Comments on: Tithes & Offerings http://www.newcovenantgrace.com/tithes-offerings/ Boldly proclaiming GRACE to the nations!!! Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:24:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Past. Daniel F van Wyk http://www.newcovenantgrace.com/tithes-offerings/comment-page-1/#comment-21813 Past. Daniel F van Wyk Mon, 01 Aug 2011 10:55:15 +0000 http://www.newcovenantgrace.com/?p=560#comment-21813 It's all about Grace. It’s all about Grace.

]]> By: Renita http://www.newcovenantgrace.com/tithes-offerings/comment-page-1/#comment-13696 Renita Fri, 22 Apr 2011 19:00:54 +0000 http://www.newcovenantgrace.com/?p=560#comment-13696 It's so true that when we as human being are required to do something we instinctively rebel mentally as in the case of tithing. However, if we are told to give whatever amount willingly, we tend to give generously and with a cheerful heart. It’s so true that when we as human being are required to do something we instinctively rebel mentally as in the case of tithing. However, if we are told to give whatever amount willingly, we tend to give generously and with a cheerful heart.

]]> By: KENNY BEASLEY http://www.newcovenantgrace.com/tithes-offerings/comment-page-1/#comment-13468 KENNY BEASLEY Wed, 20 Apr 2011 06:18:47 +0000 http://www.newcovenantgrace.com/?p=560#comment-13468 Since tithes are a shadow but Christ is the reality, this means that tithe offering regulations have been completed in His earthly ministry. I heard a false minister telling people to offer to him the monetary value of a lamb for a sin offering to receive forgiveness of their sin. We know this is false because Jesus is the only sin offering that brings about our forgiveness. The sin offering is a shadow but Christ is the reality, this means that the sin offering regulations were completed in during the earthly ministry of Jesus. The Israelites were not allowed to pay monetarily as a tithe; however, under the old covenant law the people were required to pay tithes of the harvest of the produce and cattle grown in the land of promise. During the tithing ceremony at the end of every three years, the third year, the year of tithing, tithes were offered as a heave offering. A heave offering was an offering that had to be lifted up to God. We see how tithes are significantly shown to be a shadow of the sacrifice of Christ. The Gospel of Luke tells us that Jesus began His ministry about 30 years of age and in John it records three Passovers during the ministry of Jesus, attesting to us that Christ preached for three years. At the end of the three years of His ministry, in the third year was the year He offered Himself up. The Lord went to Jerusalem at the end of three years of ministry as our tithe as a heave (lifted up) offering in the third year of His ministry. He was lifted up (the heave offering of the tithe) from the earth on the cross. The shadow of the tithe shows us that the Levites were to be physically sustained by tithes and offerings that came from the land of promise. The reality is the sacrificial offering of Jesus, that has been given to us from God, is the only sacrificial gift that is capable of keeping us sustained and nourished. This sustenance and strength, we are given in Christ, results in our maturity. The land of promise produced the goods that was to ensure the physical survival of the Levites. The land of promise is a shadow of Jesus; Christ is the promise that the entire Old Testament pledged. God promised a redeemer starting in Genesis and Jesus is the guarantee of God's promise. Jesus is the authentic Promised Land of all Christians because in Him is produced everything we need for true and eternal life. This clearly shows that Jesus was the completion of the Old Testament tithe. As the priests in Malachi were robbing God of tithes and offerings and this was stealing from what was due to Him. Us not lifting up Jesus with the proper respect is the way that God is robbed of His due glory, because the modern false teaching concerning tithes and offerings is stealing from the glory of Christ's sacrifice that is given to us for sustenance and life. Tithes: The Modern Circumcision: The book of Genesis and the first half of Exodus records historical information that was before the old covenant law of Moses was instituted. These books are contained within the Old Testament and are of the five books of Moses, also known as the Torah or the Book of the Law. All of these scriptures are alluding to God’s plan of salvation even before He had created anything, and this is the meaning behind Jesus being called the Lamb that was slain before the foundation of the world. God knew we would be sinners and commit horrible acts against Him and against one another, but He had already determined beforehand that Jesus would come as the redeemer of us. These teachings about tithes turn the grace of God into greedy sensuality, because they twist it as a means to gain financial profit. Those who teach tithing are guilty of the same sin as the Judaizers in Galatians, because the false teaching concerning tithes of today is the same method that the Judaizers used concerning the false teaching about circumcision in the time of the New Testament. Let me show you the demonstration; the Judaizers in the New Testament were teaching the believers in Jesus that they had to be circumcised to be saved, but the Spirit condemned this boast of self-righteousness . Circumcision was a shadow of what God would do for us through Christ; it represented how the Spirit would cut away the hardened heart that we had against God and replace it with a heart wanting to do our Father’s will. The book of Galatians teaches that if you are circumcised as a way of acceptance before God, then you are obligated to keep the whole law. Galatians also warns that if you are circumcised for righteousness then you are severed from Christ and that you have fallen from God’s grace. Circumcision was also given to Abraham before the old covenant law of Moses was enacted, and it was the sign in their flesh of God‘s promised redemption. Circumcision was of such great consequence that God threatened to kill Moses, for he had not circumcised his two sons. This was already after God had ordained and was sending him to Egypt to free the Israelites from slavery, and this was in Exodus chapter 4 before the old covenant law of Moses was instituted. The seventh day (Sabbath) in Genesis 2 was also called a holy day by God before the old covenant law of Moses was ratified. The New Testament teaches us that the Sabbath was a shadow of how we are to rest in the work of Jesus that fashions the new creation that we are in Him. Genesis and the first part of Exodus presents information that was before the old covenant law of Moses was instituted, but both belong in the Torah (the book of the law) since they demonstrate that which could only be revealed about Jesus to us from the Holy Spirit. Those teaching tithing from Genesis are no different than the Judaizers that taught circumcision , Sabbath keeping, and tithing to New Covenant Christians during the time of the New Testament. 