The truth about the tithe

Copyright 2006 Rod Rogers I don’t believe that the new covenant believer is commanded anywhere in the Bible to give ten percent of his income to God. If, having read this article, you still believe the Bible specifically commands us to tithe, then you should practice and teach it. God will bless you and your church as result. However, I invite you to consider the following summary of the biblical teaching on tithing. Tithing In the Old Testament Before the establishment of the Mosaic law there are only two examples of the giving of a tenth. Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth of the spoils he won in battle (Gen. 14:18-20; Heb. 7:4) and Jacob vowed to a give God a tenth of all he owned if God would protect him from his angry brother (Gen. 28:22). While these examples of tithing are commendable, the Scriptures do not command us to follow them, nor should they be considered as establishing obligatory standards of giving for today. Dr. Charles Ryrie, with his trademark logical clarity, explains: "The fact that something was done before the law which was later incorporated into the law does not necessarily make that thing a good example for today, especially if the New Testament gives further guidance on the matter. Not even the most ardent tither would say that the Sabbath should be observed today because it was observed before the law (Exodus 16:23-36), yet this is the very reasoning used in promoting tithing today. The New Testament teaches us about a new day of worship, and it also gives us new directions for giving."1 When the Mosaic law was instituted, Israel was commanded to give three different tithes averaging twenty to twenty-three percent per year.2 Levitical Tithe: The first was a Levitical tithe in which ten percent of everything earned or grown was required to support the Levites and priests as they served in the tabernacle. "And to the sons of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they perform, the service of the tent of meeting (Num. 18:21)." This tithe was necessary because the Levites could not earn their own livelihood and work in the tabernacle at the same time. It was used to support the national priestly program.3 Festival Tithe: The second annual tithe required was a festival tithe in which ten percent of the remaining nine-tenths of one’s income was to be set apart and eaten at the yearly religious festivals in Jerusalem. "You shall surely tithe all the produce from what you sow, which comes out of the field every year. And you shall eat in the presence of the LORD your God, at the place where He chooses to establish His name, the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the first-born of your herd and your flock, in order that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always (Deut. 14:22-23)." This tithe was used to fund the national religious program.4 Welfare Tithe: The third tithe the law demanded was a welfare tithe in which, every third year, the second tithe, the festival tithe, was not taken to Jerusalem, but was kept at home to feed the Levites and the poor. This tithe was used to fund the national welfare program. "At the end of every third year you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in that year, and shall deposit it in your town. The Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance among you, and the alien, the orphan and the widow who are in your town shall come and eat and be satisfied, in order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do (Deut. 14:28, 29)." Some scholars think this poor tithe was actually a third tithe required every three years. If so, it would average three and one-third percent per year and the average annual tithe required from an Israelite would be close to twenty-three percent each year! At the very least the yearly tithing requirement was two tithes amounting to twenty percent.5 In light of this, if someone wishes to argue for a percentage based on the Old Testament tithing laws, to be consistent he must not press for giving a mere ten percent, but for twenty to twenty-three percent.6 When I taught this to my congregation I always assured them that while we believed their interpretation was faulty, if they insisted on giving according to the Mosaic law of tithing they must give not ten, but at least twenty percent—and we would be happy to receive it! Tithing in the New Testament When studying the concept of tithing in the New Testament you discover that the word is used only eight times, in the gospels and in the letter to the Hebrews. In the gospels it is used in connection with the tithing of the Pharisees who were fulfilling their obligation to the old covenant, codified in the Mosaic law, which had not yet been abrogated by the death of Christ (Matt. 23:23, Lk. 11:42; 18:12). In the book of Hebrews tithing is mentioned in the discussion about Abraham's having paid tithes to Melchizedek (Heb. 7:5-9). It is significant that nowhere in the New Testament is the new covenant believer commanded to tithe. As a matter of fact, there is no text in all of Scripture that commands God’s people to give a mere ten percent to God! Tithing in Your Church In light of what I’ve just written, you will probably be surprised to learn that I still believe in using the giving of a tithe as a guideline in leading God’s people into faithful stewardship. When preaching on stewardship in my church I taught that, while the giving of a tithe is not a biblical command, it is a helpful guideline to use in planning our giving. I showed them what the New Testament had to say about generous, sacrificial, and proportionate giving. I then told my people, "I’m convinced that American Christians are so prosperous that if we don’t start by giving a minimum of ten percent of our income to the Lord, we can’t possibly be fulfilling New Testament principles of giving." It made sense to them. Their giving soared, their personal finances improved, their faith grew, their joy expanded, and our offerings increased by 32% in one year! Could you use a 32% increase in your offerings next year? ________________ 1 Ryrie, Charles Caldwell. Balancing the Christian Life. Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1969. 2 Allis, Oswald T. God Spake By Moses. Nutley, NJ: The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1951, p. 143. 3 Orr, James., ed. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Vol. 5, s. v. “Tithe”. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1939, p. 2987. 4 Unger, Merrill F. “Tithe.” Unger’s Bible Dictionary. Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1957, p. 1103. 5 Allis, Ibid., p. 143; Friesen, Gary. Decision Making and the Will of God: A Biblical Alternative to the Traditional View. Portland, OR: Multnomah Press, 1980, p. 357; Orr, Ibid., p. 2988; Unger, Ibid. p. 1103; Ryrie, Ibid., p. 89. 6 MacArthur, John. Giving: God’s Way. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1978, pp. 63,64.

