“For He that is Tithed Shall Not be Burned at His Coming.” Let Me Release Your Worry About This False Statement and Assist you in Learning the Truth (KJV)

March 29, 2026 | www.gospelofjesuschrist.blog | River Wilde

(The views expressed here are my personal beliefs, shaped by extensive study of end-times prophecy in the Bible. I have prayerfully sought God’s guidance throughout my research to remain focused on truth. I do not speak on behalf of any religious organization.)

It is difficult when church leaders do not teach anything about the end times, and when they do, it’ something so threatening as; “You need to pay your tithing so that you are not burned at His coming.”

Let me share some information that might assist you in removing this unfound worry that people have, in honoring the “doctrine of men” rather than following the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Several years ago, I lost my temple recommend over the concept of tithing. In a meeting with my bishop, I was asked why I was not paying my tithing. I replied that I was indeed paying a full tithing. Since it was reported that the church was secretly hiding part of their 200 billion investments from tithing, I decided to pay my tithing directly to those who were in need and not towards the financial investments of the church.

I paid my tithing directly to a homeless shelter, as well as a woman’s domestic abuse shelter close to my home. The bishop replied that this did not count as tithing, and that if I didn’t pay it directly to the church, I would have to surrender my temple recommend, which I did.

Confused, I asked the bishop, who was also a close friend of mine, if he felt that Jesus Christ Himself would say that I wasn’t paying tithing unless it went to the church. He nervously laughed and stated, “I’m certain Christ would recognize it as tithing, but I’m just following the rules of the church, which say that the money needs to go directly to them.” Seriously?!?

I went home that day and decided to study the teachings of Jesus Christ specific to tithing, as He taught which were recorded in the Bible. I started with the Old Testament first, and then on to the teachings of the New Testament:

Tithing: From Old Testament Law to New Testament Grace

Old Testament Tithing
In the Old Testament, tithing was a formal, law-based system commanded by God for Israel. The word “tithe” means “a tenth,” and Israelites were required to give a tenth of their crops, livestock, and income to support the Levites, who had no land inheritance (Leviticus 27:30–32; Numbers 18:21–24). Multiple tithes existed: one for the Levites, one for festivals in Jerusalem, and one every three years for the poor, widows, and strangers. Altogether, Israel’s obligations often exceeded ten percent.

Tithing functioned like a national religious tax, sustaining the temple, priesthood, and social welfare. God used tithing as a test of faithfulness, promising blessings for obedience and warning of consequences for neglect (Malachi 3:8–10). Under the Old Covenant, tithing was specific, structured, and tied directly to the nation of Israel.

New Testament Teaching on Giving
With Jesus Christ, the focus shifts from law to grace. The New Testament never commands a strict ten-percent tithe for Christians. Instead, giving is voluntary, Spirit-led, and rooted in love. When Jesus mentions the Pharisees’ tithing practices (Matthew 23:23), it is to expose hypocrisy, not to issue a legal mandate.

Early Christians gave freely to meet one another’s needs, often selling possessions to support the community (Acts 2:44–45; Acts 4:32–35). Paul instructed believers to give according to what they have, cheerfully and willingly (1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 8–9), emphasizing generosity from a transformed heart rather than obligation.

Giving to the Poor as Giving to Christ
The New Testament prioritizes helping the poor and needy over institutional donations. Jesus says that serving the hungry, the naked, or the sick is equivalent to serving Him (Matthew 25:35–40). Paul himself never took tithes for ministry but organized collections solely for the poor (1 Corinthians 16:1–2; Romans 15:26; 2 Corinthians 8–9).

The New Testament pattern is clear:

• No command for Christians to pay a 10% tithe.
• No instruction to give all donations to a centralized church body.
• Strong emphasis on giving directly to the poor, widows, and those in need.
• Giving is voluntary, Spirit-guided, and heartfelt—not a religious requirement.

From Law to Grace
The difference between Old and New Testament giving reflects the larger shift from law to grace. Under the Old Covenant, giving was regulated and enforced; under the New Covenant, giving flows from love, gratitude, and faith, not fear of punishment or hope of reward. Christian generosity arises from a saved life, not to earn salvation.

Salvation itself is by grace, not works or tithing. Paul explains:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9, KJV).

Good works, including giving, are the result of salvation, not its cause (Ephesians 2:10). The New Testament affirms that no human effort, including mandatory tithing, determines eternal life.

For anyone questioning these doctrines, approach God with an open, teachable heart:

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally… But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering” (James 1:5–6, KJV).

Reject fear-based, controlling church mandates. Christ’s yoke is easy and His burden light (Matthew 11:28–30). Salvation comes through faith and grace, and giving flows freely from that heart, bringing true freedom (John 8:31–32).

Jesus Christ taught a different gospel than this church teaches. When you see the church begin to hoard all of this money, when we are just months away from the rapture, you should be weary of all of the other teachings that go against what Jesus Christ taught when He was on the earth.

I love the simplicity that Christ taught to us about the gospel. And even more so, I have great comfort in going to Him directly as I learn His gospel…100% truth directly from Him and the teachings of the Bible. NO FEAR, yet ENORMOUS COMFORT in knowing His plan for the end times. Christ is coming to deal with evil, not to punish His followers. He plans to rescue all of His followers in the event known as the rapture. This is the God I believe in. Not One that will destroy me if I don’t pay tithing. Any teachings that claim anything other than that need to be evaluated to expose deception.

I hope in some way that this writing helps those who are currently controlled by “Fear Based Teachings” from a church relating to Jesus Christ. This is NOT who He is.

John 8:32 –
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Knowing God’s truth—His Word and His ways—leads to true freedom. I trust Him fully, and in doing so, He has led me to the eternal truths which have been so clouded by religious leaders all of my life. I am forever grateful. I am indeed…FREE!