. His spirit enables us to see the value of the law. We cherish it as a light guiding our lives in a world of darkness. We understand that the words the Messiah spoke to the Pharisees nearly two thousand years ago are still absolute truth today. We are not to leave tithing undone.

The Early New Testament Church

The first century Church understood the place of YEHOVAH God’s law in the Christian-Israelite’s life. They believed in, and practiced, the laws of YEHOVAH God -- including the system of tithing.

Nearly all scholars and historians agree that until 70 A.D., when the Temple was destroyed, Christians-Israelites tithed to support the Levites and the Temple. Judahite converts to the Messiah simply continued their lifelong practice of tithing to the Levites. It is likely that support for the ministry in the early Church came primarily from freewill offerings.

Although the Scriptures never do away with the practice of tithing, YEHOVAH did make another change in the way it was to be administered. As will be demonstrated later, it was just prior to the destruction of the Temple that this administrative change to the tithing law was made in order to support the Messiah’s ministry. Before this change in administration, the practice of tithing was continued by both Judahite and Diaspora converts. This fact is illustrated by the famous conference in Jerusalem in which the issue of circumcision was debated.

At the conference, the Church judged that Israelites in the Diaspora who came to the Messiah were not required to first become a Judahite. This meant that those men of the northern 10 tribes did not have to undergo the painful rite of circumcision as part of becoming a Christian. The apostle James listed four things that were required of these Israelites in the Diaspora:

"Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood" (Acts 15:19-20).

Were these four things all that were expected of those in the Diaspora who were converted to the Messiah? Or does YEHOVAH God require more? Were these Israelites to observe no other aspects of the law than that was stated here? Or is there more to this story?

Some claim that these four things that James required of these Israelites exempted them from the rest of YEHOVAH’s law. James was suggesting no such thing, however. He nowhere says that these Israelites are not obligated to keep YEHOVAH’s Ten Commandments. Merely abstaining from pollutions of idols, fornication and eating meat that was strangled or offered to idols did not give them the right to steal, lie or murder!

As the Pastor of the Jerusalem church, James simply listed those things that were common problems of these Israelites coming out of idol worship in the Diaspora into the fellowship of the Judahites in the Christian community. The reason he did not instruct the Church to write any more than these four rules is stated in the next verse:

"For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day" (Acts 15:21).

This verse makes it clear that the apostles expected these Israelites to attend the synagogue on the Sabbath where they would hear the all of the law read. There, they would have the Ten Commandments expounded and, among other things, learn about tithing.

History also bears out the fact that the Church practiced the keeping of YEHOVAH’s Ten Commandments and observed tithing. Because of their beliefs and practices, the early Christian church was originally considered just another sect of Judaism. Secular writings show that after the Temple was destroyed, the Christians in Jerusalem fled to Pella. The History of the Primitive Church relates:

"Before the siege, the Christians left the city: By a prophecy which had been revealed to the leaders of the Church of Jerusalem, the faithful were admonished to leave the city before the war, and to go and live in a town in Perea named Pella; they accordingly withdrew there, and thus the metropolis of the Jews and all the land of Judea was completely abandoned by the Saints" (p. 306).

In Pella, these early Christians were called Nazarenes. The Encyclopedia Britannica explains the beliefs held by them nearly forty years after the Messiah’s death. They write:

"They dated their settlement in Pella from the time of the flight of the Jewish Christians from Jerusalem, immediately before the siege in 70 A.D....they recognized the new covenant as well as the old, and believed in the resurrection, and in the one God and His Son Jesus Christ. They used the Aramaic recension of the Gospel according to Matthew, which they called the Gospel to the Hebrews, but, while adhering as far as possible to the Mosaic economy as regarded circumcision, Sabbaths, foods and the like, they did not refuse to recognize the apostolicity of Paul or the rights of heathen Christians" (Eleventh Edition, p. 319).

These first century Christians continued to practice these same beliefs while living in this location for many decades. They believed in the Messiah and kept everything in the Old Covenant with the exception of the Levitical ceremonies and sacrifices.

Clearly, the early Christians believed in, and practiced tithing. However, until around the time of the destruction of the Temple, they tithed to the Levites as the Scriptures commanded. The apostles and the ministry of the Church were not necessarily Levites, and therefore, the work of the Church was supported by freewill offerings. YEHOVAH God later made a change in the administration of the tithe, but before that time, the Christian ministry was supported by the Church members.

How the Early Ministry Was Supported

Those who were sent to work in the service of the Messiah were not given vast amounts of money or supplies to support them. They were expected to travel to other cities, to preach the Gospel there, and to take no money or clothing with them. The instructions of the Messiah to his disciples were:

"Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire" (Luke 10:3-7).

The Messiah sent his disciples out, expecting them to be supported by those who accepted what they taught. In so doing, he reminded them that the “laborer is worthy of his hire.” This simply meant that they were worthy of being paid for their services. Paul reiterates this same principle in a letter to the Church in Galatia:

"Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:6-10).

Paul states that those who were being taught are to “communicate” to those who do the teaching. This word “communicate” does not mean to have a conversation with the person. The word “communicate” is “Koinoneo” in Greek, and it means to come into “fellowship with,” become a “sharer with,” or to “distribute.” This same word is used in Romans 12:13 where it says that the Roman brethren were to distribute to the necessity of the saints.

In other words, Paul was telling Church members that they were to support those who taught them. As Adam Clarke writes in his Commentary, Christians are to:

"Contribute to the support of the man who has dedicated himself to the work of the ministry, and who gives up his time and his life to preach the Gospel. It appears that some of the believers in Galatia could receive the Christian ministry without contributing to its support. This is both ungrateful and base. We do not expect that a common schoolmaster will give up his time to teach our children their alphabet without being paid for it; and can we suppose that it is just for any person to sit under the preaching of the Gospel in order to grow wise unto salvation by it, and not contribute to the support of the spiritual teacher? It is unjust" (Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the New Testament).

In another case the apostle Paul wrote to the young evangelist Timothy, giving him advice regarding his ministry. After instructing him that the Church should honor the widows, Paul tells Timothy that certain elders are worthy of double honor:

"Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward" (I Timothy 5:17-18).

What does Paul mean when he writes that the ministers who are effective in their service deserve “double honor”? In his Bible Commentary, Adam Clarke explains the meaning of these two words, “double honor” (“diplhv timh” in the Greek):

"Almost every critic of note allows that “timh” here signifies reward, stipend, wages (and in)...Verse 18, the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox -- This is a manifest proof that by “timh,” in the preceding verse, the apostle means salary or wages....a larger salary than any of the official widows mentioned before..." (Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the New Testament).

In yet a later case, Paul wrote that he had the right to be supported by the Church members. In his letter to the church at Corinth, Paul defends his office as an apostle, making it clear that he could have required financial support from the brethren:

"Have we not power to eat and to drink? Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? Or saith he it altogether for our sakes?

"For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?" (I Corinthians 9:4-13).

As these verses show, Paul believed that he had a right to be supported by the Church membership. His statement in verse 13, “they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar,” is a reference to the priests, who ate of the offerings that were brought to the altar. Clearly Paul is equating his service with that of the priests. Paul writes:

"Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel" (I Corinthians 9:14).

There is no doubt that Paul believed and taught that the ministry was to be paid, and that YEHOVAH’s servants had the right to be supported by the people who received the Messiah’s teaching from them. However, Paul did not always choose to exercise this right. For instance, he did not take money from the churches in the Diaspora when he first planted them. This was because he did not want to burden the new Israelite Christians with his care. It did not mean that he didn’t have the right to be supported by them.

Nor did it mean, as some think, that he did not believe in tithing. When standing before Felix, having his beliefs called into question, Paul spoke these profound words to the Roman ruler:

"But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets" (Acts 24:14).

The apostle Paul believed in the law and prophets. He believed in tithing. Therefore, he would have taught tithing, and would have tithed on wages he earned as a tentmaker. But he would have tithed to the Levites, not to the Church. While the Temple stood, the Levites received the tithe, not the ministry of the Church. The new Christian Church and its ministry were supported by offerings. But as 70 A.D. drew near, and with it the destruction of the Temple, that was soon to change.

Another Change in Administration

Tithing was the system that YEHOVAH’s people had always understood and practiced from the beginning. It was never done away, but the administration of it was changed. With the coming destruction of the Temple and the subsequent end of the Priesthood, YEHOVAH God made a change in who would receive the tithes. In the same way that there was a change in the administration of YEHOVAH’s tithe from the time of the Patriarchs to that of the Levites, there was also another change in administration of the tithe made with the birth of the New Covenant. This change is clearly spelled out in the book of Hebrews. Written in approximately 64 A.D., just before the destruction of the Temple and dissolution of the priesthood, this book was produced to inform the Israelites what would remain.

