I'm so fascinated by what some call "god-winks" - - those circumstances that align in our lives to alert us to the presence of God. Last night was one such time for me. I was supposed to write today's blog post yesterday morning, but chose another text instead for the sake of expediency. I was severely pressed for time yesterday. This lands the topic before you today.
The god-wink happened last night at dinner. We were having dinner together, the four of us, when Hubster and I broached the topic of our dwindling financial resources. "We are going to need to look for ways to cut back", we said. So, various ideas began to be kicked around by our boys, and up on the chopping block was thrown "the tithe".
As we continue to appreciate the gems in the book of Malachi, we come to 3:8-12. This passage is famous because it is almost always used by preachers, televangelists and teachers to reprimand the Body of Christ for not "tithing". (The Old Testament system of the Levitical priesthood required a mandatory set of tithes from each Jewish family.) And, indeed, it IS in this passage a reprimand to the Children of Israel, part of the larger reprimand God is giving His people of that day through the prophet Malachi. (Fortunately, there is a wonderful promise at the end.) Take a look:
“Begin by being honest. Do honest people rob God? But you rob me day after day.
“You ask, ‘How have we robbed you?’
“The tithe and the offering—that’s how! And now you’re under a curse—the whole lot of you—because you’re robbing me. Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don’t open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams. For my part, I will defend you against marauders, protect your wheat fields and vegetable gardens against plunderers.” The Message of God-of-the-Angel-Armies.
12 “You’ll be voted ‘Happiest Nation.’ You’ll experience what it’s like to be a country of grace.” God-of-the-Angel-Armies says so.
Rather than saying to the people "You are not obeying the Levitical law to pay the required tithe", God states it more personally: "You are robbing me." Or, "you are stealing from me." That sort of changes the tone, doesn't it. It shifts the emphasis from "you're neglecting a duty" to "you're committing a crime". Whoa.
Some of you reading this will want to stop at this point and begin to argue with the principle contained in this passage. "Oh, well that was an Old Testament command, just like the one for not eating certain foods. We are 'under grace'; so, we can ignore that." Hm-m-m-m-m....It is interesting to me how we are fond of using this rationale to conveniently ignore the parts of the Bible we want to wriggle out from under. But, playing along with you then, let's look at what Jesus said in the New Testament. As usual, He explodes and transforms the situation. Take a look at Luke 12:32-34 - - -
32“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.
33“Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
What is Jesus saying here?
1. As His children, we are already rich beyond measure. The greatest, most valuable possession in the entire world is already ours, and He is Jesus. He is our salvation, forever and ever. No other bauble, coin or toy even begins to compare. We possess the very Kingdom of God. We ARE that kingdom!
2. "Where your treasure is"...
So, the question becomes not "Is it a crime?" but instead, "Where is your heart?"
When our sons brought up the possibility of stopping our giving money to the Lord, we replied that our giving was "non-negotiable". Why? Because we don't give to Him out of duty, but rather out of love. This is why Jesus points out that, if our hearts are in the right place, we will "give to charity" - - - our church home, various ministries, individuals God lays on our hearts....which accumulates as a praise offering to our Savior in Heaven. When we meet Him face-to-face, we can look at the heavenly "treasure" we accumulated here on earth and, while bowing at His feet, proclaim, "This was done out of love for You, my Savior and my God!"
You see? This is also what God was saying to the people of Malachi's day. Their action of neglecting the tithe was symptomatic of their tepid, lukewarm love for their God. "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Their disobedient, self-centered hearts were far from Him.
I also want to point out that, while the Old Testament tithe was 10% of each family's income, this standard is not reiterated for the New Testament Church. In fact, while no percentage is given, the implication is that we should give more! The first Christians lived in almost a communal fashion, sharing their resources with one another. There was no haggling over percentages; they just took care of business! Consider the example of giving set by our Savior:
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich
2 Cor. 8:9
The general principles of Old Testament giving, in my mind still apply, because they are reiterated throughout Scripture:
- Support the work of the Lord by giving generously from what God has given to you.
- Matthew 5:42 Luke 6:38
- Support the people who have been called to do the work of the Lord
- Luke 21:1-4 Genesis 14:17-20
- Care for the poor, the orphans, the widows, the sick, the needy in all aspects of neediness
- Matthew 25:31-46 James 1:27 Deuteronomy 15:7-8
- Use your time and talents as your offering, in addition to your monetary offerings
- Romans 12:6-8
So, the basic principle for us is this: give cheerfully to the Lord, out of a heart of love and gratitude (2 Cor. 9:6-7). Ask God what He wants you to give and then be obedient with gladness in your heart! God is delighted when we give cheerfully to Him. And, if the Body of Christ would do this, following Jesus' example, there would be no need to haggle over percentages.
Dear Father, thank you for giving me Your kingdom. I am richer than the richest billionaire! In addition, thank you for meeting my needs, spiritually, physically, emotionally, financially. It is my joy to give back to You from my time, talents and material blessings. There is no way that I can "out-give" You, because You gave the very best You had for me when You gave Your Only-Begotten Son. In His name, I pray, amen.
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