About Our Cover ...
Our cover shows a giant B-52 Stratofortress flying miles
above its target in the jungles of Vietnam. Since the beginning
of the war until October, 1968, a total of 2,900,000 tons of
bombs were dropped at a cost of about 6 billion dollars. That's
more than DOUBLE the total bomb tonnage dropped on Europe during
World War II! In addition, over 6,000 American planes and
helicopters have been lost, at an estimated cost of another 6
billion dollars -- not to mention the incalculable loss in human
life. Yet, this incredible waste continues as wars and
preparations for war go unchecked. This lesson explains why.
an open letter from THE STAFF
DO YOU KNOW how much money the world spends on arms and
military purposes?
The facts will astound you!
In the days of Julius Caesar it cost about 75 cents to kill
an enemy soldier. Because of inflation, greater technology and
armaments spending, the cost rose to about $3,000 per enemy dead
during Napoleon's time.
Since then the cost has skyrocketed with burgeoning defense
expenditures. During World War I, the United States alone spent
about $21,000 for each enemy soldier killed. World War II was
even more expensive -- costing over TEN TIMES that amount!
Already, the war in Vietnam is costing the United States
$170,000 per enemy death, and the total may exceed over half a
million dollars per enemy soldier killed before the war is over
(including all costs such as veterans' benefits, war debts, etc.)
The cost of war is an enormous burden upon all nations
today. In the first half of the 20th century, the world spent the
fantastic sum of four trillion dollars ($4,000,000,000,000) for
military purposes! But if military spending continues at its
present rate, the world will spend another four trillion dollars
during the NEXT TEN YEARS!
Incredible?
How much money IS that?
Four trillion dollar bills placed end-to-end would make a
straight line stretching from the earth to the sun four times;
with enough left over to go from the earth to the moon 35 times
and circle the earth at the equator another 20 times. Your mind
simply cannot comprehend such a fantastic amount of money.
Spent on military and war purposes, this sum of money could
purchase eight million of the most sophisticated MBT (Main Battle
Tank) 70's. These tanks weigh about 50 tons and can travel 40
miles per hour. Placed end-to-end, they would almost encircle the
earth twice! Can you imagine such destructive firepower?
But if all this money were diverted to peaceful channels, to
peaceful production, it could be used to build 200,000,000 brand
new beautiful $20,000 three-bedroom homes, complete with a
fireplace, breakfast bar, and two bathrooms! With six people to a
home, these houses could provide shelter for ONE THIRD the
earth's present population.
Unbelievable -- but true!
Does your mind begin to comprehend the fantastic CURSE that
war (and all military spending) is for all the nations of the
earth? Can you see the tragic, enormous, INCREDIBLE WASTE?
All this sheer waste and this crushing burden -- this
gigantic CURSE -- COULD BE AVOIDED, if nations believed the
promises in God's Word and obeyed His laws which bring peace!
This lesson makes it plain.
THE GREAT KEY TO PEACE AND PROSPERITY
While apparent prosperity continues, millions tremble on the
brink of financial disaster! Sky-high taxes are now one of the
greatest causes of public concern. This lesson explains why. It
reveals the last and greatest law governing true prosperity!
EVERYBODY hates taxes! TAXPAYERS are complaining more than
ever before. The outcry against the constant rise in taxes is
being heard ALL OVER THE WORLD!
Taxes, Taxes, Taxes!
Time was when, if a man owned a piece of real estate, it was
his for life. Unless he himself sold it or gave it away, it was
safe for his heirs -- something to provide for or add to the
livelihood of his sons and grandsons.
But no more!
Now -- even though property may be clear and unencumbered by
a mortgage or lien -- the owner must be continually "buying it
back" by means of often shockingly high payments in the form of
PROPERTY TAXES!
The average American home owner will pay its total market
value about once each quarter century at present property tax
rates. And if he should get behind in his payments for a year or
two, or REFUSE to pay, the property may be SEIZED and SOLD for
the taxes!
The property tax hits THE ELDERLY especially hard, gnawing
away, like inflation, at that for which they have slaved and
saved to provide for their old age.
Then there is the INCOME tax. Probably no form of taxation
is hated and feared more than the income tax.
When it was first imposed in the United States, and for many
years thereafter, many Americans continued to insist that a tax
on INCOME was "unconstitutional." A property tax was tolerable,
but an income tax was not -- even after a constitutional
amendment made it clearly legal!
What would be "constitutional," however, according to GOD'S
system of government and economics? Have you ever thought about
that? What does God say about TAXATION?
Taxation and Inflation
In 1969, taxes of all kinds took 37% of all income produced
in the United States. That's three hours out of every eight that
each American worked for the government!
It's calculated that roughly one dollar in four of all
income goes to Washington, D.C. -- not counting the tax bites
taken by states, cities and counties. In some other countries,
taxes are even higher. The average man in Sweden, for example, is
taxed 41% of his earnings. Taxes in Britain exceed 40% of that
country's gross national product.
In addition, inflation in the U.S., which was brought on
primarily because of long-continued spending of more than people
earned, has caused a terrific loss in the buying power of the
money left after taxes. Consequently, today's dollar is worth
only about 37 cents compared to the dollar of 1939!
Taxes and inflation have eaten up the wage gains of the
laborer, farmer, and white collar worker which were made possible
by modern technology and exploitation of natural resources.
Take for example, an American earning $10,000 a year.
Suppose he gets a 6% raise. His gross income will increase $600
for the entire year. But out of this, he must pay additional
income tax, surtax, Social Security tax, state and local taxes --
and "inflation tax" (the increased price of everything he buys
during the year because of inflation).
