Christ Jesus and His Disciples Received Offerings

Christ Jesus and His Disciples Received Freewill Offerings Not Tithes

Most gospel peddlers constantly preach that tithing is commanded under the New Covenant. Yet, they never show you any Scripture supporting their tradition of men and doctrine of the evil one called the dragon. These gospel peddlers always want you to go back to the story of Abram (Abraham) in Genesis 14, where Abraham gave a tenth (tithe) of the spoils of his battle to the Priest of God Most High, Melchizedek King of Salem. From this Scripture these tithe lovers makes this incredible conclusion base on their false premise about how this instituted tithing for every follower of God on this planet prior to the Law of Moses. However, these gospel peddlers never tell you that Abraham tithed only on the spoils of this battle only, and that there are no other Holy Scriptures that report Abraham ever tithing on his own increases either before or after this event in Genesis 14. Nor is there any Holy Scriptures showing Abraham son, Isaac or his grandson, Jacob tithing to anyone except Jacob did make a vow (promise) to God. Saying, if God would do what He has promised him and return him back to his father house safely then Jacob said, "all that You give me I will surely give a tenth" of all to You.

Now, any person with eyes to see and ears to hear who would rightly divide the Holy Scriptures must ask this question, if tithing were already commanded during Abraham time then why would his grandson, Jacob make a vow to tithe to God? For if these tithe lovers argument was true about Abraham instituting tithing in Gensis 14 then Jacob's offer to give God a tenth (tithe) of all that God give him would be rendered meaningless since it was already commanded and instituted by God as these gospel peddlers falsely claim. (For more on this see my web page on Tithing before the Law of Moses). This is a very important question one must answer in defending this deception and false premise used by the tithe lovers, for these gospel peddlers will not even discuss this Scripture because it totally rejects their main argument for tithing, that Genesis 14:20 instituted tithing before the Law of Moses which it surely did not.

Let us now move to the followers of Christ in the New Testament, for in the beginning the gospel of Christ were preached to the Jews only. Therefore, if tithing is commanded for the New Covenant followers of Christ Jesus, the people of Judah and the Jews then we should be able to point to some Holy Scriptures in the New Testament supporting this tradition of men called tithing. More specifically, we should have supporting Scripture showing Christ and His disciples instructing the people of Judah, the Jews and non-Jews alike to begin tithing in order to follow Christ. However, all the Holy Scriptures in the New Testament speak of making freewill offerings, and at no time are the followers of Christ commanded to tithe to any self-appointed gospel peddler. For when the followers of the Way of Christ Jesus started out we see in Acts 2:44-45, where it says, "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need" (NIV). In Acts 4:32-37 it's said that the Believers did not claim any of their possessions as their own, "but shared everything they had", and there were "no needy persons among them". For at that time the believers of the Way of Christ Jesus with the means would "from time to time" sell their lands or houses and give it to the apostles for distribution to those among them in need. And we all know the story of Ananias and his wife, Sapphira when they were lying to the apostles about how much they sold their land for, saying the amount they gave the apostles were what they received for selling a piece of property. And Ananias and his wife Sapphira lied about how much they gave which brought the wrath of God upon them for "lying" not for how much they gave for the needs of the needy among them. For Peter clearly states in Acts 5:4 that when the land was sold the money was at Ananias and Sapphira disposal meaining it belonged to them to do with it as they saw fit. They had a choice to give all of it or some portion of it or not give any of it, but they chose to give a portion of it and lied about how they gave all of it to the apostles.

Yes, these Holy Scriptures tell us that after Christ gave the Believers the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost that the Believers made freewill offerings to meet the needs of those in their congregations not tithes. These Believers were making freewill offerings for the needs of the needy within their groups and congregations not to some gospel peddlers' bank account. As we search throughout the New Covenant, we always see the disciples and followers of Christ giving for the needs of the congregations and groups not for some self-appointed gospel peddlers bank accounts to live high on the gospel and build their "so-called" churches. Again, these Scriptures give us further proof that they did not have to tithe to the apostles, for there were no command under the New Covenant that they had to tithe or give a certain amount of their money to the apostles. They were required to care for the poor and needy, for it is written "remember the poor".     

