God's People Tithe

Chapter 1

An Economic Train Wreck?

Does God require us to tithe? What does the word “tithe” mean? Is the law of tithing in force today? Did Jesus Christ Himself indicate that we should tithe? Is tithing a blessing that works today? Or is it an outdated artifact from a bygone time?

The answers to these and other related questions are important to understand, especially since the United States, Canada, Britain, and Australia will soon be punished for carelessly disobeying the law of tithing—and many other laws of God. We have been physically blessed above all peoples on earth because of a promise God made to Abraham millennia ago. But now the British Empire is no more, and even its prestige in the Commonwealth is fading. Canada’s household debt is “second only to Greece” and is becoming unsustainable (“Canada Needs A Seismic Shift In Financial Literacy,” The Huffington Post, November 2, 2015). The United States has suffered “the great recession,” and, as you will observe over the next several years, America’s national “pride” and prestige will continue to plummet.

Although America is still the world’s most powerful nation, it is also the world’s greatest debtor. We owe other nations far more than any nation has ever owed in human history.

The time will soon come for all of us to “pay the piper.” Consider this report by economists at McKinsey & Company:

Seven years after the bursting of a global credit bubble resulted in the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, debt continues to grow. In fact, rather than reducing indebtedness, or deleveraging, all major economies today have higher levels of borrowing relative to GDP than they did in 2007. Global debt in these years has grown by $57 trillion, raising the ratio of debt to GDP by 17 percentage points…. Government debt is unsustainably high in some countries. Since 2007, government debt has grown by $25 trillion. It will continue to rise in many countries (“Debt and (not much) deleveraging,” February 1, 2015).

Many respected businessmen and economists have been warning for years about the growing debt problem. Increasingly, noted economists are comparing the U.S. debt situation to that of Greece, and warn that as many more people move into retirement and so-called “entitlement spending” increases in the coming years, the U.S. government “could really face some tough choices” as it tries to pay its bills for military defense spending, Social Security and Medicare, and other programs. “At some point, investors could begin to question [the U.S.] government’s ability or willingness to make good on its obligations, which could make it more expensive to finance the existing debt, while also requiring higher taxes, spending cuts, or a combination” (“What the $18 Trillion National Debt Means for the U.S. Economy,” The Wall Street Journal, February 1, 2015).

America unable to repay its debt? The United States being forced into punishing austerity such as Greece has endured? And what of Greece’s example? After years of severe austerity, the headlines read that Germany says “Nein” and wants to keep the strict budget deficit rules in place as Greece struggles under severe austerity and the European Central Bank tells the Greek government to “address the country’s economic illness with urgent surgery” (“ECB Contains Greek Liquidity Infection, Urges Syriza Surgery,” Forbes, February 5, 2015).

Are the United States, Canada, and other British-descended nations on the same path? Are we looking at a looming economic train wreck “waiting to happen”? Why?

Because our peoples—individually and collectively—have forsaken God and His laws, He is beginning to withdraw His blessings from us. That is the actual reason we are the world’s greatest debtor. That is the reason increasing millions of Americans and Canadians are seeking relief from mounting personal debts by declaring bankruptcy.

Yet even in the traumatic years preceding the Great Tribulation, God will protect and bless those who serve Him and truly obey His laws—including the law of tithing.

What is a tithe? The word “tithe” is simply an old English word meaning “tenth.” It refers to the giving of a “tenth” of one’s income to God or for other charitable purposes. And Almighty God directs that this tenth be given to Him—to His true ministers to do His Work—not just to be handed out anywhere.

The law of tithing simply means that the great God who made us—who gave us our life, our talents, our minds, the strength with which we work, and the very land and materials that we employ in our work—requires us to pay Him the first tenth of our increase or income.

As far as the direct matter of tithing is concerned, God does not consider that we are “giving” anything—but are paying our Creator a very nominal amount that He requires as our Maker, our Sustainer, our Landlord, our Protector, and our God.

Nevertheless, the Almighty promises, “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine” (Proverbs 3:9–10).

Yes, if you are faithful in obeying God and paying Him the first tenth—or “tithe”—of your income, He will bless your life in many physical and material ways. He has promised—and God never breaks His word.

In Malachi 3:8, speaking to modern-day Jacob or Israel, God declares, “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.” God here indicts our modern English-speaking people for robbing our very Creator and His Work today. No wonder there is so little true religion left on earth. No wonder there is so much confusion and deceit going about in the name of Christianity.

God continues, “You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation” (v. 9). Then God promises in His word, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it” (v. 10).

Here is a blistering challenge from Almighty God.

