The Tithe: Malachi 3:8-11
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.
Jack Wellman
It is not love to teach that God’s Unmerited Favor is conditional based on our tithe performance because this is most they twist (tithing) it. I agree, but there is no merit that I expect nor do I believe it is required of the giver. I am giving a personal testimony to what God has done for me as I am a being a “cheerful giver”, not because I tithe, it is irregardless of what I give and grace is certainly unmerited anyway. I give as a principle that what God has bestowed upon me (unmerited for certain) I give back, as part of my worship, to Him. I can never outgive God, but He outgives me. I give out of love, not for unmerited favor. That makes it a “Quid pro quo” something for something”. I give as a form of worship & in fact give more than 10% of my income. In the early church era, some gave ALL that they had to distribute for those having need. Was it for ” God’s Unmerited Favor”? No, it was out of love…for the brethern in need. My offerings to the church are not spliting hairs to get exactly 10% but above & beyond as God blesses me. This is the same thing the early church did for the Body of Christ. Some of my offerings goes to church youth scholarships, some to the Food Pantry, & so on. It IS love to do this. I am not trying to teach anyone. What each has convinced in his or her own heart, that to them is right.
Kris
I am sorry but we should never compromise the correct Biblical doctrine. I went through the entire New Testament word for word. After Christ died on the Cross there is not one Bible verse in the New Testament after Jesus died on the Calvary to support mandatory tithing or law keeping for favor from God by Paul Founder of the Gentile Churches. He gave a lot of instructions on every subject matter. We are now Justified with Unmerited favor in every area by (by the gift of Grace ).
Who is correcting people who have been wrongly taught that they can buy favor from God with tithe money?
I realize at the end of the day we Christians must forgive all, especially those in the faith. We should not even take Communion with grudges in our hearts. This is not a suggestion but a command. I have friends who will not go back to Church because offenses. I pray in the name of Jesus that we may all be one but compromising the word in not an option for me. The bible does not sugar coat the problems in the Church here are a few disputes within the early Church.
Acts 15:2 “Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, arguing vehemently. Finally, the church decided to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, accompanied by some local believers, to talk to the apostles and elders about this question”. Notice to Jack (the dispute was over Gentiles not being circumcised & keeping other Mosaic laws)
Apostle Paul addressing the Church he founded at Corinth some members were having supper during Communion while the poor among them did not have food or drink :
1st Corinthians 11:22 -”What? Don’t you have your own homes for eating and drinking? Or do you really want to disgrace God’s church and shame the poor? What am I supposed to say? Do you want me to praise you? Well, I certainly will not praise you for this!”
Phil 4:3 “Euodia and Syntyche, please, I beg you to try to agree as sisters in the Lord and to you my faithful worker, help these women for they have worked hard with me to spread the Gospel together with Clement with all of the others whose names are written in the book of life”.
Keith
I am tired of hearing that we now live in New Testament times Tithing is Old this is just a way to steal from God. If you do want to say that tithing is Old Testament well then giving from the heart is New to give what God lays on our heart is taught. So if you think that God will lead some to give nothing then you are twisted in your thinking. God will lay more than the 10% on our hearts to bring us to a stronger faith in him. If people just don’t want to give then just say so.
Fatima
Thank you I will take note of what you said.
Kim Linton
@ Barry – As I said before, each believer must make sure they are attending a solid, bible preaching church. If they do not agree with the teachings of their church, they should leave. However, churches of all types get things wrong sometimes – no church is perfect.
It’s up to us to pray for discernment and wisdom as we find the place God has for us, but to focus too much on one issue (like tithing) makes us unbalanced Christians. Whether tithing, speaking in tongues, worship, you name it – Christians can always find something to disagree on.
The real question is, who do you say Jesus is? John 20:31 says, “But, these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life in His name.” If we as believers agree with John’s statement, the rest will take care of itself.
Kim Linton
@ Fatima – No, I am not saying abuses of the Word and/or people should not be dealt with. What I am saying is arguing and striving with sincere believers over peripheral issues is a distraction and waste of time. For example, some of the individuals who left comments on this article seem obsessed with arguing for the sake of arguing, which is a foolish and dangerous endeavor for any believer.
Also, folks should make sure they actually understand (discern) what is being said before rendering an opinion on a matter, and not be hasty to jump to conclusions because of personal bias. If there are specific and obvious abuses occurring in any area of the gospel or church, they should be dealt with on an individual and personal basis. But, to attack other believers because they express a differing opinion on non-essential issues is divisive, and as I said before, grieves the Lord.
Regardless of which side of the tithe issue you’re on, we have much more important things to worry about in the body of Christ. Let’s get to work fishing for men, not scaring them away.