I’ve been meaning to write about “Should the Church Teach Tithing” for some time now, but haven’t gotten to it. It’s one of the very first books i’ve read about the tithing debate. The writer, Russell Earl Kelly has a PH.D. and I believe for his doctoral dissertation he researched and wrote about this subject. The book itself is 288 pages and refutes many of the common tithing arguments mentioned by the contemporary Church.
Many people look at those who oppose the tithe as someone who just wants to be rebellious and go against God’s word. But I have corresponded with Mr. Kelly a few times and know that his heart is in tune with God and his Spirit. I am on board with Mr. Kelly’s thoughts and support his writings on the tithe issue. Mr. Kelly’s in-depth thoughts on this subject show that he is a very smart man. I quote him many times in my own writings.
This book is a deep read for most people. I had to read through it slowly in order to understand what was being said. Overall the read is very rewarding and is one of the best books out there refuting the demand for tithing. For anyone who is beginning to study the subject of tithing i would always recommend this book. If i were to give this book a star rating i would give it a 9 out of ten. I would give one more star, but as i said, this book seems more for the deep theologically minded person and lacks personal applications and challenges, as well as down to earth discussion. (Sorry Mr. Kelly :) )
Here is a link to his website
http://www.shouldthechurchteachtithing.com/
hi Russel,
sir, i would like to make my comments concerning the tithes mentioned in Numbers 31 that according from your article the 1/500 and 1/50 did not conform to the tenth percent which exact the amount for the tithing. it eventually led to .1 and .01 respectively to make a tithe a non tenth percent equivalent in distributing the spoils of war to the people. i made my own research in the book of the Numbers that covers the tithing laws in which i disagreed about your claim that these fractions given in your article does not constitute a tenth. To understand in detail about tithe we must read first in Number 18 how many times the tithes are mentioned in this verse.
let us read in Numbers 18:26-28
v26 says: `When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I give you as your inheritance, you (Levites) must present a tenth of that tithe as the LORD’s offering.
…..so from the people’s tithe that the Levites received, a tenth from it will go to the Lord. that means 2 X 10% or two tithes.
in v28 says: “In this way you (Moses) also will present an offering to the LORD from all the tithes you receive from the Israelites. From these tithes you must give the LORD’s portion to Aaron the priest.”
analyse: from the peoples tithes that moses received will go to the Priest ..that means 1 X 10%? why? because the common between these two verses were the people”s tithe.
the arrangemet would be:
the peoples tithe + the Levites tithe + the Priest tithe =3 x 3 tithes!
we can now apply this formula to Number 31:32-26
v32 The plunder remaining from the spoils that the soldiers took was 675,00=
0 sheep, 33 72,000 cattle, 34 61,000 donkeys 35 and 32,000 women who had ne=
ver slept with a man.
v36 The half share of those who fought in the battle was:
337,500 sheep, 37 of which the tribute for the LORD was 675;
v38 36,000 cattle, of which the tribute for the LORD was 72;
v39 30,500 donkeys, of which the tribute for the LORD was 61;
v40 16,000 people, of which the tribute for the LORD was 32.
……..lets try the 675000 sheeps for the 3 tithes of num 18.
10% of 675000 =3D 67500
10% of 67500 =3D 6750
10% of 6750 =3D 675! of Num 31:36 very simple!
according to your article that the ordinance of the Mosaic Law which sets the spoil-tax at only one percent (1%)(1/50th of one
half, or 1/100th) and not ten percent ”
where did you get this calculation?
lets read in Num 31:
v27 Divide the spoils between the soldiers who took part in the battle and
the rest of the community.
v28 From the soldiers who fought in the battle, set apart as tribute for the LORD one out of every five hundred, whether persons, cattle, donkeys, sheep or goats.
v29 Take this tribute from their half share and give it to Eleazar the prie=
st as the LORD’s part.
v30 From the Israelites’ half, select one out of every fifty, whether persons, cattle, donkeys, sheep, goats or other animals. Give them to the Levites, who are responsible for the care of the LORD’s tabernacle.”
v31 So Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the LORD commanded Moses.
analyze: “From the soldiers who fought in the battle, set apart as tribute for the LORD one out of every five hundred, whether persons, cattle, donkeys, sheep or goats.
