Selected scriptures are often commonly parroted by well meaning and also some not so well meaning Christians in America that are simply misapplications of God’s word. I will point out a few here but if you are a serious student of the scriptures others may come to your mind so feel free to share them here. I hope if nothing else this post will get people to look at the full context of a passage in the light of all of God’s word so they will not use selected misapplications as spiritual applications for today. Here are five examples of commonly used misapplications of selected scripture passages.
Who has not heard this misapplications of scripture scripture used claiming that God will heal America if Christians in America would just humble themselves and pray.
2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Sounds great, but the passage was not given to Christians. In context that passage applies to Israel. You really have to rip it out of context to apply it to Christians living in Gentile nations. Try selling the common American application of this scripture to Christians that are being persecuted in North Korea, Iran, Burma, Sudan etc., or try telling Christians in Haiti, Cuba etc., that God will heal their land, if they the Christians, turn from “their wicked ways”. I think they would rightly take that suggestion as a insult. Yet, many in America want to claim that obeying this scripture will heal our land.
God never promised Christians lands at all. We are a spiritual people and our home is in heaven. If a nation is wicked the few Christians dwelling in it will not save a evil nation. There is no instruction for Christians in the Bible telling them to intercede for nations that do evil. Our mission on earth is more like that of Jonah to the Nineveh’s of the world. When God spared Nineveh it was because the whole nation repented not because Jonah repented. If a nation becomes wicked the whole nation must repent of their evil not just God’s spiritual people in the nation that really should not be practicing evil anyway. God knows how to provide for his people in a wicked nation but the land will not be healed if Christian’s repent but the nation continues to live in wickedness.
Here is a favorite misapplication of scripture from the pulpits of America.
Mal 3:10 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.
If you read this verse in context of the passage it is clearly talking to national Israel not Christians. Again, try telling Christians in Haiti, Cuba or the Sudan that the way they will receive abundance is by tithing or even tell that to farm labors in the United States and see how it fly’s with them.
What God was telling Israel is that the reason Israel was cursed was because they were not being obedient and thus they were under His curse. The passage is not directed at Christianity. Since when are Christians under God’s curse? Besides, there is not a word about tithing given to the Church in the New Testament. The NT only teaches free will giving. I really have no problem with those who teach that the tithe is a good standard for Christians to try to meet or exceed. Those that freely give will abundantly receive but they will not necessary receive material things on earth. However, to teach tithing as a spiritual law or a requirement for Christians is a misapplication of scripture, it is legalism. Further, Israel had three tithes so just giving one tithe does not make Christians compliant with the tithing scriptures. By the way, those nuts on TV that promise a hundred fold blessing for what you give them are just con artists. There is no such concept in the Bible. Don’t send them a wooden nickle.
This next misapplication of scripture is usually used with good intention but the way most use this passage shows real lack of understanding of the whole prophetic passage and it puts Christians under self condemnation and is sometime used to try to put Christians under legalistic bondage. The misapplication of this passage is often used by teachers that have no real understanding of Bible prophecy.
Mt:25,31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Many use this passage to imply that Christians should do good works but some also imply that Christians that do not do what Jesus said here are in danger of losing their salvation and they could go to hell if they do not do good works to other Christians. But what Jesus said is not talking to Christians at all. The passage is about the sheep and goat judgment at the end of the age after Jesus returns to earth to set up His kingdom in Israel. The brethren are Israelis and more specifically they probably are the 144,000 Israelis that preached in the tribulation and now follow Jesus wherever He goes (rev 14:4). The people Jesus is talking to are the people that lived through the tribulation. They will now either be allowed into the Kingdom on earth that was promised to Israel or they will be cut off from the earth on the basis of how they received the 144,000 that were preaching the gospel of the coming Israeli kingdom during the tribulation.
Jesus is not directing what He said to any Christian in this passage. Christians are saved and are already married to Christ when He returns. For anyone to imply from this passage that Christians will be saved or condemned by their own works toward other Christians is heresy. They are preaching a salvation by works theology whether they realize it or not.
Here is the favorite misapplication of scripture used by Charismatics leaders to justify that anything they say or do should never be criticized.
1Ch 16:22 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
Ps 105:15 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
In both cases God was telling kings in and around the land of Canaan that He gave the land of Canaan to Abraham, Issac and Jacob who were His prophets and that the kings should do them no harm. In context there is simply no way that these passages can be applied to today’s self anointed Charismatic leaders.
Who in America has not heard this misapplication of scripture used?
Mt 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Was Jesus really telling people not to judge between right and wrong? I will let Brannon Howse explain this one to you in How the Most Misquoted Verse in the Bible is Destroying America. Below is his summery from this article. I totally agree.
If Americans don’t start to judge and punish evil instead of accepting all ideas and beliefs as equal, we will become a nation that welcomes same-sex marriage, polygamy, pedophilia, incest, euthanasia, and likely a host of moral aberrations so bizarre they’re still hidden in the darkest reaches of the Internet.
I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard someone say, “you know we are not to judge people; even the Bible says ‘judge not lest you be judged’.” Americans had better start getting comfortable with politically in-correct, non-humanistic forms of making intelligent judgments on moral issues because even if we don’t make them, I’m concerned there is Someone very willing to hold our nation accountable for what we allow. And He doesn’t respond well to intimidation, name-calling, flawed logic, or being quoted out of context.
Amen, Don. Well said. On tithing, a Christian can give 10%, but Christians cannot tithe because of Deuteronomy 14:22-29. It’s part of the law of tithing, and it looks difficult if not impossible, for a Christian to keep. Amen on Matthwe 25 also. The whole chapter has nothing whatsoever to do with the Church.
Here’s another favorite misapplication of scripture : “Where there is no vision, the people perish…” (Prov.29:18a). This has been erroneously used as a justification for all kinds of vision-casting, programs, buildings,etc., when in fact, what it means is that where God’s Word is silenced, the people will cast aside all that is right, moral, and decent for whatsoever their lower nature wants to indulge in.
Keep up the good work,
Paul
Don, it’s absolutely refreshing to be able to read someone with such a common sense (and obviously Holy Spirit induced)understanding of Scripture.
“…look at the full context of a passage in the light of all of God’s word…” Tremendous concept!
re: Mt 7:1… I am unsure of the context on this one… The link didn’t quite expose the context either (well, at least my quick read); Yes, absolutely mis-used by the wicked and self-righteous-judgmental; I’ve heard it applies to “Christian vice Christian”, which sort of makes some sense (my rationalization being that otherwise you are not respecting that the holy spirit can do it’s job… in due time); I could use some help on that one, actually; And, yes, misapplication of that scripture is extremely annoying to me (along with “calling good evil while calling evil good”, not to mention the constant hi-jacking of value vocabulary for evil intent);
I think this link should help you understand the context of Mt 7:1
http://jdlarsenmn.tripod.com/rightous_judgment.htm
I have a minor complaint(s) about “piece #1″… When I look at context, I actually prefer to look *before* the scripture in focus vice *after*; “Piece #1” looks after, and not before; So, that is a flag to me, which is not suggesting that anything is wrong, just a flag for further study – noting that Mt 7:1 is the beginning of a new chapter, recognizing you can’t always go “before”; Now, I go along with her assessment, nonetheless; As for “piece #2”, there are cross scriptural references – which means I have to study those “in context”;
What I’m missing is “who is Jesus talking to?”; Don – you do a very good job of providing that contextual piece when walking through scripture, which is very helpful; “Piece #1” is suggesting that Jesus is directing his “truth” at a hypocrite; I have to go all the way back to chapter 5 where Matthew states that Jesus is speaking / teaching to his “disciples”, although one might also include “the multitudes”, which would be followers, be they Jew or [future] “Christian”;
After going back and *quickly* rereading Mt 5 through 7, I still come back to something I have contended, which I eluded to above… At least when it comes to “genuine Christian to genuine Christian”, for which many of these so called “leaders” are NOT genuine, you do have to follow Mt 7.1 in that otherwise you are not putting faith that the holy spirit, which IS God, can do it’s job (albeit, in due time); This is in addition to the caution to the hypocrite. Again, just one take or viewpoint [of mine, I guess] — I don’t think there is anything wrong with putting faith in the holy spirit (maybe “in” is not the right word, but my brain is starting to “blank out”, sorry);
Don, the side bar that shows the most recent posts is missing again.
Wow. Well, I clearly didn’t understand tithing even though I’ve done it and felt compelled to do it. Malachi 3:8 New International Version “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ “In tithes and offerings.”
So Israel and Christians are mutually exclusive? If the Bible is only for Israel and most of the principles do not apply then why do we waste our time?
Not trying to argue, I just need to dive deeper in the scriptures with prayer that God opens my eyes and helps me understand.
David,
Start with Malachi 3:7. God is referring to His ordinances for tithes and offerings. Before going further, you need to find those ordinances so you know what God is talking about.
Those ordinances are in Numbers 18 where God makes it clear the tithe is to be taken to the Levites. IF the Levites didn’t get the tithe, that was considered robbing God.
God NEVER changed those ordinances. God NEVER gave the Christian Church permission to receive the tithe.
Actually, Numbers 18 was disannulled (canceled) according to Hebrews 7:5,12,18. Therefore, tithing was canceled when the Levitical priesthood ended.
NO ONE pays the Biblical tithe today was God defined as a tenth of crops and animals raised in the Holy land.
Justin, I believe you are talking about the most recent comments. I took it out because it clutters the blog and I found it slows down the blog. It only gave a few words anyway which contained mostly the title. If anyone wants to see the latest comments either respond to one of the treads and put a “x” in the box or watch the comment count or click on the post.
David, The nation of Israel is not the NT Church so scriptures written to the nation of Israel do not necessarily also apply to the Church. You have to look at who God is speaking to in OT passages in the context of the passage.
Who said the Bible is only for Israel and that most of the principles do not apply? You have to define who is the object of the message in any communication. Christians are under the New Covenant not the Old Covenant and the instructions of how Christians should live under the New Covenant are adequately defined in the epistles to the New Covenant Church.
I wrote a detailed article on tithing a number of years ago. Also follow the links for even more about the Tithe.
http://www.thepropheticyears.com/comments/Are%20Christians%20commanded%20to%20tithe.htm
don, you are not useing a sripture out of context, you are inventing a new one. tell me where you get the idea that 144,000 jews will evangelise or preach the gosple. it is not in the bible and the bible does not even hint about it. so you are inventing scriptures that do not even exist, which is a pretty bad offence.
Craig,
The Sermon on the Mount goes from part of Matthew chapter 4 through chapter 7. There really are no chapter breaks in the scriptures they were put there for our convince later. So chapter breaks when looking at the full context should not be a major influence. All this was one speech by Jesus at the start of His ministry and everything in the speech is part of the context.
Who is Jesus talking too? He was talking to Israel. In the passages He contrasted Gentiles so it was clear that he was talking to Israel. In the Sermon Jesus was contrasting what Jews did to try to satisfy what they thought was the requirements of God law with the actual requirements necessary to keep the Law. In others words, right from the beginning of His ministry Jesus made it clear that even the Pharisees that tried to follow the letter of the law were not keeping the full requirements of the law. That fact should have led them to search for God’s promise to save them of their sins (Jesus) but it obviously had the opposite effect on the self righteous.
Mt 7:1 is in the same light. Jews thinking they are living by the law and judging others by it ought to get the log out of their own eye because nobody in Israel was following the whole law. The sermon is not talking to Christians because there were no Christians in Israel at this point. After Jesus paid the full requirements of the law, the letter of the Law is fulfilled in Christ for believers. Christians live by the Spirit of Christ and the Spirit in us can judge good and evil.There simply is no way that this passage is telling Christians not to judge good and evil that others do because Paul makes it clear that the Church should be judging these affairs, we will even judge the Angels.
Bill,
Some things are spiritually discerned. Like the Trinity for example, but you are wrong that the Bible does not hint at it. The Bible says the Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached to the whole world as a witness and only then the end will come. I know some like to misapply this to the Church but the Church does not preach the Gospel of the Kingdom it preaches the Gospel of Salvation. One day God will send these 144,000 Jews to give that gospel.
