The Three Tithes of the Scripture and how they apply to the Qadosh Nation Today.
By Peter Michael Martinez
There have been several contentions that I have observed over the years as people awaken to the TRUTH of the scripture, the commandments of Elohim, and how we are to walk as Renewed Covenant disciples of Messiah Yahusha.
The Name, the Sabbath, the Commandments, the Calendar, and the Tithe remain areas of contention to this day with some saying “the tithe is only food” or “the tithe is only for the poor” or “you have to be a Levite” and in so doing justify themselves either burying or withholding the honor of Yahuah from the servants HE sends.
So let us examine the scripture to see if these notions are sound doctrine, or the excuses of those over which Mammon has a hold as it did Lucifer, Cain, and all those who have defied the word of Yahuah but yet want the benefit of HIS Kingdom.
As we research the scripture we see that there are three different TITHE Types in scripture and are as follows:
1. The Levitical, or sacred tithe (Num. 18: 21, 24).
2. The tithe of the feasts (Deut. 14:22-27).
3. The tithe for the poor (Deut. 14:28, 29).
The Sacred Tithe:
The first tithe, the one we trace back to Abraham (Gen. 14:18-20), is what we call the sacred tithe, given to the Levites and priests for their service to the temple and the congregation in the scripture.
This is the tithe we believe we are to continue to give under the priesthood of The Order of Melchizedek in the Renewed Covenant. It is the tithe consecrated to Yahuah Elohim for the furtherance of the Renewed Covenant Gospel Message.
Remnant House believes this Sacred Tithe was never abolished and has validity for all believers in Mashiach today.
Let’s examine this.
We see in the book of Hebrews, written 30-60 years AFTER the Resurrection, that the tithe is mentioned as being collected by men still. This is long after the establishment of the Renewed Covenant in the book of Acts 2.
Hebrews 7:5-7 “And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the torah, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.”
Here we catch a clear view of the Renewed Covenant mindset concerning this ancient ordinance of Yahuah. Many have taught that the Tithe could only be for the Levites and since they don’t know any, they have gone after error in neglecting this ordinance of Elohim.
The Order Of Melchizedek Royal Priesthood of the Renewed Covenant is not based on Genealogy but by office and anointing of Elohim. We see this pictured in Melchizedek who was NOT a Levite and yet received TITHES from Abraham while Levi was yet in his loins.
In fact, the writer of Hebrews points out the supremacy of the Melchizedek priesthood as Levi, in fact, paid TITHES to Melchizedek in a figure, being still in Abraham’s loins.
This is a critical point of understanding for the Renewed Covenant believer as it clarifies succinctly that the current administration of the Royal Priesthood after The Order Of Melchizedek is SUPERIOR to the administration of the Levitical priesthood.
Now we have the ROYAL Priesthood after The Order Of Melchizedek which has additional ordinances that even the levitical priesthood did not.
1 Timothy 5:17 “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.”
In no place are the Levites who labored in the temple accorded “double honor” but this is afforded to the Royal Priesthood after The Order Of Melchizedek.
The ministers of the Renewed Covenent under the Qadosh Royal Priesthoold after the order of Melchiizedek are superior to the levitical priesthood. Selah.
The less is blessed of the better as the writer of Hebrews clearly points out.
Messiah Trains The Royal Priesthood.
Messiah trains his Apostles as overseers to understand this critical area. For the LOVE OF MAMMON is the root of all evil. Remember that HE is building HIS Ekklesia/Assemby such that the GATES OF HELL shall not prevail.
We take note that Yahusha did not condemn the giving of the widow’s mites as unnecessary but in fact commended her for giving GREATER than those who gave out of their abundance.
Mark 12:41-43 “And Yahusha sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:”
In this lesson Messiah is teaching the disciple how to discern the heart of the giver and who is giving “abundantly” and who is not.
They could have been deceived by thinking that those who brought MUCH were considered more faithful but in fact, Messiah points out that the percentage, not the amount, is critical to the judgment of honor to Yahuah.
Many forget the admonition of Messiah that upon arrival there will be judgments that are rendered for those who were given much. All stewardship will be examined.
We see the case of the man with one talent who thought that burying that talent in the ground, which is to mean withhold it from the work of the ministry, was a wise strategy considering how Messiah was a “hard man.”
What is the response of Messiah to the “bury the talent” strategy?
Matthew 25:27 “Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.”
His admonition rebukes the notion of withholding this portion which HE called “my money” as if this “strategy” is superior to the faithful who ensure the preaching of the Gospel in every generation.
He tells the hoarder that they should have put HIS MONEY to the Exchangers who knew how to bring forth SOULS, KINGDOM WEALTH, rather than bury it.