Take this tribute from their half share and give it to Eleazar the priest as the LORD’s part.”
……1/500 will go to the Priest.
From the Israelites’ half, select one out of every fifty, whether persons, =
cattle, donkeys, sheep, goats or other animals. Give them to the Levites, who are responsible for the care of the LORD’s tabernacle.
……1/50 will go to the Levites.
so 1/500 of the Priest and 1/50 of the Levites =3D is not equal to tenth percent????
do you think there was no tithe on these two fractions?
it appears that you didnt notice that the tenth percent of God was still in1/500!
to make the distribution equal to both the soldiers and the people we must remove first the tenth from the 1/500!
thus 1/500 would be 1/10 and 1/50.
so now the total would be 1/10 of God and 1/50 of the soldiers and 1/50 of the people.
are these fractions equal to the formula given in Num 18 which constitute 3 x 10%?
what is your answer?
my answer is YES!
how? simply combine the two fraction of the 1/50 and 1/50 would be 2/100.
but the 100 is equal to 10 x 10 or by square root.
so 2/100 can be express as 1/10 and 1/10.
so now 1/10 of God
1/10 of the soldiers and 1/10 of the people thus equal to 3 X 10%
this conclude that the number 18 is equal to numbers 31 and therefore the tithe of God still stand.
willis
hi Russel,
sir, i would like to make my comments concerning the tithes mentioned in Numbers 31 that according from your article the 1/500 and 1/50 did not conform to the tenth percent which exact the amount for the tithing. it eventually led to .1 and .01 respectively to make a tithe a non tenth percent equivalent in distributing the spoils of war to the people. i made my own research in the book of the Numbers that covers the tithing laws in which i disagreed about your claim that these fractions given in your article does not constitute a tenth. To understand in detail about tithe we must read first in Number 18 how many times the tithes are mentioned in this verse.
let us read in Numbers 18:26-28
v26 says: `When you receive from the Israelites the tithe I give you as your inheritance, you (Levites) must present a tenth of that tithe as the LORD’s offering.
…..so from the people’s tithe that the Levites received, a tenth from it will go to the Lord. that means 2 X 10% or two tithes.
in v28 says: “In this way you (Moses) also will present an offering to the LORD from all the tithes you receive from the Israelites. From these tithes you must give the LORD’s portion to Aaron the priest.”
analyse: from the peoples tithes that moses received will go to the Priest ..that means 1 X 10%? why? because the common between these two verses were the people”s tithe.
the arrangemet would be:
the peoples tithe + the Levites tithe + the Priest tithe =3 x 3 tithes!
we can now apply this formula to Number 31:32-26
v32 The plunder remaining from the spoils that the soldiers took was 675,00=
0 sheep, 33 72,000 cattle, 34 61,000 donkeys 35 and 32,000 women who had ne=
ver slept with a man.
v36 The half share of those who fought in the battle was:
337,500 sheep, 37 of which the tribute for the LORD was 675;
v38 36,000 cattle, of which the tribute for the LORD was 72;
v39 30,500 donkeys, of which the tribute for the LORD was 61;
v40 16,000 people, of which the tribute for the LORD was 32.
……..lets try the 675000 sheeps for the 3 tithes of num 18.
10% of 675000 =3D 67500
10% of 67500 =3D 6750
10% of 6750 =3D 675! of Num 31:36 very simple!
according to your article that the ordinance of the Mosaic Law which sets the spoil-tax at only one percent (1%)(1/50th of one
half, or 1/100th) and not ten percent ”
where did you get this calculation?
lets read in Num 31:
v27 Divide the spoils between the soldiers who took part in the battle and
the rest of the community.
v28 From the soldiers who fought in the battle, set apart as tribute for the LORD one out of every five hundred, whether persons, cattle, donkeys, sheep or goats.
v29 Take this tribute from their half share and give it to Eleazar the prie=
st as the LORD’s part.
v30 From the Israelites’ half, select one out of every fifty, whether persons, cattle, donkeys, sheep, goats or other animals. Give them to the Levites, who are responsible for the care of the LORD’s tabernacle.”
v31 So Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the LORD commanded Moses.
analyze: “From the soldiers who fought in the battle, set apart as tribute for the LORD one out of every five hundred, whether persons, cattle, donkeys, sheep or goats.
