The Tithing Dilemma and the Triumphs of Love

By Leonard C. Bupanda

This book provides enough food for thought for those who want to find out more or even raise some objections to Leonards assertions and arguments. On the whole, it is a heart searching and thought-provoking book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Nov 4, 2011
• ISBN: 9781467008082

Leonard C. Bupanda

Leonard Chilumba Bupanda, born of a committed Catholic mother and a devout Jehovah’s Witness father, and influenced by a religious influence around me, I made a deliberate choice of becoming a Roman Catholic at the age ten, baptised at the age of twelve and was confirmed at the age of fourteen. At the age of seventeen, I went to a Junior Seminary. I declined to go to a major seminary and therefore was sent to another Catholic School. It was just before completing my final year at that school that during the last holiday, I accepted the Lord Jesus as my Saviour in August, 1971. That took place in a poorly lit grass thatched building called a church. The preacher of the message was a visually impaired, poorly dressed and humbly educated to the stage of reading and writing only. This man delivered a message of Christ’s love and His sacrificial death that the educated Catholic fathers and my well dressed Jehovah’s Witness biological father failed to tell me. Truly, the Lord has chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. What the Lord has commanded has gone unheeded, but what men say have been obeyed. Now, where is the place of the tithe today? This book has been born out of the need to determine that. God has spoken through His Son and the Holy Spirit, have we heeded? Therefore, let the name of Jesus Christ be glorified in His Saints to the glory of the Father in heaven. AMEN.

Book preview

THE

TITHING DILEMMA

And The

T R I U M P H S

O F

L O V E

Leonard C. BUPANDA

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© 2011 by Leonard C. Bupanda. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 10/27/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4670-0807-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4670-0808-2 (ebk)

Printed in the United States of America

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction

1. The Origin Of The Tithe

2. The Loveless And Unforgiving Environment

3. Then Came Jesus

4. The Lord’s Public Ministry

5. Christ’s Authority

6. The Tithe Vs. Giving Alms

7. Thus Saith The Lord

8. Brotherly Love

9. Alienated from Old Covenant Promises

10. The Apostles’ Doctrine And Practice

11. Christ’s Priesthood

12. False Prophets

13. My Final Reflections

Appendix 2

Acknowledgements

First and foremost, I thank god the Father and my Lord Jesus Christ who, through the Holy Spirit have enabled me to put in print such insight as are humanly impossible to realise and see on this seemingly divisive topic.

Now I thank my wife who, despite her physical health, has been a great inspiration during the writing of this book, Sister Yvonne for provoking the writing of this book, Brother Tuzzle for the initial proofreading, Brother and Sister Abel and Josephine Kalonda for their valuable observations and comments, and Sister Mildred for her consistent encouragements at every stage of the writing. Last, but not the least, I thank my Sister and Brother Dorothy and Lee for their encouraging comments and support and in many ways.

I thank you the reader for finding interest in this book and pray that you will pass it on to someone else.

GLORIFY WITH ME CHRIST JESUS THE LORD FOREVER AND EVER

Introduction

The writing of this book has been prompted by the number of questions I have been asked and the discussions I have had with and heard from many Christians regarding the validity of the tithe in the New Testament as well as its place in the new covenant. I must stress right from the outset that when writing this book I sought no other source of materials rather than the Bible. Therefore, any similarities with any book on the tithe that may be in existence are not deliberate but a confirmation of how believers can hold the same views in the same way because it is the same Holy Spirit who has revealed these things.

Many people are disillusioned regarding this matter. Therefore, in this book I trace the origin of the tithe, the people involved and the reasons why the tithe was finally introduced and effected. This book puts the tithing argument to rest for those who have been truly saved, who understand what went into their salvation and know what it cost the God the Father to save a sinner like you and me. God loved us and gave us His son; His son loved us and gave Himself a ransom for us. God has never been known to make partial deliverance as some sections of Christians are made to believe. In the Father and the son there are no part measures. Their gift of eternal life to you and me is full and complete. It was paid for in full by the Lord Jesus Christ when He said; It is finished. Does He deserve only a tenth? Not even the offerings so-called can in any way match the cost of your salvation either. Jesus has left them out as well. Hence, I shall never cease to insist in this book on the fact that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are not associated with the tithe.

In that light, therefore, my primary aim is to exalt the name of our Lord Jesus Christ who does not appear to have a say over the tithe. It appears so because His words have been undervalued and ignored. He has been completely sidelined and His authority undermined. I believe that if Christians accorded the Lord with the authority due to Him and treated the authority of all His words with the gravity they earnestly deserve, the issue of the tithe should have been left to where it belongs—to the old covenant shadows pointing to Him. The Lord made it very clear in John 5:45-47 where He said: "Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuses you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?"

To every discerning Christian these words must prompt us to start searching our hearts to see whether these words mean anything to us at all. In this book, I present the Lord Jesus as the Father sees Him, that is, the WORD and the Father’s approved spokesman. Moses provided the outline only, but it is Jesus who provides the details. As many of the things in the Old Testament were only shadows of the things to come, and since all the shadows have ceased, what is so special about the tithe that it alone should be allowed to outlast all the other shadows, if I may ask?

Therefore, if you believe that Jesus Christ is God, you will be very much at peace with this book as long as you do not approach it with the I know-it-all attitude. I would like every reader of this book to see or meet the Christ of yesterday, today and forever, the Rock of ages, the word and God’s own spokesman. I am very convinced that because we do not associate the Lord Jesus with the happenings of the Old Testament, its covenants make us think of Him as lesser than the God He really is. I hope the illustrations I have included have provided a greater understanding of Jesus Christ, His authority and the authority of His word.

Also, the book unveils the undeniable fact that the tithe has overshadowed many things of greater significance essentially needed to increase our knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the main thrust of the entire New Testament. Besides, the tithe has been a source of deep mistrust between some of the tithers and their leaders these days. More importantly, it has become the false teachers’ key instrumental source of personal wealth, hence making the gospel of Christ evil spoken of. Moreover, it has caused some people to lose interest in the things of God, making the preaching of the Gospel very difficult. To this end, I have highlighted the fact that a true servant of the Lord who is well grounded in the word cannot abandon the gospel of Christ for anything else and this book provides scriptural evidence.

Finally, I urge the reader to check all the scriptural references I have used in this book to see whether I stand on a solid ground or not. My honest warning, though, is that those who are the kind that trusts their church leader more than the word of God, I advise them to be analytically open minded to avoid over-reaction. But reading the word of God as given, will help us to see the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit’s position on this seemingly divisive issue and on giving alms, hospitality, clothing the naked etc… This is the kind of giving God, through His Son Jesus Christ, as well as through the Holy Spirit and the Apostles, has instructed, directed or clearly commanded us to do.

Therefore, as you read this book, bear in mind that I am bringing certain scriptural facts that have either not been noticed before or have just been ignored as trivial or insignificant. The bottom line is, this book will help you to determine whether you have obeyed the Lord Jesus’ commandments to love, and whether you take Him as Lord and God or not. The best way of knowing this is by checking what is taught against the scriptures, besides checking the conduct and character of the teacher. Take time to read the Lord’s words. He, as the word, reveals His will and purpose for you. Through this book I seek to encourage you to take some time to read His promises, none of which includes emphasis on earthily gains.

Moreover, I have raises a number of challenges that may look like repetitions, but are a deliberate attempt to probe your memory and mind regarding the Lordship of Jesus Christ and His authority over His word, which some Christians have either ignored or rejected or both, in preference for the things He has never said or taught or commanded. His commandments of loving one another, loving our enemies, giving alms and helping the needy have all gone unnoticed or have proved too hard. Consequently we have opted for the easier option, the tithe. I strongly believe that people practice paying the tithe due to the fact that they can only see God. As such, they cannot see Jesus Christ. Unless you know Jesus, you cannot know the Father. Equally, unless you know the Father, you cannot recognise the Son and His authority. The Lord in the Gospel of John makes the father-Son relationship very clear, while the apostles in their epistles uphold it as the doctrine.

So, whether or not you accept my observations on the Lordship of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me, I am more than comforted by the fact that all of us shall appear before the judgment seat of Christ, and that all our works shall be tested by fire. Then shall we see and know that Jesus Christ is the Judge, Lord and God to the glory of the Father, in whom there is no tithe.

Please not note that all the scriptures are from the King James Version, unless otherwise indicated. It is therefore advisable that you use KJV as some things may not come out clearly in other versions, e.g. justice and judgment, charity (love) and tithe (tenth) etc…

1. The Origin Of The Tithe

Before discussing the tithe (tenth), it is important that we trace and examine its origin. This is important because I have come across many Christians who tithe either because they claim it is God’s command or it is in the word of God. Others tell me that they tithe because, not only is it a command by God, but also because Abram and Jacob both tithed. I certainly do agree with these views. However, in view of these and many other peoples’ convictions, the observations raised in this book need paying special attention to, because there are so many things written in the word of God, including the ones we are required or commanded to do, which we do not do.

Therefore, it is essential that we avoid reading between the lines of scriptures, but seek the Holy Spirit to guide us through them. By so doing, we will discover how much God’s grace abounded even in the Old Testament, although the word grace seems to be not too apparent. For those who may be coming across the term grace for the first time, it is described as God’s unmerited favour or amnesty to all sinners to find unmerited forgiveness through faith in Christ Jesus.

Now, in Hebrews 7:1, 2, 7, Abraham is said to have given to Melchizedek, tithes of his spoils (Gen. 14:17-20). Abram, as he was known at that time, was never instructed or commanded to give tithes, but rather purposed in his heart to give to Melchizedek. Abram decided on his own will. Nevertheless, it is here that we get the first mention of the tithe or the tenth. Two generations later, Jacob, Abraham’s grandson seeking God’s protection from his brother Esau, promised to give a tenth to God. So, he also purposed in his heart (Gen. 28:22, Lev. 27:30 and Isa. 6:13). But if you critically look at the characters of both Abram and Jacob, you will discover that they both lived in a troubled world. Abram was just returning from the slaughter of kings when he met Melchizedek, the King of peace. The fighter meets the peacemaker. Even the things Abram gave the tenth from were not originally his. They were part of the things he acquired through the fight. This makes Abram’s tithe questionable.

There are a few other facts we need to consider concerning the two men mentioned above. One of the striking facts is that at the time of giving the tithe, Abraham was just an ordinary man known only as Abram. Jacob also was in the same situation. The meaning of the name Jacob has a lot to say about his character, too. I urge you again to look at the limited blessings of our natural efforts compared with the definite promises of our new nature. Abram’s blessings were unspecified and Jacob’s life was not an easy one either. But, God, through His mercy that endures forever, was able to bless and protect them. God never neglects those who seriously and faithfully seek Him such as Ruth (Ruth 1:16-17), Saul and Cornelius (Acts 9 and 10). But when God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, the name acquired a new meaning of immeasurable blessings and specific promises with added responsibilities as we shall soon find out.

On the other hand, Jacob’s name was not changed as such. God renamed him Israel, which also was accompanied by specific promises that extended beyond his expectations. Similarly, Christians who do not have a proper fellowship with the Lord tend to set their minds on trivial blessings, mostly earthily things. It is the clear and intimate fellowship based on a genuine encounter with Christ that produces lasting rewards (John 1:12; 1Cor. 5:17). As God upgraded His fellowship and relationship with Abraham and Israel, He saw it fit to give them names whose meanings He was comfortable with. With the new names, even the quality of their blessings changed for the better as blessings were translated into specific promises.

