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Tithes & Offerings

 

Giving unto YHWH

 

Part 1:  the problems of giving

 

     Even the "cheerful giver" is faced with the dilemma of how, when, how much and where to give.  The "cheerful giver" knows he or she is participating with YHWH as a co-laborer with Mashiyach for bringing about Justice and Peace on this earth.  But there are many problems and challenges encountered when stewarding our giving unto YHWH.

 

"And Moshe spoke unto all  the congregation of the children of Israel, saying,

This is the thing which YHWH commanded, saying, Take from among

you an offering unto YHWH: whosoever is of a willing heart,

let him bring it, an offering of YHWH; gold, and silver, and brass,"

Shemot/Exodus 35:4,5

 

A willing heart is a heart that has been opened by YHWH to see the needs of others, whosever has a "willing heart" is able to see this Commandment as a delight, but is also conscious that not every ministry that asks, nor every need is equivalent to the other.  Some needs are greater than others, how do we know which is which?

 

"And they spoke unto Moshe, saying, The people bring much more than enough

for the service of the work, which YHWH commanded to make.  And Moshe gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying,

'Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary.'

So the people were restrained from bringing.  For the things they had was sufficient

for all the work to make it, and too much."

Shemot/Exodus 36:5-7

 

     For those who are cheerful in giving, it is a wonderful privilege to give and share from the abundance YHWH has provided, there is great peace and satisfaction in proclaiming the Name of YHWH through our giving.  The propensity for many cheerful givers is to "over give" from the abundance YHWH has given us, and this was also the case here when the Israelites were giving for the service of the work which YHWH commanded.

 

     YHWH commanded us to give "for the service of the work" but in many other places He asked us to mindful of the widows and fatherless and those who are not able to help themselves.  However, let's consider whether the tithes and offerings that we give are representative of what YHWH asks that His priesthood do with such resources.  Clearly there is a huge imbalance today in giving to religious organizations, where over 95% of the billions of tax-exempt monies go right back into the religious institutions and building plans of the board of directors, rabbis and pastors who vaunt after multi-million dollar venues for their flocks.  What we are in fact seeing in society is that we are now living in the most self serving time of human history, ever.  Where society pays off the poor and needy and starving and un-educated by throwing them a few peanuts once in a while, in lieu of the middle and upper class sitting and kings and queens with burgeoning portfolios and after having drained and exploited the resources of others and natural resources of this earth there isn't even an acknowledgement for the need of the expansion of righteousness and common good.

 

     As a global community the needs for giving to disasters make it to the television sets within minutes of a natural disaster, but year after year almost nothing is invested to prevent wholesale destruction of lives through immoral businesses, governments and prevent all manner of religious "ministries" that operate on huge overhead costs (founder's wages and extravagant lifestyles) in the name of "ministry".  The cheerful giver wouldn't be quite so cheerful when they realize they've been exploited and deceived and what they believed was being given in the name of "The Lord" in fact made it's way to finance the work of the demons.  It's an all too common story that rarely if ever gets told, because the cheerful giver has been led to believe by religious leaders that you just give and God will sort out the rest.

 

     No.  The cheerful giver is called to give "for the service of the work" and directly to the needs of those who YHWH has spoken to us to give, not to the middle men, not to the hirelings or hierarchies this is a great travesty.

 

"Thus says YHWH, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that you build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?  For all those things have mine hand made, and all those things have been, says YHWH: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at my Word. He that kills an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrifices a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offers an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burns incense, as if he blessed an idol.  Yes, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations.  I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spoke, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I did not delight."  Yeshayahu/Isaiah 66:1-4

 

     Why does YHWH ask for our "tithes and offerings" in the first place?  Why didn't He just "manifest" gold, silver and bronze for the Children of Israel to use in building the mishkan (tabernacle)?  Wouldn't He have gotten more glory unto His Name if gold just fell out of heaven, or started sprouting out of the earth like mushrooms?  When the Ruach of Elohim speaks to our hearts about giving and we respond by giving unto Him, we become enjoined with Him.  Our giving is to connect us into His Kingdom and to His people, if we are indeed giving according to His Name and His will. 

