Page One

Page One, Part Four On Tithing:

1. If you are a Bible teacher surely you have no desire to place your students under an Old Testament legalistic ordinance that was nailed to the cross of Christ two thousand years ago. The Hebrews of old had a troublesome time in Paul's Dispensation, and we believe that the lessons the Apostle teaches about such things should wake Believers up to that fact today. Why do various Ministers in our Assemblies constantly apply the law's ordinances to this age of grace? this we cannot comprehend. We are not under any type of law in the Christian circle of things, why try to place us there? Common sense should wise us up to the understanding that Israel drastically failed in keeping the "Tithing" ordinance, therefore, how can anyone expect those of us today to do any better? Israel actually brought a curse upon themselves as a nation by not obeying all the different ordinances, listen to the advice to that nation from Jehovah:

2. {V. 7} Scripture: "Even from the days of your [Israel's] fathers you are gone away from My ordinances, and have not kept them. Return, unto Me, and I will return unto you, says the Lord of hosts. But you said, wherein [how] shall we return?

3. {V. 8} Will a man rob [or defraud] God? Yet you have robed [and defrauded] Me. But you say, wherein have we robbed [or been guilty of defrauding] You? [You are guilty of withholding and robbing Me] In "Tithes" and offerings. [This refers to several different types of offerings which did not always consist of money].

4. {V. 9} You are cursed with a curse: for you have robbed Me, even this whole [Hebrew] nation. See {Leviticus 26:14-18.}

5. {V. 10} Bring you all the "Tithes" into My storehouse [warehouses], that there may be meat [and various kinds of food] in My house, and prove Me now herewith, says the Lord of hosts [and see:] if I will not open [to] you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. [Be sure to also read {Malachi 2:2}. ["the expression Lord of hosts is never connected with the Body of Christ."]

6. [Once again, remember that Malachi was written 400 years before Christ was born, and before the Body of Christ came into existence]!

7. {V. 11} And I will rebuke the devourer [insects and plagues] for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your [Israel's] ground; neither shall your vine cast [or drop] her fruit before the time in the field, says the Lord of hosts.

8. {V. 12} And all nations shall call you [Israel] blessed; for you shall be a delightsome land, says the Lord of hosts, {Malachi 3:7-12}."

9. The alert Bible student should understand that these words were addressed to the nation of Israel and has nothing to do with this Dispensation. They should understand that the command to Israel to "Tithe" brought a curse upon that whole nation. This is enough proof that "Tithing" was an ordinance that only belonged to the old law and has no place in the program for the Body of Christ.

10. We read ... Scripture: "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them, {Galatians 3:10}."

11. {V. 10} here paraphrased: ["And all who depend on the Law ... who are seeking to be justified by obedience to the Law of rituals ... are under a curse and doomed to disappointment and destruction; for it is written in the Scriptures, Cursed [accursed, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment] are everyone who does not continue to abide [live and remain] by all the precepts and commandments and ordinances written in the book of the Law, and practice them. See {Deuteronomy 27:26}.

12. The nation of Israel did not keep that part of the law which commanded "Tithes" [and animal sacrifices], see {Malachi 1:7-8}, and God had cursed that whole nation. Why? Because the law of "Tithing" brings a curse on all who fail to keep all the law. No wonder Peter said: [and I'm repeating this next verse] ...

13. Scripture: "Now therefore why tempt you God, to put a yoke [a heavy burden] upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our [for-] fathers nor we [ourselves] were able to bear? {Acts 15:10}."

14. Moses taught his disciples to "Tithe," and that was just one ordinance that was entwined in the commandments which the Lord commanded Moses for the children of Israel in Mount Sinai. See {Leviticus 27:30 -34} where the "Tithing" commandment was issued. Christ nowhere taught His Disciples to observe "Tithing." If so where are the chapter and verse found? give proof if you can. Therefore, "Tithing" was for the disciples of Moses, and not placed before the disciples of Christ,

15. Scripture: "For [while] the law was given by Moses, but [on the other hand] grace [unearned, undeserved favor and spiritual blessing] and truth came by Jesus Christ, {John 1:17}."

16. Therefore, those who preach: "Tithing," have left the ground of grace and truth and are following Moses and not Christ. Please find in the Bible where God ever pronounced a curse on those under grace or where they were ever called thieves and robbers. I read and hear of preachers and teachers trying to browbeat God's redeemed children by calling them thieves and robbers. Christ never called them that. The apostles never called them that, so why should we?

17. We make a gross mis-application of Scripture by taking what was spoken to Israel under the law and applying the same to those under grace. Why do we not learn to rightly divide the work of truth? Is it wise to sow error and confusion by applying what belonged under law to those under grace?

18. Scripture: "For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption [a new Christ like nature along with the indwelling Holy Spirit], whereby we cry, Abba, Father, {Romans 8:15}." [Please notice the words bondage again. Paul said they had not received the spirit of bondage again].

19. {V.15} above paraphrased: ["For the Spirit which you have now received is not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption ... the Spirit producing son-ship ... in the bliss of which we cry, Abba! [that is,] Father!]

20. Scripture: "If the Son [of God] therefore shall make you free [liberates], you [and makes you a free person from the works of the old law, then you] shall [really and unquestionably] be free indeed, {John 8:36}."

21. The motive of service under grace is love, not fear of the law, Paul also said, "the love of Christ constrains us," and he said:

22. Scripture: "For [if we are] in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails any thing, nor [does] uncircumcision [count for anything]; but [only] faith [activated and energized and expressed in us, is that] which works by [and through] love, {"Galatians 5:6}." [So therefore, we see that love will get the job done.]

.............................................................................................................................................................................................................

23. {V. 13} No wonder Paul said ... Scripture: "And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished.

24. {V. 13} above paraphrased: "[Nor do we act the same way Moses did, when he placed a vail over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze upon the finish of the vanishing splendor which had been upon it]."

25. {V. 14} But their minds were blinded: for until this day remains the same vail untaken away in the reading of the Old Testament; which vail is, done away in Christ,

26. {V. 14} above paraphrased: ["In fact, the minds were grown hard and callused ... they had become dull and had lost the power of understanding; for until this present day, when the Old Testament [the old covenant] is being read, that same vail still lies on their hearts [minds, in their very being], not being lifted to reveal to them that in Christ it is made void and done away]." [The far majority of the Jews still do not recognize or believe that the old law has been abolished in Christ Jesus].

27. {V. 15} [Yes], But even unto this [very] day, when [ever the Law of] Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart, {2- Corinthians 3:13-15}." [We who are under grace are not driven to service by what the law says, but our service is Spirit led, and Spirit directed]. ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................

28. Scripture: "But if you be led [and guided by and] of the [Holy] Spirit, you are not under [or subject to the old] law, {Galatians 5:18}." [If we are under the law then it follows that we are not being led of the Spirit].

29. Now let us go back to {Malachi 3:7-11} which the "Tithers" seem to love so well. That passage was written to Israel which was under the law. When we accuse "Tithing Church" leaders of preaching the law, they will deny it, and then they will go right back to {Malachi 3:7-11} and other like proof texts under the law to prove their "Tithing" doctrine for today. They do not know how to distinguish between what belongs to Israel, and what applies to the Body of Christ. They do not realize that Malachi was written 400 years before Christ was born. Or, do they teach this way through ignorance? Some have said that they cannot teach in a local denomination unless they teach this way! What do you think?

30. These teachers evidently fail to realize that it would be over 400 years from Malachi on into the future when the Mosaic Law would be completely fulfilled on Christ's cross! Would this not seem that either they avoid the recognition of the Mosaic law during the Dispensation that the prophet Malachi wrote about in his epistle? Or, could it be that they are deliberately teaching false doctrine for mammon under false pretenses? Could it be that these Ministers, and other teachers, just fail to comprehend the difference between Law and Grace? I'm afraid my friend that you will have to make up your own mind which of these reasons they do such things. You be the judge! In the same connection, where Jehovah told Israel that the whole nation was cursed with a curse, He also stated ...

31. Scripture: "Even from the days of your fathers you are gone away [turned aside] from My ordinances, and have not kept them ... {Malachi 3:7}." ... In this connection: and I quote these next verses for the second time ...

32. {V. 13} Scripture: "And you [who were dead], being dead in your sins and the [trespasses, and in the] uncircumcision of your flesh [your sensuality, your sinful carnal nature], has He the [Lord] quickened [brought to life] together with Him [Christ], having [freely] forgiven you [and all other adopted children of the Father from] all trespasses [by paying the penalty for all sin on His cross];

33. {V. 14} Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross,

34. [V. 14] above paraphrased: ["Having canceled and blotted out and wiped away the handwriting of all ordinances [with the legal decrees and demands], which was in force and stood against us and hostile to us. These regulations, decrees, and demands, the Lord set aside and cleared completely out of our way by nailing them to His cross].

35. {V.15} And [The Lord] having spoiled [and disarmed the] principalities and powers [ranged against us, thus], He made a show [by making a public example] of them openly [in], triumphing over them [in Himself and] in it [the cross], {Colossians 2:13-15}."

36. Isn't this so very clear that Jesus nailed to the cross all the ordinances from which Israel had been under and had gone astray in their backslidden condition during the days of their fathers? This also includes the wrongs committed in the offering of animal sacrifices, and other things that the various prophets accused them of. But, the main thing we are interested in here, is the fact that the practice of "Tithing" failed to be diligently kept by the Israelites, and this was just one among many ordinances that the Lord held against them.

37. But, the good thing was, the Lord Jesus finally nailed all of these carnal ordinances that nobody but He Himself could keep, in their entirety to His cross. He did this at the time of His death! Since every one of these ordinances were associated directly and precisely with the Hebrew order, the fulfillment of the old Law ceased to be against mankind at Christ's death, when the Law was completed at the cross. Jehovah Himself had instituted this legal system for that nation exclusively. One of the last things Jesus did while in His physical body was to abolish the entire law which is explained wholeheartedly by Paul the Apostle for the Gentiles in his Epistles.

38. All this proves that the ordinances of "Tithing" plus, a few other ordinances the modern teachers of our own day choose to keep Christians under, are taught by deliberately taking Scripture out of its rightful context to prove something that is false for this age! I must say that I am sorry to have to step on the toes of so many leaders of our assemblies with a message such as this one, but truth is truth, and false doctrine is sin, and everyone reading this message we believe, is aware of this fact.

39. These ordinances were held against Israel for they had failed to keep them, therefore, because of their failure they were placed under a curse. Isn't it possible that you teachers who are keeping your flocks under some of these ordinances may be guilty of causing yourself and your followers to be placed under a curse likewise? Not that you or they will lose your salvation, but knowingly teaching a falsehood could cause you and your Congregation to loose blessings in the future!

40. The offering mentioned where God said Israel had robbed Him in "Tithes and offerings," has no reference to a money offering they were due to give above their "Tithes." By reading the following three verses, we find that it has reference to animal sacrifices, which were to be offered on the altar of sacrifice.

41. {V. 6} Scripture: "A son honors his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is My honor? and if I be a master, where is My fear? [rather, "where is the reverent fear due Me"]? says the Lord of Hosts to you, O priests, that despise My name. And you say, Wherein [how] [and in what way] have we despised Your name?"

42. [The word "Reverend" can only refer to God Himself, It is mentioned only one time in the Bible and means "without sin," only God is without sin! Never call a human, "Reverend." If a minister allows this, he is sinning, and you are sinning if you call him or her Reverend]. See {Psalm 111:9}. "His praise endures forever," {V.10}. The word Reverend is a word of praise! Always give reverence to God! Should man honestly show reverence toward other men? NO. Only to God Who is Deity!

43. {V. 7} "You offer polluted bread upon My altar; and you say Wherein have we polluted You? In that you say, The table of the Lord is contemptible.

44. {V. 7} above paraphrased: ["By offering polluted food upon My altar. And you ask , How have we polluted it and profaned You? By thinking that the table of the Lord is contemptible and may be despised]."

45. {V. 8} "And if you offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if you offer the lame and sick , is it not evil? [I challenge you]: offer it now unto your governor; will he be pleased with you, or accept your person? says the Lord of Hosts, {Malachi 1:7-8}."

46. {V. 8} above paraphrased: ["When your priest offer blind animals for sacrifice, isn't it an evil deed? And when you offer the crippled and sick animals as an offering, isn't that also an evil and sinful deed? Now go and present a blind, lame, or a sick animal to your governor [in payment for your taxes, and see what will happen]. Will he be pleased with you? or will he receive you graciously? says the Lord of Hosts]."

47. How often we hear Ministers when taking up the regular collection say: "let us honor God with our "Tithes and offerings" instead of just a blind stab at this passage? The Ministers, if they would, could study the book of Malachi and find out just how Israel had robbed the Lord in their offerings as well as "Tithes." But, knowing very well, and deliberately ignoring the fact that Jehovah was speaking to the Israelites under the law, and not to the Body of Christ of today, they place us under the burden of the law system! They just make a blind stab and come up with the idea that folks are stupid enough to accept what they are teaching and that we today owe the Lord a tenth, and then another offering in money above the "Tithes." It's true, we owe the Lord much more than we can ever repay, but to deliberately teach a lie to obtain wealth is a gross sin. And, many such teachers will lose out on future blessing for knowingly teaching false doctrine!

48. You and I have heard much rhetoric spoken many times in the assembly that sometimes doesn't make sense. We do not believe that honest Ministers would ever try to persuade any Saint to perform the ritual of burnt offerings. But, to falsely accuse us of robbing the Lord if we fail to "Tithe" according to the law ordinance, is a fallacy that breaks the commandment that states: "You shall not Lie."

49. {V. 9} Scripture: "Lie not one to another, seeing that you have put off the old man [had the old sin nature set aside] with his deeds;

50. {V. 10} And have put on the New man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him, {Colossians 3:9-10}."

51. {Vs. 9-10} above paraphrased: "Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old unregenerate sin nature, the old self with its evil practices."

52. {V. 10} And have clothed yourselves with the new spiritual Christ like nature, which is continually in the process of bestowing upon you much more of a fuller and more perfect knowledge after the image, [the likeness] of Christ Who created it." See {Genesis 1:26; Ephesians 2:2-5, 10; 2:15, 4:22-25; Romans 8:29; and 12:2}.

53. [The new nature is received when one is first saved, with which he may serve the Lord and righteousness, and will never leave the recipient throughout all eternity. See {Romans 6:18}. A continual growth in renewal is necessary, however, in order that the new life may have full dominion over moral conduct. Although In eternity, the renewing will have been completed, thus will no longer be necessary to repeat].

54. We strongly advise you Ministers to take {V. 9} above to heart "[lie not to one another]." You will not only be guilty of this sin but also the sin of breaking the commandment in {Exodus Ch. 20} which states: "You shall not steal, [from your Assembly members] {V. 15}." And "you shall not covet," "[and neither shall your Assembly leaders covet for any reason, of what the members have] {V. 17} of Exodus." If you are going to place your Congregation under the law by teaching lies, then you had better keep the whole law that these texts apply to. Also you must remember that when you try to teach or keep the old law you must do as Jesus taught, for He said:

55. {V. 18} Scripture: "For verily [surely] I [the Lord solemnly declare and] say unto you, Till [the first and second] heaven and earth pass [away by being purged], one jot or one tittle shall no wise pass from the law, till all [the law and what it for-shadows shall] be fulfilled.

56. [The law was fulfilled on the cross, but, one might find himself guilty of even unknowingly - trying to place others back under the old law].

57. {V. 19} Whoever therefore shall break [or falsely does away with or relaxes] one of these least [important] commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the Kingdom of heaven: but whoever shall [practice] do and teach them [the truth], the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of heaven [the millennial reign of the Lord Jesus]. [this would be a continual blessing].

58. {V. 20} For I say to you, that except your righteousness [upright standing with God] shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven [the millennial reign of Christ], {Matthew 5:18-20}." [The words, "your righteousness" could also mean: your practice of Christianity]."

59. Are you there? Have you read, and do you believe all these Bible verses we have given? Blindness on the "Tithing" question has led many Bible Teachers into error. Truthfully, Paul stated:

60. {V. 5} Scripture: "Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

61. {V. 6} From which some having swerved having turned aside unto vain jangling;

62. {V. 7} "Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm, {1- Timothy 1:5-7}."

63. {Vs. 5- 7} above paraphrased,

64. {5}: "Whereas, the object and purpose of our instruction and charge is love, which springs from a pure mind and a good clear conscience and sincere unfeigned faith.

66. {6}: But certain individuals have missed the mark on this very matter, and have wandered away into vain arguments and discussions and purposeless talk.

67. {7}: They are ambitious to be doctors of the Law ... teachers of the Mosaic rituals ... but, have no understanding either of the words and terms they use or, of the subjects about which they make such dogmatic assertions."]

68. During the early days of the Body of Christ Dispensation, both the Hebrews who had received the law, and the Gentiles who never had, were now to be saved through grace. And, not only were they saved by grace, but they were to stand in grace, {Romans 5:2}, and to grow in grace, {2- Peter 3:18}. To teach anything else was to tempt God.

69. A converted Jew by the name "Chase Halff, a radio Minister stated: "I am sure that 95% of all difficulties in the local Congregations would end if God's people would recognize the difference between law and grace, and if they could see the difference between God's program for national Israel, and His program for the Body of Christ ... everything would be clear to all Bible students."

Read the following verses:

70. {V. 11} Scripture: "For the grace of God which brings salvation has appeared to all men,

[The tense of the verb indicates a reference to the incarnation, Christ's first appearing, and then to the beginning of the Grace period].

71. {V. 12} Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lust, we should live soberly, righteously, and Godly, in this present world [age], {Titus 2- 11-12}."

72. [Ungodliness: refers to irreverence, worldly lusts, passions, overpowering attractions for the secular world. soberly : sensibly, seriously]. [The law is not the rule of life for the Christian, when Christ came and was made a curse for us, He redeemed us from the law: so today we have a new teacher, [grace]. Paul asks the Galatians:

73. {V. 2} Scripture: "This only would I learn of you, Received you the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

74. {V. 3} Are you so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh?

75. {V. 4} Have you suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.

76. {V. 5} He therefore that ministers to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, does he this by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? {Galatians 3:2-5}."

77. To paraphrase the above verses they should be understood like this:

78. {2}: "Let me ask you this question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit as the result of obeying the Mosaic Law and performing its rituals, or was it by hearing the message of the Gospel of the Mystery of God's grace and believing it? Was it from observing the old law of works or from a message of faith?"

79. {3}: Are you so foolish and so senseless and so silly? Having begun your new life spiritually with the Holy Spirit, are you now reaching perfection by dependence on the flesh?

80. {4}: Have you suffered so many things and experienced so much- all for nothing ... to no purpose? if it really is to no purpose and in vain,

81. {5}: Then does He Who supplies you with His marvelous Holy Spirit, and gracious works powerfully and miraculously among you, and does so on the grounds of your doing what the old Law demands, or because of your believing and adhering to and trusting in and relying on the message that you heard from me, PAUL?"]

82. [Paul after receiving the unique revelation of the new Gospel from Christ, after the Lord had risen, brought the Gospel of the Mystery to the people and the Holy Spirit worked in them. Yet now they had a desire to return to the works of the flesh which had been obeyed under the Law system, in the hope that a combination of faith (Spirit), and works (Flesh), would work more easily or better for them]. Read {Vs. 6-9}.

83. We certainly do not receive the Spirit through observing the Sabbath day or Sunday or any other day of the week, nor by "Tithing." We are to continue in Christ in the same way we receive Him, which is by faith and leadership of the Spirit. And, not by trying to observe any of the precepts of the old law. This is why Paul could say:

84. Scripture: "If any man be [in-grafted] in Christ, he is a new creature [altogether]: old things [previous moral and spiritual conditions] have passed away, Behold, all things [the fresh and a new life] have become new, {2- Corinthians 5:17}."

85. Since old things that were applied to the Mosaic Law have passed away, then animal sacrifices, sabbath, and holy days, "Tithing," and all other rituals under that law have also passed away. All, not just a part, but all things that were associated with the old law have disappeared from the scene during this present age of grace, and it's high time Bible teachers acknowledge this fact. Everything has become new during this present age! The children of the Lord, have new lives in Christ. We have new standards in service. We have a new standard in giving support to the Assemblies and other Christian works! Every person, yielding themselves to the Holy Spirit is to give "... according as they see fit in their mind, so let him give ..., " {2- Corinthians 9:7}."

86. {V. 9} Scripture: "Knowing this, the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers, and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

87. {V. 10} For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;

88. {V. 11} According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my [Paul's] trust, {1- Timothy 1:9-11}." [Gospel of the Mystery of the grace of God]. See {Romans 1:16}.

89. The above 3 Verses paraphrased:

90. {9}: ["Knowing and understanding this: that the Law is not enacted for the righteous ... the upright and just, who are in right standing with the Lord; but for the lawless and unruly, for the ungodly and sinful, for the irreverent and profane, for those who strike and beat even murder fathers and mothers; for manslayers],

91. {10}: [For impure and immoral persons, those who abuse themselves with men, kidnapers, liars, fornicators, adulators, perjurer's and whatever else is opposed to wholesome teaching and sound doctrine],

92. {11}: [As laid down by the glorious Gospel of the Mystery of the blessed Lord, with which I have been entrusted, {1- Timothy 1:9-11}."

93. [The kind of people mentioned above, are the ones for whom the law was in force for, in fact, it was given to proclaim the guilty before the Lord]. And I repeat this next verse:

94. Scripture: "Now we know that what things soever the law states, it says to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped [of the murmuring, the excuses], and all the world may become guilty [and accountable]: before God, {Romans 3:19}." [All unbelievers are of this cosmos, and are guilty before God. Even Satan's mouth will be stopped].

95. Scripture: "God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? {Romans 6:2}." [Referring to healthy or wholesome doctrine, in contrast to false, which is diseased].

96. The words "God forbid" above means "By no means." Grace cannot be exploited for evil ends! Because of our union, our oneness with Christ, we are dead to sin and alive unto the Triune God, see {Romans 6:11}.

[1]: Our new moral life is based on our union with Christ {Romans 6:1-14};

[2]: our being slaves to righteousness {Romans 6:15-23}.

[3]: And that we are dead to sin.

[4]: Death is separation, not extinction.

[5]: Physical death is the separation of the body from the soul and spirit, see {James 2:26}.

[6]: Spiritual death is the separation of a person from God, {Ephesians 2:1}.

[7}: The second death is eternal separation from God, {Revelation 20:14}.

[8]: Death to sin is separation from the ruling power of sin in one's life, {Romans 6:14}.

Therefore, we receive a call to faithfulness:

97. {V. 13} Scripture: "Hold fast the form of sound words, which you have heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

98. {V. 14} That good thing which was committed unto you [the Gospel of the Mystery] keep by the Holy Spirit which dwells in us, {2- Timothy 1:13-14}."

99. No matter what the season may be, the Believer must always be ready, whether the time or opportunity is right or not, be prepared to teach the Gospel to others.

100. These above verses bring out a description of folks who were no longer content to hear the sound doctrine and teaching of the Apostle Paul, but were impelled to turn to many different teachers of novelty and untruth.

101. As the reader well knows, there are many false teachers today that are ready to give answers about anything, and there are itching ears ready to hear the false doctrine they teach and believe what is taught!

102. But, what are you to do? ...

103. {V. 9} Scripture: "Holding fast the faithful word as he has [as you have] been taught, that he [you] may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the "gainsavers [those who contradict sound doctrine]."

104. {V. 13} This witness is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

105. {V. 14} Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

106. {V. 15} Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled, {Titus 1:9, 13-15}."

107. {V. 1} Scripture: "But you speak the things which become sound doctrine,

108. {V. 2} That the aged man [or woman may] be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity [love], in patience, {Titus 2:1-2}."

109. The law only speaks to those who were under the law, not to those who are under grace. The ones under grace have already had all their guilt removed. They no longer need the law to proclaim them guilty before the Lord. The child of God has already received grace and it has pronounced them justified before the Father for their faith in Christ Jesus.

110. The contrast is apparent between this New Testament giving and the almost universal practice among us in financing of God's work. The emphasis upon "Tithing," pledging, budgeting, pleading, urging, and begging, tends to rob giving of its pleasure. Christian giving should be spontaneous. Christian giving should be free. It should be joyous. Christian giving should be "out of the abundance of the heart." If all Christians could be induced to "Tithe" their income through pressure for cooperative programs and denominational enlargement, etc.) it would still be hateful to the Almighty God unless those "Tithers" were motivated by love.

111. Get Believers in love with the Lord, and there will be no lack of money in the Assembly, and there will be no need of human schemes to raise money. If we yield and bind ourselves to the Holy Spirit and live in the center of the Lord's will, we will need no law to tell us to give, or how much to give. The Holy Spirit will lead us to give freely of our means.

112. While I see no Scriptural ground for dividing the Mosaic law into the moral or ceremonial parts, yet how often we hear leaders say that the ceremonial part of the law has passed while the moral part of that same law is still remaining with us today. But the Bible teaches that the law stands or passes as a whole, not in parts. Look up {Matthew 5:18} again. If any of the old law has passed then all of it has been fulfilled and is in the past tense. Jesus said that He did not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it, {Matthew 5:17}. Therefore, we must ask of you, did Christ do what He came to do? When He died on the cross He said it is finished. On the eve of His crucifixion He said to the Father:

113. Scripture: "I have glorified You on the earth: I have finished the work which You gave Me to do, {John 17:4}." [Therefore, Jesus completely fulfilled all the old law and it was set aside].

114. {V. 9} Scripture: "Then said He, Lo, I come to do Your will, O God. He took away the first, that He may establish the second.

115. {V. 10} By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all, {Hebrews 10:9-10}." [By the which will: i.e; by the Lord being set apart to do the will of the whole God Head in becoming the sacrifice for sin].

116. So all the old law covenants with their sacrifices, holy days, feast days, sabbaths, observances, and its "Tithing obligations has forever passed for every Believer." .

117. Scripture: "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes [Grace through faith], {Romans 10:4}."

118. {V. 4} above paraphrased: ["For Christ is the end of the Law ... the limit at which it ceases to be, for the old Law leads up to Him Who is the fulfillment of its types, and in Him the purpose which it was designed to accomplish is fulfilled. ... That is, the purpose of the Law is fulfilled in Him ... as the means of righteousness (right relationship to God) for everyone who trusts, obeys, and adheres to - and relies on Jesus Christ]." [Again I repeat this following verse] ...

119. Scripture: "For sin shall not [any longer] have dominion over you: for you [now] are not under the law [as slaves], but under grace [as subjects of God's favor and mercy], {Romans 6:14}." We cannot mix law and grace, it must be one or the other, it cannot be both].

120. Does this mean that we today have no moral law to uphold in our society? It doesn't mean that at all! The Bible only stated that the Old Testament Law in its entirety has been fulfilled. Man since Adam has had a moral law to uphold. Many of our civil laws are in full force otherwise people could, and would, run rampaging over the land doing what ever they will with no penalty laid upon them for their sins. It doesn't take a real smart person to name several deeds of immorality that folks perform in this present age. We read about them in the news paper, and hear about them from the radio, and watch them on television. Immorality is rampaging in our midst on every hand, and, not a day passes that we fail to hear about it. All we have to do is read our Bible to find where immoral practices were being performed before the great flood of Noah's day, during Abraham's day, during the Law period, during the Apostles day, and right now in this present day.

121. We have spoken about the moral law in other messages, and no matter what we stated, never did we intend for our readers to believe that any part of the Mosaic law had not been fulfilled on Christ's Cross. And, this means both the ceremonial law and the moral law that were entwined together in the Mosaic law! Under the Mosaic Law, the Israelites were considered as servants,

122. Scripture: "For unto Me the children of Israel are [My] servants; whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt: I am {Jehovah], the Lord your God, {Leviticus 25:55}." [This position they occupied until Christ redeemed them from under the law].

123. {V. 3} Scripture: "Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: [I.e; the bondage of a legalistic practice of Judaism, and now it seemed that they had a desire to return to that same bondage. Read {V. 7}.

124. {V. 4} But when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, [I.e; Christ was reared in conformity to the Mosaic Law!].

125. {V. 5} To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of Sons, {I.e; see Romans 8:16},

126. {V. 6} And because you are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your Hearts [minds], crying, Abba, Father. [I.e: the Holy Spirit in the mind of the Believer shows his acceptance with God the Father as a son and heir: the word "Abba" is the Aramaic word for father].

127. {V. 7} Therefore you are no more a servant [past tense], but a son [present tense]; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ, {Galatians 4:4-7}."

128. [When Christ redeemed Believing Jews from the law, they were to no longer occupy the place of servants {Leviticus 25:55}, but of sons]. {Vs. 3-7} above paraphrased ...

129. {3}: "Even so we Hebrew Christians also, when we were yet young children, were kept like slaves the same as the older folks, under the rules of the laws rituals, and were subject to the elementary teaching of a system of external observations and regulatory elements of the world. ...

130. {4}: But when the proper time had fully arrived, God the Father sent His Son, the Christ Child, born of the young virgin Mary, also, born subject to the regulations of the old Mosaic Law ...

131. {5}: To purchase the freedom - of, that is, to ransom, redeem, and to atone for those who were subject to the old law system, that we during this present age of grace might be adopted and have sonship conferred upon us, and be recognized as the Father's sons:

132. {6}: And because you really are His sons, the Lord God has sent His (Holy) Spirit into our Hearts (minds, our very being), crying Abba: (Father)! ...

133. {7}: Therefore, you are no longer a slave, a bond servant, but a son indeed, and if a son, then it follows that you also are an heir by the aid and the power of your Heavenly Father, through Christ Jesus],"

"Continued On Part Five of "Tithing."

.HOME