In these two scenarios, I personally discovered that God has decisively drawn a line between the blessings for the natural man and the blessings reserved for the spiritual man. Also, I learned that there are limited blessings for the unregenerate, but limitless blessings for the saved (1Cor. 2:9, 10; 2Cor. 5:17). In the New Testament, I appreciate the reason why the Lord Jesus had to give Simon Bar-jo-na a new name. The Lord Jesus as God of both Testaments had and has the authority to give you a new nature and change your character. If you take a keen interest in evaluating the blessings and promises God made to Abraham and to Israel against those He made to Abram and to Jacob, you will be surprised by the marked difference both in quality and quantity. Therefore, as clearly demonstrated by the two men, the natural man has only earthily blessings while the blessings of the children of God are heavenly and permanent (John 14:1-6, 27; Phil.4:7). Again, as God spoke passionately about Israel, so does He about His children through faith in Christ Jesus. Please keep this in mind, as we shall refer to Abraham most of the time.

Jacob’s case was a flight from his brother Esau. He sought God for peace and protection from identity fraud. God named him Israel, a name that gave him a proper and a lasting identity change. Abram and Jacob both found peace in the gracious God. Abram offered a tenth, but with blood on his hands, while Jacob’s proposed tenth was made with guilt of deception (Gen. 32:6-12). This sets the environment in which the tithe was offered thus making it a shaky principle. In sharp contrast, though, Abram’s astonishing rejection of the king of Sodom’s offer shows the man who fully depended on God for his wealth. If I were in his shoes, would I have rejected such an offer? (Romans 8:12).

Now, I agree with the fact that Abram determined in his heart to give a tenth, though not from his own original wealth. Jacob proposed to do as earlier discussed. However, it is also true that none of the two men is reported to have paid a tithe after their names were changed. Therefore, I have come to a revelation that a tithe was not required of those who came face to face with God and obeyed Him. In the same way, the tithe cannot be required of those who have come face to face with the Son of God, have received a new nature and established a definite relationship with God as Father (Matt.17:24-27). These are simple observations that the teachers of the tithe are either ignorant of or have deliberately ignored. However, those who are genuine shall find joy and peace in these truths.

Moreover, Abram’s and Jacob’s tithes have a lot more to reveal. As I studied the lives of the two men, I found out that the former gave a tenth, while the latter only promised to give. It is not recorded that Jacob fulfilled the promise. Now, since believers are children of Abraham by promise, then it is only right to assume that Abram paid the tithe on our behalf only once so that we, his children by faith, need not give a tenth again. Where does this leave the children of Jacob? You may ask. Well, rarely does God refer to Israel as children of Abraham. Rather, He addresses them as children of Jacob or of Israel even though they are direct descendants of Abraham in the flesh. To be precise, the New Testament Jews addressed themselves as Abraham’s seed, and the Lord who cannot lies agreed. (John 8:33, 37).

Now, since Jacob failed to deliver on his promise, God made him pay the tithe through his children who had emerged as a nation after his God-given name—Israel. Thus God’s promise to Jacob was fulfilled. Until they became a nation, Jews never paid the tithe. This is a very important observation because it is clear that Abraham did not want any of his descendants to tithe. If the tithe were that important, Abram’s tithe should have been followed by Isaac’s and then by Jacob and his children’s tithe. The very fact that tithing was not passed on by Abraham down the generations as a requirement underlines the folly of perpetuating it just because Abram tithed. Besides, we are not told as to how God would receive and use Jacob’s tithe. At least, Abram had Melchizedek to give the tithe to, but no such chance arose for Jacob, I have observed.

So, when the fullness of time had come, God revived Jacob’s pledge of the tithe through Israel his children. Hence, the tithe was restricted strictly to Israel only. That is the reason why it applied within the confines of the Promised Land only. However, in both cases we can very clearly see believers linked to Abraham and Israelites to Jacob their father in the flesh. But, there is only one distinctive line by which all believers (Jews and Gentiles) are connected to Abraham; it is by faith in Jesus Christ only, the only way to the Father. Our Father through Jesus Christ neither gave nor promised to give a tenth. He gives abundantly and His promises and gifts are greater than the tenth.

