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Tithing Giving and Prosperity
In this 25-page article, Dr. Roy B. Blizzard explains the ancient origins of tithing, giving, and prosperity from the historical and biblical perspective. He brings to light the laws and customs of tithing throughout history – through to present day.
Dr. Blizzard clears up many that the acquisition of material possessions equals prosperity, that one must give in order to receive, that tithing is a requirement of modern day Christianity.
His study reveals that tithing was strictly a Jewish practice; its basic purpose was as an act of charity (tzedakah) to support the poor and those in need; it was not practiced outside the land of Israel; after the destruction of the Temple, the practice of tithing ceased in Judaism, although acts of charity continued as a replacement for the sacrifices of the Temple, and more.
Citing multiple scholarly works in Hebrew, Greek, and English, Dr. Blizzard builds the case for attaining biblical prosperity – free of coercion.
Prosperity means to be safe, to be secure, to be at ease or rest; it means to have peace – to have shalom – to be whole, to be complete – a wholeness and completeness through God who lives and dwells within. Once one understands what real prosperity is, it becomes of much more value than the mere accumulation of material possessions. Real prosperity is Life! Life with God and in God. ( 12,600 words).
Dr. Blizzard clears up many that the acquisition of material possessions equals prosperity, that one must give in order to receive, that tithing is a requirement of modern day Christianity.
His study reveals that tithing was strictly a Jewish practice; its basic purpose was as an act of charity (tzedakah) to support the poor and those in need; it was not practiced outside the land of Israel; after the destruction of the Temple, the practice of tithing ceased in Judaism, although acts of charity continued as a replacement for the sacrifices of the Temple, and more.
Citing multiple scholarly works in Hebrew, Greek, and English, Dr. Blizzard builds the case for attaining biblical prosperity – free of coercion.
Prosperity means to be safe, to be secure, to be at ease or rest; it means to have peace – to have shalom – to be whole, to be complete – a wholeness and completeness through God who lives and dwells within. Once one understands what real prosperity is, it becomes of much more value than the mere accumulation of material possessions. Real prosperity is Life! Life with God and in God. ( 12,600 words).
58 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 9, 2013
15 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Roy B. Blizzard
6 books11 followersDr. Roy B. Blizzard is President of Bible Scholars, Inc., an Austin-based corporation dedicated to biblical research and education. A native of Joplin, Missouri, he attended Oklahoma Military Academy and has a B.A. degree from Philips University in Enid, Oklahoma. He has an M.A. degree from Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico, an M.A. degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Ph.D. in Hebrew Studies from the University of Texas at Austin.
From 1968 to June 1974, he was an instructor in Hebrew, Biblical History and Biblical Archaeology at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Blizzard is today a professor at the American Institute for Advanced Biblical Studies in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Dr. Blizzard has spent much of his time in Israel and the Middle East in study and research. He has hosted over 500 television programs about Israel and Judaism for various television networks and is a frequent television and radio guest. He is the author of numerous books and articles which can be found listed on the Bible Scholars Website, in the bookstore.
Dr. Blizzard is nationally certified as an educator in Marriage and Family relationships and human sexuality. He is a Diplomate with the American Board of Sexology and continues to conduct a private practice in the field of sex education and therapy.
He can be contacted at Bible Scholars, Inc., P. O. Box 204073, Austin, Texas 79720, or at The Bible Sex and You Website.
From 1968 to June 1974, he was an instructor in Hebrew, Biblical History and Biblical Archaeology at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Blizzard is today a professor at the American Institute for Advanced Biblical Studies in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Dr. Blizzard has spent much of his time in Israel and the Middle East in study and research. He has hosted over 500 television programs about Israel and Judaism for various television networks and is a frequent television and radio guest. He is the author of numerous books and articles which can be found listed on the Bible Scholars Website, in the bookstore.
Dr. Blizzard is nationally certified as an educator in Marriage and Family relationships and human sexuality. He is a Diplomate with the American Board of Sexology and continues to conduct a private practice in the field of sex education and therapy.
He can be contacted at Bible Scholars, Inc., P. O. Box 204073, Austin, Texas 79720, or at The Bible Sex and You Website.
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January 26, 2016
I only found and decided to read "Tithing, Giving And Prosperity" by Dr Roy B. Blizzard just after I published my own book, "The Magna Carta Of Tithing." I found that many more authors had addressed this subject before me, so I needed to read what they had to say. Dr Blizzard wrote "Tithing, Giving and Prosperity" from an academic background, almost completely opposite from my perspective. Dr Blizzard writes as a knowledgeable historian and linguistic expert, using Hebrew and Greek language to understand what the Bible actually states about the tithe doctrine. Dr. Blizzard brings out the fact that the Bible discusses not one, but three different formats of tithing, which could amount to 30% of an Israelite's agricultural increase in certain years. He also states the concept that the tithe was an outgrowth of Jewish cultural benevolence, being used for assisting the poor, orphans, widows, immigrants, etc., according to the Torah, while also being a act of worship where the tither consumed his tithe in the presence of the Lord at the Temple, or Tent Of Meeting.
From a historical perspective, he also refers to writings of early church fathers like Tertullian, Origan, Cyprian, even Charlemagne, and states that no discussion of tithing existed from any early church history until around the 8th century. Dr Blizzard ascribes the resurgence of the tithing doctrine to corrupt Catholic clergy wanting to collect funds for building cathedrals. Dr Blizzard also states that Jewish tithing ceased with the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD.
Dr Blizzard rebuts and rebukes the "Prosperity Gospel" preachers by showing what Biblical prosperity really is. At the end of his book, he writes, "Prosperity means to be safe, to be secure, to be at ease or rest; it means to have peace - to have shalom - to be whole, to be complete - a wholeness and completeness through God who lives and dwells within." I really like this definition a lot, I think it is soundly Biblical and great wisdom to understand. In short, I greatly enjoyed reading this scholarly book, I respect the knowledge and humble attitude that is displayed in Dr. Blizzard's writing style. I also did not see any contradiction of any kind to what I wrote in my own book, which is a greatly appreciated, authoritative confirmation for my tithing thesis. I highly recommend "Tithing, Giving And Prosperity" to any follower of Jesus Christ who simply wants to know the truth about giving from God's perspective.
From a historical perspective, he also refers to writings of early church fathers like Tertullian, Origan, Cyprian, even Charlemagne, and states that no discussion of tithing existed from any early church history until around the 8th century. Dr Blizzard ascribes the resurgence of the tithing doctrine to corrupt Catholic clergy wanting to collect funds for building cathedrals. Dr Blizzard also states that Jewish tithing ceased with the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD.
Dr Blizzard rebuts and rebukes the "Prosperity Gospel" preachers by showing what Biblical prosperity really is. At the end of his book, he writes, "Prosperity means to be safe, to be secure, to be at ease or rest; it means to have peace - to have shalom - to be whole, to be complete - a wholeness and completeness through God who lives and dwells within." I really like this definition a lot, I think it is soundly Biblical and great wisdom to understand. In short, I greatly enjoyed reading this scholarly book, I respect the knowledge and humble attitude that is displayed in Dr. Blizzard's writing style. I also did not see any contradiction of any kind to what I wrote in my own book, which is a greatly appreciated, authoritative confirmation for my tithing thesis. I highly recommend "Tithing, Giving And Prosperity" to any follower of Jesus Christ who simply wants to know the truth about giving from God's perspective.
Displaying 1 of 1 review