God’s Laws? or Man’s?

God’s Laws? or Man’s?

by Ronald W Robey

(written October 18, 2018)

 

Hebrews 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

 

Are God’s Laws in the hearts of His people today? Or, is it man’s law that is in the heart?

 

1. God’s Law said that His required tithe is to be agricultural. Leviticus 27:30.

Man’s law says that God’s required tithe is to be money.

 

2. God’s Law said that His tithe is not to be observed until one is a citizen of the land of Canaan/Israel. Deuteronomy 12:10-11.

Man’s law says God’s tithe is to be observed worldwide.

 

3. God’s Law said that God’s tithe is to be given to bloodline descendants of the biblical patriarch Levi. Numbers 18:21-23.

Man’s law says that God’s tithe is to be given to pastors who may or may not be bloodline descendants of the biblical patriarch Levi.

 

4. God’s Law said that the congregation is not to tithe to the House of God. Numbers 18:21-23

Man’s law says that the congregation must tithe in the House of God.

 

5. God’s Law said that the bloodline descendants of the biblical patriarch Levi were to eat God’s tithe in any place.

Man’s law says pastors can use God’s tithe for whatever purpose they choose.

 

6. God’s Law said that the congregation is to take a second tithe to Jerusalem and eat it with their household. Deuteronomy 14:22-26

Man’s law says the congregation must not eat tithes.

 

7. God’s Law said that a tithe is to be given to bloodline descendants of the biblical patriarch Levi, to widows, to orphans, and to foreigners in the land of Canaan every third year. Deuteronomy 26:12

Man’s law says that tithes can only be given to local churches and/or their pastors around the world.

 

It is quite clear that many do not have God’s Laws written in their hearts. Their pastors have handled the word of God deceitfully and have bewitched them into following their laws instead of God’s,

 

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.

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Produce Biblical Proof

Produce Biblical Proof
by Ronald W Robey
(written October 16, 2017)

The Bible reveals that…

a) Abram did not tithe his money, but war spoils.
b) Israel did not tithe their money, but agriculture.

This begs the question…

“Where is the Bible verse that states that money is to be tithed to either Tabernacle, Temple, Synagogue or Church.”

Produce the Biblical proof; not opinion, not belief…but an actual Bible verse that states we are required to tithe our money. If anyone can produce the Biblical proof, I will gladly resume tithing once again.

However, if no verse can be presented to prove that God requires money to be tithed, then I submit that we who do not tithe our money should not be judged to be in sin, or cursed, for not tithing our money.

 

The King James Bible Corrector

The King James Bible Corrector

by Ronald W Robey
(October 08, 2018)

 

The last church body I was a member of was an Independent Fundamental Baptist Church. At least 98% of the sermons preached at that little fellowship were in agreement with the word of God.

 

However, the Pastor and Sunday School Teachers did something that I absolutely hated (note that I said I hated what they did, and not that I hated them) …though they preached and taught from the King James Bible, they often demonstrated that they believed that the King James Bible had errors in it and that it needed to be corrected.

 

I believe they were solid in their teaching of the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe they were sound in the doctrine of Salvation by Grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. However, when it came to the doctrine of God’s commanded tithe, they would read the King James Bible and then depart from its truths to preach a tithe that is totally foreign to the pages of the King James Bible.

 

Allow me to share how the Independent Fundamental Baptist fellowship I was a member of for seven years corrected the King James Bible in their doctrine of tithing.

 

1. Leviticus 27:30-33 states that God’s tithe is to come from agricultural crops, flocks, and herds. The Independent Fundamental Baptist pastor would read these verses and then teach the congregation that God’s tithe is to be from monetary wages/income.

 

2. Leviticus 27:34 reveals that God gave the commands to the children of Israel. The Independent Fundamental Baptist pastor would read this verse and then teach that God commands Gentile Believers in Christ Jesus to tithe. (by the way, Psalm 147:19-20 teach that the commands that God gave to Israel were given to no other nation)

 

3. Numbers 18:21-23 teach that God’s tithe was to be given to the Levitic tribe of Israel because they have no inheritance among the children of Israel. The Independent Fundamental Baptist pastor would read these verses and then tell the congregation that they are to bring the tithe to the church and drop it in the offering plate.

 

4. Numbers 18:21-23 teaches that the congregation was not allowed to take God’s tithe to the House of God. The Independent Fundamental Baptist pastor would teach the congregation that God’s tithe was to be brought to the House of God.

 

5. Deuteronomy 14:22-23 teach that the one who had the tithe was to eat the tithe before the Lord in the place God chose to put His name. (we later find in 2 Chronicles 6:5-6) that Jerusalem is the place) The Independent Fundamental Baptist pastor would read Deuteronomy 14:22-23 and then teach that you cannot keep the tithe but must bring it to the church and give it to the church.

 

6. In Malachi 3:7-12, God is speaking through His prophet to the Priests of Israel. (for context, see Malachi 1:1,6-7; 2:1; 3:6-12) The Priests had departed from the Mosaic Law (v.7) and God wanted them to return. They had departed from the Law in that they removed the Levite’s portion, God’s tithe…from the storehouse. God wanted them to return to the Law and to return the stolen tithes to the storehouse.

 

The Independent Fundamental Baptist pastor would teach the congregation that if they don’t tithe to the local church they are members of, they are robbing God and under a curse. (they ignore Galatians 3:13 when they teach that the saved in Christ are cursed)

 

7. The tithe Malachi was speaking of was a tithe of the agricultural tithe that the Mosaic Law required. The Independent Fundamental Baptist pastor would teach the congregation that Malachi is speaking of a tithe of monetary income.

 

8. The storehouse in Malachi 3:10 is a three-tiered structure that is attached to the Temple in Jerusalem. (see 1 Kings 6) The Independent Fundamental Baptist pastor would teach the congregation that the church is the storehouse.

 

9. In Matthew 23:23 Jesus tells people under the Law that tithing of agricultural crops is to be done. The Independent Fundamental Baptist pastor would teach the congregation that Jesus said money is to be tithed.

 

When a King James Bible pastor, (not just those in the Independent Fundamental Baptist denomination) teaches that the elements of God’s tithe are to be monetary; that the givers of God’s tithe are to be Gentile Believers in Christ Jesus; that he is God’s Tithe Collection Representative; that the church is God’s Tithe Collection Agency; that God’s tithe is to be observed outside of the land of Canaan…

 

…that pastor is guilty of correcting the King James Bible.

 

Is your pastor a King James Bible corrector?

 

Tithing: The Ordinance and its Commands

Tithing: The Ordinance and its Commands
by Ronald W Robey
(written August 09, 2018)

Moral, Ceremonial, and Civil Ordinances comprise the entirety of the Mosaic Law.

Leviticus 27:30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S: it is holy unto the LORD.
Leviticus 27:31 And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof.
Leviticus 27:32 And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.
Leviticus 27:33 He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.

In Leviticus 27:30-33 God established the Ordinance of Tithing. We know it is an Ordinance because the prophet Malachi identifies it as an Ordinance.

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 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Malachi 3:9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
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.

The Ordinance of tithing names agricultural crops, flocks, and herds as the elements of Gods’ holy tithe. (see Leviticus 27:30-33 above)

Within the Ordinances there are written commands. This is clearly revealed by the apostle Paul…

Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Ephesians 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Commandments found in the tithe Ordinance are as follows:

1. Tithing is not to be observed until crossing the Jordan, entering the land of Canaan to live there as a citizen of that land, and freedom from all war. Deuteronomy 12:10-11 *

2. A tithe is to be taken to Jerusalem yearly and eaten there by the one transporting the tithe along with all members of his household. Deuteronomy 14:22-26; 2 Chronicles 6:5-6

3. The tithes observed by the children of Israel/aka congregation are not to be taken to the House of God. Numbers 18:21-23; Nehemiah 10:37-38 **

4. Every third year a tithe is to be given to Levites in the farming communities scattered throughout the land of Canaan. Numbers 18:21-26; Deuteronomy 14:27; 26:12; Nehemiah 10:37-38 **

5. The Levite is to take a tithe of the tithe he receives to the House of God in Jerusalem. Numbers 18:26-28; Nehemiah 10:37-38 **

6. Every third year a tithe is to be given to the widows, orphans and foreigners living in the land of Canaan. Deuteronomy 14:28-29; 26:12

These are the commands written in the tithe Ordinance.

* 2 Chronicles 6:5-6 identifies Jerusalem as the place God chose to place His name

** It is only the Levitic tribe in Israel who are required to tithe to the House of God. The congregation gave their tithe to the Levites in the farming communities.

 

Incompatible

Incompatible

by Ronald W Robey

 

What does it mean when one preaches that we are to “walk in holiness?

 

Preachers, both Pentecostal and non Pentecostal, insist that “without holiness, we cannot see God”. (Heb. 12:14) And that statement is one hundred percent biblically correct.

 

The word “holiness” in Hebrews 12:14 is translated from the Greek “hagiasmos”. (pronounced “hag-ee-as-mos” It means “purity; sanctification”.

 

Sadly, many of those same preachers who tell you that you should “walk in holiness,” will also teach you that God requires ten percent of your monetary income/wages be given to the local church you attend and/or are a member of.

 

And yet, if you search diligently through the word of God, you will discover that of the forty-four (44) verses that refer to tithe found in the Bible, only thirty-six (36) speak of God’s commanded tithe. Only fourteen (14) of those thirty-six verses mention the elements of God’s commanded tithe. Those fourteen (14) verses reveal God’s commanded tithe to be agricultural…not monetary.