 

     Our tithes and offerings are given unto YHWH solely to establish and maintain Justice, and it is Justice that will bring about Peace on this earth.  We are to give "to" YHWH.  There is a huge difference between giving to YHWH or giving to the synagogue or church or rabbi or pastor or to any other cause.  Without Justice in our world we labor in vain, the next generation will perish in catastrophe if Justice is not raised up in this, our present eneration.  

 

     Many souls confess that they don't tithe, some give very small offerings, most give nothing in the Name of YHWH or for the single greatest cause Mashiyach has lived and died for, and that is for Righteous Justice.  Surely when we tithe and live according to YHWH's Word, we have assurance that YHWH will see to it that we enjoy our blessings, and prosper us according to His Faithfulness.  Yes, and there are groups of religious people prospering all over the earth in many ways, but the reality is that the family of the earth is accountable to one another, regardless religion, race or creed.  The Tithe of YHWH according to Torah is designed for universal Justice and Peace, not for one select or chosen people to maintain their economic status or to assume that all their wealth is because YHWH has blessed.

 

     YHWH asks that we have contrite and humble hearts to look upon the real needs of others as He sees them, we are to be our brothers keeper.  The Name of YHWH is manifest throughout all the earth, His people are to be the source of Justice and Peace who bring Equality and uphold maxims of law that protect and serve all people everywhere, but first if these values are not elevated in our own communities, they will never become important for us to bring to others.

 

     The Day is coming when people will want to give offerings to YHWH, they will cry out and wish they had lived a life to promote Justice, Peace and Equality, they will wish the work of righteousness had been their priority, but they of course will not be able to.  According to YHWH, all their wealth will vaporize because of war, natural devastation and plagues, they will have no offerings towards righteous justice to give...

 

"because when I called, none did answer; when I spoke, they did not hear:"

Isaiah 66:4

 

     The purpose of wealth is simply to assert righteous judgment on this earth.  Avraham is an example as are other righteous men in Scripture whom YHWH chose to explain why He allows blessings on some and not on others.  Wealth is a living day to day evidence of how we steward those things that belong to YHWH the Giver of Life.  Look around and you will see that most Jews and Christians despise the Word of the Living Elohim and favor their own traditions thus says YHWH:

 

"For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that sets snares; they set a trap, they catch men.  As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.  They are waxen fat , they shine: yes, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.  Shall I not visit for these things? says YHWH: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;  The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will you do in the end thereof?"

Jeremiah 5:26-31

 

     This prophecy is more valid today that it was when YHWH first revealed it to Jeremiah.  If we read this prophecy in connection with Daniel and Revelation we discover that the land of Israel was in fact kept from the Jews until 1948 and from the time the clock began to click unto the Israelites would restore the land to what YHWH commanded when He brought the Israelites out of Egypt.  In 2017 the cycle will have run it's course, I clearly looks like YHWH's people are wary of His Word and not the least bit interested in heeding His warnings.  From 2017 to 2030 the signs in the heavens that shown in geometry, mathematics, physics, gematria and other disciplines tell us that the season of the "Day of YHWH" is here.  If you knew beyond a reasonable shadow of a doubt that we were living in the last generation, would you change anything about the way you live?  About the way you give?

 

     The time of "Ya'akov's trouble" is at hand, Yeshua Mashiyach Ben David (the Conquering Mashiyach) is preparing to Sanctify the Name of YHWH along with the Word of YHWH (His Torah).  The time is now to declare His Great Name unto all the earth.  Repent of worldliness, lack of compassion and care and interest in the Malchut (Kingdom) of YHWH. 

 

     The whole earth and the Name of Yahweh and His Mashiyach is being robbed by false religious leaders.  False governments of this world are making it illegal for you to use your tithes and offerings to advance the Kingdom of Elohim.  What is happening now is the world is scorning the Righteous Justice of YHWH and making His Name and Word taboo and unwelcome through all ranks of society.

 

     The adversary has deceived many into giving tithes and offerings to false religion, instead of to YHWH's work.  As it was when Yeshua came to this earth, righteousness did not come from the top of the religious hierarchy, it came from him and from the people who followed Him.  Righteousness will not be birthed in a "priesthood", it will be birthed in you, by you and through you and you will need to hear YHWH's voice and direct your prayers and tithes and offerings into righteous justice or it will never be recognized as even being a need.  Let me give you one simple example.  On a small community scale Torah requires that we set up judges in every community, this is known as a "Beit Din" where men volunteer to hear matters and provide counsel and reconciliation.  Every one of us is called to be righteous stewards of marriages, business deals, education and conduct within our communities but when there are conflicts YHWH commands that we engage His Torah to bring about righteous judgments and restore His Name.  Most people don't even know that is in their Bibles, yet most of us have been to a court of the land or have a family member who has to try go find justice.  Did they find justice?

 

     How often have you heard a judge require someone guilty of a criminal offence to provide restitution for their victim or victims?  It's rare.  The convicted might do a bit of jail time and then they're back on the telephone making new deals.  How often have you heard a young couple getting an interest free loan from their community to start their own business, or a young man or woman receive an interest free loan for their university education?  That's a Torah principle that is tied with tithes and offerings.  Torah requires righteous judgments and the distribution of wealth in a righteous way but the religious systems of this earth are robbing YHWH each and every second of the day, and have been for nearly two millennia.

 

"Will a man rob Elohim? Yet you have robbed me. But you say, How have we robbed You? In tithes and offerings.  You are cursed with a curse: for you have robbed me, even this whole nation.  Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, says YHWH of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.  And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, says YHWH of Hosts.  And all nations shall call you blessed: for you shall be a delightsome land, says YHWH of Hosts.  Your words have been stout against me, says YHWH. Yet you say, What have we spoken so much against You?  You have said, It is vain to serve Elohim: and what profit is it that we have kept His Law, and that we have walked mournfully before YHWH of Hosts?  And now we call the proud happy; yes, they that work wickedness are set up; yes, they that tempt Elohim are even delivered.  Then they that feared YHWH spoke often one to another: and YHWH hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared YHWH, and that thought upon His Name.  And they shall be mine, says YHWH of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spares his own son that serve him.  Then shall you return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serves Elohim and him that serves him not.  For, behold, the day is coming, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yes, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that comes shall burn them up, says YHWH of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.  Malachi 3:8 - 4:1

 

Part 2:  the solution

 

     The FIRST national offering of Israel was taken up to build the mishkan (tabernacle).  The mishkan represents a physical "image" of Mashiyach. The Mind of Mashiyach is in the Holy of Holies, inside the Ark the eser haDibrot (Ten Commandments) are the 10 specific directives for Justice, Peace and Blessing.  A person can give and tithe and offer all their resources with the most impeccable intent and generosity, but if they are willfully violating the 10 immutable Laws while they are giving they will in no wise receive recognition from YHWH for their tithes and offerings.  A small bit of Justification for our conscience or our ego is nothing compared to true redemption of our souls.  Tithes and offerings must be given according to Justice and Holiness, not as a buy out if the giver continues to live contrary to the Word of YHWH.

 

     The Tithe must be obtained in holiness according to Torah and it must be given according to holiness.  YHWH is merciful and just to forgive us and help us live Righteous lives, the Tithe is our agreement that His Will be done in Heaven and so on Earth.

 

     Tithes are given in accordance with the Moedim, the Set Times of YHWH.  This is imperative because YHWH is calling us to be ever mindful of both the prophetic and natural clocks.  The prophetic clock helps us prepare ourselves as the Bride, a Kedoshim (Set Apart people) unto YHWH, and be able to hear from YHWH and His Mashiyach Yeshua to do His will throughout our lives.  The Natural clock is our lifespan, how we live, raise our families, prepare for our children and grandchildren, use resources to travel and live as unto YHWH.  Our natural time table, goals, dreams, desires and use of money must all be steered according to how we Tithe.  The Tithe comes off the top, it is the First Fruits, the rest is our discretionary money for us to choose as it pleases us but also made and spent within the jurisdictions of righteous justice.

 

     In the Moedim (Prophetic Clock), YHWH instructs us how to give our tithes, and He also shows us that we must each directly distribute tithes according to the third year tithe.  It is not likely you will ever hear a Pastor teach about the tithes according to Torah and Mashiyach Yeshua, because religious and cultural traditions have made a system of tithes and offerings that benefit their institution, rather than YHWH's Kingdom.  The third year tithe (Deut. 26) is to be distributed by you yourself, directly to the Levite, ger (one who sojourns with you), fatherless, and widow and in this fashion we all see and hear the needs up front and personal.  I believe YHWH does this so that we are not insulated from the poor and less "successful" that ourselves.

 

     Tithes are also required to be disseminated according to righteous justice, where a Beit Din may also be led by YHWH is to serve the Body of Mashiyach in administering and giving to the needs.  Where are the men who care about these things and who are mature enough to serve their communities in this regard?  Most men enjoy recognition, praise, distinction, authority and yes, huge material rewards for their talents and accomplishments.  Very few men would consider being accountable to fulfill Torah according to the Word of YHWH with their time and their tithes that they receive from religious communities.  The solution for restoring righteousness and justice regarding tithing, is to begin right now.  Cut off all tithes and offerings to the status quo.  Make a checklist of how YHWH asks His tithes and offerings to be disseminated according to righteous judgments.  Refuse to let your tithe take on the boomerang effect to bless yourself, this is wickedness.  The rich give donations, tithes and offerings in their own names, they delight in the praise of men.  This is of epidemic proportion in Jewish society where the vast majority of giving is in the name of the benefactor who wants to be recognized, rather than in the Name of YHWH for His Kingdom's sake.

 

     The Israel of Elohim is an International and Universal Body that is directed by Torah and the Ruach of Elohim, not only by local needs.  The Israel of Elohim is accountable to YHWH for equalizing wealth and providing Justice and Righteous by tithes and offerings and righteous initiatives towards universal righteous justice on this earth. 

 

     This can and will be done only by first having an interest to restoring the Ancient Paths of Mashiyach, and understanding that when Yeshua walked to this earth, He presented Himself as a Living Sacrifice to establish Torah upon our hearts, in our inward parts so that we could have circumcised hearts.  Rather than use tithes to live out our "American Dream" we are called to YHWH's tithes to bring the Kingdom of Elohim to this earth.  As in Heaven, so on earth.

 

The 12 Points of Giving

  1.      We must study and learn Torah in our hearts to know how YHWH and His Mashiyach direct the Tithe.

  2.      We must provide tithes and offerings to initiatives that is Torah based according to justice and righteousness.

  3.     We must only provide tithes and offerings to those who work towards living righteous set apart lives, transparent, and who help raise the standards of Torah for all others.  Giving to the wicked is wicked, giving to the contrite and humble and righteous is righteous.  The wicked must learn the cause and effect of not practicing righteous justice, not be rewarded for their wickedness.

  4.      We must only provide tithes to men who administer Torah based initiatives.  Be very careful, there are a lot of good talkers, religious men, hirelings who talk the talk very, very well and who know how to play on your emotions.  It is these men who are stealing from YHWH and His prophets have spoken this for our day.

  5.      We must separate our tithes according to the Moedim (set apart times), not the worlds pagan timetable, the reason is this prepares others to recognize the coming Kingdom of His Majesty Y'shua Mashiyach, and it helps others recognize the cycles of working, saving, giving and sharing according to Torah rather than paganism.

  6.      We must see that our collecting and saving of tithes and offerings also directs our own decisions based on our own needs according to the Moedim.  This is important because will better understand how to prepare for the times of Gog and Magog and the Day of YHWH that is soon to come upon us.