What we find in Abraham

It has been pointed out in this book that Abram gave a tenth to Melchizedek (Gen. 14:20). But that took place after Abram had received bread and wine and the confirmation that his victory was the act of God. It was important that Abram knew where the victory came from otherwise the story would have been different. On hearing this, Abram showed appreciation by giving tithes of all. If we take the word blessed to mean happy, then indeed, happy was Abram for the Lord had delivered his enemies into his hands, brought him bread and wine and confirmed his priesthood (Gen. 14:18-20). This clearly rules out the notion that Abram gave the tithe in order to be blessed. Rather, the reverse is the truth. Thereafter, Abram decided to have nothing to do with any goods from the war. But when Abram met God face to face, he had his name changed. The name change affected Abraham’s character, too. This means that no one can have an encounter with the Lord and still remain the same. Abram and Jacob both had visions but each had a specific personal encounter with the Lord with wonderful results. They both abandoned the tithe after their names were changed. Therefore, there is no tithe in the changed man.

Perhaps we should rewind a bit and see how the change in names affected Abraham’s perception of God. From that specific personal encounter with God, Abram became Abraham. He graduated to a name that meant more to God than it perhaps did to Abraham himself. He was given a name full of tangible and faithful promises. Above all, it became a name full of new insights and values devoid of pagan influence. He became stable and more focussed on God. This friend of God never looked back (Heb.11:8-20).

As Abraham, he received more specific promises from God than he did when he was Abram. In Genesis 18, he fed strangers, after which deed God confirmed the promise of a son by his own wife besides revealing Abraham’s other qualities. Two of these qualities are justice and judgement (Gen. 18:17-19), which are normally associated with dealing with people’s social problems. Ideally, they stand for fairness for all in a society. Those responsible for executing justice and judgment are expected to reward the right and punish the wrong, release the just and condemn the unjust, protect the law abiding and imprison the law-breaker or criminal.

However, God’s justice and judgment go beyond that. They include freeing the oppressed from the oppressor, protecting the vulnerable from the powerful and empower the individual to exercise mercy. In many societies, including churches, very few men can execute justice and judgment to the letter fairly. The rich and powerful in society have bought their freedom out of and from prison leaving the poor to their fate as, without hope, they are dragged to the courts. I am persuaded to believe that the All-Knowing God foreknew the kind of nation or nations would emerge under Abraham. Therefore, God entrusted Abraham with the duty of introducing, upholding and teaching his family and household after him all that received from the Lord. However, Christ Jesus our Lord went far beyond what Jeremiah 23:5 and Peter in Acts 10:34-38 said. Although not all of us can heal, however, every believer ought to imitate Christ in doing good for unto such were we saved (Acts 10:38).

Unfortunately, many exponents of tithing and all those who practise it have failed to recognise Abraham’s important qualities and values which God saw in him. If they did, they would have been teaching and practising the very important things God told Abraham to instruct his children to do. But as it is, all they can see is the tithe. I urge you to reflect on this very seriously, because I believe Abram and Abraham are two separate entities of the same man that are miles apart in terms of how God saw and regarded them. It is, indeed, very saddening that many believers have failed to see it God’s way.

In sharp contrast to Abram’s character, Abraham demonstrated the power and triumph of love through hospitality and intercession. Unfortunately, we fail to embrace the things that promise better prospects. Instead, we hang on to the tithe which has little or no value as discussed somewhere in this book. Here it is necessary to bring to your notice that God saw in Abraham justice or fairness which he was required to command his children and his household after him. So then, where is the place of the tithe in Abraham? None at all. It had a place in Abram but not in Abraham, if you can see what I mean. For in Abraham the values were upgraded. Unless we are able to draw a distinction between Abram and Abraham, we may easily confuse the differentiating aspects of the two characters. Abraham’s characteristics were also ignored by the Jews (his household after him) (Luke 18:8-14) in that they took the tithe to be more important than justice and judgement (Matt. 23:23). I wonder how many of us have been caught up in this! Without much thought or research, but with great conviction, many well meaning Christians argue that the tithe came before the law. Did it really? While that may seem to be true, I wonder what you can say about hospitality, justice, judgement and faith, all of which were not only found in Abraham, but also do reflect God’s nature! You must provide stronger evidence to prove that these did not come before the law.