2Co 3:12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 2Co 3:13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 2Co 3:14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 2Co 3:15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 2Co 3:16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 2Co 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2Co 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. Since tithes are a shadow but Christ is the reality, this means that tithe offering regulations have been completed in His earthly ministry. I heard a false minister telling people to offer to him the monetary value of a lamb for a sin offering to receive forgiveness of their sin. We know this is false because Jesus is the only sin offering that brings about our forgiveness. The sin offering is a shadow but Christ is the reality, this means that the sin offering regulations were completed in during the earthly ministry of Jesus. The Israelites were not allowed to pay monetarily as a tithe; however, under the old covenant law the people were required to pay tithes of the harvest of the produce and cattle grown in the land of promise. During the tithing ceremony at the end of every three years, the third year, the year of tithing, tithes were offered as a heave offering. A heave offering was an offering that had to be lifted up to God. We see how tithes are significantly shown to be a shadow of the sacrifice of Christ. The Gospel of Luke tells us that Jesus began His ministry about 30 years of age and in John it records three Passovers during the ministry of Jesus, attesting to us that Christ preached for three years. At the end of the three years of His ministry, in the third year was the year He offered Himself up. The Lord went to Jerusalem at the end of three years of ministry as our tithe as a heave (lifted up) offering in the third year of His ministry. He was lifted up (the heave offering of the tithe) from the earth on the cross. The shadow of the tithe shows us that the Levites were to be physically sustained by tithes and offerings that came from the land of promise. The reality is the sacrificial offering of Jesus, that has been given to us from God, is the only sacrificial gift that is capable of keeping us sustained and nourished. This sustenance and strength, we are given in Christ, results in our maturity. The land of promise produced the goods that was to ensure the physical survival of the Levites. The land of promise is a shadow of Jesus; Christ is the promise that the entire Old Testament pledged. God promised a redeemer starting in Genesis and Jesus is the guarantee of God’s promise. Jesus is the authentic Promised Land of all Christians because in Him is produced everything we need for true and eternal life. This clearly shows that Jesus was the completion of the Old Testament tithe. As the priests in Malachi were robbing God of tithes and offerings and this was stealing from what was due to Him. Us not lifting up Jesus with the proper respect is the way that God is robbed of His due glory, because the modern false teaching concerning tithes and offerings is stealing from the glory of Christ’s sacrifice that is given to us for sustenance and life.
Tithes: The Modern Circumcision:
The book of Genesis and the first half of Exodus records historical information that was before the old covenant law of Moses was instituted. These books are contained within the Old Testament and are of the five books of Moses, also known as the Torah or the Book of the Law. All of these scriptures are alluding to God’s plan of salvation even before He had created anything, and this is the meaning behind Jesus being called the Lamb that was slain before the foundation of the world. God knew we would be sinners and commit horrible acts against Him and against one another, but He had already determined beforehand that Jesus would come as the redeemer of us. These teachings about tithes turn the grace of God into greedy sensuality, because they twist it as a means to gain financial profit. Those who teach tithing are guilty of the same sin as the Judaizers in Galatians, because the false teaching concerning tithes of today is the same method that the Judaizers used concerning the false teaching about circumcision in the time of the New Testament. Let me show you the demonstration; the Judaizers in the New Testament were teaching the believers in Jesus that they had to be circumcised to be saved, but the Spirit condemned this boast of self-righteousness . Circumcision was a shadow of what God would do for us through Christ; it represented how the Spirit would cut away the hardened heart that we had against God and replace it with a heart wanting to do our Father’s will. The book of Galatians teaches that if you are circumcised as a way of acceptance before God, then you are obligated to keep the whole law. Galatians also warns that if you are circumcised for righteousness then you are severed from Christ and that you have fallen from God’s grace. Circumcision was also given to Abraham before the old covenant law of Moses was enacted, and it was the sign in their flesh of God‘s promised redemption. Circumcision was of such great consequence that God threatened to kill Moses, for he had not circumcised his two sons. This was already after God had ordained and was sending him to Egypt to free the Israelites from slavery, and this was in Exodus chapter 4 before the old covenant law of Moses was instituted. The seventh day (Sabbath) in Genesis 2 was also called a holy day by God before the old covenant law of Moses was ratified. The New Testament teaches us that the Sabbath was a shadow of how we are to rest in the work of Jesus that fashions the new creation that we are in Him. Genesis and the first part of Exodus presents information that was before the old covenant law of Moses was instituted, but both belong in the Torah (the book of the law) since they demonstrate that which could only be revealed about Jesus to us from the Holy Spirit. Those teaching tithing from Genesis are no different than the Judaizers that taught circumcision , Sabbath keeping, and tithing to New Covenant Christians during the time of the New Testament.
2Co 3:12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 2Co 3:13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 2Co 3:14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 2Co 3:15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 2Co 3:16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 2Co 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2Co 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