With the devastation of the Temple, the priesthood was scattered. Its ministry was terminated, and with it, the ceremonial washings and sacrifices came to an end. But what would replace that system? The Messiah had said that the law would continue until the very heavens and earth were no more. What about the law of tithing?

With the ascension of Yeshua the Messiah into the heavens to function as our High Priest, there were many changes. Access to the Father in the Holy of Holies was no longer denied to all but the High Priest. It was now accessible to all those who were reconciled to YEHOVAH God through the Messiah (Hebrews 2:17-18, 9:1-8).

The ceremonial laws were a kind of schoolmaster to bring Israelites to the Messiah. Now they were no longer necessary for those who believed (Hebrews 9:1-14). The Messiah had come, and such laws were now a distraction from the reality. However, the author makes it clear that the Sabbath would remain. As the more literal Revised Standard translation states:

"So then, there remains a sabbath rest for the people of God; for whoever enters God’s rest also ceases from his labors as God did from his" (Hebrews 4:9-10, RSV).

The scriptures make it plain that the Sabbath would remain, but what about tithing? Would it also remain? The author of Hebrews provides an explanation, prefacing his answer with the fact that the Messiah and Melchizedek are similar in many ways. The author of Hebrews writes:

"Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually" (Hebrews 6:19-7:3).

In Psalm 110, a Messianic psalm written by King David (Matthew 22:43), Melchizedek is presented as a type of the Messiah. This theme is repeated in the book of Hebrews, where both Melchizedek and the Messiah are considered kings of righteousness and peace. By citing Melchizedek and his unique priesthood as a type, the writer shows that the Messiah’s new priesthood is superior to the old Levitical order and the priesthood of Aaron (Hebrews 7:1–10).

Yeshua the Messiah is now our High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. The tithe now belongs to him. As the author records, Melchizedek took the tithe directly from Abraham:

"Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 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: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises" (Hebrews 7:4-6).

With the introduction of the Levitical priesthood there was the need for a change in the administration of the law of tithing. The Levites were given a commandment from YEHOVAH God to receive His tithes for Him. And with the Messiah’s ascension to the throne of YEHOVAH God as our High Priest, followed by the destruction of the Temple and the abolition of the physical Priesthood, there was another change necessary in the administration of the law. The author of Hebrews states:

"For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law" (Hebrews 7:12).

What law is being spoken of? The law of tithing! But what is changed? Has the law of tithing been done away? Does it no longer apply? No. The law of tithing is not done away. The tithe now belongs to the Messiah and it is no longer to be paid to the Levites. It is administered today by the Messiah's true ministers for the work of preaching the gospel.

When YEHOVAH God and the Messiah return to this earth, a change will once again be made in the administration of the tithe. The Levites will once again be restored to their offices of service in the Temple. YEHOVAH prophesies:

"And the Levites that are gone away far from me, when Israel went astray, which went astray away from me after their idols; they shall even bear their iniquity. Yet they shall be ministers in my sanctuary, having charge at the gates of the house, and ministering to the house: they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand before them to minister unto them" (Ezekiel 44:10-11).

At this future time, the priests will again be supported by the tithe. The tithe will still belong to the Messah, but it will then once again be administered by the Levites. The Book of Hebrews makes it clear that YEHOVAH God still expects His people to tithe today. In the Millennial Kingdom, the tithe will go to the priests who will serve at the Temple, but today it is directed to the ministers of YEHOVAH’s Church.

Why Should You Tithe?

When the Messiah died, he not only paid the price for our sins, he left us the New Covenant as a will. In many parts of the world, and especially in the ancient world, the guarantee of sonship is the inheritance that comes from the father. So when we tithe, we are saying to our Father in heaven, “Thank you for your last will and inheritance that you left us.” And not only are we left with an inheritance, but we can be assured -- even guaranteed -- that no one will steal it from us since the Messiah rose from the dead and testifies to our worthiness. No one can contest the will because the Son has risen, he is our Elder Brother, the firstborn of many in YEHOVAH’s family, and he says we are worthy to receive it.

