Page 640 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

TITLE - TOLA

Kuykendahl enthusiastically replied, “I will gladly take the church financially so it can fulfill its God-given
you up on this offer.” The evangelist kept his word and function in this needy world. [See Covet, Gold, Labor,
tithed faithfully, but he never had to contact the Money, Offerings, Stewardship.]
businessman. At the end of the 12 months, the TITLE. A sign, inscription, or inscribed tablet; such
evangelist was meditating on what had happened. God especially as used to be carried, according to the custom
had richly blessed him that year and had met every of the Romans, to whom we owe the word (Lat. titulus),
need. People gave him more than ever, and the family before those who were condemned to death, or was
experienced many special blessings. As he contemplated affixed to the instrument of their punishment (The Bible
these things, his heart was suddenly smitten, when he Word-Book) (2 Ki. 23:17; Jn. 19:19-20).
realized that he had trusted the word of a businessman TITTLE. Tiny marks used to distinguish between
but he had not been willing to trust the Word of the letters in the Hebrew alphabet (Mt. 5:18). The Lord
Living God, who had made even greater promises! Jesus Christ was saying that even the smallest detail of
Is Tithing a Law for New Testament Believers? (1) the Word of God is authoritative and will be preserved
Remember that tithing pre-dated the Law of Moses. It by God. [See Bible, Inspiration.]
was not because he was under the Law that Abraham TITUS (honorable). A Greek convert who was a co-
tithed; he tithed because he wanted to honor God and laborer with the Apostle Paul (2 Co. 2:13; 7:6, 13, 14;
support God’s work as represented by Melchizedek. This 8:6, 16, 23; 12:18; Ga. 2:1, 3; 2 Ti. 4:10. The epistle of
is a good example for New Testament believers, because Titus was addressed to him to instruct him in his
we are children of Abraham by faith (Ro. 4:16-17). (2) church-planting work in Crete (Tit. 1:5). [For the
The Old Testament was given for our example (Ro. canonicity of the book of Titus see Timothy.]
15:4; 1 Co. 10:11). Paul used the Mosaic system of
giving as authority for his teaching that New Testament TO GOD-WARD. Toward God (Ex. 18:19; 2 Co. 3:4;
believers are obligated to support preachers (1 Co. 1 Th. 1:8).
9:8-14). (3) It is the express will of Christ that His TO THE END. In order that (Ex. 8:22; De. 17:16; Ps.
people be giving people (Lk. 6:38). Many people I have 30:12; Ac. 7:19; Ro. 4:16).
met who “do not believe in tithing” are stingy. They do TO US-WARD. Toward us (Ps. 40:5; Ep. 1:19; 2 Pe.
not bear their rightful load in the church. Stinginess and 3:9).
tightfistedness should never characterize the child of TO YOU-WARD. Toward you (2 Co. 1:12; 13:3; Ep.
God. Even if you do not believe that the tithe is a matter 3:2).
of law, you should be ashamed to keep more than 90% TOAH (declension, prostration, humble). 1 Ch. 6:34.
of your income for yourself in light of the great needs of TOB (good, goodness). Ju. 11:3.
God’s work in this present world. I hasten to add that
not all people who do not consider the tithe a matter of TOBADONIJAH (the goodness of the Lord God). 2
law today are stingy. In fact, I know some who give Ch. 17:8.
30%, 40%, even 50% of their income to the Lord. (4) TOBIAH (the Lord is good, pleasing to the Lord). Ezr.
The believer has many financial obligations. The Great 2:60.
Commission is an obligation. We are commanded to TOCHEN (portion measured out, fixed quantity). 1
carry the gospel to every person in every nation (Mk. Ch. 4:32.
16:18; Ac. 1:8). This is called Christ’s “Great TOGARMAH. A son of Gomer, son of Japheth (Ge.
Commission” because it is repeated five times in the 10:3). The descendants settled in the N. of Armenia
New Testament, thus emphasizing its importance. The (Youngs). “Armenia ... a former kingdom of N.E. Asia
worldwide preaching of the gospel is intimately Minor, generally understood to include eastern Turkey
associated with Christ’s death in that Christ’s suffering and the Armenian S.S.R.—a constituent republic of the
for man’s sin is ineffective if the gospel is not [former] Soviet Union” (Funk & Wagnalls Standard
proclaimed (Lk. 24:46-47). World missions is a very College Dictionary). In reference to Ezekiel 38-39, we
expensive enterprise. Every believer is obligated to do see that Togarmah points to the southern republics
what he can to further this work, and this includes which formed an integral part of the old Soviet empire.
preaching the gospel himself, praying, and giving. [See Gog.]
Supporting preachers and missionaries is an obligation (1 TOIL. [See Employment, Labor, Sluggard.]
Co. 9:14; Ph. 4:15-17; Ti 3:13-14; 3 Jn. 5-8). The church
is also an obligation. It is the house of God and the pillar TOHU (declension, abasement). 1 Sa. 1:1.
and ground of the truth in this age (1 Ti. 3:15). It is the TOI (laughter, wandering). 2 Sa. 8:9.
headquarters for world evangelism (Ac. 14:1-4). Thus, TOIL. [See Employment, Labor, Sluggard.]
every believer has an obligation to support the work of TOLA (worm, very red). Ge. 46:13.

640 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity