Stop PayingTithes

Stop Paying Tithes?

Paula Brooks
Characters or persons in this publication is in reference to no particular
person or situation. No wording, sentence or paragraph refers to any
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Copyright © 2010 by Paula Brooks. All rights reserved.

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Publishing services by Selah Publishing Group, LLC, Tennessee. The views

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ISBN: 978-1-58930-261-7
Library of Congress Control Number: 25010908255
 To my mother Linda Jarvis and my dad Jerry
Jackson. You both have inspired me to be the individual
that I am.
 Acknowledgements

First and foremost, I would like to thank my heavenly

Father, Jehovah God, for giving me a fresh revelation of His
Word at a time such as this. A time when the Body of Christ
is in dire need of Truth.
I thank my mom Linda Jarvis who has taught me that when
adversity arises don’t bow down. I thank my dad, Jerry Jack-
son, who has been more than a dad but also a friend. I thank
Pastor Leroy Thompson and family for teaching me the Spiri-
tual Principles that I need to live a prosperous life. Thanks
to my aunt Carolyn Jackson who has always been an inspira-
tion to me. Thanks to Uncle Ellis Jackson I love you in spite
of my short comings you are truly my friend. To my aunt
Claire, my cousins Vernessa, Lolita and Angel. To my cousin
and my girl Sam you are the best at keeping secrets. To my
cousins Carla and Odell Jarvis, aunt Yvonne and aunt Sue,
thanks. To Pastor Tyrone Roussel, my sister Linda Roussel,
Ashley Roussel and Umeka and kids, love yall. To my best
friend Gayle and her husband Todd who have both tried to
make this transition period of my life flow a little more
smoothly. To my girl Shoney who kept my head fixed while I
was trying to keep my head on you have been a friend even
 Acknowledgements

when we couldn’t stand one another. Can’t we just get along?

I think you and I just love one another more than others want
to understand. To Cathy Lee Newman ? (ha ha) my girl who
always gives me insight on out of sight issues in my life. To all
my boys at the breakfast table: Gee, Derrick, Russell and Joe,
stay cool and thank yall for encouraging me to continue writ-
ing. Thanks Charles White and Nathaniel Parker for making
me smile again. You two are the best business partners a girl
could have. To Isidore and Gina Kirklin, I love yall so much,
Copeland and Lance my brothers forever. To Bisa Defillo you
may not know how you have blessed me but God knows, He
reciprocates To Eric, the love of my life; thank you for... your
presence it assures me that God still answer my prayer. Last
but not least I thank my three angels: Jasmine, Taylor, and
Bria; each of you has been a blessing to mommie in your own
little special way. Thank you my angels for allowing me to be
used of God to write this book. Your generosity in sharing me
with this project is more than appreciated. Remember girls,
Jehovah is a reciprocator. He will never allow you to give more
to Him than He gives to you.
 Contents
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi

1 The Act of Tithing Justified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

2 Tithing: An Act of Love . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
3 Tithing and the Kingdom of God . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
4 Misconception of Tithing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
5 The Gospel/God is not the Author of
Confusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
6 Tithing is not a Burden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
7 God Gives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
8 Try the Spirit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
9 Being Spiritually Motivated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
10 Misconceptions About God’s Word . . . . . . . . . . . 53
11 Exposition of Malachi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
12 The Covenant Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
13 The Kingdom of God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
14 A Cheerful Giver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
15 What Does God’s Word Really Say . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
 Preface

Tithing is a principal that has been a part of God’s plan

since the beginning of creation and God’s desire is that we
continue to tithe until Christ’s return. Tithing is an act of
giving ten percent of our increase to God in honor and appre-
ciation for his manifested blessings. However, we need to
know when to tithe and why we should tithe. Many Chris-
tians have been confused concerning the subject of tithing.
Believers wonder where should they tithe, how much should
they tithe, should they tithe of their net income or their gross
income, etc. There is so much confusion in the Body of Christ
concerning the subject of tithing. If it were not so, believers
would all be blessed, abundantly. My intent for writing this
book is to share scripturally based revelation with the Body
of Christ, that God has shared with me. Hopefully, most or
all of your questions, concerning tithing, will be answered
as you read and study this book.

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 One

The Act of Tithing Justified

According to biblical scripture, tithing is an act of giving 10

percent of our increase to God as a representation of our appre-
ciation for God’s goodness. For instance, in Genesis 14:20 (one
of the first biblical notations of tithing) it is recorded that
Abraham gave tithes of all he had received in battle, to
Melchesidek. This was Abraham’s way of honoring God in ap-
preciation for the manifested blessing. Note that this scripture
does not imply that Abraham gave tithes before the battle, but
it’s noted that he tithed as a result of, his being blessed, with the
increase of spoil from the battle. This indicates that he tithed in
appreciation of all that God had given him in the battle. Be-
cause of his love and appreciation for God he tithed with a
willing heart. In essence, he did not tithe of necessity or be-
cause he wanted something from God (as many Christians are
being taught to do). His tithe was a result of his gratefulness
for the increase that God had given to him. In Genesis 28:22 it

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is also noted in reference to tithing, that Jacob promised to give

God a tenth of all that God had previously promised to bless
him with. In Genesis 28:22 Jacob is quoted as saying, “…and of
all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.”
Jacob’s promise concerning his tithe to God was his way of say-
ing “God your gift to me is appreciated”. Like Abraham, Jacob
didn’t tithe of his present state of being at that time in order to
receive a blessing from God. No, Jacob’s promise to tithe was
based God’s promise to bless him. So when Christians tithe
because of a need or a petition you’ve requested of God is not
scriptural. Nor is it scriptural to tithe with expectation for some-
thing in return. However, sowing a financial seed in order to
receive a greater financial harvest is consistent with the way
God’s Kingdom operates. Here God has revealed two biblical
references (Genesis 14:20 and Genesis 28:22) to prove that tith-
ing was not used to motivate God to bless His children.
Tithing, as defined in the Holman’s Bible dictionary is “a
tenth part, especially as offered to God”. The tithe was sub-
ject to a variety of legislations or laws. Numbers 18:20-32
states that the tithe of the Israelites provided for the support
of Levites. The Levites in turn tithed to Aaron the priest
from the tithe that they received from the Israelites. The stipu-
lations of the Deuteronomic code stated: that the tithe of the
agricultural produce was to be used for a family feast at the
sanctuary, celebrating God’s provision (thanking God or
showing God appreciation), Deuteronomy 14:22-27 “Thou
shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field
bringeth forth year by year. 23) And thou shalt eat before the
Lord thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place His
name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine
oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou
mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always. 24) And if the
way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it;
or if the place be too far from thee, which the Lord thy God
shall choose to set his name there, when the Lord thy God
hath blessed thee:

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25) Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the
money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the
Lord thy God shall choose: 26) And thou shalt bestow that
money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for
sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy
soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the Lord thy
God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household, 27)
And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake
him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.” The same
code stipulated the third year’s tithe was for care of the Levites,
orphans, widows, and foreigners. Deuteronomy 14:28-29 says,
“At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of
thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy
gates: 29) And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inher-
itance with thee), and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the
widow which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat
and be satisfied; that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all
the work of thine hand which thou doest.” Jesus, however,
warned that strict tithing must accompany concern for the
more important demands of the law, which is just and merci-
ful living. Matthew 23:23 “woe unto you, scribes and
Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and
cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law,
judgement, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done,
and not to leave the other undone.” Therefore, we as New
Testament believers ought to tithe. However, if we tithe aside
from love, mercy and faith, Jesus calls us hypocrites.
In Leviticus chapter 27 the bible explains, (if studied prop-
erly) that a tithe is not the same as a vow. You can not vow to
give ten percent of your income on a weekly or biweekly ba-
sis and expect God to recognize it as a tithe. For so long, we
as Christians have been dedicated to paying ten percent of
our income to our local churches because we had been taught
that this is what is required of God.

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 Two

Tithing: An Act of Love

God desires that we give in the Spirit of Love. When we

give to God in love and appreciation he accepts our offer-
ings. Yet when we give because we are commanded to do so
or because it is required or requested of us or any form of
motivation outside of the spirit of love, God doesn’t honor
our giving. Can this be the reason why many haven’t been
seeing the desired results? An example of this is when Cain
and Abel gave to God in Genesis chapter 4. Whether we
offer firstfruits, offerings, tithes, sow a seed or pledge a vow,
God wants us to offer it in love. Abel’s gift was respected of
God because he offered his gift with a willing and loving heart.
Cain offered his gift to God because he believed that it was
the right thing to do, not because he really desired to bless
God. 1 John 3:11-12 says, “For this is the message that ye
heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
12) Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his

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 Tithing?

brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works

were evil, and his brother’s righteous”. If we as Christians
took time to evaluate how we have been giving and why we
have been giving many will realize that they have been pay-
ing tithes and giving offerings because it has been taught
that are requirements of God’s. Christians have been giving
as Cain gave; because of requirement, not desire. When it
comes to tithing we will find out that most Christians have
been ignorantly fulfilling a vow. A vow is a promise or com-
mitment to give or do something for someone, something, or
a particular cause. Remember a tithe is an act of lovingly and
willingly giving ten percent of what God has blessed you with,
back to Him. It’s a way of saying “thank you God for what
You’ve done”. We have the right to make a vow if we choose
to in a loving act of worship to God. Tithing is a right of ours
that should still be a part of our lives today, as well. How-
ever, we should not be pressured to tithe. Especially if
believers do not fully understand the concept of tithing.
Whenever God blesses us, the love in our hearts should
prompt us to tithe. If we’re prompted by anything other than
our love and appreciation for God it’s as if we haven’t tithed
at all. Under the Old Testament Law, God had requirements
and commands in place. However, Jesus has redeemed us
from the curse of the Law, according to Galatians 3:13, which
says“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, be-
ing made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one
that hangeth on a tree”. Galatians 3:11 says, “But that no
man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident:
for, The just shall live by faith”. Then Galatians 2:16 says,
“Knowing that 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 by no flesh be justified”. Jesus came to this earth, lived
as a man, died as a man, was buried as a man and resurrected
as the Saviorso that we might live in liberty. Galatians 5:1
says, “Standfast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ

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 Paula Brooks

hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke
of bondage.” Therefore, everything that we give should be
given in love, willingly and cheerfully, just as God desires.
We should not give because of pressure placed on us by oth-
ers or because of requirements. Man has made it a requirement
to pay tithes and offering when God through Christ has given
us liberty. The bible says in Romans 13:8 “Owe no man
anything, but to love him”. When we as Christians grasp
this biblical truth, we’ll begin to walk in the true manifested
blessings of God. Believers need to understand the fact that
Christians ought to give in the Spirit of love. Once our giv-
ing is extended from the love in our hearts we won’t be
frustrated about not having enough money left for our own
personal necessities or desires; we won’t be sorry or regret-
ful about our giving later. When love motivates to give, we
fulfil what God desires of us in 2 Corinthians 9:7 which says,
“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let
him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a
cheerful giver”. Since we know that God is pleased when we
give cheerfully, why do leaders put so much pressure on Chris-
tians to give; especially when it comes to tithing. I’ve been
in congregations where leaders teach their members to laugh
and shout at offering time in order that they may appear cheer-
ful. This does not move or impress God. You may have an
expression of cheerfulness of your face but God knows the
heart of each and every man.

The church today has placed too much emphasis on pay-

ing tithes and giving offerings. Just like the offering, tithes
should be given, not paid. Christians have not yet learned or
acknowledged what God’s true purpose is for the body of
Christ, yet they pay tithes. Christians today are being en-
courage to find their purpose in God. While searching for
their purpose, many Christians continue to give financially;
still not knowing God’s will for them or their money. Is it
God’s purpose for us to give continuously hoping that “one
day” we’ll receive a great blessing in return for all of our years

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 Tithing?

of our giving, even when we give of our lack? As for me, I

have always thought that my purpose in the Body of Christ
was to fund the gospel or finance the Kingdom of God. Ques-
tion is, how could that be, when God’s word says in Romans
14:17, “For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink (physi-
cal things) but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy
Ghost”. So according to God’s word, the Kingdom of God
does not consist of monetary possessions. God’s purpose for
believers is simple and it is all inclusive of everyone who
accepts His son Jesus as Lord and Savior. We as Christians,
do not need to seek our individual purposes in God. God
grants revelation of our individual purposes in Christ’s body.
We as Christians must first know that weshare one particu-
lar purpose, in Christ. When that purpose is accomplished
we will then receive our individual purposes from God’s Holy
Spirit. Those of us who claim to be Christians are all on this
Earth to be representatives of Jesus the Christ. The word
Christ means the Anointed one. Therefore, Christians ought
to live in the anointing of Jesus Christ. Jesus did say in John
14:12….”He that believeth on me, the works that I do he
shall do also; and greater works than these shall he do…”
We all are purposed to love God with our whole beings. In
order to love God, we must love His creation, even our en-
emies. God has called some men and women into the fivefold
ministry; yet, even they have a purpose in God to minister in
love. This is why some pastors and leaders may seem like su-
permen. They are anointed because they have the spirit of Love
operating on the inside of them. They have mastered walking
in love. God created man to worship Him, by living in His
Agape love. We cannot love God until we have love for one
another. 1 John 4:20 says, “If a man says, I love God, and hateth
his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom
he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”
So in order to be effective Christians, we must master purpose
to our love before we can give anything to God. We need to get
our hearts right with fellow believers. Otherwise, our giving is
in vain. 1 Samuel 16:7 tells us that God sees the heart of man.

