Today's bible study was inspired by a book that Brother Bob has been listening to on audio called Beatitudes by Thomas Watson written around 1659 found at the website sermonaudio. Thomas Watson always reminded the saints that the true tithe and offering needs to be given to the poor. Brother Bob will prove this by many scriptures listed below. Saint reading this anywhere believe Jesus is God and the Word instead of man and give your tithes and offerings to the storehouse which is defined as poor people. The five little poor orphans in the picture above are reminding us all to not forget to do the pure religion listed at James 1:27 that says Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. Every week the last thirty years, Brother Bob has made it a priority to visit widows and orphans, comforting them with the love of Jesus.
As I stated in earlier bible studies, storehouse is defined as giving to the poor from the definitions in Hebrew and Greek of storehouse and treasure listed at the blueletterbible concordance website. Look at Malachi 3:10 that says Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse (defined as treasury or treasure house in heaven), that there may be meat in my house (my friend Tiffany had Jesus show her that when we tithe and give to the poor, the poor get fed and have meat in their house), and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows (defined as floodgates) of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Now let's look at the bible verse Mark 10:21 and discover that the Lord Jesus stated that the tithe must be given to the poor when Jesus stated that to have treasure (defined as storehouse) in heaven we must give to the poor. Mark 10:21 says 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 (defined as storehouse) in heaven, and come, take up the cross, and follow me. Friend reading this in any nation, I encourage you to believe the words of the Lord Jesus instead of any earthly man and give all your tithes and offerings to poor people (the true storehouse in heaven) so the floodgates of heaven can pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough for you to receive. Thomas Watson said that the poor man's hand is Christ's treasury and there is nothing lost that is put there.
From the beginning of time the tithe has always been given to the poor. In the days of Moses, at the end of every three years all the people would give their tithes to poor strangers, widows, and fatherless children so the poor people could eat and be satisfied. To prove that the bible says the tithe needs to be given to the poor read Deuteronomy 14:28: 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. and the Levite, because he hath no part nor inheritance 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.
You see during the days of Moses when saints harvested their land they left food or gleanings in the corners of their fields so the poor could be blessed with a tithe blessing of food. Boaz obeyed this law from Moses and blessed the poor, allowing poor Ruth to gather gleanings of food from the corners of his field. We should always remember the poor and save blessings for the needy according to Leviticus 19:9: And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field (leaving a blessing for the poor), neither shalt thou gather the gleanings (defined as grain left behind by reapers to feed the poor) of thy harvest.
The bible says that the Jews used to give two tithes. The first tithe was called a perpetual tithe to the Levite for their service of the tabernacle of the congregation. This is stated at Numbers 18:21 that says And behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance for their service which they serve even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. The second tithe was a tithe freewill offering to the poor for the stranger, fatherless, and the widow for celebration during a feast. Deuteronomy 16:10 tells us And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the Lord thy God with a tribute of a freewill offering of God, according as the Lord thy God hath blessed thee; And thou shall rejoice before the Lord thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the Lord thy God hath chosen to place his name there.
For Brother Bob's next picture above we see the different blessings the rich and poor people gave to assist in the building of the tabernacle. Notice that the rich people gave jewels of gold, rings, bracelets, earrings, and fine linen but also notice that the poor people could only give goat's hair for the covering of the tabernacle. Brother Bob wants you to notice in the picture above that everyone rich and poor blessed the building of the tabernacle. Friend reading this in any nation, tell everyone to never say I'm too poor and do not have anything to give to relieve the sorrows of the poor. An ancient christian writer Origen wrote that when the tabernacle was built, people said I desire Lord to bring something to the building of thy temple if not gold to make the mercy seat, if not silk to make the curtains, and even if I'm poor just some cheap ordinary goats' hair for the tabernacle's covering that I might not be found in the number of those that brought nothing to thy temple. Like the rich and poor people pictured above blessing the tabernacle, Lord Jesus I pray anyone who reads this forevermore (rich or poor) will determine in their heart to daily give something even a little blessing to the poor as Jesus blesses their offerings.