What is the net result? Out of this $600, even at the
so-called "acceptable" rate of 4% inflation per year, he will
have a mere $99 INCREASE in actual purchasing power for the
entire year!
If he had been earning $20,000 and received a 6% raise, he
would have gained only $116 in real purchasing power.
The Price Tag of War
The greatest single factor which has put America and
Americans in this financial straitjacket of swelling inflation
and sky-high taxation is WAR! But obedience to God's ways WOULD
HAVE PREVENTED IT ALL!
God gave our ancient forefathers a basic, all-inclusive
financial law. Since the government was His, He required of the
people one flat 10% "tax" to conduct all its business, and to pay
the "salaries" of its administrators.
In ancient Israel, 10% of all increase or income was paid to
God. When Israel paid this 10% faithfully, God PROMISED to
protect her from other nations, and to fight all her wars FOR HER
so that she would never have had to spend any money on defense
(Ex. 14:14, 24-25; 23:20-23, 27-28; Deut. 1:30). The cost of
defense was included -- in a sense -- in the TITHE (TENTH).
If our nations today would obey God's financial laws and all
His commandments, we could STILL claim that promise of
protection!
Instead, governments today look to their own resources and
manpower for national defense. The staggering cost of the U.S.
military machine -- for salaries, equipment, research, interest
on borrowed money -- on land, on the sea, in the air and in
space, closely approximates a TITHE of its Gross National Product
(GNP). And at best, the money spent on defense out of the
American national budget is a huge question mark as to its
effectiveness!
Reaping the Penalties
How easily the free world could cause the atheistic
Communists to go reeling back on their heels -- and without
striking a blow ourselves! By paying God's tithe, we could have
been assured of total national defense and victory if attacked.
We wouldn't have had to fight a single war! Yet wars and
preparations for war continue.
Why?
Could it be because we have turned our back to God and have
been STEALING from Him? (Mal. 3:8-9.)
Whatever amount we have withheld from God, we as a nation
are having to pay anyway -- and more so! We are not only paying
about 10% of our income for "national defense," but we are being
charged EXTRA for many other governmental expenses besides --
sales taxes, inheritance taxes, property taxes, amusement taxes,
luxury taxes, gas taxes, school taxes, state taxes, and income
taxes!
Just THINK what we could have saved if we had from the
beginning acknowledged God as our national financial partner.
Thank God the time is coming when we shall!
When God's Government Rules
In the World Tomorrow, "they shall sit every man under HIS
vine and under HIS fig tree; and NONE SHAKE MAKE THEM AFRAID ..."
(Micah 4:4). Under God's government people will own their
property and there will be no OPPRESSIVE taxes, no confiscation!
God's government WILL "tax" its subjects, for without taxes
there would be no means of carrying on the duties of a
government. The difference is that God's "tax" is far more
EQUITABLE. And it is GOOD for YOU!
In God's there are no hidden taxes, no taxes on top of
taxes, nor the continual striving and struggling to figure out
new ways to extort more money from the populace.
God's "tax" is extremely FAIR, because only those who have
"increase" (Deut. 14:22) have to pay. And each must pay the SAME
tax rate. God's "tax" does not "soak" the rich OR oppress the
poor!
It encourages initiative, gives people incentive to get
ahead. We have learned that it is definitely God's will for man
to PROSPER. That's why He requires merely a flat 10% of each
person's true increase or income!
God's "tax" is called the "TITHE." It is that 10% which He
reserves for Himself. And yet, it is actually spent wholly for
MAN'S benefit -- in bringing the blessings of God's government to
mankind.
When God's TITHE IS faithfully paid to Him, He makes the
remaining 90% go FURTHER than the whole 100% did before! Sound
incredible? It's true. Those who have faithfully PAID God's tithe
have PROVEN it!
When ALL of God's financial laws are being obeyed, including
this little-known, ALL-IMPORTANT TITHING LAW, and men strive to
follow God's entire way of life, then all of man's dreams of
peace and economic security will at last come true!
Tithing is the MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL of God's financial laws
-- it is guaranteed to produce results.
Are you applying this fundamental law of the living God in
YOUR life?
Are you being blessed financially? If not, the reason may
well be that you're not obeying this most vital financial law!
Let's learn all about God's tithing law in the Bible.
LESSON 56
Tithing in Ancient Times
Many nations once had a knowledge of right, wise and sound
financial principles because the Creator of mankind did not leave
men ignorant of His laws which assure true prosperity.
Tithing was known even in ancient Egypt, Babylon, Greece and
Rome (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th ea., art. "Tithe"). And
"tithe barns" to store the 10% claimed by the state church were
used in Britain as late as the 1700's.
Let's notice exactly where the knowledge of tithing came
from.
1. What did Jacob promise God he would do with all his
increase? Gen. 28:20-22. Was he prospered for his obedience? Gen.
30:43.
2. How did Jacob know of God's tithing law? Gen. 14:18-20;
26:5.
COMMENT: Jacob knew about tithing because his father Isaac,
the son of obedient Abraham, taught it to him. Upon leaving his
father's house where God's government ruled, and striking out on
his own, Jacob formally AFFIRMED his determination to live
directly under that government. And obedience to God's tithing
law was a SIGN of his submission to God's rule.
Melchizedek, the member of the Godhead who became Jesus
Christ (write for the free article which proves the true identity
of Melchizedek) was then the Supreme Representative of that
government on earth. Jacob voluntarily put himself under His
rule.
Centuries later, Melchizedek placed the functions of His
government into the hands of the descendants of Levi. What few
people understand is that the receiving of tithes was an integral
part of the administration of God's government in ancient times
-- and will be again in the World Tomorrow.
