Preaching, Teaching, Tithes And Hypocrites

We are going to look at the scriptures that teach us first of all about preaching in general and then about preaching the gospel specifically.

Solomon was a preacher thousands of years ago. He preached about wisdom, the wisdom that pertains to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Eccl. 1:1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Israel.

Eccl. 12:9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.

Eccl. 12:13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Isaiah, Luke and Preaching

The Prophet Isaiah accurately predicted what the Messiah would do when he arrived on the scene.

Is. 61:1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

Luke 4:18 NIV “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,

The word translated “preach” and it’s variations means ‘to proclaim,” usually verbally.

Preach –From dictionary.com

verb (used with object)  1. to proclaim or make known by sermon (the gospel, good tidings, etc.).  2.to deliver (a sermon).  3.to advocate or inculcate (religious or moral truth, right conduct, etc.) in speech or writing.

So then, now we know what “preaching” means. It means to proclaim something and make it known, usually by speaking, but in some cases, (like Solomon’s Proverbs) by the written word.

Jonah the Prophet

Jonah 3:2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.

God also commanded the Old Testament prophet Jonah to preach to the city of Nineveh. The Ninevites received the message and repented and were spared from destruction at that time.

Luke 11:32 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah , and now one greater than Jonah is here.

The object of Biblical preaching generally seems to be to bring people to repentance. The Bible teaches us how to live in line with God’s will, so if we are not already doing His will then we must repent and begin to do so. We can find his will by studying the scriptures.

John the Baptist

Matt. 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

Mark 1:4 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

Luke 3:2-4 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord,

John, like Jonah, preached repentance. In addition he preached that the people should be baptized.

John 3:26-30 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.” To this John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.’ He must become greater; I must become less.

Jesus Begins To Preach

Matt. 4:17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Mark 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

Mark 1:38-39 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

Jesus Chooses His Disciples and Sends Them Out to Preach

Mark 3:14 He appointed twelve—designating them apostles—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach.

Matt. 11:1 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.

Matt. 10:7 As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’

Jesus and His Disciples at Times Ministered as a Group

Luke 8:1 And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,

The Religious Readers of the Day Also Preached

Luke 20:1 One day as he was teaching the people in the temple courts and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him.

The religious leaders of that time also preached and taught, but they did not practice what they preached. A good portion of their message was true, but they did not live it. They were more intent on making money. Not all preachers are living the life they endorse to others. They are hypocrites. Paul also spoke of such men in Romans 2:21 and there are other references to such people in the gospels.

Rom. 2:21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?

Matt. 23:3 So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach .

Mark 12:38-40 As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.”

It is no surprise that this was happening is Jesus’ time. It was happening hundreds of years before when Ezekiel was preaching, and is still going on today.

Ezek. 22:26 Her priests do violence to my law and profane my holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy and the common; they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean; and they shut their eyes to the keeping of my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.

Mic. 3:11 Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money.   Yet they lean upon the LORD and say, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster will come upon us.”

Hypocrites

To try and sometimes fail is not being a hypocrite. The word “hypocrite” comes from old Greek drama where a person hiding behind a mask accuses another but is secretly doing the very things they accuse others of doing. Thus Jesus’ words to the Pharisees about not practicing what they preach.

Matt. 23:4 They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

hyp·o·crite    http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypocrite

Definition of HYPOCRITE     noun \ˈhi-pə-ˌkrit\

1. A person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion

2. A person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings

Origin of HYPOCRITE:  Middle English ypocrite, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin hypocrita, from Greek hypokritēs actor , hypocrite, from hypokrinesthai

Examples of hypocrites From the Scriptures

Since this study is primarily about preaching you may wonder why we are spending so much time looking at the definition of hypocrites. The answer is that if there is anything we do not want to as a preacher it is one of these. The harshest words of condemnation were reserved for those who put on an outward show of religion but inwardly they were not really believing it and in secret they were violating the very things that they were advising others against. (sin)

Verses About Hypocrites

Psa. 26:4 I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites ;

Matt. 6:2“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

Matt. 6:5“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites , for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

Matt. 6:16  “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

Matt. 15:7-8 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:             “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

Matt. 23:13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.

Matt. 23:15 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.

Matt. 23:23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

Matt. 23:25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

Matt. 23:27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean.

Luke 12:56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?

The verses above give us a picture of “a good example of a bad example.” They show us what not to be like if we want God’s blessing on us in this life and we desire to gain eternal life with Jesus in his kingdom.

Preach the Gospel

In Jesus last command to his disciples he commanded them to “Preach the Gospel” to all creation.

Mark 16:15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news (gospel) to all creation.

Preaching in the New Testament – Acts and Letters

Acts 8:4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.

The disciples did what Christ commanded and preached the Word he had given them everywhere they went.

Examples if the Apostles Preaching

Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized , both men and women.

Those who were preached to, when they believed did something about it. They had obviously repented because that was part of the message Christ had commanded to be preached, and then they were baptized. So, preaching led to believing which led to repentance and was then followed by baptism. This then is the normal path of salvation and spiritual growth.

Acts 8:25 When they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord , Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.

Acts 9:20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.

Acts 10:42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.

Acts 11:19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

The disciples were scattered abroad due to the persecutions at Jerusalem. This did not discourage them. They did not say, “Well if God lets us settle somewhere and live peacefully and get rich, then we will preach.” No, as they were fleeing persecution they were preaching. Some may have settled in other areas or countries and some may have lived as nomads, traveling evangelists temporarily or for the rest of their lives. In either case they were intent on following Christ’s command to preach the gospel rather than look out for their own interests first.

