Fruit of Grace
EdwardMosley1953@aol.com copy & distribute freely © Feb./99
In the sharing of Christ’s glorious gospel, Behold; His requirement of our repentance and supreme commands of love toward Him and to one another naturally underlies & is the basis of all works of Christian charity; mercy, sharing, compassion, caring, concern, prayer, and truth(1Th 1:3, Heb 6:10, 10:24). His love, by nature, refrains us from evil works of sin; greed, extortion, deception, guile, thefts, lies, … If we love Him, we naturally do good by our affection toward Him (Rom 5:8, 13:9-10)! We are naturally charitable toward those we love! The Almighty, eternal, only true GOD EXPECTS CHARITY! 1CO 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 16:14 Let all your things be done with charity. COL 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 1TI 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 2TI 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 1PE 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 2PE 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
In the fear of our Lord, study Genesis, chapter 14 again and observe; Abraham gave a tenth (a tithe) of the spoils of Sodom, Gommorah, and Lot. Spoils are goods recovered from war. (Gen 14:20, Heb 7:4) The reason? Through allegory, (Gal 4:24) two covenants were in Abraham (Gal 4:21-31).
(1) In Abraham’s loins; (Genesis, chapters 16-21, Gal 4:21-31, Heb 7:5)The law of Moses for ancient Israel (the first 5 books of The Old Testament- Gen, Exo, Lev, Num, & Deu) in effect until the crucifixion of Jesus Christ (Heb 9:16-17) and of which the balance of The Old Testament is based (Mal 4:4).
(2) In Abraham’s heart and soul; faith; (Gal 3:9-14) The New Testament Grace and Mercy of Jesus Christ for all people of repentance, faith, hope, and love and of which The Old Testament law of Moses for ancient Israel patterned, shadowed, and represented through allegory and prophecy! Christ’s Grace and Mercy is based upon (works of) His Love! EPH 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 1TI 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. JUD 1:2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
Abraham’s son by promise was Isaac (Gen 17:19) and Isaac’s son by promise was Jacob (25:26-34) whose name was changed to Israel (Gen 32:28). Jacob had twelve sons(Gen 35:23-26) whose families became the twelve tribes of the nation of Israel (Gen 49:28). The law of Moses was the covenant given Israel (Deu 4:44) for they were the chosen people of God for Old Testament times (Deu 7:6-9). Except if a non-Jew lived with the Jews, all other people of the earth besides the ancient Jews were without covenant to God (Lev 19:10, 20:26, Eph 2:12-20).
The tribe Levi was chosen by Almighty God to be the tribe of priests (Numbers, chapters 17-18) throughout The Old Testament generations of the nation of Israel. The sons of Levi were commanded in the law of Moses to take a tenth (a tithe) of their brethren tribes in ancient Israel (Numbers, chapters 17-18, Heb 7:5). They were to remain undefiled while they offered animal sacrifices for sin and were not allowed any other way to make a living for their families!
LEV 27:30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S: it is holy unto the LORD. 31, 32 And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD. 33, 34 These are the commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel in mount Sinai. NUM 18:21 And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. 22 Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die. 23 But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance. 24 But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. 25 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 26 Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe. 27, 28 Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the LORD of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the LORD’S heave offering to Aaron the priest. DEU 12:6, 11, 17 Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand: 14:22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year. 23, 28, 26:12, 13, 14, 15 Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
Malachi, the last prophet of the Old Testament, warned ancient Israel to return to the “ordinances” (Lev 18:1-4) of the law of Moses (the first five books of The Old Testament) in preparation of the first coming of Jesus Christ (Mal 3:1-3). The “ordinance” of tithing (Leviticus chapter 27, Numbers 18, Deuteronomy 12, 14, and 26, and Malachi 3:7-8) would have provided the food and living for the Levite priests and their families while they daily offered burnt sacrifices for the sins of the Jewish people under their covenant of the law of Moses! (Lev 9:3, 16:5).
Old Testament words to Israel; MAL 3:7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? 8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
New Testament words to Israel; COL 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
The nation in Malachi 3:9 “Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.” was ancient Israel- not the USA!
The ordinance of “offerings” in Malachi 3:8 was not cash but sacrificial offerings to be killed and burnt for sin! LEV 1:4 And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. NUM 29:39 These things ye shall do unto the LORD in your set feasts, beside your vows, and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your meat offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings. 40 And Moses told the children of Israel according to all that the LORD commanded Moses.
Malachi lived 300 years before Jesus Christ Himself would be the New Testament “offering” for sin for all people- forever! (John 3:16, Heb 10:5-18).
If Israel had heeded Malachi’s warning and returned to their covenant; the law of Moses, they would have been prepared for the first coming of Jesus Christ and the windows of heaven would have opened to give Israel abundant spiritual blessings! Israel’s religious leaders would not have been Christ’s bitterest enemies!
Malachi had taught Israel according to the true law of Moses! Through the years, ancient Israel’s religious sects zealously added & subtracted from their teachings of the law of Moses to their satisfaction rather than seeking the Lord’s will as contained in scripture! The Pharisees continually tempted Christ according to their lawful customs! (Mat 12:2, 9-14, 15:1-3, 19:1-3, 22:35-36, Mark 2:24, 3:3, 7:1-5, 10:2, 12:13, Luke 6:6-7,10:25, John 7:1).
Since they claimed to keep the law of Moses, Jesus Christ again taught Israel of the true law of Moses;
MAT 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (St. Luke 11:42)
The Pharisees were Jesus Christ’s bitterest enemies, not our fellow Christians! Claiming to be keeping the law of Moses, Christ’s enemies paid ” tithe of mint and anise and cummin” (herbs and spices used to fragrance the temple rather than fruits, vegetables, and meat of the flock and herd) to temple rulers rather than to Levite priests offering animal sacrifices for the sins of the ancient Jewish people as the Lord had commanded Moses for Israel in Leviticus, chapters 1-7. Jesus Christ charged the Pharisees that they “omitted” (subtracted, avoided, forgot, & reasoned against) ” the weightier matters”, (the more important matters) “ of the law“ of Moses given to ancient Israel as is recorded in the first five books of The Old Testament in our Holy Bibles!
“these” – “judgment, mercy, and faith:” ” these ought ye to have done,”
“these ought ye to have done,” Christ taught the Pharisees the law of Moses in the past tense for the time of His crucifixion was very near! (Heb
9:16-17). ” and not to leave the other“; “the other” was the tithe; the true tithe of Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy!
“judgment, mercy, and faith:” were “weightier” more important matters of the law of Moses because they are fruit of repentance and Almighty God’s expectations of those who love Him throughout all ages! (Isaiah 1:11, Hosea 6:6, Micah 6:6-8, Mat 9:13).
“judgment” Almighty God’s eternal expectations of me toward myself! (Mat 23:33, 1Co 6:11) 1TI 5:24 Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.
” mercy” Almighty God’s eternal expectations of me toward others! (Eph 2:4,Col 3:12-14).
” and faith:” Almighty God’s eternal expectations of me toward Him! (Col 1:4, Phm 1:5).
Tithing started at Genesis 14:20 and ended at Hebrews 7:18 because the Levite’s priesthood ended!
Though the Levite priests had a command to take tithes of their brethren tribes of ancient Israel, they were in the loins of their father Abraham (Heb 7:5) when Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils of Sodom, Gommorah, and Lot (Genesis, chapter 14). In New Testament allegory, this confirmed that the priesthood of the Levites was inferior to the priesthood of Melchizedek (who being King Priest) more closely represented the priesthood of Christ! Melchizedek’s priesthood was inferior to the priesthood of Jesus Christ! (Hebrews, chapter 7).
Because the Levite priesthood was transferred from one generation to the next by birth (carnally by loins) into the Levite tribe, the commandment of the Levitical priesthood of The Old Testament law of Moses was disannulled for it’s weakness and unprofitableness (Heb 7:18). But Jesus Christ whose family was not counted through the Levite generations (being the Son of God and coming out of the tribe of Judah) became King Priest of all who call upon Him forever! The priesthood transferred from the Levites to Jesus Christ forever! (Heb 7:5-12).