Take this tribute from their half share and give it to Eleazar the priest as the LORD’s part.”
……1/500 will go to the Priest.
From the Israelites’ half, select one out of every fifty, whether persons, =
cattle, donkeys, sheep, goats or other animals. Give them to the Levites, who are responsible for the care of the LORD’s tabernacle.
……1/50 will go to the Levites.
so 1/500 of the Priest and 1/50 of the Levites =3D is not equal to tenth percent????
do you think there was no tithe on these two fractions?
it appears that you didnt notice that the tenth percent of God was still in1/500!
to make the distribution equal to both the soldiers and the people we must remove first the tenth from the 1/500!
thus 1/500 would be 1/10 and 1/50.
so now the total would be 1/10 of God and 1/50 of the soldiers and 1/50 of the people.
are these fractions equal to the formula given in Num 18 which constitute 3 x 10%?
what is your answer?
my answer is YES!
how? simply combine the two fraction of the 1/50 and 1/50 would be 2/100.
but the 100 is equal to 10 x 10 or by square root.
so 2/100 can be express as 1/10 and 1/10.
so now 1/10 of God
1/10 of the soldiers and 1/10 of the people thus equal to 3 X 10%
this conclude that the number 18 is equal to numbers 31 and therefore the tithe of God still stand.
willis
“simply combine the two fraction of the 1/50 and 1/50 would be 2/100” willis
1/50 + 1/50= 2/50 or 1/25, not 2/100. Remember when adding or subtracting fractions, the denominators must be the same, and they remain the same. It is the numerators that get added or subtracted. 2/100=1/50, so how can you add 1/50 to 1/50 and get 1/50?
1/4 + 1/4 is not 2/8 which would be 1/4. Instead it is 2/4 or 1/2
Uh Yeah!
1/10 x 1/10 is not 2/100 either. It is 1/100.
1/50 + 1/50 = 1/100, yes that’s correct in the modern mathematics!
but i’m JUST separating the two distinctive fractions owned by two different group, namely the soldiers to the priest and the people to the levites! the numerator 2 represent the two groups involved in the tithings. so 2/100 without the aid of the modern math can be expressed as 1/10 + 1/10 equalled to the fractions of Numbers 18 which were 1/10 to God, 1/10 to levites and 1/10 to people. my ideas of these WAS based only to what moses had instructed them in Num 18 and the special circumstances in Num 31 fell to the same analysis. thus the israelites have one moses, one God and one TITHE! if we assumed our own thelogical belief on this matter, God would be a useless being on the basis of handing down his commandment without FORCE!
churches here in kenya are about giving for one to be blessed, there teaching is all about material things. please help me on tithing how should i tithe?
Is the book “Should the church teach tithing?”sold in any Christian book store in Singapore? If not, I hope this book can be imported to Singapore so that Christians in Singapore will have to chance to read this book.Thanks.
Hello doc Russell, I am yet to finish the book but want to commend you on a great work done. Most tithing proponents are over looking the grace of God as preached by apostle Paul and enforcing an old covenant law on Christians. Now we are being led to believe that every one in the Old Testament paid tithes. So how come our Lord Jesus Christ and Apostle Peter happily and dutifully paid tithes from their carpentry and fishing business every week yet were reluctant to pay only two drachmas or half a shekel of temple tax which was only payable once a year. Can someone please explain.
All this seems very mechanical and legalistic to me. I do not believe in the 10% tithing idea, but I do believe in “getting in there and doing something” concept which is, as I see it, the reason for the concept to exist… I put in what I feel from the holy spirit to give (sometimes 8% or sometimes 20%). I do not try to base this on my own feelings though.. I seek help from the holy ghost for guidance to know what is right and needed. The concept of giving fruit or animals is relevant back in the days, and I see this, but the concept of the 10% I feel is a guideline just to let you know that you should give and be used to giving (not only money, but time and your heart or whatever is needed).