Evolutionary becoming

Evolution is the movement of energy toward a higher expression or manifestation of a higher complex structure. Energy is always kinetic, though it may appear at times to be static or potential; it is constantly in movement, ceaselessly forming and transforming its structure into something that it was not before. Thus, whatever appears as form, as an energy-structure, is always in a state of flux or becoming. This may not be apparent outwardly to the senses, but it is inherently so in the atomic and subatomic levels. This becoming may result in an improvement or degradation of what it was before. Nature always work along the lines of evolution, even if degradation or involution seems to be evident. This is the mystery of the principle of Shiva, the destroyer, working to break things down so that a new cycle of growth may be implemented by Brahma, or the creative principle. Vishnu is the stabilizer principle. This principle maintains the creative expression until its purpose or mission has been attained or fulfilled, it then devolves its work to the Shivaic principle of destruction. The Shivaic principle is catabolic while the Brahmic principle is anabolic. The process may be illustrated thus: Brahma (Creation Being (The Absolute) -->Motion -->Change or Becoming-->Vishnu (Preservation)-->Evolution Shiva (Destruction) Evolution may be considered from the physical or metaphysical aspect. In occult circles, it is often customary to consider man's growth from the metaphysical or spiritual standpoint. Man as a microcosm possesses various components in his holistic being, and each component or aspect is constantly being transmuted to a higher or lower expression--to a more refined or coarse state, to a higher or a lower vibration, to a more sublime or degraded condition. Above we said that Nature always work along the lines of evolution even if degradation seems apparent. This also applies to human beings. We may sometimes cause ourselves to temporarily retrograde by being periodically despondent, depressed and negative; however, this should be a period of introspection in order to build a new condition of value, to reinforce our spiritual connection with our Source; still, the problem is that some would sustain this state of retrogression, the status quo, and not bounce back to a balanced condition, or to be centered in one's spiritual nature. This is opposing the natural evolutionary current. Those that cooperate with Nature will evolve much more quickly than those who oppose her. It is like swimming against the current. How do we cooperate with Nature? By first knowing and understanding her laws and how they may be implemented; by being aware of her forces and how they may be harnessed and applied creatively; by knowing how to align oneself with the higher purpose of being. All of the kingdoms of nature with the "exceptions" of the kingdom of human beings and the other higher kingdoms have external agencies and Intelligences directing their evolutionary growth. Animals, for instance, do not have conscious control over their soul-growth, they are dependent upon the creative Intelligence called "group-spirits" in the direction of their evolution and the tending after their welfare. In spiritual parlance we call these group-spirits, "angels." That angels are behind the innate intelligence of animals may possibly be ridiculed by orthodox science, however, from metaphysical investigations this is indeed a fact. It often surprises us, even to non-animal lovers, of the intelligence and creativity displayed by God's creatures. That animals are controlled, directed, taught, or inspired by angelic agencies may explain the phenomenon of the "100th Monkey Syndrome." It has been observed that even though a creature be separated by miles of water from members of its species, when it learns something new this new information is somehow relayed to these other members living elsewhere. This could be explained by animal telepathy, however, the angelic guardian theory is equally valid. Unlike animals and the nature spirits, or the creatures of the etheric and astral realms, human beings may well personally participate and cooperate with Nature in accelerating their evolutionary growth should they desire to do so. In fact personal participation is advisable because even though we actually live in an eternal, timeless state, and "lots of time" to evolve, there is a cosmic timetable that we should deeply consider. This can be compared to the situation that we have in our educational system. We can progress from level to level according to the educational plan and ultimately fit ourselves in society, or we can stay back year after year at the same level without any personal development or the desire to progress. In the latter situation we cause our growth to be stagnated; on the other hand, if we work hard enough, we would progress and mature in concordance with the system. The above illustration applies to our present world situation. We are spiritually at the brink of the closing of a certain cosmic timetable--a certain planetary and solar cycle. If we do not accelerate our consciousness, uplift our spirits, raise our vibrations and frequency, express our divinity, evolve the components constituting our microcosmic being, and liberate ourselves from the entrapment of matter, then we may find ourselves ousted from the progressive wave of humanity and directed to stay in a cosmic situation that would probably cause some psychological torture. Concisely, we become spiritual laggards if we do not evolve with our spiritual group. In the