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 Paula Brooks

Is God really more concerned about our tithes and offerings

than He is about our love for Him? It has been said that God
tests the hearts of Christians by their faithfulness to Him with
their money. It has also been said that God instructs believers
to tithe, and is able to determine whether we love Him or money,
according to our obedience to paying tithes, sowing seed and
giving offerings. This is not scriptural! God knows that we
love Him when we love our brothers and sisters. All of us as
Christians have one common purpose; that purpose is to love
God with all of our hearts, minds, and beings. We do this by
exercising 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, which says, “ Charity suffereth
long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not it-
self, is not puffed up, 5) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh
not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6)
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth 7) Beareth
all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth
all things. 8) Charity never faileth: but whether there be
prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they
shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away”
in our everyday lives with human beings. We can never and
will never prove our love to God through monetary means
without love. For a long time, that is what I ingorantly tried
to do, I would go to church and pay tithes and give big offer-
ings on a weekly basis, (thinking that I was impressing God).
However, when I went about doing my everyday routine, I
would only socialize with those who I believed were righ-
teously a part of the Body of Christ. That was by no means
“the love of God”. I now know that although many times I
gave with a willing heart, my motives were wrong, I was not
fulfilling God’s purpose for my life and God could not honor
my giving. John 15:12 says, “This is my commandment, That
ye love one another, as I have loved you”. I praise God for
the truth that He’s imparted to me. I now know why I was
not seeing the manifestations of the words that were preached
to me. I conclude that many believers are not aware of the
fact that God desires us to walk in love before we pay any
tithe or give any offering. However, God is also pleased when

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 Tithing?

we show appreciation to Him by means of tithes and offerings

in the spirit of Love. Tithing has absolutely nothing to do with
our love for God. Yet, we must remember that tithing is a means
of showing God that we appreciate His blessings. God is a spiri-
tual being, composed of love. So, we must worship Him in the
spirit. We can not only worship Him with physical or material
things. However, we can worship Him by blessing others with
physical or material things, in the spirit of love, whether that
person be your pastor, a friend, family member, etc. Matthew
25:40 says, “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Ver-
ily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it done it unto one
of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

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 Three

Tithing and the Kingdom of

God

The bible says in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Nowhere
in the bible does it state “God so loved tithers that He sent
His only begotten son”, nor does it say “After our salvation
experience our lives should consist of paying tithes and of-
ferings in order to maintain our status in God’s kingdom”.
Mark 12:28-34 explains the way to God’s kingdom in a very
direct and clear way. It says, “And one of the scribes came,
and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving
that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the
first commandment of all? 29) and Jesus answered him, The
first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord
our God is one Lord: 30)and thou shalt love the Lord thy
God with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy
strength: this is the first commandment. 31) and the second

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 Tithing?

is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

There is none other commandment greater than these. 32)
And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said
the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but
he: 33)And to love him with all the heart and with all the
understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength,
and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole
burnt offerings and sacrifices. 34) And when Jesus saw that
he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far
from the kingdom of God…” In these scriptures, Jesus is
talking with a scribe about the two New Testament. The scribe
responds by repeating what Jesus has just explained. Then
he says that to love God and to love your neighbor is more
than any offerings or sacrifices. Jesus then tells the scribe
that because he has understood the revelation, he was not far
from the kingdom of God. So you see, tithes and offerings
are not a prerequisite for our entrance into God’s kingdom
(God’s ways of doing things). I do want you to understand
that our giving is necessary in the church today in order to
keep the church functioning. But,our giving is not a means
by which we can enter into the Kingdom of God or into
Heaven. Allow me to share another scripture to prove that
our entrance into God’s kingdom has nothing to do with physi-
cal or material possessions, but our entrance into God’s Kingdom
is based on righteousness. Romans 14:17,18 “For the kingdom
of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace,
and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things (righ-
teousness, peace, joy) serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and
approved of men”. Glory to God! I am so glad that I have
learned the truth that my life as a Christian is not based on
what I give. However, life in the Kingdom is based on how I
live. As believers live their lives in the love of God their giving
will no longer be in vain. As a result of living in the Agape love
of God, Christians will then be cheerful about giving. 2
Corinthians 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. And God who loves a cheerful giver will
reciprocate your gift.

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 Four

Misconception of Tithing

God is such a good and loving God. Many Christians ver-

bally confess this fact, yet they have no fruit or evidence in
their lives to prove what they are confessing. Many believers
pay tithe because they are taught to do so and they have never
truly seen the windows of heaven open up as Malachi 3:10 says.
Now I am not saying the bible is a lie. I am simply saying that
for so long some Christians have not been taught properly con-
cerning this verse. Why are not we seeing the results that God
promised? The bible says God can not lie. So the mistake must
be ours. Evidently we have been misled somewhere or we do
not understand what we are doing because the promises of God
are true. Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not a man, that he should
lie”. Therefore, God’s word is true. 2 Corinthians 1:20 says,
“For all the promises of God in are yea, and in him Amen”.
Romans 4:21 “And being fully persuaded that, what He had
promised, He was able also to perform”. God is too good to

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 Tithing?

base His promises or our salvation on money. However, our

faithfulness to various church congregations is judged by
whether or not we faithfully sow seed, give offerings and pay
tithe. Many churches today will not financially help a member
of the body of Christ if they are not faithful tithers, although
they may cheerfully give consistent offerings. What is even
worse, many of the churches who claim to represent our good
God will not even perform a funeral service for a member of
Christ’s body or anyone else for that matter, if the the person
did not tithe consistently to their particular church during
their life span. It is a pitiful shame! This does not display
the love of God. Yet, God in His goodness still loves these
churches that are run this way and I’m sure He is looking
forward to everyone doing things as He does, In AGAPE
(love). The benefit and beauty of tithing; has been turned
into a burden. The burdening aspect of tithing places believ-
ers in a position of tithing under pressure. Of course, it is
not God’s will, that Christians of today tithe under pressure.
Since the beginning tithing has been an act of believers show-
ing God their appreciation for a blessing of increase. If you
have to be forced to show someone that you appreciate them,
then it is not an act of sincerity. When we tithe of our bless-
ings of increase, we must remember that God has given us
liberty, to tithe is a choice rather than a requirement, through
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Galatians 5:1 says “Stand
fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us
free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage”.
Sometimes the doctrines of leaders tend to make tithing a
yoke. I do not believe that this is their intent. However,
many teachers and leaders are teaching texts that they have
heard taught to them by someone else. God knew that hu-
man beings would have misinterpretations concerning His
Word. This is why God instructs us in 2 Timothy 2:15 “Study
to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth
not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”. Many
Christians will not make time for study. Instead, we would
rather read. As we read biblical texts, we only understand the

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 Paula Brooks

scriptures as they have been explained. As a result, many Chris-

tians never learn their true purpose in Christ. Christians have
been so programmed into giving obedience to mere man, that
most believers have not realized that obedience to God has been
forsaken. We must study the Word of God. I must explain that
yes, we are supposed to respect and obey our spiritual leaders,
but only in accord with God’s will. How will we know if every-
thing they tell us is God inspired unless we study and pray?
Obedience to God consists first of walking in AGAPE (the God
kind of love). Many people need to accept this truth contrary
to what they have been taught: (that God is a very complex
being whom we should not try to understand.) Walking in
love seem too simple to be God’s will. However, it can be hard
if we try to walk in love without God’s assistance. I too had
been taught that God was not supposed to be understood by
mere man. I believed this way for a very long time, eleven years,
to be exact. John 17:3 confirms that God is our Father and we
ought to know our Father. John 17:3 says, “And this is life
eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus
Christ, whom thou hast sent”.

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 Five

God is not the Author of

Confusion

Contrary to what I had been taught and what others are

still being taught today, the bible simply states in 1 John 4:16
“God is love”. This is not in line with many of the churches
of today. If you are not a tither or a consistent giver it is rare
that a believer will see the agape love of God displayed. The
bible also states 1 Corinthians 14:33 “For God is not the
author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the
saints”. If this biblical scripture is true and it is, why are so
many people in the body of Christ confused about the salva-
tion process? Proof of salvation is not recognized by whether
a person tithes, as some may believe. Believers are confused
about tithing, confused about how to tithe, confused about
where to tithe and when to tithe. Many are being tossed
about with every wind of doctrine. Until God removed the
blinders from my eyes, I was also one who was tossed by all
sorts of doctrine; especially concerning giving. The word of

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 Tithing?

God says in Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more

children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind
of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness,
whereby they lie in wait to deceive”. Leaders have given their
views on the subject of tithing saying “every born again be-
liever should be a tither”, which is true. Every born again
believer should be receiving increase from God. However,
for so long there has been a lack of understanding in this
area. As a result, no one is seeing the manifestations of their
so called tithes. The people of God need to know what the
bible has to say concerning this. As you read further into
this book, my prayer is that you read with an open mind and
allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you as He has been min-
istering to me during the months prior to and while I’ve been
writing this God inspired book. Invite the Holy Spirit to
teach you and guide you through scriptures of confirmation
as He has done for me.
It is time that the Gospel of Christ is preached through-
out the earth. Christians need to hear the anointed, burden
removing yoke destroying, Gospel that Christ spoke of in
Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He
hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, he hath
sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to
the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at
liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year
of the Lord”. This is the Gospel that we need to hear. Jesus
said in John 14:12 “Verily, Verily, I say unto you, He that
believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and
greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my
Father. I believe that this scripture has not been manifested
as of yet; but, because Jesus said it, it has to come to pass.
This will only happen when the Gospel of Christ is preached
in truth and honesty. The Gospel is Good News and I intend
to deliver some Good News to the Body of Christ by way of
this book and many to follow.
BE BLESSED

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 Paula Brooks

THE GOSPEL

I thank God for all of the experiences that I’ve had in vari-
ous church organizations. Through those church experiences
I’ve gained a lot of knowledge and understanding of what is
and is not truth. My family and I have been members of vari-
ous church organizations and the journey can not ever be
forgotten. Many Christians believe that once you join a par-
ticular church that’s where your membership should remain
until Christ’s return. I disagree with this because I’ve always
had a desire to learn more of God. And the only way we can
learn more about God is to seek to understand what different
congregations teach of Him. So in our quest to learn of God
we’ve been seated in different congregations. We have been
blessed to learn through these churches and personal study of
God’s word that the Gospel means “good news from God”.
Glory to God! Contrary to this learned fact, during our travel
through various churches and denominations I had rarely heard
any “Good News” being preached. Yes, I have heard a lot of
messages that scratched the itch in my ears. They sounded
really good. Matter of fact, most of them have been the stuff
that I wanted to hear. Wonderful messages. There was only
one distinguishing fact that separated these pulpit preached
messages from the Gospel described in the bible. Many of
them never manifested the results that the biblical Gospel of
Jesus’ day brought forth. Although it has been taught in many
pulpits that the Gospel is the Good News of God, I still had
not heard much good news. I have heard a lot of messages of
condemnation, though. Such as: “If you do not do this, that
will happen to you”, “the reason you are not seeing God’s
blessings is because you are not doing it like this or you need
to do it like that”, etc. It is all a form of condemnation. Con-
demnation brings guilt upon a person. Many times after these
types of sermons people feel guilty and wonder how they
managed to miss God. I once met a young man who’s pastor
preached a message like such of these, telling his congrega-
tion that they had not done enough for God. Well this young

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 Tithing?

man went home feeling worthless and attempted to commit

suicide. He swallowed 100 extra strength Tylenol pills. I am
sure this was never that pastor’s intent but the word of God
should always be preached in love and truth. Most of what
Christians are hearing is pure rhetoric!
So what is “Good News” and how can Christians know
when they are hearing “Good News”, or if they are hearing
just another good message. Good News as it pertains to the
Gospel will always manifest good results that can be rejoiced
about. Because of what we have been taught we believe that
anything that the bible says is Gospel. When scriptures are
taught and expounded upon they are “Good News”. How-
ever we tend to think that whenever a leader says something
good about us being blessed, we automatically believe that it
is good news. Sure it sounds good but is it really the truth?
Or is it just being said to tickle our ears and make us jump
and shout? Is what is being taught setting people free? Good
News of God’s Word not only sounds good but it produces
liberty and good results. The Gospel is truth and the bible
says in John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth and the truth
shall make you free”. I ask again, are people being set free
across the world? Is everything being preached truth? If so,
why aren’t lives being set free from financial bondage? Why
aren’t more of God’s people living in good health and pros-
perity? God’s anointed word has more power in it than
100,000 demons. God is truth and His truth is anointed.
Every Christian knows that the anointing removes burdens
and destroys yokes. Thus, setting one free. So the message
in reference to tithing ought to be setting people free, remov-
ing financial burdens and destroying financial yokes.

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 Six

Tithing is Not a Burden

Many ought to wonder if today’s message concerning tith-

ing is the truth in God’s eyes. We need to wonder, are these
so called prosperity messages pleasing to God? Many times
instead of being set free, people are placing themselves in
debt with creditors in an effort to pay tithes. Often church
members are placed in situations where they need to decide
whether to pay their tithe or pay a past due bill. This is a situ-
ation that can be stressful. Maybe you have experienced it or
maybe you know someone who has dealt with this dilemma. I
certainly do know Christians who have dealt with this and I
myself has been encountered with this as a young Christian.
Most times in fear of God’s wrath the tithe gets paid and the bill
just goes unpaid. Now that I have eyes to see and ears to hear
what God has to say, I know that there is a logical, biblical solu-
tion. Good News: STOP PAYING TITHES! If you can’t give
your tithe cheerfully and lovingly without stress, use that money

33
 Tithing?

to pay your bills. First of all, biblically Christians are supposed

to tithe of their increase. Now if a person gets paid and their
bills are due that saturates the income, this simply means that
there is no increase before or after those bills are paid. How can
you tithe of money that is owed? Money that you owe does not
belong to you and you have no right to consider it increase.
Jesus said render to Ceasar what is due to Ceasar… Therefore,
He was saying pay Caesar what he requires of you and then
honor God with your giving. Recently a friend of mine spoke
with me about some financial problems that she was having.
Coincidently, it was around the time that I began writing this
book. She said to me that she believed that God was punishing
her for missing a week of paying her tithe. She missed paying
her weekly tithe because she needed to pay a bill. I then asked
her if she had been having financial problems before she missed
a tithe. Her response was yes. Well, I attempted to explain to
her that maybe her problem was not missing a tithe but it was
in the way that she managed her finances. In this case she had
nothing to tithe because there was no increase left, (after pay-
ing her bills,) for her to be grateful for. I then tried explaining
to her that we do not serve a God who is sitting in heaven wait-
ing for us to mess up or miss a tithe so that He can punish us.
That is just not God’s character. The God that I serve has more
than enough grace and mercy which gives us sufficient time to
repent when necessary. II Corinthians 12:9 says, “And he said
unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made
perfect in weakness”. However, a missed tithe does not call for
repentance. God loves us too much and He definitely does not
want us debating over whether we should give to Him by way
of the church (who is more than likely already abundantly
blessed). God desires that His children live blessed worry free
lives. So when you have just gotten paid and your check is
enough to take care of your basic necessities and leave you with
enough to get by on until next payday, what do you do? Is it
God’s will that you be evicted or your lights be turned off for
the sake of tithing? Of course not! God is a good God who
desires that we live in abundance. He sent His son for our well

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 Paula Brooks

being. Jesus said in John 10:10b “I am come that you might

have life, and that you might have it more abundantly”. Yet
leaders have taught and are still teaching that Christians are to
give of the little that they may have in order to receive a harvest
from God. The cliché in many churches is “A seed will meet
any need”. True! But, Should the seed be considered a tithe?
While part of God’s system is based on sowing and reaping,
should a seed always consist of money? The truth concerning
sowing and reaping is: if you want apples you should plant
apple seed. So if you want money, plant money. (Be it to your
pastor, the needy, a friend, etc), but sow in love. Whenever
God sows a seed He sows a seed of love. When God sent Jesus
into the world as a seed, that seed was sown in love. When
God sowed His only begotten Son as a seed to die for our sins,
His harvest was great. God is continuously harvesting more
sons and daughters because of that one seed. When it comes to
sowing seed we should sow according to our desired or ex-
pected harvest. Be not deceived by Galatians 6:7 which says
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man
soweth, that shall he also reap”. Study to get a clear under-
standing of what this verse is saying. First of all, this scripture
is talking about the way that we treat others. Secondly, it is
definitely not talking about sowing a seed while in need in or-
der that your need be met. We should never give tithes because
of a need. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says “Every man as he purposeth
in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or ‘of necessity’: for
God loveth a cheerful giver”. So more than anything; because
God is love, He desires us to be representatives of His love.
Anything that we give to others or do for others should be done
in the spirit of love. When our giving is motivated by love, God
responds to our giving. Although, sowing and reaping is a part
of God’s kingdom it is not always necessary for Christians to
give something monetary in order to be blessed of God. God
blesses us because He loves us, not because of what or how
much we give to Him. He owns everything, anyway. Isn’t that
good news?

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 Seven

God Gives

When God blessed Abraham, He did not bless Abraham

according to what Abraham had physically given to Him. God
blessed Abraham because He knew that Abraham’s heart was
right. As with David, God knew that David had a heart of
love. It has been quoted that “David was a man after God’s
own heart”. He was a man who desired to have the Love that
God has. In his search for the God kind of Love, he was
favored of God and God blessed him. David was a mere shep-
herd boy. He had nothing to give to God other than his father’s
sheep and his pure heart. Because David’s heart was pure
toward God and man, God blessed him. So you see, there’s
nothing that we can give God except our hearts filled with
love. That is what God really wants from us. David’s son
Solomon was also blessed of God. God blessed Solomon to
be the richest man who ever lived. Solomon was not blessed
as a result of a fleece that he petitioned God with. God blessed

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 Tithing?