Abram’s Tithe

Why has Abram’s tithe become such an issue today? Abram’s tithe has become an issue today because:

1.   He is the originator of the tithe;

2.   It is believed that his tithe came before the law;

3.   He is the point of reference for those who prefer to tithe;

4.   Melchizedek, to whom Abram gave the tithe, is the type of the Lord Jesus Christ;

5.   He is the father of nations; and

6.   It is the easiest option to do.

Now, it is important that you pay attention to what the Spirit, through the scriptures, has to say. I do not seek to feed you with my own thoughts and understanding, but with the word of God, for I shall let the scriptures speak. Starting with the way I am addressing Abraham, you will notice that I have used the name Abram as it relates to events that took place before his name was changed. Similarly, the name Abraham relates to God’s dealings with him after his name was changed. Therefore, I have drawn the distinction between the two names to ensure that we do not mix up the facts.

Now, one of my observations is that by being the first to give a tithe, Abram showed a remarkable insight and judgment to determine who deserved to receive the tithe. The spirit within him signified that Melchizedek was worth the tithes. I do not think that is the case today in which anybody can call for the tithe or receive it. Another observation is that Abram gave tithes of all only once (Gen. 14:17-20), as already mentioned somewhere in this book, because Abram’s encounter with Melchizedek took place only once. My curious observation is that Melchizedek did not ask for the tithe either. If this proves difficult to take in, I will advise that you go to the scriptures again. Therefore, it is conclusively clear that no recipient of the Old Testament tithe ever demanded or commanded it as today’s preachers and beneficiaries do. Abram’s tithe was voluntary, while that of the children of Israel was commanded by God on behalf of the Levitical tribe. Not even the priests asked for it. But the cardinal point here is that Abram’s tithe, when put under serious scrutiny, has a lot of flaws as it was given in the flesh as you will discover later. The proof is that it did not continue after the tithers’ names were changed.

Therefore, in view of the above observations, I do vehemently believe it is erroneous to attribute the tithe to Abraham. This is a misrepresentation of facts that has lead many of us to believe that Abraham was the first to give the tithe. No, Abraham never gave a tithe, but Abram did as a pagan practice of that time. So, if you cannot see the difference between these two names, then you cannot grasp what I am talking about either. Moreover, scripture does not tell us that man must command or demand the tithe. Only God did when He, in His infinite and manifold wisdom, saw the appropriate moment for it. Perhaps the following paragraphs will throw more light on this subject.

Critically analysing Abraham’s relationship with God, I put the question to myself. If the tithe were that important, wouldn’t have Abraham intensified the frequency of giving after coming face to face with God? Evidently, not even God raised the issue of the tithe with Abraham at all. Instead, God demanded a better proof of Abraham’s higher degree of obedience and faith when He requested Abraham to give Him Isaac, his only son, as a sacrifice. Therefore, even though we may not see the difference between the names Abram and Abraham, God does. Otherwise He would have not changed the name if, indeed, there were nothing wrong with it. God saw it fit to change Abraham’s name to fit his more important future role; that is, to command his children and household to keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment (Gen. 18:17-19), the key requirements of a righteous life. The entire law, secular or otherwise, is based on these two principles—justice and judgment. Therefore, it is in this plan that we must endeavour to fit ourselves rather than in Abram’s. Are you then surprised why God did not tell Abraham to command his children to tithe? It is because there is no tithe in Abraham.

Subsequently, as we, the children of Abraham through faith, seek to emulate our father, we must pay attention to the things that make us his effective spiritual children. For example, Abraham’s male children were required to be circumcised on the eighth day. On the contrary, those who have eagerly accepted the tithe in Abram have not been seen to be keen to emulate Abraham on circumcision, which was God’s covenant with him and his descendants. In fact, men who prefer to tithe because Abram tithed have failed to discern the difference between man’s natural efforts and his choice and ability to do what God demanded. Why did the Abrahamic circumcision on the eighth day have great significance to you? It may not be that significant to me as it is to the Israelites. They still do perform this up to this day. It was in this light that some believing Jews tried to extend circumcision without success to gentiles as a legal requirement for salvation. You can see how the Jews jumped on this one and neglected all other major requirements.

Religiously, they upheld the tithe and neglected the weightier things (Matt. 23:23). Do you see it that way? The eighth day is what is known today as the first day of the week or the Lord’s day which is also commonly known as Sunday on which the Lord rose from the dead and three weeks in succession appeared to his disciples (John 20:1, 19,26). The physical dedication of male children to the Lord was pointing to the first day of the week when the Lord’s resurrection would produce, for the first time, Abraham’s children purely by faith in Christ Jesus rather than through physical mutilation. The Bible says: For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh (Phil. 3:3) and again:

For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

And you, being dead in your sins and the Uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross. (Col. 2:9-14)

The verses above clearly show that the Abrahamic circumcision and the day on which it was carried out all pointed to our salvation through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ on the eighth day, which actually is the first day of the week and, ultimately, the Lord’s day. I doubt if Abraham himself knew what it all pointed to. The picture becomes clearer as the eighth day, or the morrow after the Sabbath day, or indeed the fifteenth day of the month cited in Leviticus 23. All these are no coincidences. God is, in fact, telling us that what began as the circumcision day for Abraham’s first male children was pointing to our salvation in Christ Jesus our Lord, the son of God. So, the first day of the week comes directly after the seventh day. The eighth day circumcision, therefore, denotes the new beginning. The fact that it came exactly seven days after physical birth, circumcision also was the shadow of the new birth in Christ. The fifteenth day of the month automatically becomes the second first day of another week. While verses eleven and twelve of Leviticus 23 depict the breaking of bread, in my view, the day of Pentecost is very accurately presented in a mathematical fashion (7x7+1=50) in verse 16. But, for a full picture on this, I urge you to read Leviticus chapter 23 and you will discover that the first day of the week is clearly presented just after the day of rest. It is presented as a day of a new beginning and experience just like the circumcision case.

Now, circumcision leaves an indelible mark or scar on one’s body. If and when one is circumcised, they can feel it, see it, know it and live with it. Therefore, it is impossible to be saved without knowing it. It is very difficult for anyone who is saved not to know that they are saved for the marks of Christ’s suffering and death are too evident to be ignored by anyone who confesses Christ as Lord. Besides, His resurrection from the dead on the first day of the week brought a brand new beginning and being to the believers, as the disciples became the first witnesses of that remarkable day, that signalled the beginning of a new life in Christ and a new relationship with the Father (John 20:1-18, 19, 26). It all started with God’s covenant of circumcision on the eighth day with Abraham (Phil. 3:5). Henceforth, just as the circumcision mark is permanent, and so is our salvation. But again, as scripture points out, circumcision also terminated in Christ.

While the physical circumcision might have been painful, ours is sweet because Christ Jesus bore the pain on our behalf. However, like many other good things in Abraham, this, too, has been overshadowed by the tithe. I am fully aware that cynics may come up with their own explanation of these things, but ultimately, it is your full responsibility to check the scriptures and determine how they connect one with another for Jesus Christ, our circumcision, rose again from the dead according to the scriptures on the first day of the week, and appeared again to His disciples on the eighth day which again is the first day of the week. Moreover, it is fascinating to know that not many doctrines have upheld the circumcision path even though God demanded it.

Reviews for The Tithing Dilemma and the Triumphs of Love

[pacof81234 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

His approach to tithing is systematic and shows how tithing and love do not go together.