Will a Man Rob God?

Note: I acknowledge that there is no suppose private interpretation of the bible scripture (II Peter 1:20) hence, I subject this writing to other spirit. Should you find my writing to be totally wrong, I would then appreciate if you could correct me and or rebuke me (II Timothy 3:16). Let's reason together (Isaiah 1:18) so as to bring the matter into the light, I can be reach at sherwincablao@gmail.com. But, should my writing make sense to you, then tithing should be stop in teaching and in practice as it is a sin in fact, its a blunt disrespect to God's very nature as being alive, absolute and is considered adding to His word. On top of that, you are like being scammed into believing that you are robbing God, when in fact, you are the one that is being robbed moreover, you are cluelessly sinning.

“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the LORD of hosts; “And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the LORD of hosts.” Malachi 3:8-12 NKJV

In the book of Malachi, Yes, as the verse itself imply, Israel did rob God. For whatever reason they withheld their tithes and offering and so the levites was force to work in the field (Nehemiah 13:10). But, who were the ones and ordained by God to collect and or receive the tithes during that time? Were they not the levites? No one can go directly to the storehouse without the tithing and offering being received by the levites, actually the 10% of the 10% given by the people of Israel, was the one that goes to the storehouse (see Nehemiah 10:38), this was the Lord's portion (see Numbers 18:26-29), the levites has to select the best and holiest part of everything given to them as it was the Lord's portion and it was to be given to Aaron the priest. One of the reason perhaps why God requires tithe from the people of Israel was to fulfil their forefather (Jacob) promised to give a tenth of what God will give him, which was the Land of Canaan (see Genesis 28:22). Notice that, since in (Nehemiah 13:10) to which it was mentioned that the people were not giving the levites their portion hence, returning to the field to work, it would follow that the levites had also nothing to give to the priest - the Lord's portion, Jacob's promised, tithe of the tithe of what the levites receive. Hence, God said "Will a man robbed God? Yet, You have robbed me", this was also the tithe that God was referring to when He asked to bring it to the storehouse to which, levites were the one instructed to bring it to the storehouse ("....and the levites shall bring up a tenth of the tithes to the house of our God, to the rooms of the storehouse..."Nehemiah 10:38).

Today, I understand that for us Christians, the storehouse refer to the local church where we attend to, to which by the way, the temple and the storehouse in it was destroyed by Jesus Christ and, was rebuilt in 3 days when He was resurrected. But this time, the temple instead of building, it became us - the body of Christ (Romans 12:5). Moreover, every believer became a priest (1 Peter 2:9) and like the levitical priest to whom was the only one allowed to receive offering from the people and, to whom was the only one allowed to present the offering before the Lord to ask for forgiveness, every believer in Christ is not exempted hence, no one can go directly to God the father for forgiveness and for basically all without bringing and believing the name of Jesus Christ. As a priest in Christ, the offering to God that we need to bring for us to be forgiven is none other but Jesus Christ. The big difference now, since we became the temple and the priest, we can basically ask forgiveness, pray, worship anywhere, everywhere and anytime as long as we do it carrying and believing the name of Jesus Christ no other else. Water babtism as a symbol of repentance and acceptance is the first step only (See Acts 8:36). Unlike before where there was an instance where the offering was not accepted, now Jesus Christ is a fixed, pure, undefiled offering that will always be acceptable since He is one with God, it will be the one who bring Christ- the priest/the Christian believer that may not be acceptable but never the name of Jesus Christ. On top of all this, it's free, this was freely given hence, it should be freely shared. This is the gospel- the good news. Clearly now, church is not literally a building, church comes from the greek word "ekklesia" which means an assembly, in Christianity it's an assembly of people who believe in Christ. Nonetheless, say I agree that the storehouse refer to the local church (an assembly of people who believe in Christ), someone still has to receive it from that assembly of people. The question here is, is the one who ask or receive biblical tithe biblically eligible or was at least authorised to receive the tithe that is holy to God?

In the new covenant it says;

"Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.” Hebrews 7:11-13 NKJV

Here, it is evident that the levitical priesthood was changed to Christ Himself and so, the levites rights as ordained by God to collect the biblical tithes and offerings was taken out from them, for this reason we Christian are not doing burnt offering, heave offering or whatever it was the levitical priest was obligated to do, this we acknowledge but, for whatever reason preacher/teachers retain the tithes to which was also received by levites only moreover, in practice its no way close how Israelites did it yet, they quote biblical verses regarding tithes to validate the claim that tithing is necessary today. See link: Annulling of the Former Commandment. By right levitical priesthood are no more and even if they still exist and still assume their priestly minister, receiving or collecting biblical tithes and offering should already be invalid and or forbidden as we christian should believe and acknowledge. The preacher should already stop the claim that they are spiritually levites hence, they have the right to receive the biblical tithes because, the levites to whom they claim to be spiritually affiliated has been resigned and replaced by Jesus Christ Himself. Surely, no Christian man would say that he is Christ, hence he can receive the tithes.