Since the purpose of God's government is to SERVE the
people, His government was more than a mere giving and enforcing
of orders. His government includes administration of justice,
education, health, defense, and ultimately salvation!
On the people's part, the paying of tithes was their
acknowledgment of being under that government's authority.
3. As His right or prerogative for saving the Israelites
alive when He slew the firstborn of Egypt, whom did God claim as
His own? Ex. 13:2, 12-15. For what tribe did he later exchange
all the firstborn? Num. 3:5-10, 39-51.
4. In what way did the Eternal God put the Levites to work
"serving" their fellow Israelites? Read Numbers 4, noting
especially verses 47 and 49.
5. Were even Moses and Aaron, his brother, of the tribe of
Levi? Ex. 2:1-10. Skim through chapter 13 of Leviticus for a few
of the many ways in which the priests SERVED the people while
being in authority over them.
6. What did the Eternal turn over for the use of the Levites
in order that they might be able to exercise the functions of
God's government? Num. 18:21, 24. To whom did the Levites
themselves pay a tithe of their income (of the tithe the people
paid them)? Verses 26-28.
COMMENT: God had set Aaron's family in highest authority
over the Levites (verses 2-3, 6), so the priests received a tithe
from the income of all the other Levites.
The Cause of Today's High Taxes
1. Is there always a cause for every curse that people
suffer? Prov. 26:2.
2. When the people of Israel rejected God's government over
them (I Sam. 8:7) and demanded a king like all the heathen
nations around them, what did the Eternal solemnly warn them that
the consequences of having a human king would be? I Sam. 8:14-17.
COMMENT: What the king would demand was not merely the tithe
on which God's government had operated. He would demand MORE! He
would demand, first of all, a PROPERTY TAX! All this came to pass
exactly as God had warned!
3. What was to be the chief need of HUMAN government that
would cause it to require such heavy taxation? Verses 11-12.
COMMENT: Today, war is the world's biggest business. The
situation Samuel prophesied literally came true. It happened when
ancient Israel as a nation REJECTED God's government, which
included His protection (Deut. 1:30). And it has been happening
in nation after nation ever since!
Today, the costs of war are far greater than ever before.
World War II cost the United States over $380 BILLION! And each
year, the U.S. alone spends upwards of $70 billion on so-called
"defense."
4. What CAUSES war? James 4:1-3. "Lust" has to do with
"self-seeking," or "self-interest."
COMMENT: "Self-interest" is what has led nations to build
armaments and to war with one another. It has also caused capital
and labor to struggle and fight, each trying to GET more and give
less. It has caused individuals to plunge deeply into debt for
things they could not and should not afford. It has led Britain
and America and many other nations into stupendous debt.
"Self-interest" -- or lust, or greed -- led the ancient
Israelites into FAILING to tithe. And just as surely it has led
many of YOU to misappropriate and ROB GOD of His tithe!
Such "self-interest" is NOT in your BEST interests. It
actually penalizes you!
Everything Belongs to God
"But how can God claim a tenth of my income?" some will
demand to know. Here is the answer straight from your Bible.
l . Is God the great Creator? Gen. 1:1. Did He create
EVERYTHING? Eph. 3:9. Therefore, does God insist that EVERYTHING
is legitimately His? Job 41:11; Ex. 19:5; Psalm 50:10, 12.
2. "But surely OUR LABOR produced most of our wealth,"
someone else will say. Where does wealth really come from? Take
another look at Gen. 27:28.
COMMENT: All wealth comes ultimately from the GROUND. When
God blessed our English-speaking peoples, as He promised to
Jacob, He did it by giving us rich agricultural lands and mineral
wealth. Without that which God created, our human labor and
ingenuity would be worth nothing.
3. Does God claim the mineral wealth too, such as silver and
gold? Deut. 10:14 and Hag. 2:8.
COMMENT: The entire earth and everything you produce from it
belongs to God. He has never given you the whole of what you
produce or earn. The FIRST TENTH remains holy to the Eternal.
That He has reserved for Himself.
But God is generous. After you have paid God that first
tenth which BELONGS to Him, He allows you to keep the remaining
NINE tenths. That nine tenths is the wage for your labor, using
what He created in the first place -- including your own mind and
body, which God GAVE YOU!
In the Garden of Eden, God reserved for Himself just ONE
TREE. That remained HIS. He NEVER GAVE that one tree to Adam and
Eve. They had no right to eat of its fruit. When they, filled
with greed to possess ALL, reached out and took the fruit of that
forbidden tree, they SINNED -- they STOLE from God!
Today, the same Satan that deceived Eve will gladly lead you
to believe that all of your income -- and all the produce of your
farm -- is yours! But don't you believe it!
4. Is the tithe HOLY to God? Lev. 27:30.
COMMENT: God's tithe must not be used for any other than a
holy purpose! It belongs in GOD'S House -- to be used by His true
ministers and servants!
But suppose a man says, "I have no confidence in the way the
tithe will be used." May he therefore refuse to pay the tithe, or
stipulate by whom or for what purpose it will be used?
The individual's responsibility is to pay God's tithe to
those whom he has PROVEN to be doing God's Work. Deciding how the
tithe is to be used or spent is not his responsibility. That is
GOD'S responsibility. It is God's tithe and it is up to Him to
direct how His servants use the money!
Robbers Should Expect to Be Robbed!
1. How does the Eternal God indict this nation, and in
PRINCIPLE all other nations? Mal. 3:8-9. If God didn't own
everything, could we "rob" Him?
COMMENT: YOU yourself have no doubt been cheated or robbed
at one time or another, and were very indignant about it. And no
doubt sometime in your life you, too, have stolen something. We
would all have to admit this is true.