 

God’s commanded tithe is

 

a) seed of the land. (Le. 27:30)

b) fruit of the tree. (Le. 27:30)

c) every tenth animal to pass under the rod. (Le 27:32)

d) corn. (De. 12:17)

e) wine. (De. 12:17)

f) oil. (De. 12:17)

g) seed. (De. 14:22)

h) corn. (De. 14:23)

i) wine. (De.14:23)

j) oil. (De.14:23)

k) oxen. (De. 14:26)

l) sheep. (De. 14:26)

m) wine. (De. 14:26)

n) strong drink. (De. 14:26)

o) oxen. (2 Ch. 31:6)

p) sheep. (2 Ch. 31:6)

q) tithes of our ground. (Ne. 10:37)

r) tithes out of the fields. (Ne. 12:44)

s) corn. (Ne. 13:5)

t) wine. (Ne. 13:5)

u) oil. (Ne. 13:5)

v) corn. (Ne. 13:12)

w) wine. (Ne. 13:12)

x) oil. (Ne. 13:12)

y) food. (Mal. 3:10)

z) mint. (Matt. 23:23)

aa) anise. (Matt. 23:23)

ab) cummin. (Matt. 23:23)

ac) mint. (Lu. 11:42)

ad) rue. (Lu. 11:42)

ae) herbs. (Lu. 11:42)

 

Amos 3:3 asks the question, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Can one walk in holiness while at the same time using a lying tongue? If not, then preachers have no business teaching a monetary tithe requirement doctrine while preaching a pure and sanctified walk before God and man.

 

The two doctrines are not compatible with one another..

 

A Close Inspection of Malachi’s Command

A Close Inspection of Malachi’s Command
by Ronald W Robey
(written March 5, 2018)

Malachi 3:7-10 (KJV) 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? 8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye [are] cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, [even] this whole nation. 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].

The above passage is often used by Pastors and laymen alike, as ‘proof-text’ for imposing a monetary tithe requirement upon members of their religious institution. However, a diligent study of the Book of Malachi will reveal that the passage is not telling Pastors to teach monetary tithing. Nor is it saying that we are required to tithe our money to the religious institution we attend or are members of.

First, let us address who Malachi was speaking to. Then we will address what tithe Malachi was speaking of.

Malachi 2:1 And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you.

Malachi 2:4 And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.

The above two verses are two verses that no monetary tithe-teaching pastor, preacher or teacher wants to address.

The commandment referenced in the above two verses is not found in Malachi 2…the commandment is found in Malachi 3. That commandment…

1. was for the Priests of Israel.
2. was sent to the Priests of Israel by God.
3. was to show a covenant between God and the tribe of Levi in the nation of Israel.

In other words, this commandment to tithe to the storehouse in Malachi 3:10 had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with the New Covenant Body of Believers in Christ Jesus….it was for the Levitic tribe in Israel.

Now that we have established the Scriptural fact that the message of Malachi 3:7-10 was for the Levitic tribe in Israel, let us search for the elements of the tithe Malachi said to bring into the storehouse.

Luke 16:16 (KJV)  16 The law and the prophets [were] until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

The Law was given to the children of Israel as they were wandering in the wilderness. Deuteronomy 6:1-3 reveals that the Law was to be observed once they entered into the land of Canaan. The Law was still in effect when John the Baptist preached a baptism unto repentance.

Therefore, the only tithe Malachi could have been speaking of is the tithe required by Law…an agricultural tithe.

Notice…

Leviticus 27:30-33 (KJV) 30 And all the tithe of the land, [whether] of the seed of the land, [or] of the fruit of the tree, [is] the LORD’S: [it is] holy unto the LORD. 31 And if a man will at all redeem [ought] of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth [part] thereof. 32 And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, [even] of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD. 33 He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.

Had Malachi told anyone to tithe money, he would have been telling them to transgress the Law.

Malachi 3:7-10 is not about tithing money at all!

Is there a command written to the New Testament that tells the Body of Christian Believers that they are to tithe at all? Absolutely not!

The New Testament Believer is told to choose for himself what he will give. The Believer is reminded that sowing sparingly will bring a sparse harvest, while sowing bountifully will bring a bountiful harvest. But God does not impose upon us any mandate for a certain percentage of our money to be given as tithe or offering. We are to choose what we will give out of our love for Him.

2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

 

Contradictory Findings

Contradictory Findings
by Ronald W Robey

Do you ever wonder why you can find verses in the Bible that command a tithe of agricultural crops, flocks, and herds…yet can find no Scripture that commands the monetary tithe requirement doctrine that is taught in pulpits today? .

Do you ever wonder why you can find verses in the Bible that command tithes from citizens of the land of Canaan…yet can find no Scripture that commands a tithe from people living in other parts of the world?

Do you ever wonder why you can find verses in the Bible that command tithes be given to bloodline descendants of Levi who ministered in the Tabernacle and later, the Temple…yet can find no Scripture that commands tithes be given to Gentile Pastors of local churches?

Isn’t it interesting how much tithe doctrines taught in religious institutions around the world today contradict God’s holy tithe taught in the Scripture?

Isn’t it disgusting that, when it comes to the subject of tithing, so many Pastors would rather preach lies to their congregations than to tell them the truth?

There’s are three possible reasons as to why they teach the monetary tithe requirement doctrine….

1.  They are greedy for money
2.  They are ignorant of what the Scriptures actually say about God’s commanded tithes
3.  They preach the denominational position so that they can keep their position.