]]> By: Kevin http://www.newcovenantgrace.com/tithes-offerings/comment-page-1/#comment-4766 Kevin Mon, 25 Oct 2010 00:20:23 +0000 http://www.newcovenantgrace.com/?p=560#comment-4766 Many men manipulate the congregation because they sit on the seat of fear. They forget that as we seek first the kingdom of God that he promises to provide for us. "Blessed" ministries may experience times of "leanness" because God may be pruning or teaching them to be faithful but we need not fear that God will abandon his own Work, and in doing so abandon us, his workers. Grace frees us and it also empowers us to walk in obedience to the Holy Spirit. So let us walk in faith knowing that God will provide all that we need if we are seeking his kingdom first. God never gives seed to the "hoarder" he always gives seed to the "sower" Many men manipulate the congregation because they sit on the seat of fear. They forget that as we seek first the kingdom of God that he promises to provide for us. “Blessed” ministries may experience times of “leanness” because God may be pruning or teaching them to be faithful but we need not fear that God will abandon his own Work, and in doing so abandon us, his workers. Grace frees us and it also empowers us to walk in obedience to the Holy Spirit. So let us walk in faith knowing that God will provide all that we need if we are seeking his kingdom first. God never gives seed to the “hoarder” he always gives seed to the “sower”

]]> By: Bertie http://www.newcovenantgrace.com/tithes-offerings/comment-page-1/#comment-1349 Bertie Thu, 21 Jan 2010 08:03:06 +0000 http://www.newcovenantgrace.com/?p=560#comment-1349 All you say is true an I am the biggest preacher of this. To the shame of many grace believers I must say that they are not giving as much as when they were under the law. In some stats I did I found that more than 70% of all grace believers don't give at all and have stoped all giving. The rest of the people have unstable giving. Most in not all churches that go to grace in finances struggle tremendously after going to the freedom message. I think this is why many pastors will continue to preach the law All you say is true an I am the biggest preacher of this. To the shame of many grace believers I must say that they are not giving as much as when they were under the law. In some stats I did I found that more than 70% of all grace believers don’t give at all and have stoped all giving. The rest of the people have unstable giving. Most in not all churches that go to grace in finances struggle tremendously after going to the freedom message. I think this is why many pastors will continue to preach the law

]]> By: Tashie http://www.newcovenantgrace.com/tithes-offerings/comment-page-1/#comment-1348 Tashie Tue, 19 Jan 2010 07:05:33 +0000 http://www.newcovenantgrace.com/?p=560#comment-1348 Hi - I also read somewhere recently that at that time in the OT there was no separation of religion and state like there is now, so the "tithe" was usually given to the government (King) in order to help run the state. These days we give tax to our govt for this. To separate out the tithe as something we *must* give the church is actually not in line with Biblical history. Hi – I also read somewhere recently that at that time in the OT there was no separation of religion and state like there is now, so the “tithe” was usually given to the government (King) in order to help run the state.
These days we give tax to our govt for this. To separate out the tithe as something we *must* give the church is actually not in line with Biblical history.

