I had a visceral response to the use of Malachi 3, the other
day, and it's something I continue to have a negative response to even though I
am tithing.
So, back to the above, modified, meme. Why should tithing even be a question
among God's People?
Abraham tithed before the law codified it, out of the thankfulness and
abundance of his heart after a great victory. Hasn't God given you anything to
be thankful for?
So, why the visceral reaction? All my Christian life I have heard Malachi 3
spoken on with such vehemence and condemnation to people who either couldn't or
wouldn't tithe. Honestly, I felt the only reason they wanted me to attend
church was to statistically pad their attendance numbers and pay tithe.
Why wouldn't people want to tithe? I believe the primary reason is
indebtedness. And the major reason for that indebtedness is covetousness. Many
of us, if not all, buy far more "stuff" than we can afford. Yes, you
can lust after material gadgets and things you don't really NEED.
Why do I feel so strongly about the classical teaching and preaching on
tithing? Because it elevates The Law above Grace and curses God's People with a
curse for not tithing.
Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation Mal
3:9
Yet Galatians 3:10-14 makes clear that Jesus did away with the curse of the
law. If the curse is done away with, the blessings remain. There is a reward
for those who tithe, but it must be willingly out of the abundance of the
heart.
Another point which is, IMHO, foundational to being a Christian is that you
cannot bind yourself with The Law and be under Grace at the same time. It's one
or the other. Period.
The Law becomes a changed heart’s desire to follow its principles, not its
Letter.
Now let's take a second look at Malachi 3
First, I am incredulous that anyone could think they can rob God. But, consider
how He considers His Ministers and Children. We become a part of His Family and
therefore a part of Him.
The whole thrust of Malachi 3's condemnation is not, IMHO, a money issues Look
at verse 10, "that there may be meat in mine house". As a nation the
Israelites neglect of the Tithe was condemning the entire tribe of Levi and the
Priests (who ministered on their behalf) to starvation!
So let me ask you these questions about why you should voluntarily out of the
abundance of your heart tithe.
First, self-interest, as there is a promise of blessings if you do. Now if you
haven't been a tither there may still be a delay as a time of discipline
continues. 🙂
Secondly, if you love your pastor you will want to take the burden of concerns
for his family's finances and that of the church off his shoulders.
Third, if you like a secure building with padded pews, air-conditioning, a good
sound system and heat in the winter someone has to pay the laborers to maintain
that beautiful edifice. There are some things that it takes an expert to do and
volunteers just can't do it right.
God doesn't mention them, but how many of you would come to church if the A/C
was out?
(Yet there are many African and Asian churches who don't think twice about
going to an open-air church.)
I wasn't always this "Gung Ho" on tithes and offerings. But when
you've been delivered from indebtedness you get a bit thankful.
Of course, if you are in debt, it's hard to be thankful. But you are already
indebted to Jesus for a debt much greater than any monetary amount...
I have a few additional thoughts in an article I wrote some time ago:
https://houseofmyrrh.org/tithing.htm