I mention that because many are those who have told me in the past that “If God will do (blank) then I will serve him. The item a person desires may be a good thing, a husband or wife, the salvation of a husband or wife, the healing of a child or family member, wealth or happiness. Those may all be good things but the disciples did not let anything stop them from preaching. That was their first and foremost priority and everything else was a distant second.

Paul in Greece Preaches to the Gentiles

Acts 11:20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.

Acts 15:35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Acts 16:6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.

Notice above that the Holy Spirit” guided Paul and his companions not to take time to preach in a certain area. We are not told why but perhaps the people living in that area would not have been receptive to the gospel at that time or perhaps God already had it in mind to send someone else there to preach and evangelize. Whatever the case may be God forbade Paul from ministering there. However, He had a distinct plan for Paul and company, to preach the gospel to Macedonia, today a part of northern Greece.

Acts 16:10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Acts 17:13 When the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, they went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up.

Acts 17:18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.

Acts 18:5 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.

It was God’s plan to use Paul to a great degree in starting (planting) the Grecian gentile Church.

Later Paul Preached in Asia for Three years

At an earlier time Paul was prevented by the Holy Spirit in Asia. Greece was to come first. Later though God gave Paul the opportunity to evangelize in Asia for a good many years.

Acts 20:17-20 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.  I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

Acts 20:25-27 “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.

Paul labored among the Greeks for much of his ministry. God used Paul more than anyone else in founding the gentile church, of which we are a part of today if you are a non Jewish believer in Jesus Christ .

Paul in Rome

Acts 28:16 When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.

Acts 28:31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

Rom. 1:9 God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you

Rom. 1:15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.

Rom. 15:20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.

Rom. 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

Paul Writes to the Corinthians

Paul while in Greece also preached and founded churche(s) in Corinth. Which is not too far away from modern day Athens.

1Cor. 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

2Cor. 4:5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord , and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

Paul and John Write to the Asian Churches

The Book of Revelation penned by John the Apostle, was sent first to the Asian Churches, and Paul wrote the book of Ephesians and more to Asia. The lesson here is that God has a time and a place for everything and everyone. If we wish to be successful in pleasing God then we don’t make our own plans, we just follow His (God’s) plan.

Rev. 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

The point here is that God does not have only one person who preaches and teaches to the entire world. The preaching of the gospel is a group effort, orchestrated by the Holy Spirit to insure that the gospel will be preached to all nations, using everyone who is willing in order to accomplish His task.

Matt. 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

After preaching and founding the Greek churches Paul preached in Asia and lived in Ephesus for three years. (Acts 20:31) The lesson here is not to get ahead of God. Sometimes we have good ideas, ideas that line up with God’s will but we get ahead of things. We have to strive both to be in the right place and also there at the right time in order to accomplish our God given mission.

Gal. 1:16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man,

Gal. 1:23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”

Gal. 2:7 On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews.

2Tim. 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

Preaching and Teaching Work Together

The Old Testament leaders and prophets were also commanded to teach. Primarily they were to teach from the Pentateuch, also know as the first five books of Moses.

Ex. 18:20 Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform.

Ex. 35:34 And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others.

God gave special teaching abilities to certain people. While everyone who is literate may teach to some degree by just reading the Word of God to people, some have a special gift for teaching.

Ex. 24:7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people . They responded, “We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey.”

Deut. 31:11 when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose, you shall read this law before them in their hearing.

Josh. 8:34-35 Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law —the blessings and the curses—just as it is written in the Book of the Law. There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the aliens who lived among them.

Joshua read the law of the Lord to the people and it was commanded that this be done whenever all Israel was to come to Jerusalem for a special feast. Some people may feel unqualified to teach. If a person can read, they can teach. Paul writes to Timothy to read, preach and teach.

1Tim. 4:13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture , to preaching and to teaching.

In fact, a lot of good Bible stories are ruined by too much preaching about them. In some cases we would be better off if the Bible was just read and not commented upon at all.

Lev. 10:11 and you must teach the Israelites all the decrees the LORD has given them through Moses.”

Deut. 4:9  Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

Deut. 11:19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Prov. 9:9 Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.

New Testament Teaching

Mark 1:21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach.

Mark 4:1 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake , while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge.

John 8:2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.

Rom. 12:6-8 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; If it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

2Tim. 2:2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

Titus 2:1 You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine .

That should be enough about teaching to show that it is a part of God’s plan for people to teach others about Himself. He could do it all himself if he desired to do so, but he permits us to share in his work and will also reward us for it later.

1Cor. 9:16-17 Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.

However, as Paul says, even if we do not feel like doing it, our duty as Christians is to do so. That should be enough about teaching. We have a few more scriptures to look at concerning preaching and then we will move on to another subject.

Eph. 3:8 Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

1Tim. 2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

1Tim. 5:17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

It is clear from the verse above that preaching and teaching often go together, especially when someone is directing the affairs of the Church full time. Note that it is the “elders” who are doing this, which could also be translated as shepherds, pastors, priests or ministers.

2Tim. 4:2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

Titus 1:3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching , which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

You may be saying to yourself, Ok, Ok, I get it. Why are you belaboring the point? Yes, there is a reason. One of the reasons for looking at many scriptures about preaching is to discover how it was done, by what methodology?