But did it ever occur to you that you may be stealing RIGHT
NOW? And that THAT may be part of the reason for the financial
problems you may be experiencing today?
Are you like the bank robber who was furious because his car
was stripped and vandalized while he was inside robbing the bank?
2. Is it the "WHOLE nation" which is guilty of robbing God?
Mal. 3:8-10.
COMMENT: Israel, since early times, has consistently failed
to pay God's tithe.
But Gentiles are guilty too. ALL nations have robbed God!
The only difference is that God does not hold them as responsible
as Israel, His chosen people, who were TAUGHT to tithe by God
Himself! Most Gentiles today are not as responsible in God's
sight because they were never taught about tithing. Nevertheless,
anyone who KNOWS BETTER and doesn't tithe is DOUBLY RESPONSIBLE!
You, whatever your nationality or racial origin, have been
given this knowledge. Therefore you are held accountable for it.
If you will notice verses 1 to 5 of Malachi 3, and all of chapter
4, you will see that this prophecy is for OUR TIME -- for us! --
just before the Second Coming of Christ.
3. Does the Eternal emphasize we are to bring Him ALL the
tithes? Mal. 3:10.
COMMENT: Some don't seem to understand that a "tithe" is a
FULL TENTH of their INCREASE. "Tithe" is an old English word
which simply means a "tenth." Giving an occasional small offering
now and then is not tithing!
"But I can't afford to tithe," someone is sure to complain.
The truth is you can't afford NOT to! Can you afford to STEAL --
to be a THIEF -- to ROB GOD?
God is the senior partner in your financial affairs. If you
neglect to pay Him that which is His, then you are guilty of
STEALING it!
Never think you GIVE tithes. You PAY tithes. They were never
yours to "give." When a person fails to pay his taxes, he has
broken man's law and comes under the penalty. He could be thrown
in jail. Even so, those who break God's law, who REFUSE to pay
His tithe, come under a severe FINANCIAL and SPIRITUAL penalty --
they come under a financial CURSE as well as the DEATH penalty
for disobeying God!
It's just a question of whether or not you will be HONEST
with God. What kind of a person would knowingly, deliberately
attempt to swindle and cheat the Almighty God?
Tithing Was NOT Done Away!
Let's check the Bible to see if there is any truth to the
common teaching that God's tithing law is no longer in effect --
that the New Testament Church has no authority to receive tithes.
1. Did Jesus Christ regard the law of tithing as obsolete or
annulled? Matt. 23:23 and Luke 11:42. Notice the last part of
each verse.
COMMENT: Isn't that clear enough? Jesus said that spiritual
qualities such as judgment, love, mercy and faith were more
important than carefully and strictly paying tithes on EVERY
LITTLE PLANT that might grow in your garden -- especially when
that strictness led to SELF righteousness. But Christ said "NOT
to leave the other undone" -- NOT to fail to pay your FULL TITHE
as God has commanded! And remember that at the time Christ spoke
these words, the people were also being forced to pay ROMAN
TAXES!
2. Why did Jesus endorse tithing? Did He previously make it
clear that God's ministers are worthy of being recompensed for
their labors? Matt. 10:9-10. Also see I Tim. 5:17-18.
3. Are the ministers of the New Testament Church to be
supported in exactly the same way the Levites were? I Cor.
9:13-14. Also read the first 10 verses of this chapter, noting
especially verses 6 through 10.
4. Now notice how the New Testament ministry received
AUTHORITY to take tithes. Does Paul plainly show that the
tithe-receiving Levitical Priesthood had been CHANGED to that of
Melchisedec? Heb. 7:9-12. Did this therefore involve a CHANGE in
WHO was to receive the tithe? Verses 5 and 12.
COMMENT: The New Testament ministers of Christ (Melchisedec)
are to be supported by the tithes of God's people so they can
devote their full time to the work of CHRIST'S ministry -- just
as the Levitical Priesthood did in ancient times.
5. Did Paul receive financial support from the brethren of
some congregations? II Cor. 11:8-9 and Phil. 4:15-16.
COMMENT: It cost Paul considerable sums of money to travel
often by ship, to eat, to have proper clothing, and to buy books
which were laboriously hand-copied on expensive vellum. (Read
Acts 16:11; 20:15; 21:2 and II Tim. 4:13.) Sometimes he even had
to rent a hall (or house) in which to preach (Acts 28:30-31).
6. Did Paul say he had "power" -- AUTHORITY -- to receive
support from the churches? II Thes. 3:8-9 and I Thes. 2:6. Why
didn't he always exercise it? I Cor. 9:11-12.
COMMENT: Paul did not always exercise all his authority lest
he should cause any of the SPIRITUALLY WEAK brethren to stumble
(I Cor. 8:13) -- those who were critical and might have thought
HE was "out for the money." For this reason (though he
undoubtedly taught them the principle of tithing) he apparently
left the tithe to be used mainly by the local officials of the
Church in each area (I Tim. 5:17-18).
7. What scripture indicates that Paul was actually referring
to the tithe? II Tim. 2:6-7.
COMMENT: The part of your income to be reserved for God is
the FIRST tenth. In a tactful, roundabout way, Paul was telling
Timothy (and the members of the congregations who would hear this
letter read) that the SPIRITUAL "husbandman," or minister over
the flock, had a RIGHT to be partaker of their produce ("fruit").
Specifically, Timothy should receive the "first" part -- the
FIRST TENTH -- from his congregation's increase!
Understand, therefore, that God's true Church representing
God and carrying on His Work, DOES have the prior right to the
first tenth -- even before the federal government. And God has
commissioned His Church to USE the tithe to preach and publish
the Gospel to all nations (Matt. 24:14; Mark 13:10) -- and to
FINISH His Work!!
8. If the law requires that your income tax be withheld
before you even see your paycheck, should you honor and respect
that law, and IMMEDIATELY pay God's tithe FIRST as far as you are
concerned? Notice the principle in Matthew 22:21.
"PROVE Me Now..."
1. Does the Eternal command us to PROVE Him -- to put Him to
the test to see if He really will bless us? Mal. 3:10. What does
God say HE will do if we tithe? Same verse.
COMMENT: God has a thousand ways of making what you do PAY
OFF bigger. If you are a farmer, HE sends the rain and the
sunshine when you need it. If you WORK DILIGENTLY, and are
faithful in paying Him His portion, He works WITH YOU, blesses
your effort, causes your partnership with Him to produce and earn
MORE!
Those who faithfully pay God His tenth find that the 90%
that is left goes FURTHER than the 100% ever did before! When you
begin to rely completely on God, expensive doctor bills are
usually eliminated, crop failures are less, business appointments
prove successful, and general emergencies that can deplete your
savings occur far less frequently.
Hundreds have remarked that there seems to be an unwritten
law which cannot be put down in a budget -- a law that causes
their money to always stretch far enough when they tithe
faithfully! Read the following scriptures in connection with this
principle: I Kings 17:8-23; II Kings 4:1-7; 42-44; Matt.
14:17-21; 15:34-38; Heb. 13:8.
At the same time, the tenth which God reserves for Himself
is big enough to make people become more conscious of their money
-- to make them BUDGET and PLAN -- to make them use it more
EFFICIENTLY.
2. Should one pay his debts BEFORE beginning to tithe? Read
Matthew 22:21 once again.
COMMENT: To fully answer that question, just ask yourself,
"To whom do I OWE the most important debt?" You owe it to GOD! If
you begin obeying God, He will help you pay the rest of your
creditors. Many are in debt simply BECAUSE they don't tithe!
Whatever you owe God for robbing Him in the past, He is
willing to forgive and cancel out. But what God does expect is
your OBEDIENCE from the time the knowledge of His way reaches
your mind. He holds you strictly accountable from that time on!
An Exercise of Faith
1. Is he that is faithful in little (which certainly would
include tithing) also faithful in much? Luke 16:10. Will such be
greatly REWARDED? Luke 19:17; Matt. 25:21, 23 and Prov. 28:20.
COMMENT: We learned in Lesson 54 that credit buying tends to
tear down faith in God. Tithing BUILDS that faith. The FAITHFUL
tither is worshipping God in a tangible, literal way. He learns
to look to God in a realistic manner. He learns to RELY on God's
promises. His faith is tested, exercised, and strengthened. He
learns that God's way really WORKS!
2. Does God speak of the TRYING of our faith as being GOOD
for us? I Peter 1:7.
COMMENT: Don't ever give up tithing! PERSEVERE in obeying
God even if you're not blessed very much right away. Do your part
with ZEAL and FAITH, and quietly and confidently EXPECT GOD TO
KEEP HIS PROMISE, regardless of how hard it may seem! God's
blessing WILL come in God's own time and in GOD'S own way.
God may cause you to be promoted in your present job, or
blessed with a substantial salary increase. He may bless you with
a new and better job. He may bless you through a gift, an
inheritance, or simply by opening up unusual circumstances
whereby you are able to save substantial amounts of money on
certain purchases. He may eventually bless you in ALL of these
ways!
3. What is the SURE WAY to financial security? Prov. 3:9-10.
COMMENT: God ALWAYS KEEPS His promises! And He will CONTINUE
to bless you as you remain FAITHFUL to Him.
Your Attitude Is Important
A few have complained about not being blessed very much, if
at all, after beginning to tithe. "I have paid my tithes
faithfully for six months -- still I have received no raise in
salary," complained one. Or, as another put it, "I tithed for a
year, and my income actually went DOWN!"
Are you a tither? Have you ever felt this way? Then consider
the following questions carefully.
1. Does Amos 4:4-5 show that HALF-WAY obedience will not win
God's favor? May it result in a PLAGUE instead of a blessing?
Verses 6-7.
COMMENT: Notice carefully this mixture of "transgression"
WITH "tithes," of thanksgiving offerings WITH leaven (typical of
sin), of freewill offerings WITH publicity and pride. These are
all manifestations of human nature -- what the carnal mind
"likes" to do! (Modern translations make these verses much
clearer.)
If you are not obeying ALL of God's commandments to the best
of your knowledge and ability, you have no right to expect God to
bless you. Remember the words of the Apostle James: "For
whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point,
he is guilty of all" (James 2:10).
The teaching of God's Word is: OBEY God's laws and you will
prosper. It is that simple. Even a non-Christian tither can
prosper, if he obeys God to the FULL EXTENT of his knowledge. As
a student of this Course, YOUR knowledge of God's way is VERY
GREAT!
Consider another factor. Do you obey WILLINGLY -- or do you
obey GRUDGINGLY -- only because you HAVE to? Even Satan obeys God
-- grudgingly. Did you realize that? After Christ allowed Satan
to tempt Him, He gave the Devil a command which was obeyed (Matt.
4:10, 11). But that did NOT put Satan back in God's favor, or
make him a recipient of God's blessings.
A true Christian obeys WILLINGLY, cheerfully. He knows that
God's ways are best for him and -- best for ALL -- that His laws
are the true way of "liberty" (James 2:12). He sees that
grudging, resistant obedience -- like Satan's -- is the cause of
much wretchedness and unhappiness.
2. Does Luke 18:11-14 clearly show that tithing in a
self-righteous manner, and making a show of it, will not suffice
either?
3. Did Paul warn against equating material gain with
godliness? I Tim. 6:5-6.