Suppose you tell me why you think God seals the 144,000 and protects them from harm during the Trumpet Judgments and then has them do nothing? Nevertheless, they are mentioned in the scripture evangelizing anyway but you just do not recognize the passage that mentions them. This clip from chapter 7 of my Revelation Commentary should shed some light on that.
Mat:10,6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. 9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, 10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. 11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. 12 And when ye come into an house, salute it. 13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. 15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. 16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; 18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. 21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. 22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. 23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. 24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. 25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? 26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. 27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. 28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. 32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. 34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. 40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. 41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
(The wording of Verse 42 strongly suggests it refers to the sheep and goat judgment of the Gentiles in Matthew 25. This judgment is about how they treated these sealed brethren and it is given below.)
Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
This scripture does not apply to those in the Church, as many teach from their pulpits, or salvation would come through good works and damnation from not having good works. This passage is really talking about how people will treat these sealed disciples in the time of their ministry on earth and certainly, not how Christians treat other Christians or even about how unbelievers treat Christians. The whole context of this passage in Matthew is about the time after His coming to earth. Matthew chapter 25: 31-45 teaches that those who give support to the sealed Jews that preached about the coming Jewish kingdom will be allowed to live and to enter the kingdom. On the other hand, it also teaches that those who did not help them will be cut off and will not enter the Messiah’s kingdom on earth.
If the passage were talking about how the unsaved treat Christians, then why would the unsaved inherit a kingdom that was not even prepared for them? Moreover, it would imply that the unsaved inherit the kingdom by just giving a glass of water to a Christian. That does not make sense! This is salvation by works theology!
If the passage is talking about how Christians treat other Christians, as some teachers love to infer, then why are God’s people being condemned to hell for not doing a work of charity? Those who teach such things have extremely bad theology! It contradicts the clear teaching of God’s word! The passage itself implies that the people He was talking to were not His brethren so then why do some say that this passage is about how Christians treat others?
I point all this out because misapplication of this scripture has been used to support all kinds of heresies. This passage really indicates that those alive on earth at the second coming will be judged by Jesus. Those who aided His brethren Israel will be allowed into their restored kingdom on earth and those who did not will be cut off from the land. The scripture in context implies nothing else.
Much too often, bad theology is taught from pulpits by taking scripture out of the proper context or as in this case, by taking prophetic scripture out of context to prove a legalistic view of how Christians have to treat others or be in danger of damnation.
Having said all that, I believe we should now be able to see that the greater fulfillment of Matthew chapter 10 is to these 144,000 Israelites that get sealed in the future (The number of those sealed are given in the next passage).
Good stand against the tithing fallacy.
Launching a ministry without the leading of the Holy Spirit will create the most consequential damage, and yet the ironic thing is we are skeptical of Spirit led with giving. Something is not right here!
– Jared
These are good example passages on which we may learn more about misinterpretation. All of them can be solved looking into the context and answering the basic questions about any text: who, why, what, when and how.
For example, the passage about the tithe in Malachi is directed to the Jews who had come back from exile. For them it was really terrible not the tithe because the Jews had spent 70 years in exile for not abiding the law that God gave them. It is not directed to the Church. We are not under the Law of Moses. There is not a passage in the NT that tells the Church to tithe, not even one that mentions tithe as a normal activity in the Church. The only mention of tithe in the NT is Jesus telling the Pharisees not to be hypocrites because they tithed and did not practiced justice, love and faith. So it is possible to tithe and be hypocrite at the same time. And, because money is what cults want, they will misinterpret this and other passages of the Bible. But we, the church of God, may also misinterpret it.
I tithe because Abraham did, and I am son of Abraham by the faith (Gal 3:7). Also it helps me remember that God is the owner of everything I have. The pastors who serve me and my local church need my financial support.
The passage about the sheep ad goat judgment is really interesting because we can confuse it as if it was a parable, and it’s not. It is preceded by 3 parables, but it is not a parable. It specifically states who are the main characters and when is it taking place. It names Jesus as the King and it is interesting because the only two other times when he is named as King are in his Triumphant Entry to Jerusalem and during His crucifixion. It happens at the beginning of His millennial reign so that is why He is called the King. But, who are His “brothers”? All the nations will be in front of His throne of glory. He will separate people into two groups: those who treated well His “brothers” and those who didn’t. At first we may think that by “brothers” it is meant brothers in Christ or the Church; but the real meaning here is His fellow countrymen. The “brothers” here are the Jews, just as in Acts 28:17 were Paul addressed his countrymen as brothers. Those who treated well the Jews in the Tribulation period will save their lives. I think this may as well include the 144,000.
Here is a common misapplication: The Good Samaritan parable speaks about a man who was attacked by robbers and a Samaritan who saves him from a sure death. If we read the immediate context we may be able to see that the parable was directed to love Jesus Christ and not to think that we need to act as a Good Samaritan in order to go to heaven. Of course, we are impelled to be good Samaritans, but we must remember that eternal life is by grace and not by works. The Good Samaritan in the parable is Jesus Christ saving us and must be the “neighbor” we must love.
Eduardo said, “I tithe because Abraham did, and I am son of Abraham by the faith (Gal 3:7).”
The first time tithe is mentioned in the Bible is Abraham’s tithe of pagan spoils of war, and Abraham kept NOTHING for himself. This was NOT an act of worship. The goods that Abraham gave the tenth from didn’t even belong to Abraham:
Genesis 14:21 (NIV) – The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.”
Notice in verse 21 the king of Sodom didn’t ask Abraham if he would give back to him the people, but rather said GIVE ME the people and keep the goods for yourself. The way that is worded indicates that the king of Sodom was claiming that the people and the goods belonged to him and those he represented.
Genesis 14:22-24 (NIV) – 22But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and have taken an oath 23that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ 24I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me—to Aner, Eshcol and Mamre. Let them have their share.”
Notice in verses 23 and 24 Abraham also acknowledges that the goods belonged to the king of Sodom and those he represented.
Therefore, it is clear that both the king of Sodom and Abraham acknowledged that the spoils of war did NOT belong to Abraham, yet he gave a tenth of the spoils to King Melchizedek. This would seem that Abraham did something wrong, if not even illegal, but Biblical historians agree that it was custom in Abraham’s day to give the king a tenth of the war spoils. Had Abraham not given the tenth, he would have gone against custom.