Now, we have even further proof that the Gentiles coming into the faith after Christ instituted the Church of the living God did not have to tithe in Acts 15. For when we see the gospel of Christ Jesus began to spread to the non-Jews that some of the men came down from Judea causing a "sharp dispute and debate" to arise with Paul and Barnabas against those who came down from Jerusalem wanting to burden the Gentiles with following the Old Covenant laws with its regulations and ordinances such as tithing. So Paul and Barnabas along with some other Believers were chosen by the Gentile congregations to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and the elders to determined if the Gentiles, the non-Jews had to be circumcised and follow the law of Moses, its tithing system. When Paul and Barnabas along with the other Believers sent by the Gentile congregations arrived at Jerusalem there were some "Believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees" at their meeting with the apostles and the elders that argued that the Gentile Believers had to become "circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses" (Acts 15:5 NIV). After much discussion Peter and the other apostles and elders made their decision with the guiding of the Holy Spirit, as James declared afterwards saying, they "should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God" (Acts 15:19 NIV). And following the law of Moses meant tithing, so this would have been a perfect time for the apostles and the elders to inform the congregations of the Gentiles that they had to tithe to those over them, and send some of their wealth to them also. But when we go to the letter sent to the Gentiles by the apostles and the elders the requirement of tithing is NOT mention. We see in Acts 15 that the letter to the followers of Christ in the congregations of the Gentiles only had the requirements that they would put on the Believers, saying:

• Acts 15:28-29 (NIV)... "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things".      

And we have further clarifying Scriptures of Acts 15 in Galatians 2 that tithing was not mentioned nor commanded at this council at Jerusalem, Paul in remembering the discussion says:

• Galatians 2:8-10 (NIV)... "For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles. 9 James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews. 10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do".

And Jesus and His Disciples Regularly Gave to the Poor

For Jesus taught His disciples about the New Covenant not the Old Covenant. Therefore, we can learn from Jesus and His disciples’ example in receiving freewill offerings from the people. They are our example on how to use the freewill offerings that we as true followers of Christ receive from the people whom we preach to and teach. In Matthew 26, just two days prior to the Passover, where the woman at the house of Simon the leper had "an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil", which she poured on the "head" of Christ Jesus. Now, what the disciples said when they saw this reveals something to us; that is their remark tells us that they regularly gave to the poor. For the disciples remarked: "Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor"  (Matthew 26:8-9 NKJV). These words tell us that the disciples were concerned for those in need, and not just their spiritual needs.

• Matthew 26
  The Anointing at Bethany
  6 And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. 8 But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? 9 For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor." 10 But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. 11 For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. 12 For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial. 13 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her."

This same story is told in Mark 14, where its says some of them were "indignant among themselves", and that they "criticized her sharply". Saying that the oil could have been "sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor" (Mark 14:4-5 NKJV). These disciples were righteous angry because of this woman seemly waste in their eyes. [Something we as true followers of Christ Jesus today should be when we see others claiming to represent God wasting the monies they received from the people on luxury material things. However, the so-called Christians today defend these gospel peddlers and their excessive behavior believing they defend men of the "so-called" and some women claim they are ministers also]. But Christ admonished the disicples to leave the woman alone, for the woman was anointing His body beforehand for burial (Mark 14:6-9 NKJV). Here Christ and His disciples received freewill offerings from the people, and Mark 14 and Matthew 26 shows a pattern of Christ and His disciples giving any excess to the poor from these freewill offerings they received from those with the means to give.

• Mark 14
• The Anointing at Bethany
  3 And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. 4 But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, "Why was this fragrant oil wasted? 5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor." And they criticized her sharply. 6 But Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. 7 For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. 8 She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. 9 Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her."

Now, there is another event in John 12, where another woman called by the name Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus whom Christ raised from the dead poured very costly oil of spikenard on Christ’s "feet". This event took place six days before the Passover of the Jews which was before the event in Mark 14 and Matthew 26, which took place two days before the Passover. Yet, there are some that twists the Holy Scriptures being without knowledge and understanding of the spiritual things of God (2 Peter 3:16). They themselves professing to be wise have become fools by falsely proclaiming they have some secret knowledge available only to themselves, but all good knowledge and wisdom come from God above. For I have read that some of these so-called scholars even claims the gospel of John is not true because it differs from the story in Mark 14 and Matthew 26, having this false premise that these must be the same stories because they both speak of pouring oil on Christ Jesus. This kind of logic is beyond the realm of rationality to declare one Scripture untrue because of their lack of understanding and properly and rightly dividing the word of God. For there are things in this story in John 12 that clearly reveals to us that these are two totally different events. There are some similarities in the events such as the pouring of oil, both were in the town of Bethany, and the part about three hundred denarii as mentioned in Mark 14:5. We know the stories in Mark 14 and Matthew 26 are from the same event because both takes place in the same house of Simon the leper.