There is a modern day movement to improve on teaching methods. The school systems in the United States are constantly testing different theories concerning how to teach. Both teacher and student evaluation scores are sometimes determined using various methods for comparison.

We must remember that for thousands of years there were no electronic assist devices, No public address systems, no amplifiers or sound mixers, no recording devices, no cameras either still or video. No televisions or computers, no artificial light shows. There was not even a way to duplicate famous paintings so that people could view an artists conception of the last supper or the crucifixion. Real paintings in the church or stained glass windows were about the only visual aids that Christian teachers had available. Teaching was done almost exclusively by speaking clearly and concisely.

Also, lets look at the places that Jesus taught large crowds. He spoke from a boat offshore and often in the mountains. This was done so his voice would carry and the people could hear him. When speaking in this manner, especially on a mountain the sound would resonate or echo and the speaker had to allow for that before continuing. If he spoke too fast some might find his words unintelligible, mixing with the echo. Lets look at a few phrases from the ‘Sermon on the Mount.”

Matt. 5:1-2 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:

Matt. 5:3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matt. 5:4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Matt. 5:5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Matt. 5:6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Imagine Jesus speaking on the mountain, ‘Blessed are the meek,…(pause)… For they will inherit the earth. He would no doubt pause at every comma, letting the words reverberate off of the mountains and penetrate the peoples minds.

Now contrast that with what we sometimes see in the pulpit and on Christian television today. Often a preacher is yelling, hollering, even screaming, talking as fast as possible, hopping, jumping and running all over the stage or pulpit, cordless microphone in hand, sweating and red in the face seemingly on the verge of having a heart attack. Can you imagine Jesus preaching in such a manner? 

Not only is it sometimes more human showmanship than the reality of the Holy Spirit orchestrating the message, but it is hard to follow the Word being given due to the distracting antics being performed by the speaker. How can one concentrate on the sermon when the behavior on the platform is like a circus show and the speaker is acting like a secular entertainer or a clown?

I find I cannot learn very much from Christian television when that type of performance is being given. It seems that often the method of delivery is being used to make up for lack of any real content. Not only is it not edifying to the church body, it makes Christianity and Christ look ridiculous. Woe to those who practice such things for love of money.

So, when we are talking about preaching and teaching here we need to look at how it was being done in Jesus’ time and how it should be done today.  

Jesus also used another method of teaching especially with small groups such as his disciples and the religious leaders. He asked questions. Sometimes he gave an answer right away and sometimes he waited until a later time. By asking a question and giving the hearer at least a little time to think about it caused the hearer to remember the thought much more clearly than just listening to a lecture. Jesus asked more than one hundred questions in the gospels. We will just sample a dozen of them here.

Matt 6:27 Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your lifespan?

Matt 7:2 Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye yet fail to perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?

Matt 15:3 And why do you break the commandments of God for the sake of your tradition?

Matt 16:13 Who do people say the Son of Man is?

Matt 16:15 But who do you say that I am?

Matt 16:26 What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life  and what can one give in exchange   for his life?

Matt 23:33 How are you to avoid being sentenced to hell?

Luke 6:46 Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord’ and not do what I command?

Luke 12:26 If even the smallest things are beyond your control, why are you anxious about the rest?

John 3: 12 If I tell you about earthly things and you will not believe, how will you believe when I tell you of heavenly things?

John 5:44 How is it that you seek praise from one another and not seek the praise that comes from God?

John 21:16 Do you love me?

By asking questions Jesus was causing those who were listening and interested to think. Today we like to be entertained. I recently read about a church that advertises itself as having a Sunday morning service that is like a rock concert, complete with dancers and a light show. In other words you can park your brain at the door and just come in, drink coffee and have a light breakfast and enjoy the show.

That may very well attract some people to church, but will they be converted? Will they grow spiritually? People came out to see Jesus also when they thought there would always be free food. Once they saw the food giveaway program was over most of them lost interest and deserted him. From 9000 people he only found seventy who were willing to follow him. (The feeding of the 5000 and the 4000)

In fairness however, not everyone is called to drop everything, quit their jobs and become a preacher. Only those called by Jesus. There were probably many who believed who went back to living their normal lives yet kept their faith in Jesus.

Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.

The Great Commission

Matt. 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Preaching is the method for evangelizing and teaching is for those who have become converted due to the evangelization. The end result is the making of disciples around the world. That is our job as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Tithes and the Temple

In the church world today some justify the multi million dollar large ornate buildings that are constructed as churches by pointing to the command to build the first temple in Jerusalem.

In Israel at that time, an area the size of Georgia, there was only one temple in the country and that was only about 2700 sq feet. Yes, it was beautiful but the price was small in comparison to having thousands of large church buildings in a city, county or state as is our practice today.

What are the dimension’s length x width x height of King Solomons Temple in feet? Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/

Wiki Answers > 90 feet x 30 feet x 45 feet

To visualize total floor area, let's compare it with the dimensions for a basketball court. NBA/NCAA - regulation basketball court size is 94' long by 50' wide. = 4,700 sq. ft

Solomon's temple; 90 feet x 30 = 2700 sq.ft.

Maintenance was not a big budget item on a 2700 square foot building. Contrast that with today. Not only that, it didn’t even have any pews or chairs. People stood for the service. No heat or AC either. Not much financial overhead for the maintaining the sanctuary. The entire Temple was only a little more than half the size of a basketball court, and that served the whole nation. Compare that with all of our church buildings today. Because we can’t get along we have at least one for every denomination in every major town and often several for each denomination.

