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THE CHRISTIAN MAN IN RELATION TO HIS CHILDREN: The Firstborn You are my firstborn, My might and the beginning of my strength. The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power. - Genesis 49:3 The firstborn of your sons you shall give to me. - Exodus 22:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. - Romans 8:29 Among the many neglected and misunderstood doctrines of the Bible is its teaching concerning the firstborn son. Bible-reading Christians have a vague awareness that there is something special about the firstborn, but they do not understand it. Humanists, of course, regard it as a lingering relic of primitive custom. Since they are statists or anarchists, they find it impossible to appreciate the value of a family-based society. If my thesis is correct that human society is intended to be an image of the Divine society of Heaven, and that the family unit is to be patterned after the Triune Godhead, then the doctrine of the firstborn becomes of critical importance. In our last chapter, I tried to establish this thesis by validating what might be perceived as its weakest point of the argument - namely, that the work of the mother in the home is the human copy of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Looking at the evidence, the conclusion seems logical. In this chapter, we stand on solid ground, even in the eyes of critics. Here, it will be presented that

Christ’s relationship to God the Father is the model for what should exist in the home: that Christ’s work is a blueprint for the firstborn. A common and tragically erroneous concept of the father/son relationship is the one which views it as a rivalry. Father and son are each trying to dominate or displace the other. This perverse notion, in its modern form, is a legacy of that fraud in psychotherapy, Sigmund Freud. Using the Theory of Evolution as his premise he saw the animal kingdom as the appropriate model to explain human society. The law of the jungle supposedly dictates how father and son treat each other. The lion, for instance, rules by sheer strength and viciousness, driving away all threats to his food and pride. But as he ages and his offspring gain strength and become more bold, he is overcome, and a new lion inherits the pride and first rights to the food. Freud developed this basic rivalry in nature into what is popularly known as the Oedipus Complex, which borrowed heavily from Greek mythology. Popular journalism and cinema accept this interpretation as valid and necessary. A young man is expected to challenge his father, to oppose him, to be opposite of him, to argue with him, to best him. It is regarded as masculinity for father and son to clash. A man is not expected to "follow in his father’s footsteps", but to strike-out on his own, to be independent. It’s the "American way". We can agree, of course, that when two selfish people come together, there inevitably will be conflict. But selfishness is sin and was never intended by the Creator. The obvious error in this Oedipus Complex is that it sees man as made in the image of the beasts of the earth and not in the image of God. Until now, the remnants of Christian sentiment have restrained the complete working-out of this perverse belief. Today, do we not find here at least a partial explanation for the rise in teenage rebellion, dropout mentality, incest and more? If you teach people that they are animals, in time they will begin to act like animals. Truly, man is a son of God, not a beast. He was made in the image of God. Therefore, the model for the father/son relationship is not found in nature, but rather in the glorious communion between the First and Second Persons of the Holy Trinity: the Father and the Son. Since the family symbolizes the Trinity on the temporal level, it follows that a man’s firstborn son should look to Christ as an example for the filial relationship. And since Christ is the chief cornerstone (the standard) in His

Father’s house, then so should a man’s son be looked upon in the same way in the home. In Christ we have the perfect example of a son: one who is completely obedient to his Father’s will. With Christ, we do not see a rival grasping for his father’s throne. We see complete submission and service to the Father’s purposes and desires. Christ makes no claim to self-goodness, but instead, glorifies the Father from whom all good things come (Matthew 19:17). Thus, a normal father/son relationship will reveal a complete and willing obedience of the son to the father. In turn the son will receive all that his father can give him: his blessing, his authority and his estate. Just as Christ was obedient, even unto the death of the Cross, and consequently received His Father’s kingdom (John 3:35;5:30; 8:29;15:10; Philippians 2:8; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28), so also is that of son and father. To review quickly some of the prominent aspects of the Bible’s teaching concerning the firstborn son: he has precedence over the other sons (Genesis 4:7); he receives a double-portion of his father’s estate (Deuteronomy 21:1517); he is called to rulership (Psalms 89:27) and to the priestly service (Numbers 3:12); and he is entitled to a special blessing of Divine grace (Genesis 25:29-34), although it can be forfeited by moral failure (as in the case of Esau) or by the father’s sovereign choice (Genesis 48:15-20). The firstborn son is called to be a priest and prince to his father and his father’s house. He is his father’s right-hand man. His many duties can be summarized under three major titles described in the Bible, of which Christ is the preeminent illustration. They are the following: Kinsman-Redeemer; Executor of the Estate; and Avenger of Blood. First is the Kinsman-Redeemer (Leviticus 25:25; 25:47-49; Numbers 5:18; Ruth 2:1; 4:1-16). The Torah provided that if a man became poor and lost his inheritance or his freedom as a consequence of that poverty, it was in the power of the nearest of kin to redeem it ("buy back"). Normally, the nearest of kin turned out to be the eldest brother, since it was he who received a double portion of his father’s estate, and thus was in a position financially to redeem his stricken brother. Here, we see a type for the work of Christ. Jesus is our redeemer. We sold ourselves into sin and came under the curse of the Law. Jesus came to make restitution on our behalf and to restore us into the Father’s household.

Second is the Executor of the Estate, which is described in the Bible as a mediator-judge (Ephesians 2:14-19; Acts 10:42). Solomon’s succession to his father’s throne is perhaps the most illustrative account of this function. David left to him his unfinished business. Upon the death of a father, it fell to the firstborn to determine the true heirs and execute his father’s last will and testament. This is what attorneys do today. Being the family-centered society, the firstborn of Israel handled the family’s legal matters. They also mediated disputes between brethren. We see Christ fulfilling this judge-mediator function. He mediates the work of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) and distributes the Father’s gifts to his adopted children (Ephesians 4:6-8; Isaiah 53:12; Romans 8:32). Finally, there is the Avenger of Blood (Genesis 9:5,6; Numbers 35:19-24; Romans 13:4). The firstborn was expected to defend the rights of the family. The family was under his protectorate. The duty fell upon him first to apprehend criminals who may have injured his father’s household. He was to hold them for trial and execute the verdict. He was in charge of the family "police force". This practice may sound strange to our ears, but really, it is well within the customs of our common law heritage from ancient Britain. The ministry of the firstborn is one which was never fully developed in world history. In the Old Testament, it was eclipsed by the provisional ministries of the Levites, and in the New Testament, by the five-fold ministry (Ephesians 4:13, 14). But God said He would bring the firstborn back into the world (Hebrews 1:6). And He did in Christ. Thus, to construct a model for the firstborn in a future, Biblical society, we must combine the religious and governmental functions of the Levites and the spiritual functions of the New Testament ministry with the revelation of the ministry of Jesus Christ. Christ is the true blueprint for this ministry. My purpose here has been to awaken you to the importance of this doctrine and to encourage you to strengthen the role of your firstborn. A discussion in greater detail can be found in my study, The Ministry of the Firstborn. The firstborn is the mechanism necessary to implement a Biblical society. Although history teaches us the superior value of a family-based society, it has never been realized. It is still yet to come. It could not have come until the revelation of the Trinity in Christ as the Father’s only begotten Son. When the ministry of the firstborn is established after the pattern laid out by Christ, then we will be ready for a self-perpetuating, family-based society.

There have been many single-generation, family-based societies. But rarely have they been perpetuated as such because they have relied upon institutional and bureaucratic instruments for succession. For this reason, once vibrant societies have devolved into the stagnation of impersonal organization or perpetual anarchy and destruction. When firstborn sons begin to assume their priestly and princely duties, when families begin to look to them for leadership, and when fathers give them estates to work with, then a truly self-perpetuating, family-based society will emerge. The ministry of the firstborn is the mechanism for the family to cross the generations safely - to preserve its estate, heritage, faith, and calling. One final note: Children have a tendency to follow older brothers and sisters, even when they try to avoid it. Attitudes and behavioral patterns are picked-up by children from their older peers, often unconsciously. There is such a thing as a "children~ s culture" that is passed-on by them over the generations. For the Christian, it is critical that it is home-based. It can start with the firstborn. "Play with your little sister, Johnny!", is more than a desperate attempt to get a babysitter. One of the best steps a mother can take to establish a home-based, child culture is to create a bond between siblings. Better to deal with their rivalries when young, than to wait until they are grown when it is too late.

Intr oduc tion The placenta (Greek, plakuos = flat cake) named on the basis of this organs appearance. The placenta a mateno-fetal organ which begins developing at implantation of the blastocyst and is delivered with the fetus at birth. During that 9 month period it provides nutrition, gas exchange, waste removal, endocrine and immune support for the developing fetus. (More? Placental Overview | Histology). There are essentially 3 separate aortic/venous circulatory systems: umbilical, systemic and vitelline. The umbilical system

is lost at birth, the vitelline contributes to the portal system and the systemic (embryonic) is extensively remodelled to fom the the cardiovascular system. The place nta at birth has recent ly been seen as a new sourc e for cells in bone marro w replac ement therap y in many diseas es.

Tithe and Offerings If you are giving by freewill, this tithing resource is written in support of your view of tithe and offerings; but if you read this only gaining support for the tithe debate, then you will have missed greater intentions that the Spirit of God laid out here. If you tithe, of course, this resource is not written in total support of your tithing view, but if you view this as an attempt to excuse monetary selfishness and biblical disobedience, then you will have missed the greater intentions of giving outlined in this resource. The challenge for all is to gain knowledge and experience of the greater call and higher guilt led by the Holy Spirit. Whether you give beyond the tithe with limitless offerings, or you give as freewill, you already exercise the Tool used to define "Spirit-led giving". First let's outline 4 general types of giving: 1. Cheerful tithe- This follows the paths outlined in the Old Testament Covenant(OTC) to instruct them in their giving while cheerfully and willingly submitting themselves to that authority. 2. Cheerful Spirit-led- This follows the paths outlined in the New Testament Covenant(NTC) to instruct them in their giving and cheerfully and willingly submit themselves to that authority. 3. Un-cheerful tithe- This believes tithing is right, but generally either struggle to or don't give in accordance to the paths of giving outlined in the OTC. 4. Un-cheerful Spirit-led- This believes free-will is right, but generally either struggle to or don't give in accordance to the paths of giving outlined in the New Testament Covenant.

These categories of givers could be broken down into smaller, specific groups, if the time was taken, but these four points are trying to show the tithe and offering similarities more than the differences. Both cheerful and un-cheerful are determined based on the decision of subordinating to the presupposed authority. Both ways recognize the authority in his life and both choose to be subordinates or not. Because a tithe giver and spirit-led giver can both experience joy and sorrow of giving, we cannot determine our theology based on stories of provision and blessing from either side of the tithe issue. Generations of tale telling can be told on how God blessed and provided for either side, based on his form of giving. The ultimate question is, which authority should we follow, and why? Church tithe and offerings expose the false teachings that have been left unchallenged for centuries. One of the main reasons why tithing has been unchallenged for so long, is our lack of understanding the Old and New Testament's purpose towards each other. Here is a list to help us lay a foundation for Spirit-led giving and tithing in order to understand the authority of God’s covenants. 1. The New Testament Covenant has a higher authority than the Old Testament covenant. 2. The New Testament will endorse, continue, confirm, modify, or abolish any form of Old Testament law or principle. For example, the New Testament frees us from food regulations declared in the Old Testament Covenant, and confirms our responsibility towards the ministers at the altar. 3. In order for a law in the Word of God to be considered an eternal principle, it must duplicate an exact character trait of God. For instance circumcision is not an eternal law, and cannot even be performed outside of an earthly body; but spiritual circumcision is an attribute of God, and its truth lives eternally. These points are not necessarily prerequisites for understanding the tithe issue; but they help point out a clearer picture of discerning what Old Testament Covenants have been abolished, while at the same time understanding how all scripture is profitable. Even with these foundations laid, I bow down to God’s word as the ultimate authority about tithe and offerings.

I. The Tithe, the Church, and the Storehouse Instead of benefiting the needy, tithing is the main source of funds for building religious storehouse empires. The kingdom of heaven, which is the New Testament picture of the storehouse, has a limitless capacity, compared to the Old Testament storehouse, . The building in which we worship is not the Old Testament storehouse renewed for us in the New Testament. So, the new challenge today is to fill up the borderless gates of heaven.

As I was working in the church office a man stopped in and asked for some help to pay for his rent and groceries in order to take care of his children. I volunteered to help him. I took the man out, gave him some cash, and paid for some groceries. While on our trip around town, he began sharing his amazing testimony with me. He informed me that he stopped down the road to ask two other churches that had both built brand new, multimillion dollar facilities. Come to find out, he walked out without a cent. Expecting nothing from us, he showed up at the church facility I had been working at, which was run down, old, and smelly, but there God met his need. To make a long story short, I believe I was more blessed than he was by the end of the day. I began to think of why the other churches could not give just a little bit from their tithe. Of course multi-million dollar facilities require much attention from our pocket. If they just asked themselves one question, “Was it worth it?” I do not boast, but through the power of God I was able to help this man and fellowship with him, when he needed it most. In the end the giver was blessed through his giving without tithing. Along with it, heaven’s unlimited storehouse is collecting untold riches through God’s ability in me. Yes, their pews might be filled, their tithe and offering plates might be full, but their storehouse is empty. And if I could write on their elaborate gold laden walls. . . MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN! The Root of All Kinds of Evil The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, but some how we don't think that the richest organization in the world is not effected by purse strings. We are too quiet about the tithe and if questioning the disbursement of funds we are perceived as judging men of God. In the end we think that only secular organizations are capable of mishandling money. Always follow the tithe trail, because we know that “where your money is, there your heart is also”. The number one thing that the church tithe is tied up in, is mortgage debts. I do not diminish the idea of having a central place of mass service, but I do not condone the idea of promoting the church building as the main tool for evangelism. If you're not sure where your church stands, check the tithing budget. If you think the church structure should be one of the main tools that we tithe to to reach the lost, then compare what you're saying to the Old and New Testaments. I have found no comparison, because no such proof is recorded. Luke 12:16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have

provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.’ This verse is not endorsing the expansion of storehouses to fit the crops that are ready to harvest. The question asked is, "then whose will those things be which you have provided?" In other words, your crops and enormous storehouse will be gone one day. The millions of dollars of the tithe and offerings are placed in your construction is not an investment in the eternal storehouse. The Contents of the Storehouse Tithe The temple storehouse in Jerusalem did not permanently contain all of the tithe. The Levites first collected the tithe from the Israelites, and then gave ten percent of their tithe to the priests ministering at the temple. The storehouse portion for the priests was only 1%(A tithe of the tithe) of the total gift of Israel. The other 9% given by Israel, was kept in the levitical refuge cities mentioned in Joshua 21:8. Nehemiah 10:35-39 And we made ordinances to bring the firstfruits of our ground and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, to the house of the Lord; to bring the firstborn of our sons and our cattle, as it is written in the Law, and the firstborn of our herds and our flocks, to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God; to bring the firstfruits of our dough, our offerings, the fruit from all kinds of trees, the new wine and oil, to the priests, to the storerooms of the house of our God; and to bring the tithes of our land to the Levites, for the Levites should receive the tithes in all our farming communities. And the priest, the descendant of Aaron, shall be with the Levites when the Levites receive tithes; and the Levites shall bring up a tenth of the tithes to the house of our God, to the rooms of the storehouse. For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the grain, of the new wine and the oil, to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are, where the priests who minister and the gatekeepers and the singers are; and we will not neglect the house of our God. As we can see here, not only was 1% of the total tithe, and first fruit brought to the temple storehouse, but also offerings. For some reason today, offerings are acceptably dismissed to outside organizations, even though offerings were brought to the local storehouse as well. Which brings questions to mind of why should the tithe be brought in the local church? Over the years, many have taken scripture and twisted the real interpretation of storehouse tithing and the church? Russell Earl Kelly, in his article, "Should the Church Teach Tithing" explains this well. "Christian tithe-teachers say a lot about the “storehouse” of the church. In order to justify this they juggle the Greek verb thesaurizo, translated “storing up,” from First Corinthians

16:2 in order to manipulate the Greek text. The phrase is literally “by himself, to place, storing up.” The text does not call the church a “storehouse”; it merely tells the contributor what to do with the gift. Many commentators even say it means “store up at home” with no relevance to a church building (which, by the way, did not exist when Paul wrote First Corinthians) or pastoral support. You will not find Christian titheteachers using Second Corinthians 12:14 for their example of the church “storehouse.” Yet Paul used the same Greek verb, thesaurizo, while saying “the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.” These misinterpretations, little by little are creeping into the doctrine of the church. We know better than this, but some how we think God still mobilizes his pillar of glory based on a mortgage or title deed. As a matter of fact, tithes weren't even used to build the temple or tabernacle. But this is a topic that will be discussed later. The future of the storehouse One day, the church is going to be forced out of the oversized cathedrals and be led underground, meeting on personal property, so why not start now? Matthew 24:1 Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.". In the end times the earthly storehouses will be gone, and the church building, primarily used as a supportive symbol for tithing, will be gone. The icon we've created, made of brick and mortar, will not be visible to the public eye. Our eyes will be taken away from these structures and we will be forced to focus on the eternal storehouse. If we can sacrifice ourselves without building physical altars then we can lay up treasures without building earthly storehouses. Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. What's your future vision of the storehouse? Is it like Jesus' vision, always speaking of the kingdom of heaven, and foreseeing the destruction of the worthless, earthly storehouse? Or is your vision blurred by misinterpretations about church tithing or the love of possessions?

II. THE TITHE OF ABRAHAM AND JACOB At bare minimum it does not make sense that the church was left to pick up the tithe torch and run with it without any authorization to do so. While studying the subject of tithing,

there is continual amazement at the support for Spirit-led giving, which is opposite of a tithe mandate. I questioned my reasoning many times because of how it contradicted the church as well as my own tithing operation for many years. Spirit-led givers have most of the tithing church disagreeing with them, and the reason why they are not backing down is because there have been twisted or empty answers given to easy tithing questions. "Father Abraham" is the pro tithe response, instead of "Father God". Abraham’s Tithe Encounter Many want to use the meeting between Abraham and Melchizedek as an example showing tithing’s relevance for today. Old Testament scripture and opinions are mended together to fabricate a tithe eternal law. So don’t look the other way when I use NT scripture and facts to show how tithing is wrong. We read in Genesis 14 the account of Abraham’s tithing encounter with Melchizedek. Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all. Now the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, and take the goods for yourself.” But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’ The number one argument is that Abraham gave a tithe 400 years before the Mosaic law was written. But doesn't it seem strange that a teaching's antiquity alone gives tithing any degree of truth? There are so many holes in that argument. First is, the assumption that the Mosaic law, initiated the ceremonial law. If we flash back our memories to the beginning of Genesis, we remember how Adam sinned, and God provided a sacrificial substitute for sin. Do we forget that the ceremonial law started at Genesis 3:15, thousands of years prior to Abraham? Although sacrifices are more antiquated than tithing, we believe that sacrifices are abolished and a tithe should be enforced. Going on the premises that God never changes, it is hypocritical to re-require only some Old Testament practices into our contemporary sanctification and not re-require every Old Testament practice. If God is the same yesterday, today and forever, why did we partially change how and what we tithe? I say partially because we do not fully obey the Old Testament law of tithing, let alone how Abraham and Jacob gave a tithe. Read again the account of Abraham tithing to Melchizedek because its interesting to note that Abraham didn't give a tithe from his own possessions. If we continue to use Abraham's tithing example, it’s an enigma as to why Israel was instructed to give 1% of the war spoils to the Levites, deviating from the historical example of Abraham's full tithe. Because of these issues, we cannot take Abraham’s

tithing example and use it as proof to show the percentage we are to give to God. Later on, God didn’t even tell the Israelites to follow Abraham’s code, so why should we have to while under a completely different law than Abraham and Israel? By the way, if paying a tithe was already required prior or to Abraham, why did God have to make the tithe an ordinance for Israel? And why didn’t Melchizedek collect a tithe from Lot? The sabbath is overlooked in our contemporary worship that was also established prior to Abraham. It was declared in Genesis 2:3, yet Christians traditionally meet on the first day instead of the last day of the week. While digging further into the inconsistencies of Abraham’s tithe practice compared to ours, we bring up the church storehouse again. There was no storehouse, cathedrals, temples, or churches all those years prior to Moses? The storehouse was not located in Melchizedek’s town of “Salem”, the future home of Jerusalem. Salem was a pagan city, inhabited by Canaanites. There was no temple and as we will study below, Melchizedek very well may have worshipped a pagan god. "Hebrew was a Semitic language, related to Akkadian, the lingua franca of that time. An Akkadian noun that Abraham was most likely familiar with, given his Babylonian background was esretu, meaning "one-tenth." By the time of Abraham, this phrase was used to refer to the "one-tenth tax," or "tithe." Because of this standard one-tenth tax in Babylon, Abraham of the Genesis account was most likely familiar with the concept of giving up ten-percent of goods as tax".(1) This historical fact records the likely motivation behind Abraham’s tithe. We no longer have to figure out if Abraham gave a tithe voluntarily or out of duty to God. More or less Abraham recognizes the civil authority placed by God in his life and submits to Arab tithe customs at that time in giving a tithe to Melchizedek. After all, give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s. So who was Melchizedek, and why does it seem the Bible praises him as a high priest and king? Once again it is a common misinterpretation of who Melchizedek was, and why the Bible was mentioning him. In Hebrews chapter 7, we read about the correlation between Jesus as the high priest and king and also Melchizedek’s office as high priest and king. One thing we need to understand is that the Bible doesn't’t mention Melchizedek received a tithe because he was a Godly man. Before we read into Hebrews 7, notice what Genesis 14 says. Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all. In the above passage Melchizedek praises, God and blesses Abraham, but for some reason there’s something missing from Melchizedek’s blessing ceremony. Abraham recognizes this and corrects it.

But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the Lord[Jehovah], God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth. . . We already know that Abraham had a close relationship with God, and one could speculate that Melchizedek might not have known Jehovah in the intimate way that Abraham knew the most high God. Abraham is the only one in this passage to mention God by his name "Jehovah". Melchizedek very well may have had an intimate relationship with God, regardless of what he calls God by name, after all, he knew Abraham and blessed him. But, we can speculate in this passage how he also might not have had an intimate relationship with Jehovah. By no means is there absolute proof of either matter. Because the Bible describes Melchizedek without father and mother, without descent, and without a beginning of days, many people think that Melchizedek was God incarnate, but that would be impossible for the Israelites entering the promised land to conquer the city of Salem, with God against them. Melchizedek’s lineage was undocumented, it was unknown, so this is why the Bible describes him in this way. Even with the historical record of a tithing law to the local king, and the speculation about Melchizedek's relationship with God, teachers still argue that Abraham gave a tithe, because the eternal priesthood office was inherent through Melchizedek. All of these accounts add to the blurry vision of Melchizedek’s real identity. If you want to prove how we give in the presence of the true Priest of the most High God, study the Wise Men. I like how Jim Peacock, writer of, “A study of enforced giving and tithing within the church”, explains how Abraham’s example should be followed. "Tithers argue that the priesthood of Jesus is superior to and supersedes the Levitical priesthood and its ministry. Christ is greater than Abraham, Levi and all his descendants. This passage does not tell Christians to tithe; it establishes nothing about New Covenant giving. Furthermore, in all 75 New Testament references to Abraham (based on the NKJV), the only practice of his that we are told to follow is his faith." Another question that we must ask ourselves is why shouldn't I follow tithing if it was brought up in the New Testament book of Hebrews? In Hebrews chapter 7, Paul is describing the path of change from the OT ceremonial law to the new law. In that chapter the term “tithe” is used 7 times and “law” is used 7 times. Is that a coincidence? I don’t think so. Why else would Paul be preaching to the Jews about change if they were to keep tithing like they always did? In other words if there was no need to change tithing then why was he preaching the change? Dr. Kelly clears up this quandary with a concise statement, “It is totally illogical to teach that [Hebrews] 7:18 abolished every ordinance pertaining to the Levitical priesthood except tithing!” Usually the next argument presented about Abraham and tithing is the termination of the circumcision law and not the termination of tithing. The reason why the abolishment of circumcision was directly stated in the NT is because the Jews had trouble accepting gentiles into their fellowship because uncircumcised men were considered unclean.

Gentiles had no obligation to Tithe in the OT, so the Jews did not struggle with the Gentiles lack of performance to their civil duty. Jacob’s Tithe Encounter Abraham willingly gave a tithe to the cause of Melchizedek's earthly throne, but somehow we overlook how Jacob bargains the tithe during his encounter with God. The tithe was a token of Jacob’s covenant he made to God. Read the description of Jacob’s covenant tithe with God in Genesis 28:22, And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee. Jacob made a conditional tithing covenant contingent upon God’s protection. He asked God to meet a certain criteria, and if God’s end of the bargain was met, then Jacob would fulfill his promise with a tithe. This token promise wasn't’t set by God, but by Jacob. If Abraham’s past example was affirmation of God’s unconditional requirement to tithe, why wouldn’t Jacob have sealed the covenant with something new or beyond a tithe? For instance, let’s say at my marriage ceremony my wife asked that I give her one red rose every day as part of my duties in marriage. Of course, because I love her, I obey her wish. Then one day after having an enlightening dream, I create a new covenant with her stating, if you prepare my food, stay by my side, and get me to where I need to be in life, I will give you one red rose every day. In response, I would see a strange look from her eyes. First of all, she would want me to have those things in the first place. Second of all, if my goals were going to require extra effort on her part, I would at least need to bump it up to two roses every day to convince her. If I was God, and already expected a tithe, I would say something to the effect of, “thanks Jacob for sealing the covenant with a tithe that I have already wanted you to do anyway.” A token promise should be unique and sacrificial. There is nothing wrong with committing to God a specific portion. But there is something wrong with taking the tithing promise of your father Jacob, and burdening the children of God with his tokens. Every child of God has an opportunity to present our tokens in exchange for God’s provision in life. Because God predestined us, he gave us dreams, goals, and ambitions that you want to accomplish in life? There’s a land or a place in life that we’ve asked God to bring us back to. What is our token promise going to cost us? God makes covenants with us every day, and in exchange he wants us to seal our covenant with something that’s unique and sacrificial. So many people have gone through life, and have given up some very expensive tokens. It may have been a career, a house, a loved one. Through it all, we know that God is preparing our destiny. He is paving the path for us to get back home. Jacob wanted safe passage to his fathers house. What are you giving up for a safe passage to your heavenly fathers house? Is it money? Maybe, maybe not. Jacob said,

“keep me in the way that I go”. I believe he was saying, guide me, because I’ve got a long journey home. You may have the prayer of Jabez moments in your life, where you ask earnestly and receive it. But more than likely God is just waiting for your token. He is waiting for your offer. Whatever it is, I’m not sure if it will be obvious, but it will be a sacrifice. I think how Jacob decided what to give to God was the thing that he deceived from God in the first place-financial blessing. Jacob robbed Esau from his birthright, and afterwards fled in fear of his life. And from then on, the blessing he coveted, he began to run from. Finally, he gave it to God. There is an area in everyone’s life that we’ve been chased by, something that we’ve robbed from God. We risked our lives attaining it and now were being chased by it. Could it be your token? Then give it to God. What birthrights have been given to you? Is it popularity, success, wisdom, passion, energy, love? The best thing to do with it - is give it to others. If you keep it for yourself, you will never reach the potential that God has for you. You may not even reach his destination for you. John 7:22. Moses gave circumcision (not because it was of Moses but because it was of the fathers) No one will know if Jacob offered a tithe to follow the footsteps of his father; but what we do know, is that Jacob wasn’t required to tithe. Not unless Jacob thought he was pulling a string on God, tithing was not a previous law. While looking back at both Abraham and Jacob’s covenants with God, both were sealed with a token - circumcision being God’s idea and commanded by Him, and the tithe being Jacob’s idea and voluntarily being offered by him. When we study giving in light of the terms "tithe" and "freewill-offering" we see that prior to the Mosaic law, the tithe, without a doubt, was given as a voluntary freewill offering by Jacob. The Bible does not say whether Abraham was required to give a tithe or not. All we can do is study accounts of recorded history in another book and conclude Abraham was required to tithe according to pagan law. Jacob’s account presents a huge hole in the argument of tithing. Tyler S. Ramey, author of "Tithing Today", states, “It seems that Jacob's pre-Law method of tithing loses modernday appeal because of its conditionality. How often does one hear tithing teachers encouraging people to tithe only when the circumstances of life allow it or the conditions to tithe are satisfactory to the giver? (this is exactly how Jacob acted)” While our pastors train in seminary for years on how to study the Bible we come up with terms like “exposition”, “hermeneutics”, and “exegesis”, but we cannot apply these big theological terms when we come out of seminary because our minds have been brainwashed to interpret a text book way. Even though Abraham’s circumcision was in response to God himself and his tithing was in response to a man, we place Abraham’s example of tithing at a higher authoritative value than circumcision. When comparing scripture with scripture think beyond human intellect.

1 Corinthians 1:19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Don’t read into Abraham’s tithing response while overlooking Jacob’s so you can apply the era of the Mosaic law to the New Testament church.

III. TITHING IS ETERNAL PRINCIPLE Giving is the principle in the Bible and the tithe was a standard. Saying I will love my wife is a principle, but saying I will love my wife until the day I die is a standard. We are to abide to the principles of giving, but the Holy Spirit gives us his standard, and may I add, that the standard from the Holy Spirit is beyond ten percent. In the end we will be judged accordingly if the Holy Spirit should prompt us to give more, voiding a tithe mandate. The Spirit and Law of God Being judged by the Spirit relinquishes the idea of tithing by the law as is said in Galatians 5:18. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. While comparing ways of giving, the Holy Spirit indwelling is the differential influence that tells us how God wants more time, treasure, and faith. What use is the Holy Spirit if he cannot tell us how to give? God would not have given us the Holy Spirit if He could have left us the tithe law to walk our life by. Because the children of Israel gave tithe and offerings without the Spirit of God, it becomes a complicated equation, when you ask how Spirit filled children should obey the laws of Old Testament giving. The tithe and offering laws were established to accommodate what the Israelites lacked in spiritual rebirth. Our rebirth and Spirit filled baptism give us spiritual knowledge that the law could not give us. It is what’s in our heart and its convictions that will last for eternity, and also the premises of what we will be judged on. We can take principles of the Old Testament and apply them now, but they are principles. For instance 1 Corinthians 9:9 Paul eludes to an Old testament passage in order to glean a principle. For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.”

Paul is pointing out that we should give to the saints that devout their time into a full-time related ministry so they can continue devoted to their calling. We can see this principle repeated in scripture elsewhere. II Chronicles 31:4. Moreover he commanded the people who dwelt in Jerusalem to contribute support for the priests and the Levites, that they might devote themselves to the Law of the LORD. Don’t distort the principle by saying, it is proof we need to tithe. No, the principle is about giving, and the tithe is the standard. They are two different concepts. The Old Testament is much like an illustration, pointing out the bigger picture in the New Testament, such as the illustration of animal sacrifices. Sacrificing for God is the principle, spices and animals were the standard. In Phillippians 4:18 Paul also eludes sacrificial principles as a sweet smelling savour to God. Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. Paul was not showing the necessity of burning insence and sacrificing animals to God, he was illustrating the principle. If the Spirit is telling someone to give 30% and they do not obey, then they are guilty as if they disobeyed Old Testament law of tithing. Even though a Spirit-reluctant Christian is dead to the Holy Spirit, there is no clause in the Bible to awaken them through the Old Testament law. 1 being

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Galatians Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

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Because faith is the evidence of things not seen, we cannot teach Spirit led giving by a tithe law that has been revealed and fulfilled. Faith is a greater law and the Holy Spirit is a greater authority over Old Testament tithing rituals. The Holy Spirit guidance, empowered by our faith, brings us to a whole new dimension of giving that cannot be bound by earthly traditions or a temporary tithe. Tithing and OT laws were established because of the fall of man, and cannot be an eternal principle. Before Adam sinned, eternal, moral, and civil laws were the commands revealed to mankind. I use terminology such as moral and eternal laws in order to categories how their existence are contingent upon significant things. For instance, Marriage, and Man’s dominion, contingent upon the presence of the earth and man, were established before the fall and are moral principles; while faith, love, and God’s deity, are

examples of eternal principles and are contingent upon God’s eternal existence. A tithe was not revealed in either one of these laws. Giving a tithe to support the ministry of God was not needed in un-fallen world. There were no offices such as priests, pastors, or deacons. Jesus was not even ordained a priest yet. No spiritual gifts or needs. There were no healers, evangelizers, ministers and so on. There are no needs in a perfect world. Adam’s giving and living was just like the new heaven and earth spoken of in Revelation. This earth might have been an everlasting world if man didn’t destroy it with sin. Of course we know the story of man’s fall, but can we understand the law that was created because of the fall of man? What law was that? It was sacrificial and ceremonial law, that included the tithe. The only test of love before Adam’s fall was a law to not eat the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Unfortunately Adam disobeyed, and sacrificial and ceremonial laws became the new test of love from God. From the New Testament looking back, we can see the Old Testament was a painting of God’s Son, the Messiah. As we know it, the Messiah came and fulfilled his quest, and the Artist tore the canvas from top to bottom, and the masterpiece from Genesis 3:14 “it shall bruise thy head” through John 19:30 “It is finished” was revealed, marking every jot and crossing every tittle. We cannot continue painting on a torn canvas, so how can we accomplish the task of stewardship without the guidance of his Spirit? THE CHARACTER OF GOD Tithing is not an eternal principle, because it does not describe the character of God. God didn’t create the earth so we could make a profit from its resources to superficially give him a tithe back. I say superficially because he owns it all. God’s eternal purpose for us was to be worshippers and stewards without any slight hints on tithing. The character of God asks for one hundred percent of it back. We are stewards of God's money and are not in business to keep 90% or even a tithe of what God gave us. 100% of what we’ve been entrusted with, should be invested back towards God. There are many other Old Testament giving laws that are not taken into account as part of eternal principle today. Take sacrifice for instance. Didn’t the Israelites sacrifice a certain percentage of property reflecting on us today the spiritual sacrifices that we should make? Did it ever occur to us that giving a certain percentage of increase in the Old Testament is a reflection of us today of the steward that we should be? Burning specific portions of property and giving specific portions of increase is a standard, but sacrificial giving is part of God’s character. Sacrifices should be practiced today, but the standard is different. Instead of animals, we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice. In Acts 10:4 our prayers and alms are mentioned as a sweet sacrifice to God, which fulfills the Old Testament law in Ex 29:18. We are not condemning the law but only fulfilling it to a more eternal degree. If tithing was an eternal principle, we should still be practicing it the way it had always been done. Look at Deuteronomy 14 for an example

“You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year. And you shall eat before the LORD your God, in the place where He chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always. But if the journey is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, or if the place where the LORD your God chooses to put His name is too far from you, when the LORD your God has blessed you, then you shall exchange it for money, take the money in your hand, and go to the place which the LORD your God chooses. And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household. You shall not forsake the Levite who is within your gates, for he has no part nor inheritance with you.” This passage is telling us to take our tithe and use it in a way that's not common for us to use it for. A third of the whole tithe was used as a feast for the Israelites to celebrate with. In Leviticus 27 we find the phrase “most holy to the Lord” supporting God’s enforcement of tithing. Although holy is a term we relate to omnipotent God, the interpretation of “holy” does not describe eternal principle. Future examples and interpretations in the Bible give supporting proof of the misinterpretation of “holy”. Dr. Kelly states, The false teaching is that Leviticus 27:30-32 proves that the tithe is an "eternal moral principle" because "it is holy to the LORD." However, these false teachers must ignore the stronger phrase, "it is MOST holy to the LORD," in the immediate preceding verses 28 and 29. This is because verses 28 and 29 are definitely not eternal moral principles in the Church. In its context, the phrases "it is holy to the LORD" and "it is MOST holy to the LORD" cannot possibly be interpreted "eternal moral principles." Why? Because almost every other use of these phrases in Leviticus has long ago been discarded by Christians. Similar phrases are also used to describe all of the festivals, the sacrificial offerings, the clean food distinctions, the old covenant priests and the old covenant sanctuary. George Potkonyak in his article “The truth about tithing”, writes in response to “holy to the Lord” and concisely states, “What does this mean? It simply means that they were to be used ACCORDING TO GOD'S INSTRUCTION and not for any other purpose, no matter how 'godly' that purpose may appear." Any of God’s instructions are holy, His instruction for our individual lives are as holy as any word from the Bible, but it doesn’t mean his demands are eternal and are eternal instructions for everyone. I understand why people hold to principle, but it was by grace, not of compulsion or necessity which God modeled giving, and it is our grace in return we give back. Why would we waste our breath using any other platform than the model exemplified by God? Giving is like a totem pole from earth reaching to heaven. The tithe is the bottom of the totem pole, and grace is the top reaching to the heaven. The same analogy goes with the knowledge of God, with fear at the bottom and love is at the top. But once you experience the love of Christ, fear is so far at the bottom of the knowledge of God, you can't even see it anymore (Read Ephesians 3:19). In the same analogy, the church preaches the tithe and looks up. Grace is giving is already at the top, and looks down.

The Church has rituals, (ie: baptism and the Lord's Supper) as well as "eternal" laws, not bound by time, earth, flesh, or an income, just like Israel. These eternal laws are a part of God's character. His features, if you will, are now are a part of our new creature, made alive in the Spirit. But because of our forceful standards, we have created a picture of a God with only rules. His word in the Old Testament and New Testament now lives in us, and His Spirit takes precedence to any law, any restriction, or any treaty. Therefore His Spirit will give us greater convictions in our living, and giving than the law of tithing ever could. The Kingdom of God Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost Eternal laws do not change, but civil and ritual laws can be defined by man and are created for man. Because man does not possess the authority to define morals, moral law only comes from God. As I discussed earlier, live by the Old Testament and your storehouse will be earthly. Live by the the New Testament and your storehouse will be eternal, where neither moths, nor rust, nor thieves can break through or steal. Most of the time when i am in discussions about obeying the Old covenant tithe, I fail to emphasize that the newer covenant has an eternal calling. The New Covenant can only be laws based on eternity, forever, always, and without end. That's why the rituals of the Old Testament had to be abolished. The concept of the tithe is temporary, earthly, and for mortal man. Sacrifice, grace, love, justice, and mercy are eternal principles. A tithe is not eternal. The newer covenant of giving resembles eternity from now on. The Bible and its laws were written to help us obey the eternal laws. Here is a list of phrases that are used in the Bible. Eternal life Eternal word Eternal power Eternal purpose Eternal glory Eternal salvation Eternal redemption Everlasting Covenant

Everlasting Gospel Everlasting kingdom Eternal Spirit Eternal Inheritance Eternal Fire Eternal King Everlasting Love Everlasting consolation

Tell me again why tithing should be in this list of quotes in the Bible? The promised land is an analogy of the kingdom of heaven and is another key to understanding why tithing is not a command. When describing the priestly inheritance in the New Testament, we can see the picture of the kingdom of heaven, prepared for both Jew and Gentile. Because the new covenant took the Old law's place, the priestly tribe is able to inherit land, which makes the above phrase “eternal inheritance“, one of the more

interesting quotes. Even though physical property was offered to Israel and is called the promised land, in the New Testament we still continue our journey through the wilderness waiting for the true promised land. While wandering in the wilderness, Israel was not required to pay a tithe until they reached the promised land. Once they inhabited the land they offered a tithe from the increase of their farming. This is a picture reminiscent of our future habitation of the kingdom of God. We have not crossed the Jordan, but we are all still wandering priests waiting for God to part the Jordan so we can walk across. Then in that day we will reap our increase shown by crowns, and cast them at the masters feet. Revelation 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 2 Corinthians 4:18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. Even though our faith requires earthly action, we are never measured on a balance that weighs perishable deeds, but only by an eternal balance that can measure the unseen. Because we are flesh and blood, God used material things to teach us his eternal principles, and He did that through parables, rituals, and ceremonies as well as tithing. I do realize that faith and action co-equally prove each other, but on the last day, God will measure us and will say that we did not have enough faith to perform action. In other words, our works will condemn us, but only because of our lack of faith, not vise versa. When we finally understand that a tithe is not Spiritual, is not an eternal number, does not equal God’s character, the sooner we will understand that tithing is not the principle God wanted us to grasp. Read James 1:5.

