A Spiritual Lesson In Toon Language: Lesson 59d
Topic: The Ten Commandments: IX (Parts I-III)
Series: DuckTales, Darkwing Duck, The Super Mario Bros. Super Show, The Simpsons, Looney Tunes, Pinky And The Brain
Episodes: Duckman Of Aquatraz (DuckTales), Dry Hard (Darkwing Duck), The Great Gladiator Gig (The Super Mario Bros. Super Show), A Brush With Oblivion (Darkwing Duck), Viva Ned Flanders (The Simpsons), The Hardship Of Miles Standish (Looney Tunes), Bart's Girlfriend (The Simpsons), My Feldmans, My Friends (Pinky and the Brain)
Lesson PDF links:
Commandment 9: Part I
Commandment 9: Part II
Commandment 9: Part III
Commandment # 9 (Part I)
9th Commandment: Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness Against Thy Neighbour
Note: For much more on lying and false witness, check out these Toon Lessons, which should be combined with this lying series for greater effect: Lesson 19a and Lesson 19b.
And now, False Witness 1: "Perjury"
Ex 20: 16 You must not tell lies about your neighbor in court. (ICB)
This is a different version of the Bible called the International Children's Bible and the way this is worded, mentioning lying in court I understand, is one of the closest translations in Hebrew context. For this lesson, we are studying perjury and potential effects of this type of lying. Perjury is when someone lies in court and/or under oath. This type of lie has some serious consequences. What would it feel like to you if you were framed for a crime because of false accusers and witnesses?
I would presume that this would not feel very good, not to mention that the person framed would receive very bad consequences of someone else's lies.
We will see the DuckTales episode "Duckman Of Aquatraz."
Bible Study And Discussion:
Our Bible Study for this lesson comes out of 1 Kings 21: 1-16. (KJV)
This is about a person named Naboth and the account of how he was framed for a crime he didn't commit.
1Ki 21:1 And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria.
1Ki 21:2 And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money.
1Ki 21:3 And Naboth said to Ahab, The LORD forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.
1Ki 21:4 And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.
1Ki 21:5 But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread?
1Ki 21:6 And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard.
1Ki 21:7 And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.
1Ki 21:8 So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth.
1Ki 21:9 And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people:
1Ki 21:10 And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.
1Ki 21:11 And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them.
1Ki 21:12 They proclaimed a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people.
1Ki 21:13 And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.
1Ki 21:14 Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead.
1Ki 21:15 And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead.
1Ki 21:16 And it came to pass, when Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, that Ahab rose up to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.
Do you see how Naboth got set up; what happened?
Naboth inherited this vineyard from his family line and the king wanted it so badly that he would do anything including allowing Jezebel to kill someone like Naboth.
How is this bad: Ahab got what he would call good consequences?
The problem is that Ahab and Jezebel are mean- spirited and selfish here. Naboth died defending the vineyard that was rightfully his and his inheritance that he would've loved to pass down to any children he had and so forth. Jezebel went to great lengths. She set up false witnesses and charges against him and Naboth was sentenced to death by stoning. In other words, envy and then lies killed Naboth.
Ahab and Jezebel are sentenced to death by God. Ahab died in battle in Ramothgilead (1 Kings 22). King Ahab was only allowed false information and then was even warned by Micaiah; King Ahab believed his false prophets instead and dies in battle; Jezebel gets executed by King Jehu (2 Kings 9: 30-37).
Now, think back to our cartoon Duckman Of Aquatraz, what did you think of Glumgold's scheme?
Like King Ahab, Flintheart Glumgold is extremely envious and is willing to set Scrooge up (like King Ahab and Jezebel). He didn't resort to murder, but he is trying to take Scrooge out of the picture nonetheless.
Ironically, the true portrait that Scrooge contracted for and bought was painted by the guy that Glumgold used to set up and frame Scrooge. This painter shouldn't be in business if he is going to be shady. After this, if I knew about the incident, I don't think that I would trust him.
Who are the witnesses against Scrooge?
Scrooge's family and friends were unwitting witnesses against Scrooge, their words turned into lies at the hands of the prosecution and look who the prosecutor is--a weasel.
I think that it is really horrible that the prosecution attacked Scrooge with his own family and then twisted their words--it's realistic, but what a travesty.
