The Tithe: Malachi 3:8-11
by Gary Linton | Categories: Finances, Sermons | 80 Comments
Nehemiah 13:10-11a NKJV says, “I also realized that the portions for the Levites had not been given them; for each of the Levites and the singers who did the work had gone back to the field. So I contended with the rulers, and said why is the house of God forsaken?”
Nehemiah had discovered that the house of God had been forsaken. The Levites had to go back to working in the fields to provide for themselves. Provision for the house of God was contingent upon the Levites doing the work. They had quit because the tithe wasn’t being given to the house of the Lord. Nehemiah rebuked the rulers for their negligence, the tithe was restored, the Levites left the fields and went back to work in the house of God as God had ordained.
It is never God’s intention that men and women of God should have to work secular jobs and the ministry (bi-vocational). They are to be provided for by means of the tithe (Numbers 18:21). The house of God is inevitably neglected when the ones He has called cannot devote all their time to the ministry. If the truth was known, we do not use the tithe today as God originally intended. We give our tithes to pay for all the expenses of the church when in actuality the tithe was to be given to support the ministry or ministers. Their tithe and additional offerings was what was used for general expenses. Can you imagine all that could be done for God if His tithe was set apart for those called to minister full time? How many more could dedicate themselves to the work of the Lord. Here are a few facts about tithing:
Tithing is a Principle Set Forth by God
The tithe was instituted by God through Abraham before the Law ever existed. Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizedek while the law was still in his loins (Genesis 14:20 and Hebrews 7:5-10). If the principle of tithing existed prior to the giving of the law it stands to reason that it would continue after the law is abolished. The law merely picked up the principle that God had already setup before the law existed.
The Tithe Belongs to the Lord (Leviticus 27:30)
It is God’s not ours. That is why Malachi said we were robbing God when we withhold the tithe (Malachi 3:8). Actually, if the truth be known, all we have belongs to God. We are merely stewards of what is His or over what He has entrusted us with. The fact that He allows us to keep ninety percent is so overwhelmingly gracious of Him.
Tithes Are the Firstfruits of What Is to Come (Proverbs 3:9)
Israel was to bring God the firstfruits (tithe) of the harvest. They did this in anticipation of a full and plentiful harvest. When we give God the first of what we make we do so, in faith, expecting a full harvest from our labors. Therefore, tithing is a principle of faith and not law. Notice, it is the firstfruits and not what we may have left after we have paid everything else.
The Tithe Should Go to the Storehouse (Malachi 3:10)
We are to bring the tithe to the storehouse that there may be food (provision) in God’s house. We give our tithe so that the priest (pastor/minister) is able to adequately prepare food (spiritual food) for your dinning pleasure. The tithe goes to the priest enabling him to have time to prepare properly for your spiritual diet. That is why the tithe is to go to your local church or the place you get fed spiritually. If for some reason you do not have a local church at this time, your tithe should go where you are getting your spiritual nourishment. I know there are some pastors who are getting fed spiritually by some ministry enabling and giving them the strength they need to properly minister to their people. There are some who do not have a home church at this time and the majority of their spiritual sustenance is coming from some other ministry. If that is so they should give their tithe to the ministry that is feeding them.
Tithing Releases God’s Blessing (Malachi 3:10)
There is something about His children stepping out in faith and trusting God by their commitment to tithing that releases God’s favor and blessing. It is not law or a works thing but faith. We are expressing faith in God to bless and bring to us the full harvest of our labors by trusting Him with our finances. God promises, as we do this, in faith and obedience, to open the windows of heaven and bless us until there’s no longer room to receive it. It is interesting that this is the only place in God’s Word where we are encouraged to test Him.
Tithing Releases Spiritual Revelation
Jesus said, “If you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon (money), who will commit to your trust true riches” (Luke 16:11). When we are faithful to God with our tithes and offerings (Finances) He begins to open the heavens with spiritual revelation into our hearts, spirits and minds. When we withhold the tithe the heavens become brass and the revelation of God scarce. It is interesting that when Malachi proclaimed this to Israel concerning the tithe, they failed to obey, and the voice of God was silent for 400 years until John the baptist came on the scene.
About Gary Linton
With over 35 years of church planting, teaching and ministry experience, Gary Linton's message to pastors, ministers and church leaders is never give up! If you have a question or problem you would like to discuss, send Pastor Linton a message here or follow Ministrymaker on Twitter.
DJ
Abraham gave a voluntary tenth ONCE only, so pray tell how can this one time tithe be a good example of faithful Tithing?