• John 12
  Jesus Rides into Jerusalem
  1 Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. 2 There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. 3 Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. 4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said, 5 "Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. 7 But Jesus said, "Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. 8 For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always."

However, here I digress for a moment because I think it’s important to give you some understanding of the spiritual differences made in John 12 versus Mark 14 and Matthew 26. First, the event in John 12 takes place in the home of Lazarus, and his sisters, friends of Christ Jesus six days before the Passover of the Jews. Second, the woman in John 12, Mary was called by name, whereas the woman in Mark 14 and Matthew 26 was not. Third, in John 12, Mary anointed Jesus’ feet not His head. Fourth, in John 12 Judas Iscariot was the only disciple who spoke against what Mary had done for Jesus. Now, this story also reveals to us that while there are times to feed the poor, and when those who are followers of Christ Jesus such as Mary having the guidance of the Holy Spirit does these things by the will of God. We also learn the true motives of some professing Christians such as Judas. For in this instance none of the other disciples said anything about what Mary did, except Judas the betrayer of Christ Jesus. The lesson here is that Judas only spoke against Mary because he wanted the money from this costly oil for his own purposes. For it is said, that Judas the betrayer of Christ Jesus did not care "for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it" (John 12:6 NKJV). [Please, note here, the very fact that Christ Jesus and His disciples continued to allow Judas the betrayer of Christ to hold the moneybag even after they all knew he was stealing the money is a spiritual lesson in itself, more on this later]. Jesus says to Judas the betrayer to leave Mary alone saying "she has kept this for the day of My burial" (John 12:7 NKJV). After this event, the event in Mark 14 and Matthew 26 occurred four days later at Simon the leper house. This time "some" of Christ Jesus’ disciples says something similar to what Judas the betrayer Christ Jesus had said about Mary. Again, Jesus admonished His disciples, and Judas became angry and went to the Chief priests to betray Jesus to them because he didn’t like Jesus’ correction of him this second time. I mean in Judas mind Jesus was wasting freewill offerings that he could have used for his own pleasure as many professing Christian so-called leaders do today with the money purses given to them by their so-called churches.

Now, let us move back to Christ and His disciples’ use of offerings they received from the people. In John 13, where Judas the betrayer found a way to betray Jesus to the leaders of the Jews, Jesus knowing all things says to His disciples that one of them will betray Him. Then He reveals to the disciple whom He loved, John saying the one "I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it" (John 13:26 NKJV), after dipping the bread Jesus gave it to Judas Iscariot who betrayed Him that very "night". It is said that Satan entered Judas the betrayer, and Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly" (John 13:27 NKJV). The lesson we learn as our example here concerning our use of offerings given to us as ministers of Christ Jesus is this: "some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to" Judas, "give something to the poor" (John 13:29 NKJV). Yes, it is clear from these verses that Jesus and His disciples were in the habit of giving money to the poor out of the excess of offerings they received for their ministry. And we know this because the disciples would not have thought such things unless they had occurred previously. Therefore, we as true followers of Christ Jesus may receive freewill offerings from those we preach to and teach but any excess funds should be given to the poor NOT the bank account of the congregation.

• John 13
• Jesus Identifies His Betrayer
  18 "I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, "He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.' 19 Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. 20 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me." 21 When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me." 22 Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke. 23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke. 25 Then, leaning back on Jesus' breast, he said to Him, "Lord, who is it?" 26 Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it." And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly." 28 But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. 29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, "Buy those things we need for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor. 30 Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.

Yes, I used these verses to show you that it was a habit for Christ and His disciples to give to the poor from the freewill offerings they received. Since the disciples assumed this is what Christ told Judas (meaning Jesus regularly gave this command to them) the night of His betrayer in John 13. Don’t you find it strange that Jesus knowing that Judas was His betrayer and a thief yet He still allowed Judas to carry the moneybag - you must ask yourself did the love of money lead Judas astray? I want you to know today that those who seek to extort tithes and offerings from you are just as guilty as Judas was in their betraying and deceiving the flock of God for financial gain. And causing untold millions to live in poverty and dire needs while being burden with this 10% and higher tax on there gross income. I say tax because that’s what it is a tax not tithe because God never levied any tithes on the poor and needy not even under the Old Covenant. Or did you not know that under the Old Covenant that God never required a person to tithe on their money - it was only on livestock and the fruit of the land - read it again for yourself in Deuteronomy 14:22-29. God tells the children of Israel to exchange their tithes and offerings for money if the journey to their place of worship is too far to carry it, speaking of a tithe for the Holy Days held in Jerusalem each year. Notice, here that this means if you did not own land or livestock then you did not have to tithe because you never had any increase to tithe on!

In Mark 9 below, Jesus speaks against putting one denomination over another, which claims it is the so-called true man-made organization of God. Saying to His disciples not to forbid anyone doing things in His name because they were not one of them. For Christ says anyone giving you even a cup of water because you use My name they will in no way lose their reward. This is an exhortation for those who receive spiritual things to give not tithes but to give a freewill offering to fulfill the needs of the those whom devotes their lives to preaching the gospel of Christ with complete sincerity.

• Mark 9
• Jesus Forbids Sectarianism
  38 Now John answered Him, saying, "Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us." 39 But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. 40 For he who is not against us is on our side. 41 For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.

In Luke 10, Jesus sent out His disciples "two by two" to preach the "kingdom of God has come near to" them (Luke 10:1, 9 NKJV). Notice, Jesus did not tell His disciples to demand that those they preached to pay them tithes. Yes, the sons of Levi were the only ones allowed to collect tithes while Jesus was on this evil and adulterous planet and before His crucifixion. For, "Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach" (Matthew 23:1-3 NIV). Jesus gives His disciples instructions to only accept what they need, and not to go from house to house expecting to receive wages (freewill offerings). Jesus give instructions, saying, "Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals", which means for them to depend on the freewill offerings of those they preach to (Luke 10:4).

• Luke 10
  The Seventy Sent Out
• 1 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. 5 But whatever house you enter, first say, "Peace to this house.' 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. 8 Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. 9 And heal the sick there, and say to them, "The kingdom of God has come near to you.' 10 But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, 11 "The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.'

Here above also, Christ sends out the seventy "two by two" they are told not to carry money, food or clothes; and to eat at one home only, whatever they give them to eat. Christ strictly warns them not to go from "house to house"; but they are to remain in the same house that first received their peace. How different is this from the peddlers of God’s word today who go from home to home, city to city begging for your money to support some cause of theirs rather than providing you the word and letting you decide to give a freewill offering if any to them. This also mean being content with whatever freewill offerings we receive from those preached to, not constantly begging and asking them to give more than they have to give, not making them feel guilty about how much they can give.

Jesus provided Spiritual and Physical Food to those He taught

Christ is our example in providing for the fatherless, the stranger, the widow and those who are weak and needy in this world:

In the Matthew 15, Jesus says to His disciples that He had compassion for the multitude, which followed Him. Saying, He did not want to send them away hungry. Now, this is our example in preaching and teaching we must remember the physical needs of those who hear us.

• Matthew 15
  Feeding the Four Thousand
  32 Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, "I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way." 33 Then His disciples said to Him, "Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude?"

Therefore, we see Christ and His disciples accepting freewill offerings from the people. They used these freewill offerings to support their ministry, and gave any excess offerings to the poor. This is our example. I pray that my God and Father in heaven will bless all of with understanding His holy word. Amen. Praise God.

Evangelist Ron Davis, a Minister of Christ, of the Kush Edifying Ministries proclaims the whole counsel of God. This ministry believes in the command of Jesus to His disciples in Matthew 10:7-8 "As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give" (NIV). Jesus commands us to "freely" preach the word without demanding those preached to give to you.

You may contact Ron Davis and this ministry with your comments at the below email:

mailto:yourcomments@411TithesOfferings.411-cashflow.com

mailto:yourargument@411TithesOfferings.411-cashflow.com