God says He will bless you if you begin tithing—as He commands—through faith in Him and in His word. Literally hundreds of case histories may be cited to show that God certainly does bless the tither even in material ways. He may not always do so immediately—you may have to obey Him and exercise faith for a while. But as you serve Him, obey Him, and trust Him, God will keep His part of the bargain.

Chapter 2

A Law Taught by God

In spite of the obvious blessings that come to those who obey God’s tithing law, some still have arguments or questions. Was the idea of tithing an invention of Moses? Was it “done away” by Jesus? Was it just for the physical nation of Israel—a form of taxation for both church and state?

Long before the “law of Moses” was ever codified, the patriarch Abraham was faithfully paying tithes to God. We read in Genesis 14:17–20 how Abraham honored God’s High Priest Melchizedek after God had delivered his enemies into his hand: “And he gave him a tithe of all.”

This is an enormously important example that is overlooked or minimized by many. It is a vital example because Abraham was—in a special way—a type of God Himself. He was the one human being God chose to foreshadow the sacrifice that God would later make with his willingness to give up his own son (Genesis 22). He is the one God inspired the Apostle Paul in the New Testament to describe as the father of the faithful (cf. Romans 4:1, 11, 16). Certainly the “father” of the faithful was a human type of God—and his example is basic to all true religion.

And what key example did Abraham set in regard to being “faithful” with our financial resources? Abraham “tithed” to the very Personality who later became Jesus Christ. Abraham did not tithe only the fruits of his labor, he tithed on a bounty that had virtually been given him by God. So tithing is not merely on the increase of one’s crops or animals—as certain critics contend—it is on any financial increase which God grants us as His created children.

Later, Jacob promised to serve the God of Abraham and stated, “Of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You” (Genesis 28:22).

Still later, when God temporarily instituted the Levitical priesthood, He directed that the tithe be paid to them during that time as His human representatives: “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord…. And concerning the tithe of the herd or the flock, of whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the Lord” (Leviticus 27:30, 32).

Now notice Numbers 18:21: “Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting.”

Since God’s ministry during this time was a physical ministry—of offering sacrifices and oblations—and since the Levites were fulfilling this ministry as their work, God’s tithe went to them as His representatives and servants.

New Testament Instructions on Tithing

In the New Testament, God inspired the Apostle Paul to show that the law of tithing is now altered or changed so that the tithes are once again to be paid to God’s spiritual priesthood—as that of Melchizedek, to whom Abraham paid tithes. This account is found in the seventh chapter of Hebrews.

Paul describes how Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek (v. 2). Next, he describes how great Melchizedek’s priesthood must have been (vv. 3–4). Then Paul shows that the Levites themselves—through their ancestor Abraham—paid tithes to Melchizedek, obviously a greater priest in view of this fact (vv. 9–10).

In verses 11–12, Paul shows that the Levitical priesthood was only temporary and never brought to perfection. Therefore, the spiritual priesthood of Melchizedek has been reinstituted through Christ and the tithing law is again changed so that God’s tithes go as before to the spiritual priests—the true ministers of Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul was writing to Jewish Christians who understood at least the letter of God’s law and had no “argument” about the fact of the tithing law. While his main emphasis is the greatness of Christ’s spiritual ministry, nevertheless it is important to realize that throughout the above New Testament passage Paul definitely speaks of tithing as a law. And he shows that it is a law that has existed since antiquity, from the days of Melchizedek—and still exists, although now changed so that the tithes go once again to God’s spiritual ministers who are doing His Work today.

So anyone who fails to tithe is breaking an important law of the Creator God. This is one reason for so many personal and financial curses on our land today.

Jesus Christ Personally Taught Tithing

As the God of the Old Testament, Jesus Christ taught tithing. Remember, Jesus Christ is the God of the Old Testament. As the Apostle Paul explained to the Corinthian brethren, “Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:1–4). Later in this same chapter—talking about this same time period—Paul wrote, “Nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted and were destroyed by serpents” (v. 9). So it was Christ they were dealing with back in the Old Testament. Most theologians realize this because there are so many references to it. But most “play it down” because of the implication that it was Christ who spoke the Ten Commandments and gave other laws that modern “churchianity” chooses not to obey.

Yes, Christ was the “Word”—the divine Spokesman for the Father—from the beginning (John 1:1–10). So the “Word”—who later became Christ—is the One who guided and blessed Abraham in tithing to God. And Christ is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Therefore, we must not negate or minimize this fundamental example of tithing set by the very “father” of God’s faithful.

In the New Testament, did Jesus Christ abolish this practice? No. He followed it, as did His Apostles. Although some of the New Testament books were written even after the Temple was destroyed in 70 AD, we find no scriptural command to stop tithing, and no indication that the Apostles or the first-century Church ceased to tithe.

As we have seen, Jesus Christ is the “Word” of God—the One who inspired the Old Testament. As the Word of God, He gave the laws listed in the Old Testament—then He spiritually magnified and explained them in the New Testament.

Still, some will insist, “We want you to show us any direct statements by Christ that prove that He approved the tithing law.” All right, you shall have them. But will you then believe? Will you then obey Him?

In speaking to the scribes and Pharisees, who often made a self-righteous display of strictly keeping some of the smaller points of God’s law, Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done [these weightier matters], without leaving the others [carefully tithing] undone” (Matthew 23:23).

Is that clear enough? Jesus said that spiritual qualities such as mercy and faith ought to be put ahead of carefully and strictly paying tithes on every little plant that might grow in your garden—especially when that strictness leads to self-righteousness. But Christ said “not to leave the other undone”—not to fail to pay your full tithes as God has commanded.

In Luke 11:42, this same command is repeated in a similar manner—inspired to be placed here also by God’s Holy Spirit.

Man would like to regard God’s tithing law as of least importance. But speaking of even the smaller points of God’s law, Jesus stated, “Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:19).

How plain. If we are looking for an argument, we will always find one. But if we are willing to “hunger and thirst” for righteousness, to obey even the smaller points of God’s law, we will be blessed for so doing.

Chapter 3

Robbing God?

When we study the Old Testament, we find that it is actually possible for human beings to “rob” God. Yet we also find an amazing promise that God has made to those who obey Him.

Around 586 BC, the Jews were carried into exile to Babylon because of their gross negligence in obeying God. Among their chief sins were Sabbath-breaking, idolatry, and not distinguishing between the common and the holy (Ezekiel 22:26)—clearly indicating a failure to pay tithes. For their disobedience, the Jews suffered many years of captivity in the land of their enemies until finally, around 539 BC, Babylon was overthrown by the Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great, and God caused this victorious king to issue an edict permitting the Jews to return to the Promised Land.

About two years later, Cyrus allowed Zerubbabel, the reestablished nation’s new governor, to lead a group of Jews from Babylon back to the Promised Land. This migration included more than 42,000 men, along with many more women and children (cf. Ezra 2), who began building a new temple for God. But before they had even laid the foundation, opposition from neighboring armies stopped their work, and building ceased.

Approximately 15 years later, the prophet Haggai explained the financial woes the Jewish nation was then experiencing. Their problems, he explained, were a direct result of failure to support the rebuilding of the temple of God—His Work of that day—through tithes and offerings. Under the urging of Haggai and the prophet Zechariah, work was resumed around 520 BC and the temple was completed in 516 BC—exactly 70 years after the Jews were taken into captivity.

After the Jews’ return from Babylonian captivity, one of their greatest sins was failure to pay tithes to God. Nehemiah, however, while governor in the 440s BC, began exhorting the people to zealously obey their Creator. As a result, they all “joined with their brethren, their nobles, and entered into… an oath to walk in God’s Law… and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord, and His ordinances and His statutes” (Nehemiah 10:29).

Remember, God’s “statutes” included tithing. And God’s word tells us that in tomorrow’s world His people will be walking in His “statutes” (Ezekiel 36:27). So God’s tithing law was followed by Abraham, validated by Jesus Christ, and will be followed by God’s people even during the coming millennial reign of Christ.

Nehemiah and the Jews agreed “to bring the tithes of our land to the Levites, for the Levites should receive the tithes in all our farming communities… and we will not neglect the house of our God” (Nehemiah 10:37, 39). They seemed fully determined that they would not overlook the needs of God’s Work and of those who served in it. The people agreed to make sure that the priests and Levites were given the tithe that was due them for the service they rendered to their fellow Israelites.

Deplorably, however, it was not long after Nehemiah’s reforms that most of the Jews once again became very lax in keeping God’s laws and statutes. Breaking God’s tithing law was a particular problem, as clearly revealed by the prophet Malachi in the book that bears his name—written in the late 400s BC.

Speaking through this prophet, the Almighty asked, “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation” (3:8–9). And for this same reason, our people today—just like the ancient Jews—are under a divine curse.

Many fail to realize that all of mankind’s woes—his headaches and heartaches, his problems of crime and violence, drug abuse, and disease—are the direct result of breaking the laws of Almighty God. And one of the most frequently broken of these laws is God’s command to tithe faithfully. When human beings disobey their Creator by ignoring this law, they bring upon themselves a divine curse.

Consider what is happening today in the United States and the British-descended nations. There are many reasons for our soaring national and personal debts, chief among them being gross financial mismanagement and neglecting to “render… to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17).

As we saw earlier, America has in recent years gone from being the largest creditor nation to the largest debtor nation. Bankruptcies by the millions have been filed in our courts. Remember that, according to the word of God, nations that do not tithe are under a curse. Could it be, then, that the aforementioned economic problems are the direct result of that curse—brought upon ourselves—for failing to obey Almighty God?

Malachi 3 does not say that failing to pay tithes is robbing the priests. Rather, it plainly states that such behavior is, in fact, robbing God. And that, in the eyes of the Almighty, is very serious business.

A Promise of Blessing

The Creator God speaks to all those who come to know about His law of tithing: “‘Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it’” (Malachi 3:10).

This is quite a challenge that Almighty God gives to every person who knows about Him and His law of tithing. He says to “try” Him—that is, test Him, try Him out—and you will see. These verses are nothing less than a solemn promise from our Creator to bless those who faithfully tithe—those who make God their financial partner. But this does not say that God will make tithe-payers rich.

God did greatly bless Abraham with material wealth (Genesis 13:2). And we know that Abraham tithed. God also blessed Jacob shortly after he vowed to tithe to Him (30:43). God most definitely wants His people to “prosper… and be in health” (3 John 2). But He also realizes it is not good for everyone to be rich (1 Timothy 6:9–10, 17–19). Some people simply cannot handle riches. And in the New Testament age when God is now calling people to spiritual conversion, God’s blessings will be predominately spiritual—more of God’s spiritual strength, wisdom, and love—and eternal life in God’s Kingdom (see 2 Peter 1:5–11).

But if we faithfully tithe, God promises to “rebuke the devourer [of the land, i.e. insect plagues] for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field… and all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land” (Malachi 3:11–12).

In the book of Proverbs, God reinforces His promise: “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine” (3:9–10).

God Almighty has all power. He can and will bless any person or nation that obeys Him—keeping His solemn promise to bless those who faithfully pay Him the tithe that is rightfully His. Remember, “God… cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). And “the Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35).

If a nation will faithfully pay tithes to God Almighty, He has promised to bless that entire nation. But even if the nation as a whole will not tithe, then, on principle, God is still duty-bound by His word to bless every individual who faithfully tithes.

To most people, it seems illogical that parting with a portion of “our” money will make us far better off financially than if we held onto it. Yet that’s what God says. Moreover, He tells us, “There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty” (Proverbs 11:24). This is a living law. Believe your Bible. God’s way is real. It works. And it was made for you.

Chapter 4

Do Your Part Fully

Yes, Jesus Christ taught tithing. And, as we have seen, He commanded His Apostles to teach the nations “all things that I have commanded you.” Christ then went on to make a promise: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

So, if we would have God’s blessing and live the abundant life, which Jesus Christ promised, we should pay God’s tithe faithfully and also do all the other things that Jesus taught.

Among these other teachings, relating to our job and success, Jesus gave us this command: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). True Christians, then, are to be an example to others in all that they say or do.

In this regard, the living Christ inspired the Apostle Paul to write: “Bondservants [or workers], obey in all things your masters [bosses or supervisors] according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:22–23).

Christ’s word here instructs you to put your whole heart into your work at all times—whether the boss is around or not. You are told to do this sincerely and earnestly, as if you were working for God Himself, for, in fact, you are. The true Christian life is a life “calling”—or vocation in the fullest sense of the term.

Be Zealous in Your Work

In His word, God states: “He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich” (Proverbs 10:4). Are you really diligent in your work?

Furthermore, God states, “Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase” (Proverbs 13:11). Many people today earn their living in what might be termed “marginal” occupations—such as gambling, selling people things they do not need, or taking unreasonable profits as a middleman. But God says that the basis of permanent wealth and His blessing will be given to a man who labors—really produces and accomplishes something worthwhile.

Now notice Proverbs 13:18: “Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, but he who regards a rebuke will be honored.” In this proverb, God advises you to heed the instructions of those over you in your work or in any situation in life. Learn to do the job as your boss wants it done. Learn to listen carefully—to think—to keep growing in knowledge and ability on the job.

A very important principle for daily living is brought out in Proverbs 15:22: “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.” When a big decision comes up involving your business or farm—or selling your house or changing jobs—learn to seek advice from many quarters. Learn to weigh this advice carefully and objectively—asking God’s guidance and wisdom.

Finally, God commands, “Do not love sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with bread” (Proverbs 20:13). Learn to rise early, to work diligently, and to produce in your job or business.

Then obey God’s financial law of tithing—recognizing that all the strength and ability with which you produce in your line of work, all the materials you use, all the food you eat and air you breathe in order to gain strength—all of this comes from God, who only asks that you pay Him one tenth of what you produce in return.