Solomon because he had a heart that desired to govern God’s

people, God’s way. Solomon asked God for wisdom to gov-
ern God’s people. God granted Solomon the wisdom but,
because of Solomon’s love for people, God gave him great
wealth also.
We can not bring money or any other material possession
to the gates of heaven and expect to get in. However, we are
guaranteed entrance into heaven with a heart filled with
Agape. That is Good News.
Isn’t it “Good News” to know that we are no longer under
the curse of the law; and that tithing is a choice we make to
show God appreciation not a commandment? Galatians 3:13
says, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law…”
Tithing is not a part of the covenant between God and the
New Testament believer.
When someone presents a gift to another person the re-
ceiver of that gift has a choice whether or not they want to
show appreciation. Under the Old Testament law people were
required to bring firstfruits, tithes, and sacrificial offerings
to the priest to be burned on God’s alter, according to the
book of Leviticus. Tithing was a vital part of God’s Old Cov-
enant system. However, for those of us who are blessed,
tithing should be an important part of our lives today also.
Yet, because of the liberty that Christ granted us, it is no
longer a requirement, it is a choice. Galatians 5:1 says,
“Standfast therefore in the liberty…” According to Old Tes-
tament laws, if requirements weren’t fulfilled by a person, a
curse would then be placed upon the disobedient person’s
life and the lives of their family members and their decendants.
But glory be to God, for Galatians 3:13 tells us “Christ hath
redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for
us: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a
tree…” The word of God tells us as New Testament believ-
ers that if we attempt to operate in any part of the law we are
obligated to fulfil the whole law or be under the curse of the
law. Galatians 5:3,4 says, “For I testify again to every man
that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4)

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 Paula Brooks

Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are

justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” I would rather
accept redemption from the law, as Christ has granted it to
me and live in His grace. Now we must understand that,
when a person tithes or gives offerings it does not make them
a part of the law, as long as they are giving cheerfully and
willingly and in love. However, when one feels obligated to
tithe or give they are bound by that obligation. They are
placing themselves under the law. God’s anointed word does
not put yokes of bondage upon people and an obligation or
burdening requirement is a yoke. Whether you believe what
I am sharing with you or not, you know that it is definitely
“Good News” and Good News is God’s Gospel.
We all as Christians need to study the Word of God for
ourselves, whether we are babes in Christ or full grown Chris-
tians. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to divide the Word of
Truth accurately for us and give us understanding of God’s
holy written Word. Instead, we have been hearing and heed-
ing what others have told us concerning God’s Word.
Therefore, when Christians, myself included, have attempted
to read (not study) the Word of God on their own they only
comprehend what they have heard. 2 Timothy 2:15 says
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of
Truth”. When you allow the Holy Spirit to teach you during
your study time in the Word, you will be able to rightly di-
vide the Word of Truth. The bible simply states in 1 John
2:27 “But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth
in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the
same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is TRUTH,
and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in
Him”. Again in John 14:26 The Word of God says “But the
Comforter whom the Father will send in My name, He shall
teach you ‘all things’… Is the Word of God saying that we do
not need pastors, teachers, and spiritual leaders? By no means
is that being said! The fivefold ministry gifts were given to
the Body of Christ by God. So each and every one of them

39
 Tithing?

are assets to the Body. However, in an effort to share Truth

many men and women of God in leadership positions may
have lost focus, unawares. I trust that many of today’s lead-
ers sincerely believe that they are ministering God’s desired
instructions for His people. Most of the church has gotten
so focused on attaining prosperity and trying to see the mani-
fested results of God’s blessings, they are missing the Truth
of what God’s Word says. God’s desire is that we walk in His
Agape love. Only then does He assure us that we can have
the desires of our hearts. Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight thyself
also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine
heart”. To delight ourselves in the Lord is to enjoy walking
in love with ourselves and mankind. For the Lord is love.
Once we receive our desired increase from God, God’s desire
is that we reverence Him with tithes.
We as Christians have to remember that we can not buy a
blessing from God. Blessings only come through and as a
result of walking in His love. We do not owe God any money
and we do not have to give God any money in order to be
blessed by Him. If you are receiving these Truths, take a
minute to praise His holy name for this Good News. This is
Gospel! Hallelujah! Jesus said the Spirit of the Lord, which
is the Spirit of Love, gave Him the anointing to preach good
news; which in turn would cause people to be healed, relieve
the worries and frustration of the poor, give deliverance to
captives and give sight to physically and spiritually blind
people, and give liberty or freedom to those in bondage. Those
are my God given intentions for sharing with the world what
the Holy Spirit has shared with me, through this book. More
than anything else, I desire and expect this book to change
the hearts and minds of many believers. I pray that the anoint-
ing will open the eyes of many who are spiritually blind, set
captives free and impart the Spirit of liberty to the Body of
Christ, just as Christ did.
The Body of Christ is not living in the victory that Jesus has
given to us in his death, burial and resurrection. Victory is a
result of Truth accepted and acknowledged. The Truth is God’s

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 Paula Brooks

Word taught by the Holy Spirit. Pastors, teachers, and spiritual

leaders have a mandate to teach the Gospel, by inspiration of
the Holy Ghost. Jesus said in Mark 16:15a… “Go ye into all the
world, and preach the gospel to every creature”. This Gospel
that Jesus spoke of was Good News of liberty. Leaders are go-
ing out into the world teaching and preaching prosperity
messages. Nothing is wrong with this. Matter of fact, these
messages are giving financial liberty and freedom to most. How-
ever, some of these messages are placing people in financial
bondage. People are either not applying the message that they
are being taught properly or the messenger is not delivering
the message properly. Learning how to stand fast and function
in our God given authority keeps us mindful that we MUST
walk in LOVE. In some churches, the message of God’s love is
being ignored. While Love is the only way to God’s prosperity,
messengers are not sharing this truth. Instead, teachers are
teaching that God will prosper people through their giving of
tithes and offerings. According to scripture, God will definitely
prosper a person when they give under the motivation of love.
The factor of giving cheerfully, through love is not being stressed
enough. The only thing I recall being taught in reference to
giving cheerfully was to shout, cheer, and put on a big happy
face when it was tithes and offering time. Well that did not get
me anywhere near God’s prosperity; and it will not do any-
thing for you either. God knows our hearts and regardless to
how we may fix our faces or how loudly we may shout, if we
give outside of the loving and willing intents of our hearts then
our giving is in vain. Many are teaching these, so called, pros-
perity messages because they are seeing great financial results,
in their own lives. They are, being set free financially. But what
about the Body of Christ who they are preaching to? Why is it
taking so long for laymen to see these obviously astonishing
results? Some of these prosperity messages that are being taught
today are actually making the Word of God of none affect in
the lives of New Testament believers. Galatians 3:17 tells us
plainly that the law which came 400 years after the promise,
can not make the promise of God ineffective in the lives of be-

41
 Tithing?

lievers today. So whenever someone says that you are not be-
ing blessed because you are not a tither, it is not true, according
to scripture. The Word of God tells us that we are now living
under God’s grace, not under the law. Tithing is a choice to
bless God for His goodness, not a commandment.
As I mentioned before, apostles, prophets, evangelists, pas-
tors and teachers are all vital to the Body of Christ. Their jobs
as spiritual leaders of God’s church, is to exort, edify and com-
fort the Body of Christ. Some who have been given the position
to shepherd God’s sheep believe that they have a right to dic-
tate to the sheep. But God has already instructed the sheep as
to how to live, by way of the bible. The shepherd’s job is simply
to lovingly instruct, direct, watch over and care for the sheep.
Paul explains the position of shepherds in 2 Corinthians 10:8
when he says, “For though I should boast somewhat more of
our authority, which the Lord hath given us for “edification”,
and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed”. Those
are the words of Paul. He knew his position as a leader was to
encourage believers. When Christians are encouraged in the
Word of the Lord it is a fact that, they will give willingly and
cheerfully. As a result God can bless His people, abundantly. 2
Corinthians 9:7 says, “God loveth a cheerful giver. Revelation
is: God loves a sincerely, cheerful giver. As I have said before, I
have been a part of a church congregation who trains its mem-
bers to cheer and shout, as if excited, during the tithes and
offerings period. This does not fool God. Remember, God
knows the heart of man. 1 Samuel 16:7…for the Lord seeth
not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance,
but the Lord looketh on the heart. Good News (Gospel) con-
cerning giving is to know that we do not have to give a fake
cheer, shout or dance in order for God to move on our behalf.
The Good News is knowing that God loves each and every one
of us regardless of our giving. God does not love us any less
than those leaders who seem to be blessed, abundantly. Wake
Up!!! Body of Christ, open your eyes in Jesus’ name. Ask the
Holy Spirit to remove the blinders from your spiritual eyes, that
you may see clearly. 2 Corinthians 3:14 “But their minds were

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 Paula Brooks

blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil taken away
in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in
Christ.” Ask the Holy Spirit to remove the spiritual plugs from
your ears so that you can hear clearly what God is trying to say
to you concerning His will to prosper you. Leaders should not
be the only Christians who are prospering. God does not repect
them anymore than He respects us because they have been
called. He loves us all the same.

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 Eight

Try the Spirit...

Romans 2:11 “For there is no respect of persons with

God”. If you recall, when the Israelites came out of Egypt,
they all came out. God did not only deliver Moses and his
immediate family members. He delivered them all. Not only,
did God deliver them but, it was recorded that they all left
with spoil (riches), and there was not one feeble one among
them, Psalm 105:3. We all have wondered, some time or other,
why we are not being blessed as some leaders are; especially
when we are doing all that they are instructing us to do and
giving all that they are telling us to give. Question is, while
we are following their instructions are we following God’s
instructions? Why are men in authority being blessed when
the laymen are not? What are the laymen doing so wrong
that the leaders are doing so right?! For one, we are failing to
study the Gospel of the kingdom of God for ourselves. God
says in Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowl-

45
 Tithing?

edge…” We who are Christians need to know that when

God delivered His people from the land of Egypt, He deliv-
ered them all at one time. It’s not His way to deliver some of
His people and then wait to deliver the rest. God is too big
and powerful for that. He would never deliver the teachers
of His Word first, in an effort to show the people how good
He can be. No, God is Good and He wants us to bear witness
of His goodness. His grace is sufficient for each and every
one of us who is willing to follow His leading. God always
makes provision for all of His people who are obedient to
experience His grace. Isn’t that Good News? When God
blessed Abraham, Lot received a blessing also. He was blessed
just because he was with Abraham. I do not believe that God
will bless one person and leave the person who is with them
out. That doesn’t sound just. Our God is definitely a just
God. When there are others present when God wants to bless
a particular person, He blesses the whole flock. God does
not desire to provoke any one to jealousy. Now as an excep-
tion God will bless us in the presence of our enemies without
blessing them. Psalm 23:5 says, “Thou preparest a table be-
fore me in the presence of mine enemies.” When Jesus walked
the earth with His disciples following, whatever He ate they
ate, also. He never said I should have more because I am the
leader. When it was time to pay taxes; He didn’t pay taxes
for Himself, alone. Jesus told Simon to get the money out of
the fish mouth and pay tribute for the both of them. Mat-
thew 17:24-27 And when they were come to Capernaum, they
that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not
your master pay tribute? 25 He saith Yes. And when he was
come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What
thinkest thou, Simon? Of whom do the kings of the earth
take custom or tribute? Of their own children, or of strang-
ers? 26 Peter saith unto Him, of strangers. Jesus saith unto
him, Then are the children free. 27 Notwithstanding, lest we
should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook,
and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast
opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take,

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 Paula Brooks

and give unto them for me and thee. So you see, it’s not a
part of God’s plan for leaders in His church to prosper and
live debt free while the sheep of God’s flock live in lack when
they are faithfully and consistently paying tithes and offer-
ings. God would not be the God that the bible describes Him
as if this was so. Let us receive the “Good News” of God’s
Word into our hearts and minds. God is a good God and His
Word is full of Good News. I for one do not want to leave
this earth and go to heaven without first experiencing His
goodness here on earth. Matthew 6:10b “Thy will be done in
earth, as it is in heaven”.
The good God and Father that I have come to know as “El
Shaddai” does not desire that we live in lack and insufficiency
on this earth. God’s Word also tells us that He does not de-
sire that we worry about anything. God is pleased when we
prosper. Psalm 35:27 says “Let them shout for joy, and be
glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say con-
tinually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in
the prosperity of His servant”. 3 John 2 says, “Beloved, I
wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in
health, even as thy soul prospereth”. So do you actually be-
lieve that God wants His children to suffer and live in lack
and insufficiency? By no means does He want that, not even,
for a little while. God’s Word tells us the exact opposite.
The Gospel of the kingdom of God is saturated with the
anointed truth. Jesus said so in Luke 4:18. “The Spirit of
the Lord is upon me because He hath anointed me to preach
the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the broken-
hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering
of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised”.
Believers need to be able to distinguish whether what they
have been hearing is God’s anointed Gospel. They will only
have this ability, to distinguish God’s Gospel, as they study
and receive God’s Word as the Holy Ghost teaches them. The
Gospel of the kingdom of God manifests the Truth concern-
ing God’s unconditional love for us. The Gospel would inform
and assure Christians that God is not in pursuit to get our

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money and whatever other material possessions, that He can

get from us. God’s gospel tells Christians that God wants to
forever bless all of us. God would never measure what He
gives us based on what we give to Him. When God gave
Jesus to die for our sins, He didn’t do it based on what hu-
mans had given Him. The bible says in Romans 5:8 “But God
commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us”. God blesses His children as He
chooses to bless. It has been said and believed by men and
women of God that God blesses according to what we give to
Him. This is not so. God’s Word says in John 3:22, 23 “And
this is His commandment, that we should believe on the name
of His son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us
commandment. 22 And whatever we ask, we receive of Him,
because we keep His commandments, and do those things
that are pleasing in His sight”. So you see, the command-
ment that God has given us has nothing to do with giving
finances to Him or His Kingdom. God’s new commandment
is that we love one another. The Word of God tells us when
we fulfil the commandments of love, we have fulfilled all the
other commandments. Romans 13:8 says, “Owe no man any
thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath
fulfilled the law.” That’s Good News! Once those who claim
Christianity begin to truly, believe on the name of Jesus, and
walk in God’s Agape love, it is a definite fact that believers
will sow abundantly because their hearts will be towards God.
At that time believers will reap true prosperity. Luke 6:38
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed
down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give
into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete
withal it shall be measured to you again.” Only after a person
walks according to God’s will and in His love, will they be
able to give cheerfully. Believers will give freely and in love
because the Gospel gives liberty. There is no pressure or
stress attached to the gospel.

