Giving God’s Way

Storehouse Tithing – A 19^th Century Gimmick

Our previous study on tithing has clearly refuted it as a New Testament practice, yet most Christian churches continue a modified version of the Mosaic Law. What is the modern day origin of this ritual we call “tithing?” According to Christian History Magazine, Volume VII, Number 3,Issue 19:

In 1895 a Wesley Chapel in Cincinnati has financial trouble. In desperation, it tries "suppers, festivals, lectures. Stereopticon shows, subscriptions, and the whole round of man-made schemes and devices,” according to layman William G. Roberts. Finally, Roberts and others introduce the concept of "storehouse tithing, "which turns the church around”. Tithing is revived as a popular practice in U.S. churches.

Apparently, because this Wesley Chapel had incurred such a heavy debt load, the leadership of the church felt obligated to use whatever gimmick was necessary for fund raising to cover their debts. When the last of the gimmicks fails to generate the needed money, a man-made law labeled "storehouse tithing" is used to bring guilt upon the church members who won't voluntarily support the building.

Malachi 3:10 is used to validate this unscriptural practice of tithing in the new covenant, and the method works! The plate is passed every week, people give a fixed amount (10% + an offering), and the edifice, with its ties to organized religion is regularly financed. The tradition revived by Wesley Chapel has become justification for other churches and denominations to continue this practice.

Just as it was in 1895 at the Wesley Chapel, most church folks have an aversion to dumping a lot of money into buildings and organizations. The only way to get the ‘faithful’ in the congregation to give is by dangling Malachi 3:8-10 over their head and using intimidation tactics.

Here’s how it works: The pastor, advised by the deacon board that giving has dropped off again, solemnly opens his Bible on Sunday morning, and begins his discourse:

“Some of you don’t believe that giving to the church is Biblical. Giving is down nearly 30% and it seems like people don’t care. There are those who say that tithing isn’t mentioned in the Bible. Well, open your Bibles to Malachi, chapter 3, and verse 10, and read along with me, ‘"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. 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.” (Mal 3:8-10; NKJV)

After this scathing rebuke, the pastor tempers his words with a dash of grace and then he calls the ushers to come forward and pass the offering plates. He pauses briefly before the offering, asking the congregation to bow their heads, and he prays:

“Lord, we repent for not giving to You. It is not the church we are giving to Lord, but it is to You, and You alone. Father, bring conviction upon our hearts, and help us to give to Your work. Help those who are holding back to take a leap of faith, and to trust You. Teach Your people that when they give, then, and only then can You pour out a blessing upon them, and open for them the windows of heaven and pour out for them such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. We repent for robbing You Lord, amen.”

He then beckons the pianist or organ player to play ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘How Great Thou Art’ as the usher pass the offering plates. After this church service, giving increases dramatically for the next 3-4 weeks, then drops down to the normal level. The pastor and deacon board know that only about 8% of the people are actually tithing 10% of their income. One example (below) was printed on the back of a non-denominational church bulletin:

THE TITHE

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open to you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Malachi 3: 10

IF YOU EARN $10.00… YOUR TITHE IS $ 1.00

25.00 2.50

58.00 5.80

79.00 7.90

450.75 45.08

795.23 79.52

1,289.67 8.97

2,000.00 200.00

5,882.40 588.24

THE SIMPLE WAY TO CALCULATE THE AMOUNT OF THE TITHE IS:

MOVE THE DECIMAL POINT OVER AND ROUND THE, LAST DIGIT OFF.

(EXAMPLE- $100.23 = $10.023 = $10.02 TITHE)

In the previous study in this series on giving titled, ‘Tithing, New Testament Giving or Old Testament Bondage,’ it was shown without doubt that the practice of tithing (giving 10% of one’s crops, produce, herds and flocks) was an ordinance of the Law given to Moses by God. It was a provision made to all Israelites who gave to support the Levites (descendents of Aaron) who had no land inheritance, but who were responsible to be priests of God, and ministered at the altar of sacrifice and in the temple.

The temple “storehouse” was a special room designated by God in the temple for the Levites to dedicate the choicest 10% of all the food they receive from Israel’s tithe, and the food was to be used to feed the widows, orphans, aliens, and temple workers.

The entire Book of Malachi was written as a rebuke to the Levites in the days of the prophet Malachi and was a rebuke from Yahweh. The Levites had horded all the food tithed to them, and had not tithed their choicest 10% of goods to feed the needy. Hence, Malachi 3:8-10 cannot be used to justify giving 10% of one’s income to the church in the new covenant.

The Wesley Chapel in 1895 started a new gimmick for giving that caught on and spread throughout Christendom, and now is established practiced among many churches. Just because this idea of ‘storehouse tithing’ has become such an attention grabber, and is unwarranted from the scripture, it by no means abnegates a Christian’s individual responsibility to give of their life, income and other resources.

A Church In Debt

God’s word has so many things to say regarding money, including its use and abuse by people. God warns His people that usury and debt are a form of bondage and slavery. Anyone who has incurred financial liabilities, and has been forced into bankruptcy knows of the guilt, shame and stress that follow.

America is in financial ruin today because of out-of-control spending. People use plastic credit because they have lost touch with concepts such as delayed gratification, hard work and saving, doing without what they don’t absolutely need, and so on.

