The National Tithe

The multiple tithes and offerings of ancient Israel were collected by the priests and distributed as social welfare by the Levites, who were the civil administrators of their times. Those who handled the funds were known to the people as righteous men, concerned with matters of social justice. They could be and were trusted by those who gave and those who received. In modern societies civil government has replaced the Levitical priesthood and can not be trusted by givers or receivers. The reason is the ease with which laws are changed - this year the law is one thing; next year, another. Proud people tell us we are a nation of law and not of men. And whose laws do we obey but the laws of rich and foolish men - men who study law and know no justice. Men who make laws for many to benefit few.

In ancient days, the basic annual tax was ten percent of increase, due at the beginning of the harvest. Increase was essentially net profit. If a citizen spent a thousand dollars in materials to earn ten thousand, he knew God expected him to offer up ten percent of nine thousand dollars. It was a voluntary tax because scripture said to withhold it from the poor was to rob God and robbing God would be considered grand theft and cause for curses. There was no civil penalty or judgment against one who withheld the tithe because his future depended upon divine grace, Karma. He would be rewarded according to his works or lack thereof.

Today civil government pretends they can require whatever they wish, from whoever they wish, to create whatever they wish. In their thinking they are gods and they are righteous gods. Every day, more and more of those they rule over are made increasingly aware that leadership does quite the opposite of their claims. Eyes closed by many years of repetitive indoctrination, slowly open in the weariness of obedient, unquestioning compliance and service.

In ancient days, there were no standing armies providing nothing but a false sense of security at great public expense, to the detriment of rich and poor alike. Trained militias allowed voluntary service a man could render a few hours of each month until more was required to secure the social order. No great space explorations to be financed. No debt burdens on which interest must be paid. No professional lawmakers thinking themselves worthy of great salaries in exchange for their exclusive services to the highest bidders. There were not great infrastructures to create, repair and maintain. Civil administration was simple, voluntary and cheap, like charities.

Now it does not matter what is just or what is practical. Public servants have become masters with the consent of the masters they are supposedly serving and the consent of the money masters they are truly serving. Roles are reversed and the new servants make few demands upon the new masters. Confusion becomes the only certainty in such an arrangement.

In ancient days, the tithe was collected to ease the burdens of the poor. Today, we have a far more global consciousness and tithes are collected to be disbursed among the poor who are not exactly among us, yet often in much greater need, such that a dollar has a much greater value to them, than those we used to consider