Everyone had to pay their tithes to that one place. On top of that there was no mortgage. King David collected the building materials during his reign and his son Solomon hired craftsmen to build it. It was paid for when it was completed.

The building was beautiful and debt free, as God desired. From the tithes collected afterwards they would not have needed even one percent for building repair and maintenance. Unlike today where multi million dollar mortgages are commonplace and where God’s money is being wasted on paying interest, something he forbade in OT times.

Deut. 23:19 Do not charge your brother interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest.

We are not following the Lord’s will with our church buildings. Much of the money used for edifices and interest should be directed to widows,   orphans and to the preaching of the gospel.

James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Of course we need buildings, especially in the cold weather states and even in the warmer states we need shelter protection from the rain. But buildings should not consume a large share of the tithes. After building costs and salaries many churches do not even have ten percent of their income left for missionary outreach, which is the whole purpose for the existence of the church.

Tithes and Offerings

You may be wondering again, “Why are you now writing about tithes and offerings? I thought this study was about preaching and teaching.”   Well, it is about that but, what begins with preaching ends with a new fellowship being formed which often requires a building and money to keep it going. Since this is the natural progression of things we would not want a group of new converts to think that the purpose of the Christian religion was to build a Parthenon or a Taj Mahal.

The Parthenon is a temple on the Athenian Acropolis, Greece, dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their virgin patron.

The Taj Mahal Is the “Crown of palaces". It is a white Marble mausoleum located in Agra, India. The Taj Mahal is widely recognized as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage.    (www.wikepedia.com)

Again, constructing elaborate and expensive buildings is not the purpose of the Biblical tithe. That is following the ways of the heathen.

Is the Storehouse Just any Church?

Many are the ministers who encourage their flock to “Bring all of the tithes into my Church,” using Malachi 3:10 to justify their request for doing so. Is that a correct use of scripture?

Mal. 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

The Bible does say to bring the tithes into the storehouse. But what is the storehouse? Is it any building that someone buys, appoints themselves to be the minister and proclaims that everyone should give them money? Is this how it is supposed to be done? Like starting up a small business and then hoping it turns into a larger one so you can make more money? Also, think about this; if you are tithing and not being blessed, could it be because you are not tithing to the real storehouse? If God’s word is true and you are a tither you should be blessed.

Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

First of all, no one should be in charge of appointing their own self to be the leader of a congregation and have the right to the tithes. Anyone is allowed to preach the gospel of course free of charge. Jesus commanded it. Paul did it, (preached free of charge) in some cases. Even so, Paul defended his right and the right of other full time Christian workers to maintain their livelihood  from the work of preaching the gospel if it were necessary.

Matt. 10:8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

1Cor. 9:18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it.

2Cor. 11:7 Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge?

Paul Defends the Rights of Full Time Ministers to Wages

1Cor. 9:3-6 This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. Don’t we have the right to food and drink? Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas? Or is it only I and Barnabas who must work for a living?

1Tim. 5:18 For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages .”

1Cor. 9:7-10 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk? Do I say this merely from a human point of view? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest.

1Cor. 9:11-12 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.

The real problem in today’s world is that we run the church like a business. As a congregation gets larger and larger the wages of the senior or founding preacher also keep increasing, just like a private enterprise. That is not how it should work. The Levites did not have levels of pay. The pay of the preacher(s) should be about the same as the average of the congregants. Lets just say that the average income comes out to $50,000.00 a year.

If the church has 120 people they should easily be able to support the pastor, upkeep for the building and have a strong missionary budget. If they grow to 240 people they should not give the pastor $100,000.00 a year because they now have twice as many people. They should hire a second pastor to adequately take care of the sheep and to evangelize, and pay him $50,000.00 also. Some pastors and television evangelists are raking in millions, bringing disgrace on both Christ and the Church. Even the worldly people know instinctively that is wrong.

Pastors should make about the same as the sheep, and if too much money is coming in and must be spent, hire another pastor if necessary or spend it on widows and orphans or missions.

Full Time Christian Workers

Those who work full time preaching the gospel may have their livelihood derived from the gospel.

1Cor. 9:13-14 Don’t you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

What is the Storehouse?

Before we can decide where to give our tithes we must know what the storehouse is.

Gen. 41:56 And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.

Joel 1:17 The seeds are shriveled beneath the clods. The storehouses are in ruins, the granaries have been broken down, for the grain has dried up.

Prov. 11:26 People curse the man who hoards grain, but blessing crowns him who is willing to sell.

The storehouse is where you get food. In Old Testament times it was where the grain was distributed which was used to make bread.

The storehouse today could be compared to a supermarket. In modern English we might say “Blessed is the man who opens the supermarket so people can buy food.”

You don’t buy at food at one store and refuse to pay for it there because you usually shop at another supermarket. Imagine going to ABC store and filling your cart with groceries and attempting to push it out the door without going through the checkout line. If caught you might spend some time in jail for shoplifting. Now imagine that you go to court and are defending your actions to the judge saying, “Judge, I know I went to ABC and got food there last week and walked out with it without paying, but I normally go to Mr. Pigs grocery. That is why I did not pay. How far do you think that argument will get you?