Be Diligent in Serving the Living God

Once you have made your decision to tithe, be sure you send your tithes to God’s representatives who will be doing His Work and preaching His message. Just as God commands you to be diligent in serving your human bosses, how much more zealous should you be in obeying your very Maker in this financial law?

Do not start thinking you cannot afford to pay tithes. You cannot afford not to.

God often works through human instruments. He will work through you if you will yield to Him and put His Kingdom first in your life. As we have seen, the law of tithing was a part of Christ’s Gospel. As such, it must be proclaimed to the world—and to you—as a witness.

Ask God for wisdom, faith, and strength to obey Him in this financial law. It will cause you to put God first. It will force you to budget—to plan—to organize perhaps more than ever before. It will lead you to exercise faith in your Creator to back up His laws and His promises.

But God cannot lie. So you will find that it is very much “possible” for you to tithe. And—if you act in love and faith—the physical and spiritual blessings that come will be just as real as God Himself is real.

God’s servant Herbert W. Armstrong wrote about a real-life example of how God does definitely intervene and bless those who tithe:

It was late in 1933—the very depth of the great depression. Ed Smith was a well-driller by profession, but nobody seemed able to afford to have wells drilled.

Ed and his wife, Emma, attended services I was then holding in a one-room country schoolhouse twelve miles west of Eugene, Oregon. Ed made no profession of Christianity until later. But he attended services and went up and down the countryside discussing Bible doctrines with his professing Christian neighbors.

“You’ve got to pay tithe and obey God,” he insisted. “The Bible says so. It’s plain!”

One of his neighbors became irritated. “Look here, Ed,” the neighbor exploded, “why do you come around here trying to talk me into these things, when you don’t obey the Bible and pay tithes yourself?”

“Because,” came Ed’s quick and ready answer, “I don’t profess to be a Christian, and you do. Besides,” he added, “I can’t afford to tithe, anyway.”…

There are thousands who, like Ed Smith, reason in their own minds that they can’t afford to tithe, even though, like Ed Smith, they realize the Bible commands it.

I heard about the above conversation and preached a sermon on the question of whether the unconverted should obey the Ten Commandments and pay tithes, or whether, as Ed has reasoned, these things were only for Christians. I pointed out that God’s Law was put in motion for man’s good—it is the way of life that brings peace, happiness, prosperity; the full, abundant, interesting life; success, joy here and now, as well as eternal life through Christ for the saved.

I showed that it pays and is the only sensible way of life, entirely apart from the matter of salvation—and that he who sins little shall be punished with few stripes, but he who sins much, with many stripes (Luke 12:47–48). I pointed out God’s promises to prosper the tithe-payer, and that this is a definite law God has set in motion, which operates inexorably and automatically, on the just and the unjust alike.

Ed began to obey the Bible. At the very next service… Mrs. Smith smilingly handed me a one dollar bill.

“That’s Ed’s first tithe,” she said triumphantly. “We are now down to $10, and Ed decided to start tithing with what we have on hand.”

The very next service she came to me with another happy smile.

“Here’s a five-dollar bill,” she said. “The very next day after Ed gave God’s Work a tenth of all he had, a customer who had owed him $50 for a year came and paid up. So here’s the tithe of that $50. After paying the total $6 tithe, we now have $54 on hand instead of the $10 we had the other day.”

It was beginning to pay—but only beginning. By the next service, as I remember it, Ed had received his first order in one or two years to drill a new well, for which he received cash payment. Before he finished that job, another was contracted. Soon he had three or four jobs coming in at once and was forced to begin employing men to work for him.

Ed Smith was only one of many I have known who learned by experience that one cannot afford not to pay God the tithe that belongs to Him! I remember Ed Smith did encounter some troubles of a different nature later when his wife and son were sent to the state tuberculosis hospital, and he finally broke down in real repentance, accepting Jesus Christ as Saviour. He came to me, according to the command of James 5:14, and both his wife and son were completely healed and returned home.

This is a true story, and the name is not fictitious. Ed Smith died several years ago, but I’m happy to remember these incidents in his life in the hope that they may start many others on the right and profitable, as well as on the Christian, way of life (“The Man Who Couldn’t Afford to Tithe,” The Plain Truth, April 1973).

We should all learn from the above account. Also, as we have seen, you will be following the direct New Testament teaching of Jesus Christ who said not to leave the tithing “undone” (Matthew 23:23). Our Father in heaven wants all of us to be generous and wholehearted in our tithes and in our offerings, for He inspired the Apostle Paul to write, “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:6–8).

