God is good, and grace abounds! An in-depth study and exposure of tithing, giving, old testament law and new testament grace, for the purpose of setting straight the facts for people currently exposed to prosperity-message gospels. Like never before, false doctrines are exposed, and people are encouraged to seek out truth.  It MATTERS where you worship, who prays for you, and who touches you spiritually.  Please read on. . .
Do you know of someone who needs Salvation? Send them a link to the 'Plan' site	GRACE ALERT NEWS!  Welcome to Grace-land Mitch C.!  He who the Son sets Free, is free - indeed!  Enjoy that Bike, and know the Lord Loves you!		Broadcasting the Grace  Message since 2000

By Page: Types of offerings Tithing initiated by God Fulfillment of the Law Going back to observing the law Grateful giving A Different Gospel TV Broadcasts   God's acceptance Concluding comments Links, offers, & books.

By other Topic Abraham/Melchizedek priesthood Malachi Observing Old Ways of the law Pharisees Twisting Scripture Cult/manipulation Coercion 1st Fruits Spotlights/ different agendas Right Relationship

Let's begin and take a look at what tithe-operating churches today typically do...

Types of Offerings vs. Lawful Statutes

Those who site that today we have to be paying tithes to be operating in the will of God, (and to get blessed) - will map out this scenario...

• they point to Abraham's tenth offering to Melchizedek in the old testament (Gen 14:20),  as having set the tithe pattern or principle before the law is set down by God at Mt. Sinai. 
• they acknowledge the laws given by God throughout the rest of the Old Testament including those at Mt. Sinai.
• they acknowledge the sin offering component of the Law only as being fulfilled at the cross.
• then point again to the discussion of Melchizedek in Hebrews as re-establishing the necessity of tithing to operate again in the blessings of God.   This is the traditional belief of tithing.   Pretty simple. 

I operated in this mode for years as I was taught.  No, I wasn't looking for these revelations.  No, I wasn't wanting to find a way not to pay my tithes, and no, I didn't have a fight with my Pastor/Clergy/Vicar.  In fact I was a happy, and diligently devoted tither.  It's just that the word of God came to me and showed me something different.  And it rocked my world, since I believed in tithing completely.   But I believe the word of God is true and infallible, so I checked it out.   I hope you will too.  I really encourage you to go get your bible, and follow along with me.   I'll wait while you get it.   Tithe-promoters will frequently site reasons for not tithing as fear, greed, and poor teaching.  So lets get right into it, open up our Bibles, and let God teach us the facts, so there will be no need of fear and greed will have no place. 

Let's look at it.  First of all, the word tithe just means 'tenth'.  In Genesis 14:20 "And he gave him a tenth of all."   Who did?  Who gave what?  Since you grabbed your bible, read the context above and below this... It seems apparent from the context that Melchizedek gave Abram a 10th of all, not Abram giving Melchezedek a 10th.  But is this correct?  While this scripture appears to show that Melchizedek actually gave Abram the 10th in context, one must read the whole of scripture to interpret scripture correctly.  It is clarified in Hebrews 7:4 where Paul indicates that it is Abram that gave the 10th to Melchizedek   So I submit what should be noted here is that Abram gave a 10th of all the spoils of war-because of his gratitude to God for victory in their battle for Lot, and therefore he gives an honoring gift to the king who came out to greet them (bearing gifts I might add)-which represents the authority of God in this context. Also, since it was also not Abram's work to engage in military battles, there is no precedent for tithing on it.  It was a one-time honoring gift.   This is a huge distinction.  Most importantly it sets a type of acceptable offering unto the Lord.  It doesn't set a pattern of tithe payments, but sets an acceptable type of offering.  Go ahead and read it again.  The word here in any bible is 'GAVE' - not 'paid'.  It is given to higher positional authority, out of respect and honor, and because of gratitude to God.  Note that Abram did not make a payment, as a lawful requirement.  There is a vast differentiation between paying a lawful tithe, and a grateful love offering.   Look at the difference in the two words...

• A payment is forced upon someone - they have to do it.  The law requires it of them, and there are consequences.  Like taxes.
• An offering is given from the free will of the heart.  There is no lawful requirement to do it, and there are no consequences if you don't.

Almost immediately following Abram's 10th offering, is another type example of acceptable offering style, in Gen 28:20 - Jacob vows to the Lord to give him a 10th of everything.   He'd just been told that his seed would be as of the dust of the earth(vs 14), and he was in awe and gratitude.  So this too is a type of acceptable gratitude offering, still not a lawful requirement.  Jacob's gratitude to the Lord causes him to vow a 10th to Him.  Gratitude.  Jacob is so moved that he expresses that he will give a tenth of everything to God if God be with him.  This is a heartfelt personal vow to God.   You must realize that this offering type is a giving grateful heart attitude - not one that is being forced to pay an amount because he has to pay.  If anything these passages indicate the acceptable grateful offering type that is ideal to our heavenly Father, not a lawful commandment or requirement.

It isn't until way into Leviticus 27 that the Lord spoke to Moses at Mt. Sinai and set the commandments and statutes of the Lord into LAW.  So then the tenth or 'tithe' then at that point becomes a lawful requirement of the Lord.  Also read Num 18:21, and Neh 12:44 where it clearly shows that tithing is now become part of the law.   Also in Heb 7:5 "And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest's office have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these are descended from Abraham." Tithing was never voluntary under Mosaic Law, it is a commandment, it was the law.  Few would argue this fundamental issue.   Fewer still properly fulfill this observance by actually sitting down at the alter with their offering and eat it.  Deut 14:23 !  

The tithe is setup at Mount Sinai to become the inheritance for the Levite priests, and thus the tithe becomes incorporated into the Law as civil law to the people of Israel.  The Moral Law or 'The Law of Moses', the Ceremonial Laws, and the Civil laws- collectively referred to as the 'Torah' (the 1st 5 books of the Bible), or generally, as the LAW - is thus created.

To review:

• Lev 27:34 "These are the commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel in mount Sinai" :
• Lev 27:32 "And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD."
• Num 18:21  "And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation." 
• Num 18:24 "But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer an heave offering unto the lord, I have given to the Levites to inherit..."
• These scriptures indicate the lawful setup of the Tithe (tenth) in the law. 

The law thus established, it is imperative that the law's fulfillment be carried out in every detail.  Until...

• Math 5:17 Jesus said: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill."  The law is therefore still in effect, however it is fulfilled in Christ!

• Heb 7:12 "For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law". The Law is therefore changed.
• This is so key.  Ok -  God doesn't change ( He doesn't)- BUT - He's clearly indicating that there is of necessity a change of the law.  Remember, God and the law are not both one and the same.  Shall I say this again?  Ok.  God and the law are not both one and the same.  Religion will push that the law is everything - and miss God all together - they've been doing that for centuries.   The law continues to be in effect - we still detect sin for instance - which the law brings us conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit.  I submit to you that these O.T. laws are fulfilled through Christ - as he is invited into our hearts and completes them.

• Do you see that the Law is completed if you believe in Christ? 
• Do you see that since the Law had tithes incorporated into it in Leviticus 27, that the tithe therefore also becomes abolished?
• Some say "What about the 10 commandments!  Aren't they the law!   Aren't they still in effect?  Are you off your nut?  Again - the law is fulfilled through Christ - as he is invited into our hearts and completes them.

  The 10 commandments - or Mosaic laws - were given to Moses first and they are now written onto our hearts.  In Jer 31:33,  Heb 8:10 and   Heb 10:16 "...this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts".  So he did.  They're written onto your own heart - you inherently know it is wrong to kill people for example.   These laws are present within us, so ignoring them isn't the issue.  They are fulfilled through Christ who said " Love the Lord your God with all your heart..."etc.    So, if we love God, we will want to follow these laws written on our hearts, and to an external extent - live our lives accordingly.  By Christ coming to fulfill the laws, it is obvious that we need to accept Christ into our hearts to fulfill the law.   You should also see that we're not advocating that there is no law anymore.   Rather, the law is fulfilled in Christ!  Continuing to observe O.T. Civil and ceremonial laws of the O.T. however, are done away with.

• Heb 7:26, 27, 28 "For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
  27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
  28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore."      No Sacrificial offering is now required.
• Hebrews 7:8 is a controversial statement "And here it is men who die that receive tithes, but there it is someone of whom it is witnessed that he lives."  This is pointing to the levitical priests there at that time who where accepting tithes as priests, but now there is someone (Christ) that they have witnessed is still alive !  Tithe promoters often point to this scripture saying... "See!  We have to tithe!"  But this statement must live in harmony with all of scripture which states that the law is completed in Christ, and we are no longer under the law  - which means that lawful tithing is abolished.   So the statement must be referring to the priesthood qualities of everlasting life and ever-lasting ability of Christ (as the Son of God) to receive our offerings, as opposed to the Levite priests who will eventually die.  Reading through the entire chapter 7 of Hebrews helps to clarify the context of the priesthood discussion going on here.
• Paul's ministry is so affected by the need to clarify the 'law' and 'grace' that specifically he points out 5 times that the law is of no effect to the new covenant believer!
• Rom 6:14 " for ye are not under the law"
• Rom 6:15 "Because we are not under the law"
• Gal 5:18  "Ye are not under the law"
• 1Cor 9:20  "Not being myself under the law."
• And my personal favourite... "But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law." Gal 5:18
• In case you just didn't get it... acceptor's of the atonement of Christ are no longer under the law.   

In all 4 cases, the original word for 'Law' here is the 'whole law' in the greek.  This indicates the whole law as in the 'Torah'.   If you're tracking this biblical truth - it means just exactly what it says.  You are no longer under the "Torah" - the whole law.  I didn't say that - this is what the scripture is saying.  

In these first 4 cases - the comment about not being under the law is an augmentation of the context the author is discussing.   The contexts are different, and in all cases the point is emphasized by the point that he is after all - not under the law.  As an expert in the law, the Apostle Paul is pointing out the obvious.  As an expert in the law, he would simply have indicated a specific canceling of a portion of the law if it was applicable. But the very fact that he repeatedly indicates the whole law is cancelled should call attention to this very fact.

So let me ask you...  Are you a new testament believer?   Do you believe the Christ died on the cross for you?  FANTASTIC!  Do you believe the law of tithing is still a principle to operate by?  Whoops!  The two concepts are opposed to each other.  Read the scriptures in your own bible!  Don't take my word for it.   Pick it up, open to Romans 6:14 and start reading.  

  Great questions.   Glad you asked.  These are all issues tithe-promoters use to get you to tithe.

