The Abrahamic Christian Tithing: a Study Book for the Church: Tithing for Spiritual Growth

© 2012 Samuel Mills. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 8/20/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4772-0282-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-0281-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4772-0280-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012908468

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Contents

Acknowledgments

This book is dedicated to

Forewords

First Foreword

Second Foreword

Third Foreword

Fourth Foreword

Preface

Introduction

Figure 1 The interconnection of Abraham, Melchizedek, Christ, the church and Christian Tithing.

Chapter One The Originating Work of God in Abraham to Tithe    (The Development of Abraham’s Faith)   

Figure 2 The view of God and the mode of trusting God

Figure 3 The treatment of Abraham’s view of God

Chapter Two The Originating Work of God in Abraham to Tithe    (The Foreshadowing of Christ’s Priestly Service)    

Chart 1 Christ and the levetical priesthood (similarities & differences)

Chapter Three Abraham’s Response to God’s Work in Him    (The Faith Response of Abraham)   

Figrure 4 The faith production of Abraham’s tithing

Chapter Four Abraham’s Response to God’s Work in Him    (The Moral Response of Abraham)   

Figure 5 Morality orders

Chapter Five The Ultimate Aim in Abraham’s Tithing

Chapter Six The Fundamental Benefits of Christian Tithing

Chart 3 Integrity of God’s presence in Abraham’s life

Chapter Seven The Importance of the Abrahamic Christian Tithing to the Church of Christ

Chapter Eight Abraham’s Tithing and Christianity

Chart 3 Application of Abraham’s tithing to Christianity

Chapter Nine What is Christian Tithing?

FINAL THOUGHTS

The Christian Tithing Creed

Christian Tithing Hymnal

Acknowledgments

My first acknowledgment goes to God, the Father of our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. He gave me the insight into the tithing of Abraham, to see the tithing of the patriarch in the light of His work in his life to perfect his walk of faith with Him. He enabled me through the Holy Spirit to grasp the tithing of Abraham as a sacred act related to the High Priestly Ministry of Christ to the church with the attendance of Melchizedek, the priest of the Most High God.

I am indebted to the Holy Spirit, who yoked me into the writing of this literature, after being anointed with the holy oil by the ministry of Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams. My appreciation goes to Rev Dr. Jacob Sackey (General Overseer, Fresh Fire World-wide Ministries), who spiritually guided me in the writing of this book.

God caused my path to cross Pastor Mark Schulz, Lead Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lisle, Illinois over a decade ago, and his generous support of prayers and other resources to my ministry have been such a great blessing to me.

I owe much gratitude to Dr. David Donkor for the robust discussions that fine tuned the intellectual and theological conclusions in this book. And the same goes to my great brother, Dr. Isaac Ashie, who first reviewed this work meticulously.

My deep gratitude to my Pastor, Gaius Gborglah, and my sisters, Reverend Olivia Dotse, Georgina Assasie-Oppong, Cecilia Wendy Aboagye; my son, Kwame Aggrey; and to my anointed Minstrel Bridget Wright who have supported me in prayers, spiritual counsel, and inspiration to finish this assignment from God.

Finally, being husband to Nana Ama and dad to Rachel and Derek warrants a big thank you to them for all their sacrifices that allowed me to complete this literature for the body of Christ.

Samuel Kirk Mills

This book is dedicated to

Mrs. Fanny Viala Sackey

A great woman of destiny, and a great mother

to many gallant men and women of the faith in Ghana

Forewords

Forewords to this book are provided by:

Mark Schulz

(Lead Pastor – Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle Illinois)

James Commey

(Senior Pastor – International Harvest Christian Centre, Denmark)

Jennifer Abigail Wallace

(President and CEO – Cedars House Christian International (United Kingdom)

Gauis Gborglah

(Head Pastor – Harvest Chapel International Church, Raleigh - North Carolina)

First Foreword

I have known Dr. Samuel Kirk Mills for almost 10 years. I have heard him preach. He is a passionate and capable communicator of the Word of God! His love for the Lord and for people is evident as he boldly proclaims what God has given him to say. I have also heard him sing – and he can sing! When he sings it is evident that the Joy of the Lord is his strength. And I have seen Samuel speaking with someone who has come to him for spiritual direction and guidance. He listens intently. He shows he cares. And he shares God’s wisdom in a clear and impactful way.

But all that said I have never seen Samuel using his God-given gifts more powerfully and clearly than I have in these pages. His knowledge and grasp of the Word of God shines through. His passion for spiritual growth in the lives of people is at the heart of it all. Because ultimately that is what this book is about – spiritual growth.

About 25 years ago someone wisely helped me see that money is simply me – my talents and my time – in storage. When I tithe, I am giving God more than numbers on paper. I am giving him my life. I am giving him me. The practice of tithing is an exercise in surrender to God, and because of this it is an act that leads to growth. May God bless you as you read and study these pages, and may the studying of this book deepen your personal relationship with God who loved the world so much that he gave! (John 3:16).

Pastor Mark Schulz

(Lead Pastor – Trinity Lutheran Church, Lisle Illinois)

Second Foreword

In this our era that has the practice of tithing in local churches, as a very sensitive and debated issue in both church and secular circles; The Abrahamic Christian Tithing: A Study Book for the Church has come at a seasoned moment.

Dr. Samuel Kirk Mills lays a vivid and solid foundation for every Christian and non Christian who genuinely wants to know the mind of God on the issue of tithing. The book looks at the subject of tithing from the beginning of time and traces its relevance and importance to the people of God throughout the Old Testament and into the New Testament. The book reveals the heart of God on the subject and will release all those who have had the notion that tithing belong only to the Old Testament brethren to have a change of mind and heart. For those like me, who have read many books and articles on tithing but are looking for an in-depth biblical foundation, revelation and understanding, Rev Dr. Samuel Kirk Mills has written a masterpiece for you.

The theological, theoretical, and applicable approach to the writing of this book makes it highly recommendable to every bible school student of the 21st century. And for every pastor and church leader seeking a biblical approach and good understanding of the subject, this book will help make it clearer.

Rev. James Commey

Senior Pastor-International Harvest Christian Centre

Denmark

Third Foreword

The principles of tithing and giving to God have been taught, in these last days, from the perspective of what we will get in return from God, rather than that of worship and keeping relationship with Him. Thus, the focus of the believer has been shifted from the knowledge and experience of the being, nature, essence and personality of God, to the pursuit of material things which are of no eternal value.

However, God has clearly stated in His word that the knowledge of Him does not only surpass all other pursuits of life, it must be central to all pursuits of life. Indeed, the scripture tells us, Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, nor let the rich man boast in his riches; but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight, says the Lord." - Jeremiah 9:23-24.

Dr Samuel Kirk Mills’ book, THE ABRAHAMIC CHRISTIAN TITHING: A STUDY BOOK FOR THE CHURCH, with its subtitle, Tithing for Spiritual Growth therefore, is a breath of fresh air for the church, in these last days. The revelations contained in Dr. Mills’ book are urgently required to turn the individual believer and the corporate church back to the personal knowledge and experience of God, and walking with Him in a manner that is acceptable and pleasing to Him.

THE ABRAHAMIC CHRISTIAN TITHING: A STUDY BOOK FOR THE CHURCH contains truths, which have long been overlooked, concerning the nature and essence of God and His eternal plan to relate to humanity in a personal way in order to reign and rule the earth through man. The book teaches us that the act of tithing must be in response and must correlate to the revelation and experience of the integrity of God in our personal lives. This revelation, which the Spirit of God is urgently seeking to bring back to the Church, is manifested in our growing personal relationship with God and in our increasing in the knowledge and experience of Jesus Christ.

The accompanying manual to Dr. Mills’ book – TITHING TO GROW IN CHRIST: A DEVOTIONAL GUIDE FOR THE CHURCH – also enables and empowers the believer to attend to the truths expounded regarding Christian tithing, in a practical and accessible way. We can, therefore, confidently put both book and manual in the category of the most needed resources of our time.

I greatly commend Dr Samuel Kirk Mills for availing himself to God to bring forth these revelations, and admonish the church to diligently observe and return to the teaching and practice of these basic truths, which have been hidden or lost for so long, but are now being unfolded to us again.

Apostle Jennifer Abigail Wallace

Cedars House Christian (International)

Fourth Foreword

There is a great need for the body of Christ to fulfill all righteousness, especially as it pertains to tithing. If Abraham indeed is our father, from whose loins we have all been birthed according to promise, then we ought to give heed to this study concerning the relationship that developed between Abraham and God through his tithing.

Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness. How did Abraham believe God? The origin of his belief can be traced to his tithing to God.

The Abrahamic Christian Tithing brings you into a greater understanding of your relationship with the heavenly father. It will strengthen your trust and confidence in the Lord as never before. It will challenge you to want to become like Abraham, who staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief but was strong in faith, giving glory to God. It certainly provides us a pattern to follow concerning the practice of tithing in the church.

The body of Christ has to come to the full stature of the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ and this material is certainly a great resource for enhancing the full spectrum of church growth.

I highly recommend this book to all those who are hungry and open to the latter rain outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the church of Jesus Christ.

Gaius Goodwin Gborglah

Head Pastor

Harvest Chapel International Church

Raleigh - North Carolina

Preface

The Abrahamic Christian Tithing: A Study Book for the Church is a foundational study book for pastors. The study is aimed at equipping pastors to lead confidently in fortifying the spiritual and financial vitality of their God-given churches, on the foundation of the Abrahamic Christian tithing.

It is also a useful study book for individual church members who desire strong personal relationship with God, with the goal of spiritual growth.

The book encourages the practice of Christian tithing in three main ways:

• It brings fresh perspectives and insights concerning what Christian tithing is about.

• It serves as a groundbreaking resource that guides the church to practice Christian tithing as God had ordained it with Abraham (the father of the Christian faith).

• It emboldens and inspires the church of God to devotedly and fervently tithe to the Lord for the advancement of the cause of Christ and His Kingdom.

In 2 Timothy, chapter 2, and verse 15, it says, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

As you study this book, it will show you the perspective of Christian tithing, as a unique type of giving by the principle of knowing and relating to God personally as it pertained to Abraham.

You will also learn about the spiritual and sacred nature of the practice of Christian tithing that we are to observe as members of the Church of Christ.

The book points out that Christian tithing actually goes beyond our traditional notion of giving God 10 percent of our earnings and expecting rewards from Him. Instead, it explains the real fundamental benefits of our Christian tithing. As it occurred in Abraham, you will know and understand