The point is, you pay where you eat. (buy food) In the spiritual sense you pay your tithes where you are getting fed spiritual food. You must pay everyone who is feeding you, not just one place and take food free from others.

Deut. 26:12 When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied.

Now, if your church is doing one hundred percent of the ministering you are receiving and is also doing missionary work and caring for the poor, widows and orphans you may want to give all of your tithes there. But if they are not doing all of those things you are in danger of losing rewards at the judgment seat of Christ for misuse of your tithes.

In New Testament times and today Jesus is called the bread that came down from heaven. Jesus and his word are our spiritual food. That is why I said you must pay where you are taught about Jesus. Today the storehouse is not the supermarket for natural food but for spiritual food. Lets look at what Jesus says about this topic in John.

 John 6:41 & 48 At this the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”   I am the bread of life.

John 6:49-51 Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven . If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

John 6:52 Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”

John 6:53-57 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life , and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.

John 6:58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever.”

John 6:59-62 He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”             Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before!

John 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

Once again, Jesus is our spiritual food. The storehouse is where we are taught about Jesus. In order to be giving in accordance with God’s will you must be paying your tithes to a place that is teaching about Jesus and helping the less fortunate. If your church is not doing both of those things you would be well advised to find another church.

Grain and Wine Also signify the Elements of Communion

Actually, the physical elements of communion are normally derived from grain and grapes. (Unless you use the white wafers) No matter what wafers you use the elements of communion represent the body and blood of Christ, our spiritual nourishment.

The symbolism of the bible is so wonderfully simple. God compares gaining eternal life to consuming food to stay alive. Physical life is sustained by natural food. Spiritual (eternal) life is gained and sustained by partaking of spiritual food, as explained by Jesus in John 6:41-63.

In other human symbolism God compares life in his kingdom to the life of a bride after she marries a great and wealthy king. God uses normal human situations to teach about himself. When we understand these parallels the bible becomes so much clearer. That is why Jesus taught things in parables, so we humans could understand comparitive human events to spiritual things.

To summarize, you owe for that spiritual food, the food from heaven, to whoever is teaching you the words of life. You do not owe for cushy seats, beautiful buildings, new carpeting, artwork and stained glass windows, singing and music or any other thing in the church except the teaching of the word as it pertains to Christ. Those other things may be nice and make it comfortable and that is well and good, and offerings may be used for those items to make the church building nice inside and out. But, the tithes must be used for what God has commanded.

The Handling of the Tithes

Deut. 16:16  Three times a year all your men must appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles. No man should appear before the LORD empty-handed:

Deut. 12:11 Then to the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for his Name—there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice possessions you have vowed to the LORD.

All of the men of Israel had to journey to Jerusalem three times in the year to bring their tithes to the storehouse.

The Levites and the priests did not receive land in Israel like the members of all the other tribes. Instead they were to perform the duties of the Temple and the duties of the government.

Num. 18:24 Instead, I give to the Levites as their inheritance the tithes that the Israelites present as an offering to the LORD. That is why I said concerning them: ‘They will have no inheritance among the Israelites.’”

Neh. 10:38 A priest descended from Aaron is to accompany the Levites when they receive the tithes, and the Levites are to bring a tenth of the tithes up to the house of our God, to the storerooms of the treasury.

The priests and Levites received their pay from the tithes of the land owners and also were required to tithe themselves.

Neh. 12:44 At that time men were appointed to be in charge of the storerooms for the contributions, firstfruits and tithes. From the fields around the towns they were to bring into the storerooms the portions required by the Law for the priests and the Levites, for Judah was pleased with the ministering priests and Levites.

How Does One Get “Called” to be a Preacher Today?

First of all, God calls people into the ministry. We do not call ourselves.

John 6:44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

Now, that does not prevent false preachers and prophets from calling themselves. They call themselves to shear the sheep not to feed the sheep.

John 21:17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

In John 15:16 Jesus explains that it is really He who does the choosing. He does the choosing through people who are filled with the Holy Spirit and are able to discern God’s will. In short, one cannot, at least according to the scriptures, appoint themselves as one who is in a position to receive tithes. Of course, any rich person who wants to preach and fund it themselves may certainly do so. George Foreman did it. He went back to fighting so the poor people in the church he started would not have to pay to keep the church doors open. Anyone with their own money may of course use it to preach the gospel.

When I say Jesus does the choosing I do not mean that everyone has an experience like Paul on the Damascus road. For most it is more of a progression, a series of events that lead to having opportunities in ministry.

Billy Graham (Parts Excerpted from Wikepeia)

Lets take Billy Graham for example. After he was converted he had a burning desire to learn the bible and share it. He even preached to the cows he was tending on the Graham farm before becoming a minister. It is also reported that he preached to birds, alligators and cypress stumps. He had a true and burning desire to preach the gospel.

He went to Bible College and eventually received a Bachelors degree. While at Bible College he felt the call of God leading him into full time ministry.

While attending college, he became pastor of the United Gospel Tabernacle and also had other preaching engagements. Graham served briefly as pastor of the Village Church in Western Springs, Illinois, not far from Wheaton, in 1943-44.

His enthusiasm and desire to preach had such an effect on the people around him that he was asked to become the president of a Bible college at age 30, which he accepted and performed for four years. He was then asked to speak at some evangelistic meetings in California. They were so successful in winning souls to Christ that it naturally resulted in his becoming an evangelistic speaker. When God is blessing someone with success in winning people to Christ, that will usually be an indication of the door he wants us to step through.

