Tithes part II

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:23-25)

Not forsaking our own assembling together. However, Jesus says in John 16:2,

They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God.

So, if we will be outcasts from the synagogue, where do we assemble? And who do we give our tithes and offerings to? Deuteronomy 14:23 says,

You shall eat in the presence of the LORD your God, at the place where He chooses to establish His name, the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and your flock, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.

And Jesus says in Matthew 18:20,

For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”

So we choose a place where Christ is not known (Romans 15:20), we enter the house and first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house. Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat what is set before you; and heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’

As Jesus says in Luke 10:5-9. And I do not believe this is saying not to pay them for the food, as 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9 says,

For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you; not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example.

So, choose a place God leads you to (Joshua 1:3), enjoy meals with your family, and give generously.

Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; as it is written,

“He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor,

His righteousness endures forever.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-9)

References

Hebrews 10:23-25

John 16:2

Deuteronomy 14:23

Matthew 18:20

Romans 15:20

Luke 10:5-9

2 Thessalonians 3:7-9

Joshua 1:3

2 Corinthians 9:6-9

Daniel 4:17 – “This sentence is by the decree of the angelic watchers

And the decision is a command of the holy ones,

In order that the living may know

That the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind,

And bestows it on whom He wishes

And sets over it the lowliest of men.”