Remember that the great God whom we serve is able to give you the “breaks”—to bless you so that you have an “abundance for every good work” (v. 8). Yes, tithing involves faith that God is there—that He will back up His inspired word and will do what He has said He will do.

So as the clouds darken on the world horizon and nations experience more physical and financial problems of every sort, it is very important that you have the Creator God on your side. Even though He may not make you wealthy, He has always promised to take care of you if you serve and obey Him. He will make sure that you always have enough to get by. When others are starving or in horrible difficulty, the God of the Bible absolutely promises His faithful servants, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

So, for your own good, come join the thousands who trust in God to back up His promises. Pay the Creator of heaven and earth the tithes you owe Him—plus generous offerings—and see Him become more “real” in your life as you truly serve and obey Him.

Chapter 5

Helping Others as god helps you

When we pay the tithes and offerings that God commands, we not only bring blessings to ourselves; we also allow God to use us to bless others. God uses our tithes to provide for other people and give them His much-needed truth. So by diligently giving back to God ten percent of all our increase, we are forced to think of others—rather than selfishly retaining everything for ourselves (Philippians 2:4–5). Christ said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

When we are motivated by a desire to serve others, we develop a giving, sharing, caring, and generous spirit. “The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself” (Proverbs 11:25). This means we should not give “grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Of course, tithing is a “necessity,” but our motivation should extend beyond that—it should be to gladly and willingly please God and help others.

Christ set the perfect example by being willing to give us everything, including His very life. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, [He and the Father own everything] yet for your sakes He became poor [by becoming human], that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). God Almighty is the great Giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). And what does the Eternal promise to give everyone who overcomes selfish human nature? “He who overcomes shall inherit all things [the entire universe with all its riches]” (Revelation 21:7). We must transcend the mostly selfish mindset that comes so naturally and learn to truly care for the happiness and well-being of others (Mark 12:31). Yes, we can be a blessing to other people.

One important way God blesses others is through your example. Others who may know that you are a tithe-payer can see you learning to love, fear, obey, and serve your Creator. They will also see you being blessed—perhaps materially, and certainly spiritually—growing closer toward God in faith and obedience. And it is often through your positive example that others are inspired to walk on that same path in order to experience those same blessings.

Another vitally important lesson tithing teaches is true humility and heartfelt obedience to our Creator. Through tithing, we acknowledge that God is our Ruler and is, therefore, the real Possessor of everything (Genesis 14:22). In the final analysis, we mortals do not actually own anything. We are merely stewards or custodians of a few of God’s possessions.

And by faithfully tithing, we learn another important lesson—faith. It takes genuine faith to believe that God exists “and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). It takes faith to obey God, especially when it seems we “can’t really afford to tithe.” But as we have already seen, if we “try” God in the right way, He promises to pour out such blessings upon us that “there will not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:10).

By exercising faith in God we become stronger and stronger—overcoming day by day—and thereby improve our chances of becoming pillars in His everlasting Kingdom (cf. Revelation 3:12). Of course, this does not mean that we earn our salvation or that we, of ourselves, can do anything that is truly “good” (cf. Matthew 19:17; Romans 3:10–12). But when our good works are done by and through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit—through which God lives in us—then we are indeed following in Jesus’ footsteps. Christ said that even He could do nothing of Himself (John 5:19, 30; 8:28).

Furthermore, living by faith will build in us even greater faith. We will come to trust God more. We will stop worrying and fretting so much about our personal finances, for we will absolutely believe the words of Jesus Christ: “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or… ‘What shall we wear?’… For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things [life’s basic necessities]. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow” (Matthew 6:31–34). What wonderful peace of mind we will experience when we come to fully trust in God (Philippians 4:6–7).

After regularly setting aside the tithe of our income for use in God’s Work, we quickly learn that we can live on the remaining portion. Of course, this requires careful budgeting and financial discipline. And God will help in other ways. Many Christians have been astounded by the rare opportunities, unexpected discounts, or other blessings that come their way once they begin to tithe faithfully.

Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19–21).

Jesus taught us to give generously of our “treasure.” Remember that it was He who said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” He highly commended the poor widow who gave so generously to God’s treasury at the temple in Jerusalem. “And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites [coins of little monetary value]. So He said, ‘Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty has put in all the livelihood that she had’” (Luke 21:1–4).

On another occasion, Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (6:38). Clearly, Christ commanded us to give. And that command comes with a promise that if we do give, we will receive far more in return. God promises to bless those who faithfully give their tithes and freewill offerings to Him and His Work—those who give in the right attitude of love and outgoing concern.

Our motive for giving should never be self-aggrandizement. We should not “give” for the express purpose of receiving a rich return on our “investment.” But if we give from a pure and generous heart, then God says we will certainly be blessed.

The Apostle Paul told Timothy, “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:17–19).

If we faithfully support the true Work of God in this age by tithing and giving offerings, and if we willingly give financial or other support—that is, alms—to the needy whom we encounter, then the Almighty will count those good works as eternal treasure laid up in the “Bank of Heaven.” By our faithful obedience to God, His Work will be done—and His Gospel will be taken to all the world.

If we faithfully render “to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21), then He promises to bless us in this life. Tithing done in a good attitude will positively affect your life now in so many ways, but all the more powerfully for all eternity in tomorrow’s world. Then all those who have tithed faithfully of their “riches” will fully understand what Paul called “the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:8). Surely no one would want to miss out on that.

Chapter 6

Where Should You Send God’s Tithe?

It is vitally important that you send God’s tithe to His true representatives. As the end of this age approaches, they will be carrying out Christ’s commission with increasing power. They will make plain the Good News of the soon-coming Kingdom or Government of God.

Without fear or favor they will explain the laws of that Kingdom. They will make plain and clear the hundreds of prophecies referring to this end time. Through God’s Spirit, they alone can be definite and specific about the tremendous events soon to occur on this earth.

Jesus clearly instructed His Church to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15), and He spoke prophetically of the great worldwide Work His true ministers would carry out at the end of this age: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).

You need to check up and prove to yourself that the Tomorrow’s World broadcast, magazine, websites, and social media pages are fulfilling Christ’s commission to preach this Good News powerfully into all the world, and to also sound the warning of personal and national repentance.

Somewhere on earth today are true ministers of God. Frankly, they will be part of the true Church of God—named the “Church of God” in the New Testament (see Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 15:9; 1 Timothy 3:15; etc.). These faithful ministers will be obeying God’s command to His true servants: “Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet; tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins” (Isaiah 58:1).

Specifically, they will be warning the American and British-descended peoples—the direct descendants of the “Ten Lost Tribes of Israel”—that the coming Great Tribulation will be directed primarily at them unless they repent (Ezekiel 33:1–7). In what is essentially both a commission and a dual prophecy—partially fulfilled but not completely fulfilled until the end time—Jesus Christ told His servants, “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake: but he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes” (Matthew 10:22–23).

Therefore, though small in number (the “little flock,” Luke 12:32), God’s true Church at the very end will be keeping God’s commandments; they will be preaching and living according to every word of the Bible (Luke 4:4) and will be zealously preaching a powerful message that will bring about severe persecution. God’s people will be small in number but will be increasingly recognized because of the powerful message they are preaching. They will definitely not be among the “mainstream” churches carefully blending in with this world’s society. And they will be going over the “cities of Israel” (Matthew 10:23) with God’s warning message—proclaiming the soon-coming Kingdom of God by way of television, the Internet, and publications to the peoples of America, Canada, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and all the world.

If this is not yet clear to you, then just keep an open mind and let the fruits prove to you where Almighty God is really working.

Where is that electrifying message being preached with increasing power today? Who has both the understanding and the courage to challenge our modern society and its organized “churchianity” with the full and undiluted message of the Bible?

Check up and see where the truth of the Bible is being made plain and clear. Determine positively for yourself (Acts 17:11) where the real Good News of the Kingdom of God—tomorrow’s world—is being preached (Matthew 24:14). Find out who is warning the world of the specific, major prophesied events now beginning to affect your life. And most important for you personally, find that Work that shows how you can escape being destroyed during those same prophesied events. Look for the Work God is using today to bring the answers for your tomorrow.

This is your life. If you will take the trouble to prove it with an open mind, you can know where God is working.

Many of you—as I did—have grown up in a “mainstream” church. Of course, there are “nice” people there. And their highly educated ministers are often good speakers with rich, mellifluous voices. The music is pretty and the pageantry is impressive.

But is the real understanding of God’s supreme purpose for our lives made clear in these churches? Are the specific laws of God and the way of life Jesus and the Apostles proclaimed being taught and practiced? And is that vital fourth of God’s word, biblical prophecy, being made clear and proclaimed as a “witness?”

God’s true ministers are carrying on His Work. They represent Him and, as God’s representatives, it is to them that you should pay your tithes and cheerfully give your offerings. God then directs them to use His money for His Work. Come help humanity. This dying world desperately needs to be reached with God’s full truth. It needs the understanding of the purpose for human existence, the great living laws of life, the definite prophesied events soon to occur in our time, and the meanings of all these things. That is exactly what this Work of God is all about.

Chapter 7

The Abundant Life God Desires For You

Professing Christians and others who hope for an afterlife may console themselves with the promise of everlasting joy and happiness in the next world. But in this life, the fear of financial ruin or just the daily frustration of trying to pay bills on time leaves many feeling frustrated, unfulfilled, and hopeless. Yet Jesus Christ Himself said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). And the Apostle John wrote to the Christians of his day, saying, “I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health” (3 John 2).

Make no mistake. We are not preaching a gospel of “prosperity” or “health and wealth.” The very focus of God’s way of life is not about how to get, but rather how to give—thereby learning how to live in true peace and tranquility, filled with enthusiasm and joy. Nevertheless, God does materially bless and prosper those who properly follow His laws of financial success.

If we faithfully tithe and do our part, the great God whom we serve will never let us down. Our heavenly Father will always provide for our genuine needs. He will never allow us to be completely “wiped out” financially—and be destitute or starving. This may not even seem like a possibility for many of you now. But as the events Jesus specifically prophesied begin to occur—including drought, famine, and disease epidemics (Matthew 24:7; Revelation 6:5–8)—then the promise of God’s blessing and protection is going to look mighty good.

King David of Israel was inspired to write, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread” (Psalm 37:23–25). Since our God and Savior is “the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8), God has bound Himself to take care of His faithful during the hard times ahead. How vital it is that we fully obey our Creator.

And there are important spiritual benefits as well. Having your mind free from fear, doubt, and worry is essential to a right relationship with God. Endless fretting about how to make the next house or car payment causes us to be self-absorbed—unable to truly focus on God and what He wants to teach us. Worry and anxious care over money matters is an enemy of faith in God (cf. Matthew 6:24–34; Luke 12:13–34). And faith in God—including faith in His tried and true principles—is an integral part of the real solution to our financial woes.

Sadly, most of humanity is unaware that God has anything important to say about our personal finances. That general ignorance—along with unwise spending habits—is primarily why many people are barely scraping by. Their funds seem insufficient for much beyond mere subsistence. That is also part of the reason why so many are trapped under a heavy load of personal debt and seem utterly unable to rid themselves of that oppressive nightmare. Such people often fall prey to depression and self-pity.

But, as you have seen in this booklet, there is a way out. That way, though, requires faith in God and submission to His commands (Psalm 19:7–11). Sadly, many people think that submission to God is like living under tyranny. But just the opposite is true. “His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). God’s way is always liberating—it frees us from oppression and burdens. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden,” said Christ, “and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).

Our financial burdens are no exception. If you have fallen into a deep financial rut—or wish to avoid doing so in the future—you must heed God’s instructions. In so doing, your life will be remarkably blessed and, as a result, God will help you to resolve whatever financial problems you have faced.

In summary, we are now definitely in the prophesied “last days” of this world’s civilization as we know it (2 Timothy 3:1). The living Christ is coming soon to take over the governments of this world (Revelation 11:15). God is now calling out a few thousand individuals to be prepared to serve under Christ in His coming world government. He is testing His people to see who He can really count on—those whose hearts are truly in His service and in His Work today. God reveals that He hears our prayers “because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 John 3:22).

In the mind of any honest student of the Bible, there should be no question but that tithing to God and to His Work is certainly pleasing in God’s sight. Long before the “law of Moses,” Abraham tithed. And this was definitely a key example for us today, for Abraham is called the father of the faithful—the very type of person we should all emulate.

Later, as part of a prophecy that “bridges” the gap between the Old and New Testaments—placed in the very latest book of the Old Testament and pointing toward the New Testament—God inspired Malachi to tell us, “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings” (Malachi 3:8). Those who try to get around tithing and who ignore this very plain warning are going to be shaken in the day of God’s wrath.

Finally, when one of the personalities of God emptied Himself (Philippians 2:7) and came down to this earth, He said that we should learn to exercise “judgment, mercy, and faith” and “not to leave the other [tithing] undone” (Matthew 23:23, KJV). Would you dare to disobey this direct instruction from the Son of God? Would you dare to leave God’s law of tithing “undone?”

As this present world comes to a close, as the God of heaven looks down on earth to discern which men and which women truly fear God and have profound respect for Him and for His laws, it is very doubtful that He has much interest in the trick arguments of carnal men trying to get around His instruction to tithe. Rather, as our Creator tells us, “But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word” (Isaiah 66:2).

May God grant each of us a truly yielded heart and mind so that we will continuously strive to see “how close” we can draw to God—not how close we can get to the edge of the cliff without falling off. Rather, let each of us prayerfully determine how much we can give and how much we can do to help prepare for God’s Kingdom and to help send His message to this dying world.