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 Nine

Being Spiritually Motivated

God is love, and His desire is that we love one another

and provide for one another’s needs in love, as the early church
lived in the book of Acts. When we give aside from love, our
giving is in vain. Many times I have given to churches and
people because my emotions were stirred. Well, I have learned
that my emotion is an element of my soul. My soul and my
heart are two different entities. My heart is my spirit, which
is separate from my soul. In church we learn to distinguish
the difference between our mind and our heart; but, little
attention is given to learning to understand when we are be-
ing motivated by our heart or our emotion. We need to
recognize when we are acting in accord with our mind (what
we think is right), our will (what we want to do), our emo-
tion (what excites us), or our spirit or heart (what is right in
God’s eyes, what God desires us to do, and what excites God).
When Christians begin to understand God’s will and give

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according to the liberty that the Gospel of Christ supplies,

we will then begin to see the manifested promises of God in
our lives. Then and only then will God be pleased because of
the prosperity of the Body of Christ.
There is Good News concerning tithes and offerings. “God
loveth a cheerful giver”, 2 Corinthians 9:7.
Some less fortunate Christians may wonder how can they
get to the point of being cheerful about giving, when they
don’t have anything to give? Well God does have a solution
for this. We must first understand that Paul was not only
referring to money or material things; when he spoke of God
loving a cheerful giver. God has given each and every person
that He created, a gift. Many believers are gifted with a smile
to brighten someone’s day or a word of encouragement, we
all have something to cheerfully give of ourselves. Whether
we give money or an encouraging word, the fact still remains
that God loves a cheerful giver. God would never condemn
anyone for not giving tithes, offerings, nor any other circum-
stance, especially if the person can not give with a willing,
loving heart. He definitely doesn’t condemn us for not pay-
ing tithes and offerings. However, it is selfish to receive a
blessing from God and not give Him, thanks. God accepts thanks
in the form of tithe. But He still would not condemn anyone if
they chose not to show Him appreciation. It is really a personal
choice. Our gratefulness and OUR pure hearts should prompt
us to give tithes and offerings, to God. When we show appre-
ciation to others, they would be more apt to bless us again. God
is the same way. God loves praise and thanksgiving. When we
thank Him with the tithe, He is sure to reciprocate our giving.
Since God does not condemn anyone, it is a wonder why
some pastors judge a person’s membership according to
whether or not a believer pays tithes or give offerings. Some of
them are even bold enough to tell their congregation that if
they do not tithe, they are not really members of the church. A
statement like this can be discouraging and cause people to not
attend church anymore. On the other hand, a statement like
this can prompt a person to give tithes and offerings grudg-

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 Paula Brooks

ingly in an effort to maintain their membership and be in right

standing with the pastor. Well, it is Good News to know that
God does not cast anyone away because of money or anything
else for that matter. God does not condemn us. He is just not
in the condemning business.
It was Good News when Jesus told His disciples, “See
that ye love one another, then shall they know that you are
my disciples”. That Word was Good News then and it is still
Good News today. This proves that our status as Christians
is not based on tithing but our status is based on the Agape
love, being shed abroad in our hearts toward God and our
fellowman. Now that sounds like some Good News.
Once Christians hear, receive, believe and hearken to the
Truth of the Gospel of Christ, the anointing will be so present
in the earth that this world won’t be able to contain the Body
of Christ. I believe that this is when Jesus will return for His
perfect church, without spot or wrinkle. He did say that He
would return when the Gospel (GOOD NEWS) is preached
to the ends of the earth.

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 Ten

Misconceptions About God’s

Word

Since, most people enjoy listening to messages that feed

their emotions, rather than messages that are good food for
the spirit; there are many misconceptions of God’s Word that
are being believed by the Body of Christ. We have for so
long, ignorantly, believed messages that sound good from
the pulpits. Many of these messages are either untruths or
half truths. Much of what is being taught is according to
God’s Word, however, believers still need to study for them-
selves to let the Word of God confirm what they are hearing
before they receive it. Problem is, believers do not make time
to thoroughly study.
One misconception that has saturated the body of Christ is
the fear that God is a strict, harsh Father who is sitting in heaven
on His throne waiting for us to mess up. It is not exactly taught
that way but the results of disobedience, is being taught almost
every Sunday in one church or another. While these condemn-

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ing messages are being taught, they are contradicted by the truth
about God. The Word of God describes God as Love and the
Bible informs us that God changes not. Malachi 3:6 For I am
the Lord, I change not.Yet contrariwise, they continue to teach
the truth that Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the
law, according to Galatians 3:13. Although confusing, many
who are saved believe both of these conflicting messages, in-
stead of, just believing the truth that Christ did not die in vain
and He really did redeem us. The Old Testament men and
women of God were to operate according to the law and they
did reap a blessing for obedience and a curse for disobedience.
We now operate under a new and better covenant. Under the
New Testament though, we are under the grace of God because
of the Blood of Jesus.
Because so much unintentional condemnation is being
preached, the children of God are actually afraid of God. The
bible according to 1 Peter 2:17 does tell us to fear God. 1
Peter 2:17 says, “Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear
God. Honor the king”. The fear that we are instructed to
have is a term that represents respect. Why would the Word
of God say that God has not given us the spirit of fear (2
Timothy 1:7) if He wants us to be afraid of Him? We must
not ever forget that God is a Spirit of love and His desire that
we live in His love. 1 John 4:18 says “There is no fear in love;
but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.
He that feareth is not made perfect in love”. To be afraid of
God is torment. God does not desire that his children live in
torment. Many are tormenting themselves when it comes to
tithe. I have known people who would pay tithes even when
they really could not afford to tithe. When Christians learn to
tithe properly, according to scripture, the tithe will always be
able to be afforded. The message in the church that motivates
this ignorant type of action is, “When you think that you can
not afford to pay tithes, the truth is that you can not afford not
to pay tithes”. This statement is ludicrous. Yet, as a result
believers will pay tithes and allow their bills and necessities to
go undone. Many Christians will even pay their tithes then

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borrow money to purchase their necessities. God is not pleased

with your payment. There is no way you are cheerful about
giving tithe when your bills are delinquent. This type of behav-
ior is torment and self neglect. Tithing should never cause a
person to neglect themselves of necessities. Nor does a tithe
constitute neglect of ones desires. Tithing should be done as a
direct result of being blessed. A tithe given to God is actually
the excess that He has blessed you with. It is a misrepresenta-
tion of the Body of Christ for a Christian to not be able to take
care of their financial needs for the sake of tithing. What kind
of God are we serving? We need to wonder are we serving a
loving God or are we serving the greed of man. When we truly
understand the God that we serve we will know that as His
Word states: “…My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength
is made perfect in weakness”. We are now living under God’s
grace; so, stop tormenting yourself. Also Romans 2:4 informs
us that God is rich in goodness, forbearance and long suffering;
and that God’s goodness toward human beings leads them to
repentance. We should not take this verse for granted, but we
need to accept the fact that when we mess up or fail to pay
tithes God will not automatically punish us. His grace gives us
time to repent. However, failure to pay tithes is not a sin that
needs to be repented. Remember, tithing is a means of giving
thanks to God for His goodness. Every Christian who has the
love of God operating in their lives and has defeated the spirit
of greed will have a desire to tithe as a result of being blessed of
God. Tithing is not a requirement.
God is a Spirit being and the bible tells us that in addition to
being a Spirit, God is Love. In essence, God is a Spirit of Love
(AGAPE).
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 tells us of God’s AGAPE character. In
these verses I will substitute the word “charity” with the word
“love” so that the reader will get a better understanding. 1
Corinthians 13:4-8 says, “Love suffereth long, and is kind; love
envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5) Doth
not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily
provoked, thinketh no evil; 6) Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but

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 Tithing?

rejoiceth in the truth; 7) Beareth all things, believeth all things,

hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8) Love never faileth: but
whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whethere there be
tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall
vanish away”. These verses illustrate the love that God is and
that He desires us to live and operate in. God wants His chil-
dren to be imitators of His Son, Jesus Christ. The first book of
Corinthians chapter13 defines precisely how believers can imi-
tate Christ. 1 Corinthians chapter 13 defines who God is. God
is AGAPE. The biblical description of what a life of love should
consist of says nothing about tithing. Neither does the bible say
anything about us proving our love to God by tithing. It does
say that God will know of our love for Him when we have love
for the brethren (1 John 5:2). It is God’s will that our total
beings: spirit, mind, and body be saturated by the love described
in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Once Christians get it in their spirits to
let Love lead them, wisdom and knowledge of the truth and
the Word and how to handle the situations of life will be inevi-
table. When believers allow Love to be their motivating force
they will not be able to be so easily deceived.
Now to help you better understand God’s will concerning
the tithe; let me begin by saying that God is concerned about
your tithe. When God blesses us He looks forward to us giving
Him thanks by means of tithing. We all would like for people
to show us appreciation when we do something nice for them.
God loves for us to tithe in appreciation for His blessings but
when we give thanks to Him, in the form of tithing, we should
do it cheerfully or with a true heart of appreciation. Otherwise,
our tithe, is not acknowledged by God. When tithes are given
cheerfully and willingly, God will reciprocate every tenth given
the cycle just keeps going on and on. If I presented someone
with a gift and the person grudgingly gave me a thank you
card, I would not want it. This is the same way that God feels.
God will not punish you, but He will not honor your gift, ei-
ther. God does not punish His children (common
misconception). He does chastise us when we do wrong though.
Know that when God chastises us He does it in love and His

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chastisements are not grievous. They are intended only to cor-

rect us. With that being said, let us get back to understanding
tithes. Tithing is an act of giving back to God ten percent of the
abundance that He has given to us. We should never tithe as a
petition to get something from God. Tithing in an effort to
receive something from God is not biblical. Biblical examples
of the Old Testament show that tithing was a result of being
blessed abundantly by God. Tithing was never a prerequisite
to being abundantly blessed by God. Christians sow seed in
order to receive a harvest.
Because God is love, we should never misunderstand that
God is sitting on His throne waiting for us to miss a tithe or
mess up spiritually in order to punish us or show us His
wrath. His job is not to punish anyone. His love would not
allow Him to chastise us with punishment. When trials are
present in the lives of believers it should never be mistaken
as an act of punishment by God for something that we did
or did not do. The bible clearly states that trials will come. 1
Peter 4:12 says, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning
the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange
thing happened unto you: 13) But rejoice, inasmuch as ye
are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when His glory shall
be revealed, ye may be glad with exceeding joy”. So you see,
once you have accepted Christ into your life, trials do not
come as a result of what you have done wrong, they come as
a result of your decision to receive Christ along with His
sufferings. Just as, no loving parent wants their children to
suffer, neither does God want His children to suffer. My
husband would always ask, “Why would God be so quick to
curse us when we do something wrong and He takes His
time to bless us when we do something good”. The truth is
God does not operate this way at all. The only thing God
knows how to do is bless. He chastises in love but He does
not curse His children. Evil comes from the enemy. When
bad things happen in our lives it is always caused by the

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 Tithing?

enemy of God. We must remember though that “ALL

THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD, TO THEM THAT
LOVE GOD”.

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 Eleven

Exposition of Malachi

Leaders in the church world today often use Malachi 3 as a

tool to manipulate believers to pay tithes to their local church.
This misconception is like an ever spreading ulcer, that has got-
ten into the minds of saints. Leaders also use Malachi 3 to make
people believe that tithing is a way to get blessings from God.
Tithing is not a means to get blessings from God. Tithing is the
believer’s way of blessing God for His manifested blessings.
If believers would take some time to study the entire book
of Malachi (there are only four chapters) and allow the Holy
Spirit to minister to their spirit they will find that the book of
Malachi, in it’s entirety was written to the priests. The priests
in today’s churches would be considered pastors. Only through
prayer, study and submission to the Holy Spirit as He rightly
divides the Word of truth, can the mystery of this book be re-

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 Tithing?

vealed. Do not just accept my explanation of the book of

Malachi; but, pray, study and allow the Holy Spirit to teach
you.
In my personal study of Malachi, I noticed that the first two
chapters noted exactly who God sent the prophet to prophecy
to (Malachi 1:6,7 and Malachi 2:1). Malachi 1:6,7 says, “A son
honoreth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a Fa-
ther, where is mine honor? And if I be a master, where is my
fear? Saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O Priests, that despise
my name. And ye say, ‘Wherein have we despised thy name?”
7) Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say ‘Wherein
have we polluted thee?’ In that ye say, ‘the table of the Lord is
contemptible’”. Malachi 2:1 says, “And now, O ye priests, this
commandment is for you.” My question to God was “Father,
why would you begin this book by talking to the priest and
then direct chapter 3 to the people”. In response to my ques-
tion the Holy Spirit reminded me of how the church in the
Old Testament operated. In the Old Testament the king, the
priest and the prophet were the only three people allowed to
enter into the temple of God. So when God said in Malachi
3:10 “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse…” He had to
be referring to one of the three. God did not send the mes-
sage of Malachi, the prophet, to laymen. If an ordinary laymen,
attempted to enter the temple they would have instantly fallen
dead. Think about it, if God was directing this statement to the
people I believe He would have worded it something like this,
“Bring all the tithes to the priest that he may bring it into the
storehouse”. Think about it. According to this revealed truth
the people were bringing their tithes to the priest, just as we
bring our tithes and offerings to church today. However, the
priests were failing to bring ALL the tithes to the storehouse.
They were keeping the tithes and offerings for themselves and
giving God the portion that they did not want. Actually, it was
the priests who were robbing God of the tithes and offerings.
We must think about this subject realistically. These were mil-
lions of people dwelling in the Promise Land. Do you actually
believe that not one of these people were giving tithes to God?

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There had to be some true followers of God amongst them who

were faithfully giving their tithes. However, according to Malachi
3:8 the person appointed to bring the tithes and offerings into
the storehouse was the one who was robbing God. That is a
revelation that only the Holy Spirit can give! PRAY AND
STUDY!
Leaders have insisted that the book of Malachi was directed
toward the laymen. They say that believers rob God when they
do not pay tithes. This is totally untrue. That is not what God’s
Word was saying. Let us take a look at the definition of a rob-
bery. A robbery occurs when someone enters a home, bank, or
facility containing goods that do not belong to them and takes
the goods, illegally. Yet, when a person walks into a bank and
fails to make a deposit that does no mean that they have robbed
the bank. That would not be considered robbery. So why do
we consider it robbery when a believer goes into a church and
does not pay tithes or give offerings? The definition of a rob-
bery is still the same when pertaining to the church. Because a
believer goes to church and does not give a tithe they should
not be considered robbing God. Relatively, because someone
goes to church and rightfully receives the Word (comparison to
a withdrawal from a bank) and leaves the church without giv-
ing a tithe or offering, this person still has not robbed God.
However, if someone goes into the church treasury and takes
money that doesn’t belong to them that would be considered
robbery. Or if someone goes into the church’s treasury to pur-
chase themselves a luxury car or two, a mansion or some other
type of selfish material gain that exceeds the amount of their
salary, that is considered robbery. Even when leaders organize
a fund for the Glory of God and do not use all of the collected
funds for that particular purpose; but use some or maybe all of
it selfishly, it is considered robbing God. So who is actually
robbing God? Do not be too quick to answer that question,
but, take a look at the churches of today and notice who is
living in excess and ask yourself and the Holy Spirit, why is it
that way. Then pray and study the book of Malachi for your-
self. Ask God questions if you do not understand something

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 Tithing?