closing cycle, if we spiritually progress we enter into the "Kingdom of the Gods." If we lag behind in consciousness and spirituality, we would not follow the progressive ones but maintain our pathetic condition in the Kingdom of Human Beings, and perhaps not on this planet. The spiritual harvest mentioned in Holy Writ will indeed take place. In the Scriptures we are told that there would be a separation between goats and sheep, between wheat and weeds. Scientifically, there would be a radical "natural selection" in the near-future based upon soul-frequency. Those vibrating at a frequency-range above the specified level would be "saved." Conversely, those vibrating below the specified level would not make the grade. Why are we on Earth, and why on earth are we here? Evolution is an eternal creative Cosmic law. It is a creative expression of Being--or at our level--truly being what we are. This applies to all entities or Intelligences of the omniverse. Evolution, therefore, is God's plan and purpose for us all. Flowing with the evolutionary current reveals more and more of what we are and our relationship with the Whole, with the One, with All That Is. This is the reason why man incarnated in the physical plane. Humanity is here to evolve their Divine Self-awareness, their rememberance of who they really are, and quicken their sense of oneness with the illusory, fragmentary parts of the Whole. Because of the resistance and inertia of matter, the physical plane offers a unique platform in assisting and quickening soul-growth. One would not evolve as quickly in the higher dimensions as one would in the physical realm, for in the higher dimensions time and space are non-existent, and astral substance is easily moldable by the mind and the will. In the higher realms there is no struggle or effort needed to exist and subsist, hence, not much unfoldment of divine qualities that would evolve the soul. It is different in the physical dimension. Here we must be active in supporting and maintaining life, in establishing ourselves in the world, in producing values that would improve mundane conditions, in manifesting heaven on earth. Such tasks unfold the many divine characteristics lying dormant or latent in our soul-being. Our spiritual task is not solely to free ourselves from karma or to liberate ourselves from the wheel of reincarnation, for at one time we were free from those two conditions and the ties of the lower worlds, and yet, we "fell" and descended into the physical world. Why was this done? What purpose did we have for doing this? The majority of human beings are lost in the waves and turmoil of life. They live aimless lives like automatons, or like those vegetating in a comatose state. Their actions are automatic and reactive with very little conscious direction. Thus they do not participate or are desireless in the acceleration of their personal evolution. They are dependent upon "authority" figures that promise "the easy way" for their personal well-being. They accept all input coming from these authorities without first screening them with the rational mind. Beliefs and dogmas are accepted over facts and truths. This is subconscious conditioning or brain-washing and it de-empowers an individual. It is rather difficult for a person under such a condition to be aware of what is actually occurring to him. When faced with the truth these individuals get overly-defensive and would do anything in their power to stifle truth by destroying its promulgators. These individuals become fanatics and are often a danger to themselves and to society. The subconscious mind seems to be a strong influence in most people. This subconscious preponderance, or the mind functioning in this particular mode whereby it is controlled by subconscious impulses is identified as "the bicameral mind" by Dr. Julian Jaynes in his book, "The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind." Spiritually, it is the conscious mind that has to be in control and the director of one's life and not be enslaved by negative subconscious urges. Our conscious mind must, however, be attuned with the superconsciousness in order to acquire guidance and give creative and productive directions to the lower mind. The bicameral mind, or the subconscious mind is a terrible master but an excellent servant. The function of the subconscious mind is to take directions and orders from the conscious mind and to carry-out tasks that Nature has programmed into it. If these directions are not given by the conscious mind, then the sub-consciousness will take its orders from external sources, whether these sources be subliminally or telepathically given by other human beings or astral agencies. By letting this occur we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, manipulated, and controlled. As a result we become dependent upon the authority figures in the field of religion, politics, education and many others for our spiritual and secular well-being. This is giving our power, energy and funds away to others. Metaphysics teaches us how to be a master of life and not to be mastered by others who are only seeking self-aggrandizement and self-glory. We can cite one instance in which propaganda in the field of medicine tells us that a substance or a product is beneficial to our health, however, in reality offers us no real value whatsoever. We believe in authority figures for they are supposed to be the "experts." The mind plays an important role in one's life. With our mind we produce thoughts that either enslave us to a state of inertia and retrogression or to a state of