The prosecutor also used only a small piece of a video recording and not the context of it, although if you blink, you may miss the truth like the nephews.
What do you think of Mad Dog McGurk? This guy is really lonely in prison and has no visitors because his mom can't afford to come. I like what Scrooge did to help him. Scrooge brought in Mad Dog's mom, and showed true friendship and was the voice of reason during the escape scenes. Escaping, most of the time isn't going to help anything--it usually makes you look guiltier and increases the sentence.
Do you think that the ends justify the means; did Glumgold get what he deserved?
I would say no to this because Flintheart framed Scrooge and Mad Dog, got a guy to tamper with evidence by destroying it, used a false witness of a video tape etc. and literally tried to steal the life of these two inocent people (by making them go to prison). Flintheart's crime was no just "stealing his own painting" as the cartoon suggests. Remember, Scrooge got 15 years in Aquatraz for this false crime report. Mad Dog probably got a similar sentence for robbery as well. Flintheart was very selfish and mean-spirited (just like (King Ahab and Jezebel). The perjury that Glumgold committed was actually a false police report; when you file a police report, you are under oath that it's the truth legally speaking (at least in the U.S.). I want to also explain in passing that Jesus was also the victim of perjury, for He was convicted under testimony of false witnesses as well and died for these "crimes". Naboth and Jesus have a lot in common.
The Bible says this in Leviticus 19: 11:
Lev 19:11 Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. (KJ21)
There is a good reason for this rule in Leviticus, that is lives are in the balance with the court. The right people should be punished and the right people should be set free.
It's interesting though how the Jewish laws worked especially before the law of grace, but also how things really haven't changed now. In court, it is good to have witnesses (although in the U.S., it doesn't guarantee conviction of a defendant).
In Jewish culture, it takes two or three witnesses to convict, but prudence is still advised to see if a witness is committing perjury.
Let's look at Deuteronomy 19: 15-21 (KJV)
Deu 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
Deu 19:16 If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;
Deu 19:17 Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;
Deu 19:18 And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;
Deu 19:19 Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.
Deu 19:20 And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.
Deu 19:21 And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
According to this biblical principle, Flintheart should be getting 15 years in prison for Scrooge's sentence and whatever sentence Mad Dog McGurk had, not just Scrooge's picture on his mantle for 15 years; he got off too easy.
Due prudence should be administered in the churches too.
Let's look at Matthew 18: 15-17 (ISV)
Mat 18:15 "If your brother sins against you, go and confront him while the two of you are alone. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother.
Mat 18:16 But if he doesn't listen, take one or two others with you so that 'every word may be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'
Mat 18:17 If, however, he ignores them, tell it to the congregation. If he also ignores the congregation, regard him as a gentile and a tax collector.
Unfortunately, a lot of times, conclusions are jumped to even there.
There are a lot of good reasons that God frowns on perjury. Lies like this kind can and does ruin physical lives and a lot of times can kill. God will need to make positive things out of bad situations like this.
In the cartoon, Mad Dog got new friends, Scrooge appreciates his freedom a lot more than he did. My only hope is that Mad Dog didn't just get to swim in Scrooge's money and that he got a little of it too with a little generosity and even if not, Scrooge and Mad Dog should perhaps sue Flintheart for damages.
The truth in court is so important that we take an oath to speak it in a court setting and is one of the highest principles of the land with good reason. This means that we don't want to file false police reports, frame someone intentionally, or talk without the facts.
God is watching and will pronounce judgment on perjurers that don't repent (like all liars). We need to watch ourselves to speak the truth when under oath. Let's pray that we keep clean of this dangerous form of lying.
Commandment # 9 (Part II)--So, You Want To Be A Bad Guy
Ex 20: 16 "You shall not testify falsely [that is, lie, withhold, or manipulate the truth] against your neighbor (any person). (AMP)
In this section of the "False Witness" lesson set, we are discussing the character of a bad guy, namely we are discussing the motives behind lies in general (although this is assuredly not all there is to motive).
There are different ways to lie. In our other "False Witness" lessons so far, we have looked at lies that are designed to destroy relationships, be selfish, to trap, to avoid bad consequences, to cover up and be used when afraid or fearful coupled with a lack of faith.
time, we are looking at yet another couple of kinds of lies.
Let's now look at a series of clips from the Darkwing Duck episode "Dry Hard."
Dry Hard: clip #1:
What do you see in this clip? We see Gosalyn running a scam. She intentionally makes people desperate for water then charges for the drink.
Why is this bad?
This is not an honest business, effectively she robs people of their money by making a thirsty crisis, then takes unfair advantage in the people's weakest moments.
Dry Hard: clip #2:
What do you see in this clip?
We find that someone named Buddy Flood puts toxic poisons into the water to try to monopolize the water supply?
Why is this bad?
Buddy Flood is actually creating a huge crisis and is going to try to take advantage.
Dry Hard: clip #3:
What do you see in this clip?
As you can see, this is what is called a introductory or developmental episode where we see the origins of a character. Buddy Flood becomes a very huge problem as he becomes "The Liquidator", master of water and other liquids (probably because he would control the water in those liquids). Normally, someone would die if thrown into a vat of strong toxic acid or similar substance. Buddy gets a new lease on life, but he wastes it on continuing to do evil and is not sorry.
I want you to notice the audacity and arrogance of the villain here, as he uses his singing advertisement women to hum the Battle Hymn Of The Republic while he does his speech. This is a song about God's truth winning the day in the end --Buddy "Liquidator" Flood's truth is not marching on.
Dry Hard: clip #4:
What do you see in this clip?
People are now victims of an outright monopoly because no water is usable except Buddy Flood's water.
Outright monopolies are dangerous because there is no control over prices or supply except the owner of the monopoly.
Again, Buddy Flood who is Liquidator is creating a crisis and has ramped up the attempt to take advantage of the situation. A bottle of water (Flood Brand) is now $5000 apiece. Liquidator wants to rob everyone blind and laugh at the people's misery that he created for them to have for his enjoyment only.
Dry Hard: clip #5:
What do you see in this clip?
Gosalyn wants to be a scam artist, but she just wants spare change. She would even rob her own dad though to get it. Interestingly enough we see the true character of a villain like Buddy "Liquidator" Flood. He wants to mold Gosalyn because right now, she is actually a kindred spirit to him. Buddy "Liquidator" Flood will corrupt anyone he touches and will attempt to influence the likes of Gosalyn. Gosalyn is on a slippery slope indeed.
What do you see in the clips so far?
What we see is that greed is definitely a motive for lying.
Let's look at a couple verses of scripture. This is found in 1 Timothy 6: 9-10. (ASV)
1Ti 6:9 But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition.
1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows. The character of a bad guy is greedy for the most part.
Now we will take a look at nanother kind of lie. We will look a of clip from The Super Mario Bros. Super Show Episode "The Great Gladiator Gig."
The Great Gladiator Gig: clip #1:
This is called a bait and switch lie. In other words, it's a trap to get what is wanted.
The Bible is clear about what this is like. Let's look at Jeremiah 5: 26-29 (ASV)
Jer 5:26 For among my people are found wicked men: they watch, as fowlers lie in wait; they set a trap, they catch men.
Jer 5:27 As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxed rich.
Jer 5:28 They are waxed fat, they shine: yea, they overpass in deeds of wickedness; they plead not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, that they may prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.
Jer 5:29 Shall I not visit for these things? saith Jehovah; shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
Basically what happens is that a fowler is a game bird catcher. These fowlers use small birds that bigger game birds would eat. Once the big bird lands the cage these birds are in will fall releasing a net attached to it (trapping the game bird) or the net will come up as the birds go down totally engulfing the game bird.
The fowler's snare may differ too I understand, but whatever the case, the bird is trapped.
Here's another thing that liars do whether they know it or not.
Here is a clip from the Darkwing Duck episode "A Brush With Oblivion."
What do you see in this clip?
Honker sees a villain named Splatter Phoenix in some of the paintings and can't believe his eyes. He tries to tell anyone that will listening that Splatter is trying to rob the museum. I want to focus on Gosalyn again. Gosalyn, although she has her good points that we show in other lessons, has definitely been an attempted bad influence on Honker in the past at least, as she admitted teaching him to lie, however she was testifying to his truthfulness in the process (the lessons never took). This is an interesting set of dialogue. Luckily, Honker has not fallen into this same way of thinking.
All liars that think there is nothing wrong with this practice probably will attempt to teach others how to do the same.
In 2 Timothy 3: 13-14 (ASV), we see that this is a very bad practice indeed.
2Ti 3:13 But evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
2Ti 3:14 But abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; When we lie we are not following God's nature because God is truth.
For the ultimate in the character of a bad guy let's look at this last clip from The Super Mario Brothers Super Show Episode The Great Gladiator Gig.
The Great Gladiator Gig: clip #2:
What do you see in this clip?
This is a broken promise out of selfishness and murderous intentions.
In John 8: 31-47 (NIV) we see harsh, but true words from our Lord about who liars are, in this case, speaking to the Pharisees.
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.
32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
33 They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?"
34 Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
37 I know that you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word.
38 I am telling you what I have seen in the Father's presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father."
39 "Abraham is our father," they answered. "If you were Abraham's children," said Jesus, "then you would do what Abraham did.
40 As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things.
41 You are doing the works of your own father." "We are not illegitimate children," they protested. "The only Father we have is God himself."
42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me.
43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say.
44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!
46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me?
47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."
The devil is definitely a murderer and a liar, along with any other evil you can think of. The devil always thinks it's nice to be a bad guy that lies a lot.
In Matthew 7: 15-20 (ISV), Jesus talks about the results of true and false hearts.
Mat 7:15 "Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are savage wolves.
Mat 7:16 You will know them by their fruit. Grapes aren't gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles, are they?
Mat 7:17 In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a rotten tree produces bad fruit.
Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a rotten tree cannot produce good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into a fire.
Mat 7:20 So by their fruit you will know them." God is the only one that can save us from deceiving and being deceived and being like the Devil, Buddy "Liquidator" Flood, Gosalyn and King Koopa. This is God's character; it's truth.
Look at Psalm 25: 8-10 (ASV)
Psa 25:8 Good and upright is Jehovah: Therefore will he instruct sinners in the way.
Psa 25:9 The meek will he guide in justice; And the meek will he teach his way.
Psa 25:10 All the paths of Jehovah are lovingkindness and truth Unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
God is our protector and the only one there is to get out of our spiritual traps and lies.
Look at Psalm 91 (ASV)
Psa 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psa 91:2 I will say of Jehovah, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in whom I trust.
Psa 91:3 For he will deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, And from the deadly pestilence.
Psa 91:4 He will cover thee with his pinions, And under his wings shalt thou take refuge: His truth is a shield and a buckler.
Psa 91:5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, Nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Psa 91:6 For the pestilence that walketh in darkness, Nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
Psa 91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, And ten thousand at thy right hand; But it shall not come nigh thee.
Psa 91:8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, And see the reward of the wicked.
Psa 91:9 For thou, O Jehovah, art my refuge! Thou hast made the Most High thy habitation;
Psa 91:10 There shall no evil befall thee, Neither shall any plague come nigh thy tent.
Psa 91:11 For he will give his angels charge over thee, To keep thee in all thy ways.
Psa 91:12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Psa 91:13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: The young lion and the serpent shalt thou trample under foot.
Psa 91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
Psa 91:15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble: I will deliver him, and honor him.
Psa 91:16 With long life will I satisfy him, And show him my salvation.
What have we learned with this lesson?
Jesus says it best about we have learned. Let's look at John 10: 10 (ASV)
Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.
The Bible is pretty clear that murders, thefts and lies are in the same family they are definitely kindred spirits and all very evil. Because lies are meant to steal a lot of times, they are closely related.
We need to always remember this and not be like our liars in this lesson Stay away from greed and selfishness. May God teach us truth and nothing but the truth.
Commandment # 9--False Witness (Part III): Lightning Round
16 "You shall not testify falsely [that is, lie, withhold, or manipulate the truth] against your neighbor (any person). (AMP)
This lesson section on "False Witness" in part is about tithes and tithing, but a lot of this section is on faithfulness in giving and the courage in faith to do so.
Tithe: This is a British term meaning tenth. The dictionary says this:
Tithe: (often pl) ( Christianity) a tenth part of agricultural or other produce, personal income, or profits, contributed either voluntarily or as a tax for the support of the church or clergy or for charitable purposes
We will now see a clip from the Simpsons episode "Viva Ned Flanders."
What do you see in the clip?
Reverend Lovejoy doesn't think that the church is getting the full 10% of the tithe due. How would a good church fix this issue; is an audit the answer?
Not necessarily, in fact, I am a firm believer that you can give a tenth of your net income as long as you give a tenth of the tax return at the end of a fiscal year. In my opinion, when you tithe out of gross income when getting money back at the end of the fiscal year, that tax return is already counted and doesn't need to be given an offering from unless led to by God.
Note about waiters/waitress, self employed etc. who actually pay taxes at the end of the fiscal year (an educated guess):
If you are a waiter or waitress, self-employed etc who may pay at the end of a fiscal year, giving an offering by paying of your gross pay probably is the best way; this is before the state and federal taxes take their bite out of your money (on average, these governmental taxes equal about 20%-30% in the U.S. unfortunately.
Anything given as a tithe or offering above and beyond is definitely a cheerful love offering to where you serve to ensure the smooth sailing of the cause for any kind of tithe or offering. This kind of tithing from the pay of these types of jobs however is definitely more faith intensive in my opinion because sometimes you don't know how much of a tax bill you might receive. When you are in this situation you must depend on God to make up any lack possibly even more so than other people who don't need to tithe in this way.
If we go back to Rev. Lovejoy's comments, he is also not paying attention to the fact that some people may be using their tithes correctly for ministry or helping the community. Rev. Lovejoy might need to ask questions first really before an audit.
Why is tithing important? As the definition tells us, a tithe is important because it ensures the smooth operation of a church and/or ministry and is not wrong, but it's even more biblical to feed the poor, needy, hungry etc. of the community.
The actual tithe seems to be of the best of produce and grain, so as to feed everyone including the priests (eating the holy consecrated part of the harvest, which we will get to shortly). Money seems to be more of an offering than tithe and is almost if not just as important as a tithe for the maintenance and smooth running of the place of worship, although some of the offering would be definitely useful as a tithe to fuel those projects and ministries and should be used as such when appropriate.
In the book of Deuteronomy 14: 22-29 and 26 (ASV), we see the true function of the tithe.
Deu 14:22 Thou shalt surely tithe all the increase of thy seed, that which cometh forth from the field year by year.
Deu 14:23 And thou shalt eat before Jehovah thy God, in the place which he shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there, the tithe of thy grain, of thy new wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herd and of thy flock; that thou mayest learn to fear Jehovah thy God always.
Deu 14:24 And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it, because the place is too far from thee, which Jehovah thy God shall choose, to set his name there, when Jehovah thy God shall bless thee;
Deu 14:25 then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thy hand, and shalt go unto the place which Jehovah thy God shall choose:
Deu 14:26 and thou shalt bestow the money for whatsoever thy soul desireth, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul asketh of thee; and thou shalt eat there before Jehovah thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou and thy household.
Deu 14:27 And the Levite that is within thy gates, thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no portion nor inheritance with thee.
Deu 14:28 At the end of every three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase in the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates:
Deu 14:29 and the Levite, because he hath no portion nor inheritance with thee, and the sojourner, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that Jehovah thy God may bless thee in all the work of thy hand which thou doest.
Deu 26:1 And it shall be, when thou art come in unto the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and possessest it, and dwellest therein,
Deu 26:2 that thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which thou shalt bring in from thy land that Jehovah thy God giveth thee; and thou shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which Jehovah thy God shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there.
Deu 26:3 And thou shalt come unto the priest that shall be in those days, and say unto him, I profess this day unto Jehovah thy God, that I am come unto the land which Jehovah sware unto our fathers to give us.
Deu 26:4 And the priest shall take the basket out of thy hand and set it down before the altar of Jehovah thy God.
Deu 26:5 And thou shalt answer and say before Jehovah thy God, A Syrian ready to perish was my father; and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there, few in number; and he became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous.
Deu 26:6 And the Egyptians dealt ill with us, and afflicted us, and laid upon us hard bondage:
Deu 26:7 and we cried unto Jehovah, the God of our fathers, and Jehovah heard our voice, and saw our affliction, and our toil, and our oppression;
Deu 26:8 and Jehovah brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders;
Deu 26:9 and he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.
Deu 26:10 And now, behold, I have brought the first of the fruit of the ground, which thou, O Jehovah, hast given me. And thou shalt set it down before Jehovah thy God, and worship before Jehovah thy God:
Deu 26:11 and thou shalt rejoice in all the good which Jehovah thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thy house, thou, and the Levite, and the sojourner that is in the midst of thee.
Deu 26:12 When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithe of thine increase in the third year, which is the year of tithing, then thou shalt give it unto the Levite, to the sojourner, to the fatherless, and to the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled.
Deu 26:13 And thou shalt say before Jehovah thy God, I have put away the hallowed things out of my house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the sojourner, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandment which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed any of thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them:
Deu 26:14 I have not eaten thereof in my mourning, neither have I put away thereof, being unclean, nor given thereof for the dead: I have hearkened to the voice of Jehovah my God; I have done according to all that thou hast commanded me.
Deu 26:15 Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the ground which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey.
Deu 26:16 This day Jehovah thy God commandeth thee to do these statutes and ordinances: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thy heart, and with all thy soul.
Deu 26:17 Thou hast avouched Jehovah this day to be thy God, and that thou wouldest walk in his ways, and keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his ordinances, and hearken unto his voice:
Deu 26:18 and Jehovah hath avouched thee this day to be a people for his own possession, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;
Deu 26:19 and to make thee high above all nations that he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honor; and that thou mayest be a holy people unto Jehovah thy God, as he hath spoken.
The tithe is actually something that is very important because it allows everyone in the land to have meals, and worship together. Tithing kind of reminds me of how a food/clothing bank for the needy and hungry functions. Now, there is definitely a liturgical remembrance that is said as in a lot of older style churches especially to help remember the importance of God and then utterly and wholeheartedly revering God in the act of worship. Tithes are meant to help the poor, the stranger, the widow and orphan and the priest line (The Levites) would participate on the receiving end of these blessings every three years. Everyone is fully satisfied all the time. The Levites were in the meantime privileged to eat the consecrated and holy food in the temple where they served.
This is found in Deuteronomy 18: 1-8 (ASV)
Deu 18:1 The priests the Levites, even all the tribe of Levi, shall have no portion nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eat the offerings of Jehovah made by fire, and his inheritance.
Deu 18:2 And they shall have no inheritance among their brethren: Jehovah is their inheritance, as he hath spoken unto them.
Deu 18:3 And this shall be the priests' due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep, that they shall give unto the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw.
Deu 18:4 The first-fruits of thy grain, of thy new wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him.
Deu 18:5 For Jehovah thy God hath chosen him out of all thy tribes, to stand to minister in the name of Jehovah, him and his sons for ever.
Deu 18:6 And if a Levite come from any of thy gates out of all Israel, where he sojourneth, and come with all the desire of his soul unto the place which Jehovah shall choose;
Deu 18:7 then he shall minister in the name of Jehovah his God, as all his brethren the Levites do, who stand there before Jehovah.
Deu 18:8 They shall have like portions to eat, besides that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony.
Note: Patrimony is land, estate, inheritance from a father, or even the worth of the temple or church served in.
It looks like that God Himself gives this inheritance or value mentioned as a special inheritance but it doesn't come from Israel.
What happens though when the people are selfish?
This inevitably happens when faith is lacking or people don't see the way that God does math; everyone's tenth or tithe becomes a pretty huge quantity. When tithe isn't proper, it could endanger the health of the community trying to share in the stores of tithes. Some people might try to tell tall tales as they say.
Let's look at a Looney Tunes cartoon short called "The Hardship Of Miles Standish"
What do you see in this clip?
Basically, this cartoon is all about an old man spreading a story that has no basis in fact; he thinks it's true he says because this is the way he heard it, then swears an oath that it's true and dares lightning to strike if he is not telling the truth. The grandpa gets punished in the end by a lightning bolt destroying his house and almost kills him.
Why would this story deserve lightning?
This is a dangerous lie, because the boy he is teaching is not learning historical truth and may believe and be deceived.
If we look at this from the Christian perspective, this situation is grave indeed.
Let's look at Proverbs 14: 5 (ASV), Galations 1: 6- 10 (NIV)
Pro 14:5 A faithful witness will not lie; But a false witness uttereth lies.
Gal 1: 6-10
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--
7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse!
9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God's curse!
10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
This is very strong language that should be taken seriously. Tall tales or lies have no place in the faith especially with the work of the Gospel, such as with tithes and offerings.
There is also another very serious situation here. As stated before, the old man swore an oath and therefore, he is bound by his word.
Let's look at Numbers 30: 1-2 (ASV)
Num 30:1 And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which Jehovah hath commanded.
Num 30:2 When a man voweth a vow unto Jehovah, or sweareth an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. On the flip side, the Lord is gracious when we do things correctly and with the right heart and mind set.
Let's look at Proverbs 3: 9-10 (ASV).
Pro 3:9 Honor Jehovah with thy substance, And with the first-fruits of all thine increase:
Pro 3:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, And thy vats shall overflow with new wine.
However, when we give correctly and cheerfully, we will never be in lack and even if we for some reason find ourselves in need, God will provide. Some even will steal from the tithe pool or don't tithe or offer enough and even if they did, they don't with the right heart. This effectively is kind of like our next clip, which is from the Simpsons episode "Bart's Girlfriend."
What do you see in this clip?
Jessica is Reverend Lovejoy's daughter, but she is a thief and a liar. She steals from the collection plate and lets Bart take the fall.
This brings us to the heart of this study. Let's look at Malachi 3: 6-18
Mal 3:6 For I, Jehovah, change not; therefore ye, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
Mal 3:7 From the days of your fathers ye have turned aside from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith Jehovah of hosts. But ye say, Wherein shall we return?
Mal 3:8 Will a man rob God? yet ye rob me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Mal 3:9 Ye are cursed with the curse; for ye rob me, even this whole nation.
Mal 3:10 Bring ye the whole tithe into the store- house, that there may be food in my house, and prove me now herewith, saith Jehovah 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.
Mal 3:11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast its fruit before the time in the field, saith Jehovah of hosts.
Mal 3:12 And all nations shall call you happy; for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith Jehovah of hosts.
Mal 3:13 Your words have been stout against me, saith Jehovah. Yet ye say, What have we spoken against thee?
Mal 3:14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we have kept his charge, and that we have walked mournfully before Jehovah of hosts?
Mal 3:15 and now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are built up; yea, they tempt God, and escape.
Mal 3:16 Then they that feared Jehovah spake one with another; and Jehovah hearkened, and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared Jehovah, and that thought upon his name.
Mal 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith Jehovah of hosts, even mine own possession, in the day that I make; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
Mal 3:18 Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
Now for a little bit of a side bar here. Jesus also uses this scripture in his parable of the sheep and goats. Let's look at Matthew 25: 31-46.
31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.
32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40 "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'
41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,
43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
44 "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
45 "He will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
46 "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." The actual time of judgment is refered to here.
Let's look at Revelation 20: 11-15.
11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.
13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.
14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.
15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.
However, in the next account of scripture, the lying thieves didn't escape physically at all.
Let's look at Acts 4: 32--5: 11 (NIV)
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.
33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all
34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales
35 and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means "son of encouragement"),
37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.
Acts 5: 1-11
1 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property.
2 With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet.
3 Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?
4 Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God."
5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.
6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
8 Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price."
9 Peter said to her, "How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also."
10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
Why did this couple deserve being struck by lightning or something similar.
I hear varying answers on the subject, but I will give my viewpoint, that this couple had said that they confessed the faith and agreed to give any sale proceeds (in this case, the value of the property) to the apostles for dividing among the people in the form of needs and food etc. No one was to be in lack. This couple was bound by an oath and didn't deliver fully, what's worse is that they lied about it. I am guessing that what was done was in arrogance and nothing legitimate. The Christian church as a whole was in its infancy and this was detrimental to the safety of it because tithes are to be used for the needy, poor, widow, fatherless etc. Letting these two get away with this evil would not visibly show the grace of God clearly and people of the day may not have converted to The Way. In short, these thefts and lies could have cost God's kingdom souls.
If we look back at Numbers 30: 1-2 (ASV) we see that Ananias is bound by his oath.
Let's look at it again.
Num 30:1 And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which Jehovah hath commanded.
Num 30:2 When a man voweth a vow unto Jehovah, or sweareth an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.
Now, let's look at the now widowed Saphira. Let's look at Numbers 30: 6-15, Proverbs 19: 5; 9.
Num 30:6 And if she be married to a husband, while her vows are upon her, or the rash utterance of her lips, wherewith she hath bound her soul,
Num 30:7 and her husband hear it, and hold his peace at her in the day that he heareth it; then her vows shall stand, and her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand.
Num 30:8 But if her husband disallow her in the day that he heareth it, then he shall make void her vow which is upon her, and the rash utterance of her lips, wherewith she hath bound her soul: and Jehovah will forgive her.
Num 30:9 But the vow of a widow, or of her that is divorced, even everything wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand against her.
Num 30:10 And if she vowed in her husband's house, or bound her soul by a bond with an oath,
Num 30:11 and her husband heard it, and held his peace at her, and disallowed her not; then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she bound her soul shall stand.
Num 30:12 But if her husband made them null and void in the day that he heard them, then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and Jehovah will forgive her.
Num 30:13 Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void.
Num 30:14 But if her husband altogether hold his peace at her from day to day, then he establisheth all her vows, or all her bonds, which are upon her: he hath established them, because he held his peace at her in the day that he heard them.
Num 30:15 But if he shall make them null and void after that he hath heard them, then he shall bear her iniquity.
Let's look especially at verse 9, she is widowed (unknown to her); she is now obligated to what she says and her husband Ananias was automatically bound by his by Levitical precedent and he was no longer alive to say no to have her forgiven of the vow or even take the consequences himself by saying no late.
It's tradition to think that these two were struck dead by lightning because it happened so fast and lightning is used as a judgment tool and to indicate God's wrath. Saphira was bound by law as well. In some old game shows there was what was called the lightning round (so named because good answers to questions and requirements for the biggest prizes had to be extremely quick). God says that lying is no game however and it is clear that lying in general is deserving of a lightning round that would be never wanted and any liar that receives this will surely lose the game just like this:
Let's look at a clip from the Pinky And The Brain episode "My Feldmans, My Friends."
What do you see in this clip?
Pinky in his attempt to help Brain with his plan to take over the world does something extremely stupid by standing on top of the metal transmitter in the middle of a lightning storm and gets struck. Pinky barely survives, but for some reason has fun. Lying especially with tithes and offerings and/or bad stewardship is foolish and its consequences are not fun and must be avoided. Not everyone gets struck by lightning like this, but unrepentant thefts and lies like this are bound to bring swift judgment of some type and tests God's patience and power. This is something that no one will stand safely in the time it comes. Pinky asked to be burnt to a crisp figuratively as Ananias and Saphira literally tempted God and paid for it. Lying is asking for this deadly lightning round that goes off like a gun and kills without remedy. Try a game of Russian Roulette with every chamber in the gun loaded. On the contrary, we need to be more like the widow
in Mark 12: 41-44 (NIV)
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.
42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.
44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on."
Even though she couldn't afford it, she gave it all to help the cause of the ministry of the temple. This is astounding to Jesus and He made sure to note its importance.
Although giving ten percent of everything is a good rule of thumb, we need to remember to be sold out to Christ and be prepared to go above and beyond the call of duty in the ministry of Christ just like the widow.
What have we learned?
Lying can easily bring sorrow, lack of trust, destruction and death. These are never good consequences (even if the lies bring "good consequences"
Let's look at Matthew 16: 24-27 (NIV).
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
We need to remember also what Malachi 3: 10 says as we go back to it.
Mal 3:10 Bring ye the whole tithe into the store- house, that there may be food in my house, and prove me now herewith, saith Jehovah 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.
Jesus quotes this with a derivitive form when He says in Luke 6: 38 (NIV).
38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
If we happily sell out to Jesus Christ instead of thefts and lies, we will be made to have blessings that we cannot hold to ourselves because it would be too much. Give blessing and it multiplies and comes back to you more than what you had and then you repeat the cycle God wants us to have abundance, but not as the world knows it, in other words, blessing doesn't mean money all the time on the back end of giving blessings as some suppose, but this does mean that God will be quick to send aid, protect, and bless with success our labors in Christ and then the good life this produces will have God's favor. Then, eternity is ours in God's kingdom of Heaven because Christ would be first in our lives.