The Holy Bible is reverenced as the Word of the Almighty, Eternal, Holy God!Biblical “tithing” ended (Col 2:14) at the cross (Mat 26-28, Mark 15-16, Luke 23-24, John 18-19) when the Levites’ priesthood ended (Heb 7:18) and Jesus Christ’s priesthood began and is forever! (Hebrews chapters 7-10). There was never a scriptural transfer of tithes; (1) from a work of the law of Moses to a work of charity under the Grace and Mercy of Jesus Christ for all people of faith, hope, and love! (2)from fruits, vegetables, flock, and herd to a ” tithe of mint and anise and cummin,” or to cash! (3)of the command to pay from the eleven tribes of fleshly Jews in ancient Israel to Christian believers! (4) or of the command to take tithes from the Levite priests to Christian churches or ministers or anyone in The New Testament church! EPH 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Christian ministers are not spiritual Levites or are they Levites whose father was Levi, son of Jacob or are they King Priests as was Melchisedec whose life closely represented Christ Jesus! Christ did not take tithes! MAT 8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. But church leaders have often condemned those who do not “tithe” to them even though (in the Holy Word) they do not have even a slight hint of a command or right to take! JOH 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Though the Jews in Jeremiah or Malachi’s day or in Christ’s earthly day did not tithe as was commanded in their covenant, the law of Moses for ancient Israel, (Jer 16:11, 31:31-32) we in new covenant days, claim that we do! We like saying “my tithes, your tithes. God expects a tithe. Pay God His part!” We’ll do Him service by taking up the money! (Rev 3:17). Customary interpretation has been to bypass the tithe command around Hebrews 7:18! But, as the Jews ignorantly asked in Malachi’s day “But ye said, Wherein shall we return?” we have ” omitted” that the New Testament work of God was supported charitably! Let us “return” to our covenant with God; The New Testament and charitable support of Christ’s work in preparation of His second coming! We are not under two covenants and neither do we keep law by grace!(John 1:17, Rom 6:14-15, Heb 7:22, 8:6-13).
We desire charitable, bountiful blessings of mercy (Grace) from our Lord! EPH 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift
of God: (Mat 8:17, Luke 6:38, Heb 4:15). Let us therefore take Christ’s example! 1PE 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an
example, that ye should follow his steps: (John 13:15, 34, 15:12, Eph 4:31-32, 5:1, Col 3:13-14, 1Jo 2:6, 4:11).
Christ’s work should be above reproach, greed, extortion, and illiteracy of His Word and Grace! God’s expectations of all mankind is the same regardless of race,
nationality, education, prosperity, or any other differences! If He expected a tithe in the day and land of prosperity and abundance, then of the starving, He would command
a tenth of the only hand full of dry food in a week! But, please read the New Testament books of Acts through Jude again and again and see that, without exception, the work
of Christ in the early New Testament church was supported charitably! They worked charitably for our Lord, gathered their resources charitably, distributed charitably, sent
the Christian ministers on their trips charitably, lodged charitably, and loved each other charitably because charity was a work of Christ’s Grace in them!
Charitable exhortations in The New Testament are not reasons to do favorite works of the law of Moses which were never given to New Testament Christians! (Eph 2:13). Charity is a work and response of the Love of Christ in us; the Love of Christ in action! Our Lord looks at the willingness of the heart more than what is in the hand! None of the apostles of Christ took tithes! All New Testament verses of the support of Christ’s work exhorted charitable support of the work of Christ. 2CO 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. God blessed and charitably prospered New Testament Christians for the love in their heart and not because they did a favorite work of the law of Moses! Paul wrote; 1CO 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 2CO 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
Pray for our ministry to appreciate, understand, and preach charitable support of the Christian church and minister!
WITHOUT EXCEPTION, IN THE BIBLE, TITHING WAS A WORK OF THE LAW OF MOSES FOR ANCIENT ISRAEL TILL CHRIST’S CRUCIFIXION! BUT GOD EXPECTS CHARITABLE SUPPORT OF HIS NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH! CHARITY IS A WORK (A FRUIT) OF HIS GRACE!
GAL 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
GAL 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
1CO 16:14 Let all your things be done with charity.
1PE 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves:
for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.