By Felicia A. Trecek

Original article written on May 6, 2003
Newly and Revised on December 8, 2011

INTRODUCTION AND PRESUMMARY

All of the tribes of Israel were eventually expelled from the land. And, the Mosaic covenant was made null and void at the death of Christ. Therefore, the system of tithing to the Levites is no longer applicable in the current dispensation. (Although, it will be re-enacted in the future "Peace-Covenant" after Christ returns.) The law entitling the Levites to receive a tithe WAS NOT transfered to the modern-day ministry. Any such terms in the NT covenant DO NOT EXIST.

There wasn't any recorded commandment/s requiring Abraham or Jacob to give a tithe. Abraham seemed to voluntarily give a tithe from war booty, and Jacob seemed to voluntarily give a tithe of all he had after returning to Bethel. Anyone who says that tithing is obligatory based upon the acts of Abraham and Jacob are adding their own fabricated law to scripture. Giving a tenth by Abraham and Jacob was somewhat symbolic in nature. It pointed to and revealed who the primary priestly heir was and currently is to the promised-land of Israel. The primary priestly heir doing the services of YHWH is Christ, our Master.

Christ was the El Shaddai, the YHWH, the Word who interacted with the ancients peoples in the OT. He was/is the primary heir to all of the promises including the promised land. He came to earth, was physically birthed into the tribe of Judah, and died. But, His Father was the Most High El. Therefore, Christ is the primary heir to everything. There are a handful of scriptures that unequivocally prove this fact.

THE TITHING LAW FOR THE LEVITE TRIBE

The tribe of Levi (Levi - the son of Jacob - the son of Isaac) were not allowed to own any field portion of the promised land inheritance, but they were given a share of the land inheritance by the means of receiving a tenth portion of what was produced from the land for performing the services of YHWH (Nu 18:20-21). Numbers 18:24 reads, "but the tithes of the children of Israel which they present as a contribution to YHWH, I have given to the Levites as an inheritance. That is why I have said to them, 'Among the children of Israel they have no inheritance.' " Please don't miss this vital important point. The tithe was a substitute -given to the Levites- for not owning fields in the promised-land! The tithe was the Levites' share in the inheritance!

Now with this fact in mind, how can the ministries of today claim this tithing law? Its really like saying: the ministries of Christ can claim they are owed a tithe from the promised-land? How can they claim its their share in the "inheritance?" Moreover, how do they leap from this fact to... pay us a tenth from your labor exchange? Biblical law does NOT mandate anywhere, anytime that we or anyone else are to give a tenth of what is earned by trading labor for money. When I do work for someone and earn money for doing it, I am exchanging my labor for money. This is labor exchange. The Levitical law is not based upon labor exchange. It is based upon the yield produced from the promised-land-inheritance. And, the tithing law is limited to cattle, sheep, barley, wheat, grapes, olives, etc... that is produced from the promised land and no where else. Leviticus 27:30-32 reads, "And all the tithe of the land - of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree - belongs to YHWH. It is set-apart to YHWH. If a man indeed redeems any of his tithes, he adds one-fifth to it. And the entire tithe of the herd and of the flock, all that passes under the rod, the tenth one is set-apart to YHWH." The tithing law certainly has nothing to do with printed-paper that we call "money" with Caesars face and pagan emblems on it. As the previous quoted scripture mandates, there is only one way "money" was involved. Money wasn't paper, but gold and silver. Nevertheless, the seed of the ground or the animals could be redeemed with gold and silver. But, the tithe was based upon and originated from the promised-land!