Now, I knew that the common defence for christian who believe that tithing is still valid inspite of them being aware that levitical priesthood was replace by Jesus Himself is that, tithing pre-dates the law. Abraham tithed, since we are seed of Abraham we too ought to tithe. While it's true that Abrham tithed, it is important to consider to whom did he tithed? Did he just simply tithed to any priest in his time? Nope, it was recorded in the bible that he tithed only and one time to Melchizedek - a high priest with no beginning, no end, immortal. Abraham did not even tithed on his income rather on the spoil of war and after he tithed to Melchizedek, he returned all the remaining spoils to the King of Sodom, leaving him nothing.

“But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’" Genesis 14:22-23 NKJV.

If you are in the shoes of Abraham and you know that the high priest in front of you is a being without father, without mother, without geneology, having neither  beginning of days nor end of life, may in fact an epiphany of God, would you not authomatically - without anyone prompting, honor Him with what you have? Of course you would. Take note, everybody living at that time witnessed who was Melchizedek because the bible say ....they are received by one of whom it is testified that he lives (perpetually) Hebrews 7:8. Now, since tithing pre-dates the law, in todays time, do you know anyone (a priest, leader, pastor or even a pope) who is in the like of Melchizedek - an immortal being, that is worthy of this honor and worthy to receive a tenth of everything that humans posses?

“For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.” Hebrews 7:1-3 NKJV

Because as per the bible, before the mosaic law it was recorded to be received only by Melchizedek - a priest who was witness to be immortal. Obviously, in todays time, everybody dies hence, no one ever is qualified to receive it nor even claim the rights to collect it. Besides, since Melchizedek is immortal, it would mean that this very instant, in fact in eternity He lives not in the name of Melchizedek but in the name of Jesus Christ. Everything begins or started from God, the angel, devil, man, nature, earth etc. but no one knows for sure where God came from, hence no beginning. Believing that, God, Jesus Christ and Melchizedek are 3 different being and all have a nature of "no beginning" would put them in an equal position which would confute or contradict our God's very nature that He alone is above ALL hence, no equal moreover, He lives forever. If anyone grasp the idea of Him being alive, the rights to collect what is for Him is still His right, He is and will not die after all nor, He gave any permission for any mortal to collect it in behalf of Him in the new covenant.

Others would say that, if tithing is practiced in the higher order (Melchizedek) of priesthood, when there was no clear commandment about tithing then - shouldn't it be practiced in the "better" covenant where Christ is our High Priest because it was practiced in the dispensation of Law (inferior)? This logic works if Melchizedek is an ordinary priest (a mortal priest) but He is not, however we force it to be applicable in today's time, the simple truth is no mortal will be qualified to receive it because there is ONLY ONE who is in the like of Melchizedek and that is Christ and He is ALIVE. In the bible to date, there is no instruction from Jesus Christ that, what is for Him is to be receive or collected by us mortals. Besides, when a law is change or updated to a better one, it doesn't necessarily mean that the contents of the old law, in this case tithing should be in the better law since it was in the old law. Sometimes, for there to be a better law, an amendment, a change or removal of unimportant law or commandment is necessary to make the new law better. In Hebrew 7:18, the commandment of tithing was even considered weak and unprofitable, this is why, Pharisees thought that they were pleasing God when they gave their tithes. They thought they were righteous enough because they gave their tithes and offering not realising that it's not as important as justice, mercy and faith. Even the levites themselves became corrupted because of these ordinance of offering and tithes and causes many to stumble at the law (Malachi 2:8). Jesus Himself treated tithing to be the lesser or unimportant part of the law 

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.” Matthew 23:23 NIV 

He considers justice and mercy and faith more important than tithing (not of money). Although He still asked to practice tithing, it's only because, He was at that time still on earth and while He was on earth He would not be priest hence, the levitical priest still needed to function and so, their tithe to which, it's their inheritance still needed to be given (Hebrews 8:4). When His mission was finished on earth and His priesthood ministry has been officiated, the better covenant was introduced and tithing was change or shall I say updated to giving to the poor, hungry, thirsty, in prison, stranger (Matthew 25:42-45) regardless of how many percentage as long as able, cheerful and willing - an act due to overwhelming grace within the heart. This is way better than tithing, it removes the measurement. One can give less yet pleasing to God and, one can give more but does not please God or vice versa, it will all depend on the purpose of the heart. This is much more higher than the law of tithing. In the new covenant, this is God's portion, if we wish to give to Him, if we really wish to please Him, read Matthew 25:42-45 is the answer. In the book of acts, saints did this one not tithing, whatever has been collected when they sold their property, they divided them among all, as anyone had need. Obviously, this is not tithing but giving and sharing most especially those in need otherwise, when saints sold their property, they would had just gave a tenth of their profit.

“Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.” Acts 2:44-45 NKJV

“that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.” Acts 4:34-35 NIV

I'm not saying that we ought not to honour our leaders especially if they really are worthy. They are worthy of double honour after all (1 Timothy 5:17-18) but not through tithing but giving according to the purpose of the heart. The STRICT biblical principle of tithing connotate obligation to the giver and the right to receive by the preacher. This is why preachers are so bold to ask the congregation to give their tithes because, it's their portion allotted by God in return for their spiritual service as patterned during the levitical priesthood ministry. Paul himself said that, though they have the right to receive something from their followers as God ordained, they did not practice that right because it might hinder the gospel of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:8-18). They are suppose or they should be our model Christian, since they did not claim that right, who are we to claim it? But, should we wish to give to our leaders or preachers, give according to the heart cheerfully, willingly not grudgingly. This is what Apostle Paul was implying, giving not tithing.

I also understand that in 1 Peter 2:9, we are royal priesthood, within this royalty of priesthood there can be apostles, prophets, deacons, bishop, and an ordinary christian, nonetheless, all of us whether we are a leg or a neck in the body of Christ are all part of royal priesthood. Its like being in a royal family, regardless of who they are, father or mother, son or daughter, they are all part of a royal family. And, don't you know that the levitical priest regardless whether one is a high priest and the other is just a priest, as long as they are in the line of Aaron they don't tithe? The levites (the ones that were not priest) to whom were not from the lineage of Aaron receive tithes from the people of Israel and a tenth of it was given to the Aaronic priesthood as the Lord's portion, it was never commanded in the bible that Aaronic priesthood was to give tithe also. If they did, do you have any verse to support the claim?

“Speak to the Levites and say to them: ‘When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I give you as your inheritance, you must present a tenth of that tithe as the Lord’s offering. Your offering will be reckoned to you as grain from the threshing floor or juice from the winepress. In this way you also will present an offering to the Lord from all the tithes you receive from the Israelites. From these tithes you must give the Lord’s portion to Aaron the priest. You must present as the Lord’s portion the best and holiest part of everything given to you.’” Numbers 18:26-29 NIV

Since we all christian are royal priesthood in essence same as Aaronic priesthood (to which by the way was already replaced by Jesus Christ Himself in the new covenant), don't you think we ought not to give tithes also?

Nevertheless, Jesus is and will be the only priest (no other else) who is in the like of Melchizedek to which no beginning, no end, living eternally. Which means at this very moment, in the near future to come, in eternity in fact, He lives and will live forever. Hence, no man (unless you know someone) in this world who is in the same nature as Jesus Christ that should and is qualified to collect it in behalf of Him. Jesus did not ordained that tithes can or should be collected by pastor/preacher of the word in the new covenant, did He? Is there any verse in the new testament that can support this claim? "Matthew 23:23.....These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone." This verse is not included or any verse whereby Jesus was still on earth because as the bible say:

“For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law;” Hebrews 8:4 NKJV

Which means, levitical priesthood before His coming and while He was still on earth were still allowed to function. Hence, tithes and ceremonial offering which the levites can only receive and perform were still needed. Its like, the levites were still allowed to receive their salary (tithes) in return for their service as priest until to the point where, Jesus officially become the high priest replacing them.

So, whose robbing God now? Is it not considered thieving or robbing if that someone collected something that wasn't his/her right or were not even allowed to collect it? Also, lets not mix up our biblical terminology, biblical tithing is way different from giving, this two are not correlated. The 1st tithing in the bible was similar or like a salary or support to the levites in return for their service concerning the tabernacle and, a tenth of it was given to the Aaronic priest as the Lord's portion which is also claim by the preacher of the word as they say, they are in essence or spiritually levites. The fact that, the levitical priest was change to Jesus Christ and, the fact that we Christian are considered royal priesthood to which did not actually tithed in mosaic law and, the fact that Jesus will not be able to receive it physically even if we wish to give it, really speaks louder that it is not needed in today's time. But, it's not an excuse not to give in fact, if we call ourselves a Christian we ought to give, to whom? If we really wish to please God and wish that a curse will not come to us. The verses speak for itself:

“for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’” Matthew 25:42-45 NKJV“

He who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.” Proverbs 28:27 NKJV

“Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” Isaiah 58:7-11 NIV

Post Note:

"Christians didn't start teaching that God expected a (10%) tithe income until mid-1800s; there are no sermons on tithing before then. Tithing became a fundraising technique after the American government stopped supporting churches with tax money, beginning in 1830s. In bible times Christians gave giving, not tithes. Paul said “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV" - Stephen M. Miller - Award winning, bestselling Christian Author

The Choice is yours. Follow tradition, or follow the Word of God? 

See Link for Related Topic:

The Three Side of a Coin
The Sin of Tithing Today
Is God Absolute, Unchangeable To You?