Remember the Lord Jesus did not look at the smallness of the gift of two mites given by the poor widow, but at the largeness of her generous heart that remembered the poor with all the living that she had. Luke 21 says And He looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And He saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And He said, of a truth, I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all. For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God; but she of her penury (poverty) hath cast in all the living that she had. I encourage all my friends everywhere to remember a beatitude spoken by the Lord Jesus listed in the book of Acts that is sometimes overlooked. Jesus stated at Acts 20:35 It is more blessed to give than to receive (no matter if you are rich or poor).
Friend reading this anywhere, you might feel poor and that your little blessing like the goat's hair given above amounts to little. But in the eyes of Jesus whatever small blessing a poor person gives to bless the Lord is precious in the sight of Jesus. In the days of Moses, he that could not bring a lamb for an offering, if he brought two turtledoves or two young pigeons, it sufficed. Leviticus 5:7 tells us And if he be not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring for his trespass, which he hath committed, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, unto the Lord; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering.
Thomas Watson had an answer to people who said But I do not have anything to bestow upon the necessity of others. Thomas Watson in 1659 said have you anything to bestow upon your own lusts, have you money to feed your pride, your epicurism or love of worldly pleasures and you can not find anything to relieve the poor people who belong to Jesus. Thomas Watson stated that you can still bless the poor without any money by sympathizing with the poor, praying for the poor, or speaking a word of comfort to them. The prophet Isaiah said at Isaiah 40:2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem. And if you can not afford to give a poor person gold, you can still speak a word in due season which may be as apples of gold in pictures of silver for Proverbs 25:11 says A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
The story about the picture above can be found at Exodus 35:21 that says And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord's offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments. And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold (for the mercy seat of the tabernacle); and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the Lord. And every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet and fine linen (for the curtains of the tabernacle) and goats' hair and red skins of rams, and badgers' skins (given by the poor people for the covering of the tabernacle), brought them. Notice that everything given to build the tabernacle from expensive gold and silver from rich people to cheap ordinary goat's hair from poor people was precious in Jesus' sight.
The story about the picture above can be found at Exodus 35:21 that says And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord's offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments. And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold (for the mercy seat of the tabernacle); and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the Lord. And every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet and fine linen (for the curtains of the tabernacle) and goats' hair and red skins of rams, and badgers' skins (given by the poor people for the covering of the tabernacle), brought them. Notice that everything given to build the tabernacle from expensive gold and silver from rich people to cheap ordinary goat's hair from poor people was precious in Jesus' sight.
You might say what is Brother Bob doing with a picture above of an ancient animal that used to live in India called a Griffin. Thomas Watson wrote about the Griffin that reminded him of professed christians who were so stingy and never blessed any poor people, yet proclaimed that they still loved the Lord Jesus. Thomas Watson wrote that in India there existed a fabulous animal that guarded the gold of India called a Griffin, having four feet and wings, looking like an eagle. One did not know whether to classify this creature among the beasts or the fowl. So may I say of penurious poor stingy votaries (defined as outwardly religious monks or nuns) that have the wings of a professed saint by which they seem to fly to heaven but also have the feet of a sinful beast walking on earth and even licking the dust. It's hard to classify this professed christian among the godly or the wicked.
Brother Bob says christians should not say I've given all my tithes to the church and will not bless the poor. Thomas Watson stated that one of the greatest reproaches to christianity is a devout miser. To the contary, christians should say Lord Jesus let me always be willing to give my tithe to the poor while I bless the preachers of the church because the labourer is worthy of his hire. My friend Carl used to say Bobby be a possessor and not a professor living in Jesus' everlasting kingdom. Titus 1:16 explains these false religious people who won't lift a little finger to help the poor and says They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
I pray that all my friends reading this will take heed to and meditate on what Jesus will say to sinful men who are proud and forget the poor. After we all read these words from our Lord Jesus about the sinner's indictment for neglecting the poor, let us all determine to daily remember widows, orphans, and the poor everywhere, showing kindness and the love of Jesus to all those in need. Thomas Watson stated the sinner's indictment at Matthew 25:41 that says Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall He answer them saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment; but the righteous into life eternal.
