Tithing Redefined is revolutionary book on tithing authored by Olumuyiwa Olaolu Oriowo.This unconventional book proves beyond reasonable doubt that tithing to the church doctrine is not scriptural and that when you give your tithe to the poor and needy,God receives it.
Pastor Sunday Adelaja,the senior pastor of the largest church in Europe and one the mega churches in the world endorsed the book after reading it.
Here is what Pastor Sunday Adelaja said on Tithing Redefined:
TITHING REDEFINED IS A REVOLUTIONARY BOOK-----Pastor SUNDAY ADELAJA.''
The book revealed and explained in detail 2 indisputable reasons when you give your tithe to the poor and needy,God receives it.
There is an argument for and against giving of tithe. One is ‘Tithing to the church doctrine’’ and the other; ‘’doing away with tithing as an Old Testament law.’ But this eye-opening article disapproves both assertions.Tithing is an important covenant principle of God from the beginning. Why?
There are 2 indisputable reasons;
1. Tithing predates the law.
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The argument of doing away with tithing as an Old Testament law is not scriptural. The truth is; tithing existed before the Law of Moses. It was recorded as far back as in the book of genesis. Genesis 14:18-20 We saw in verse 20 that Abraham gave tithe to Melchizedek the priest of most high God.
Moreover, it was confirmed in the New Testament by the letters of Apostle Paul to the Hebrews. Hebrew 7:1-3 A careful study of these scriptures above reveals that Melchizedek was a man made like the son of God. And that is Jesus. Also, in the latter part of verse 3, it was stated that he remains a priest forever, which is a statement attributed to Jesus only in Psalm 110:4, according to David’s revelation of Christ.
2. Jesus recognized the importance of tithing.
In Matthew 23:23, Jesus himself advised the Pharisees and scribes not to neglect tithing. This proves we can’t do away with it as some have been advocating. Matthew 23:23 also repeated in Luke 11:42. These two verses (Matthew 23:23, Luke 11:42) are one. And it is the only verse of scripture credited to Jesus on tithing.
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The two scriptural proofs provided above are the reasons the argument of doing away with tithing as an Old Testament law is wrong! But of the argument for tithing to the church doctrine; there are two surprising reasons which makes it not scriptural and wrong. And these reasons make it totally scriptural when you give your tithe to the poor and needy.
Why You Must Give Your Tithe to the Poor and Needy.
1. Tithes were also for the poor and needy in the Old Testament.
The common knowledge is that tithes were only for the priests and Levites in the Old Testament. But below are scriptural proofs that nullify such claim. The Levites were chosen and separated by God among the twelve tribes to be priests (God’s representative), and to receive the tithes from the rest of the people on behalf of God. Leviticus 27:30.
The book of numbers gave us a clear exposition of the duties of the Levites, and the reason they were separated by God from the rest of the tribes. Numbers 18:6-7.
These two scriptural verses above clearly indicate the duties of the Levites and the major reason God separated them. They were to do no work at all, unlike their brethren. But, they were to do the work of the tabernacle of meeting—the place the children of Israel do assemble to hear the word of God and to receive answers to their problems.
Hence, God gave a commandment that all the tithes from the children of Israel should be given to the Levites as an income for their work in the tabernacle of meeting. Numbers 18:21and 24. Looking at Numbers 18:24 above, we see that tithes being given by the people to the Levites belongs to them as an inheritance since they have no part in sharing of the land of Canaan.
Moreover, we see in Numbers 18:26 and 28 that even the Levites are commanded by God to give tithe of the tithes collected from the people. So, no one is excluded from the law of tithing. This is also stated in Hebrew 7:9-10. Levites are sons of Abraham, so they have to pay tithes to do the work and walk in the blessings of Abraham.
We have seen so far that tithes belonged to the Levites or pastors, in today’s language. But, before you justify anyone who claim tithes to the priests or pastors exclusively. I want you to quickly look at this verse of scripture; Deuteronomy 14:22-29.But, our emphasis is on verse 29. The tithes also belong to the strangers, fatherless and widows in the society.
Moreover, before you argue against this, kindly check Deuteronomy 26:12-13 emphases on verse 12. Seriously, this shouldn’t be a surprise or generate any argument if we understand the basis for the law of tithing to the Levites in the first place.
They have no inheritance or land to do business. And that is exactly the case with strangers, fatherless and widows at that time. They too can’t have inheritance: strangers don’t belong to any tribe, fatherless and widows are victims of circumstances. They are handicapped. So, they need to be supported with the tithes as it was with the Levites.
They are in the same category-‘needy’, as far as God is concerned. In case you have asked before now who receive the tithes of the Levites. Kindly refer to Numbers 18:26 and 28 mentioned above. Now you know the answer—‘the strangers, fatherless and widows’-Poor and Needy!
2. Jesus redefined tithing.
Surprisingly, the greatest discovery about tithing is that; there was no mention of Jesus and the apostles collecting it or the disciples giving it in any of the early churches. This is shocking! Isn’t it? The only mention of tithing in the New Testament was found in the letters of Apostle Paul to the Jews in Hebrews chapter seven and eight.
Careful observations of these chapters revealed to us the reason tithes was not mention in the church as regards collection and giving. The only thing the apostles were concerned about was giving to the poor. The master (Jesus) had taught them so. Galatians 2:7-10, emphasis on verse 10: ‘’… THEY DESIRED ONLY THAT WE SHOULD REMEMEBER THE POOR, THE VERY THING WHICH I ALSO WAS EAGER TO DO.’’
The apostles through the teachings of Jesus understood the purpose of tithing from the beginning. They knew tithing is wrapped up in giving, generally. It is wrapped up in your giving to the poor and needy.
Jesus as the eternal high priest had the right to collect tithes according to the law, but never did. That is why he mentioned tithing only once and it was a statement of rebuke rather than instruction to continue giving tithe the old way. (Matthew 23:23).
The apostles whom Jesus chose to start the church never collect tithe from anyone as an instruction or doctrine. No wonder it wasn’t mentioned as a doctrine in the early church.
The arrival and death of Jesus brought a change in the law –a redefinition of the Old Testament Law. Hebrews 7:12: ‘’ for the priesthood being change of necessity there is also a change of law’’
READ PASTOR SUNDAY ADELAJA'S FULL COMMENTS ON TITHING REDEFINED: ‘’when you give your tithe to the poor and needy, God receives It.’’: http://redefinedfuture.com/sunday-adelaja-on-tithing/
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