From: Ben Kelley
Subject: Tithing and giving
Those 2 subjects are not exactly what one would
call "popular." Most people don't really like to even think about
them. Some will grudgingly accept the second one, "giving"
because they equate it with the following verse from God's Word: Give, and it will be given to
you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will
be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be
measured back to you." (Luke 6:38 (NKJV) Of course, those folks
generally leave off the latter part of the verse, stopping after "bosom."
They seem to picture God as a lonesome old man Who is so happy to see
His children "putting a little into the offering plate" that HE just pours out
His wealth upon them. That is not an accurate picture, though, and fails
to portray God's thoughts on the subject.
Many Christians say the Old Testament idea of the tithe was never mentioned in the New Testament, so we are not under that practise anymore. Jesus did, though, tell the scribes and Pharisees they should tithe, even the little things like herbs and spices. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone (the tithing of even the little things). (Matthew 23:23 (NKJV) In other words, HE said, in the New Testament, one should pay scrupulous attention to their tithing , and not just money, but it doesn't take the place of giving mercy and grace. Tithing is also mentioned in the New Testament, after Jesus' death and resurrection: And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law (Hebrews 7:5 (KJV)
Return to Me, and I will return to you," Says the LORD of hosts. "But you said, 'In what way shall we return?' "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field," (Malachi 3:7-11 (NKJV) The word translated as "rob" and "robbed" is interesting in the context of this message. After a career in law enforcement, I always correct people when they use the word "robbery" when they should use "burglary" or something else, because in legal terms the word "rob" means "to take by force or threat of violence." That is the meaning I've always heard applied to this passage in Malachi, but that is incorrect. The Hebrew transliterated into the English word "rob" is "qaba", which means "to cover", which implies the perpetrator is attempting to sneak one past the victim, or "defraud" them. The Jews who were hearing this word from God were doing just that; they were in effect saying, "what? Me taking something from you? Not me Lord, I wouldn't do anything like that!!" They acted as if God didn't know or see what they were doing. God is no fool; HE sees everything about us! One of my favorite passages on that is: For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12-13 (NKJV) The Jews of Malachi's time thought they were "slipping one past God" in their paying of tithes. We of today think the same way. We believe God is fooled by all our excuses and reasons; we too are guilty of trying to defraud God, but HE sees it all clearly. HE still says "bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough to take care of all the needs." Don't try to quibble over gross or net. Don't try to make a lot of noise by dropping a bunch of coins in the giving plate. Just go ahead and obey God; give Him what HE requires from you. HE wants you to test Him. HE promises you an abundant response from Him if you do. I do not believe God has removed the command for us to tithe in the New Testament, instead HE has added to that the command to give. Tithing, although seen by us as a major step, is seen by God as merely a beginner's step in obedience. We seem to be amazed at people who tithe off their gross income, but God expects that action of each believer. HE does not perceive it as the massive question we make of it. If you have struggled with the issue of tithing, you can be set free by just going ahead and doing it, then, proceed to giving. It becomes a source of joy to send tithes and gifts out, instead of holding onto money and trying to make it.
Many other passages deal with the subject of gving. But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever." (2 Corinthians 9:6-9 (NKJV) For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, (2 Corinthians 8:3 (NKJV) For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have (2 Corinthians 8:12 (NKJV) But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? (1 John 3:17 (NKJV) But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (Hebrews 13:16 (NKJV) "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. (Matthew 6:1-4 (NKJV)
God has not done away with His method of supplying the needs of His Church or the manner HE uses to provide for individuals. It's not a matter of tithing or giving, our Heavenly Father now looks for His children to practise both tithing and giving. Let go of your "purse strings", let God have your money; HE will bless you beyond your expectations or imagination.
Ben