Saints reading this, below are some more scriptures proving that the tithe must be given to the poor that will result in great blessings given to the saints from Jesus. Deuteronomy 15:7 says If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother. But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth. Leviticus 25:35 says And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve (defined as strengthen) him; yea, though he be a stranger or a sojourner; that he may live with thee. James 2:15 says If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled, notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body, what doth it profit?
Psalm 112:9 tells us how the blessed man should disperse (defined as scattering or bestowing largely to the poor) and says He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. Thomas Watson said to disperse and bless the poor with a large tithe offering is like water that overflows the banks; not a meager dispersing of a mere trifle. Thomas Watson also noted that the flowers are munificent (defined as very generous) and give large blessings of honey to the bees; yet the flowers are blessed producing more fruit as they gloriously blossom. Truly we can see these flowers exhibit the promise of Luke 6:38 that 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.
You might say now what is Brother Bob doing with the pictures above of a loaf of brownberry bread and a bottle of ice mountain spring water. Brother Bob says that the bread and water pictured above remind him of the rich man named Dives in the Latin bible and the beggar named Lazarus. Take time friends everywhere to meditate on this gem written by Thomas Watson in 1662 that says Because Dives (the name for the rich man in the Latin bible who did not help Lazarus) denied Lazarus a crumb of bread, Dives was denied a drop of water in hell.
Wow, look at the penalty Dives suffered for forgetting poor Lazarus. On the earth, Lazarus asked Dives for just a crumb of bread and Dives was so cruel to the poor and denied Lazarus just a little crumb of bread. But, notice after both Dives and Lazarus died, in hell, Dives had to ask Lazarus for just a little drop of water to cool his tongue because Dives was tormented in hell fire's flames. In hell, Dives was denied a little drop of water because on earth he forgot poor Lazarus and denied Lazarus a little crumb of bread. James 2:13 tells us For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment (this means that when Lazarus by the mercy of Jesus escaped the judgment of hell, Lazarus was seen rejoicing, glorying, exalting himself over, and boasting that the mercy of Jesus was superior to judgment of hell).
Take time to read the parable of the rich man and Lazarus from Luke 16:19 that says There was a certain rich man (Dives) which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptously every day. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores; And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs, came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carred by the angels into Abraham's bosom; the rich man also died, and was buried. And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
And he cried, and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame. But, Abraham, said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed; so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
To conclude this bible study, Brother Bob gives you even more scriptures proving that we should give our tithe and offerings to the poor and show mercy to poor people. In the days of Moses, people earned their livelihoods as millers that used nethers (defined as lower millstones to grind and make bread) and upper millstones to make bread that they sold to pay off their debts and meet their needs. Moses said to be merciful to these millers and that creditors should not take their nethers or upper millstones to pay off their pledges or debts. Moses said at Deuteronomy 24:6 No man shall take the nether (a lower millstone for grinding) or the upper millstone to pledge (defined as taking property or goods to pay off a debt) for he taketh a man's life to pledge.
1 Timothy 6:17 says charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate. Titus 3:8 says This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works; These things are good and profitable unto men.
Romans 7:4 says Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to Him that is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. And finally, look at this anointed quote from Thomas Watson that says The golden oil of mercy must like Aaron's oil run down upon the poor which are the lower skirts of the garment. Thomas Watson was referring to Psalm 133:1 that says Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment (defined as olive oil) upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard; that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon (defined as sanctuary) and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion (defined as a sunny hill); for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
As always, Brother Bob has enjoyed writing this blessed bible study and I pray in Jesus name it gives all my friends everywhere peace, joy, and strength. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin, 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 604-7133. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.
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