TITHINGS PURPOSE AND USE Deuteronomy 14 clearly and specifically states the purpose of tithing and how tithes were to be used. The following exegesis of verses 22-29, shows this: V. 22- The Israelites were commanded to tithe the increase of their crops every year. V. 23- The farmer and his family were to use the tithe in celebration of and in honor of God, who blessed their labors during the preceding year and who specified the place where the celebration was to take place. They were to tithe their corn, wine, oil, and animals. Vs. 24-26 - If the designated place of celebration was too far, the farmer and his family were to sell the tithe, turn it into money, take the money, and go to the designated place of celebration. Once there, they were to use the money for themselves, buying whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth; and thou shall eat there before the Lord? and thou shall rejoice , thou, and thine household. How long has it been since you heard your priest or pastor use these verses as a basis for his sermon on stewardship and tithing? It is probable that your spiritual leaders have never mentioned these passages publicly for fear that you might detect their lack of intellectual honesty. Are they afraid that you might have a true understanding of how God directed that the tithe be used during the Levitical period? V.27- The Levites, who cared for the tabernacle and who served as priests, were to receive some of the tithe (no specific amount is designated), for they were not allowed to own real property, land. However, later, when we study Pauls instruction in the New Testament concerning the priest, we shall see that the priestly system of Moses day was done away with when Christ became the High Priest of all who believe on Him. Therefore, your pastor or priest does not take the place of the Levitical priest, who slew animal sacrifices and acted as an intermediary between the sinner and God. As we shall see, Paul teaches that Christs death took the place of animal sacrifices and that after Christs death, only He, Christ, can serve as mankind�s mediator between humans and God. In Matthew 25, we shall see, also, Christ telling us how to give to Him, our High Priest, and how to serve Him, personally. V.28- At the end of every third year of the sabbatical cycle, the Israelites were to bring a tithe of their increase and store it within their storage facilities. V.29- Again, the Levites were to receive a portion of this tithe. But, in addition to the Levites, these tithes were to go to satisfy the needs of the strangers (refugees), orphans, and widows, who lived in the villages of the tithers. Compare this Biblical instruction with that of Ellen White, who wrote, One reasons that the tithe may be applied to school purposes. Still others reason that canvassers and colporteurs should be supported from the tithe. But a great mistake is made when the tithe is drawn from the object for which it is to be used, the support of the ministers. (Underlining mine), Testimonies, Vol. 9, 248-249. She also taught that tithes should not be used to help the poor. (Counsels of Stewardship, 103.) Why does Ms. White not support Biblical instruction to use the tithe for supplying the needs of widows, orphans, and refugees? More will be said about this point when Matthew, Chapter 25, is analyzed, later.
Posted on: Fri, 15 Nov 2013 17:26:45 +0000
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