and He will make it plain for you. Because of what we have

been taught we tend to believe that if we hear a simple answer
from God, it can not be God. But, God meets us at our level of
understanding. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let
him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth
not; and it shall be given him”.
God says in Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack
of knowledge”. Misconceptions are results of unlearned
knowledge. Without knowledge people do not have an un-
derstanding of what is truth. Thus, someone can tell them
anything and they will believe it.
Children of God, we must be aware that what the bible says
is true about false prophets. False prophets are as real as the
bible says that they are and they are present in our world at this
time. We can not ignore Jude 4 “For there are certain men
crept in unawares, who were before of old “ordained to this
condemnation”, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God
into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our
Lord Jesus Christ”. Do not be ignorant concerning God’s Word.
To deny God and Christ does not mean to verbally say that
they are not real or that one does not believe in them. A person
can claim to be a Christian, in an effort to deceive true believ-
ers. So, They continue to have mean and deceptive hearts while
claiming to serve God. This is a form of denying Christ. Also
to deny the love that God and Christ are, is to deny Christ. To
deny God and Christ is to live a life outside the will of God. We
all know people who claim to be saved and yet their hearts are
stone cold. Their hearts are actually far from God. These people
are present in the church today in the form of laymen, choir
members, deacons, pastors, etc. Their hearts are far from God.
There are also those that display themselves to have a loving
heart but inwardly they have selfish motives. Matthew 7:15
says, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s
clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves”. These are
the people who are dominating most churches. Don’t be fooled.
Meditate on 2 Corinthians 11:19,20 “For ye suffer fools gladly,
seeing ye yourselves are wise. 20) For ye suffer, if a man bring

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you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if

a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face”. I was once
a member of a church where the pastor stood in the foolish
authority described here in this scripture. I call this foolish
authority because we all have to stand before God and give an
account of our actions. One has to be a fool to abuse God’s
children. He devoured the entire congregation. This man would
take of the congregation and feed himself and his family with
the congregations tithes and offerings. They would suffer this
type of treatment with a fake smile; considering this type of
torment, submission to God given authority. As I read 2
Corinthians 11:19,20 I realized that this is what is going on in
many churches today. I am a witness that the doctrine of lead-
ers is placing people in bondage, and they are devouring the
congregation and taking what these poor people have and ex-
alting themselves while the people are ignorantly allowing it,
believing that they are being obedient to God. If you want to
obey God, read the Word, study the Word, get the Word of
God embedded in your heart. A false prophet will never liter-
ally tell his congregation that his doctrine is deceptive and
untrue. He will never, openly, acknowledge that he does not
love believers nor does he serve Jesus. No, his job is to deceive.
When a deceiver teaches the Word of God he will teach from
biblical texts to a degree where you will only believe the text his
way, not God’s way. Yet, he will get you to believe that his way
is God’s way. As I have said before, to deny Christ does not
only mean to boldly say that you don’t believe in Jesus as the
Christ. One way deceivers deny Christ is to deceptively ac-
knowledge the power that is in the name of Jesus while not
acknowledging the love that motivates the power to work, in
the name of Jesus. Nor do they allow the love of God to domi-
nate their lives. I have seen this several times in quite a few
leaders and Christians, alike. One particular church that a fam-
ily friend attended deceived them with the Word of God as
they taught it. They treated this friend of mine as if they really
loved her, yet when she missed a couple of church services, the
love disappeared; it was more like they despised her. I praise

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God that the love of God that is present in her life motivated
her to draw closer to God. She began to saturate herself more
and more with the Word of God. Usually this would cause one
to abandon God. Suprisingly, she told me that this cold treat-
ment came from the first family of the church. Behind the pulpit
it may seem that a leader is living and operating in AGAPE but
the bible says you shall know them by their fruit, not by their
words.
Spiritual fruit are not material possessions. Spiritual fruit
are described in Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
meekness, temperance: against such there is no law”. If you
are not a tither it is a rarity for a false pastor to happily dis-
play the fruit of the Spirit towards you. False prophets or
false pastors get offended when their members do not pay tithes
or give offerings. They act as if the tithe and offering belongs to
them, when the tithes and offerings really belong to God.
Many believers, mistake material possessions for spiritual
fruit. When we see a leader flourishing with material things we
instantly think that they are living in the will and blessings of
God. This is not always so. There are those false prophets/
pastors who are flourishing on account of their deceptions and
then there are those pastors and teachers that are blessed of
God because they allow the true spiritual fruitage of God to
operate in and through them. There are those leaders who are
faithful tithers and offering givers. As I mentioned earlier, God
is a reciprocator of tithes and offerings given to Him. The bible
does say that a man should live of the gospel that he preaches
(1 Corinthians 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they
which preach the gospel should live of the gospel). So, a leader
should be taken care of by his congregational offerings, as he
ministers the Word. But not to the extent where feeding the
minister causes the congregation to live in lack. Some leaders
manage to get over into gluttony while their members and the
Body of Christ feed their glutton desires as an act of submis-
sion. Contrary to what is going on throughout the Body of
Christ, God intended for pastors to take care of His sheep and

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make sure the needs of the less fortunate were met with the
tithe; according to Deuteronomy 26:12 which says, “When thou
hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the
third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto
the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they
may eat within thy gates, and be filled;”
To deny Christ is to proclaim that there is power in the giv-
ing of tithes and offerings. There is no power at all in the giving
of tithes and offerings outside of God’s love. Anything that we
do or give has to acknowledge the Spirit of Christ, which is
love.
Testimony: I must stop for a minute here to share some-
thing with you. Today, I went to a birthday party of a relative
of mine. While at the party my husband and I began talking
with an elderly lady who was a former attendee of church.
From her personal testimony it is definite that she knows
God for herself. She explained to my husband and I that
when she attended church in her younger days it did not cost
her anything to go and hear the Word of God. She then stated
that she does not attend church anymore because she can not
afford to. Although we instantly understood what she meant
by this statement, she proceeded to explain herself. She ex-
plained that church is too expensive. Meaning there are various
funds and church organizations requesting financial assistance.
She explained that she can not go and hear the Word without
someone, including the pastor, begging for money. This is why
she and many others do not attend anymore. Her relationship
with God is now the personal prayer time that she shares with
God. To separate herself from the church because of money
was a shame. Regardless of greed, God does not want us to
stop assembling ourselves with fellow believers. It is a shame
that people have commercialized the Word of God. It is a surety
that when you attend church an offering will be collected. Of-
ferings should be collected. The church has expenses that should
be cared for by the people of God. However, people of God
should not have to be coerced into giving of their lack or inabil-
ity. God loveth a cheerful giver. Many times when a believer

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does not or can not give, they are made to feel guilty. A guilty
conscience prompts them to give in spite of their lack of fi-
nances. Man has commercialized the church. He has made
church a business instead of a place of worship.
I just felt led to share that testimony with you. I have not
shared this to condemn anybody or to speak against the
churches of today. I pray that many will consider their ways
and repent. I believe God’s desire is for His people to know
the truth. The truth is: God is Love and we as Christians
ought to be representatives of that Love. Our tithes and of-
ferings do not represent the love of God that is present in our
lives. We represent God by our actions of love for fellow
humans. In order for leaders to represent the love that God
placed in them, they must first be honest and tell God’s chil-
dren the truth. My prayer is that God will use me as a vessel
to share His Gospel with the world through this book.
Whatever, you do, get the Truth. God wants His people
to know the Truth so that we as believers can live in the lib-
erty that Christ has provided. John 8:32 “And ye shall know
the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free”. I pray that as
you read this book which is based on God’s Biblical Truths,
you will feel the spiritual chains of bondage fall off. If you
are receiving this, you are being made free.
Now I also know that there will be those of you who would
not receive this message, if God Himself stepped off of the
throne and verbally told it to you. It was the bible scholars
in the Gospels, while Jesus walked the Earth, who perse-
cuted Jesus because of the Truth that he bore. So as a Christian
I know that I’m not exempt from what my Lord went through.
However, I am willing to suffer persecution for righteousness’
sake. I love the Body of Christ and because God has imparted
Truth concerning tithes and offerings, I feel commissioned to
share the Truth that I know with my fellow Saints in Christ.
Another misconception that is being placed in the minds of
believers everywhere is that tithing is the “covenant connec-
tor”. This is not biblical. Hebrews 12:24 says, “…Jesus the
mediator of the New Covenant…” Again, according to New

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Testament scriptures: (John 14:14, “If ye shall ask any thing in

my name I will do it”. John 15:16, “Ye have not chosen me, but
I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and
bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that what-
soever you shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it
you”. John 16:26, “At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I
say unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: 27) for the
Father Himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have
believed that I came out from God”.) It is through the name of
Jesus that we converse with God and get results. So as media-
tor- Jesus is our only covenant connector. The bible does not
give us reference that when we tithe we have access to God or
to His manifested blessings. Yet man’s interpretation is this: “as
believers tithe, they are fulfilling their part which connects them
to the covenant.” This in turn releases God to fulfil His part of
the covenant to bless them.
Because this untruth, “tithing is the covenant connec-
tor”, is what’s being taught in pulpits all over the world by
the majority of pastors, many believe that this is true. People
are vulnerable. People tend to agree with the majority. Well
I do not agree with the majority, I agree with the Truth in
God’s Word.
I must say it again, God is Love, and because Jesus is the
Son of God, Jesus is Love, also. As we pray in the name of
Jesus, Christians need to understand that Jesus’ name repre-
sents the Love that He is. We should not just conclude our
prayers with the name of Jesus. We ought to pray in the
spirit of what His name represents. What Jesus was saying
when He said to pray in His name is that we should pray in
the Spirit of Love. You may need the Holy Ghost to help you
grasp this truth; but, think about it, meditate on it and allow
the Holy Ghost to impart Truth to you. There is no other
way to pray in the name of Jesus other than in the Spirit of
Love. We can not verbally end our prayers in the name of Jesus
while our hearts are hard and expect results. Love is the only
way to enter into the manifested blessings of God. The Word
of God simply explains when we walk in Love (AGAPE) we

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can receive our desires from God. Psalm 37:4, “Delight thyself
also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine
heart”. The Word does not say, “According to your demonstra-
tion of heart through tithing, God will give you the desires of
your heart”.
Deuteronomy 8:18 is another scripture that the children of
God has been misinformed about. I would like to expound on
it for a minute. It says, “But thou shalt remember the Lord thy
God: for it is He that giveth thee the power to get wealth, that
‘He’ may establish ‘His covenant’ which He sware unto thy fa-
thers as it is this day”. God’s covenant is not for believers to
finance the Gospel in order to win souls into the Body of Christ.
His covenant is to bless His people to live abundant lives as they
conform to His ways. God’s ways are of love. We as Christians
fulfill our part of God’s covenant as we walk in love with oth-
ers. God was saying: “You should always remember Me when
you prosper: because it is Me who gives you the resources to
get wealth, that the promise that I swore to Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob will come into existence for you”. The promise that God
gave our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob did not have any-
thing to say about making His children prosperous in order to
fund the Gospel. We as Christians should fund the sharing of
the Gospel because of our love for God. God promised our
forefathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that He would prosper
them and their decendants. Establishing His covenant means
to fulfill His promise to prosper us. Establishing the covenant
is God’s job, not ours. God establishes His covenant by fulfill-
ing His promise to prosper us. He just does not want us to
forget about Him once the covenant has been established in our
lives. Do not forget about Him as far as giving Him thanks,
through tithing from His manifested promised blessings.
Many believers think that God’s covenant will be established as
we pour money into churches and evangelistic organizations to
fund the spreading of the gospel. The covenant (promise of
God) is established when we use the power that God has given
us and live in prosperity. God has given each of us some sort of
gift that we can use to get wealth, the wealth that He desires us

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to have. God would not be a good God, if He only wanted

spiritual leaders to live in prosperity while the job of laymen
was to fund the spread of the gospel from their insufficient
funds. God wants us to have all sufficiency so that our love will
motivate us to give tithes to Him of our manifested blessing,
take care of our churches and our pastors as they shepherd us.
My job as God’s messenger is to deliver the message of truth
to God’s people. I advise you to not only read this book but to
study the bible as you read this book. The bible and the Holy
Spirit are the only sources of Truth that we have in this Earth
realm, that can rid the Body of Christ of the misconceptions
that are deceiving many and causing God’s children to perish
spiritually, mentally, physically, and financially. Only when the
children of God allow the Holy Spirit to purge them of all learned
untruths and gets into the Word of God with the guidance of
the Holy Spirit will their lives be changed. Christians will then
be able to acknowledge the connection between them and God
by the true Covenant Connector (Jesus Christ) and receive
God’s power, which is love and God given talents, to get wealth.
God is not a complex being. Many have said that God is
not to be understood by man. This is not a true statement.
Many teach this because they themselves do not understand
God. Some teach this untruth because they do not want Chris-
tians to know the Truth. Jesus says in Mattheew 11:29 Take
my yoke upon you and learn of me. God wants His children
to know and understand Him and His way of doing things.
God is the Supreme Being; but, when you seek to know Him
you will find that He is right there waiting to be known of
you. Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowl-
edge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject
thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou has forgot-
ten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children”. Get to
know Him and His new commandment through His Word.
Proverbs 4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it
not; neither decline from the Words of My mouth.

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 Twelve

The Covenant Connector

It was once said to me by a very sincere Christian, that the

reason my husband and I were being blessed; were never harmed
by criminals, or never attacked by sickness or disease was be-
cause we were dedicated tithers. Because of this person’s status
as a believer, I am absolutely positive that this person believed
what he had said to me was the truth. And I believed it for a
while, myself. It was not until I opened the bible, asked the
Holy Spirit to teach me Truth and began to study the Word for
myself, that I learned that what this man had said to me was
and is not true. I began to study the subject of tithing inten-
sively. I found that there is no scriptural foundation for the
statement that he made. The bible says, “Seek and ye shall
find” and as I searched the Word of God for knowledge I cer-
tainly received the knowledge that I had been searching for. I
know that God is not through sharing His wisdom and His

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knowledge with me because God knows my heart yearns to

know more about Him. He knows that I have always searched
for His Truth, I had just been looking in the wrong places. I
have visited various churches and conferences, in search of God’s
Truth. All that while, I overlooked the fact that I had the Truth
with me all along: The Bible.
I am sure many good Christians have been taught and have
believed that tithing was the covenant connector. The man
who shared this theory with me had to have learned it from
someone else. Once, while in a church service I heard a pastor
tell this same statement to the congregation. I just hope that as
he taught this, he did it with a sincere heart of love for the
people. I pray that he and many others who are teaching this
are sincerely unaware of the Truth as told in God’s Word. This
is a lie that the deceiver has placed in the Body of Christ to
deceptively place believers in lack and bondage. 2 Peter 2:1
says, “But there were false prophets also among the people,
even as there shall be false -teachers among you, who privily
shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that
bought them (denying His gracefailing to proclaim His redemp-
tive grace)”… This verse means that false prophets will verbally
confess the Lord but will teach that there is power in other
sources, such as tithing.
What I had been taught is what I believed. I ignorantly
believed that the tithe was the covenant connector for most
of my church life, I thank God that I now have a Christian
life. Prayerfully, through study, I learned the Truth, that Jesus’
death and resurrection has everything to do with my being
connected to the covenant and the tithe has absolutely noth-
ing to do with my covenant connection to God. When Jesus
shed his blood for me and you, we as Christians were in-
stantly connected to the covenant. There is no greater price
that I or you can pay to connect ourselves to the covenant.
Jesus paid it all!

