Text Box: Additionally, the shepherd may have come from an incredibly godly family. From this family he was taught the commands of the Lord, including tithing. He may have had first-hand knowledge of family members giving their tithes to the Lord. Later, he may have inherited from these family members so that his herd and flock increased. As hard as he might look, he did not find any exemption code on those creatures he received via inheritance. Those inherited creatures became his and they passed under his rod, which meant that God expected them to be included in determining the tithe. Remember, tithing is not about money or possessions. Tithing is about loving God and being obedient to His command to tithe, because of your love for Him. Everything you have is a gift from God. That means whether it was simply given to you, or you earned it, or were shrewd in your investments, it all comes from God. So love God by tithing to Him, because He has so generously loved you! In His arms,

Text Box: For this not to be a myth there must be an invisible stamp on each item and every penny that has been tithed on before. That stamp, only seen by God, is His approval and release from the command to tithe so that anyone coming into possession of or is gifted with this already tithed item or money is exonerated from God’s command. It is like a spiritual ‘get out of jail free’ card. You become exempt from God’s taxation, because if you believe this myth, then that’s how you look at tithing. The premise of this myth is that tithing is not a personal challenge or a personal action. This myth relies on tithing not being about personal love to God, but it is about meeting legalistic requirements. Now this perception that tithing is a requirement misses the entire purpose of tithing. This myth is born out of the shortcomings of legalism. In legalism, the constant purpose is to not make God mad, so we would do what it takes to avoid His wrath. It is never about positioning ourselves to live in the fullness of His blessing, but rather it is about staying out of the way of a vengeful God, so we are not blasted into nothingness by His anger. The entire tithe of the herd and flock--every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd's rod--will be holy to the LORD. Leviticus 27:32

Text Box: There is not some holy barcode God has placed on items that have been previously tithed on. Neither does He discount any item because it has already been tithed on. In Leviticus 27:32 God clearly demonstrates that it is everything that we possesses, regardless of how we came into possession of it, that is subject to the tithe. Here He states that a tenth of the entire herd and flock that is under the ownership of the shepherd is holy to Him as the tithe. Specifically, He uses the term “entire tithe”. God does this to clearly state that there are no exceptions or discounts. If you own it, He expects you to tithe on it. The herd and flock are made up of all the direct efforts of the shepherd. The herd and flock will grow because the shepherd has been faithful and worked to care for and protect the herd and flock. While we can do the ‘right’ things for success to happen, it is by God’s grace that we actually see success. So, for the herd and flock to grow it is a partnering of us actively seeking His leading and being faithful to do whatever He asks of us. It is possible that others gave the shepherd gifts, for whatever reason that increased his flock and herd. These gifts became the shepherd’s possession and were subject to God’s command of tithe.

Tithing Myths
I Do Not Have to Tithe on Gifts from Tithing Christians

by Pastor Dave Bassett

As August draws to a close and I reflect back on the month that has passed, several things come to mind.

It has been a very busy month, and surprisingly productive. God has been working in our lives, making us stronger, and giving us opportunities to build His Kingdom. The center of God’s will is the best place in the world to be!

In talking with my Mom this past week, she relayed a prayer request to me. A friend of ours, who lives close to my mother, had a tragedy in her family. Her son was found dead by his fiancé . They were to be married next week. Now there will be a funeral, instead of a wedding.

This brought back my own memories and grief from 30 years ago when my brother was killed in an automobile accident. He was only 18 years old. My family can empathize with the family of this young man who just passed away, because we have gone through it ourselves.

In my personal devotions, I was reading in Psalm 116 which talks about death and grieving. Verse 3 says “The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.” As the psalmist was grieving, in the midst of his emptiness, loneliness and sorrow, who does he turn to?

[continued on page 2]