]]> By: Bertie Brits http://www.newcovenantgrace.com/tithes-offerings/comment-page-1/#comment-1347 Bertie Brits Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:45:53 +0000 http://www.newcovenantgrace.com/?p=560#comment-1347 Blake I agree with you. The tithe was even a Babylonian tradition where you had to give 10% to the King. By doing that Abraham was saying I accept Melchisedek as my king. It is like we are saying with our mouths JESUS IS MY LORD. The tithing Abram did is fulfilled in you accepting Jesus. The tithe in Mal. 3:9-10 is fulfilled on the cross. Read this http://www.facebook.com//profile.php?v=feed&story_fbid=243059333802&id=32802674#/bertie.brits?ref=profile Blake I agree with you. The tithe was even a Babylonian tradition where you had to give 10% to the King. By doing that Abraham was saying I accept Melchisedek as my king. It is like we are saying with our mouths JESUS IS MY LORD. The tithing Abram did is fulfilled in you accepting Jesus. The tithe in Mal. 3:9-10 is fulfilled on the cross.

Read this

http://www.facebook.com//profile.php?v=feed&story_fbid=243059333802&id=32802674#/bertie.brits?ref=profile

]]> By: Richard http://www.newcovenantgrace.com/tithes-offerings/comment-page-1/#comment-1268 Richard Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:12:09 +0000 http://www.newcovenantgrace.com/?p=560#comment-1268 I think the whole issue of giving is burnt out because of the way it has been presented under manipulation in the past. In short, for the years I sat under law based everything, even breathing,I never saw a return on my giving because it was fear based giving on my end. As I have become saturated with the grace of God which is the gospel of God concerning His Son Christ Jesus, my entire motive has changed in giving. Grace based giving has caused me to give more cheerfully and frequently than the manipulative pushed 'tithing' ever did. The whole issue of giving (I spent alomost 2 years studying offerings & tithes & sowing)is that the mere ever increasing revelation of the love of God to me in Christ Jesus who forever settled our sin debt produces a love/response back to the One who paid it all. Call it whatever you want, tithing, sowing, giving or offerings, I want to because I love Him back with the revelation of His love for me. Im still baffled at how God cares for the birds who dont 'give' & yet loves me more than the birds. Simply put, Im growing in God being 'in love with me' because God is love, not because I am lovely. Love you all! I think the whole issue of giving is burnt out because of the way it has been presented under manipulation in the past. In short, for the years I sat under law based everything, even breathing,I never saw a return on my giving because it was fear based giving on my end. As I have become saturated with the grace of God which is the gospel of God concerning His Son Christ Jesus, my entire motive has changed in giving. Grace based giving has caused me to give more cheerfully and frequently than the manipulative pushed ‘tithing’ ever did. The whole issue of giving (I spent alomost 2 years studying offerings & tithes & sowing)is that the mere ever increasing revelation of the love of God to me in Christ Jesus who forever settled our sin debt produces a love/response back to the One who paid it all. Call it whatever you want, tithing, sowing, giving or offerings, I want to because I love Him back with the revelation of His love for me. Im still baffled at how God cares for the birds who dont ‘give’ & yet loves me more than the birds. Simply put, Im growing in God being ‘in love with me’ because God is love, not because I am lovely. Love you all!