THE MOSAIC TITHING LAW IS CURRENTLY NULL AND VOID

Its completely, erroneous, absurd and preposterous to say that the Mosaic covenant is no longer in effect, AND THEN...use the tithing law within the Mosaic covenant to extract money from innocent, naive people. Most of the NT churches do it! They love to turn to scriptures like Malachi 3:5 and read, "will a man rob God?!...Yet you have robbed Me....in tithes and offerings!" Then ministers will say something like, "send me your tithe (money) and watch the blessings of heaven be poured out upon you!" This type of teaching is being completely dishonest with scripture - the very Word of God they claim to preach! The book of Malachi was written to the ethnic Jews during the second temple period, but before Christ was born. They were the ones who were not following the Mosaic mandates. Moreover; Malachi 3:10 reads, "BRING ALL THE TITHES INTO THE STOREHOUSE, AND LET THERE BE FOOD IN MY HOUSE (Temple)." As you can see again, the TITHES were agricultural produce and clean animals that a person could eat!

The Mosaic tithing law is currently null and void, because the Mosaic Covenant is now null and void. It was needful to end the Mosaic covenant because it contained death clauses. (Ref: Deut 28:58-61, Romans 6:23, 8:2, Deut 30:15,17-18, Deut 29:16-20, Exodus 32:33, Deut 27:26 but not limited to.) When YHWH told the Israelites if they violated this or that law, they would perish, they would be cursed, they would be blotted out of the book of life, etc., He meant it. Therefore, how are they able to arise from their graves in the future? (Ref: Ez 37:1-14 and more.) Ezekiel 37:12 reads, "...See, oh My people, I am opening your graves, and shall bring you up from your graves, and shall bring you into the land of Israel." Did YHWH one day just change His mind? The answer is "no."

The Personage who contracted with the Israelites in the desert died. This is how the death clauses against the Israelites in the Mosaic covenant were broken. Hebrews 9:15 reads, “..., (Christ’s) death having taken place for redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, ...” No one can take away or add to the terms of a covenant/contract after it has been officiated. In other words, the death clauses (or whatever law) cannot be extracted from the Mosaic law - but at the same time say that the OT covenant/contract remains in effect. This violates biblical law. (Ref: Gal 3:15) Consequently; after Christ's death, the entire Mosaic covenant became null and void.

The apostle Paul made this point very clear in Romans 7:1-4. But, I will begin by quoting the last verse in chapter 6. It reads,"For the wages of sin is death, but the favorable gift of Elohim is everlasting life in Christ Yahushua our Master. Or do you not know, brothers - for I speak to those knowing the law - that the law rules over a man as long as he lives. For a married woman has been bound by law to the living husband, but if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. So then, while the husband lives, she shall be called an adulteress if she becomes another man's. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is not an adulteress, having become another man's. So, my brothers, you also were put to death to the law through the body of Christ..." The El Shaddai/YHWH Personage was the Personage who was married to the Israelites in the desert! (Ref: Ex 24:3-11) He came to this earth in the flesh as Christ and died, freeing the Israelites from the Mosaic blood-covenant.

Please read Zechariah 11:7-14. This passage describes the time when Christ hung on the cross. And, verse 10-11 says, YHWH broke the covenant (the contract) with all the people on THAT day. Which day? The day Christ died. (Additional Ref: Hebrews 9:16) This is the day when the OT contracts became null and void. If you are not convinced just yet, consider Isaiah 28:14-29. Firstly, the Israelite rulers understood that they had a death covenant in verse 14. And, YHWH didn’t deny it. In fact, YHWH confirmed it by saying in verse 18, "And your covenant of death shall be annulled, and your vision of the grave shall not stand. /..." (Additional ref: Heb 8:6-13)

The Mosaic covenant with all of its mandates is no longer applicable. This includes the tithing law. But, the NT believers are not free from all laws. There are laws that are incumbent upon NT believers. If you want to learn more about this aspect, please read my study titled, "The Abrahamic Promise and The Covenants." Nevertheless, the tithing law is now null an void in this current dispensation.

