Why?

Why?
by Ronald W Robey
(written April 08, 2021)

Pastors used to teach that Malachi 3:10 is instruction for the church and is not optional. To fail to bring your tithes to the local church is “an act of robbing God!”

In this modern age of banking apps, pastors are now teaching that you can “Send your tithes to us by clicking the link below.”

In Malachi 3:9, God said, “Ye are cursed with a curse.” The only way to appease God’s wrath and to have God remove the curse was to “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse…” Sending tithes would not remove the curse, for sending the tithes and not bringing them would be an act of disobedince.

Those whom Malachi is speaking to are told to “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse,” but pastors are now saying, “Send your tithes.”…

…proof that these pastors have known all along that Malachi 3:10 is not instruction from God for the saved in Christ. If Malachi 3:10 was instruction for the saved in Christ, why are pastors now telling people to disobey God and not bring the tithe as God instructed in the verse?

 

Will You Be Noble?

Will You Be Noble?
by Ronald W Robey
(written April 06, 2021)

Malachi 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.

1. Who does your pastors say that Malachi is speaking of when he says “ye” in Malachi 3:10?

2. What does your pastor say that Malachi is speaking of when he says “tithes” in Malachi 3:10?

3. What does your pastor say that Malachi is speaking of when he says “storehouse” in Malachi 3:10?

Your pastor may answer…

a) the saved in Christ are the “ye”

b) money is the “tithes”

c) the church is the “storehouse”

…and many in your church assembly will believe your pastor. But the noble will search the Scriptures to see if it is so.

Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Will you be noble?

 

Serving Mammon in the Church

Serving Mammon in the Church
by Ronald W Robey
(written March 23, 2021)

Many sermons have been preached from Mark 12:41-44. And many pastors use the passage to teach that Jesus was commending the widow in the passage for “generous giving.” But was He really commending her? Let’s take a closer look at what is happening in the passage, shall we?

Read the passage about the widow who threw two mites into the treasury (Mark 12:41-44) in context to get a clearer understanding of what was going on. Context requires that we first look at the events of the previous day.

Mark 11:17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.

The events in Mark 11 take place the day prior to the widow going to the Temple. Jesus was rebuking the Temple Staff because they had turned the House of Prayer into “a den of thieves“. He accuses them of several other things, then leaves the Temple. But He returns to the Temple the next day. This time, He comes to warn the crowds to beware of the Temple Staff.

Among the many things He discloses to the crowds is the fact that the Temple Staff is “devouring widow’s houses.“

Mark 12:38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
Mark 12:39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:
Mark 12:40 Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

Then, Jesus sits against a wall and watches the people throwing money into the treasury box.

Mark 12:41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

Enter the widow. It is no coincidence that the widow entered the Temple just after Jesus finished His words of warning to the crowds. The widow would demonstrate to the crowds just how widow’s houses were being devoured by the Temple Staff.

Mark 12:42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
Mark 12:43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
Mark 12:44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

The widow was being forced to give to the Temple, which, let me remind you, Jesus called a “den of thieves” just the day before. She threw all her living into the treasury box.

The Greek word that the word “threw” is translated from in this passage is the word “ballo“. It means, “to throw with a degree of force, more or less violent.” Lexicographers liken the action to that of “throwing away the contents of a chamber pot.” In other words, the widow threw the money into the treasury violently, and she did so with disgust. She was not happily giving that money. She was being forced to give it. The den of thieves and its corrupt Staff were demanding money from widows.

This particular widow went into the Temple poor, and left the Temple destitute. All she had to live on was thrown in the treasury box. Ask yourself, “Why would Jesus be commending the widow for giving all she had to live on to a corrupt Temple system? Why would He praise her for supporting a den of thieves?

Yes, the church today needs money in order to be able to provide teaching materials, to pay utility bills, et.al. However, when the church has to rely on lying to its members in order to gain support, that church is no different than the Temple in Mark 11:17…

…it is a den of thieves.

They are not serving God with their deception. They are serving mammon. And why would God be pleased with us supporting a den of thieves?

If your church is teaching biblical truth without wavering, then you should support your church to the best of your ability. However, if it is corrupt in any way; if the church leaders are handling the word of God deceitfully, then they should not be supported, they should be replaced.