As a guard against even the appearance of wrongdoing Graham had a policy that he would never be alone with a woman, other than his wife Ruth. This has come to be known as the Billy Graham Rule.

Mr. Graham has lived a moderate lifestyle in his home state of North Carolina. Although the income of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Organization is more than 91 million a year his salary has never exceeded $174,000.00. Compare that with a well known television preacher who takes ten percent of all contributions for himself. Last year he made 1.25 million from donations of 12.5 million.  

I want to make several points here in the conclusion of this section. One is that a person who feels called into the ministry must first of all meet the requirements for deacons and elders as outlined in Timothy and Titus. A deacon is the lower office kind of like a pastors assistant. An elder today would be called a pastor. Those in a higher office above the pastorate level must certainly meet the requirements for deacons and elders. Read 1&2 Timothy and Titus. You should be able to decide in a few minutes if you have the gifts, skills, abilities and self control necessary to become a full time Christian worker. If you do not and cannot see yourself meeting those requirements set aside your desire, at least temporarily until God enables you to all that is listed therein.

Two is that once a person meets all of those requirements and is a journeyman in biblical knowledge then people who know him, if God wills that he be a full time Christian worker, will begin to ask him to be a pastor or to serve in some other position.

In short, he will be appointed, either by some authority or asked to serve by a local congregation. Setting up your own organization and Church and demanding that people bring their tithes to you is not the way God sets up a “storehouse.” (ministry) It may be a storehouse all right, but it is your personal storehouse, not the one God says to bring the tithes to in the bible. If you want to become a full time Christian worker, get your personal life in order, learn the scriptures, go to bible college if you desire and wait for the call.

One note about bible college, it is not a requirement before God. There is value in it however. Of all of the apostles Paul was the most educated. All of the others served God well and preached and taught. God however, used Paul to write a majority of the New Testament besides the gospels. Peter had two small books and James and Jude one each. Now contrast that with Dr. Luke who wrote Luke and Acts. So, education can be useful, especially to those who wish to write. However, if you are not really a person who enjoys formal education do not be dismayed, God can use you in any position to minister to the saints with the gifts he has given you.

1Cor. 14:12 So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.

How Do Appointments (Calls) Come?

In the Didache, the manual of the early Greek Church about 100 AD we can see how they did it. If we believe that God was orchestrating the formation of the Church from Pentecost in about 34 AD to a few years after the time of Paul’s founding of the gentile church then we would do well to at least consider how they managed their fellowships.

15:1-4 Appoint for yourselves therefore bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, men who are meek and not lovers of money, and true and approved; for unto you they also perform the service of the prophets and teachers. Therefore despise them not; for they are your honourable men along with the prophets and teachers.

Notice in verse 15:1 of the Didache it says “Appoint for Yourselves bishops and deacons.” It is talking about the fellowship of believers doing the appointing, not someone appointing themselves to a position of authority and to receiving the tithes of the people. This is in agreement with how it was done in the early Church. In Acts 1:21 they were choosing someone to replace Judas who had betrayed Christ and committed suicide. In Acts 6:3 they were appointing the first seven deacons to distribute the food and finances to the widows. In Acts 15:22 they were choosing two men to accompany Paul and Barnabas on a missionary journey. Lastly Paul writes to Titus that he wants him to appoint elders in every town.

Acts 1:21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

Acts 6:3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them.

Acts 15:22 Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, two men who were leaders among the brothers.

Titus 1:5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town , as I directed you.

The elders did not appoint themselves. Some may argue about Billy Graham and say; “He started his own organization.” Yes he did. However, that was after he had served as pastor of two churches, president of a bible college, toured Europe as a Youth for Christ speaker, and had been preaching with great success in evangelistic meetings. He also turned down a five million dollar offer to have his own television show. God had already placed the “Seal of Approval” on his ministry long before he formed his own organization. Even then he never controlled the finances himself but had honorable and honest people do so, unlike some who retain total control of all the money and line their own pockets.

So then, calls to minister come to those who have prepared themselves through God’s leading to be ready for Christian ministry. Some may disagree but there is no other method except by call, invitation and appointment either in the Bible or in the record of Early Church history. Even Paul after his conversion on the Damascus road did not run our and start an organization. He was taught and healed by a Christian in Damascus. He did preach but did not collect money for it at the beginning. He worked as a tentmaker to fund his preaching of the gospel. Then he was taken to Jerusalem by Barnabas and introduced to the Apostles. The Apostles then sent him to minister to the gentiles. Even he did not choose himself to start a ministry and receive money for it.

1Cor. 16:1-3 Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem.

After his appointment by the disciples at Jerusalem he asserted his right to live from donations for his ministry, but rarely ever took any money for himself. When he did take an offering it was usually to help other persecuted Christians in need.

Paul Was Chosen by God to be the Apostle to the Gentiles

Acts 9:15   But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.

Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.

Acts 9:28-30 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him. When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

If God did not have even Paul to whom he appeared become a missionary and collect tithes without being appointed to do so, how can anyone justify it scripturally today?

The Didache (Greek: The Teaching)

Before continuing on to another topic lets look at a few more of the practices of the early church. These are all from the Didache chapters eleven through thirteen.

11:1-2 Whosoever therefore shall come and teach you all these things that have been said before, receive him; but if the teacher himself be perverted and teach a different doctrine to the destruction thereof, hear him not;

11:4-7 But concerning the apostles and prophets, so do ye according to the ordinance of the Gospel. Let every apostle, when he cometh to you, be received as the Lord; but he shall not abide more than a single day, or if there be need, a but if he abide three days, he is a false prophet .