HEBREWS 7

Many NT preachers turn to Hebrews chapter seven and use it to support THEIR tithing system. Because Melchisedec -King of Salem- recieved a "tithe" from Abraham, some how NT preachers believe this entitles them to a tenth of their followers' income. Firstly, many NT preachers are not part of the Melchisedec priesthood. They are nothing short of frauds. Secondly, Hebrews 7 is speaking about a change in the priesthood. The Levitical priesthood is not applicable to NT believers. (Ref: Heb 7:12,18-19) We now have the Melchisedec priesthood. So, now who all composes the Melchisedec priesthood? All of the NT saints compose the Melchisedec priesthood! (Read 1-Peter 2:9, Rev 1:6, Is 61:1-6) There isn't any one select group within the body of believers that are exclusive to the Melchisedec priesthood. Although, many ministers believe THEY are exclusive to the priesthood! This erroneous belief violates scriptures!

All of the saints are ministers of the Good News. 1-Corinthians 3:6-9 reads, "I [the apostle Paul] have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God: you are God's husbandry,..." All of the saints are responsible for planting, caring for, cultivating, watering... There isn't any one select group within the body of believers that are exclusive to this work. (Add Ref: 1-Pet 2:9-10, Matt 5:16, John 17:20-21, and more.)

Melchisedec was a priest doing the services for the Most High El. The Levites were also priests, doing the services of Elohim. One aspect to the tithing subject in Hebrews 7 is: it points out that both of these priesthoods had/have a legal share in the inheritance. As I've already demonstrated by scripture, the "tithe" was the Levites share of the land-inheritance. Therefore; the inheritance subject is tied to the tithing subject. They are inseparable subjects. (Read in order: Heb 7:13-18, Heb 8:6, and Heb 9:15) The Levites received produce and animals from the promised land as their inheritance. Although, the inheritance which the saints will receive is much greater in scale for performing the services of Elohim. They will receive the world, everlasting life, and the Kingdom of YHWH. (Ref: Matt 5:5, 25:34, Ps 25:13, 37:9, Matt 19:29, Matt 5:10 and more.)

WHY DID ABRAHAM AND JACOB GIVE A TITHE?

There wasn't any recorded commandment/s requiring Abraham or Jacob to give a tithe. Therefore, to say that these tithes were given upon a mandate is fabricating and adding to scripture. Regardless; if Abraham and Jacob were required by law to give the tithe (but the mandate just wasn't recorded), it only solidifies my stance based upon the reason the tithing law was given to the Israelites. Again, my stance is this: a select group of people who call themselves ministers of the NT cannot (by biblical law) mandate a tenth from their followers' income . In other words, they cannot by biblical law demand money.

Abraham gave a tithe from war booty and Jacob gave a tithe of all he had after returning to Bethel. (Ref: Gen 14:17-20, Gen 28:22) Abraham gave the tithe to Melchisedec -King of Salem. Who did Jacob give his tithe to? Who did Jacob walked up to and physically hand-over a tenth of his possessions to? In order to understand the reason why Abraham and Jacob gave a tithe, you must first know who the Personage was who took the tithes.

Firstly, who was Melchisedec?

Hebrews 7 and 8 provide the answer to my posed question. I'm not going to explain every verse of chapter 7. You can read it for yourself. The main characters in Hebrews 7 are: Abraham, the Levitical priesthood, and Melchisedec. Chapter 8 begins in verse 1 by saying this: "Now the summary of what we are saying is..." The author of Hebrews is SUMMARIZING the previous chapter, chapter 7. So, lets look at and read the summary! "Now the summary of what we are saying is: we have a High Priest , who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Greatness in the heavens," According to verse one of chapter 8, the Personage that is actually being spoken about is CHRIST! Now, let's continue in chapter 8. I'll quote verses 2 through 4 - speaking of Christ: "And who serves in the set-apart place and the true Tent, which the Master set-up, and not man. For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and offerings. SO IT WAS ALSO NECESSARY FOR THIS ONE TO HAVE SOMEWHAT TO OFFER. For if indeed He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly,..." Did you understand the previous quoted verses? The subject is Christ. At some point in time He was a priest, but NOT while He was in the flesh on earth during the first century. Therefore, when was He a priest which obligated Him to offer something? Christ was previously Melchisedec -King of Salem! This is when He was a priest and was obligated to have something to offer to the Most High. Consequently, He offered Himself.

Secondly, who was the Personage that interacted with Jacob?

In Genesis 35, Jacob returned to Bethel where El had appeared to him many years earlier. According to Genesis 35:13, Jacob was actually interacting with a Personage. And, this Personage was called Elohim in chapter 35. However; we can know through a little research and putting scriptures together, this Personage was also called El Shaddai and YHWH. (Read: Gen 28:13,19, Gen 35:1, Gen 48:3.) Knowing that this Personage who Jacob gave his tithe to was both El Shaddai and YHWH makes it easier to explain.

This El Shaddai / YHWH is the same Melchisedec Personage. He is the primary heir to the promised-land because He was the true prophesied "seed", the true prophesied primary heir through Abraham. (Ref: Gal 3:16) Exodus 15:17 and Jeremiah 16:18 demonstrate that YHWH inherits the promised land! Exodus 15:17 reads, "You (YHWH) bring them (the Israelites) in and plant them in the mountain of YOUR INHERITANCE, in the place, O YHWH, which You have made for Your own dwelling, the set-apart place, O YHWH, which Your hands have prepared." Also, Jeremiah 16:18 reads, "And first I will recompense their (the Israelites) iniquity and their sin double; because they (the Israelites) have defiled MY LAND, they have filled MY INHERITANCE with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things." This El Shaddai / YHWH came to this earth as Christ and died. He is the Son of the Most High, but He also entered into the blood-line of Judah. Consequently, this makes Him the primary heir to the promised land and to everything. (Ref: Col 1:15-16, Heb 1:1-2) Everyone will receive their inheritance THROUGH Christ! (Ref: Col 3:24)

Abraham and Jacob gave a tithe to the primary heir of the promised-land who was and is performing the priestly duties of the Most High El. As I pointed out earlier through scripture, a tithe can only be given to an heir of the promised land who is also a priest doing the services of YHWH. In the case of the Mosaic covenant, it was the Levites. According to the NT covenant, it is Melchisedec. Melchisedec is the primary heir who became Christ! Abraham's and Jacob's tithe giving revealed the promised Christ. They knew this Personage they were dealing with would become the fleshly Christ. I'll provide you with two proofs that demonstrate this fact.

1. In John 8:56. Christ/Messiah said this: "... Abraham was glad that he should see My day, and he saw it and did rejoice!" Abraham was told at some point in time! He knew that Melchisedec / El Shaddai would eventually become his promised seed! Therefore, Abraham understood that Melchisedec / El Shaddai was the primary heir. Consequently, Abraham shared a tenth of the war booty with Him.
2. I previously quoted Exodus 15:17. The Israelites were speaking. Again, they said: "You (YHWH) bring them (the Israelites) in and plant them in the mountain of YOUR INHERITANCE, in the place, O YHWH, which You have made for Your own dwelling, the set-apart place, O YHWH, which Your hands have prepared." The Israelites would not have been able to make this statement if they didn't already know that this great Personage would some day become flesh and become an heir. They knew that the promised land was primarily promised to HIM! Consequently, the good-news about this Great Personage known as El Shaddai / YHWH / Melchisedec was anciently known.

Abraham and Jacob gave a tithe to the Great Personage who they dealt with because they understood He was the priest doing the services of the Most High, and they understood He was the primary heir to the promised-land!

THE APOSTLE PAUL DIDN'T COLLECT TITHES

The apostle Paul never demanded tithes from his followers. None of the apostles mandated a tithe. But, the apostle Paul did expect to be paid for his services. He quoted the ox treading the grain law, and the laborer is worthy of his wages law. (Ref: 1-Tim 5:18) The apostle Paul had the perfect opportunity to tell everyone that the tithing law remained in effect since the subject of finacial support arose. But, he didn't! He did not quote the tithing law, rather he quoted the ox and the wage laws. This fact speaks volumes. The tithing law is not applicable to NT believers for all of the reasons I have given in this study.

[To understand what laws are applicable to NT believers, please read my article: The Abrahamic Promises and The Covenants.]