The churches of America are no exception when it comes to unwise spending and debt. While there are many fiscally responsible churches, a great majority has become servant to the lender.

· Proverbs 22:7 The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender's slave. NAS

Unfortunately this nation has become characterized by overspending and misdirected giving. The media pumps us with a message that says, “Have it your way!” As new churches form, and the assembly of believers’ increase in number, it has become customary to make the next step building a church edifice.

Maybe it begins with the rental of a community hall, or other facility that is relatively inexpensive, and so people don’t mind giving to pay the expense of meeting together where they can share common fellowship, music and praise, and listen to the pastor preach.

Soon, the group of believers becomes dissatisfied with sitting in folding chairs, and having inadequate musical instruments, such as a piano or organ, and speaker sound systems, etc. They feel that they are entitled to more comfortable surroundings, and so the decision is made to vote on the purchase of land, and a building project.

The average small to mid-size church today that is built to commercial building code standards, including parking lots, disabled parking and other accommodations, permits, sewer, water, power and other utility hook-up fees and expenses, carpet, upholstered pews, a podium and platform, commercial restroom facilities, and so on costs approximate one million dollars.

Rarely can any church afford to pay for all the up-front costs of such a building endeavor, and somewhere along the line of process a mortgage loan is taken to cover the debt. Aside from these initial building costs, there begins the business of funding the day-to-day operation of the church organization.

Church organizations that accept donations from their parishioners usually file a 501C-3 tax-exempt status as a non-profit organization with the Internal Revenue Service. This way they can avoid many of the usual government taxes, and those who make donations can get an annual deduction from their personal taxes filed each year with the I.R.S.

In most states, to be a non-profit organization, it is required that there be a corporate structured form of government within the body, including a president (usually the pastor, or a senior elder), a vice president (usually an associate pastor), a secretary, a treasurer (usually the head of the deacon board), and a quorum (meaning enough people to vote on financial issues; typically an odd number).

Hence, the church that becomes a 501C-3 tax-exempt non-profit organization begins to deviate from the scriptures in the way its’ leadership operates and functions and provides for its’ body of believers. The NT teaches that the church is to be led and shepherded by a group of elders, some of which are teachers of the scripture, and others that govern in the affairs of the mundane, particularly caring for the needy (Acts 20:17-32; 21:18; 1 Timothy 5:17-25; James 5:14-15; 1 Peter 5:1-4).

In China and other persecuted countries of the world, the true churches of believers in Jesus have no edifices, no grand cathedrals or buildings to meet in. They follow the NT blueprint, and meet secretly in one another’s homes. This format not only conforms to scripture, but provides AN ENVIRONMENT conducive to spiritual growth, and the participation of each individual.

In these areas of the globe, they are so poor that finding enough to eat each day is one of the main challenges. Because they meet in a close atmosphere, they can share from the heart, and the needs of those who are pressing are evident. Though needy themselves, there are literally hundreds of testimonies of the gracious way they give and share.

Have we lost sight of the true purpose of being a body of believers in this country? Most people that attend church once or twice a week only get to know a few people. Sadly, many churches that are larger, having more than 100 people, have NO IDEA what the needs of all their members are.

There are many churches in America that support foreign missions and even send missionaries to work in other countries. This is to be applauded, however, it does not make up for or correct the dysfunctional practices and mindset of the organization. There are still needy people in their midst who will never be helped by the church.

While churches in America send funds to foreign nations and third world countries in need (and this is very necessary), these same churches are blind to the plight of the poor and needy in our own country. They have little idea of the poverty in the inner-city and urban areas of their own cities.

Yes, here in America there are children who have no bed to sleep on, who eat poorly, and not enough. There are millions of single parents, particular moms, whose children cannot get medical attention, or even something as simple as a haircut. Many have to choose between groceries or medicine, between a pair of shoes, or toiletries.

As the American economy takes a continued slide downhill, churches struggling to pay for their mortgages, their light bills, their pastoral salaries, their roof and parking lot maintenance, and janitorial supplies, and sound systems, and so on, have NO CLUE of the poverty and suffering in their own back yard!

Home Is Where The Heart Is

What if all the church building doors shut for six months, and Christians had no place to congregate every Sunday morning? What if, because of new taxation passed by the legislature, most churches simply could not afford to keep up with the rising costs and expenses? Where would Christians meet?

The answer is obvious…in homes! What would they discover once they had established a pattern of gathering in homes instead of a church building? Would concepts change? Would the ushers still be called to pass the offering plates and collect everyone’s tithe of 10%?

The answer is quite obvious; a radical transformation would take place. Homes can only accommodate a certain number of individuals, so there would be no mega-meetings, no big church conferences; it would just consist of those devoted to Jesus and to one another. Leaders would become apparent, as their God-given abilities would HAVE to be recognized.

Those who are strong in the scriptures would teach, but the practice of passively listening as the pastor preaches a sermon would dissolve and disintegrate. If someone is sitting on a sofa or a chair next to you teaching, they become more approachable. People would ask questions, make comments, share testimonies, and soon people’s needs would become apparent.

When the church first began, on the Day of Pentecost, this is how the church met. Though there were synagogues to meet in, you don’t find that these buildings are the meeting place for the first converts from Judaism to Jesus. In Acts 2:2 it was “the whole house” where the first Disciples of Christ were sitting.