Conclusion: Abraham did NOT give a tenth of his income, or his wealth. Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils of war that didn’t belong to him. That is NOT an example for Christians to follow today.
Furthermore, what Abraham did was not brought forward into the Mosaic law. Under the law, God required only 1.1% of war spoils to be given, NOT a tenth. Second, what Abraham did isn’t even close to what the Mosaic law required.
To follow Abraham’s example, tithe ONE TIME, only on war spoils, and give the rest away. Keep NOTHING for yourself. To say you are following Abraham’s example by giving a tenth of your income to the church is dishonest. Abraham didn’t give a tenth of his income to begin with.
If OT and NT are mutually exclusive to each other and I would concede that one is under the law of Moses and the other is the New Covenant with Man through Jesus, then why does Jesus speak of not coming to change the law of Moses but to add to it. If he is merely adding to something that he agrees with then why would we also not fall under or take from these OT scriptures some meaning and guidance? Maybe tithing is not one of them entirely (and it can’t hurt) but many other examples of how man should live are, like the Ten Commandments (basic laws for man). I think who God is talking to may be irrevalent considering the continuation of Gods overall message to man (knowing we would read this word today). Did not God choose a wondering Nomad in Abraham to start with and found a nation through his lineage so that the glory of Gods rule could be illustrated through these people who I believe represent all mankind. Yes of course they we under the law of Moses because without it Israel would have never made it out of the desert as a unified nation as they would have simply fell apart like so many others before them and since. Example: While wandering in the desert a man gathers firewood on the Sabbath. God commands Moses to put the man to death. Hard stuff, but again had the rules not been hard and fast then the nation to which God was building would not have gotten off the ground and thus no debate today on this blog. So the laws needed to be obeyed in full.
You must have a consistent method of determining what parts of the Bible are for Christians to follow.
My theology – ONLY THAT which is repeated in the New Testament is meant for Christians. The substance of nine of the ten commandments are repeated in the New Testament.
You can’t just pick and choose what you want to bring forward.
The Bible CLEARLY SHOWS that the tithe ENDED at the cross in the Book of Hebrews. In the first nine verses of Hebrews 7 the words tenth or tithes appears SEVEN TIMES. The ONLY place in the Bible, after Calvary, that tithing appears is in Hebrews 7.
In Hebrews 7:5 we are told that Levi (the Levites) took the tithes under the law. In Hebrews 7:12 we are told that when the priesthood changes, the law will change. Hebrews 7:18 is telling us that Numbers 18 was disannulled. Numbers 18 established the Levitical priesthood, and part of that establishing included tithing. When the Levitical priesthood ended (at Calvary, or at least in the year 70AD when the temple was destroyed), all laws that established that priesthood were canceled. If Numbers 18 wasn’t canceled, we would still be under the Levitical priesthood.
Jerome, Jesus never said that He came to add to the law of Moses like you said. Jesus said He came to fulfills it.
I think the rest was covered by Gary Arnold.
To say, “who God is talking to may be irreverent considering the continuation of Gods overall message to man” is denying the overall message.
That message is that Jesus came to fulfill the law, He paid the blood price required by the law, and He freed us from the requirements of the law so we that died with Him can now live by the law of faith.
The law was given to Moses to be a school master that would bring Israel to Christ not to put the children of promise under bondage. Even the Jews under law were promised a New Covenant. All in the New Covenant through faith in Christ have the law of Christ and this Law is to love God and Love your neighbor which fulfills all law. But no one can even do that unless they are born of the Spirit and are in Christ. So Christ is the fulfill of the Law for those born from above.
I’ll answer later when I have more time.
Don, Thanks for the link on tithing. Have a good day.
One of the most taken out-of-context verses of Scripture is “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Gal 6:7
It has nothing to do with what most people preach. It has to do with giving. If you’ve been taught, see to it that you share materially with the one who taught you.
If you really believe the letter to the Galations (“That we are under a curse, without hope. That Christ let it fall on Himself, and that we moved out from underneath it and stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has set us free”-Scott), then you need to make a value judgment. If anybody has brought you into that light, you have gained the most valuable thing that can be gained in this life.
I’m talking hear about giving. Not tithing. One of the things I’ve come to discover about tithing is that it’s another OT law that I can’t keep. I’m not saying that it’s something that we shouldn’t do for indeed Christ Himself taught in Mt 23:23 concerning the tithes, “…these ought ye to have done,(justice, mercy, faith)and not to leave the other (tithing)undone.”
It’s a law of God. As operational as any of the laws in the natural world. That’s all Mic 3:10 is saying. Try it it’ll work. God love you if you can do it though. I can’t. And don’t think you can get by with just 10%. It’s way more than that. (I don’t even want to go down that path in the limited space I have here, I haven’t even mentioned the firstfruits).
Some responders here are correct (in my humble opinion). We are no longer under OT law. But that in no way nullifies OT law. As a matter of fact (as Don said) that law is fulfilled. And I know that “…all the promises of God in him [are] yea, and in him Amen…” 2 Co 1:20
The law of the OT is tough. And God knows that we’re miserable failures at keeping it. That’s why he gave His Son and His Son gave His life. I know personally, when it comes to tithing, I’m a miserable failure. But it doesn’t mean that the principle is worthless. Thank God I’m not under that curse. As a matter of fact that’s the last word in the OT, curse.
Wish I could go on but I’ve rambled enough.
Oh, one other thing concerning giving. Didn’t Jesus commission (in Mt 26)that wherever this “Gospel” was preached, to tell the story along with it of the woman with the “alabaster box”? She brought her best. Jesus basically said, “Don’t tell the “Good-News” of the Gospel without at the same time memorializing the proper response to it.”-Scott
Ken, Gal 6:7 is a good example of a misapplication of scripture and I agree on the rest of what you said, but who is Scott?
Dr Gene Scott
Don, after I posted I read back through the other comments and saw your link to your article on tithing. I guess I kind of parroted what you said then. It amazes me the continuity of the Holy Spirit. Half the time I don’t even know what I’m saying. It just comes out. I’m not smart enough to come up with most of this stuff. Thanks be to the Holy Spirit.
