The following is an exchange between "DS" and Yada:



Yada's response:

I'm still confused about thything. Is this something we should be doing? If so, how and to whom?

Here are a couple of passages from Scripture:







Thanks for your help.

Shabbat Shalom,

The offerings were to be given to the Lewites, a tribe that depended on the generosity of their brethren. However, since the diaspora, there is no priestly caste that is in charge of the temple and therefore no need for the tithe as there is nobody to support. However, it is almost imperative that each person invests in discovering Truth and the Way to Yahweh. Not only should we spend on research materials, we each need to find the time to do what is important, which is to unite with our Creator according to His plan, and with each other. Those are the prime motives for our lives here now. If we seek Him diligently and earnestly, and follow His Word, He shall bless us accordingly. I dare say that our most precious tithe shall be of time, in keeping the Sabbaths and the Miqra.

However, it has been a tradition of men to usurp the Creator and take His position and demand financial support from the people in exchange for spiritual bounty. This path led to the establishment of a "ruling elite" which imposes their ideas and thoughts upon men, binding them to doctrines and traditions that uphold themselves at the expense of the donor. And as these "ruling elite" pursue their needs ahead of men, they fail themselves and their followers for their practices eventually puts them at odds against each other and creates strife amongst the nations. Furthermore, if all the priests, pastors, imams, mullahs, monks and nuns in the world worked to support themselves, they would not be a financial burden to the world. There is much more to be said about how a person's money can be used to further deception more than Truth. In our ignorance we have given where we should not because we knew not and acted on faith. If nobody supported these teachers, less deception would have taken place. Instead, we paid to hear lies when the Truth is free! That is why it is written that "My people perish for a lack of knowledge."

Abba Yahweh does not need our money. He already owns everything... and a few dollars from each of us does not do anything for Him. What He wants from us is a willingness to do His Will. We need to invest in learning His Ways and then He shall bless us abundantly. And if you have extra to give, give to the members of the ekklesia first so that their urgent needs may be met. Then you may give to the widows and orphans, and the aged and the sick, who will always be with us until Messiyah Yahushua returns.

Shalom,

We read that even Shaul/Paul kept up his profession as tent-maker despite being the most learned/knowledgeable of all the apostles. Several leaders use Scripture to seek a living from the flock, citing a right to the offerings given to the Lewites and priests as they claim to be in such a position. I know of poor pastors administering to small congregations and rich pastors in megachurches, all of whom derive their sustenance from their flock. I suppose that it is up to their them and their flock to decide on matters pertaining to such. But what if they do not have enough followers? Would they start preaching something else to sustain their lives? Would they tickle the ears of their congregation by telling them what they want to hear. All I know is that Truth should be free, as in this website. However, it takes resources to operate such an effort and offerings are always appreciated. Just remember that in times past when Yahweh was in charge and the Lewites and priests were doing His bidding in His Temple, He commanded tithes from the people to sustain those in His service. Today, it is difficult to determine who exactly is in His service. Whatever you do for them, do it out of faith but be ready to change once you realise that Truth does not come out of their mouths. Better yet, do with your money what you do know for sure... continue to seek Yahweh and His Word. The rest will come later.