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The deceiver tells Christians that tithing is the covenant

connector in order to consistently get money from them. The
enemy knows that we want to be connected to God’s cov-
enant to prosper us. So, he uses our desire against us. John
10:10 says, “The thief cometh not but for to steal, to kill and
destroy…” This statement that Jesus made in John 10:10 was
not necessarily about the devil. The devil comes to devour you.
The bible also says in Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by
hearing, and hearing by the Word of God”. Since we have been
taught time and time again that the thief was the devil that is
what we’ve believed. When a man or woman stands in a posi-
tion that is supposed to represent God, many Christians
automatically believe everything that leaders say pertaining to
the scriptures. But God says that many false prophets shall come.
Could it be that we read about false prophets, yet we think that
they have not come into the world yet? Do we think that we
will be able to recognize them? Think again! Many are preach-
ing or teaching scriptures to the itching ears of believers. These
are false prophets. Instead of teaching God’s truth, they are
teaching the things that they know the people desire to hear.
They are teaching their own interpretations to seduce the Body
of Christ. Most of the reason why so many Christians are liv-
ing in lack and insufficiency is because they are believing
cunning, deceptive sermons and teachings of these false proph-
ets. People of God, please recognize that these messages are
bringing no results. False prophets and false teachers fill their
followers with a false sense of hope. Many believers who heed
to these teachings blame God when they do not see the mani-
festations of what these false teachers are teaching. I know
this to be true because this was my response in times past.
The truth is, believers have placed their faith in their giving of
tithes and offerings. Faith has been placed in a false covenant
connector. Tithing is not the covenant connector. Jesus Christ
with His blood is the God appointed Covenant Connector.
The book of Hebrews confirms this Truth in various chapters.
Hebrews 8:6 “But now hath He (Jesus) obtained a more
excellent ministry, by how much also He (Jesus) is ‘mediator’ of
a better covenant, which is established upon better promises”.

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Hebrews 10:9 “Of how much sorer punishment, suppose

ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot
the Son of God, and hath counted ‘the blood of the covenant’,
wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done
despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Hebrews 13:20 “Now the God of peace, that brought again
from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,
through ‘the blood of the everlasting covenant”.
Hebrews 13:21 “Make you perfect in every good work to
do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His
sight, ‘through Jesus Christ’, to whom be glory forever and
ever, Amen.
I advise every reader of this book to study these scrip-
tures and believe God as He reveals to you who the True
Covenant Connector is. Share your knowledge with others.
God wants His people to know the truth, according to scrip-
ture for the truth will set you free. John 8:32 “And ye shall
know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you ‘free’”.
Once Christians receive Truth, the Truth will guide us
into liberty, which allows us to fulfill the perfect will of God.
Knowledge of the truth that Jesus is the Covenant Connec-
tor, is the place where freedom is. We can then be free to
submerge ourselves in the will of God and be blessed. 1
Peter 1:22 “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the
Truth through the Spirit unto ‘unfeigned love of the breth-
ren’, see that ye love one another with the pure heart fervently”.
1 John 3:11 “For this is the message that ye heard from the
beginning, that we should love one another”.
After the will of God is perfected in our lives, God’s word
says that He will work in us that which is pleasing in His
sight. Do you know what it is that is pleasing in God’s sight?
Our prosperity is what pleases God! As we walk in AGAPE
love God will give us power (concepts, ideas, and insights) to
get the wealth and prosperity that He wants us to have.

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Psalm 35:27 says, “Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that
favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, ‘Let
the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity
of His servant’”.
Now you will not find anywhere in the scriptures that I
have shared here, nor will you find any biblical scripture aside
from these that tithing is the covenant connector. God does
not contradict Himself. Hebrews 13:20 does not say, “as you
give tithes and offerings God will work that which is pleasing
to Him in your life”. Why do pastors so often say when they
instruct believers to pay tithes, “I am not trying to get some-
thing from you, I am trying to get something to you”? I believed
them for a while at a great cost. I urge you to study the Word of
God for yourselves. You will find that our prosperity is what
pleases God, Psalm 35:27, “Let them shout for joy, and be glad,
that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually,
Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosper-
ity of His servant.” Tithing is not God’s means of exchange for
prosperity. If it was that easy we would all be overflowing with
more than enough increase.
Jesus died, shed His blood and was resurrected on the
third day after His death. This sacrifice is what gives us ac-
cess to the covenant of God. There is no tithe or offering that
we can pay in order to help Jesus mediate the covenant. He
is the Son of God. How dare we use money to substitute the
precious blood of Jesus! It is just not possible!
Some leaders have unknowingly allowed themselves to
be used of the enemy to tell the Body of Christ that tithing is
the covenant connector. Some do this because it is a get rich
quick scam. Some do it just to follow the majority. I believe
that some leaders may sincerely be ignorant to the truth and
are teaching this message in error.
Think about this: Many Christians have been paying tithes
for a very long time and have not progressed at all, financially.
Many more have fallen into a deep pit of debt. Believers ought
to wonder why this is so. If Malachi 3:10 was directed to the
Israelites, why aren’t we seeing the results of giving tithes? God

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is not a bill collector, as we give God reciprocates 2 Corinthians

9:7. There is not a believer that I have ever known who was
living in the overflow of God’s blessing. False pastors see this,
yet they continue to deceive people with this lie. Many in the
Body of Christ are shamefully living in a state of poverty. While
the leaders are bragging about how they are living in overflow
and about their debt-free homes and churches. They are actu-
ally talking about the buildings that house the church. You see
the real church is the Body of Christ. When leaders speak of
their church being debt free, they are by no means speaking of
the men and women of God that constructs the body of Christ.
because many believers are avoiding payment of their debts in
an effort to pay tithes. Many in various Christian churches and
ministries are growing extremely wealthy, while others are liv-
ing with a false hope of blessings soon to come. Jesus said to
Peter prior to His death, “Feed my sheep”, John 21:15,16,17.
He said this to Peter three times. I believe that this instruction
was not just for Peter alone, but, for pastors and leaders every-
where. However, some leaders have made the Word of God of
none effect, just as Jesus stated in Mark 7:13 which says, “Mak-
ing the Word of God of none effect through your tradition,
which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye”.
They are feeding God’s sheep an ineffective word. They teach
tithing according to the Old Testament law, not of the grace
that Jesus has obtained for us. Romans 4:13 says, “Their throat
is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit;
the poison of asps is under their lips…”
If you want to be an effective Christian, one who pleases
God, study the Word of God and learn of Him for yourselves.
We as Christians need to hear RHEMA from God Himself
concerning the covenant that He has made with us through
Jesus Christ. We will never see the manifestations of the
covenant until we learn of the God who made the promise to
us. Once we learn of Him, we will know that His love for us
and His grace toward us is so sufficient to bring our every
desire and need into our lives. He is not a harsh, mean God,
waiting for us to mess up or miss a tithe so that He can pun-

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ish us. God is our creator. God rejoices that He created you
and I. He did not create us for someone to have a dictatorship
over us. Otherwise, we would not need Jesus to be our Lord.
Jesus’ Lordship instructs us how to live. He’s not a dictator, so
why would He allow another human being to dictate our lives
to us? We are not robots. God’s purpose for pastors, teacher,
prophets, evangelists, and apostles is for them to comfort, exort
and edify the Body of Christ, in the Word of God. We should
be able to go to a shepherd for comfort and spiritual nourish-
ment. They have been placed in those positions for our
edification. Hebrews 10:25 says, “Not forsaking the assembling
of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exorting
one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approach-
ing”. However, we find that in many churches today it is a
rarity to find edification and exortation. Instead, there is a lot
of condemnation and guilt existing in the church houses today.
Messages of condemnation such as: “If you don’t do this, God
won’t do that”, “If you want to be blessed, you need to sow
$100 into this ministry”, etc., are being preached. You probably
have heard more. These types of messages have guilt and con-
demnation attached to them. Most times if a person is unable
to give money or just do not have intentions to give, they feel
that they aren’t good Christians. Some believers are made to
feel guilty and condemned. Those who are able but do not have
a desire to give, will most likely wind up giving anyway, in an
effort to be blessed of God. God’s blessings are not dependant
on our giving. I conclude this chapter by saying again “Tithes,
offerings, nor any other money or material possession offered
to God does not connect us to God’s covenant. God is a recip-
rocator though. When you sow seed in Jesus’ name God is sure
to give you an abundant harvest. Jesus Christ is the Covenant
Connector and He has paid it all!

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 Thirteen

The Kingdom of God

Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and

His righteousness; and these things shall be added unto you.
In order to seek the Kingdom of God, we need to first get
an understanding of what it is that we need to be seeking. When
we seek for something physical, before we begin looking for it
we already have an idea what it is we are looking for. For in-
stance, on yesterday I was looking for (seeking to find) Desoto
Street. I had to know exactly what street I was looking for in
order to ask others if I was going in the right direction. Under-
stand? Well the same thing applies when we are on a spiritual
quest to find the Kingdom of God. Many people actually be-
lieve that the Kingdom of God is heaven. I’m happy to inform
you that the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of heaven is not
heaven. According to the definition given in the Holman Bible
Dictionary, the “Kingdom of God” and the “Kingdom of
Heaven” represent the same meaning. It is recorded that Jesus

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spoke in the Aramaic language. As the New Testament writers

translated Jesus’ teachings they used two different terms con-
cerning the kingdom. In the writings of Mark, Luke, and John
they explained the Kingdom of God. However, Matthew trans-
lated the same words as Kindom of Heaven. Thus, they all
were referring to same text in the teachings of Christ. Both of
these terms: Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Heaven, repre-
sent God’s reign in the lives of believers or the believer doing
things according to God’s ways.
I once knew a man who had been married to the same
woman for 24 year. Once he got saved, he left his wife be-
cause his wife didn’t attend church regularly and consumed
alcoholic beverages regularly on weekends. He thought that
because of his wife’s drinking habit, she would not be able to
go to heaven. Well, he had a misunderstanding of the verse 1
Corinthians 6:10 that says, “drunkards shall not inherit the
kingdom of God”. He ignorantly mistook the kingdom of
God for heaven. Well he will be really surprised when he gets
to heaven and see his spouse up there, too. Now while here
on earth his wife may never reap the benefits of living in the
kingdom of God or living according to God’s devine plan.
But that by no means determines whether or not she will go
to heaven. The scripture in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 says, Know
ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of
God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor
adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with
mankind, 10 Nor theives, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor
revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
The meaning of this scripture is: those who choose to do such
things as described can and will not live under the Lordship
of Jesus. You can not live under the influence of any sub-
stance or weakness and allow Christ to rule and reign in your
life. It is imperative that the Body of Christ has a clear defini-
tion of what the Kingdom of God is so that we all can receive
the promise of “things being added unto us”. The Kingdom
of God consists of God’s ways of doing things. Which means
doing things according to God’s direction and leadership. God

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will always direct us to do things in the Spirit of Love, even

when we are confronted with adversity. As we treat our en-
emies with the love of God they will either conform to our
ways or flee. A prompting to do things according to righ-
teousness (according to God’s Word) will put you in the
position of seeking the Kingdom of God. God’s ways are al-
ways ways of peace, righteousness, and love. God is love. Yet
love is a rarity in church organizations today. Most of the time
the only way to know that a person claims Christianity is to
literally hear them say it. Christians should not have to tell
people who they are. Their characters should instantly tell
others who they are. But many believers have lost focus.
Believers have placed their eyes are on the spiritual leaders of
today instead of God. They are more concerned with getting
close to their pastor rather than getting closer to the Kingdom
of God. Going to church every Wednesday night for bible
study and every Sunday for worship service does not get any-
one any closer to the Kingdom of God, if their hearts are not
right. There was a woman at a church that I used to attend
that would look directly in your face and not smile at or speak
to anyone, besides those who were in positions of authority.
She would say intimidating statements in the presence of oth-
ers to make herself seem important and others feel beneath
her. There were several people in the church who were like
this but this particular woman stood out because she had pres-
tige in the church, she was a member of the pastor’s advisory
board. I do not think that God would want anyone like that
advising Him. God wants us to walk in love and be kind to
everybody. Now I believe that this woman and many others
like her have confessed that Christ died for their sins and are
heaven bound. But we have to wonder will they inherit the
Kingdom of God here on Earth. I find that people like that
are not happy with themselves. Because they are not happy,
they do not want anybody else to be happy, either.
Be mindful that God is love. Therefore, He expects His
children to display the love that He is. To operate in the King-
dom of God is when you can, unconciously, represent the love

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that God is. God would never tell us to do something that

would bring harm to ourselves or others. This should lead us
to wonder; would our loving God instruct us to pay tithes in
spite of the bills that we are obligated to pay. Giving tithes
when we only have enough to meet our financial obligations is
a case of inflicting stress on ourselves, which in time, gives birth
to depression. Think about it. Are you really tithing of your
increase if you have to choose between your bills and your giv-
ing? In such a situation, the love of God can not be seen. A
person that is placed in this type of situation can not feel loved
by God. Neither can this person operate in the Kingdom of
God, by demonstrating God’s love to others.
For many years I paid tithes and gave offerings in order to
free myself from the guilt and condemnation of sermons that
instructs of tithing. What I believed would bring me relief, ac-
tually made me bitter. I was not able to show love to people
because I did not love myself, nor did I feel loved. God is more
concerned with us seeking His kingdom with a clear concious,
than He is about us giving tithes and offerings in vain. In spite
of what is being taught in pulpits across the country, tithing has
nothing to do with believers operating in the Kingdom of God.
The Kingdom of God (God’s ways of doing things), always
produce fruit in a person’s life. One fruit in particular that is
always a result of the Kingdom of God is Love. When reading
biblical passages about Jesus, you will realize that whenever Jesus
performed a miracle or healed someone, it was always done
with compassion. Compassion is an expression of Love. We
must first have compassion for others in order for the fruit of
Love to be exercised in our lives. The miracles that Jesus per-
formed had nothing to do with the tithes or offerings that He
gave. The miracles that He performed were all products of the
fruit of Love accompanied by compassion that He had for people.
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus instructs us to seek the Kingdom of
God. What He was saying to us is “Seek Love’s ways of doing
things”. Since we all know that God is Love, it is a wise thing to
substitute God with the word Love in order to get a better un-
derstanding of what Jesus was saying. Therefore, we can also

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say “the kingdom of God is Love’s way of getting things done.

