Simple Church Minute 43--Tithe (Part Two)

THIS IS AT A FAST PACE

43—Tithe—Part Two

My name is Tom; this is Simple Church Minute.

            Yesterday, I mentioned that the Old Covenant tithe was really 20 or 23 1/3 percent, and that what God did in the physical realm with God’s people in the Old Testament is an analogy to what He is doing in the spiritual realm in the New Covenant, AND at a great level of intensity, as this is a better covenant.

            Therefore, consider this.  The biblical tithe was never 10 percent of anyone’s money, and it isn’t 20 or 23 1/3 percent today.  We believers are all kings and priests, able to present petitions to God without an intermediary.  The priests were the ones to receive tithes, and supported them so they could make sacrifices to God.  Jesus, though, was the perfect sacrifice—we don’t have to do any butchering on altars, anymore.

            The book of Hebrews was written toward Jewish New Covenant believers to, among other things, clarify this.  Chapter 10 verse 24 says, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.”  Our tithe in not any longer giving some of our money, but giving all of our everything to loving and honoring Jesus.  The whole book of Hebrews ties this all together.  Why do churches teach 10% is required?  It comes out of land rental in Europe in the 8^th century, and somehow it got confused and made into secular law, and stuck with traditional churches even through the Reformation.  Also, it takes a lot to support all these buildings and all the people in occupational ministry, which in this case includes the janitor, the secretary, everyone on the payroll.  Many quote Malachi 3 verse 16, which says bring the tithe into the storehouse, but it isn’t being stored, it is supporting missionaries only a little.  In the current economic recession, if it had been stored, people, both believers and non-, could have been helped, but in many institutional churches, people have had to be laid off, mortgages renegotiated.  You, as a believer, are accountable to God for what you have done being used to God’s glory, be it time, talent, or money.

            You can email me at simplechurchminute@gmail.com.  For more info on organic church*, visit http://www.simplechurch.com/ or locally at (local website).

On the recording, at this time, it says, “house churches.”  While that phrasing is OK, to say “organic church” is better.  I comment on that in blip 94.