As the 21st century gets underway, God is obviously positioning the Living Church of God to do a powerful Work. Prophesied events are occurring with increasing frequency. Christ is coming soon. And we are among the very few people on earth to grasp the true significance of all these things.
Yet, the Work of God is not going forward nearly as fast as it seemingly should. We are now able to be on only a small fraction of the number of commercial television stations in North America, compared to the number in Mr. Armstrong's day. Why?
Part of the answer is that too many of God's people are not fully obeying a fundamental and extremely important law of God. Therefore, the Creator's blessing cannot be fully given to these people or to the Church until this sin is rectified.
What Is This Sin?
The book of Malachi is a prophetic book that helps bridge the gap between the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. In Malachi 3:1, God says: "Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming." Here, the Logos or "Word" of the Old Testament predicts both His first and second comings. For He describes (v. 4) how the "offerings" of His people will again become acceptable. This certainly did not take place at Christ's first coming. Instead, His own people actually demanded His crucifixion!
So, in this dual prophecy, Christ has shifted to describe His Second Coming and shows how He will be a "swift witness" against sorcerers, adulterers, etc., who do these things. He indicates they commit these sins, "because they do not fear Me" (v. 5). Then, in this prophetic passage bridging both Old and New Testaments, the One who became Jesus Christ says: "For I am the Lord, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob. Yet from the days of your fathers you have gone away from My ordinances" (vv. 6–7). At this juncture, the living Christ challenges His people: "Return to Me, and I will return to you.… But you said, 'In what way shall we return?'" (v. 7)
God answers, "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.… 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" (vv. 8–10). Yes, how can many of God's people who have grown lukewarm truly "return" to their Creator and receive His full measure of blessing?
In the confusion that followed the apostasy of the Worldwide Church of God, it is perhaps understandable that some became very lax in tithing. They had been confused in many ways. And some had heard or read all kinds of ideas or "reasonings" trying to get around the Bible's clear teachings and examples regarding tithing.
But God commands me, as His minister: "Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet; tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins" (Isaiah 58:1). It is my responsibility to warn God's people about this violation of His law. For it is not only slowing the progress of the Work of God, it is profoundly hurting the spiritual life of those non-tithers. It is severely damaging their personal relationship with God!
For note again—in His own words—the way God looks at this matter: "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings" (Malachi 3:8). Does that sound like some "minor issue" in the mind of God? Notice also God's very clear concern about the lack of offerings as well as the duty to pay a full tithe to our Creator! The point is that if you have an income, you can afford to tithe because—in this very passage—God promises to bless those who obey Him in this vital matter. Most of you are doing this, and you are experiencing for yourselves God's blessings as a result. But too many are hurting themselves by neglecting this vital instruction from Almighty God!
For many, it has been a long time since they have carefully reviewed what the Bible teaches about tithing. Let us take a look at what God has shown us about this vitally important topic.
The EXAMPLE of Abraham
Long before the Old Covenant was even proposed, God guided Abraham to tithe. In the New Testament book of Romans, Abraham is referred to as the "father" of the faithful (Romans 4:11, 16). In fact, Abraham's very example of acting on faith is set forth in this chapter as the "key" to Abraham's righteousness! The very promise that Abraham would be "heir of the world" was not through the law, but "through the righteousness of faith" (v. 13). So Abraham's shining example of acting on faith is here set forth as the way to eternal life and to an eternal inheritance of this earth!
One of the primary examples of that "saving" faith of Abraham is given in Genesis 14. After telling the story of Abraham's rescue of Lot and the return of all his possessions, we read: "Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said: 'Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.' And he gave him a tithe of all" (vv. 18–20).
Here God is described as "the Possessor of heaven and earth." For everything belongs to God. He made it. He made us. He gives us our lives and He gives us every breath of air we breathe. Melchizedek described God in this way and then indicated that it was God who delivered Abraham's enemies into his hand.
So Abraham, who obviously "walked with God"—who actually conversed with the One who became Jesus Christ, and who knew God and His will in a profound way—gave God a tenth of everything he recovered. That was the inspired example of Abraham.