]]> By: Blake http://www.newcovenantgrace.com/tithes-offerings/comment-page-1/#comment-1255 Blake Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:49:37 +0000 http://www.newcovenantgrace.com/?p=560#comment-1255 About Abram and tithes. Abram had just given 4 kings a good hiding and was returning with the spoils of war. Not with the first fruits of his labour. He wasnt bring a 10th of his flocks etc. He was carrying home a war chest of four kings worth of goods. And he gives Melchizedek a 10th for two reasons. To understand this you need some understanding of history, biblical and secular. 1) A tenth was a kings share (1 Samuel 8 verse 15 and 17) of the spoils of war, of your flocks, your crops etc. So while Abram did not live in Salem, by offering Melchizedek a 10th he was alining himself with the King of peace and righteousness and showing his submission to the king. In other words to Christ ( See Cornels interpretation of the bread and wine.) 2) Sodom and the king there of are a shadow or a type of satan. He comes out and attempts to seduce Abram with wealth and immediatly Abram tells him where to get lost (Genesis 14 verse 21-24) In other words he was rejecting satan and what he had to offer TOTALY. He wasnt setteling for anything other than what God was willing to bless him with. So for those who are truely interested in grace walking with our precious loving Father go and read the Abram / Melchizedek encounter again. Its not about tithes its about giving.And we give as led by the Holy Spirit, that is part of us listening to the still small voice of God in our hearts and so we give cheerfully for the Lord loves a cheerful giver who is obidient and not sacrificial because our great sacrifice has been made on our behalf. That ties together a whole load of scripture. And actually if anyone preaches a 10% tithe they are not even fulfilling the law because there were 5 major tithes to the law plus others. So should we be teaching tithing, I dont believe so, we should be teaching giving according to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and out of love and gratitude to our Father and Saviour. And just to reiterate what Cornel said your giving is not going to twist Gods arm and make Him love you any more or conversly any less if you dont tithe. So give cheefully as the Spirit tells you to. In Grace and peace Blake About Abram and tithes.
Abram had just given 4 kings a good hiding and was returning with the spoils of war. Not with the first fruits of his labour. He wasnt bring a 10th of his flocks etc. He was carrying home a war chest of four kings worth of goods. And he gives Melchizedek a 10th for two reasons. To understand this you need some understanding of history, biblical and secular.
1) A tenth was a kings share (1 Samuel 8 verse 15 and 17) of the spoils of war, of your flocks, your crops etc. So while Abram did not live in Salem, by offering Melchizedek a 10th he was alining himself with the King of peace and righteousness and showing his submission to the king. In other words to Christ ( See Cornels interpretation of the bread and wine.)
2) Sodom and the king there of are a shadow or a type of satan. He comes out and attempts to seduce Abram with wealth and immediatly Abram tells him where to get lost (Genesis 14 verse 21-24) In other words he was rejecting satan and what he had to offer TOTALY. He wasnt setteling for anything other than what God was willing to bless him with.
So for those who are truely interested in grace walking with our precious loving Father go and read the Abram / Melchizedek encounter again. Its not about tithes its about giving.And we give as led by the Holy Spirit, that is part of us listening to the still small voice of God in our hearts and so we give cheerfully for the Lord loves a cheerful giver who is obidient and not sacrificial because our great sacrifice has been made on our behalf. That ties together a whole load of scripture. And actually if anyone preaches a 10% tithe they are not even fulfilling the law because there were 5 major tithes to the law plus others. So should we be teaching tithing, I dont believe so, we should be teaching giving according to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and out of love and gratitude to our Father and Saviour.
And just to reiterate what Cornel said your giving is not going to twist Gods arm and make Him love you any more or conversly any less if you dont tithe. So give cheefully as the Spirit tells you to.
In Grace and peace
Blake

]]> By: Cornel http://www.newcovenantgrace.com/tithes-offerings/comment-page-1/#comment-1254 Cornel Sun, 13 Sep 2009 07:54:30 +0000 http://www.newcovenantgrace.com/?p=560#comment-1254 To Joshua, Tithing is not a shadow of Jesus. Melchizedek was the shadow of Jesus. He was the King of Salem (Meaning King of peace and righteousness in Hebrew) He was the one who brought bread & wine to Abraham, signifying the New Covenant, just like Jesus did at the last supper. Abraham was under no obligation to tithe, but he did. Similarly, you are also under no obligation to tithe. Tithing was Abraham's act of worship. Worship means to 'lick the hand' not to be stroked by the hand. Tithing to get anything back defeats the whole point. God doesn't love or bless you based on how much you give, just as He doesn't base His love for us on anything else we can do like read the Bible, pray, fast, sin less etc. He loved us while we were sinners, before we even tried to do anything right. He loved us the most when we were at our worst and gave us the blessing of all blessings, Jesus, when we didn't deserve it whatsoever. In Christ you have been blessed with every spiritual blessing. Faith releases them into your life, not money. In Grace Cornel To Joshua,

Tithing is not a shadow of Jesus. Melchizedek was the shadow of Jesus. He was the King of Salem (Meaning King of peace and righteousness in Hebrew) He was the one who brought bread & wine to Abraham, signifying the New Covenant, just like Jesus did at the last supper. Abraham was under no obligation to tithe, but he did. Similarly, you are also under no obligation to tithe. Tithing was Abraham’s act of worship. Worship means to ‘lick the hand’ not to be stroked by the hand. Tithing to get anything back defeats the whole point.

God doesn’t love or bless you based on how much you give, just as He doesn’t base His love for us on anything else we can do like read the Bible, pray, fast, sin less etc. He loved us while we were sinners, before we even tried to do anything right. He loved us the most when we were at our worst and gave us the blessing of all blessings, Jesus, when we didn’t deserve it whatsoever. In Christ you have been blessed with every spiritual blessing. Faith releases them into your life, not money.

In Grace
Cornel

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