Some Christians in America object to the line of thinking that promotes returning to the model in scripture of meeting in homes, “That was back then, but things have changed, and we need bigger facilities to accommodate the people.”

This kind of rhetoric is perplexing when compared with the scripture. Thousands upon thousands of people were saved and added to the numbers in the church from the very beginning. Did they respond by voting for a building committee to erect a new and spacious synagogue? No! (Read below)

· Acts 2:46 And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart… NAS

Initially the new believers continued meeting in the temple, but the Jews drove them out eventually, and they were forbidden in the synagogues. Did it stunt their growth? Absolutely not!

· Acts 2:41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and there were added that day about three thousand souls. NAS

As the church grew in great numbers, where were the apostles? Were they planning for the erection of new ‘Christian’ synagogues? Were the discussing the possibility of building a new temple, and calling, “First Assembly Temple of the Way? The answer is a resounding, “NO!”

The apostles were going from house to house, sharing and teaching the way God intended for them to do.

· Acts 5:42 And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. NAS

There is a myriad of NT scripture verses that confirm the early churches’ activity was first and foremost in people’s homes. Before his conversion, Saul (Paul) persecuted the church by going “house to house” looking for believers to arrest (Acts 8:3). The following are but a handful of examples of how and where the early church met in houses:

· Acts 10:23 And so he invited them in and gave them lodging. NAS

· Acts 16:15 “… come into my house and stay." NAS

· Acts 16:32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. NAS

· Acts 18:7 And he departed from there and went to the house of a certain man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next to the synagogue. NAS

· Acts 20:20 …and teaching you publicly and from house to house. NAS

· Acts 21:8 …and entering the house of Philip the evangelist. NAS

· Acts 21:16 …disciple of long standing with whom we were to lodge. NAS

· Romans 16:5 also greet the church that is in their house. NAS

· Colossians 4:15-16 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house. NAS

· Philemon 2 …and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house. NAS

Western Christians today ASSUME that somehow, back in the days of the early church, they were too primitive or primordial to erect the type of elaborate meetinghouses we call “churches.” One need look no further than the Greco-Roman temples erected in honor of the Greek deities to see that they had the same, or even greater capability to build an edifice for religious purposes.

So why did the early church choose NOT to build temples, or synagogues? Some say it was due to persecution, and in part this is correct. However, the only REAL persecution initially was from the Jews. The Roman government didn’t get involved in mass persecution of Christians until later.

The early Christians may have had their own version of our colloquialism, “If it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it.” In other words, what they had meeting in homes met their every need as a body of believers, so why change it? Meeting in homes eliminates overhead expenses, and provides many avenues for funds to be directed towards helping people instead of organizations.

Jewish converts who, prior to conversion were practicing Judaism, knew all too well that big temples and synagogues were nothing more than manmade religion. Why try to duplicate the same system that took 4000 years to turn rotten? Denominational creeds, arrogant expressions of elitism and church divisions were not as rampant a problem in the early church because of their connectedness to one another.

Some people say fancy building facilities are necessary to meet all the needs of a growing church. They want a sport’s facility for the youth, meeting rooms for men’s and women’s retreats, and so on. Do these facilities REALLY meet the needs? Couldn’t we look more to human interaction and personal relationships apart from building projects? The answer is,” Yes,” but it will cost us our blessed traditions.

God Does Not Dwell In Church Buildings

The idea behind studying the NT scriptures is to establish what the spirit of the law in Christ Jesus says about giving. We have God’s word written, not in tablets of stone, but in our hearts. WE are to be “living epistles” read and known by all men. We are to let our light shine before men, in order that they may see our “good works” and glorify our Father in heaven.

Is there a basis in the Scripture for supporting large church sanctuaries and other structures financially? What is the Law, and what is the spirit of the Law, and what is the Law of the spirit?

Does the Scripture support the practice of routinely giving one's finances (called a ‘tithe’) to keep the organization of Christianity afloat?

Is the church supposed to be in debt to the world with huge mortgages that put financial demands upon individual believers?

Does the Bible teach that we are to take care of a system, or take care of one another?

Perhaps the modern day practice of "tithes and offerings" is symptomatic of a problem far worse: man-made organized religion!

Let us briefly examine where the New Testament church met for the assembly of the saints:

· Acts 1:13-15 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying; that is, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. And at this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together), and said, (NAS)

Here we observe the first gathering of believers together to seek the Lord, meeting in an "upper room." The Greek word for "upper room" is "huperoon’ which means "an upper room or upper chamber." Strong's Exhaustive Concordance says it is the "higher part of the house, i.e. apartment in the third story." The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (I.S.B.E.) says that these upper chambers existed in homes in the time of the New Testament church, and even the Last Supper was held in this chamber (Mark 14:15).

In some cases this was part of the house known as the "upper chamber of cooling." It was a sort of rooftop room (like an open-air patio), in some cases a third story where people went to escape the heat of the late afternoon and early evening. The disciples were said to be staying in this upper room, devoted for the purpose of prayer (different than many non -praying churches today!).

The word huperoon is also used in Acts 9:37, 39 as an area of the house where Tabitha's body was placed when she died (before God used Peter to raise her from the dead).

