Tuesday, September 8, 2026
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9 KJV).
If our physical posterity could augment its spiritual dexterity, exactly what would that entail?
Under the Law of Moses, Israel’s yearly tax rate was 23.3% (two 10% [Levitical and festival] tithes given annually, and one 10% [welfare] tithe exacted triennially). These were fruits, vegetables, and animals whose value supported the tribe of Levi (priests), funded three yearly trips to Jerusalem for the feasts of Passover and Pentecost and Tabernacles, and sustained the welfare system. Endeavoring to appear “spiritual,” denominationalists today give a measly “10% tithe” (ignorant of how there are really three biblical tithes!). Moreover, a select few brag about donating “reverse tithes” (“I make so much money as a feel-good preacher that I can afford to ‘tithe’ 90% of my income!”). This too is Bible ignorance. Who among them is willing to give away 100% of their income? The reason why we ask this is simple: though there is not one command in the New Testament to give a “ten-percent” tithe, there is 100% giving in Matthew to John and early Acts!
“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me” (Matthew 19:21). “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me” (Mark 10:21). “Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth” (Luke 12:33). “Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all [!] that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me” (Luke 18:22). In early Acts, it was indeed 100% giving: “And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need” (Acts 2:44,45; cf. Acts 4:32–5:11).
Let us study why this 100% giving was necessary….
333 Words of Grace 