mortal freedom and spiritual progression. Occultly, the mind can either be the slayer of the Real or the liberator from the false. The former condition causes stagnation in our evolution whereas the latter releases us from the state of mortality and mediocrity. We are meant to be gods--Holy Scriptures have emphasized this again and again. This is where our evolution is heading. By being gods we enter the Kingdom of Heaven--this is where the gods dwell, however, this should be understood figuratively, for heaven and hell are not places but certain states of consciousness and awareness. Transforming ourselves into gods, or being perfect human beings are not mere idealistic dreams as some people would think. Many have reached this state and we can read about them in literature--in the so-called myths and legends of every culture. Only recently, relatively speaking, did knowledge concerning them spread all over the world in Occult, Theosophical and New Age literature. More and more people have come to realize the existence of these super-beings called Masters and Adepts, and our innate potential to attaining similar states. One could well be skeptical concerning the existence of the Masters but some careful thought would prove that these perfect human beings must exist. For instance, look around us. Do we not sometimes come across someone who is a little more noble, more pure, more wise, more loving than others? And on the other side of the coin, do we not also come across persons who are more vile, lowly, foolish, crude, and uncouth? If some appear more perfect than others, is it not possible that there are those who are even higher on the scale of perfection? In our minds it is unthinkable to deny that this is not so. What causes one person to be more perfect than another? Certainly it is related to the evolutionary process but why does Nature's evolutionary processes cause one person to far outstrip another? It is because some are not awakened as to their inner potential, or disbelief the truth of their divine being, and thus will not do anything to unfold it. Some people live as though they would physically live forever, this can be seen by the way they accumulate and pile up their earthly treasures without the awareness that nothing is permanent and that death as a rule is inevitable. Although it is known, we often forget that everything will be given up at the time of death and that we take nothing along with us but what we are and what we have spiritually become. People are often obsessed with the idea that they can own things or other people. This is a fallacy that not many individuals are able or willing to admit and look into. People seek to be rich, to be famous, to be popular, to be immortalized in history books and in the minds of men . . . and in such a frantic search or desire the true purpose of life is lost tracked of. To the writer's mind many of our concerns and preoccupations are irrational and out of skew or alignment with the evolutionary current. It is heart-breaking to see one's soul brother in the depth of the mire without their conscious realization and their rejection of one's offer for assistance. One's hand may be extended for assistance, but if there is no plea or call for help, or if the hand is not grasped, then nothing can be done except to standby and wait--sometimes to wait for many world cycles. The desire to progress must come from within although seeds may be planted in the prepared soil and nurtured daily hoping that the seed would sprout and see the light. When one is ready to make that quantum leap to a higher consciousness, to accelerate one's evolution, and desire to get better acquainted with one's essential nature, one would attract the attention of the spiritual guides of humanity. Some of these beings reside in the higher dimensions instead of the earth plane, but no matter where they are, the spiritual aspirant unconsciously sends a signal out to them and they respond by directing the aspirant to certain individuals, books, metaphysical organizations or schools. The aspirant is introduced to the basics of the spiritual path. The teachings that master guides have to impart constitute the direct path of soul-unfoldment. After evolving from beasthood, humanity is now lingering a little too long in its present consciousness level, or evolutionary state. The many problems of humanity may be traced to the stagnation of its present consciousness. The improvement of humanity and life as a whole is dependent upon the individual. We should first work upon our own unfoldment if we are to see beneficial permanent changes occurring in society. Manifesting a utopian civilization requires the improvement of the quality of human consciousness. This condition would improve one's genetic quality and metaphysically prevent the entry or embodiment of lower beings. Why? Because souls of a lower consciousness would have trouble running a complex physical organism. Metaphysics teaches the laws of spiritual-eugenics, and manifesting a spiritually-oriented, highly advanced technological race is one of its goals. When lower beings no longer have the ability to incarnate in the human race, then there would no longer be any inharmonious condition on earth. There would no longer be any conflicts and wars. Love, peace, goodwill, and the brotherhood of men would be established as a living reality on Earth. This is not to say that beings of a lower consciousness will not evolve further. They would but at their own pace and in another planetary platform. This is essentially their soul choice. Copyright © 2006 Luxamore