So were you quoting Dr. Gene Scott or just correcting Him? 😆
True understanding of the scriptures is not related to intelligence. I am proof of that and even more so is Professor Stephen Hawking 😯
Good one. I think I get it.
Yes, fulfill is more correct than what I wrote. Thanks for the correction. Learning more each day. And yes of course the nation of Israel is the wellspring from which Christ came and the message is clear there as well that he came to fulfill the prophecy of being the redeemer to come and this reveals to us the hand of God for no one can really foretell the future if it did not come from God and revealed to them for us to know and see it play out, whichs makes the bible all the more credible to even the non-believer.
Gary, I still do not understand why you say I am being dishonest. So let’s talk about it through emails, because I want to keep the Don’s Comment Policy. My personal email is eduardofloresugc@yahoo.com.
But for the record, Abraham gave Melchizedek the tithe of all the spoils because he was grateful with the most high God for giving him victory over his enemies and getting back his nephew. He was so worried about Lot, that immediately after listening the bad news, he assembled a small army and went swiftly after them. He went into battle with the purpose to recover Lot, not to keep the spoils and be rich. He also understood that the Lord was going to bless him but not through the wealth of an impious man. In this he had a great integrity at the sight of the king of Sodom for he returned the people and the goods back to him. The blessing of Melchizedek was heard by the king of Sodom, so later he could not say that he did not know about the power and the praise that the Lord deserves. The king of Sodom saw Abraham give te tithe to Melchizedek. This was also a great example of gratefulness and gratitude towards God for the impious king. Isn’t this an example of faith and gratitude for us also?
The only thing I will add here is that it was done by an act of free will and not under any compulsion of the law that had not even been given. Nor was it by compulsion or by a guilt trip laid on a Christian by a legalistic preacher. There also is no record that Abraham ever gave a tithe again but we do know that Abraham was a very generous and that he took care of those in need. That should always be the example and the practice for his children who are in Christ.
I have given a tithe or offering back to God since I started working at the age of 11. My dad taught me by example and by word that this was what we should do, not grudgingly and not with an attitude of ok God here it is now bless me. I still to this day give back to God a tenth of my income, and God has seen to it that I and my family are taken care of. It would take a book to list all the times that we were blessed with a gift from God when it was very needed. I am not saying that just this act of tithing or giving an offering is the very reason for God’s graciousness towards me, but I feel that it is an important one. Sometimes I have not earned enough to even put food on the table, I still made the offering, God saw to it we ate and ate very well. I know that you wrote this article to open the eyes of those that are being swindled by hucksters and religion hustlers, the O.T. is an example set for us as a warning so we can see what will happen if we don’t heed God’s word.
Giving a tenth of your income by free will to help accomplish God’s work on earth is wise. Those with the gift of giving will be abundantly blessed. Remember the widow that gave the mite? Jesus was quite impressed with her.
Actually, I wrote this article so that people will not keep misapplying certain scriptures. I am not against people freely giving a tenth. I am against putting Christians under the requirements of the law that Christian tithers do not keep anyway.
The Old Testament is much more than warnings and examples and what is said therein needs to be properly discerned.
Hello Don!
I would like to comment on your first ‘mis-application’ by stating that this is impossible without COMPLETE and TOTAL repentance nationwide; from the President all the way down to the average adult citizen, including all Representatives and Senators (just as is recorded in Scriptures) for this to ever happen. I do belive that if cooperate national repentance ‘did’ occur(which the Lord has shown me will not happen), then He indeed WOULD heal the USA. This would include abolishing rights for homosexuals, no recognizing the idea that same sexes may marry, not allowing women to hold positions placing them in authority above men, and all the other things that have been corrupted here. Good work you have done here!! God Bless:)
Glad to have you here Dave. I agree.
Eduardo, I think Don’s statement, “I hope if nothing else this post will get people to look at the full context of a passage in the light of all of God’s word so they will not use selected misapplications as spiritual applications for today”, allows this discussion to continue here, aside from e-mails, and remain in the spirit of his comment policy. (sorry Don for speaking for you)
Having said that, I’ve been following your discussion with Gary and I think it to be an excellent description of a misapplied scriture.
Plese indulge me while I interject myself into your discussion. I find Gary to be quite correct in describing the meaning of Heb 7.
The OT law of tithing, due in large part to the fact that it was compulsory, was weak and unprofitable (acc. to Heb 7:18). The law, (acc. to v.19) made nothing perfect. “…but the bringing in of a better hope did…”
Heb 7:18 just means that a greater importance in the NT was placed on giving over tithing. That giving freely as a form of worth-ship is not so much a commandment as it is a response to the Gospel. That was my point in an earlier post about the “alabaster box”. Gary is correct. It was disannulled (set aside).
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with tithing. For I’m in agreement with Paul, the law is good. We just can’t accomplish it. I also agree with you that it is a great example of faith and gratitude. I would caution against anyone bringing themselves under the bondage of the law, and I know that’s not what you’re saying, I say that for the sake of other readers. I’m always amazed at those who would bring themselves, and others, under law, when they don’t have any idea what the entire law entails. The law of tithing is not 10%!
I leave with the words of Paul to the Galations, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel”, and “For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.”
Ken said, “I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with tithing.”
There is nothing wrong with giving a tenth of one’s income to the church or wherever they wish. But I believe it is wrong to call such giving, “tithing” because it INFERS the Biblical tithe, and it isn’t. IF anyone is truly paying the Biblical tithe today, and they take it to the church, they would be disobeying God’s command and therefore, that would be a sin.
Christians should stop using the term “tithing” as it seems there are too many definitions of that term depending on who you ask. Using the term tithing for giving has caused much confusion among Christians.
NO ONE pays The Lord’s Tithe (Leviticus 27:30-33) today. Absolutely no one. NO ONE is following God’s ordinances, or instructions, for His tithe today (Numbers 18).
To take a collection of “tithes and offerings” is misleading if not totally incorrect. It would be more accurate to call it “a tenth of your income and other amounts.” Today, tithes ARE free-will offerings. Otherwise, you are back to legalism, and that can be putting yourself in a dangerous situation.