Matthew 6:33 goes on to say that as we seek Love’s ways of
doing things we can be assured that things will be added unto
us. Many people are concerned with how they can attain pros-
perity; but the solution according to God’s word is Love. Love
as illustrated by God is simply having a compassionate heart
for others. Love according to God’s ways means to be more
concerned about others than oneself. It has nothing to do with
tithing or giving of anything outside of your personal will.
When you give according to the compassion that is in your
heart or because that is what you would like to do, whether it
be to a church, organization, TV ministry, etc. God can and will
honor your giving. 1 John 3:16, 17 let’s us know that we all
have the Spirit of Love complimented with compassion. Ac-
cording to 1 John 3:17 we have a choice to heed to our
compassion or disobey that voice of compassion. 1John 16,17
“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his
life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17) But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother
have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him,
how dwelleth the love of God in him?” So you see God is Love
and the Love that He is motivates Him to give of Himself to us.
Yes, Love is a sower and every sower reaps a harvest. God is the
ultimate sower and He is also the ultimate reaper. Jesus was a
seed sown by God and He was not sown in vain. God will reap
a great harvest of souls in the last day. God gives, therefore,
Love gives. God and the Love that He is; desires that we, His
children, be givers also. In the kingdom of God, the believers’
giving is termed “sowing seed”. God wants us to sow seed in
order that we may reap a harvest in return. In God’s kingdom
and in an earthly aspect, the harvest is always greater than the
seed sown. Every seed sown does not have to consist of money!
However, man has made it imperative that we plant financial
seed into the Kingdom of God so that the gospel can be preached
throughout the world. This is only a deception. Take a minute
to think about it: “The kingdom of God is God’s ways of doing
things according to love, so the believer should know that God

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is Love. Giving money or anything of value outside of Love is

not of the Kingdom of God, because everything that God gives
He gives in the Spirit of Love”. God wants us to first master the
concept of Love. Afterwards, Love will motivate us to give,
accordingly.
We should never give because of the known fact that the
kingdom of God operates according to sowing and reaping
or seed time and harvest. We give in love because we know
that what we sow we will reap according to Love’s ways of
doing things. If we give only because we were taught that we
should give, our giving is in vain. Our giving must be accom-
panied by the spirit of Love. God loves a cheerful giver. In
order to have faith for a harvest, the seed sown must be sown
in Love. It has taken much sowing and no reaping on my
part in order to really recognize this fact. Haggai 1:6 says,
“Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but have not
enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink, ye clothe
you, but there in none warm; and he that earneth wages
earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. Many of you
may feel like this scripture has become a vivid part of your
lives. God, the provider of the harvest, does not even know
or recognize that we have sown seed unless those seed are
sown in the Spirit of Love. 2 Corinthians 9:7-12 says, “Ev-
ery man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him
give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheer-
ful 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: 9) (As it is written, He hath
dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteous-
ness remaineth for ever. 10) Now he that ministereth seed to
the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your
seed sown, and increase the fruits of your rightousness;) 11)
Being enriched in everything to all bountifulness, which causeth
through us thanksgiving to God. 12) For the administration of
this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is
abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God”. God only
sees and knows love. Love is what God acknowledges and

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rewards. Therefore, in order to operate according to the King-

dom of God, we must walk in love and allow our giving to be
done as a result of Love. It is time that Christians represent the
God that we claim to love and serve. To love and serve God is
to love and serve His creation. While we have been taught to
love and serve God means to pay tithes and give offerings, in
order that the gospel be preached, it is time for us to realize that
this is a partial truth. Take time to observe what is actually
going on in churches today. Very few leaders are taking the
Word of God to Third World Countries to share God’s gospel
with those who desperately need to hear it. However, you will
find that they travel the United States and the better places like
London, Paris, Australia, etc. What is the purpose? There are
countries and places that have never heard the Word of God.
Why is there only a select group of God’s ministers visiting these
places to share God’s Word? We ought to wonder. According
to Old Testament scripture the tithe was not to be used for the
purpose of spreading the gospel. This is only a modern day
excuse to get money. In the book of Deuteronomy 26:12 the
tithe (means used to thank God for His manifested blessing)
was used to feed and support those who were less fortunate.
This is what God’s Love would direct us to do. Has your
tithe been used for this purpose? We should live and move
according to biblical scripture if we want to see the mani-
fested blessings of God.
According to God’s Word, we will receive a harvest only
when we sow seed watered by the Spirit of Love. What I am
saying to you may sound a bit foreign to you right now be-
cause of all that you have been taught. But I urge everyone
who reads this book to take an analysis of the seed that you
have sown. Ask yourself has any of the harvest that you have
received abundantly exceeded the seed sown. Ask yourself,
have you ever received an expected harvest as a result of your
giving, when your giving was motivated by the instructions
of your pastor or when you gave because you thought that it
was the Christian thing to do. Maybe you have given be-
cause everyone else was giving and the thought of missing out

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on your blessing ran across your mind. If you have not been
receiving the harvest that God promised in His Word maybe
you have not been sowing according to God’s Word. Try sow-
ing the biblical way and prove God. Well the intention of this
book is to rid the Body of Christ of these deceptions that have
crept in unawares.
I do not believe that we as Christians will ever perfect oper-
ating in the Kingdom of God until we actually get to heaven.
However, God has instructed us to seek the Kingdom of God.
To seek the Kingdom of God simply means to strive to repre-
sent God in everything that we say, think or do. We need to
realize that everything that we say, think or do is a seed sown.
God is an infinite God, He is never ending and the Kingdom of
God is just as He is. The Kingdom of God is a never ending
entity. This is why we can never attain perfection in God’s ways
with our natural human senses. With that being said, we must
remember that God is not as complex as many leaders describe
Him either. God is our father and He wants us to know of Him.
Matthew 11:29 says “Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me”.
We can never know all that there is to know about God, just as
our natural kids don’t know everything about us; but they do
know that we love them. This is what the bible tells us of our
Heavenly Father, God also. He loves us unconditionally. Un-
conditionally means that He loves us no matter what. He loves
us whether we pay tithes or not. Even when we sin He loves
us. Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth His love toward us, in
that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”. God sent
Christ to die for you and I when we were sinners. Christ died
free of charge for us. So, do you think that now that you are a
born again believer you should buy His blessings with a tithe or
offering? That is absurd. God just does not operate that way.
For one, we are His children and He loves us. Secondly, God is
displeased that we are ‘trying’ to use Him or fleece Him. Ro-
mans 8:32 “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered
Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us
all things?” The word “us” in this scripture represents Chris-
tians, those who are imitating Christ. Romans 8:32 confirms

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the fact that we do not need to give tithes or offerings to God in

order to receive blessings from Him. This scripture tells us that
God will freely give to us when we are obedient to His Word
and His ways. We as Christians respect leaders in the Word so
much that we tend to believe everything that they teach con-
cerning the Kingdom of God, regardless of what the bible says.
This is a shame because the only understanding that most of us
have of God’s kingdom is the errors that most leaders are teach-
ing. My aim is to reveal to believers what the gospel according
to the bible states. In Proverbs 4:5 God says through the writer:
“Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline
from the words of my mouth”. We need to know that wisdom
and understanding comes as a result of consistent study of God’s
Word. Wisdom does not come by hearing. Faith comes by
hearing. Wisdom and understanding come by studying. When
you don’t understand something, study the thing that you’re
trying to understand. Conclusion: BIBLE + STUDY = WIS-
DOM & UNDERSTANDING.
That is why Paul instructed the New Testament believer
in II Timothy 2:15 to “Study to shew thyself approved unto
God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly di-
viding the Word of Truth”. How can we rightly divide the
Word of Truth if we only hear it? We must STUDY God’s
word in order to discern whether what we are being taught is
truth. It is just that SIMPLE! Now to expound on this scrip-
ture (Proverbs 4:5) it ends by saying “neither decline from
the words of my mouth”. The writer was noting Holy Spirit
inspired words. Therefore, God said do not deny the words
that He says to us. The words of God’s mouth consist of the
bible. We know that most of what leaders in the Word are teach-
ing are biblically motivated yet we must also remember that
they are still human beings. They are subject to make mistakes
in their interpretations. This is why we must study the Word
for ourselves and allow the Holy Spirit to impart wisdom of
God’s Word to us. Otherwise, we will never know the truth of
God’s Word for ourselves.

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You may think that I have elaborated much on the subject

of studying; but study is a vital asset to seeking the Kingdom of
God. We must first learn of God and His ways in order to
attempt the process of living for God in His Kingdom. Study-
ing His Word is the only way to do this.

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 Fourteen

A Cheerful Giver

In the last chapter we discussed giving as a fundamental

part of the Kingdom of God process. Since we now under-
stand that giving is a part of God’s ways of doing things, we
must understand that God does not just give blessings to us,
impulsively. God gives as the Spirit of Love prompts Him to
give. God provides our needs because, as our Heavenly Fa-
ther, He loves us unconditionally. He gives us the desires of
our hearts as we strive to walk in His divine Love. When
God gives to us, He desires nothing of us in return other
than a tithe offering of thanks and for us to praise Him by
our love toward others. God is so loving and rich in all things
that His love would not have allowed Him to create us if He
were not able to provide for us. As we make an effort to love
as God loves, it pleases Him and prompts Him to provide the
things that please us. As Christians seek to attain the Love
of God, God’s Love will become a part of our ways, which

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will motivate us to give as He gives, “cheerfully and willingly”

in the Spirit of Love. God desires that we imitate Him in our
giving. He wants us to be cheerful givers.
II Corinthians 9:7 says “Every man according as he
purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of
necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver”. Tithing is an act
of giving to God in thanksgiving. If God desires that we give
to people with a cheerful heart, how dare we think that He
wants us to give to Him outside of being cheerful? Let us
expound on II Corinthians 9:7. This verse begins by saying,
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him
give. When we give it should be the result of a motivation
from our hearts. As we give from our hearts, cheerfulness
and the Spirit of Love will water the seed sown. This verse
goes on to say “not grudgingly, or of necessity”. To better
explain this section of the scripture I will need to define the
words “grudgingly” and “of necessity”. Grudgingly- to give
when one really does not want to or are not able to (to have
bills to pay yet one feel obligated to pay tithes). Of necessity-
to give because we have a need that we want the Lord to pro-
vide for in an exchange for our gift. We all have heard it said
‘A seed will meet any need’ this statement sounds good but it
is does not apply to tithes. It does apply to sowing seed ac-
cording to Luke 6:38 which says, “Give and it shall be given
unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together,
and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with
the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to
you again’. The bible says in Philippians 4:19 ‘My God shall
supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ
Jesus’. This statement was made because Paul knew that the
Philippians did not give to him grudgingly, they provided for
Paul with willing, cheerful hearts. They did not give to Paul
because they had petitions of need before God. The scripture
does not say ‘God will provide your needs according to the
tithes that you pay or the offering that you give’. Many lead-
ers say that because the Philippians provided for Paul this is

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why their needs were met. Be mindful that it was not because
they provided for Paul, it was because they provided for him
with willing, cheerful hearts.
Being a cheerful giver is a representation of our faith in
God, because giving cheerfully is a response of Love. And
we know that faith worketh by love. Galatians 5:6 ‘For in
Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor
uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.” Now we
all have had the church experience where some pastor or
church leader announces that they need money for a build-
ing fund or some particular budget. The pressure is then
placed on the congregation to finance this fund. You give,
but not willingly or with a cheerful heart. Instead, you give
in and effort to honor your man/woman of God and because
you want to help finance the gospel. Many in the congrega-
tion really can not afford to give but because of the guilt that
is inflicted upon them, they give anyway; in an effort to prove
that you are a supporter of the vision of the ministry. Most
times believers will smile and put on a real fake happy face,
knowing deep down inside that they really can not afford to
give. As cheerful as you try to be about it, it is fake. You
know it and God knows it. Although no one else may recog-
nize the phony persona, God knows. And God is saddened
by your vain attempt to tempt Him. Remember Psalms 44:21
“…for He knoweth the secrets of the heart.” During this
kind of experience with giving we are actually outside of the
Will of God. At such times, no one has had time to purpose
it in their hearts to give; therefore, love has nothing to do
with the act of giving at that time. Which means that God
has nothing to do with it either. When believers sow seed
we need to keep in mind that every seed should be sown as
an act of love toward God and man. Hopefully, these biblical
truths will be read, revealed and received by many, including
leaders in the Word of God. Lastly and most importantly
this scripture tells us that God loveth a cheerful giver. In
order to worship God in giving, the believer must be cheer-
ful about giving.

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Again I will remind you of the goodness of God in II

Corinthians 9:8-9 which tells us how God rewards a cheerful
giver. It states, “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. 9 As it is written, He hath
dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteous-
ness remaineth forever”. Many believers have learned that II
Corinthians 9:8-9 applies to anyone who is a believer. But
these verses are compound verses with II Corinthians 9:7.
God is actually talking about the way He responds to the
cheerful giver. The same is true for the verses that follow. II
Corinthians 9:10-12 say: 10 Now he that ministereth seed to
the sower (the cheerful giver in II Cor. 9:7) both minister
bread for food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase
the fruit of your righteousness; 11 Being enriched in every
thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanks-
giving to God; (now we tithe of this increase in order to show
God appreciation) 12 For the administration of this service
(giving cheerfully) not only supplieth the wants of the saints,
but is abundant also by many thanksgivings (tithes) unto
God. So you see, as we sow cheerfully God will bless us
abundantly, then we tithe to God of the abundance He has
provided and the system just goes on and on. It is a never
ending circle of cheerful giving. It is a part of the system that
we discussed in the chapter on Understanding the Kingdom
of God. As we tithe in an effort to say ‘Thank You’, God in
turn continues to enrich us with more abundant blessings.
This shows that we should tithe of the increase that God
provides. Wouldn’t you be happy to give to God of the in-
crease that He gives to you? Can any believer today other
than leaders in the church honestly say that they give tithes
of the abundance that God has given to them? Probably not.
Maybe the reason that the Body of Christ have not experi-
enced increase in abundance is because they have not been
being cheerful givers. Hopefully, now that we know better
we will do better. James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth
to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

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So let us begin now by seeking the Kingdom of God and

pray with expectation to receive increase. Believers need to
focus on giving cheerfully to God, in the Spirit of Thanksgiv-
ing for what we have received of Him. And the system of
cheerful sowing and reaping will be manifested bountifully
in the lives of believers. God loves to reciprocate. Deter-
mine to not just give, but be determined to give cheerfully
according to II Corinthians 9:7.
Now that we understand how we should give, we need
to broaden our thinking concerning what we should give.
In the churches of today there is so much emphasis placed
on money being the main tool that is accepted when it comes
to sowing and reaping. This is not true. God honors any-
thing that we give from our hearts. Even something as minute
as our time, is honored by God when we offer it in the Spirit
of Love.
As New Testament believers we are no longer under the
Law of the Old Testament. We are now living in the grace of
God. This grace blesses that anything we give cheerfully, to
anyone, according to righteousness is accepted by God. Chris-
tians have paid tithes and given offerings, while neglecting their
own necessities and even neglecting their true purpose- to love.
I know this, because I was one of those believers and at the time
I ignorantly advised others to do the same. We have given tithes
and offerings without the Love of God being an active force in
our lives. Some still do this, in an effort to obey the man of God
and to please God, yet, in this case there is no cheerfulness.
The good God that I have come to know of, was never pleased
by these so called ‘sacrificial offerings’. Christians no longer
need to offer material sacrifices to God. As I have said before,
we are no longer under the laws of the Old Testament. The
only sacrificial offering God desires of us is a “sacrifice of praise”.
Hebrews 13:15 ‘By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of
praise to God continually. A sacrifice of praise is a case of lov-
ing someone who has wronged you. God tells us to love our
enemies. It takes a sacrifice to love your enemy.

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Don’t believe those who tell you that you are not being blessed
financially because you are not a tither. What about those who
tithe consistently and still are not being blessed the way that
God says His children should be blessed? What is hindering
their abundant financial harvest? And what about those people
who do not tithe, neither do they attend church, yet they seem
to be living well financially? Think about it! Maybe it has more
to do with their love walk than you may be mindful of. Could
it be that what God’s word says is true: the love in their hearts
has something to do with their prosperity?
One thing I know is that we all, as Christians, have the
love of God in our hearts. Love is a fruit and fruit take time to
grow. It is our choice to nurture exercise that love or ignore
the fact that it dwells inside of us, by shutting up our bowels
of compassion. Romans 5:5b ‘because the love of God is shed
abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us’.
We need to get rid of all of the ineffective crap that has been
placed in our minds, purge our minds of all the unnecessary
“stuff” and allow the love in our hearts to dominate our lives.
Luke 6:45a says “A good man out of the good treasure of his
heart bringeth forth that which is good’. When anyone gives
anything that is good from their heart it is definite that cheer-
fulness accompanies the good that they give.

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 Fifteen

What Does God’s Word

Really Say?