COMMENT: Some HAVE tried to selfishly apply the laws of God
-- including the law of tithing -- to satisfy their fleshly
lusts. Do you obey God ONLY TO RECEIVE material benefits? If this
is your attitude, you need to CHANGE IT RIGHT NOW! God is already
blessing you, if only by letting you suffer to learn this lesson,
but He does WANT TO bless you in EVERY way.
Remember, just because you pay God 10% does not mean He OWES
YOU anything, for He has already given you 90%. God doesn't OWE
it to you, but He wants to GIVE YOU prosperity and security and
HAPPINESS!
Teach Your Children to Tithe
Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should
go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Children
should be taught to live by God's laws. And they ought to be
taught how to handle money.
Give your children an allowance regularly. Even though it
may be very small, teach them the right use of it. TEACH THEM THE
LAW OF TITHING. TELL THEM WHY God commands tithing, and explain
how God blesses the tither.
Children should learn God's ways in the home as Jacob did
(Gen. 28:20-22). Remember, Jacob TITHED -- and PROSPERED!
How the Tithe Is Figured
God's tithe is figured on your "increase" (Deut. 14:22) --
the amount of your earnings or produce which is ABOVE and BEYOND
the expenses involved in producing it. If you work for wages, you
tithe on the GROSS amount of your income. If you are a farmer, or
in some other way self-employed, you must pay ONE FULL TENTH of
your ADJUSTED GROSS income (your income MINUS loss or overhead,
if any). You may deduct the cost of hired help, but not your own
or your family's labor. Taxes are NOT deductible.
The maximum period over which you may figure your tithe is
one year (same verse). If your business or farm shows a net loss
at the year's end, you owe NO tithe. However, you cannot deduct
the amount of one year's loss from the following year's increase.
Normally, it is best not to wait until the year's end to pay
your tithe, but to tithe on each significant amount of income --
each paycheck if you are on salary -- as you receive it.
A wife does not tithe on grocery money given to her by her
husband. She is merely handling that money FOR HIM. The Bible
says the husband is the head of the wife (I Cor. 11:3). If he is
an unbeliever who will not tithe, the wife should not take it
upon herself to tithe on any part of his income without his
permission. Of course, if she has her own income, then she is
obligated to pay a tithe of her increase. (If you have any
further questions about figuring the tithe, or any questions at
all about tithing, then feel free to write our Personal
Correspondence Department.)
The Blessing of Giving Offerings
Now we need to consider the scriptural teaching concerning
OFFERINGS -- that which is GIVEN to God for His Work. Let's learn
how it really is "more blessed to GIVE than to receive" (Acts
20:35).
1. Is failure to give offerings regarded as robbing God JUST
AS MUCH as failing to tithe? Mal. 3:8, last word.
COMMENT: Of course! For God GIVES YOU many gifts in addition
to the income on which the tithe is paid!
2. Were the ancient Israelites ASKED to give freewill
offerings for the construction of the Tabernacle? Ex. 25:1-2;
35:29. Was their offering so great that they had to be RESTRAINED
from giving any more? Ex. 36:6-7.
3. Did King David and his subjects give extremely generous
freewill offerings for the building of God's Temple? I Chron.
29:3-9, 17. Did the nation of Judah continue this practice in
Hezekiah's time? II Chron. 31:11-12, 14. And in Ezra's time? Ezra
2:68-69.
4. On what special convocations of God are "freewill
offerings" ALWAYS required? Deut. 16:10, 16-17; 12:5-6.
5. Did God begin to bless Judah when the people began to be
faithful in offerings? II Chron. 31:10.
COMMENT: One of the many blessings of giving generous
offerings today is the reduction in one's income tax since the
government allows tithes and offerings as itemized deductions on
income tax returns.
Giving Generously
In the days of the Apostle Paul, severe famine struck Judea.
The Greek-speaking congregations raised up by Paul were called
upon to offer food for the relief of their brethren in Palestine.
1. Did Paul instruct each person to contribute as he had
been BLESSED by God? I Cor. 16:1-3. Does exactly the same
principle govern freewill offerings for God's Work? Deut. 16:17.
COMMENT: "As he is able" does NOT mean "according to what he
has left over after apportioning his money for everything else,"
but AS GOD HAS BLESSED HIM in the first place! Don't wait till
last to give God an offering. Do it first, at the same time you
apportion out God's tithe.
2. Does God love a "cheerful" giver who gives GENEROUSLY? II
Cor. 9:6-7. But does He abhor the covetous? Psalm 10:3.
3. Does even what appears to some as WASTEFUL giving have
the paradoxical effect of resulting in greater blessings? Prov.
11:24-25. See also Prov. 13:7.
COMMENT: Notice that it is the "liberal" person to whom this
applies. He that "waters" -- who is concerned for the spiritual
growth and welfare of others -- shall receive more blessings in
return, for he is sharing in the administration of God's Word (I
Cor. 3:6).
4. How did Jesus say we should give -- and EXPECT TO
receive? Luke 6:38.
5. How did Paul say we should give in Romans 12:8?
COMMENT: The proper translation of the Greek is not
"simplicity," but "abundance" or "liberality." Notice here that
GIVING is shown to be the MAIN JOB God has given some Christians
to do.
6. Is God well-pleased with giving to the point of PERSONAL
SACRIFICE? Heb. 13:16. "Communicate" in the Authorized Version
means to "share."
7. Will a comparatively small offering, given to God's Work
by one who has little to give, be GREATER in God's sight than
larger offerings that require no sacrifice? Mark 12:42-44 and
Luke 21:2-4.