NO ONE is truly using Abraham as an example for tithing. What Abraham did was NOT brought forward into the law as many teach. Abraham gave a tenth of war spoils. Under the Levitical priesthood, God required only 1.1% of war spoils to be given to Him, not a tenth. To even say that Abraham “tithed” is very misleading as it had nothing to do with The Lord’s Tithe (God’s command to tithe).
To say one gives a tenth of their income to the church or somewhere else to show appreciation to God is fine. To say one gives a tenth of their income to the church because of Abraham’s example makes no sense.
{Quote Ken C[One of the most taken out-of-context verses of Scripture is “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Gal 6:7
It has nothing to do with what most people preach. It has to do with giving. If you’ve been taught, see to it that you share materially with the one who taught you.]Quote Ken C}
I must respectfully disagree with you on this particular subject, Ken C:) This law covers everything in life on this earth; I know this from personal experience and from watching humans[as a scientist watches their experiment]as they go about their lives.
References::
Job 4:8 Even as I have seen, Those who plow iniquity And sow trouble reap the same.
Psa 126:5 Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy.
Psa 126:6 He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him.
Hosea 8:7 “They sow the wind, And reap the whirlwind. The stalk has no bud; It shall never produce meal. If it should produce, Aliens would swallow it up.
Thanks:)
Gary, I agree. Even when pastors do not outright teach on tithing when I hear them say give your tithes and offerings before the collection I already know they have legalistic tendencies or think that Christians will not give freely to their church showing a lack of faith in the Holy Spirit working through giving Christians.
Putting people under bondage to a tithe causes guilt for those who attend and do not give the pastors meaning of a tithe (A tenth) and brings deception to those who give a tenth and take pride in keeping the law of tithing when they are not. It also means these pastors will have a smaller congregation than they might have had if they were not sounding so legalistic to other Christians.
If any of these misapplied scriptures cuts against what you always have been preaching. I do understand that most likely it is because it is what you have been taught and is what you understood, but lets learn from each other and grow in understanding. The whole Body of Christ on earth will be better for it.
Dave and Ken C, I agree with you both. Some take it out of context and the passage is not even talking about reaping on earth. Lets Look at the passage.
It is talking about those living by the flesh dying and those living by the Spirit receiving by the Spirit eternal rewards.
Gary, maybe I wasn’t as clear as I could have been when I said, “I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with tithing.” Perhaps poor wording on my part. I should have said, I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with giving a tenth, if it’s with hilarity, as the scripture describes giving aright.
I kinda thought that I was saying that people who might think they are tithing really have no idea what OT tithing entailed. I agree that the terms tithing and giving have been confused, as you say. And perhaps have brought some, unknowingly under the curse of bondage. Again my apologies for poor wording on my part.
Dave, while I appreciate your response, I must disagree with your disagreement with me. (sorry) In the spirit of Don’s post of misapplied scripture I have always considered this to be one. I am sick and tired of pastors using this scripture to reign down blows of legalism upon their parishioners. While the scriptures you mention stand on their own merit, and if I had the time this evening I would go to each of them and garner their proper context, please keep in mind that they are from the Old Testament (emphasis on old). They are wise statements, for they are the Word of God. We live in the New Testament. We have a more perfect law. In fact as Gal 6:2 says, “Bear ye one anothers burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Basically a more perfect law.
No,(in my opinion) this passage, in context says: “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.” It does not mean that there is some sort of “christian karma”, that if you smoke, a smokestack will grow out of your kids head. It has nothing to do with anything other than giving.
Nothing proves the response to the Gospel of Salvation like giving. The fruit of your labors comes out in that which you can then spend for what you need and what you value. Check it out for yourself. You can spend your money on yourself, but it’ll go down with your flesh. If you have no value for the Word of God, keep right on sowing to the flesh. But if you sow to the spirit, Ye shall “…reap life everlasting.” “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” That whole passage is on giving.
I’m not sure how Don feels about Dr. Gene Scott, but here’s his feeling on this passage: “Paul figured it out in the seniority of his years as he watched the Corinthians. You can strut around and show off every kind of spiritual gift and after awhile you can even fake it. Paul figured out what you know to be true if you think about it for two minutes. Nobody will fake sacrificial giving, not for any reason other than to hurl it into eternity. Nobody will do that week in and week out who’s faking it. Only God’s spirit in them, the breath of eternity on them, and a commitment for eternal things will make people take what the rest of this world values so much and hurl it with abandon into eternity. It’s in that context that Paul said God loves the “hilarious giver”.
I’m sure you can find many other scriptures to make your case. I just happen to believe this is not one of them.
Quote Ken C(It does not mean that there is some sort of “christian karma”, that if you smoke, a smokestack will grow out of your kids head.)Close Quote Ken C.
It is allright to disagree Ken, and no need to be sorry:) But the example you give is really a very bad one indeed; for we each reap what WE sow only:) If a person sows evil then that person will indeed reap evil, if a person sows good works, then that person will reap good works: I have seen this in operation for more than 40yrs. now, and in abundance I must add. Truely it does cover giving, I can not disagree with that; yet, it also covers everything else, also; but only personally and not generationally. Also, you must remember that anyone that is not covered by the Blood of Christ is still subject fully to the Law, and Father WILL hold them accountable to this according to His Word. Thanks for your feedback and this is my last comment on this, for I will not take up any more of Don’s space for this discussion:) All that I ask is for you to just watch and ask Father to show you these things, and I am sure that He will do so, just as He has shown me:) God Bless you and yours, and may He show you Great and Wonderous things that you do not know in the Name of Jesus of Nazareth, Amen!
In an earlier post replying to Eduardo, I used the term dishonest to describe those who use Abraham as an example for tithing on their income today. I apologize to anyone I may have insulted as I did NOT mean to say those individuals are liars. I meant that using Abraham as an example is not showing a fair comparison.
I hereby retract my statement describing anyone on this blog as being dishonest. Maybe I should have said they are misinformed. The topic of tithing and giving is my whole ministry and I fight hard to spread the truth. There are many Biblical topics which reveal my ignorance. No one knows it all.
stephen hawking said recently in his article that ‘god did not create the universe” u can find it on rapture ready.