 

How to Observe Malachi 3:10

How to Observe Malachi 3:10
by Ronald W Robey
(written March 20, 2021)

Argument: Malachi 3:10 says to bring all God’s tithe to the storehouse. Tithing is a must.”

Rebuttal: Malachi 3:7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

Malachi 3:7 says to return to God’s ordinances.

a) God’s ordinances say that God’s tithe is to be agriculture and agricultural food by-products. – Leviticus 27:30,32; Deuteronomy 12:17;14:22-23,26

b) God’s ordinances say that the congregation is to take their tithes to Jerusalem. – Deuteronomy 12:10-11; 2 Chronicles 6:5-6

c) God’s ordinances say the congregation is not to go near the House of God with their tithes. – Numbers 18:21-23

d) God’s ordinances say that the congregation is to give their tithes to the tribe of Levi as the tribe’s inheritance. – Numbers 18:21-23; Nehemiah 10:29,37-38

e) God’s ordinances say that a Priest from the biological bloodline of the biblical patriarch Aaron must be present at the time the congregation gives their tithes. – Numbers 18:24-31; Nehemiah 10:29,37-38

f) God’s ordinances say that the tribe of Levi is to take a tithe of the inheritance they received to the House of God in Jerusalem. – Numbers 18:24-31; Nehemiah 10:29,37-38

Malachi would not have called for a return to God’s ordinances in Malachi 3:7 and then told people to transgress the ordinances in Malachi 3:10. Malachi 3:10 must be interpreted based on what Malachi 3:7 says and compliance to the instructions given in Malachi 3:7. In order to obey Malachi 3:10, observing points “a-f” above is a must. If you are not complying with the instruction given in Malachi 3:7, it is impossible to obey Malachi 3:10.

Since there is no Temple in Jerusalem, (the building Malachi 3:10 is speaking of) it is impossible for anyone to obey Malachi 3:10 today.

(note: Nehemiah 10:29 is used in points “d-f” above to show that the congregation is agreeing to return to God’s Law; Nehemiah 10:37-38 conveys to the reader the proper observance of God’s tithe ordinance)

 

Funny, But Sad

Funny, but Sad
by Ronald W Robey
(written March 16, 2021)

Funny how pastors acknowledge that God commanded tithing, and yet

a) dismiss the biblical fact that says the tithe is to be agriculture and agricultural food by-products.

b) dismiss the biblical fact that says to move to Israel first and then begin tithing.

c) dismiss the biblical fact that says the congregation is not to go near the House of God with their tithes.

d) dismiss the biblical fact that says the congregation is to give their tithes to a biological descendant of the biblical patriarch Levi.

e) dismiss the biblical fact that says a biological bloodline descendant of the biblical patriarch Aaron must be present at the time the congregation gives their tithes.

f) dismiss the biblical fact that says only biological bloodline descendants of the biblical patriarch Levi are to tithe to the House of God.

g) dismiss the biblical fact that says the congregation is to give tithes directly to widows, orphans, foreigners and to biological bloodline descendants of the biblical patriarch Levi every third year.

Pastors have taken God’s commanded tithe and made it a tithe God never intended it to be.

Sad, to see so many uneducated sheep dumbly following and defending their deceitful pastors monetary tithe requirement lie.

 

God Said “Tithe!”

God Said “Tithe!”
by Ronald W Robey

An oft-used argument I hear is, “God’s word says to tithe. It would be wise to obey God’s word.”

God’s word does indeed say to tithe. However, it also says much more than just “tithe.”

You may have decided to observe God’s tithe ordinance, but are you…

1. tithing agriculture? (commanded in Le 27:30-33)
2. living in Canaan? (commanded in De 12:10-11)
3. eating tithes in Jerusalem every year? (commanded in De 14:22-26; 2 Ch 6:5-6)
4. giving a tithe to bloodline descendants of Levi? (commanded in Nu 18:21-26)
5. giving a tithe to widows, orphans, and foreigners and bloodline descendants of Levi every third year? (commanded in De 14:27-29; 26:12)

Further, God’s tithe ordinance states that

a) The Levite is the only person on Earth God authorized to tithe at the place of worship. (Nu 18:21-22; Ne 10:29,37-38; De 12:8)
b) The congregation is not to tithe at the place of worship. Nu 18:21-22; Ne 10:37-38)

