Contrary to popular belief, the tithes aren't there for just "helping people." Tithes are for the purpose of supporting qualified people who teach Torah, and to provide for the operation of the priesthood, and to support those in need - and believe it or not - once it's left your hand, it's no longer your business as to what's done with it. Your obligation is to tithe your part...
YES, if the pastor is wasting the money and buying planes, trains, automobiles and yachts, then he's clearly got a blind flock that tithes too much, because an extravagant lifestyle earned off YHWH's FREE Word, was NEVER the intention of tithes ... and SHAM on that pastor or rabbi for using YHWH and His Word to expand their own domains!
The original instructions concerning tithes was for the Levite Priests who were set-apart as YHWH's; and had NO OTHER way of supporting themselves, because their job was ONLY to do YHWH's will/teachings, etc. Their ONLY business was conducting the duties of educating, blessing, performing sacrifices and exercising judgment of Torah. But they also needed to be housed, and fed.
What we must ask ourselves today is: WHO is actually TEACHING YHWH's Word? The answer: Not many.
And, here's an interesting tidbit: Did you know that when people who receive help from the church in some way (unless they are told otherwise) are actually REQUIRED via Scripture to PAY BACK anything they "borrow" from the tithes, including interest of one-fifth of what they borrowed?
Leviticus 27:30 “‘All the tenth given from the land, whether from planted seed or fruit from trees, belongs to Adonai; it is holy to Adonai. 31 If someone wants to redeem any of his tenth, he must add to it one-fifth. (CJB)
In other words - once your "tithe" leaves your hands, it belongs to YHWH. If the person who receives it ABUSES it, YHWH will deal with him or her at some point.
The above is simply something to keep in mind the next time you tithe...
Eze 34:2) “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, thus says Adonai Elohim: “Oy, shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should shepherds not take care of the sheep?
ReplyDeleteEze 34:3) You eat the fat. You clothe yourself with the wool. You kill the fat ones. But you do not take care of the sheep.
Eze 34:4) You do not strengthen the weak, heal the sick, bind up the broken, bring back the stray or seek the lost. Instead, you have ruled over them with force and cruelty.
Eze 34:5) They were scattered for lack of a shepherd. They became food for all the beasts of the field as they were scattered.
Eze 34:6) My sheep wandered through all the mountains and on every high hill. Over all the face of the earth My sheep were scattered. No one searched. No one sought.”
Eze 34:7) Therefore, shepherds, hear the word of Adonai:
Eze 34:8) “As I live”—it is a declaration of Adonai—“as surely as My sheep became prey and My sheep became food for all the beasts of the field, because there was no shepherd, nor did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My sheep,”
Eze 34:9) therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of Adonai,
Eze 34:10) thus says Adonai Elohim: “Behold, I am against the shepherds and I will demand My flock from their hand. I will dismiss them from tending the flock. The shepherds will no longer feed themselves. I will rescue My sheep from their mouth, so they will not be food for them.”