Later, we read of the patriarch Jacob vowing to God: "And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God's house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You" (Genesis 28:22). So the principle of paying God a tithe was well understood by the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Actually tithing is not only a principle, it is one of God's "statutes" just as surely as the Holy Days and the law of clean and unclean meats! And God tells us that our spiritual father, Abraham, was blessed, "because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws" (Genesis 26:5).
Old Covenant Tithing
When the Old Covenant was introduced, God—for that time—directed that the tithe be given to the Levitical priests for the "work" they were doing in and around God's Tabernacle or Temple. In His instruction to the Levites, God commanded, "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 to the Lord. If a man wants at all to redeem any of his tithes, he shall add one-fifth to it. And concerning the tithe of the herd or the flock, of whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the Lord" (Leviticus 27:30–32).
In Numbers 18:20–21, God instructed: "Then the Lord said to Aaron: 'You shall have no inheritance in their land, nor shall you have any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel. Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting.'"
Since the Levites were not given their own territory or allowed to take "regular" jobs, they were given the tithes of the people of Israel "for the work which they performed." Today, very few indeed of God's pastors and evangelists have the time for secular jobs. With a truly globe-girdling Work to perform via the electronic media, publishing and a worldwide network of congregations and video groups, there is no way for our key ministerial personnel to make the telecasts and radio programs, write and edit the articles and booklets, counsel and coordinate the ministry and brethren all around the world and still be able to hold down a secular job!
A CHANGE in the Tithing Law
Just as God transferred the tithes to the Levitical priesthood in the Old Testament, so He transferred them back to the priesthood of Melchizedek in the New Testament. The book of Hebrews makes this clear. After describing how Abraham gave Melchizedek a "tenth" of the spoils, God describes how Melchizedek "remains a priest continually" (Hebrews 7:1–3). Obviously, as has been explained elsewhere, Melchizedek was the One who became Jesus Christ. Then God describes how the priests had a "commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law" (v. 5). He proceeds to show how even Levi "paid tithes" through Abraham to Melchizedek—clearly the greater priesthood (v. 9).
Finally, the inspired author of Hebrews tells us: "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" (vv. 11–12).
Brethren, the term "law" in either the Greek or Hebrew language is similar to its use in English. It can mean civil law, natural law (like the law of gravity), or a spiritual law. It all depends upon the context of the subject under discussion. In this passage in Hebrews 7, both the priesthood and the law of tithing are under discussion.
As the respected Interpreters Bible Commentary states: "When the priesthood is changed, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. What could this mean? That the whole law was set aside? Then why is the argument based on the priesthood of Melchizedek, relying as it had to on Genesis 14:17–20? As Calvin observed, in the law we find 'many remarkable sentences by which we are instructed as to faith, and as to the fear of God. None of these were abolished by Christ, but only that part which regarded the ancient priesthood.' Jesus Himself had said, 'Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished' (Matthew 5:17–18). If the whole law were abolished, why should such pains be taken to establish the validity of Christ's priesthood?" (Vol. 11, p. 667).
Notice, brethren, the rather tortured logic that this and other Protestant commentaries employ in this passage. On the one hand they are reluctant to admit that any part of God's law is still binding. On the other hand, they have great difficulty with the very clear words of Christ and especially the Apostles James and John about the continuing validity of God's laws (James 2:10–12; 1 John 2:3–4).
So consider again the context of Hebrews 7:11–12. Again, both the priesthood and the law of tithing are being discussed. Does this passage say that God's priesthood is now abolished? Of course not! It says, rather, that the priesthood of Melchizedek has been reinstated in place of the Levitical priesthood. And does it say that the law of tithing has been abolished? Again, of course not! It has merely been changed, as the priesthood was changed or "transferred," so that the tithes are once again paid to the priesthood of Melchizedek—nowadays, to the ministry of Jesus Christ!