There are no other commands concerning the observance of God’s tithe and the elements of God’s commanded tithe in the entire Bible. This means that…

1. Those that are tithing money instead of food are not obeying God in His tithe ordinance.
2. Those that are tithing outside of the land of Canaan are not obeying God in His tithe ordinance.
3. Those that are not eating tithes in Jerusalem every year are not obeying God in His tithe ordinance.
4. Those that are not giving tithes to bloodline descendants of Levi are not obeying God in His tithe ordinance.
5. Those that are not giving tithes to widows, orphans, foreigners, and bloodline descendants of Levi ever third year are not obeying God in His tithe ordinance.
6. Those that are not a bloodline descendant of Levi and are tithing at the place of worship are not obeying God in His tithe ordinance.
7. Those that are members of the congregation and are tithing at the place of worship are not obeying God in His tithe ordinance.

In Matthew 15:9, Jesus said, “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”

Since God’s word says that His tithe is agricultural (Leviticus 27:30,32) and is to be given to Levites, widows, orphans and foreigners in the land of Canaan (Deuteronomy 12:10-11;14:27-29;26:12-17)…

1. Pastors that are teaching that God’s commanded tithe is money…are worshiping God in vain.
2. Pastors that are teaching that God requires tithes in any other geographical location than the land of Canaan…are worshiping God in vain.
3. Pastors that are teaching that God requires the congregation to bring their tithes to the place of worship…are worshiping God in vain.

Man has to go outside of Scripture to preach a monetary tithe requirement doctrine.

 

Obedient?

Obedient?
by Ronald W Robey
(written March 13, 2021)

So many today say they believe in tithing. They say that God commands man to tithe and man must be obedient. But are they truly obeying God’s tithe command?
For instance,

In Leviticus 27:30,32 God reveals that His tithe is to be agricultural. Are you obeying God and tithing agriculture? Or are you obeying man and tithing money instead?

In Numbers 18:21-23 God reveals that the tithe is to be give to the tribe of Levi because it is to be their inheritance. Are you obeying God and giving the tithe to the tribe of Levi? or are you obeying man and giving the tithe to a pastor that is not a Levite?

In Numbers 18:21-23 God reveals that the congregation is not to go near the House of God with their tithes. Are you obeying God and not going near the House of God with your tithes? Or are you obeying man and taking your tithes to the House of God?

In Deuteronomy 12:10-11 God said the congregation is to take their tithes to the place He chose to place His name. We discover in 2 Chronicles 6:5-6 that that place He chose to place His name is Jerusalem. Are you obeying God and taking your tithe to Jerusalem? Or are you obeying man and taking your tithe to a local church building instead?

The apostle James writes:

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

How many points are you guilty of? If you offend in just one point, you are guilty of all. Though you have given a tithe of your money to your local church, t is as if you have not tithed at all. God doesn’t see you as obedient in the tithe if you are not obeying all that He commanded.

 

Do Things God’s Way, Not Yours

Do Things God’s Way, Not Yours
by Ronald W Robey
(written March 13, 2021)

In Amos 4:4, we read:

Amos 4:4 Come to Beth-el, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three years:

Question: Why does God say the people are transgressing when they take their tithes to Gilgal?

Answer: Because the people are taking the tithes to the wrong place. They are taking the tithes to the place they have chosen and not to the place that God chose. They are taking tithes to Gilgal, when God said tithes are to be taken to Jerusalem.

In Deuteronomy 12:10-11, we read:

Deuteronomy 12:10 But when ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which the LORD your God giveth you to inherit, and when he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety;
Deuteronomy 12:11 Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD:

God said tithes are to be taken to the place He would choose to place His name. He did not say to take the tithe to a religious institution in any geographical location you choose. We later learn in 2 Chronicles 6:5-6 that Jerusalem is the place where the people are to take their tithes.

2 Chronicles 6:5 Since the day that I brought forth my people out of the land of Egypt I chose no city among all the tribes of Israel to build an house in, that my name might be there; neither chose I any man to be a ruler over my people Israel:
2 Chronicles 6:6 But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.

The people that God commanded to tithe are to take their tithes to Jerusalem, the place that God chose to place His name…

…not to the place of their choosing.

Taking tithes to a place of your choosing is doing things YOUR way and not God’s way. That is a transgression according to the text of Amos 4:4.