For so long, we in the Body of Christ, have been operating

according to our emotions and the instructions of man; rather
than according to what God’s Word says. We have been pro-
grammed to believe that God’s Word is whatever any man or
woman in a position of spiritual leadership interprets it to be.
Yes, many spiritual leaders do mention biblical scriptures in their
texts, but we should not always accept every one of their inter-
pretations, as truth. There are facts and there is truth. Yes it is
a fact that most of what some quote may be scriptural; how-
ever, the way that they interpret those scriptures is not always
truth. We must remember that they are humans too. The dif-
ference is, they have been called by God to exort, edify and
comfort the children of God. Most mistake these three charac-
teristics for an excitement. Many times, Christians can discern
truth by simply recognizing whether or not they’re being exorted
by their man or woman of God. I honestly believe that many

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who stand in an office of a spiritual leader, throughout the

world, have good intentions to direct their members in the Will
of God. I am sure many of them believe that what they teach is
truth according to God’s Word. However it may be hard to
believe, the bible says that there are many false prophets in the
world right now, at this time (I John 4:1). This is why God does
not only speak to believers through prophets, and priests. God
speaks directly to us through His spirit that dwells in us. Be
mindful that God is still imparting Rhema to men and women
of God in these days also. Any Rhema from God that a man
speaks will exort or edify Christians.
Sometimes in an effort to speak a word of comfort to the
Body of Christ, leaders will preach a successful text that they
have heard preached by someone else. They think ‘if it worked
for them it will work for me’. Repetition is sometimes a mis-
fortune for the congregation of the leader who is teaching a
repeated sermon. Why? Some repetitious sermons and teach-
ings just sound good to the ears of the listeners and do not
benefit the listeners lives at all. We need to be aware that
God’s Word is not always an ear scratcher, but a heart catcher.
God’s Word penetrates the heart. Some of what we have heard
from pulpits is only a scratch for itching ears. Too many
Christians have a desire to know what it is we must do in
order to be blessed of the Almighty. Leaders are aware of
this desire, so they come up with ineffective remedies that
sound good to the people; in order to keep the listeners with
a sense of expectancy. So when they tell us to do this, we do
it. When this does not work and they tell us to do that, we
do that too. That does not work so they tell us to jump and
we ask “how high”; they tell us to shout and we ask “how
loud”; they tell us to run and we ask “how far”. Well I have
realized that this is all crazy and ungodly! Never in the bible
did Jesus continuously give instructions to the same person
for the same situation. When Jesus or a prophet of God spoke
and the person heeded they automatically received their de-
sired results. Christians need to know what the Word of
God has to say concerning the blessings of God being mani-

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fested in their lives. As a result, Christians will stop being ma-

neuvered like puppets. God does not handle us that way, so
neither should we allow man to handle us that way.
Believers have been told that as they give ten percent of
their income the windows of heaven would open up and
God would pour out a blessing too big for them to handle.
Okay, when that didn’t bring forth the results promised, I
don’t know about you, but I can recall being told that I needed
to give over and above the tithe because God honors sacrifi-
cial offerings (an offering given of one’s insufficiency will
cause God to move quickly). This turned out to be another
fabricated lie. Then I was told that God wants us to give our
firstfruits to our pastor, I ignorantly believed this to no avail.
I still saw no results. I was told that God was withholding
my blessings because I had never released the firstfruits. This
is Old Testament Law and we are now living under a new
and better covenant, purchased by the blood of Jesus, not by
firstfruit. I am sure that there are many other clichés out
there. However, common sense should tell us that the good
God that we serve would not punish us for what we do not
know. He would not, nor will He ever withhold the bless-
ings of His children because we don’t give money to church
buildings or to leaders. So we need to know what God’s
Word has to say in reference to being blessed of God in the
aspect of tithing.
Let us take a look again at Malachi 3:10. It has been quoted
in almost every church in this world when it comes to tith-
ing. “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”. To understand the concept of Malachi
3:10, we need to read the book from the beginning. Let’s
begin with chapter 1. Malachi 1:6 specifies that the prophet
is speaking to the priests, in that it says…O priests…that
despise my name. Chapter two of Malachi is also directed to
the priests. Malachi 2:1 “And now, O ye priests, this com-

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mandment is for you”. The two previous chapters should

cause us to question, ‘Why would God instruct Malachi to
speak to the priest in the first two chapters and then speak to
the laymen in the third chapter’? Truth is, God was never
talking to the laymen of the Israelites in the book of Malachi.
God is not confused. The entire book of Malachi consisted of
the prophet talking directly to the priests of the Old Testa-
ment. During my study of Malachi chapter 3, God has revealed
some untaught truths to me. I now have a better understand-
ing of what Jesus was saying in Matthew 16:17, “And Jesus
answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou… for flesh and
blood (man) hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father
which is in heaven”. Just as Simon Barjona had gotten a revela-
tion from God, so have I. Jesus went on to say in verse 18 of
Matthew 16 “upon this rock (the Rhema of God) I will build
my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”.
When we get a Rhema Word directly from God no deception
can prevail against the Word that God places in our hearts.
Let us take one more look at the book of Malachi in an ef-
fort to get God’s Truth embedded in our hearts and minds. So
now as I attempt to share this profound revelation of Malachi 3
with you, I pray that you will allow God to penetrate your heart
with the Word of Truth, as He has done for me. As I stated
previously, the prophet, Malachi, went to the priest by saying
‘thus saith the Lord’ we need to wonder why would God sud-
denly redirect the prophet to speak to the laymen in the third
chapter of Malachi when he was speaking to the priests in the
previous two chapters. In Malachi 3:6 it plainly states that he
has the attention of the Sons of Jacob. Question is, who are the
Sons of Jacob? They were Israelites, however God was only
talking to a select group of Israelites. Who this particular group
was can be revealed through what we believers have learned of
the Old Testament ways of doing things. In the Old Testament
there were only three people who were allowed to enter the
temple of God. The prohet, the priest and the king were the
only three men allowed to enter God’s temple. Malachi 3:10
says “bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse…” The prophet

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could not have been talking to the laymen because they were
not allowed to enter the storehouse. If God was talking to mere
laymen this text would have been worded as such: “Send ye
all the tithes into the storehouse…”
Sons of Jacob was a title used to describe the priests in
the 3rd chapter of Malachi. According to Holman’s bible dic-
tionary the words “Sons of” always represent a priesthood.
Sons of…, as defined in Holman Bible Dictionary refers to
members in a group or class and does not imply to family
relationship. It suggests a community or guild of prophets.
Now if we want to believe that the prophet was literally speak-
ing to the Sons of Jacob, we need to know that the twelve
sons of Jacob were considered patriarchs. The word patri-
arch comes from a combination of the Latin word “pater”
meaning “father” and the Greek verb “archo” meaning “to
rule”. Thus a patriarch is a ruler of a family, a clan, or a
nation. The messenger of the Lord goes on to say, if you
bring the tithes and offerings into my storehouse, I will pro-
vide for you; more than you are able to receive. He instructs
them to prove Him. In essence He was saying, If you think
that you are living good of the tithes of the people, bring the
tithes to me and I will give you more than enough for your
personal use.
Malachi 3:9 also should be studied carefully with the Holy
Spirit in order for light to be shed on what God was actually
saying. It says, “Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed
me, even this whole nation.” To rob someone means that one
had to enter that person’s dwelling place and take something
that belonged to that person. To enter God’s house and not
give tithes does not illustrate that you have robbed him. Again
when a person robs a bank they go in and unlawfully take the
money that the bank holds. If a person goes into a bank and
walks out without making a deposit, they have not robbed
that bank. Yet pastors tell laymen that this verse was written
to the non-tithers. This can not be true, according to what we
know about a robber. Only the priest, king or prophet of the
Old Testament could have gone into the storehouse and rob

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God by taking the tithes and offerings. It has been revealed to

me (by God), that this verse was not spoken to the laymen. It
was directed to leaders of that time. Let me explain. If God
was talking to the laymen of the Israelites I believe that it would
have been worded something like this’ “Ye are cursed with a
curse, nation of Israel, for ye have robbed me”. God is very
direct in His conversations with us because He never wants to
confuse His children. I Corinthians 14:33 says, “For God is
not the author of confusion”. We need to take God’s Word for
what it says and stop allowing ourselves to be confused. Now
in Malachi 3:9 we need to notice that the word ‘even’ has been
italicized; which means, that it was not in the original Hebrew
text of the Old Testament. As we read the text according to it’s
original Hebrew form we’ll read: “Ye are cursed with a curse:
for ye have robbed me, and this whole nation”. Now think on
this thing. Take time to pray and meditate for revelation. Don’t
be mistaken, we as Christians are supposed to pay tithes of our
increase. In this particular Book of the Bible the prophet was
concerned about how the priests were handling the tithes, dis-
honestly. The Holy Spirit has revealed to me that the Israelites
were paying their tithes but the priests were not bringing the
tithes into the storehouse as they should have been doing. They
were using the tithes and offerings for their own personal gain.
Doesn’t that sound familiar? The tithe should have been brought
into the storehouse of God to provide for those who were less
fortunate, as described in Deuteronomy 26:12. As we bless those
who are less fortunate with the tithe or an offering, we are actu-
ally giving to God. Matthew 25:40, “And the King shall answer
and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have
done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done
it unto Me. In Malachi chapter 3 the storehouse represented
the place where the priest would have gone to get the neces-
sary means to supply the needs of the poor. In many of today’s
churches there is a mission fund set up for that purpose. The
mission fund is a good thing, yet it is unscriptural. The less
fortunate in the Body of Christ should be provided for with the
tithe. Deuteronomy 26:12 “When thou hast made an end of

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tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is
the year of tithing, and hast given it (the tithe) unto the Levite,
the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat
within thy gates, and be filled.” The Levites went into the
promised land with the Israelites, however, they inherited
none of the land nor any of the goods in the land; so, it was
ordered by God that the Israelites provide for them with the
tithe. The stranger may have been someone who was pass-
ing through the land or someone who was not in the decent
of the Israelites or Levites. In today’s society the stranger
would be considered that person who’s not a part of the Body
of Christ. The fatherless were those Israelite children who
had lost their father and had no other source to provide for
them. The widow was that elderly Israelite woman who’s
husband had died and had no way to provide for herself. So
now we know through the reading of Deuteronomy 26:12 that
we probably haven’t been receiving our promised blessing
because we haven’t been tithing according to God’s Word.
Since the truth has been revealed to us, we must remember
that as we tithe to provide for others we have to do it with a
willing, cheerful heart. We should stop just tithing because
we are instructed to do so by pastors and leaders in the church.
When we tithe according to man’s instruction, we tithe inef-
fectively and the blessings of God will not flow. You should
know that this is truth through your past experiences. Re-
member II Corinthians 9:7 “…for God loveth a cheerful giver”.
Ephesians 2:8,9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works,
lest any man should boast”. Because we are saved by the
grace of God, and not of works, we should never think that
our salvation or our blessings are based on the work of tithing
to a church facility. Through research of information for this
book and revelation from God I have learned that if you tithe
$1,000,000 without the love of God it is worth nothing to God.
Cain became jealous of his brother Abel because God ac-
cepted Abel’s gift and not his. As a result Cain killed Abel. This
lets us know that Cain could not have offered his gift to God in

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love. Whatever we offer to God in love, God honors. If Cain

had offered his gift in love he would never had killed his brother.
The reason God did not accept Cain’s offering was, Cain gave
his gift because he felt he was obligated, not because he desired
to bless God.
Let us understand another fact from the Word of God.
Hebrews 7:5 “…have a commandment to take tithes of the
people according to the law…” We have all been taught about
Abraham the tither. Abraham existed before the law and he
tithed of free will. However, tithing became a part of the law
after the Israelites inherited the promised land. The truth is
God has set us free from the law and the curse of the law. We
are now living in God’s grace by the blood of Jesus Christ.
We fulfill the law as we walk in love. Galatians 5:14 ‘For all
the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love
thy neighbor as thyself’.
It is time we as children of God know the truth and re-
ceive all the blessings that our Heavenly Father has stored up
for us in heavenly places. We can enter the heavenly places to
possess our wealth through truth. Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed
us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ”.
Many of us have tried to have faith in God’s Word concern-
ing giving. I know that I have. However, we do not realize that
the instructions that God give to us; He desires that we follow
them in the same spirit that Jesus would, in Love. God is not a
man that He should lie-Numbers 23:19. God is Love and He
wants us who claim to be followers of His to be what He is. 1
John 2:6 “He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so
to walk, even as he walked”. God promises in His Word that
what we give shall be given back to us. Luke 6:38 “Give and it
shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken
together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.
For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be mea-
sured to you again.” This scripture does not apply to us, if we
give outside of Love. How can we have faith in this scripture if
we don’t operate this scripture in Love? We need to be mindful

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of two truths that the bible tells us. First, faith worketh by Love
(Galatians 5:6), secondly, faith without works is dead ( ). Con-
sider giving to be the work. Faith for a harvest from that work
of giving will not manifest anything without the presence of
the power of Love. FAITH + WORKS – LOVE = 0. FAITH +
LOVE – WORKS = 0. FAITH + WORKS + LOVE = MANI-
FESTED HARVEST. This is how God works. We should not
give just because God’s word says it will be given back to us in
abundance. We must first recognize that Love is saying this
(John 4:7,8) and the God of Love only recognizes and acknowl-
edges love. The word of God needs to be studied with the
knowledge of who God is. As we study the Word of God in the
knowledge of who He is, we will be enlightened in the scrip-
tures. There has been a problem in the Body of Christ.
Christians have not been receiving harvest the way that God
promised and it has been for a reason. The manifestation of
harvest from a seed is conditional. I have just outlined those
conditions for you. Jesus said in John 15:7 “If you abide in me,
and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it
shall be done unto you. Simply put, Jesus was saying “if you
abide in Him (love) and His Words (instructions) are lived out
in you, you can ask for whatever you desire and it will be given
to you from His Love.
We have been told, or many of us may just believe that we
do not have any faith or maybe we do not have enough faith.
Well, according to God’s Word, believers not having faith is
not the problem. How do I know this? Well the Word of God
tells us that God has dealt to every man the measure of faith-
Romans 12:3. Now concerning our not having enough faith,
many are ignorant also, because God’s word has something to
say concerning this too. Jesus said in Matthew 17:20 “…if ye
have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this
mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove;
and and nothing shall be impossible unto you”. Now we all
should know that a mustard seed is really small. In fact, it is the
smallest of all seed. Therefore, if God says that all we need is a
small amount of faith to cause mountains to move; and He has

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given us a measure of faith, that is what we should believe. We

should never think otherwise, nor should we allow anyone to
tell us that we need more faith. Christians lack the ability to
exercise their God-given faith because they lack knowledge.
Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:
because thou has rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee…”
Christians reject the knowledge of God when they choose not
to study God’s Word for themselves. Knowledge of what love
is and the harvest that love brings is knowledge of God, for
God is love. Once we get this knowledge we can strive to exer-
cise our God-given ability to love others.

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 Conclusion

I pray that after you have read this book in its entirety
God has revealed some spiritual truths to you. This book, by
no means, was written to cause bitterness, confusion, or di-
vision in the Body of Christ. It has been written to enlighten
God’s children of God’s truths concerning the tithe. I know
that many of you who are tithers, have wondered “where are
your promised blessings?” Well hopefully, this book has ex-
plained and clarified all that has confused many concerning
the tithe and sowing and reaping the promised abundant
blessings of God.
In closing I feel obliged to remind you that “tithing is not
an avenue to the blessing, but it is a result of the manifested
blessing of God”.
Be Blessed with God’s richest blessings and continue to tithe!

Your sister in Christ,

Paula B.

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