Consequently, he takes what the “wicked and slothful” servant buried and gives it to the one with 10 talents who knows how to use resources wisely to help the establishment of the Renewed Covenant upon the Earth.
Let us always remember that Messiah did not come to abolish any portion of the Torah but instead to demonstrate its perfect fulfillment. It is the law of liberty.
As Messiah declared to the Pharisees, the Tithe is not a substitute for weightier matters of the Torah such as judgment, mercy, and faith.
Matthew 23:23 “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the torah, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”
We must not neglect the weightier matters thinking our tithe is all that matters.
The Tithe Is Declared Qadosh
Here we see the Torah clearly states that the Tithe is Qadosh to Yahuah and consequently, it is an accursed thing to hold it.
Leviticus 27:30 “And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is Yahuah’s: it is Qadosh unto Yahuah.”
There are ZERO scriptures that reverse the designation of the Tithe as Qadosh To Yahuah. None. Selah.
Once something is declared Qadosh it cannot be made common or discarded out of hand.
Even in judgment against Korah and the 250 who opposed Moshe, the Censers were still Qadosh.
Numbers 16:37-39 “Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed. (qadosh)
The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before Yahuah, therefore they are hallowed (qadosh): and they shall be a sign unto the children of Yashar’el.
And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar:“
In this illustration we see the principle of the Qadosh thing that must not be considered common under any circumstances.
The censers of Korah and the 250 who rebelled and contended with Moshe were not discarded for they were “hallowed” or Qadosh. Once they were Qadosh they must remain so.
They were repurposed to be used in the altar as Elohim commanded for they were set apart and Qadosh even though those who held them were destroyed.
This is a sobering revelation of the Qadosh thing that remains Qadosh even if the original holder thereof is judged.
When Messiah commissioned his authorized vessels, HE gave specific commands.
Matthew 10:9-11 “Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.”
We see here that the expectation is that those whom are sent of Messiah will have the support of those to whom they are sent.
They are instructed to enquire who in a city is “worthy” and there they would abide.
As you look at this word “Worthy”, you will discover that this means “reverent, respectful and includes support” the violation of which is condemned in 1 Corinthians 11:27 for those who eat and drink “unworthily” are guilty of the body and blood of Messiah as the son of perdition.
Messiah commands us to pray that we are ACCOUNTED “worthy” to escape those things which shall come upon the Earth.
This is the principle that Apostle Paul reiterates when he says:
1 Corinthians 9:9 “For it is written in the torah of Moshe, thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn.”
He repeats this.
1 Timothy 5:18 “For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.”
Apostle Paul furthers this point in 1 Corinthians 9:11 “If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?”
In the letter to the Romans he writes in vers 15:27 “It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.”
In reading these passages, no honest servant of Yahuah who is genuine in their walk with Messiah would believe that they are exempt from the requirements of Honor to Yahuah in support of the Renewed Covenant Royal Priesthood after the Order Of Melchizedek.
So then the argument shifts and the person will debate with the Tithe by saying, it is not compulsory and indeed, it is a matter of honor.
2 Corinthians 9:7 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for Yahuah Elohim loveth a cheerful giver.”
While the minimum standard established for the first Tithe is 10%, there are those who are cheerful givers and they will be more abundant in their giving. Those who were sparing were they who gave only what is demonstrated in the scripture concerning the first Tithe and No offerings.
He PROVES those who claim to “love him” by watching how they actually follow through.
Now the lesson of Messiah concerning PERCENTAGE comes into view.
In letting people give what they are led to give, all overseers can do that which Messiah trained the disciples to do in reviewing how people give by sitting over the treasury.
In observing the patterns of those to whom the minister is assigned, the vessel of Elohim can see who is free of the Love of Mammon, the root of all Evil, and who is bound to it like a slave.
It was this training that gave Peter insight into Ananias who attempted to lie concerning the price of land sold for the sake of the Qadosh Work.
Acts 5:3 “But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Ruach HaQodesh, and to keep back part of the price of the land?”
This allows for more effective ministry and is why Messiah taught the disciples by sitting over the treasury … for where their treasure is, so also will the hearts of the people be also.
In the book Malachi we see the word of Yahuah directly REBUKING YASHAR’EL concerning that which HE declares is HIS.
Yahuah, the Righteous Judge, declares the whole nation guilty of theft.
Malachi 3:8-10 “Will a man rob Yahuah Elohim? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
Bring ye all the tithes (more than one) into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith Yahuah Tzeva’ot, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
So we see that Yahuah Tzeva’ot considers it THEFT to touch Tithes and Offerings.
In case anyone thinks Elohim has changed, we remind you of HIS declaration.
Malachi 3:6 “For I am Yahuah, I change not; therefore ye sons of Yacob are not consumed.”