For the Greek word used in both places in Hebrews 7:12 is metathesis, which does not mean to "do away with," but to "transfer." W.E. Vine, in the Expositor's Dictionary of Biblical Words, expresses it this way: "Metathesis, a transposition, or a transference from one place to another" (p. 95). For in Hebrews 11:5, speaking of Enoch, this same Greek word is rendered "translation." Was righteous Enoch "translated" or "transferred" to a place of safety? Or was Enoch abolished? Obviously, neither Enoch nor God's tithing law were abolished! The right to receive tithes was simply transferred from the Aaronic priesthood to the ministry of Jesus Christ!
Further New Testament Instruction
The direct teachings of Jesus Christ have not been done away! In spite of long-winded arguments and "reasonings" of deceived men, it is very difficult to get around Jesus' direct statement regarding tithing.
Jesus was teaching the multitudes and His disciples in the 23rd chapter of Matthew. He warned them not to follow the wrong example of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 23:1– 4). In this context Jesus corrected these misguided religious leaders: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone" (v. 23).
These self-righteous hypocrites were very zealous about tithing on every little plant and herb in their gardens. But they grossly neglected the loving application of justice, mercy and faith. "These," Jesus said, "you ought to have done without leaving the others [conscientious tithing] undone."
How clear!
The Son of God commanded us not to forsake carefully paying our tithes to God! And Jesus never rescinded this very clear instruction. And nobody else had better try to rescind it either! For this inspired instruction about Christian living is certainly no less important than the biblical prophecies. Yet, Christ tells us plainly in Revelation 22:18–19: "If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."
This living Christ inspired the Apostle Paul to write: "Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel" (1 Corinthians 9:14). So it should be very clear that God does want His faithful ministers to be supported— not by begging or whining over television, from the pulpit or anywhere else for "gifts" from the brethren—but by the tithes which all humans owe their Creator who gives them life and breath!
As Herbert W. Armstrong wrote years ago, a true Christian cannot afford not to tithe. For this very rebellion will cost him—at the very least— the blessings from God he could have experienced by faithfully tithing to his Creator. For tithing is not only a matter of obedience, but an act of worship—of loving acknowledgement of our God as the great giver of "every good and every perfect gift" (James 1:17).
And God loves a cheerful giver! As the Apostle Paul was inspired to instruct us: "He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:6–8).
Note that God appreciates a generous and "wholehearted" approach from His people in the matter of giving offerings—special offerings or otherwise. And, as verse 8 makes clear, God is able to bless His people immeasurably when they respond generously and lovingly in supporting His Work.
As we approach the end of this age, we all need to think very carefully about how zealous we are to reach out to the world with the message of the soon-coming Kingdom of God—and with the Ezekiel "warning message" to the modern day peoples of the House of Israel. Again, think carefully about how God looks at you in the light of Proverbs 24:10–12: "If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, 'Surely we did not know this,' does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?"
Are you, personally, deeply and emotionally involved in the crusade to get Christ's warning message to our peoples before it is too late? Are you paying your full tithe to the Work of God—the place where God is most fully preaching His message, where He is sending out the Ezekiel warning and where His servants are feeding and strengthening the flock with real spiritual meat?
To the degree that God has blessed you financially, are you giving truly generous offerings even above your tithes? Is your "heart" really in the Work of God? Remember Jesus Christ's powerful admonition: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:19–21).
Most of you are already doing this, and God has shown you His blessings as a result. But now, with God's help, it is time for those who have "held back" to move beyond their confusion and discouragement, and to move forward toward the Kingdom of God. It is time for them to "return" to God with all of their hearts!
And how should they "return"? God Himself commands: "Return to Me, and I will return to you. But you said, 'In what way shall we return?' Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' in tithes and offerings" (Malachi 3:7–8). In verse 6, God had said, "for I am the Lord, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob." So God's law of tithing certainly continues. Will you obey God in faith and trust your faithful Creator to bless and guide you in the perilous years ahead? May God lead and inspire all of you who are faithful to respond to His word and to receive His full blessing in your lives—now and forever.