I get the argument both for and against tithing today and here, but I think there is something greater that this simplistic idea of “having to put out your hard earned cash”… God does not want your money.. He can poof up a ton of it from thin air! God wants you to just give and from the heart and soul. I am sure we have all encountered the instance where the father gives his son a buck when asked to use to buy the father a birthday present.. Same applies here: It touches the father’s heart to the point of giving the money.. not for the present, but for the love that comes wrapped around the present… that is priceless and completely outside the physical present all together.. Get it now? God gives you your stuff and you need to give a little back like the little boy to his dad. I hope that makes sense to someone.
Tithing was under and is under the law with a curse for Christians seeking salvation under the law, Galatians 3:3-13, Malachi 3:1-18. When pastors and priests lie by quoting Malachi 3:1-18,under the law IN OLD COVENANT, how many Christians line up to be served with food when tithes and offering under the law are given? Is the storehouse pastors’ and priests’ house or the Church being the body of Christ? Saved Christians by grace IN NEW COVENANT who are lead and taught by the Holy Spirit are not under law or in generation curse in the law. Tithes in Malachi 3:1-18 were primarily for the tribe of Levi which was not allocated land for sharing among themselves , Numbers 18:20-28 . Those who simply imply Christians are under curse for not tithing put into question about unfinished work of redemption (SALVATION) by Christ Jesus on cross of Calvary which is bought and maintained continuously in tithes paid to them. Yet Christ is not ashamed to call us brethren whom He has sanctified. Hebrew 2:9-13.We have been redeemed from the curse of the law, Jesus Christ being made a curse for us : for it is written, cursed is everyone that hangs on a tree. Galatians 3:8-13. Christians saved by grace are ministers of the new testament born of love with exceeding glory which surpassed the glory that was in law with Moses. We have been redeemed from the curse of the law to adoptions of sons in Royal Priesthood. Pastors ,Priest and Bishops who are servants of God cannot subject sons of God in Royal Priesthood to tithe taxes which absolutely illegal for we are not under the curse of the law, Galatians 5:1, Galatians4:4-5,2 Corinthians 3:1-18. Sins sacrifices ,offerings under the law, curses, and generation curses under law in the old covenant remained up to death of Jesus Christ on Calvary when He fulfilled the requirements of the law. Salvation under the law one attains it at last breath on earth having done all that pertains to the law which is hard for one to accomplish. Even the tithe which was given by Abraham was under the law of sin and death from the fallen state of Adam and Eve at the garden of Aden. Those who lie would like to deceive Christians that tithe was before the law but before which law. When Christ our High Priest was born He was given gifts and not tithes Mathew 2:11-12. Salvation under spiritual law of love by grace is freely given and attained with free miracles from God our Father, Ephesians 2:4 -9, Ephesians 2:13 -20. Under Leviticus priesthood which belonged to the tribe of Levi, tithes were given to Levites priests for use by the whole tribe of Levi and tithe of tithe to the high Priest for they shared no land apart from the walled towns they were allocated to stay in for their continuous sacrifice to God, Numbers 18:20 -29. Widows, strangers ,fatherless and orphans benefited from tithes and offerings given to Levites, Deuteronomy 14:22-29. In Christianity widows were asked to be catered by close brethren to ease burden to the Church. There were also tithes of different kinds in Israel. There was also a tithe where a family had to eat all before the Lord, Deutreronomy12:6-7. In Christ Jesus we are saved by grace to adoptions of sons in Royal Priesthood of Christ (for Christians)and not by works of law ,Galatians 3:8-13,Acts13: 38-39, Galatians 4: 4-5, Galatians2:16-21, Galatians 5:18. Sons have direct access to the Father and free common inheritance not bought or worked for from the Father. For servants ( Pastors and Priests) are servants of God worthy all respects and due help. Much preaching is done in grace and love to Christians at early stages who are later sleeking entangled and enslaved in fear under the bondage of law in tithes emphatically taught by many in seeking dwindling fortune entrenched in tithes falsehood. The Church of Christ is founded in love by grace and a worker is worthy his labor. The Apostles and disciples of Jesus Christ understood from onset of Christ’s Ministry that they were not under Leviticus Priesthood and had no share in Leviticus Priesthood allotments. Thus questions were raised of their take and benefits in the Royal Priesthood of Jesus Christ Ministry in the New Covenant, Mathew 19:23-30 . Leviticus Priesthood allotments existed before well-known and were already defined in obliged tithing. Christian were never left under leadership of Leviticus Priesthood. Christians are humbly called upon to support tithes sweetened falsehood purposed to enhance good glorious intentions communicated a smart way which form practically some mega success . Even Judas Iscariot is not recorded asking for tithes. We firmly stand by the truth our mouths being louder and we faint not as we manifest the truth to man’s conscience to God 2Corinthians 4:1-2.
Tithing was under and is under the law with a curse for Christians seeking salvation under the law, Galatians 3:3-13, Malachi 3:1-18. When pastors and priests lie by quoting Malachi 3:1-18,under the law IN OLD COVENANT, how many Christians line up to be served with food when tithes and offering under the law are given? Is the storehouse pastors’ and priests’ house or the Church being the body of Christ? Saved Christians by grace IN NEW COVENANT who are lead and taught by the Holy Spirit are not under law or in generation curse in the law. Tithes in Malachi 3:1-18 were primarily for the tribe of Levi which was not allocated land for sharing among themselves , Numbers 18:20-28 . Those who simply imply Christians are under curse for not tithing put into question about unfinished work of redemption (SALVATION) by Christ Jesus on cross of Calvary which is bought and maintained continuously in tithes paid to them. Yet Christ is not ashamed to call us brethren whom He has sanctified. Hebrew 2:9-13.We have been redeemed from the curse of the law, Jesus Christ being made a curse for us : for it is written, cursed is everyone that hangs on a tree. Galatians 3:8-13. Christians saved by grace are ministers of the new testament born of love with exceeding glory which surpassed the glory that was in law with Moses. We have been redeemed from the curse of the law to adoptions of sons in Royal Priesthood. Pastors ,Priest and Bishops who are servants of God cannot subject sons of God in Royal Priesthood to tithe taxes which absolutely illegal for we are not under the curse of the law, Galatians 5:1, Galatians4:4-5,2 Corinthians 3:1-18. Sins sacrifices ,offerings under the law, curses, and generation curses under law in the old covenant remained up to death of Jesus Christ on Calvary when He fulfilled the requirements of the law. Salvation under the law one attains it at last breath on earth having done all that pertains to the law which is hard for one to accomplish. Even the tithe which was given by Abraham was under the law of sin and death from the fallen state of Adam and Eve at the garden of Aden. Those who lie would like to deceive Christians that tithe was before the law but before which law. When Christ our High Priest was born He was given gifts and not tithes Mathew 2:11-12. Salvation under spiritual law of love by grace is freely given and attained with free miracles from God our Father, Ephesians 2:4 -9, Ephesians 2:13 -20. Under Leviticus priesthood which belonged to the tribe of Levi, tithes were given to Levites priests for use by the whole tribe of Levi and tithe of tithe to the high Priest for they shared no land apart from the walled towns they were allocated to stay in for their continuous sacrifice to God, Numbers 18:20 -29. Widows, strangers ,fatherless and orphans benefited from tithes and offerings given to Levites, Deuteronomy 14:22-29. In Christianity widows were asked to be catered by close brethren to ease burden to the Church. There were also tithes of different kinds in Israel. There was also a tithe where a family had to eat all before the Lord, Deutreronomy12:6-7. In Christ Jesus we are saved by grace to adoptions of sons in Royal Priesthood of Christ (for Christians)and not by works of law ,Galatians 3:8-13,Acts13: 38-39, Galatians 4: 4-5, Galatians2:16-21, Galatians 5:18. Sons have direct access to the Father and free common inheritance not bought or worked for from the Father. For servants ( Pastors and Priests) are servants of God worthy all respects and due help. Much preaching is done in grace and love to Christians at early stages who are later sleeking entangled and enslaved in fear under the bondage of law in tithes emphatically taught by many in seeking dwindling fortune entrenched in tithes falsehood. The Church of Christ is founded in love by grace and a worker is worthy his labor. The Apostles and disciples of Jesus Christ understood from onset of Christ’s Ministry that they were not under Leviticus Priesthood and had no share in Leviticus Priesthood allotments. Thus questions were raised of their take and benefits in the Royal Priesthood of Jesus Christ Ministry in the New Covenant, Mathew 19:23-30 . Leviticus Priesthood allotments existed before well-known and were already defined in obliged tithing. Christian were never left under leadership of Leviticus Priesthood. Christians are humbly called upon to support tithes sweetened falsehood purposed to enhance good glorious intentions communicated a smart way which form practically some mega success . Even Judas Iscariot is not recorded asking for tithes. We firmly stand by the truth our mouths being louder and we faint not as we manifest the truth to man’s conscience to God 2Corinthians 4:1-2.Bishops, pastors, priests, church elders and those read the OLD TESTAMENT (Covenant ) BLINDED BY THE VEIL that is in law that was done away in Jesus Christ keep Christians in fear under bondage of law and miss the righteousness in liberty sanctified in Jesus Christ. 2Corithians3: 6-18 . Successful prosperity based on falsehood cannot be accepted as blessing in holiness. Truth is easily dismissed but never nullified on tithes falsehood by the clergy. Christians must remain Pentecostal and evangelical in the Royal Priesthood of Jesus Christ without entangling themselves in Leviticus Priesthood bound in bondage of the law
Ok. You are all dumb, except for that one guy that did some amazing math to prove you wrong. You don’t believe in the tithe? Then don’t. And tell everyone else to stop too. And watch America’s churches die. You guys forget that pastors now are modern versions of the Levites, people who dedicate their whole lives to serving God and barely squeak out a living. How many times did the Levites abandon God’s temple because no one was bringing sacrifices and offerings for them to lead worship and provide for their families? I’m not talking the Joel O.’s of this world but the little church, you know, anything under 1,000. So you guys keep on selling lies, God will judge you for tearing about the ability of the church to minister. See you in hell.
People will decipher and manipulate the word for thier own selfish nature . This is includes people and church leaders. Do I believe in supporting the church absolutely. Do I believe my Abba Father is going to curse me because I pay my debts and take care of my family first ? absolutely not because it’s both written and pretty well easily to understand in the New Testament. ( to not take care of your family is worse than an unbeliever!) Do I think I have to pay for a blessing or buy my way into heaven? Absolutely not , I have already been bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus. My Father would not make demands on gods children that they will be cursed or commanded to give 10% and so on and on if they did not have it to give (and give cheerfully) It would actually be for some churches to give to those in need to those in thier congregation .. will they skip keeping thier lights on to give to thier brother. Or just pray over them . I see the latter many times and still fill thier soul with guilt to keep giving. Give what you can , some more some less. The church does need funds to operate. Take care of family first because it’s written. Pay your debts because it’s written . Let God be your guide and let no man convict you that your faith in god lacks because your not glorified by the check you write.
Redeemed disciple
I did not read your entire article, however, I sure loved the way it started out.
Nowhere in the new testament did Jesus or any disciples take money from the brethren. Any money collected was distributed amongst them so no one had too much more or less than anyone.In the last few verses on 11 Timothy, Paul worked amongst them, ate their food and paid them back.
Anyway, I see so many things wrong with chruches and their doctrinal beliefs that I can’t in good conscious support them by attending. None of us are perfect, however, if U know of a group of people who are willing to dump their pride, go deep into scripture and with the help of God try to get things right, as I struggle to do, please let me know.
For me it’s pretty simple. All commands to tithes are in the Old testament. All commands tithe are directed at the nation of Israel. In the New testament, we are told to give according to what God puts on our heart, the amount is never discussed or implicated. Yes we are to give, but what we give and how much is between us and the Lord. You won’t find one single command to tithe in the new testament! Modern day churches telling people to tithe are wrong. They’re deliberately ignoring context of the scriptures. They’re caught up in legalism and they don’t trust the Lord to provide. End of story.