This is a violation of the 8th commandment and reveals that they who do such things are not the Remnant for the Remnant would NEVER justify theft.
The Remnant are they who have the testimony of Yahusha and KEEP Yahuah’s commandments which includes not only the ordinances but HIS DIRECT COMMAND that “thou shalt not steal” which is true only of a Remnant.
So WHO would dare to do such a thing and risk the FIRE?
The condemned are they who justify themselves and refuse to repent for their thefts.
Revelation 9:21 “Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.”
These are those with an uncircumcised heart who are like the servant who hid his master’s money in Matthew 25.
And where does Yahuah expect these Tithes to be presented to HIM?
That which is Qadosh must also be treated accordingly. Many have correctly discerned that the 501(c) 3 corporations masquerading as authentic Assembly are not authorized to receive the Tithe as the scripture clearly states.
Deuteronomy 12:11 “Then there shall be a place which Yahuah your Elohim shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto Yahuah:”
You will notice that this cannot be done in “churches” where HE has not designated HIS NAME. This is VERY important.
These “churches” are NOT upon set apart land where you could also bring BURNT OFFERINGS, SACRIFICES, and HEAVE OFFERINGS.
This must be a place where Yahuah causes HIS NAME TO DWELL THERE. This cannot be substituted in any way.
The circumcised heart does not touch what Yahuah says will make you “accursed” and instead will be found faithful to HONOR Yahuah with the FIRSTFRUITS in the PLACE that Yahuah designates.
Proverbs 3:9 “Honour Yahuah with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:“
This is not only the “increase” of money but of other things as well. All means all.
The heart of the MARKED like Cain believe they are … Exempt.
Those who refuse to HONOR Yahuah and who consider themselves “exempt” from this point of honor have failed a critical test of examination that reveals a heart that believes THEIR OWN Power gets them wealth and reveals the “love of Mammon” is greater than the LOVE of Elohim.
They in fact love ONE and HATE the other as Messiah declared in Matthew 6.
You will hear the hatred in their comments, their voices, and their attitude.
They will be defiant and will say things like “tell those preachers to get a job” implying that they believe in their power to get wealth and so the “preacher” should use POWER TO GET WEALTH rather than rely on what Elohim has ordained.
This is gross error which Nehemiah rebukes when he finds the priests laboring in “jobs” with debt and secular lives instead of tending to the fallen Temple of Yahuah. All who were taught of Messiah would conclude rightly that this person loves Mammon, not Elohim. These same people will also violate Matthew 6 and “lay up for themselves” which Messiah condemns directly.
These are they who do not realize that their declaration will be used against them.
Deuteronomy 8:14-18 “Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget Yahuah thy Elohim, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;
Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;
Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;
And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.
But thou shalt remember Yahuah thy Elohim: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.”
So we see that Yahuah gives power to “get wealth” that he may “establish his covenant” and we see that HE appoints its use by those who are messengers of the Renewed Covenant for that purpose.
In the book of Ephesians we read that every member that is actually PART of the body will be a respectful supplier.
Ephesians 4:16 “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”
We know that this is natural and carnal supply as well as the spiritual supply provided by those whom Yahuah sends to bring the WORD of Yahuah to that people.
Matthew 6:19-21 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Messiah minces no words and all overseers are wise to take note of all who violate this word as they will betray anyone, including Messiah Himself, for the love of Mammon, as Judas himself did.
Those who, like the wicked servant of Matthew 25:26, justify their withholding of “his money” are in like Achan who hid what belonged to Yahuah under his tent after the destruction of Jericho, the FIRST CITY of the Canaan conquest.
Yahuah had declared that ALL of Jericho was HIS and would come into the treasury.
The first-fruits of the conquest of Canaan was entirely Yahuah’s and Achan violated that to the detriment of the whole house of Yashar’el.
So grievous was this sin of Achan that he was stoned to death along with his whole family. In other words, it is a sin unto death.
Romans 1:32 “Who knowing the judgment of Yahuah Elohim, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
We see that Elohim does not give any quarter to one HE has declared to be THIEF and consequently commands the same of the Remnant.
Proverbs 29:24 “Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.”
The appropriate response as demonstrated in the scripture is not to have fellowship with a thief.
So why then would some resist the support and honor of Yahuah with the sacred tithe that is clearly continuing in the Royal Priesthood of Melchizedek?
The answer is simple. The love of Mammon is the root of all evil. As the servant who HID his talent, these are they who have their own “strategy” and defy the direct commands of Messiah NOT to lay up for yourselves treasure.
1 Timothy 6:9-12 “But they that will be rich (Lay up for themselves) fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
But thou, O man of Yahuah Elohim, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness (Sabbath Guarding Pious Lifestyle), faith, love, patience, meekness.
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”
We believe that there is no scriptural basis to conclude that the Tithe which most certainly includes ALL increase was ever declared NULL or VOID. This is appointed for the work of the Ekklesia After The Order Of Melchizedek and not for the enrichment of any one person.
Even the Royal Priesthood operating in various parts of the land must also be faithful to bring the Tithe of the Tithe as we see pictured in Nehemiah. Those that are Pastors and Ministries who would be IN and UNDER AUTHORITY will respect the Ekklesia that Messiah builds and bring the Tithe of the Tithe that they collect to the place Yahuah has caused HIS NAME to dwell.
Nehemiah 10:38 “And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our Elohim, to the chambers, into the treasure house.”
In this way, the place that Yahuah has designated for HIS NAME would remain through generations.
If you have failed this ordinance and would return to correct standing before Elohim there is a remedy provided in the scripture for each one to “bring forth fruit meet for repentance” and demonstrate a heart of true repentance and HONOR to Yahuah.
Leviticus 27:31 “And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof.”
By adding the fifth part thereof the person has demonstrated repentance and honored Yahuah with actions that demonstrate a true desire to restore honor without excuses.
The Tithe Of The Feasts
The second tithe had an entirely different aspect, and we would do well to contemplate its meaning and purposes.
The Torah requires that Yashar’el had to go up to the place Yahuah designated on certain occasions.
In reality this qadosh ordinance included a definite social provision—periods of assembly for the family. And how should the head of the household provide for the assembly expense?
By setting aside a second tithe, the one described in Deuteronomy 14:22-27, the tithe for the feasts.
Thus the second tithe was dedicated to the man of Yashar’el, for his food and meriment during the Appointed Times of the Feasts Of Yahuah.
You were to come before Yahuah in the place where HE declares HIS NAME and celebrate before him. There the man and his family would consume the second tithe in the presence of Yahuah in obedience to HIS commands to keep and honor the Set Apart feasts of Elohim.
The Third Tithe For The Poor
The third tithe was the tithe for the poor. According to our text in Deuteronomy 14:28, 29, this tithe was given only every third year.
As the text states, the produce had to be laid up in “your towns” for the Levite, sojourner, fatherless, and the widow.
It suggests that the distribution was not left to the individual but was a community project to which everybody had to contribute.
This tithe, therefore, was for the neighbor. Summarizing the three types of tithe in the scriptural period we find a much broader concept of giving than we generally assume, giving that included first, Yahuah Elohim; second, man’s own physical and spiritual welfare; and third, their neighbor’s need.
Yahuah Elohim, you and your family, and your neighbor is a threefold cord that should not easily be broken.
This is precisely how this was recorded among those who kept the ways of Yahuah Tzeva’ot.
In the book of Tobit, which according to R. H. Charles was written between c. 350 and c. 170 B.C. (The Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha of the 0.T., vol 1, p. 185), the following statement is found:
“I used to go to Jerusalem with the firstfruits and the firstlings and the tenths of the cattle and the first shearings of the sheep, and give them to the priests, the sons of Aaron, for the altar, and the tenth of the corn and the wine and oil and pomegranates and the rest of the fruits to the sons of Levi, who ministered at Jerusalem.”—/bid., p. 203, Tobit 1:6, 7. This is the first, or holy tithe. Tobit then continues: “And the second tenth I tithed in money for the six years, and went and spent it each year at Jerusalem . . .” (Tobit 1:7, 8).
The translation of the comment on the third tithe, which follows, has been rendered differently by different scholars. Since Charles mentions the tithe given to the orphans, widows, and proselytes, we must assume that he refers to the third tithe, the only one dedicated to the poor, and not given annually but only every third year. The translation by Bunsen (German) is worthy of acceptance as correctly translating the original meaning. He says: “And the third tithe I gave unto those to whom it belonged,” that is, to the poor, widows, and orphans.
The Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus, mentions the custom of paying three tithes: “In addition to the two tithes which I have already directed you to pay each year, the one for the Levites and the other for the banquets, ye should devote a third every third year to the distribution of such things as are lacking to widowed women and orphan children.”—Antiquities iv. 240; Loeb ed.
So we see that the “ancient pathway” as preserved by the scriptures is three tithes that afford the OBEDIENT servant the lifestyle of consistent honor to Yahuah and HIS Renewed Covenant, consistent observance of the Qadosh Set Apart Feasts, and Consistent support of the poor and needy in accordance with the word of the Living Elohim.
For this reason Yahuah declares “tithes” plural … not singular.
Malachi 3:10 “Bring ye all the tithes (more than one) into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith Yahuah Tzeva’ot, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