COMMENT: The basic principle to follow in giving offerings
to God is to give LIBERALLY -- sometimes to the point of personal
sacrifice -- but ONLY AS GOD HAS BLESSED YOU. God does not expect
you to give to the point of denying your family proper food,
clothing and shelter.
Freewill offerings are indeed commanded by God, but they
must be given WILLINGLY and CHEERFULLY -- from the heart.
Whatever you give is strictly up to you, but it should be
dictated by your own conscience, ability, and the needs of God's
Work.
How God's Work Grows
The amazing growth in the power and effectiveness of God's
Church over the years has been possible only through the COMBINED
efforts of thousands of Co-Workers whom Jesus Christ has called
to help financially support His Work.
In the earlier years of the "Philadelphia" Era of God's
Church, only a handful of people could be reached with the
gospel. But as the number of dedicated Co-Workers who VOLUNTARILY
sent tithes AND OFFERINGS increased, so did the scope and power
of God's Work.
This Work of God has continued to grow at the fantastic rate
of approximately 30% a year. That means it has DOUBLED in scope
and power about every three years!
Today the true gospel reaches into every inhabited
continent. Multiple millions hear and see the WORLD TOMORROW
radio and television broadcasts. Millions read THE PLAIN TRUTH
magazine -- in five languages. Hundreds of thousands read
TOMORROW'S WORLD, a special magazine of spiritual truth and
understanding. And over 150,000 students receive this
Correspondence Course.
BUT THERE IS MUCH MORE LEFT TO DO! The really big work is
YET TO BE DONE before Christ returns!
Laborers TOGETHER With God
A "Co-Worker" with Christ is one who is helping Christ to do
the Work of God. Christ works through human instruments because
it is good for our own spiritual growth and development.
1. Does Paul say we are LABORERS WITH God? I Cor. 3:9. Does
the degree of our reward depend on our labor? Verse 8. Should all
Christians be "fellowhelpers" to the truth? III John 8.
2. Whose names are written in the book of life -- those who
are "fellowlaborers" in spreading the gospel? Phil. 4:3. Also see
II Cor. 5:9 and II Cor. 6:1.
COMMENT: No human multimillionaire sponsors this Work of
God. Only an inner circle of VOLUNTARY Co-Workers is ever told
about its financial needs and the details of its growth. They are
the ones Christ is USING to get His gospel to the world as a
witness before the end comes!
God's Challenge!
God uses the tenth He claims for Himself for proclaiming to
the world His gospel of PEACE, PROSPERITY, joy, happiness and
eternal life.
For LACK of this knowledge, the world has been under a
CURSE. You few to whom God's TRUTH HAS BEEN REVEALED are in the
position of a man who has found a great "treasure hid in a field
ACCOUNTABLE for what you do about it! For to whom MUCH is given,
of him MUCH IS REQUIRED (Luke 12:48).
The average American Protestant in 1965 contributed to his
church less than the price of a pack of cigarettes a day. Over a
period of 25 years, contributions to all churches and religious
activities in the United States totalled only about ONE PERCENT
of income! We can clearly see from our studies that THIS RATE IS
only ONE TENTH of the tenth commanded by God!
Why are we telling you this? Not for our sakes, but for
YOURS! We say with the Apostle Paul, in all sincerity, "Not
because I (or we) desire a gift: but I (we) desire fruit that may
abound TO YOUR ACCOUNT" (Phil. 4:17). We "seek not yours, but YOU
We have expounded the great fundamental financial law of God
because you needed to know it. Now you need to OBEY it -- for
your OWN good.
THINK! You are our witnesses that in all the years you have
received this Course, THE PLAIN TRUTH magazine and all our other
literature, we have NEVER ONCE required of you a price. You can
look back through all your Correspondence Course lessons -- a
stack of solid spiritual steak two and one-half inches thick --
plus a stack of PLAIN TRUTHS anywhere up to a foot or more thick
-- besides other literature -- and you can multiply that by
SCORES OF THOUSANDS of Correspondence Course students and
MILLIONS of subscribers to THE PLAIN TRUTH, and you know that it
has cost this Work of God a TREMENDOUS AMOUNT of money for
research and writing, for printing and for postage!
Many times THE PLAIN TRUTH and Correspondence Course have
been late for lack of proper facilities, personnel and the money
to buy paper and postage. Yet never once have we demanded of you
one cent. We're not doing it now, and we NEVER WILL!
But we ARE throwing before you the challenge of God Almighty
to PROVE His tithing law. PROVE He will bless you, by paying God
that which you OWE Him! See if He won't POUR OUT a RICH BLESSING
as He has promised!
Jesus Christ said, "If ye know these things, happy are ye IF
YE DO THEM" (John 13:17). And the same Christ inspired James to
write: "But be ye DOERS of the word, and not hearers only,
deceiving your own selves ... but a DOER of the work, this man
shall be BLESSED in his deed" (James 1:22, 25).
If you have been doing God's Work, if you HAVE gotten behind
Christ's end-time Commission, supporting it with your tithes and
offerings, you will be blessed beyond measure! But if some of you
are still laboring under a CURSE and are NOT being blessed, you
had better think over seriously what you have learned in your
Bible through this lesson.
For every curse there is a CAUSE!
There is a CAUSE for every EFFECT!
What about you? Are you being blessed? Are you faithfully
paying God's TITHE -- which is your commanded DUTY? Are you
faithfully supporting His end-time Work with your tithes AND
offerings?
Where do you stand with God -- right NOW -- TODAY?
Where Is Your Heart?
Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart
be also" (Matt. 6:21). Do you grasp what this great spiritual
truth really means?