· Acts 20:7-12 And on the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to depart the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight. And there were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered together. And there was a certain young man named Eutychus sitting on the window sill, sinking into a deep sleep; and as Paul kept on talking, he was overcome by sleep and fell down from the third floor, and was picked up dead. But Paul went down and fell upon him and after embracing him, he said, "Do not be troubled, for his life is in him.” And when he had gone back up, and had broken the bread and eaten, he talked with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. And they took away the boy alive, and were greatly comforted. (NAS)

This is a gathering of believers in a third story upper room (Greek: huperoon) of a home in Greece.

· Acts 2:1-2 And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent, rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. (NAS)

The Greek word for "house" is “oikos” which means "a dwelling or a house."

· Acts 2:46 And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart. (NAS)

Here the church met both in the temple (before it's destruction in 70 A.D. & before persecution came to the church from the Jews) and in houses (where they shared meals together also). We see similar meeting places in Acts 5:42, but persecution had begun, and soon Christians would be forbidden by the leaders of the Jews from meeting in the temple. Before the Jews stoned Stephan to death he refuted the idea that God would ever dwell in their temple (Acts 7:46-51) but rather in the hearts of men who believe.

· Acts 7:47-49 "Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?” KJV

God has NEVER wanted to dwell in buildings. Just because the High Priest saw His glory once each year (if he was mediating for a people who was truly serving Yahweh) doesn’t mean it was the LORD’s idea to slap together stone and mortar and called it “God’s House.” Stephen’s rebuke to the Jews is a quote from the prophet Isaiah, a passage all too familiar to the Jews:

· Isaiah 66:1-2 Thus says the LORD, "Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? For My hand made all these things, thus all these things came into being," declares the LORD. “But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.” NAS

We do not need church buildings, and large sanctuaries, and expensive edifices. The Lord has always looked for, in order to dwell within, the humble and contrite of spirit, and those who tremble at His word. The church in America will never tear down their ornate structures voluntarily, because they have too much of their money, time, energy and self invested in the system. Their church buildings with towering spires and steeples are much like the “high places” of Baal worship amongst ancient Israel. It will take persecution, not unlike what happened to Jerusalem and the Jewish temple in 66 AD, when the Romans destroyed it all, to bring the western churches to their proverbial knees, so they can follow God on HIS terms. The last day world government, antichrist to the core, will be the rod of God’s divine chastisement for the Christian churches.

Jesus himself spoke of a day when the temple and all its’ beautiful structures would be utterly torn down:

· Matthew 24:1-2 And Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him. And He answered and said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Truly I say to you, not one stone here shall be left upon another, which will not be torn down." NAS

Throughout the N.T. we find that people’s homes were the place they met, to share, to break bread, to mutually express their individual gifts. There are many other examples where the Greek word for homes (oikos) is used in relation to a place to assemble.

· Acts 8:3 But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house; and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison. (NAS)

Saul ravaged "house after house" persecuting believers; this shows he knew where the church met.

· Acts 10:22-23 And they said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, was divinely directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear a message from you." And so he invited them in and gave them lodging. And on the next day he arose and went away with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him. (NAS)

The Gentile church was started in Cornelius' house by a visitation from the apostle Peter. (See Acts 11:12ff) This is PROOF that both Jew and Gentile practiced meeting in homes. Cornelius had long time been a God-fearing Roman centurion, and had given liberally to the Jewish synagogues. Now, upon his conversion to Jesus Christ, he makes his own home a place for others to gather in the blessed Name.

The apostle Paul shared the Gospel with Lydia and her household and he stayed with them in her home; this was customary in the east. It was considered a vital part of their relationship to share hospitality, including food and lodging with friends and family. There is so much that is more heartwarming, personal, and intimate in homes, as opposed to the sterility and impersonality of commercial church buildings. Had Lydia and others throughout Asia Minor not opened their hearts and homes to the apostles, who knows if the outcome of the gospel would be the same!

· Acts 16:14-15 And a certain woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us. (NAS)

· Acts 16:31-34 And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household." And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household. (NAS)

The jailer, who prayed for salvation when Paul and Silas were set free from their imprisonment by a mighty earthquake, invited the apostles to his home, where they share the gospel with his entire household. This event was a catalyst for a new church in the jailer’s home. This jailer also took in Paul and Silas, bandaged their wounds, fed them, and provided them lodging and safety from those who tried to do them harm.

· Acts 18:7-8 And he departed from there and went to the house of a certain man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next to the synagogue. And Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized. (NAS)

Paul turned from preaching to the Jews and went to the Gentile (i.e.-Titius Justus) in his house, which was next to the synagogue. Why didn’t they meet in the synagogue after Titus experienced salvation in Jesus? This passage of scripture speaks VOLUMES for how and where the early church met, and for an example to us today!

· Acts 20:17-20 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. And when they had come to him, he said to them, "You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house. (NAS)

Paul’s instruction to the elders from the great city of Ephesus includes the reiteration of how he went from “house to house” teaching the new Gentile converts. Why does he remind these elders from Ephesus about this? Why did Luke include this account in his writing of the Book of Acts? It is obvious that God is establishing a systematic teaching of meeting in homes. Every word of scripture is inspired by Him in the original languages, including the repetitious use of “oikos” (home or house) as the meeting place for the church.