Start reading Malachi.  It's not that long of a read, go ahead and read it through.  Imagine yourself alive in the middle east 430 years before Christ showed up.   There's no McDonalds, and no Starbucks, and the law still is very much in effect as these were old Testament times, these tithe issues were completely valid.  Christ hadn't come yet had he?  Not for another 430 years!   Complete fulfillment of the law was required to get blessed by God in those times.  Malachi starts by saying in Chapter 1, that Israel was bringing unacceptable offerings to the temple.  Then he lambastes the priests in Chapter 2, siting the contemptible ways, departing of the way and calling evil good, and good evil among other things.  Malachi is calling them on the carpet because they had corrupted the temple and the covenant ways, rendering the tithe unacceptable to God so they were robbing God of the opportunity to bless the people.  As such, the land was in disarray, and their were problems all over the place.  The priests (vs 2:1) AND the people of Israel were robbing God of the opportunity to bless!  They weren't physically robbing God - God owns everything already.   But look at chapter 3 - Malachi is saying that soon another one will come (Christ) who (in verse 4) will make the offering acceptable again as it was in the days of old.  This could scarcely be more accurate - to point out that the best offering is proper gratitude offerings.  

The concept of robbing God today by not paying your tithes is therefore a lie from the pit.   This isn't talking about new-testament tithers robbing God if they don't tithe.  It's talking about O.T. Israel  that should have been fulfilling their tithing covenants properly to fulfill the Mt. Sinai commandments so God could bless them.  No, it's not a principle that gets carried through the cross either, Jesus nailed it to the cross. (Col 2:14)  

The real robbers today -are those that withhold the total truth of scripture from the saints, which robs the saints of the intended blessings God has for them due to their misguided teachings which hold them to O.T. bondages and law that are no longer even in effect.   So you tell me, who are the robbers now?  It's not the saints.  Ask yourself who's withholding these truths from you or who's turning you back to O.T. Principles, or who is pressing you to hold to O.T. laws and principles like tithing.  It sure isn't God.  It's clergy and church policies- pushing the traditions of men, holding fast themselves and whole congregations  - to bad bible doctrine.  Sadly, even clergy that have been presented with these truths often turn their backs on the messengers and word of God, and promote tithing anyway to sustain their churches.  Reasons sited include the economy, they don't trust the people to give enough to sustain the church, the traditions of the denomination, even church policies.  Fortunately, scripture can teach them the same as everyone else if they really want to hear God's word.

God was never going to suffer if he didn't get a particular corn allotment, or oil, or grain offering!   He doesn't live off them you know.  He's not sitting in heaven on a mountain of corn, grain and oil contemplating bread recipes, and He's not going to go hungry.  He accepted them as offerings - which went to the levite priests to run the temple- and that which was burnt on the alter - symbolically rose to heaven - as a sign that He got their obedient grateful heart offerings to Him.  God has always been after our grateful heart attitudes - not our corn!  If you actually read the whole context of Malachi (and I recommend you do) you'll see the whole issue laid out.   In Mal 3:4 he's talking about Christ's coming - "to make the offering pleasant again as it was before the Law was brought"  (at Mt. Sinai)- which should confirm to you the acceptable offering type but that the current nation then had not brought the tithe, and they were to fear the Lord, and observe the proper ordinances.  Right up unto the last word it's a warning to those people to get back to doing what the law currently required of them until the Day of Christ.    Then...Heb 7:12 "For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law". The Law is therefore changed.   So that's Malachi in context.  In Truth.   Separated from the garbage shoveled on saints today by bad doctrinal preaching.   

The Law therefore being completed and fulfilled for those that truly accept Christ, therefore all aspects of the law, including tithes are no longer a lawful requirement.   We are free to now resume the standard of giving set in Genesis as acceptable types of offerings unto the Lord.  This is where the teaching has so frequently gone off track. 

For thousands of you that know the Lord and understand gratitude and right giving, and want to give - go for it.   Remember, this site was created especially for those Christians that have been subjected to a lopsided prosperity-oriented gospel, and have been wrapped up tight in having to tithe to get blessed, and subsequently are either all bound up in false teaching, or are on the cusp of realizing this, and need complete clarification of this vital subject to get released fully into the knowledge (and relationship) of the Lord.

Remember....

• Gal 3:13 "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law"   (Remember the 'law' generically referred to here  -encompasses the whole law.)
• Gal 3:24 "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
  25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." We're no longer under the LAW!
• 2Cor 8:12 "For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not". Our offering is only acceptable out of what we Have - it's not acceptable out of what we don't have!     Those of you taking out loans for your offerings, 1st fruits, or tithes - that goes directly contrary to this scripture.    And contrary to good stewardship obviously.  
• Romans 7:4 "Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. "
• Ga 2:19 "For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God".
• Ephesians 2:15 "Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace"
• Colossians 2:14  "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross"      What a revelation!
• Hebrews 7:18  "For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof".   
  2Cor 9:8,9,10 "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work" God will bless you.

So ... the scriptures clearly indicate that without doubt ...

• the law is fulfilled in Christ,
• we are no longer under the law,
• the law is of no effect, and
• we should be dead to the law.    

Holding fast to the O.T. Law with tithing principles therefore is one of Satan's bondages - since scripture so clearly nullifies it, and eradicates it.   Remember, Satan works to keep people in bondages, not God.  And satan works by building issues as strongholds - ways of thinking - that hold people in bondages.