  7.      We must NEVER put material things before Tithes, like vacations, cars, toys, homes, renovations, entertainment, this results in stealing from YHWH and produces heavy loss to our spiritual man.  It also breeds discontentment, lack of gratitude and satisfaction of enjoying the things we are stewards of.  YHWH Himself promises to send delusions to those who believe in their own lies.  The delusion here is that YHWH is blessing covetous souls who love money, power or the praise of men.  No one will be excused who has stolen from YHWH and His Mashiyach.  Ignorance of the Tithe is no excuse, the truth will and is availing itself in broken marriages, broken families, rebellious children, carnal lifestyles and lack of spiritually and love for Truth.  People who steal from YHWH we have no idea the latitude of the repercussions, they will know deep regret when they are visited during a "teachable moment".

  8.      We must realize that if we are not tithing according to Torah, we may not experience loss immediately, YHWH is patient, kind, merciful and longsuffering... but we will, because YHWH chastens those He loves.

  9.      We must realize that when we give the tithe in the Name of YHWH, we declare His Name along with our desire to advance His Kingdom.  We never even think about giving in our own names, that is wickedness and we have clear evidence that our reward will otherwise be forsaken when doing so.

  10.      We must rest on the Shabbat and the Moedim, there is no sum of money that one can exchange for an appointment with the YHWH in the Ruach HaKodesh.  There is no sum of money, no tithe, no offerings that can be exchanged for lack of a righteous action that YHWH has commanded us.

  11.      We must realize that our time with YHWH is worth far more to YHWH than our money.  You are worth more to YHWH than your money.  Your soul belongs to YHWH.  His first calling to you is to be righteous in Him, to love Him with all your heart, soul and strength.  The most you will ever have to give is your time to Him.  Learn to pray.  Learn to have a dialogue with our Father.  Learn to hear His Voice when you read His Word.  What is the value of your money when you are dead?  What is the value of all the material world if it is inherited by those who do not seek Justice and Righteousness and build the Malchut (kingdom of) Elohim?

  12.      We must give anonymously and not expect monetary or business rewards returning to us through any organization or association.  We are give without expecting a return.  There are thousands of false Christian leaders, many on television, who tell you to give to get.  This is wickedness, it seduces covetous and wicked hearts who think the Father will favor them with materialism if they give.  Many of the TV shows plant people in their audiences to lie and testify of deceitful things, these ministries have been caught red-handed lying and stealing from people but they operate under "religion" where they cannot be prosecuted by the state.  Beware of covetousness men telling you that YHWH will perform a miracle for you if you give them money.  Now, let's review what righteous justice in giving is.

 

     Today is the acceptable day of repentance.  Our tithe is to establish JUSTICE and RIGHTEOUSNESS in the Name of YHWH and for the cause of His Mashiyach Yeshua.  Where there is justice and righteousness there is also peace.  If what you have just read has spoken to your heart then please do something for yourself and your family now.  Seek the word of YHWH in your heart and apply your tithes and offerings in a righteous and perfect way.  Do not be sentimental about your giving, but be righteous.  Learn to understand and differentiate your giving according to the Word of YHWH.  Don't you find it very strange that so many Christian ministries teach about the "tithe" right from the Torah (especially Leviticus) but then say the rest of Torah is done away?

 

     Isn't is a shame that tithes and offerings are being distributed in an unrighteous and carnal way, so much so that most of what the Church is giving today is towards self-serving materialism?

 

     Are you part of the problem or part of the solution?  Are you giving tithes and offerings to the religious beast?  The only way you will know is if you take this to heart, read YHWH's Word, Pray and seek the Father yourself.  Do not ask others about what is your own stewardship to do.

 

     Let us return unto YHWH what belongs unto Him according to Torah and His Mashiyach, not according to what is right in our own eyes.

 

Shalom U'Vrachot,

 

Baruch ben Daniel

 

 

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