· Acts 21:8 On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him. NASU

· Romans 16:3-5 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; also greet the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia. (NAS)

· 1 Corinthians 16:19 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. (NAS)

· 1 Corinthians 1:16 Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. (NAS)

· Colossians 4:15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house. (NAS)

· 2 Timothy 1:16 The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chains; (NAS)

Paul was ministered to by Onesiphorus' household. ( See 2 Timothy 4:19)

· 2 Timothy 4:19-21 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus remained at Corinth, but Trophimus I left sick at Miletus. Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, also Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren. NAS

· Philemon 1:2 And to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house. (NAS)

Although “oikos" can refer to other types of dwellings, it is abundantly clear that the New Testament church met in one another's houses, not church buildings mortgaged to the bank!

OTHER VERSES THAT SHOW THE BELIEVERS MEETING IN HOUSES:

· Acts 9:11, 17 And the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying … And Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit." (NAS)

· Acts 12:12 And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. (NAS)

· Philippians 4:22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. (NAS)

A false teacher isn't to be received into the houses (which is where the church was meeting).

· 2 John 9-10 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting. NAS

What has meeting together as believers in houses to do with New Testament giving? It is important to see that the church was birthed and continued to grow and mature primarily through the ministry IN HOMES. Although their society and culture were different than ours, one thing they had in common with the modern church is that they lived in houses.

These dwelling places provided the ideal location for the church to grow in both numbers and maturity because it fostered an environment that bred interpersonal relationship in which genuine care and love for the brethren was manifested. In many of the Epistles and the book of Acts, saints are mentioned affectionately by name. This is a direct result of the close-knit interface they had meeting together as a church in the homes of various people.

There are also frequent greetings from churches in one city or region to those in another city or region. They did not seem to have all of the divisional barriers that have been created by modern day churches with their denominational creeds and elitist attitudes. When the church at Corinth began to divide themselves “after the manner of men” Paul rebuked them. How can a church divided hope to manifest the power and nature of God to the world?

· 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 But I urge and entreat you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in perfect harmony and full agreement in what you say, and that there be no dissensions or factions or divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your common understanding and in your opinions and judgments. For it has been made clear to me, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions and wrangling and factions among you. What I mean is this… that each one of you either says, “I belong to Paul, or I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas (Peter),” or “I belong to Christ.” AMP

After The Great Reformation, the reformers continued to meet in large buildings similar to the Catholic Church, which they had so vigorously opposed in theological areas of doctrine. Large church buildings require enormous sums of money to build, maintain, and staff. Monolithic institutions are then created to insure the success of the organization behind the walls of these so-called "churches."

Seminaries and Bible colleges are built, and educators are trained to generate licensed and ordained ministers, who will then pastor within the structure of the religious system. Salaried ministerial and other staffs are put on the church payroll; janitors and security staff are hired. Maintenance requires everything from roofers to plumbers and carpet cleaners.

One of the greatest ongoing expenses in modern church organizations are the musical instruments (pianos, sound systems, acoustics, etc). The church choir sometimes requires elaborate gospel choir outfits. Church pews must be padded and the carpet and other interior decorations must all be color coordinated. The list goes on and on, and it all requires MONEY.

Some people say that the complex building facilities are necessary for growing churches, in order that all the needs can be met. After all, the youth need a sports facility; the men and women’s retreats need meeting rooms. Various church ministries put demands on the budget, including but not limited to: additional parking lot space, including the required disabled parking slots; overhead slide projectors; audio and television communication equipment, and on and on.

The Christian church is afraid to ask, “Are the REAL needs of the people truly being met in a Scriptural manner?” Church members routinely throw their 10% (or less) in the offering basket and it makes them feel they have met their financial obligations to God. But are the widows in the church, and the elderly being taken care of financially? What about the orphans, or more realistically the kids who live with single parents that can barely make ends meet? Is EVERY member of the body of believers in this system having their needs met? Is the church even aware of its member's needs?

Giving God’s Way

The bottom line behind Scriptural giving is two-fold:

First, it is designed to make sure that EVERYONE in the church is being taken care of (excluding free-loaders and sluggards), particularly the needy.

Secondly, if the church is able to do so, they should financially support those elders within the church that labor hard in the Word and in teaching, for these men are counted worthy of double-honor.

As the old covenant ceased to exist, God abolished the physical requirements of giving spelled out in the ordinance of the Law (i.e. – tithing). This left His people with no defined Laws pertaining to the offerings they would bring to the priests and Levites, since these too were done away with by Jesus, the only mediator between God and man, and the high priest to God who holds that office perpetually and non-transferable.

· Hebrews 7:11-24 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of Him, "Thou art a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek." For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. And inasmuch as it was not without an oath (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him, "The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, 'Thou art a priest forever'"); so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. And the former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers, because they were prevented by death from continuing, but He, on the other hand, because He abides forever, holds His priesthood permanently (permanently non-transferable). NAS

Perfection could never be accomplished through obedience and application of the Law. The Law depended on weak human flesh to fulfill its numerous requirements. Prior to Christ, no one could truly mediate between God and man, because the sacrificial blood of bulls and goats and lamb offerings were unable to cleanse the conscience from sin. Jesus did not abolish the Law when he came, but he fulfilled it. He obeyed the Law perfectly by leaning upon the Spirit of his Father God to properly apply the requirements of the Law. He understood the spirit of the Law because he walked by the law of the Spirit (the law of the spirit is just another way of saying he listened for and obeyed the voice of God).

Jesus did not etch out another set of stone tablets, and spell out the exact amount that his disciples were commanded to give of their material and financial resources. It is ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT THE LAW OF TITHING WAS ABOLISHED BY CHRIST!

· Hebrews 8:13 When He said, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear. NAS

The converts in the new covenant needed some pattern to follow, and the apostles had become eye witnesses to the example of giving they observed in Jesus. In the gospel covenant, God said He would write His laws on the minds and hearts of believers.

· Acts 2:44-46 And all those who believed were gathered together as a unit and were holding all things in joint participation, and were selling their houses and lands and other possessions and kept on distributing them to all, according as anyone was having a need. And daily they continued to remain in the temple, in perfect unanimity, breaking bread at home, partaking of food together in gladness & simplicity of heart, praising God and having the good will of the people. (Wuest's Expanded Translation)

COMMENTS on Acts 2:44-46: All the believers were as a unit; an important point. They were not maintaining individual autonomy, but working together as a team. Because of the influx of believers into the church, from the very rich to the very poor, a great need became apparent to all. Jews from every nation had journeyed for days and even weeks to get to Jerusalem for the Feasts of Passover and Pentecost. Now, with the advent of the gospel experience by thousands of believing Jews, the need was recognized to hold all things in a joint participation, and then distribute it to each one as they had a need.

This required tremendous sacrifice (Romans 12:1) and a close relationship amongst those who were believers. A casual, Sunday only greeting, as is the practice in Christian churches today would not generate the love and sacrifice these first converts of Christ experienced. These early saints adhered to Jesus' teaching to the rich young ruler in Luke 18:22, "One thing you still lack; sell ALL that you possess, and distribute it to the poor and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come follow Me." Many of these believers had developed close relationships with one another, having shared their lives together as eyewitnesses of the ministry of Jesus for 3 1/2 years.

These believers were in unanimous agreement in their decision to sacrifice to care for each other. They had daily fellowship and sharing of meals together, which solidified and maintained their commitment. They had no financial commitments to large institutions, so whatever means they shared went to the people themselves.

· Acts 3:2-9 NOW PETER and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour (three o'clock in the afternoon), when a certain man crippled from his birth was being carried along, who was laid each day at that gate of the temple, which is called Beautiful, so that he might beg for charitable gifts from those who entered the temple. So when he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked them to give him a gift. And Peter directed his gaze intently at him, and so did John, and said, “Look at us!” And the man paid attention to them, expecting that he was going to get something from them. But Peter said, “Silver and gold (money) I do not have; but what I do have, that I give to you: in the use of the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!” Then he took hold of the man's right hand with a firm grip and raised him up. And at once his feet and ankle bones became strong and steady, and leaping forth he stood and began to walk, and he went into the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking about and praising God. AMP

COMMENTS on Acts 3:2-6: Peter & John were asked for alms, but they were so poor they could offer this poor beggar no financial support. But what they did have, they shared... the power of God.

If a believer is financially broke, then offering Jesus’ love and power is always appropriate, This is a form of giving of ourselves through a spiritual ministry. God does not want His children going into debt to meet the material needs of fellow saints. Television ministers, greedy, selfish, and with no regard for the giver, encourage Christians to make a financial “offering” using their credit card. This is evil; it is wrong; it is making the borrower who gives the offering he or she does not actually possess into a slave of the lender (i.e. – the bank or financial institute that issued their credit card).

We do a great disservice to God, and to the body of Christ by thinking money is all God wants from His people. In fact, the GREATEST gift of all is something that money cannot purchase…LOVE.

· Acts 4:32-37 Now the company of believers was of one heart and soul, and not one of them claimed that anything which he possessed was [exclusively] his own, but everything they had was in common and for the use of all. And with great strength and ability and power the apostles delivered their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace (loving-kindness and favor and goodwill) rested richly upon them all. Nor was there a destitute or needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses proceeded to sell them, and one by one they brought (gave back) the amount received from the sales and laid it at the feet of the apostles (special messengers). Then distribution was made according as anyone had need. Now Joseph, a Levite and native of Cyprus who was surnamed Barnabas by the apostles, which interpreted means Son of Encouragement, sold a field which belonged to him and brought the sum of money and laid it at the feet of the apostles. AMP

COMMENTS ON Acts 4:32-37: Although the text is similar to Acts 2:44-46, there are some notable differences. Just like in Acts chapter two, the believers were united in heart. This was, in large part, a response to the demonstration of God's power thru the hands of the apostles (vs.29-31), and the impending persecution these new believers faced. Note however, the "great power" seen thru the apostles hands is mentioned in verse 33, AFTER they'd made a decision that nothing any believer possessed was exclusively his own.

· 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says," Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body."

If our body is the temple for God's Spirit, then the financial support for the new covenant temple (the people) should go to the believers, who ARE the church, not to temples or buildings made by men’s hands. The early church understood this truth. They had been bought with the blood of Jesus and so their lives and their material possessions were no longer their own. They were "bondslaves" of God (1 Peter 2:16).