This is what Hawking said in a article that I just read on fox news and Drudge.
The genius also said this
The laws of science created the universe and can be called God??
What a maroon!
But let’s not go much further down the rabbit trail of the world class fools here.
Dave, I’m sorry, I was prepared to let you have the last word on this subject, but the more I read your last comment the more I took umbrage at your insinuations that somehow God has hidden truths from me that you are so gloriously aware of.
You said, “All that I ask is for you to just watch and ask Father to show you these things, and I am sure that He will do so, just as He has shown me…and may He show you Great and Wonderous things that you do not know in the Name of Jesus of Nazareth…”, are you aware of how sanctimonious this sounds? The beginning of your post was rather innocuous, but this final part I’m afraid I cannot let that stand.
In fact the more I think about your last post I’m not even sure it makes practical sense. I’m sure I could do a quick google search and find numerous articles of those that have sown evil and reaped good (politicians come quickly to mind). We all know, I’m sure, of others that have it work the other way around as well. (like volunteers at cancer centers that end up with cancer themselves).
Martin Luther once said, “…God does not accept the person on account of his works, but He accepts the works on account of the (believing) person. He first accepts the person who believes in Him and then the works flowing from faith. The former, (the work-righteous), finally regard themselves no longer as sinners; the latter, (the believers), always acknowledge themselves to be sinners.” My question to you is, in which camp do you reside. No need to answer, except to your self.
I was just commenting to my wife the other night that I’ve made alot of mistakes in my life, done things I ought not to have done, yet God has still blessed me, while I see others who maybe on the exterior seem to be a better person than I, receive what seems like punishment from God. Why is that? May I be so bold to say that any person being honest with themselves wouldn’t say the same things upon introspection.
I’ve read and re-read your comments numerous times so as not to respond out of anything other than serious thought. I hope I have. I’m sorry if it seems like I’m attacking you, but I feel very strongly about this. I grew up surrounded by “christians” that quoted, “…by their fruit ye shall know them”, and then designated themselves fruit inspectors.
I leave you with this last thought from Paul to the Romans, “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Christians are not perfect, we’re just forgiven.
Deuteronomy 22:28-29
“If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, he shall pay the girl’s father fifty
shekels of silver. He must marry the girl, for he has violated her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives.”
Not following this scripture is a clear violation of God’s perfect justice. How can we get our politicians to write this into US law?
You can’t get this written into US law. Also, it is not a misapplication of scripture. People simply are not following the law.
I agree. We also have the problem of too many people dishonoring the Sabbath by working. America started down the path we’re on by not punishing such evil. As Christians, it is our duty to put Sabbath breakers to death. I pray that come November, we will have enough God-fearing men in Congress who have the courage to enforce His Law.
If you believe that Christians should put Sabbath breakers to death you are not a Christian at all and don’t expect to get anything else posted here.
But how can we ignore what is written in Exodus 31:15?
“For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death.”
Or how God commanded the death of the Sabbath breaker in Numbers 15?
“32 While the Israelites were in the desert, a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day. 33Those who found him gathering wood brought him to Moses and Aaron and the whole assembly, 34and they kept him in custody, because it was not clear what should be done to him. 35Then the LORD said to Moses, “The man must die. The whole assembly must stone him outside the camp.” 36So the assembly took him outside the camp and stoned him to death, as the LORD commanded Moses.”
Jim,
Christians are under the NEW Testament. ONLY that from the Old Testament which is repeated in the New Testament is applicable to the born-again believer.
Okay Jim, since you ask… Christ fulfilled all the requirements of the the Law and all in Him fulfill the law by keeping the law of faith Ro 3 27-28. We are not under the Old Covenant but even under the Old Covenant it was only a requirement for Israel to keep the law. There never was a requirement for Gentile nations to obey the Law that Israel make a covenant with God to keep, because other nations were not chosen to be a sinless nation of priests, as Israel was.
I see. Just a couple more questions. Why would God create the entire Earth, then only require a select group of people on that Earth to keep his law? Could it be that those people, who had a primitive understanding of how the world worked, created a god to fill in the gaps in their understanding, and as a bonus, decided they were that god’s “chosen people?”
And why would an all-powerful, all-knowing God come up with such a law/covenant if he knew that later on he would send his Son down to supersede it?
I don’t really expect answers to these questions, because it’s now pretty obvious that I don’t believe any of this and by raising any challenges to what you believe, I’m in violation of your rigidly autocratic comment policy, but I’m happy to keep playing if you are.
Jim,
It was pretty obvious to me what you were trying to do but sometimes I allow comments so others will be educated. Now you made it quite obvious what kind of a person you really are with your smug comments, but don’t think what you said cannot be answered.
God created the earth and choose a selected nation to keep His law because His Son would come into the world from that nation and fulfill His law. The risen Jesus is all the proof man needs that the Jewish God is God.
His son did not supersede the law He fulfilled it. God sent His Son so fallen man can be saved from going the way of Satan into the Lake of Fire. Not that you really care that this is where all your satanic smugness will take you.
My commenting policy is for a purpose that Internet tolls, mean-spirited people, and those that always want to change post topics to there own crusade will never understand and that is why your last comment will be your last comment.
Gary, thank you for having grace in your words, in private and in public. It is admirable that you have taken as your mission in life to defend the truths concerning giving and tithes. I would like to have such devotion to the word of God and His church.
The OT is full of good and bad examples for us, the church, to learn and follow. As it is written in:
1Co 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
And:
Jas 5:10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
We are motivated to read the OT and to take example.
About Gen 14, the narrative of Abraham giving the tithes to Melchizedek, I may ask: are there any good examples to follow?
Abraham’s love to Lot. His faith in striking a bigger confederate force. Abraham giving honor to Jehova, the Most High. And his integrity in giving back the spoils and the people to the King of Sodom.
About the tithe, it was a custom in those days to give the tenth of the spoils to the king or priest. He followed that custom. That is a good example to follow whether he did it worshiping God or by obligation to the law of the land.