There is one vital thing Mr. Herbert Armstrong has noticed
during his ministry in God's Church. It has been an absolute fact
that the ONLY people who are growing and developing spiritually,
"growing in grace and knowledge" toward God's Kingdom, are those
who really have their HEARTS IN THE WORK OF GOD -- who have been
FAITHFULLY paying God's tithes and giving generous offerings!
In every case, those who started out the Christian life, but
NEGLECTED to tithe and give regular offerings, have gone BACKWARD
spiritually and drifted further and further from God!
What about you? Are YOU really OBEYING all of God's
Commandments? Or are you just reading these lessons, letting
God's precious truth go IN one eye and OUT the other? Are you
merely a spiritual "sponge" absorbing all this knowledge, but
doing NOTHING about it?
Two paths -- and only two -- are open before you. One is the
path of OBEDIENCE to God -- the path leading to eternal life.
The other path is that of DISOBEDIENCE -- of selfishly
robbing God (Mal. 3:8). It doesn't pay. It leads ultimately to
Gehenna, unless one repents. It results in ETERNAL DEATH!
The stakes are enormous! We have made the truth as PLAIN as
we can. These are the alternatives God sets before us all. And He
commands us to "CHOOSE"! (Deut. 30:19.)
May God help you make the RIGHT choice so you can be
wonderfully blessed here and now, and ultimately receive eternal
life and a HIGH reward in His Kingdom when Christ returns.
TEST YOUR MEMORY
This quiz is designed to help you remember some of the
important facts you learned in the lesson. Just circle or
underline each correct answer. After you've finished, check your
choices with the correct answers on page 15 {below} and rate
yourself.
1. Tax rates today are
A: lower than ever.
B: rising higher and higher!
C: no cause for alarm.
D: completely fair.
2. The income tax principle
A: is in reality unconstitutional in the U.S.
B: is the same principle the property tax is based on.
C: is Biblical.
D: has not been applied unfairly by this world's
governments.
3. Defense and war expenditures
A: require the greatest amount of tax money.
B: are unavoidable.
C: are a minor cause of inflation.
D: are a good investment.
4. War and war-related expenses of the U.S. take
A: about 1% of its Gross National Product (GNP).
B: only about 3%.
C: about 10%.
D: at least 40%.
5. Was the law of tithing known anciently?
A: Only the Hebrews knew it.
B: Just by Judah.
C: Egypt, Babylon, Greece, Rome, and other nations knew of
it.
D: Only the nations of Israel knew of tithing.
6. Jacob
A: never tithed.
B: didn't learn about tithing from his father.
C: wasn't held accountable for tithing since he never
learned about it.
D: chose to come under God's government and faithfully pay
its "tax."
7. Melchizedek commanded the Levites to take tithes
A: as wages for their service to the other tribes of Israel.
B: just as a religious custom.
C: so they wouldn't have to work.
D: because there was not enough land to give them for an
inheritance.
8. Excessive taxation in Israel began with
A: the Judges.
B: the multiplication of Levites.
C: the institution of human monarchical rule in place of
God.
D: the invasions of foreigners.
9. "Self-interest" -- lust and greed -- causes
A: nations to enjoy economic prosperity.
B: people to tithe.
C: peace between nations.
D: people to "forget" God's tithe.
10. "Robbing God"
A: is just a religious catch-phrase.
B: is what most people are doing today.
C: incurs no real penalty now or in the future.
D: does not break any of the Ten Commandments.
11. Who is not GUILTY of "robbing God"?
A: The Gentiles.
B: Most Jews today.
C: Most Protestants.
D: Those few who faithfully pay God His tithes and give
offerings.
12. Which of the following brings true prosperity?
A: Giving God offerings instead of paying Him His tithe.
B: "Tithing" one to seven or eight percent of your increase.
C: Paying God His full tithe.
D: Hard work and effort only.
13. All wealth comes
A: solely from labor.
B: ultimately out of the ground.
C: by taking it from others.
D: by saving for yourself whatever comes to hand.
14. Which is true?
A: Christ endorsed tithing.
B: We shouldn't begin tithing until completely out of debt.
C: Tithing was done away at Christ's death.
D: The Apostle Paul condemned tithing.
15. Paul
A: had no need for tithe money.
B: needed the tithes of all Christians.
C: claimed no authority to take tithes.
D: told Timothy to take tithes for his own support.
16. What is God's challenge regarding the tithe?
A: That we should pay Him whatever we can.
B: He doesn't say.
C: It certainly wasn't made clear in this lesson.
D: To "prove" His promise of blessings by TITHING!
17. The tither
A: is blessed if he tithes with a positive attitude.
B: is blessed only because he must handle his money more
carefully.
C: does not exercise and build faith by tithing.
D: will prosper even though he KNOWINGLY disobeys God in
other ways.
18. Tithes of someone self-employed are figured
A: always on total gross income.
B: on adjusted gross income.
C: on net profit during each two-year period.
D: according to the desires of each individual, depending on
what he can afford.
19. Freewill offerings should be
A: given cheerfully and generously, as one is able.
B: given only if you have some spare money left out of your
paycheck.
C: given occasionally, when one feels "inspired."
D: given, but never to the point of sacrifice.
20. Faithful Co-Workers with Christ
A: are not necessarily "fellowlaborers" together with Him.
B: don't have their hearts in God's Work.
C: will be blessed greatly by God for their part in His Work
if they continue faithful.
D: are not qualifying for high positions in God's Kingdom.
Answers to Quiz:
1-B 5-C 9-D 13-B 17-A
2-C 6-D 10-B 14-A 18-B
3-A 7-A 11-D 15-D 19-A
4-C 8-C 12-C 16-D 20-C
Rate Yourself:
19-20 correct .................... excellent
16-18 correct .................... good
13-15 correct .................... fair