Slaves of God have no rights and they do HIS will from the heart (Ephesians6:6). In Luke 12:33-34 Jesus said, ”Sell your possessions and give to charity.... for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (See Luke 12:15-21)

The early church had "everything...in common...for the use of all...” Imagine what it took for each believer to commit to this level of sacrificial giving…do you have this attitude in your heart? Is this the manner in which the modern day church responds to it's needy? There may be a few exceptions, but by and large, the Christian churches in America and the rest of the "free" world are consumed with personal greed and selfishness. Is it any wonder that the world looks upon the Christian church today with such distain? They watch with skepticism the greed and pleas for money from the pulpit and the television set.

Why did the N.T. churches and individual believers have everything in common? In order that there would not be any needy or destitute among them! This sincerity, and the gladness with which they gave to one another, caused them to have great favor amongst the unsaved, and the Lord added numbers to the church day by day (Acts 2:47).

Jesus said our fervent love for each other would be proof to the world that we are truly His disciples.

· John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." NAS

Until this time the common people had only seen the religious hypocrisy and the greed of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Now they were witnessing faith with works following. (James 2:12-20)

The text in Acts 4:32-37says "...as many as were owners of lands or houses proceeded to sell and one-by-one they brought the amount received from the sales and laid it at the feet of the apostles. The apostles then distributed the proceeds to anyone they discerned that had a need (other than lazy men who didn't work (Read 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12).

How much different this practice is from the weekly tithing ritual practiced in churches today. This N.T. believer’s generosity is a role model for us in the days ahead when we see our brethren in need. They laid the proceeds at the feet of the apostles to do the distribution because they were not only trustworthy, but the power of God demonstrated thru them confirmed the leadership and apostleship to the church (see 2 Corinthians 12:12). The landowners had made a covenant amongst themselves; they committed to have everything in common, and so, one-by-one, they brought their proceeds to the apostles to fulfill their vows.

It is interesting to note in Acts 4:36-37 that a Levite is seen selling a field he owned and giving the proceeds to the church by the hands of the apostles. Under the terms of the O.T. Law, the Levites were not allowed to have a land inheritance. By the time of Christ they had strayed so far from keeping the Law, such a practice was commonplace, especially amongst wealthy Jewish leaders, such as the affluence of the Great Sanhedrin.

This Levite, Joseph, having been born of the Spirit and recognizing the priesthood of Jesus Christ, was now willing to submit to a new covenant and a better one. He recognized the authority had been given by God to the apostles to lead the people and minister at the true altar of Yahweh. In the new covenant the priestly altar is in the hearts of men. The Levite, whose name was "Joseph"(which means "may God add sons") had his name changed to "Barnabas" which means "Son of Encouragement." This name change reveals a truth… that God would add sons to His church thru the ministry of encouragement.

This ministry of encouragement was manifest when Barnabas (formerly Joseph the Levite) was willing to share what he owned with those in need. As mentioned earlier, the apostles distributed the sum of the money that was collected from the sale of people’s property.

Why did the people lay the donated money at the feet of the apostles? The context doesn't tell us why, but one possibility is there were more than one apostle was present during the assembling together. Initially, the early church leadership was viewed as a collective group of men, particularly those apostles that had been with the Messiah. This is a noteworthy observation because Matthias was chosen by lot to replace Judas Iscariot BECAUSE he had been with Jesus from the first day he was baptized by John, until the day he was taken up out of their sight. According to the tradition and requirement of the Law, it was extremely important to have eyewitnesses of all that Jesus did and spoke (Acts 1:21-26). God Himself had confirmed His authority in them through signs and wonders, even though they were just like any other believer. Later we will see that the apostles had the people appoint other men for the task of distributing funds so that they could attend to the word of God and prayer.

Acts 5:1-11

5:1 BUT A certain man named Ananias with his wife Sapphira sold a piece of property,

2 And with his wife's knowledge and connivance he kept back and wrongfully appropriated some of the proceeds, bringing only a part and putting it at the feet of the apostles.

3 But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart that you should lie to and attempt to deceive the Holy Spirit, and should [in violation of your promise] withdraw secretly and appropriate to your own use part of the price from the sale of the land?

4 As long as it remained unsold, was it not still your own? And [even] after it was sold, was not [the money] at your disposal and under your control? Why then, is it that you have proposed and purposed in your heart to do this thing? [How could you have the heart to do such a deed?] You have not [simply] lied to men [playing false and showing yourself utterly deceitful] but to God.

5 Upon hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great dread and terror took possession of all who heard of it.

6 And the young men arose and wrapped up [the body] and carried it out and buried it.

7 Now after an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not having learned of what had happened.

8 And Peter said to her, Tell me, did you sell the land for so much? Yes, she said, for so much.

9 Then Peter said to her, How could you two have agreed and conspired together to try to deceive the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out [also].

10 And instantly she fell down at his feet and died; and the young men entering found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.

11 And the whole church and all others who heard of these things were appalled [great awe and strange terror and dread seized them]. AMP

Some valuable lessons are learned from this text in Acts 5:1-11; this passage emphasizes the importance of a commitment to Jesus and his church. Similar to what was happening among landowners in the church in the text of Acts chapter four (they had all things "in common"), Ananias and his wife agreed to sell an acquisition (i.e.-an estate) of land, and donates all the profit from it to God

This estate must have been property worth a considerable sum, because the Greek word "kteema" for " piece of property " is used only twice in the N.T., and the other two places it is used are the references to what the “rich young ruler” owned. The rich young ruler, who gloated in his obedience to the commands in the Law, went away grief stricken when Jesus told him to sell “all you have and give the money to the poor.” Thee Greek word "kteema" is used in Mark 10:22 and again in Matthew19:22 where the rich young ruler left Jesus, as the Amplified Bible says

· Mark 10:22 At that saying the man's countenance fell and was gloomy, and he went away grieved and sorrowing, for he was holding great possessions (kteema). AMP

Like the rich young ruler, God was requiring Ananias and Sapphira to sacrifice their great wealth for the benefit of their brethren who were poor; but this caused them much grief and distress of soul. They had not truly paid the price in their hearts, and decided to keep back a portion of the profit obtained from selling their estate.