11:8-9 And when he departeth let the apostle receive nothing save bread, until he findeth shelter; but if he ask money, he is a false prophet.

11:16 And every prophet teaching the truth, if he doeth not what he teacheth, is a false prophet.

12:1-2 But let every one {that cometh in the name of the Lord} be received; and then when ye have tested him ye shall know him, for ye shall have understanding on the right hand and on the left.

12:3-4 If the comer is a traveller, assist him, so far as ye are able; but he shall not stay with you more than two or three days, if it be necessary.

12:5-8 But if he wishes to settle with you, being a craftsman, let him work for and eat his bread. But if he has no craft, according to your wisdom provide how he shall live as a Christian among you, but not in idleness. If he will not do this, he is trafficking upon Christ. Beware of such men.

13:1-2 But every true prophet desiring to settle among you {is worthy of his food.} In like manner a true teacher {is} also {worthy,} like {the workman, of his food.}

13:3-4 Every firstfruit then of the produce of the wine-vat and of the threshing-floor, of thy oxen and of thy sheep, thou shalt take and give as the firstfruit to the prophets; for they are your chief-priests.

13:5 But if ye have not a prophet, give them to the poor.

14:1 And on the Lord's own day gather yourselves together and break bread and give thanks, first confessing your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure.

14:2 And let no man, having his dispute with his fellow, join your assembly until they have been reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be defiled;

14:3-5 for this sacrifice it is that was spoken of by the Lord; {In every place and at every time offer Me a pure sacrifice; for I am a great king, saith the Lord and My name is wonderful among the nations.}

God’s Government and Temple System

A question that always comes up when the subject of tithing is discussed in the Church is “Should I tithe on my gross pay or my net pay?”

With the government taking anywhere from fifteen to thirty percent of the average workers pay and then with a tithe on top of that it amounts to forty percent deductions and that’s not counting Social Security and Medicare deductions which are deemed by the government to be insurance programs payments, not taxes. Nor does that include state and local taxes. In short, some have to live on fifty percent of their gross pay. God did not set his program up this way.

Under God’s plan there was not a fifteen to thirty percent government tax on top of the tithe. The tithe took care of it all. The Aaronic priests got their living from the tithes and performed the temple duties and the Levites performed all the rest of the services of religion and government.

God warned the people when they demanded a king of what would happen if they did so. A king and a democratic government amount to about the same thing, a ruling class that taxes the rest beyond the 10% measure.

1Sam. 8:5-8 They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. And the LORD told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you.

1Sam. 8:9-10 Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do.” Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king.

1Sam. 8:11 He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will do: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots.

1Sam. 8:12-13 Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers.

1Sam. 8:14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants.

1Sam. 8:15 He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants.

1Sam. 8:16-17 Your menservants and maidservants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves.

Having a secular government leads to unnecessary wars. Kings and governments let petty quarrels with each other over trivialities become wars. For this reason they must always maintain a large standing military to insure that they are ready for a battle at any time. Under God’s guidance Israel, after they had settled their land only went to war when they were attacked, and they always won the war when they were serving the Lord. They did not need a standing army or a spy agency to win every war they were in.

1Sam. 8:18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day.”

Eventually nations with kings, dictators and presidents cry out for relief from the government system that they have created. Then revolutions are fought. War is bad enough but when the people of a country fight against each other in a civil war all of the casualties are from that country. It is a lose / lose situation.

1Sam. 8:19-22 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” The LORD answered, “Listen to them and give them a king.”

1Sam. 10:19 But you have now rejected your God, who saves you out of all your calamities and distresses. And you have said, ‘No, set a king over us.’

Now I am not suggesting that we in the United States become a theocracy. However many people ask the question, should tithes be on the gross pay or the net pay. The answer is that there should not even be a net pay. The tithe should be on the gross and the ninety percent that is left should belong to the person. We are asking the wrong question. It is like asking what swear word should I use when I hit my finger with a hammer. The answer is none! In the same manner tithing on the gross or net should not be a question because one tithe should suffice to support the programs of both God and government. Anything beyond that is mans doing and you have human beings to blame for it, not God. We demanded a president, (our forefathers) and we have one. So now we must render unto Caesar…

Mark 12:17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.

Rom. 13:7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Taxes in the United States

Under God’s system there were eleven workers for every person on the dole, and even those on the dole returned ten percent into the kitty.

Lets look at what we support today with our taxes. First of all we have the president and all of his employees in the executive branch of government. Then there is the legislative branch, senators and representatives and their assistants, families and hangers on. That would be bad enough but then there is the military from the generals to the foot soldiers and then all of the machinery and equipment of war. Of course to collect and manage all of these taxes we need another army of employees, the IRS. Then we have the FBI and the CIA, the federal, state and local police forces, the state and local college personnel, the school teachers and administrators, social workers, parks and recreation workers, streets and sewer maintenance and on and on and on it goes. We are lucky if we only pay forty percent federal, state and local taxes. Then on top of all that we have sales and fuel taxes. It’s amazing we have anything left at all.