This is stretching the truth WAY out of context to say he paid Tithes- as in plural.
Tithe teachers also wrongly use the rationale that Abraham paid tithes before the law was given by Moses. This makes no sense either because Abraham was also circumcised before the law. Circumcision is not a command for the Christian Church. The Apostle Paul spoke out vehemently against justification by works. He preached Grace and then more Grace.
They are stealing the Lord’s credit an giving God’s glory to themselves for their tithe works. What a travesty! Our blessing and favor is because of the work of Christ on Calvary. Now ask God in Jesus name for your healing and daily needs. He will give you grace after grace every day you wake up. Finally our instruction in the New Testament can be found in 2nd Corinthians 9:7 Give as one decides too not out of pressure or duty.
Every believer should be a cheerful giver because we love God and God gave us his best (His only Son). Pastors teach the definition of why Jesus said “Paid in Full” before he died on his Cross. Teach it right, or the debate over your false Old Covenant tithe enforcement will continue from the people opposing it who have actually read the whole bible for themselves!
Jeremy
If you are a Jew living under the Old Testament before Jesus died to fulfill the law then by all means keep the law. The body of Christ is now under “The Dispensation of Grace.” We have now been given a New Covenant with different terms and conditions. All of the 613 Jewish laws and the Seven Feast had to be kept with perfection. New Testament Believers enter into this New Covenant by faith in the finished the work of Christ on the Cross. After Jesus died on the Cross the old Covenant passed away. Our favor and right-standing in God is by FAITH in the work Jesus die. Our (UNMERITED) FAVOR is a free gift of Grace.
Tithe braggarts are stealing our Lord’s glory and slandering his loving Character that money must be paid for his favor. (The tithe was food from the crops. God poured out rain and caused these crops to grow so abundantly that there was not room enough in the storehouses that stored the food. When the law was broken God sent a Famine which resulted in poverty and lack.
Hebrew 8:6
“But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises”.
Hebrew8:7
For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
James 2:10
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
Galatians 3:10
All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”
Galatians 3:11
“So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
Galatians 3:13
“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree”
Galatians 3:24
Wherefore the law was our school-master to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith
Romans 8:32
“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”
Hebrews 7: 28
Moses’ Teachings designated mortals as chief priests even though they had weaknesses. But God’s promise, which came after Moses’ Teachings, designated the Son who forever accomplished everything that God required.
jeannedeen@gmail.com
I am curious. We have a pastor and youth minister who engage in lying, cliquish behavior, and spending money on trips for pleasure. Some of the deacons have lied for them to cover up their habits. They have been caught and say they don’t think they are guilty of anything. Is it incorrect to pay your tithe to places like Haiti, a church that burned down in my community, and to the Baptist Missionary Organization instead of giving it to my church when our leaders are not living according to the Bible?
Gary Linton
Referring to those who made an issue of tithing and neglected other things like justice, mercy and faithfulness Jesus said, “”These are the things you should have done without neglecting the others” (Matthew 23:23 NASB). So, we should not neglect anything including the tithe.
Abraham gave tithe while the laws was still in his loins. Tithing was a princple before the law and therefore remains so after the law.
Your Tithe Expert
Thank you for inviting me to read your article. In the Spirit of love I submit the following:
1. The biblical tithe never consisted of money. It was commanded that Israel’s tithe be paid in the form agricultural produce (fruit, vegetables, wines, oils, grains, cattle).
2. God did not command Abram (Abraham) to tithe. Abram wasn’t following a “tithing law.” It was a voluntary act on his part. He was following a common social custom that was practiced in the ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Assyria and Babylon (what some call pagan nations). In addition he did not give a tithe from his personal possessions/wealth.
3. The prophet Malachi is speaking to ancient Israel, the Levites and the Levitical priests. He is chastising them because they are not following the commandments of the Law (Mosaic Law), which is the covenant between God and Israel. Malachi is reinforcing God’s promise to ancient Israel.
3. New Testament Christians, such as the Apostle Paul, did not practice tithing. Tithing was ancient Jewish religious ritual that was not carried over into Christianity. It passed away with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. New Testament Christians engaged in voluntary giving, free-will offerings, and koinonia.
Now I agree that members of a church should voluntary give what they can afford to support their church. However, when the church promotes tithing it is in fact placing Christians under the curse of the Law since tithing is part of the Law (Mosaic Law/Law of Moses).
In Christ there’s no more tithing under the Law. In Christ we give under Grace. Jesus the Christ freed Christians from the Law. Let’s walk in that freedom.
Peace & Blessings!