Was Yahushua supported by the tithe, or the giving of a few?   The answer is given at Luke 8:1-3.

   The tithe to the Lewite, the Temple tax, the animal sacrifices and drink offerings, and the whole operation of the priesthood has faded away, replaced by a new priesthood.  The original Melchizedek priesthood, named after the Kohen Gadol Melchizedek, was "tithed" a "ma'aser", or tenth-part, by Abraham.  Later, the Lewite priesthood, descendants of Aharon, became the recipients of the tenth part.  You can read about this at Leviticus 27:30, Numbers 18, Dt. 12:17, Dt. 14:22-28, Dt. 26:12.

Now, we operate in the Melchizedek priesthood, and EACH ONE OF US are priests.

   The Covenant didn't pass away, but there was a change in priesthood (Heb. 8).  What has appeared is one new man, Israel, having the Covenant circumcised on his heart by the Mashiach, and we are all priests to the nations.  At our immersion into the Name of Yahushua, we become Israel, and obey His Covenant of love out of our love for Him.

   Our own flesh and blood that is in need, both our immediate families and any other Israelite in need, are the primary recipients of the tenth part of our increase.  We also use a portion of this tenth part to feast before Yahuah in the time of Sukkoth.  Whatever food our hearts desire (that is legal to eat) we may purchase and feast on before Him.  The poor, widow, fatherless (orphans), and stranger in need are constantly needing support.  We should be a blessing to them, for their basic needs (food, clothing, and shelter).  Their phone bills are not essential.  Our parents or siblings in need are our first concern, then if these are fine we turn to those in our immediate vicinity in need.  If we send our funds to far-away places to feed the poor through an organized corporation, we cannot be sure it is being done efficiently, if at all.  Also, the lands far away may be vomiting out its inhabitants by the will of Yahuah for some purpose.  We saw it happen to New Orleans, and it's not difficult to understand what the judgment was for (sin perhaps?).  So, where ever we are, we are a blessing to our environment. When the Spanish evicted the Yahudim in 1492, the nation went down.

   The orphans, poor, and widows are not the ones who give 10% from their increase, but are the recipients of the tithe.  If you are on Social Security, this is not an “increase”; it is for your food.  Society has established a means to care for the crippled, elderly, orphan, etc.,.

   Offerings to support the work of Yahushua should be done by those equipped to help, as we see certain wealthy women supported His work - Luke 8:2,3.  This work of Yahushua needs regular offerings that are possible by those Yahushua enables, but only after they have tithed to the needy in their vicinity - and the needy in our family comes first.  Gifts are not tithes.  What Torah teaches us about tithing is being used today to exploit the vast majority of sincere believers, and has been for many centuries.  First, the priestly tithe obligation was to support the Lewite priesthood and their families, as they had no land inheritance.  The priests lived among the tribes all over the land of Israel, and an individual priest only worked 2 weeks of each year in the service of the Temple, according to their order.  There were 26 orders.  There is no Lewite priesthood in place now, but the preeminent Melckizedek priesthood is to remain because death has been overcome and our High Priest will never be replaced.  We Natsarim make up that priesthood, with Rabbi Yahushua serving as High Priest forever.  We are also the Temple, and the priestly tithe is already “in” the Temple.  We are all priests, so giving the tithe from priest-to-priest hardly makes any sense.  If we tithe to support the priesthood we are part of, it would be like the poor tithing to support the poor.  The children of the King don't pay Temple taxes to support the Spiritual Kingdom of YHWH either. Yahushua had Kepha pay the tax for them both simply to keep the rest of the people from "stumbling". Look closely at Mt. 17:24-27.

   The poor we will have in our midst always.  Our first obligation is to our own family (our own flesh), which we must not turn our back on.  In Fossilized Customs, I point out the fact that there was a “list” one had to be on to be supported (1 Tim 5:9, see more quoted below), and Paul encouraged us to take care of our own family members (such as parents, siblings, or relatives) who were in need, so as not to have them burden the assembly.  The poor had to be fed. If we have no need within our own family, then the tithe is to be used to help care for the needy who are poor, fatherless, or otherwise those lacking sustenance in our surrounding area.

   Paying to support ministries through which Yahushua is working is also important – but this is more properly done by those who have the particular “gift” of the Spirit called “helping” (this is one of the Spiritual offices).  Those with the blessing of wealth have the means to help, and so they should. Obviously, not everyone is appointed this position in the Body (has this gift of the Spirit), because not all are endowed with wealth.  This giving/helping is not really properly termed a “tithe”, since there is no Torah-reference provided to pay for the support of teachers from the tithe, nor to build buildings to house the school or meeting place.  But, this is a way of giving that is over and above the tithe.  Promoting the idea that we can neglect the proper support of those in need in our midst and instead give that support to a person or ministry to expand the message of the Kingdom of YHWH is the mind game we all need to perceive going on.

   In tithing, the weightier matter is the support of those in need, just as observing Shabbat by RESTING is the weightier matter.  We each are responsible to study to show ourselves approved (by the Torah, not men’s traditions or what men judge as approved).

   Our pastor or rabbi (as some leaders call themselves) is worthy of support!  But, this man is not to take the whole 10% alone -- especially if the true tithe (to support the needy) is neglected.  Elders are worthy of a double portion at the table (seconds, or “double honor”).  Yahushua was supported by a small number of wealthy women, but He certainly did not take up any collections from the general population.  He wouldn’t have expected anyone to “dig deep” on a Shabbat – no one carried (or should carry) any money on this day.  Paul (Shaul) warned us at Acts 20:29-35 as he spoke to the elders at Ephesis that savage wolves would not spare the flock, and among their distorted teachings is the misappropriation of the tithe.  Peter (Kepha) also (at 2 Kepha 2:3) refers to this as plundering.

   This approach to tithing in my teaching is not well-accepted by very many Christian or Messianic leaders -- but that is the lonely road I tread upon.  I emphasize personal evangelism mostly, and any "gathering together" is for our edification (education or upbuilding, 1Cor 14:26).

Edification: “intellectual, moral, or spiritual improvement; enlightenment.” (American Heritage Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary)

   If anyone claims to be entitled the full 10% tithe, they absolutely have to be of the bloodline of Aharon (Aaron), and be engaged in the service of the Temple – the House of YHWH – were the tithe was to be gathered to. It also needs to be in the proper form, such as grains, produce, or animals. They will then have to take these and turn to enter their time machine -- because without it they will have a tough time explaining their entitlement to the tithe. The fellow down at the corner church building who graduated from a seminary just can’t make these sorts of demands and get away with it with other fellows like me telling people the truth. They should be supported with gifts, but not usurp the whole 10% intended for those who desperately need it.

   We are commanded by Yahuah to teach our children the Torah, not to send them to another man or proclaimed "leader" to have this done. Much of our lives as Israelites is conducted in the place in which we dwell; as Yahuah often says "in all of your dwellings".

1 Tim 5:16-19:

The ox is not to carry-off 10% of everyone’s wages, but the ox may EAT as it works.

Lew White

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