We do not give YEHOVAH God a tithe. It is not something He lacks or that we own. We return our tithe to YEHOVAH God. It always belonged to Him. And when we say “it” we mean everything, just as Abraham tithed from everything. We tithe from our money, supplies, resources; anything we’ve been called to steward. When we tithe we declare to the whole world that we are relying on YEHOVAH’s covenant and promise to be our supply for health, finances, and opportunity. We return to Him the first tenth of everything that comes to us. And we experience the resulting richness of tithing.

The pattern of tithing has always been followed by YEHOVAH’s people from the beginning, and it will continue after He and the Messiah return. But what if we don’t tithe? Is it a sin?

Most of us would never even think of stealing anything from anyone. We certainly would never consider stealing from the great God. However, the Eternal warns us that when we do not tithe, we are stealing from Him. The words of the Almighty, recorded centuries ago, thunder at us with the following question and its profound answer:

"Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings" (Malachi 3:8).

YEHOVAH God states that if we withhold our tithe from Him, we are stealing from Him! We are taking what belongs to Him. Withholding our tithe breaks the eighth commandment -- “Thou shalt not steal.” Failing to tithe is theft -- a direct sin against the Creator God!

Some will say that this is an Old Testament verse that no longer applies to those under the new covenant. But look at the context of this verse. Malachi was not written primarily for the Israelites living in his time. It is primarily directed to YEHOVAH God’s Israelite people now living in the last days. Malachi writes:

"Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts" (Malachi 3:1).

This prophecy is dual in nature. It speaks not only of John the Baptist, who prepared the way for the Messiah at his first appearance (Matthew 15:9-10), but also foretells the Messiah’s second appearance at the beginning of the Millennium. It speaks of a final end-time messenger who will announce the Messiah’s second appearance, and with it, "the Day of the LORD" -- YEHOVAH God This fact becomes absolutely clear when reading the next few verses. Malachi continues:

"But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He [YEHOVAH] shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years. And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not Me, saith the LORD of hosts" (Malachi 3: 2-5).

The Messiah did not fulfill these verses at his first appearance. These verses speak of the Messiah’s second appearance, along with that of YEHOVAH God as the KING of kings and LORD of lords. At this triumphant return, YEHOVAH God will restore and purify the Levitical priesthood. Then the priests will make offerings at the new Temple in Jerusalem -- the future World Headquarters of YEHOVAH’s government.

The context here clearly shows that the indictment against the Israelites robbing YEHOVAH God is directed to us of Israel today. Even apart from this context, these words apply to us today. Notice this powerful statement in verse six:

"For I am the LORD, I change not..." (Malachi 3: 6).

YEHOVAH God has not changed. He is the same yesterday today and forever as is the Messiah (Hebrews 13:8). As the Messiah said, we are to live by every word of YEHOVAH God (Matthew 4:4). All scripture -- including the Old Testament -- is inspired by YEHOVAH God and is profitable for doctrine (2 Timothy 3:16).

The Messiah, speaking of the Pharisees attention to detail in tithing on the increase of their mint and anise and cumin -- the tiniest of herbs -- said that this was something they ought to have done (Matthew 23:23). He has not done away with His laws. With the temporary removal of the Temple and priests, the tithe is administered differently, but it is the same law of tithing. The tithe still belongs to YEHOVAH God.

Of course the single most important reason why you, as a Christian-Israelite today, should tithe is simply that our Creator commands us to do so. But beside the fact that YEHOVAH God commands us to tithe, there is yet another vital reason for us to do so.

A Promise from YEHOVAH God

It is tragic that some people do not understand the value of tithing. As one saying goes, “When it comes to giving -- some people stop at nothing!” By such a policy they miss out on a benefit greater than they could imagine. While YEHOVAH God commands His people to tithe, and there is a great work to do, the Almighty also promises to provide a great blessing to those who honor Him with their tithe.

By tithing we show YEHOVAH God that we believe that He is real, and that He rewards those who obey Him (Hebrews 11:6). He will reward us for obedience to His tithing statute. The God who never changes will bless His people Israel for obedience. He also warns that there is a curse for disobedience. By our tithing, we demonstrate that we believe YEHOVAH God is the King of the universe, that He owns everything, and that He will provide for us and protect us. As Malachi writes:

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Malachi 3:10).

YEHOVAH God promises each of us that if we will tithe to Him, He will pour out a blessing. However, in our modern materialistic age, people are passionately driven by their desire to keep as much money as possible. The Messiah warns:

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Matthew 6: 24).

Mammon is the fictitious god of money. In today’s materialistic society, people worship this false god unabashedly. We cannot afford to get caught up in such a spirit of greed, however. We must not think we can serve the true God and at the same time withhold His tithe. We should seek what is eternal. As the Messiah says:

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:19-21).

YEHOVAH God will bless us with all that we need if we trust Him. Perhaps this is one of the greatest blessings that results from tithing. We learn to trust the great God. By tithing, we come to see riches for what they really are. The adverse effect of the constant pressure our society exerts on us to make money is removed. We don’t have to struggle with the anxiety that plagues millions of consumers in the world today. We are confident that YEHOVAH God will provide for us. As our Savior explains, those who faithfully tithe need not worry. The Messiah explains:

"And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

"Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Luke 12:22-31).

This is a wonderful promise from the Almighty God. If we will honor Him with our substance, He promises that He will bless us with those physical things we need (Proverbs 3:9-10). The practice of tithing frees us from worry and anxiety because we are living YEHOVAH’s way of giving rather than the way of greed -- constantly striving to get all that we can for ourselves.

Our modern world seems propelled onward by its dedication to greed. Its economic systems are built on the philosophy of getting more and more for the self. It appears that we have built an entire society that is motivated by how much we can take from others. Rip offs and scams seem embedded in the fine print of our every business deal, and we find that we need lawyers for nearly every agreement we make.

YEHOVAH’s way of life is the exact opposite of that which we witness in this world. The path that leads to His Kingdom, living with Him for all eternity, and experiencing the way He lives is a way that exhibits love for others equal to the self. YEHOVAH God’s way is the way of “give” not “get.” Yeshua the Messiah describes the Father as one who lives a life of giving. He tells us:

"Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:42-48).

By tithing we receive what is likely the greatest benefit imaginable. We learn to live like the Father does -- to be like Him. It frees us from covetousness and greed so that we can become people who unselfishly give of ourselves. In this way, tithing actually prepares us for living the very way that YEHOVAH God lives.

By tithing we also make YEHOVAH God our financial partner, and as such, there is no way we can lose. YEHOVAH is a Being who gives, withholding nothing that is good for us. His blessings in this life and those we will receive in the future Kingdom will be more wonderful than we could ever begin to imagine.

In that context, the Almighty promises that at His right hand there are pleasures awaiting us which will last forever (Psalm 16:11). He will one day give us the whole earth (Matthew 5:5). This great Being who gives to us so unselfishly also makes the following promise:

"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again" (Luke 6:38).

YEHOVAH God is a being of enormous love. He created the universe, this earth, the beautiful mountains, trees, and flowers for us. He created the food that tastes so good. He made us able to compose and hear beautiful music. He designed us to be able to see magnificent seascapes, landscapes, and sunsets. He enabled us to know Him, sharing in an intimate love relationship. He even commissioned His beloved Son from among us to make it possible that we might live forever.

All that He gives to us in our physical world is but a shadow of what He will give to us in the Kingdom. YEHOVAH’s giving never ends. He is at this moment creating a glorious place for us in the magnificent New Jerusalem. By our tithing we learn to understand both His plan for His people Israel and His way of life.

Giving is good, and generosity is awesome, but they’re not the same as tithing. When we tithe we let go of control, and the width of heaven opens over us -- we become a gateway. This is what happened to Jacob in Genesis 28. Jacob was running from Esau. He arrived at a certain place and slept with his head on a stone. He dreamt and saw angels ascending and descending. YEHOVAH God promised him and his descendants the land. “I am with you and will protect you. I will not leave you until I have given you everything I have promised you.” Jacob had a reverence for that place and called it Bethel, which means “house of God”.

In Matthew 16:18 the Messiah declares, “Upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” The Messiah has chosen to use the Church as his medium for the delivery of the covenant, the blessing of YEHOVAH's people Israel. The Church -- the House of YEHOVAH God -- is the gate of heaven where angels ascend and descend like they did for Jacob. When you bring or send your tithe into YEHOVAH's Church you bring it to the open heaven over the House of YEHOVAH God. And you release it to the Messiah -- who is our eternal High Priest, in the order of Melchizedek.