The Tithe Conversion (Part 3)

by John Holler

Living A Lie

When the nature of God is manifested in a person, the care for others will ALWAYS supersede the love of self. The saints in Acts, preferred the good of their brothers and sisters, as well as the work of furthering the Gospel, above their own financial security. They did not profess their complete surrender to Christ in word only. They offered their all to relieve the afflicted, and support those who were preaching the Good News. Far different are those who teach that tithes and offerings are no longer a required sign of devotion to God. It is concerning this very issue of false devotion that Ananias and Sapphira were struck down; and it was revealed by their money.

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back [part] of the price, his wife also being privy [to it], and brought a certain part, and laid [it] at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back [part] of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried [him] out, and buried [him]. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband [are] at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying [her] forth, buried [her] by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

Acts 5:1-11

Their sin was not the fact that they held back part of the price of the land for themselves. It was the fact that they proclaimed to give all to God, and lied to the Holy Ghost. Those who teach that tithes are “done away” consider themselves as giving God all. I wonder that these false teachers do not have fear of lying to the Holy Ghost concerning His lordship. It amazes me that those who follow these doctrines can be so at ease with declaring their complete devotion to God and then withhold from Him in a matter so basic as their finances. But their sin is never limited to that. They withhold their time, their affection and their will from Him as well (unless they derive some personal benefit from it). All of these beliefs create a blindness and hardness to the Holy Spirit which, though they may not physically drop dead, bury them in a tomb of delusion and spiritual impotence which corrupts all who listen to them.

Before the Law

Perhaps the most egregious error to which this false doctrine adheres relates to the relationship of the law to the covenantal principles upon which the law is founded. Tithing was not introduced at Sinai. Neither was circumcision. These were proofs of the covenant Abraham had with God, not the means to it. They represent principles of which these deceivers are willingly ignorant; namely, that tithing and circumcision are spiritual acts with spiritual ramifications.

For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. Now consider how great this man [was], unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. And here men that die receive tithes; but there he [receiveth them], of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

Hebrews 7:1-8

Melchizedec, according to this scripture, was a revelation of Jesus Christ. Before the law was ever given, Abraham entered into a covenant relationship with God, through the spiritual act of tithing, which was then codified at Mount Sinai as a proof of the relationship between God and His people. In this text, we learn the real relationship between tithing and the spiritual realm. Though here on earth, men receive the tithe, they are spiritually received by Jesus Christ in heaven. By offering of our substance to God, all of our natural possessions are purified and made spiritual. They are transferred from the carnal realm into the heavenly, and God speaks the blessing over us. Tithing is not a “rule.” It is the conversion of natural into spiritual. By giving what we have to God, we are made spiritual. The things which we touch in this world cannot be purified for spiritual use unless they are offered to God, through Christ, in service and gratitude. Our money is corrupt if it is not offered to God. Our earthly possessions are worldly possessions, and therefore cursed, unless they are surrendered to the Redeemer, Jesus Christ, through the cleansing process of tithing.

This principle of tithing was established before the law was written. The law contained it because the law is spiritual (Romans 7:14). Therefore, what was described in the Old was perfected in the New. What was a shadow in the Old becomes plain and open in the New. We offer our substance into the hands of Jesus for the same reason we offer our souls to Him, to be cleansed and purified for His use. Those who are carnal always refuse to submit to spiritual principles because they are foolishness to them.

Stay tuned for Part Four of The Tithe Conversion in the coming days! If you would like a copy of this short book, send us a message on our Facebook page with your email and we would be happy to send it to you! Thanks for reading!