*   *   *

Now, even though the law is completed in Christ, there were those even in New Testament times that were being pressed by teachers to go back and observe the old ways of the law, specifically circumcisions, and other observances of the law.  You will see that entire books were written to persuade good brothers in Christ the errors of their ways.   These errors have crept their way even into the church doctrines of today.   What Paul is saying is that if churches allow themselves to adopt the law's practices and requirements again, it amounts to a different gospel, one that subtly leads believers astray from the truth.

"Now, there are those who would have you go back to observing the ways of the law"...

The Book of Galatians was written because they were hearing a different gospel:

• Gal 2:14 " But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel,..." Another Gospel takes them back to the Law.
• Gal 2:16,17,18 "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
  17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
  18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
  19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. "   We should therefore be dead to the LAW.
• Gal 2:21 "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. "  Christ died in vain if you adhere to the Law, and this is talking about your righteousness - you can't get right with God by observing the law.
• 3:1 "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth," !
• 3:10 "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse".
• 3:12 "And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them." If you do the Law, you live by the Law.
• 4:9 "how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? "Why would you want to be a slave (to the Law) again?
• 4:21 "Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?" You who are bent on being under the law...
• 5:1"...be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."   Do you see that being back under the law amounts to bondage?
• Ga 5:3 "For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, (symbolically observing the law) - that he is a debtor to do the whole law. "
• 5:4 "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. ".
• 5:13 "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty;" You are called to FREEDOM!
• 2cor 9:8,9,10 God will bless you !

"God loves a cheerful giver, not a fearful giver!"   Is He at the helm - or is your "fearfully adhering to the law" at the helm?

Now having said all that - the law is fully fulfilled in Christ to those that accept the work of the cross.  But the law is still in effect for those that don't accept the work of the cross.  The law is still operational, and God is still in it, so the whole law is in effect if you operate in that way.  But if you accept the work of the cross, it is fulfilled.  So choose one way or the other.    If we do insist to operate as if the whole law is still in effect, then we do need to pay our tithes monthly, and fulfill every lawful duty of O.T. law as if the whole law applies.   Blood sacrifices, atonement sacrifices, new moon ceremonies, washings, ritual sprinklings, gathering of corn, oil, wine, grain, lambs, bulls, tithe eating, the works.  Anything less, and God's law is broken, you're a hypocrite, and therefore under a curse.  Anything less, and you aren't fulfilling the law's requirements of you.  Anything less, and you're working diligently against yourself.  Incidentally, Christ is also become of no effect unto you. (Gal 5:4)  And by the way, true fulfillment of the tithe means bringing your corn, wine, and oil (The 10th portion of your increase) and bringing it to your church, sitting down before the alter, and eating it.  Not giving it to the Pastor, eating it.  Deut 14:23.  So if you're intent on keeping the tithe law alive and being all bound up in it's fulfillment, at least do it properly.    

So, the whole Law is still in effect, the law which we can operate fully by, or be justified by Faith in Jesus Christ and receive the promises of Abraham.

Let's take another look at the issue of  the entire law, or the 'Torah'.  If Jesus was just fulfilling the ceremonial law, or the Civil law, or the moral (or Mosaic)  laws then Paul would have simply said that.  But the fact that it is referred to as the 'Law', encompasses the whole law - all parts.  Not just bits of it.  This is why it is so vital that Christ-believing people see the entirety of the scope of the fulfillment.  This is truly a huge part of the atonement of Christ.  To rob yourself of the whole blessing of seeing the whole law changed,  is to deny yourself to see the whole amount of the work of the cross.

But, if we stand on the word that says that Christ came to fulfill the (whole) law, then if you can accept that, and realize that He came to be the sin offering permanently for us, and that He became the permanent first fruit's offering for us, and the law (which is the whole law, not just the civil part, or the ceremonial part, or the moral part) has no effect (bondage,) on us any more.  If you don't believe the law is fully completed, then the Apostle Paul, (who wrote Galatians, Corinthians, Romans, not to mention the rest), where he expounds at length on the end and death of the law repeatedly, and that Christ's believers are no longer under the law, must have totally wasted his precious jail time writing all these works under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  Add to that - Ephesians 2:15.  .."Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; "  Christ abolished in his flesh, the law or commandments contained in ordinances.  The law is abolished.  As in ... Done. Over. Ended.  Halted.  No more.  Zippo.  Gonzo.   Wiped clean.  Zero'd.  Finito.   Kaput.  Or just plain abolished.   Christ came to fulfill it all as you bring Him into your heart.   Believe it.

If we do observe our Savior's work, then we are not to be under the law anymore.   Lawful acts like tithing are not required anymore - It's not a principle to be carried along through the cross, it's a re-observance of the law. It's not something that comes through the cross - Christ nailed it to the cross. (Col 2:14)

Christ did say to the Pharisees -it is good to pay the tithe - because He (as of that moment) had not yet fulfilled the law, and he was speaking to those people still operating in the law - and it would be required of them to pay tithes.   He hadn't been nailed to the cross yet had he?  When He said on the Cross - "It is finished".  He wasn't kidding!  The law is also finished.  And Paul new that explicitly - or he wouldn't have had to travel around and minister to Jews and gentiles that the law was fulfilled would he?  It was them that were so diligently undertaking the ordinances of the law in order to get right with God, even though they had supposedly already accepted the gospel of Christ and the finishing work of the cross. 

An understanding of the importance of the law, it's integral part of the workings of everyday life for the Jews in the time of Christ's 1st coming, is imperative to understand how important it was that Christ came to fulfill the law.   It wasn't just Christ's teachings of kingdom principles, healings, and truths that so enraged the Pharisees and Saducees (the religions leaders, clergy, pastors, highly visible preachers of that time), - it did, but it's also that He also came to end the rituals and lawful requirements that so fundamentally sustained them- sustained their ministries, sustained their salaries, sustained their persona's, sustained their job titles, positions and power bases.  But Christ wasn't at all concerned about sustaining them was he?  Not -at -all.  He said in Mt 15:14 "Let them (the Pharisees) alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. "  Pretty harsh sounding words.  And this is the leader of the Christian Church speaking about church leadership.  But they weren't listening to him were they?  They (the pharisees) are spoken of by Christ in John 8:48  ...   " He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God ".   They are not of God, and they know NOT the Father they say they do.  They were only interested in their own agenda, in their own jobs and the power they wielded,  in maintaining their doctrinal traditions, in upholding their positions of power, of insisting on their way.  In fact they were secretly plotting to put Christ and His kingdom agenda away!  Anyone in leadership today putting down the words of Christ, suppressing the truth of scripture, putting down the messengers of God, or preventing the message of God from being taught, amounts to a modern day Pharisee.   Here's an sobering conclusion to this observation... Read verse 59..Scripture indicates that what Jesus did then, He walked out from the midst of them, and passed them by.   That should really get you thinking.  At the point where Christ's invitation to change to His word's teachings is rejected, as with the Pharisee's - the modern day Pharisee's put themselves into a position of opposition with their own savior.  Ouch.  This is a very uncomfortable issue for me, as a few of my own very closest friends and ministers who have heard the truth of scripture on these issues have openly rejected the truth, just as the Pharisees did with Christ.  I am very concerned for these ministers, and I hope those that have received the truth of scripture will pray for the Spirit to change the hearts of these men.

So let us truly give from a perspective of gratitude for what Christ has done for us!  For He has justified us by faith. 

Grateful Giving

Therefore, give out of your love for God AND Most importantly - your gratitude for what He has done for you on the cross, not out of a compulsion to observe some principle, tradition, or Law.   Not to get blessings, or to try to ask for more - or to stretch your faith.  (there's one you've probably heard more than once). A grateful heart is one that gives with the right spirit - the right motives.  It does not give to get. (pressed down, shaken together...that's the prosperity message).  It does not give to enact some principle (read - law)-A grateful heart just gives because of gratitude unto our living God.  He is worthy.   He is just.  He is capable.  And He sees our heart attitude. 

You're now free to give cheerfully, perhaps even above and beyond what the Law would have required of you!  WOW!

Previously, we were bound to the Law, because we observed the rituals and principles of the law, so the whole law exists (Gal 5:3), including it's punishments and rewards.    So you see- if you accept what Christ did on the cross for you, you are not in bondage that the law held you in, but you are free from a need to observe the lawful requirement and without a perspective of bondage to the law.  But if you accept the work of Christ, and yet still operate your life and worship as if the law is still in effect, then the cross is of no effect to you any more.  Read GAL 2:21 :

"I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." 

So make your decision:  Choose the road of the law, or the road of grace.  It should be abundantly clear why the Bible says "He who the Son set's free, is free indeed!"  For He came to set the captives free - from the law, sin, and death. To make the blind see (physically and spiritually), and to declare the day of the Lord. Are you seeing this truth yet?  For those who are in fact new testament believers, you are totally choosing to believe the work of the cross for your life.  The law is no longer binding you.  

Now we come to the prosperity gospel, one of the big false gospels of today's churches, and how they operate in the law, and not in grace.

A Different Gospel

There is likely a different gospel operating in your midst if you are consistently noticing this... 

• A goading to push you, indeed subtly guilt you - into having to tithe or give if you want to get blessed, or to operate in God's will. 
• The concept that you can't 'out - give' God.  A very clever concept to get you to give more.  No biblical foundation whatsoever.
• The concept that if you pay your tithe - you'll get back - wonderful testimonies will come forward to validate this idea.
• The money-back concept will be scattered through-out.  "Give and it shall be given unto you, pressed down, shaken together..."
• Being guilted with feelings that you won't get blessed if you don't give or tithe.  Like you have to earn God's blessings.
• That you'll be 'robbing God' if you don't tithe.  Another fear tactic, and just wrong bible doctrine.
• Being told that you won't get your full harvest unless you give huge, or so much that you have to trust God to provide during sure hardship.
• Being guilted into writing the biggest check you ever have written (to their ministry)  so you'll get out from under your problems and debt. 
• Constantly being pushed with the pressed down/shaken together prosperity message.
• Principle (law) of "give - and it shall be given unto you" message over and over and over. 
• Stretch your faith by giving until it hurts - by trusting in God to supply your needs in this self-induced crisis.
• That you don't need to pray and seek God about what you should give - that "Christians automatically just do it". 
• A 30-60-100 fold return awaits you!   This message is a constant theme.  Simply put - this is coercion.   
• A mentality of poor-man, rich man - that you need to 'bank' your blessings in heaven. (By giving faith offerings of course.)
• A concept of banking your blessings in heaven by giving money here on earth, so that if you need it, you are entitled to a withdrawal.
• The constant concept that to be more useful to the kingdom- you need to be rich so you can give more. 
• The O.T. concept of 1st Fruits revisited, to gain God's blessings for the year, to ensure spiritual harvest, or faith building. 
• The perspective that they are doing the will of God, so if you want to get blessed, put money into their ministry efforts. 
• The perspective that because of mission outreaches, salvation calls, or healings - God must be in it - so sow generously.  Sound familiar?

Any ONE of these could indicate the false gospel in operation, certainly more than a few is a dead ringer.  You got all of em?  Suffering yikes.   Without telling you explicitly what to do, I will point out that the bible says to 'FLEE' (1Tim 6:11) !!!  God has so much more that that for you in fellowships that adhere to the true Gospel of Christ.

• Christ died for you, and you can't earn God's blessings - he freely gives them. It's a 'works' theology to try to earn God's blessings.
• God can't be robbed - he owns everything in the universe already.  That is twisting scripture.
• You're already in God's will if you're saved.  He loves you already - you can't earn his love or blessings.  That's like saying you'll only love your child if they perform tricks first.  If you love your child - you love them period.  And you want to bless them.
• Exercising your faith in God is good - exercising your faith in God to re-supply or extra-supply is just dumb and testing God.  It's a sin.
• You can't earn God's blessings or give to ensure God's full spiritual harvest for the year.   That's 'works' again, and bad bible doctrine.
• Having to give to a church/ministry to operate in God's blessings, is leveraging and twisting scripture to get you to give.  If you WANT to give, great.
• A principle of giving-to-get ("give and it shall be given back unto you") is another way to try to buy - or ensure - God's blessings. 
• You should always seek God in what you do, never agree to anything that would separate you from praying to God.
• Banking your blessings in heaven for withdrawal, or entitlement is an earthly banking concept.   No scriptural foundation whatsoever.
• Sowing here to get blessed here or in heaven- is another way of forcing God's hand to get blessed back.   Just doesn't work that way.
• Assuming that a  ministry's work is all about Gods' kingdom - or displaying fruit - does not mean you should instantly invest in it. 
• Since tithing is abolished - why are they advocating it be done if you want to be blessed by God?  Why won't they observe God's scripture?
• Since tithing is abolished - why are they advocating you should be tithing into their ministries to get blessed? 
• Since there's no such thing as banking blessings or financial prosperity as a result of spiritual giving, why do they advocate that?
• Why wouldn't God open up the windows of heaven and bless you just because you're his?    If you have to do something to earn it - it's Works.
• The 5star hotel bills, air travel, Porsche, Lexus and Mercedes leases must be paid to keep the kingdom going?  Think about it.
• That it's a good thing to bless the leadership of God - they SHOULD they have the very best stuff?  Gold cufflinks even.  Think about it.
• That if leadership discounts or twists these scriptural truths, they are bound themselves and advocating a different gospel for their own agenda.  They've twisted scripture!
• The concept of having you sow generously to reap generously is coercion.   Be careful.  God is not into coercion, Satan is.
• God is interested in your heart-felt desire to give - and He sees the motivation behind it.  Giving-to-get doesn't work with God.
• If the leadership won't adhere to scripture - they must be following another doctrine- or leveraging scripture to get you to give.
• If that ministry's foundation is based on a false Gospel, God himself CANNOT bless them - but Satan certainly may.
• Christ became, once for all, the first fruits offering for us all.  Engaging it ourselves revisits O.T. lawful requirements.  More 'Works' theology.
• If they also are twisting scripture to ensure ministry income, you should be re-examining their 'fruit'.  10-to-1 it's almost non-existent.
• The resultant bondages people will be under will actually hold them back from truly experiencing the grace and mercy of God.
• The windows of heaven have actually been held shut by false gospels, twisting of scripture, and even worshipping false gods.  Think!

• "Seek-to-pay-your-tithe-and-hope-in-faith-that-God-will- bless-you-because-of-your-obedience"  gospel, or
• "Give to get and operate in the blessings of God"  gospel , or
• "Give and your whole year's harvest will be blessed"  gospel, or
• "Bank-your-tithes-in-some-hypothetical-bank-in-heaven-where-you-make-withdrawals-when-you-need it" gospel, or
• "Visualize-yourself-as-rich-millionaires-so-that-you-can-achieve-more-to-be-more-useful-to-the-kingdom-of-God" Gospel.
• However you word it, they're different gospels.

Ministries teaching these different prosperity-seeking gospels are not accurately teaching the gospel of Christ - they're supporting different gospels.   In some cases it has actually  progressed to cult status.   Oh, they won't see themselves as a cult, but the doctrinal actions identify them as a cult.  Look at the way a ministry or church operates -  In some extreme cases, people that question church doctrine, or speak out against these ministries are banished, ex-communicated, or simply asked to leave.  Anyone believing anything other than their church-approved doctrines is frowned upon, and may lead to 'actions' by the church leadership.  They may be banned from services, spoken ill of as 'people of bad attitude', or even asked to leave the church unless they change their perspectives.   People may be called on the carpet for speaking an actual bible scripture that is 'contrary to the church position'.   Leadership may label you as subversives, or 'wolves in sheeps clothing', and may even seek to put you out of the church with the witness of an elder.   In many cases people are declined church membership unless they commit to tithe policies.   Often elders or deacons cannot attain those positions unless they endorse the church doctrine and policies.   That holds them in bondage to the truth, even when put right under their noses.   (Seen it many times)  Those that do engage or outright question the leadership on these issues are reprimanded or 'corrected', and some have even been put down as subversives from the pulpit.    Part of the definition of what a cult is enters into the realm of control and manipulation of members, so all of these issues fall into those categories.

What an incredible  crock - all of it!  It's a different gospel - straight from the pit of hell.   And Satan will use the law to his advantage to dis-advantage you - all without your even knowing about it.   He knows all about obedient Christians - willing to be obedient even to their own detriment - usually because most of us are in fairly deep debt positions - so we're very vulnerable to wanting a blessing to get out of debt.  Also because most Christians don't read enough of the word to figure it out for themselves.  But God can not bless you in this way - because God  does not operate this way and He does not EVER do what is contrary to his own WORD.   For Him to bless you while you or your church operate in this way - would go contrary to his own word, and that makes Him out to be a liar - and He is not a liar!!! 

So if you or your church has been operating in this mode - recognize it - repent for it, and ask God's forgiveness.  It's not your fault - or God's fault.  The liar got in there somewhere, and he's operating by promoting the false prosperity seeking gospel.  Now you know, so by this simple revelation - a false gospel is cast out of your life.  Boom.  Gone.  (Abolished!)  You no longer need to operate from tradition or the law, and be bound by it.  And you can recognize the prosperity gospel when you see it.  And Satan no longer can operate on  you with the false gospel or coercion tactics - because you now can see these tactics plainly.   Once you see the lies, you don't go ahead and continue to operate in the lies do you?  Now you can move forward in the knowledge of the truth of the gospel of the Lord, and have the right perspective - the right attitude.  Now, even if the pulpit is prodding you for their first fruits offerings, or prodding you for large contributions - or subtly reminding you that your reward (30-60-100 fold!)  is awaiting you in your giving or any of the rest of the tactics above-   you're now awake to what's happening up there.  The false gospel is at work.   Recognize that -  But you're free to give according to your grateful heart - and your love for the God of Grace and mercy - and so you give from the perspective of the truth.  How much you give is up to you and God alone. 

-  Important -

God's acceptance

God does not measure your walk with him by how much money you give.   I don't know how to stress this any more than this.  I want to jump up and down and scream this - It's so important.  I can't believe the tactics employed on believers today by pastors/clergy to measure their congregations' walk - or their relationship with Jesus - by how much money they give.  It's absolutely mind-blowing.  Rest assured that GOD doesn't measure your worth in the kingdom by how much you give.  When you're free indeed, your desire to give unto God is between you and God - and your heart will dictate what you want to give.  Giving from a grateful heart should be your rule.  People that give of themselves - their time, their labours, their skills to the work of the kingdom are giving enormously to God.  In many cases they are the biggest givers in God's kingdom.  If this is all really new to you, you are absolutely in the right place.  God totally loves you.  I know of many instances where the biggest cheque writers were busy, busy, busy all day, but it's was the hard-up welfare mom that actually stepped into the neady person's life and actually helped them.  Ask the neady person where God's hand was. 

Also, a number of you have expressed concern that the biggest tithers seem to be the most materially blessed - so they must be doing something right, especially since the pulpit spotlights them for doing well and contributing well because they've tithed.   Well, if the resulting formula for being spiritually blessed means to be blessed with financial riches, then the most spiritually blessed people on earth may be Mr. Gates, or a certain Sultan or two.  Get the idea?  They aren't linked at all, that's the lie speaking.  It's another crock. If the pulpit is putting the spotlight on those that are getting materially blessed because they're tithing, then they're putting the spotlight on their own agenda. That's got to be confusing, and since God is not the author of confusion, it must be a teaching that's outside the word of God that's putting forth the confusion.  The widow in Mark 12:42 was spotlighted by Christ, who gave gratefully even though she had unfulfilled needs of her own.  He never highlighted the rich who gave their regular 10%.  And while we're at it, show me just one disciple of Christ that was converted from rags to riches by tithing!  Not one was made rich, and not one of them tithed.  In fact only Judas, who's focus was on money, not on Jesus, sold out Jesus for 30 silver pieces and got his just reward - the 30 pieces, and death.  The rags-to-riches 'God wants to bless you' if you just tithe message is a total blasphemous crock. (There, I feel better now!).

Love God.  He set's you free.  And give according to what God puts on your heart to give.  Give to your local church assembly if you can- they need to pay their bills and salaries too after all.  Give with the right heart, by the right spirit, by the true gospel -not the false gospel.

Concluding comments

Pray for your local congregation.  Trust me, God knows what's going on.  Your walk with the Lord is vitally affected by the gospel you accept. 

God wants greater things for the church - not lessor.    Pray for the leadership and the people that God put there... that they may see the truth of the whole gospel - and be patient.  Very patient.  Extremely painfully patient.  Long-sufferingly patient.   Many believers have known these truths for several years, and while some have chosen to move on (which is fine), others have received a call to take up the cross and pray for their church - to build them up, and on to their own maturity and growth in Christ.  This is love is it not?  How many times have they done the same for you?  More than you realize to be sure.    Some have advocated to me that we should be warning Christians to FLEE from the wolves in the pulpit, and there is a measure of truth to this.  But I believe that this site should not be directing sheep in their actions, but pointing them to the Father, and the truth of scripture, and letting Him direct your steps, not me.  If He says stay, then stay.  But if He says Go, then go.  Father knows best.