The text in Acts 5:2 says, “And with his wife's knowledge and connivance he kept back and wrongfully appropriated some of the proceeds, bringing only a part and putting it at the feet of the apostles.” Ananias gave to be seen of men; he was not one heart with his brethren in his giving. Perhaps he had impulsively made a public dedication to give all of the proceeds from the sale of his estate, not fully realizing how much the land was worth. Ananias is not unlike some zealous Christians, who raise their hands rashly when a plea is made to help someone in distress, but later regret making the vow, and then try to hold back a portion, thinking it will do no harm to give less than originally committed.

Ananias and Sapphira wanted the approval of man, rather than the approval of God. (Read John 12:43) Jesus taught to give with discretion, not to be recognized by others:

· Matthew 6:1-4 “Take care not to do your good deeds publicly or before men, in order to be seen by them; otherwise you will have no reward [reserved for and awaiting you] with and from your Father Who is in heaven. Thus, whenever you give to the poor, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites in the synagogues and in the streets like to do, that they may be recognized and honored and praised by men. Truly I tell you, they have their reward in full already. But when you give to charity, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, So that your deeds of charity may be in secret; and your Father Who sees in secret will reward you openly.” AMP

Ananias and Sapphira had conspired to give only a portion of what was committed to the Jesus (i.e. – the holy spirit), and even what they reluctantly gave was for the recognition of man. Great power was flowing through the hands of the apostles; the word of knowledge and the word of wisdom were given to Peter to expose their sin. Peter, the apostle who had once been rebuked by the Lord Jesus for being used of the devil (Matthew16: 23 & Mark 8:33), perceived that Ananias’ motives and greed had allowed Satan to fill his heart (Acts 5:3).

In the text of Acts 5:1-11, God judged His people in righteousness, for, "Surely the Lord GOD does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7) God wants the N.T. church to know that He will not be mocked, but that " ... He will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus." (Romans 2:16)

It is the responsibility of those in leadership to hear the voice of God. The scripture teaches leaders not to let men deceive them, or God’s church with empty words. They are responsible to expose greed and lying in the church (Read Ephesians 5:5-15). This exactly what Peter did in his rebuke to Ananias, and God struck Ananias dead to confirm His word thru the apostle. Later, the secret counsel of the Lord GOD came to Peter again, and as a prophet of God, he spoke forth the judgment of death to Ananias’ wife Sapphira.

Another principle taught in Acts 5:1-11 about Ananias & Sapphira is this: What they owned was still their own as long as it remained unsold. In other words, had this married couple not committed the sale price of their entire property for the common good of the church, it was still considered their own. However, during this time of great poverty in the church, God was requiring a commitment from ALL OF HIS PEOPLE to share.

If Ananias and Sapphira truly wanted to be one heart and mind with their brethren, how could they greedily withhold their abundance? They sensed the depth of commitment in this early church because they had observed how, "…those who believed were of one heart and soul; and NOT ONE OF THEM claimed that anything which he possessed was exclusively his own, but EVERYTHING THEY HAD was in common, for the use of all."(Acts 4:32)

Ananias made a cheap commitment to Jesus without willingness to obey. Philippians 2:2-4 says we are to be, ”Being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” NAS."

It is quite obvious that Ananias & Sapphira were not following the instructions given in Philippians. They were stuck between a rock and a hard spot; if they made no commitment, they would not be one heart with God's people. Yet, having made a vow, they refused to honor that vow because they had not weighed the costs of that promise.

· Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 When you vow a vow or make a pledge to God, do not put off paying it; for God has no pleasure in fools (those who witlessly mock Him). Pay what you vow. [Ps 50:14; 66:13,14; 76:11.] It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. [Prov 20:25; Acts 5:4.] AMP

Another principle in N.T. found in Acts 5:1-11 is that whatever you commit to God's purposes is a commitment to GOD, not man. Peter told Ananias, "You have not (simply) lied to men playing false and showing yourself utterly deceitful, BUT TO GOD." (Concordant Literal) Peter later told Sapphira, "Why is it that YOU AGREED to try the spirit of God."

We try the Lord's wrath when we ignore the needs of God's people and tend only to our own selfish desires. Again, as Paul wrote in Philippians2: 4, "Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. "

1 Peter 2:17 says,"love the brotherhood, fear God.” God's swift judgment upon Ananias and Sapphira was to demonstrate His severity:

· Romans 11:22 Then note and appreciate the gracious kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's gracious kindness to you--provided you continue in His grace and abide in His kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off (pruned away). AMP

The Lord’s judgment produced great fear upon the church and all those who heard of it. When the church returns to giving GOD'S WAY, unselfishly taking care of one another instead of feeding an organization or a building, the