About his motives, we may not know, but we may make an approximation to the patriarch’s situation. He just came victorious from battle, with his loved Lot, and received the good greetings and blessings from Melchizedek. The blessing goes like this:
Gen 14:19-20 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: (20) And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
The blessing is because God gave him victory. And Abraham gave him the tithe. He gave him the tithe after the blessing. By the natural lecture of the text we may connect both actions. So in my opinion, if Abraham did not do it as an act of worship, he most surely did it as an act of honor to Melchizedek (that is, recognizing his priesthood), and not as a mere formalism, or worse, with a bad attitude (because he “had” to).
I can follow Abraham’s tithe example because I can tithe to my King and High Priest, Jesus Christ. That is, as an act of honor towards Him, who is my owner and who gives me victory. It is an act of honor. And when we honor God, it is almost always and act of worship.
This is what I can read and interpret.
In all this discussion I have learned to be more generous to God and to be ware of any legalistic inclinations in my heart. And also, that I have to learn a lot in what the word of God says about giving.
Eduardo,
I admire your desire to please and honor God.
The example we can follow from Abraham is that of having faith. Jesus paid the total price for everything. We can’t do anything to earn salvation or favor from God.
In the Old Testament, God tells us how we give to Him. The Levitical tithe, aka The Lord’s Tithe, belonged to God. He said it did. That is the ONLY tithe that God said was “the Lord’s.” Another way to give to God in the Old Testament was through offerings – burnt offerings as well as others.
As Christians, HOW do we give to God? God wants 100% of us. We can’t honor God with our money. Everything changed at Calvary.
We have a completely different and much better relationship with God than Abraham had. It calls for a totally different way of life — led by the Spirit and tailored to each person uniquely and individually. Consider the differences between a believer in Jesus Christ and Abraham:
Abraham had not been redeemed by the blood of Jesus.
Abraham’s sins were not remitted (totally forgiven and washed away) they were only temporarily covered and overlooked.
Abraham had not been baptized into Christ by the Holy Spirit.
Abraham was not in an actual spiritual union with God.
Abraham had not been born again and spiritually re-created with God’s own divine nature in him.
Abraham could not say, “It is Christ that lives in me.”
Abraham was not the temple of God. God did not dwell in him.
Abraham did not have access to all authority in heaven and earth through the name of Jesus.
And the list goes on and on.
The ONLY way the New Testament says we can give to God is when we give to the needy or poor. There is no other way to give money to God.
We can honor God only by our love for Him and His children.
It is my opinion and belief that giving money to a church is a moral obligation; paying for services we receive. It is giving to man, for man’s benefit and comfort – a building, utilites, etc. and salaries for man.
Gary,
We are free in the Lord to do anything we want for our King. He is the ruler of our life and we are free from sin to do what is good. We are free from the law to do whatever pleases Him. For example, I can give Him my life, my time, my service, my words, my thinking, my strength, my meditation, my songs, my feelings, my worship…my money. After all, nothing is ours but His, and we are only giving back what He gave us in first place.
With this in mind, why can’t I give Him part of my money?
The NT does not say we can’t. It is not a sin to give a tenth. It is a requirement in the law for Israel, but the NT does not prohibit such practice for the church. It does not say “do not tithe to your church.” So I can do it if I want to. It is not a sin. It is about the motives. If I propose in my heart to give Him a tenth of my income, He understands what I mean and I personally do not have anything in my mind and conscience against it, so I do it with joy, in the freedom we have in the Lord to please Him. In my case, it is an exercise of gratitude and contentment. It is an exercise of lordship—He being the Lord over me. I can give Him my car, “Lord, my car is yours”, and use it to serve Him. I am free to do that. It is an exercise of worship. “Lord, I will serve you with my money” and I give money to the church. The church uses it in the Lord’s name for the poor and for the work of the Lord. But I am giving it to Him. I can do it for Him just as I can give everything I am or have or can do to Him.
Eduardo,
These will be my final comments on this topic.
There is NO WAY for Christians to give God money. In the Old Testament, God said the tithe belonged to Him, but there was no way to take the tithe directly to God. But God gave directions on HOW to give the tithe to Him – by taking the tithe to the Levites.
God did not give Christians any instructions on HOW to give to Him other than Jesus saying when you help the poor or needy, you are helping Him.
The is NO scripture to show that giving to the church is giving to God. As I have pointed out, Paul taught that the teacher/preacher has a right to be paid. There is nothing in the scriptures about paying for buildings, etc. That is all for man. Man wants to be in a building with heat and/or cooling. Man wants to sit down. Man wants the P.A. system. etc. etc. Very little of what the average church collects goes to the poor.
You are free to give what ever you want to whom ever you want. If you want to give 10%, or 20%, or any other amount to your church, that is fine. But you can’t show me in the scriptures where that is giving to God. You can call it whatever you want. If you can’t back it up with scripture, I don’t buy it.
It doesn’t matter what I think. It doesn’t matter what you think. God’s Word matters, and we can’t change it to make it fit what we want it to say and then claim it is God’s Word. Show me scripture to show that when you give to the church you are giving to God. I say you are giving to man, not God. Just because you say you are giving it to God doesn’t mean God accepts it as so.
It is the lies many of us hear in church that have confused so many of us. Church leaders have changed definitions and principles to fit their own pocketbooks and people have fallen for it. Very, very sad.
My final words to you, Eduardo. God knows you heart. Be Spirit led in whatever you do and you will be blessed. Pray and seek the truth. God loves a cheerful giver whether that be $1 or 10% of your income or any other amount. Do as your heart directs, but keep seeking God’s truth my good brother.
I think the key is that whatever a Christian does should be done in faith. All works of the Sprit are done unto God.
Thank you Don and Gary for all the discussion. I have a better view of what the Word of God says concerning tithing and giving to God. God bless.
Don i get your facts but am confused ,was paul in Gal2 Referring to which law? Is the 10commandment or those 200 something laws of moses?
There are 613 laws if I recall correctly. The answer is that Paul was referring to all of it. We cannot be saved from our sins that separate us from God by trying to keep the law. Jesus did it for us. Now we are to believe in Jesus, God’s own righteousness who saves us from our sins and establishes us in Christ as children of God. We who believe will receive the Holy Spirit and if we are receptive He will teach us how to carry out the spirit of the law. The spirit of all the law was summed up for us by Jesus as loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself.