The Church Earnings Belong to the Whole Church

“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord 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.”
— Malachi 3 : 10 (KJV)

🌿 Old Testament Pattern — Provision for the House of God and the Needy

In the Old Covenant, God commanded that the tithe and offerings be used primarily for:

1. Supporting the priests and Levites who had no inheritance of land.

“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.”
— Numbers 18 : 21 (KJV)

The Levites were full-time servants in the tabernacle; the tithes were their provision so they could focus on God’s work.

2. Maintaining the temple and its worship.
   Offerings were used to maintain God’s house, supply oil for the lamps, incense, and sacrifices.

“And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s.”
— Leviticus 27 : 30 (KJV)

3. Caring for the poor, widows, and strangers.
   Every third year, tithes were gathered specifically for social care.

“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, … and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, … shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied.”
— Deuteronomy 14 : 28–29 (KJV)

📌 God’s system never designed tithes to enrich individuals — it was to sustain ministry, maintain worship, and relieve the needy.

✝️ New Testament Pattern — Stewardship, Simplicity and Service

When the Church was born, the same spirit of stewardship continued — but now under grace, not legal obligation.

1. Support for ministers and missionaries.
   Paul taught that those who preach the gospel should live by the gospel.

“Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”
— 1 Corinthians 9 : 14 (KJV)

Yet Paul himself often refused personal payment to avoid misunderstanding, choosing to work as a tent-maker (Acts 18 : 3). His integrity became the model for ministers: receive if it is for the work, not for luxury.

2. Relief for the poor and the saints.
   The early church shared resources so that no one among them lacked.

“And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.”
— Acts 2 : 45 (KJV)

Paul organised offerings across churches for the poor believers in Jerusalem.

“Now concerning the collection for the saints … upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store.”
— 1 Corinthians 16 : 1–2 (KJV)

3. Transparency and accountability.
   Paul never handled church funds alone. He ensured other trusted brothers accompanied him to deliver offerings.

“And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel … we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.”
— 2 Corinthians 8 : 18–21

📌 Church money was never private income; it was sacred trust — to be managed openly, distributed justly, and used purely.

🌾 Purpose of Church Finances — Threefold Use

1️⃣ To sustain true ministers of the Word.

“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.”
— 1 Timothy 5 : 17–18 (KJV)

This is not a licence for extravagance, but recognition of labour in the gospel.

2️⃣ To help the poor, widows, and orphans.

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction …”
— James 1 : 27 (KJV)

The true Church must reflect Christ’s compassion in practical ways.

3️⃣ To advance the mission of the Gospel.
Every offering is meant to keep the light burning — to send the Word, print materials, support evangelism, and minister to the flock’s spiritual needs.

🕊 The Church Earnings Belong to the Whole Church

The money made via tithe and offering is for the church.
Who is the church? The members of the church — including the pastor and the leaders — they make up the Body.

Once the need of the main building is met — rent, bills, and maintenance — the rest should go back into the church, which means the members.

It is an error to have people lack so much inside the house of God while funds sleep in accounts or decorate offices.
Transfer money to members’ accounts in batches. Help brethren who are actively running the church. Every worker with a responsibility should partake. No single soul in the church should be left out.

📌 The storehouse exists to feed those inside the house first before the world sees the light through them.

💬 Reflect on This Truth

“If there’s anything should be done, it should be done right. And the money that’s taken up in the offering should be used for the Kingdom of God, not for man’s pleasure.”
— William Branham, The First Seal (63-0318)

“When you pay tithings, you pay them to your local church, not to me. I have nothing to do with that. That’s between you and God. Bring your tithes into the storehouse where you are fed.”
— William Branham, Questions & Answers on the Holy Ghost (59-1219)

“If a man’s called of God, he’ll trust God to take care of him. But he won’t take God’s people’s money to build himself an empire.”
— William Branham, God’s Provided Way (58-0706)

📌 True ministers are stewards, not owners. Church funds are sacred, not personal, they belong to the church. 

🔎 Deep-Dive: Levites, Paul, and the Modern Minister (Full section added exactly as seen)

🕊 Understanding the Levites and the Tithe

In the Old Testament, the Levites were a special tribe chosen by God to serve continually in the temple. They had no land inheritance like the other tribes; their inheritance was the Lord Himself (Numbers 18:20).

“And the Lord spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.”
— Numbers 18 : 20 (KJV)

Because they could not farm or trade like the others, God commanded the rest of Israel to give a tenth (the tithe) of their income to sustain them (Numbers 18 : 21). This tithe was their livelihood so they could give their time fully to the service of the tabernacle.

📌 In short: the tithe was never “payment for preaching” — it was provision for those who gave all their time to the service of God’s house.

✝️ Transition to the New Testament

When Christ came, the temple system ended. The veil was rent. Every believer became part of the priesthood.

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation…”
— 1 Peter 2 : 9

However, though the ceremonial law ended, the principle of supporting those who labour in ministry continued.
Paul, who understood both covenants, taught this same principle — but now under grace, not legal obligation.

🔹 1 Corinthians 9 : 13-14

“Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”

Here, Paul draws a direct parallel between the Levites and the New Testament ministers.
He says “Even so” — meaning in the same manner — those who preach are entitled to material support from the church, just as the Levites were.

But there’s a difference:
Paul adds in the same chapter that he sometimes refused that right so the Gospel would not be blamed (1 Corinthians 9 : 15-18).

🔹 1 Timothy 5 : 17-18

“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.”

Here “double honour” includes financial care. Those who labour in teaching and shepherding are worthy of material support — but it’s based on labour, not title.

💼 What if a Pastor or Minister Has Another Job?

The New Testament gives freedom. Paul was both a tentmaker (Acts 18 : 3) and an apostle.
He worked with his hands to avoid being a burden to young churches, yet he made it clear that ministers have a right to be supported if they are dedicating themselves fully to God’s work (1 Cor 9 : 14).

So, if a minister works full-time in secular employment, he is already sustained by that income.
In such a case, church tithes and offerings should mainly go toward:

• Covering church needs (rent, utilities, evangelism, materials).

• Supporting other labourers who serve full-time.

• Helping needy members (Acts 2 : 44-45).

A pastor who has another job may still receive a modest share or allowance for ministry expenses, but not a “Levitical share” meant for those fully devoted to the altar.

📌 Summary principle:

The Levite share belongs to those whose full strength, time, and life are devoted to the ministry. If they also labour in daily work, they follow Paul’s example — serving freely, not demanding pay.

📖 New Testament Verses Reflecting This

• Acts 18 : 3 – Paul worked as a tentmaker.

• Acts 20 : 33-35 – “I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel… these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.”

• 2 Thessalonians 3 : 7-9 – “For ye yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you… but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you.”

• Philippians 4 : 15-17 – Paul thanked the church for supporting him, saying, “Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.”

💬 William Branham Echo This;

“A minister that’s called of God won’t be lazy. He’ll work if he has to, but if the people want to support him so he can give his full time to the Gospel, that’s the Bible way.”
— William Branham, Questions & Answers #1 (64-0823M)

“Paul said, ‘They that preach the Gospel should live by the Gospel.’ But when he saw the people misunderstanding it, he went and made tents. That’s a real servant.”
— William Branham, The True Vine and the False Vine #2 (55- 

0607)

 

 🌅 Takeaway

The Levitical pattern still speaks — not through law, but through love.
Those who give all their time to God’s service should be cared for by the Church.
Those who also work in daily labour should not expect full dependence on tithes.
All giving must serve the Body, not burden it.

📌 Tithes are not wages for titles; they are provisions for labour and love.

God’s house must reflect God’s heart.
The same hands that lift offerings should not go home empty.
The same lips that sing worship should not cry in hunger.
When the Church becomes family again, provision will mirror grace, and giving will reflect love.

🙏 Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
Teach Your Church again the holiness of stewardship.
Deliver us from greed, waste, and self-glory.
Let every tithe, offering, and gift be used for Your glory — to strengthen the weak, support Your servants, and uplift Your people.
Bless the hands that give and the hearts that manage.
Make Your Church a living testimony of generosity and grace.
In Your precious Name, Amen.