PRICE OF PRODUCT PER TABLET(S) S/NO 1 2

PRODUCT VITAMIN B COMPLEX VITAMIN C SUSTAINED RELEASE

PIECE(S) AMOUNT (TABLET(s)) (N) 1 70 5 200

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

OMEGA 3 CAL MAG FIBRE TABLETS FORMULA IV PLUS CRUCIFEROUS CHELATED ZINC CAROTENOID COMPLEX GARLIC ALLIUM VIT A & D

16th September, 2005. ………………………………………….. …………………………………………... ……………………………………………

3 15 4 1 1 3 1 5 2

100 300 100 100 50 100 70 200 50

Dear Sir, RE: STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT Find attached your Statement of Account in our books showing a debit balance of Naira____________________________________________ Could you kindly confirm the above debit balances as correct in your books within 7 days of receipt of this letter, otherwise we shall assume the figures as indicated as correct and right. It might be necessary to mention that it may not be possible to continue further supplies to you till the above due balances are settled. We shall appreciate your immediate reaction to this. Yours faithfully,

For: CHI PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED

22 Benson Anorue Street Opposite Caprisonne Ajao – Estate Oshodi – Lagos.

29th January, 2007. Director of Training NAFRC Hq.,

Oshodi. - Lagos. Dear Sir, APPLICATION TO DELIVER LECTURE TO YOUR TRAINEES OF COURSE 1/2007 HEALTH AND WEALTH

We are here to introduce a business opportunity that will bring a change to the lives of a lot of Nigerians in the area of health and wealth. Our company’s name is Golden Neo-Life Diamite Int’l (GNLD) California (USA). We deal in health products, which in turn give you wealth because “health is wealth”. The name of the team of directors coming to see your organization is the Dynamic diamond Team. We will teach the business, its method and in turn you will see your lives changing for the better because you will be adequately informed. We hope you will receive us cordially as you anticipate our coming. Yours faithfully Joshua Kola Dynamic Diamond Team 0805 – 675-3189

22 Benson Anorue Street Opposite Caprisonne Ajao – Estate Oshodi – Lagos. 15th October, 2007.

Director of Training NAFRC Hq., Oshodi. - Lagos. Dear Sir, APPLICATION FOR LECTURE OF TRAINEES ON HEALTH AND WEALTH

We are here to introduce a business opportunity that will bring a change to the lives of a lot of Nigerians in the area of health and wealth. Our company’s name is Golden Neo-Life Diamite Int’l (GNLD) California (USA). We deal in health products, which in turn give you wealth because “health is wealth”. The name of the team of directors coming to see your organization is the Dynamic diamond Team. We will teach the business, its method and in turn you will see your lives changing for the better because you will be adequately informed. We hope you will receive us cordially as you anticipate our coming. Yours faithfully Joshua Kola Dynamic Diamond Team 0805 – 675-3189 ACTION PLAN FOR PROSPECTS 1. 2. 3. 4.

Registration Attend training always Make your dream list List of names of at least 100 people but don’t contact them yet

SYSTEM USED IN GNLD 1.

Spread the information leaflet by asking the opportunity question. Question: If I can show you a way of making extra income at the same time improving

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

your health without affecting whatever you are doing now would you be interested. If yes hand out the leaflet, if no don’t bother. Follow up: Did you read through the leaflet, if yes, do you want to know more? If yes fix an appointment. Fix appointment – Be Specific on time. Do one on one using the standard one on one FORM Attend dream come true meeting Attend all business functions, if you don’t go you don’t grow. Appointment scheduling – After registration sponsor must schedule appointment with prospect to get new prospect.

DYNAMIC DIAMOND TEAM GOAL 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Do at least 100PV per month Register at least 1 person per month Distribute at least 10 leaflet per day, the more action you take the more result you get. Use the product daily Read part of the positive book daily Listen to positive tape daily Follow the system always Duplicate your effort

DO’S & DON’T’S IN GNLD 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16.

Do not register people with your money Don’t concentrate on buying and selling do 5% buying and selling and 95% Networking because that is where the money come from. GNLD business is not about convincing, it’s about sorting out good ones from the bad. Don’t force anyone to join the business. Don’t buy product for your prospect. Don’t register prospect for your prospect Don’t sell product on credit. Don’t force prospect to do 250 to 500 PV single orders Attend training, rallies, seminars and conventions always (If you don’t go you don’t grow). Be honest in anything you do, do not cheat Don’t snatch people’s prospect. Never quit the business no matter the situation. Winners don’t quit and quitters don’t win Don’t send kit to your prospect. Make sure you do Kit Orientation for your prospect You need Dream imagination and determination to succeed in the business. Share the opportunity always. Don’t ever relent your effort persevere, be consistent.

17.

Be ready for a lot of challenges, like the product area not working, the product are to expensive, people are not buying the product, how would I get to register, how would I sell the product, my prospect are not working, people are not responding, I don’t know people, I can not talk, I hate no for an answer, I don’t have money for registration, I don’t have money t do my 100 PV, I am shy, I am not vocal.