Remember, the leaders of your church have been faithfully following what they believe God has revealed to them too.   Have faith that God will speak to them.   Also know that if they don't listen, He has demonstrated that He WILL pass them by.   (John 8:59)  If you notice that He has already passed by, you might be wanting to follow Him though. The word says of Christ that  "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me"(John 10:27) .  Therefore seek him personally.  Don't rely on the current wind of doctrine to reveal something to you.  God speaks directly to you through his revealed word in scripture. Anything that detracts from you getting into the word should be suspect.  

We must know that God is truly at work in the Christian church today,  but it's when our FOCUS moves toward the prosperity gospel or traditional O.T. principles, it skews the Gospel message and subsequent perspectives of the Word get lopsided.  Since it amounts to a different gospel, it's akin to the yeast concept - a little works it's way through the whole batch, and the whole loaf is affected.  If you've ever done a study of yeast in your bible, you'll know how much God hates yeast - bad doctrine.  Our main focus should be on the truth of scripture and kingdom living, not on prosperity messages.  This skewing of the gospel does not mean that Christ leaves the Church, -  quite the contrary.  He loves His church- which is the body of believers, and the ministers He puts in charge are there because He called them there.  But we are called to lean into the truth, and to recognize the skewing of false doctrine when presented with it and reject that.  As we gently and lovingly share these revelations with leadership (Caution! only if led to), there should be a re-alignment of the doctrine and pulpit messages back on track with the word.   If they dogmatically refuse to budge, then they are only putting themselves on the line with their Lord, or they're serving the god of prosperity instead.  You don't need to.  Our heavenly Father God will still be with the true body of believers in the Church, meeting with individual believers at the point of their needs, and you will still be able to fellowship with Him daily anywhere - it's just that your perspective of the Gospel is now way more in line with scripture, and Christ is free to give you more revelation and enter into a closer relationship with you because you have rejected a tradition of men, or a false doctrine, or even a false god.  Try not to get prideful about it, just pray that the whole truth will come to other fellow believers. 

Since it's ultimately Christ's church, let Him deal with them in the manner that they are able to receive.  It's not our responsibility to try to ensure that church leadership is on par with the Word, just to lovingly and gently share the truth with them if confronted, and to demonstrate the love and grace of Christ in our lives.  God is way bigger than these kinds of theological problems, and He works with individual believers to mold us and shape us into His image - one issue at a time.  God does work mightily in a congregation despite major theological differences.  Why?  See Luke 3:17.

What ever you do, do not go around whispering into ears...stirring up dissent within a congregation, posting notices on cars, or pulling down church leadership.  That's not the right thing to do.  Believe you me, God is quite aware of the blasphemies surrounding the false Gospels in churches, and He will work through them despite this - and His retribution upon false Gospel teachers will be way more severe than anything you could ever dream up.  So that's not the purpose of this website - the purpose is to help you discern the truth of the gospel of grace.

Now this knowledge of the truth of God's grace globally shines a huge spotlight on the lies and the leaders propagating those lies and false gospels.  It stands as a global witness against them for all to see- worldwide - and they know it.  I've got the hate mail to prove it, and we've felt the spiritual battle from the get-go.   (Please pray for me).   For the thousands of Christians around the world that have already seen these truths, and have received clarification - your own witness is noted.   Your comments at the bottom are witness.  The word of God is witness.  The spirit bears witness to the truth and now, the Spirit of the Lord will move forward with the truth of the Gospel in your lives.  Hopefully you will be leaving behind the false gospels and moving forward towards a closer relationship with God.

Ultimately it is best if we can find ourselves at a point where we want to be generous Christian givers - giving abundantly however God leads us.  We can ALL do this.  I hope you will see that I am advocating that Christian giving is good.  Personally, I try to give always, in all ways ready to see what God would have me do.  Since everything I have is God's in the first place, its up to me to be a good steward to everything He puts through my hands.  As for this website, I have been motivated to expound that the false gospels, and the prosperity movements have tried to poison the pathway to right giving, by mandating the law of tithing, twisting scriptures to their advantages, and all the rest of that.  Remember it is more blessed to give, than receive, and that he who sows generously reaps generously.  These are good scriptural doctrines.  But these godly scriptures should not be twisted to leverage our giving like the "give-to-get-back" prosperity messages.  Its these other falsehoods and false teachers who have (as in Malachi's day) made the tithe and offerings unacceptable all over again.  My goal is to get people to see the whole picture and to get on track with proper Christian perspectives with their giving, and become closer to the Lord.   Incidentally, as it was the scene in Malachi's day (where people had made their tithes and offerings unacceptable), as it is again today, positioned just before Christs' Appearing.    So too, comes my next message to you . . . the same ministry message that John the Baptist cried out to announce the Lord's coming. . . Mark 1:3: "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight. . ." shall now be heard throughout the Land once more to announce the beginning of the return of Christ. 

Prepare your hearts.  Get Ready.  Repent, and be filled with the Spirit of God, in immersion as John demonstrated, and wait on the Lord.