God did not give us the Bible so that we could do things our own way. He gave the Bible so that we would know HIs way.

Jeremiah 17:5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

When man says, “God’s tithe is to be brought to your local church, and you comply with that instruction, your heart has departed from God and has made man (flesh) your strength. (arm) And when man does things his way and not God’s way, God says that man is cursed.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 

The “MUST’s” of Tithing

The “Must’s” of Tithing
by Ronald W Robey

For those who continue to insist that “Tithing is a MUST,” I make the following statement…

If one insists that “Tithing is a MUST,” I believe the tithes MUST be observed according to the way that God decreed they are to be observed in His word.

If one insists that “Tithing is a MUST,” that one MUST tithe only from land that one has inherited in the land of Canaan, where God’s Word said tithing is to be observed. (Deuteronomy 12:1-11 )

If one insists that “Tithing is a MUST,” that one MUST tithe from the increase of agricultural crops, flocks, and herds on the land he has inherited in Canaan. (Leviticus 27:30-33; Deuteronomy 12:1,10-11)

If one insists that “Tithing is a MUST,” that one MUST take firstfruits from his crops and livestock annually to the Temple in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 10:37-38)

If one insists that “Tithing is a MUST,” that one MUST not take his tithes to the Temple Storehouse in Jerusalem, but instead, he must take his tithes annually to Levites, who in turn will take a tithe of those tithes to the House of God. (Numbers 35:1-8; Nehemiah 10:37-38)

If one insists that “Tithing is a MUST,” that one MUST give his tithe to the Levitic bloodline of the twelve tribes of Israel (Numbers 18:21-28; Nehemiah 10:37-38)

If one insists that “Tithing is a MUST,” that one MUST have an Aaronic Priest present at the time he gives his tithe to the Levitic bloodline of the twelve tribes of Israel. (Nehemiah 10:37-38)

If one insists that “Tithing is a MUST,” that one living in Canaan MUST also take a second tithe annually to Jerusalem to the Feast of Tabernacles, and eat that tithe with his family and with the Levitic bloodline of the twelve tribes of Israel. (Deuteronomy 14:22-27)

If one insists that “Tithing is a MUST,” that one living in Canaan MUST not eat a tithe every third year, but must set that tithe apart in his own city every three years in a seven year cycle to feed the Levitic bloodline of the twelve tribes of Israel, widows, orphans and foreigners in his city with the tithe for that year (Deuteronomy 14:28-29)

If one insists that “Tithing is a MUST,” that one living in Canaan will get a full one year reprieve from tithing his crops every seven years as he will not be able to harvest, nor plant his fields that year. (Leviticus 25:4)

If one insists that “Tithing is a MUST,” is willing to tithe the way that God decreed tithes are to be observed in His word, (Deuteronomy 12:8 ) I have no problem with that one tithing at all.

Exodus 12:49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.

The one that chooses to tithe according to the order set forth in God’s Holy Word should not teach people living in other countries that they are required to tithe (Acts 15:10,24-29; 21:23-25)

Pastors and Teachers should, at the very least, have the decency and respect for the word of God and for the God of the word, to teach that tithes are only required in Canaan. Pastors and Teachers MUST NOT berate people living outside of Canaan that do not tithe, since God’s word states that other nations were not given the Law that He gave to the children of Israel, (Psalm 147:19-20) and that the Mosaic Law should not be imposed on Gentile Believers. (Acts 15:10,23-29)

One last thing…If one insists that “Tithing is a MUST,” that one MUST observe all other commands written in the Mosaic Law as well…or be cursed.

(Galatians 3:10) This would include the command to stone rebellious children, as well as the command to offer sacrifices for sin…which, of course… would be rejecting Christ’s death on the cross. (Galatians 5:4)

 

They Preach a Lie in One Sentence

They Preach a Lie in One Sentence
by Ronald W Robey
(written February 25, 2021)

Preaching the tithe lie doesn’t necessitate a 40 minute sermon on tithing. Pastors can, and do preach the tithe lie with only one sentence during Offertory…

“And now, its time to return the Lord’s Tithes and Offerings.”

God gave the command to tithe to the twelve tribes of Israel, not to the blood-bought church of God. And the commanded tithe was to be agriculture and agricultural food by-products, not money.