Is it any wonder our country is sinking under the burden of it all? The only true producers of wealth is the private sector. How much longer can it go on? Example, if three workers must support one, then if the three make $40,000 a year then they must each give up half of their wages to support the one government employee with a $60,000 wages and benefits package, which is about how much more a government employee makes than one in the private sector. It is a situation that is reversed from what it should be. Government jobs should be entry level minimum wage jobs that people take to get started in life and gain some experience before they get a real job that actually benefits the country, one in the private sector, one that creates wealth, not redistributes it.

We have placed government workers on a pedestal and private sector workers on the bottom of the ladder. No government employee except the president should make more and have more benefits that the average worker in the U.S.A. About $50,000.00 a year with reasonable but not excellent health care and a pension after thirty years of service is more than fair for government employees, senators and congressmen included. At that the pension should only be about 1/3 of their salary and they should pay into Social Security.

God has a Sure fire Way of Collecting Taxes Without an IRS

Zech. 14:17 If any of the peoples of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, they will have no rain.

If any nation does not come to Jerusalem with their tithes they will have no rain on their land. How long do you think it will take for the people to have an uprising and overthrow of any leader who will not allow them to grow food to eat?

Now lets imagine doing things Gods way. Public and private sector workers would make about the same wages and benefits. Under God’s plan there are eleven of twelve workers to chip in and pay for every government worker. We are getting to the point today where there are only four or five private sector workers for every government employee. That is why private sector employees have not had raises for many years now. The burden on them is increasing every year. As public sector employees increase and private sector employees decrease, someday the system will implode like a building being demolished. Do you remember the twin towers collapsing? Our financial system is in a similar situation and about to collapse. There is no way that two private sector employees can support one government parasite. Our system is doomed unless there is change soon.

Remember also that under God’s plan ten percent paid not just for government, but for the Temple also. Oh, would it not be wonderful just to pay a ten percent flat tax and have it cover everything. That was Gods plan. We are the ones who have not adopted it. Don’t blame God for lack of blessings, we are doing it to ourselves.

We are not alone. Both the US and Europe are going bankrupt along with many other so called civilized nations. Unless major changes are made soon the economies of the U.S.A. and Europe will cave in under the weight of over taxation.

This will pave the way pave the way for the Antichrist to come to power with the promise of managing all of the worlds money to solve all problems, and then he will betray us. That is indeed what is going to happen someday, but we don’t have to rush headlong into it in advance by our own stupidity.

Some think God is harsh in demanding ten percent. It is not God who is harsh, but the governments that humans place over themselves by demanding more than that ten percent. There will be no real solution to the tithing question until Jesus rules and reigns with a rod of iron as both King and High Priest.

Psa. 2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

Rev. 2:27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

Rev. 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

Rev. 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron : and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

At that time the entire world will pay the tithe to Jesus in Jerusalem or they will have no rain on their countries. Any other taxes they pay will be those they choose to pay to their own country or locality for services rendered.

Jesus is both our King and Priest (for the saved) and he will eventually rule the world having both titles after his return. He is both God and government personified.

Jesus is Our High Priest

Heb. 8:1 The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,

Jesus is Also Our King

Rev. 17:14 They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”

The Preaching of the Cross is Foolishness to Them That Perish

Why did God choose preaching as the means of spreading salvation?

1Cor. 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

1Cor. 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

1Cor. 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

God chose the foolish things of this world to confound the wise, (In their own eyes) He chose to make salvation by faith so that anyone could be saved, not just the rich or the mighty or the highly intelligent. He chose the method of proclaiming the gospel to be preaching. Preaching is His  means of spreading the gospel throughout the world.

1Cor. 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

To the people of this world who have no interest in salvation or in Jesus, all religion is foolish, but especially Christianity. Christianity seems especially foolish because of Jesus’ commands about morality and drunkenness. People want to have fun, sometimes above all else.

Rom. 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools ,

The worldly wise will be the fools at the judgment seat of Christ.

2Cor. 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ , that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Conclusion

So then let us now conclude this matter of “Preaching and Teaching the Gospel, Tithes and Hypocrites.” We will also review the proper way to fulfill “The Great commission.”

1. Preaching leads those the Lord has called and elected to repentance and then to conversion, which is sometimes called “salvation.”  

2. Conversion is then followed by teaching of the basics about Jesus Christ as outlined in 1Corinthians 15.

3. After the teaching of the basics, baptism should immediately follow if it did not already take place shortly after conversion.

4. After baptism a new convert may participate in communion and fellowship with the local church body.

5. Then the new convert should be “discipled” or taught the deeper truths of the faith. This is where one leaves off drinking only the milk of the word and begins to eat meat.

6. These things have now prepared the person to themselves to begin the duplication process and train others in the faith. One does not have to wait of course to tells others about Jesus and share what they have learned so far. We are talking here about one who has enough time and testing and learning under their belt to be considered for leadership positions in the church or in home fellowship groups. It is expected that normally this process would have taken about four years and the one who desires to work in full time Christian service will meet all of the biblical requirements.

7. Groups of believers form ‘fellowships” and worship together. These fellowships are commonly called “churches.” These churches “call’ people to minister to them or perform Christian service in some manner.

8. The churches then use the tithes and offerings, not to build earthly monuments to man, but to repeat the process and assist in fulfilling “The Great Commission,” reaching the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Rom. 10:14-15 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Notice, the line in the verse above “How shall they preach except they be sent”. Once again we see that preachers do not send themselves. God, through other people appoint them and send them.

The Gospel that is to Be Preached

John 6:47 I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life .

Gal. 1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!

Gal. 1:9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!