RSS Feed |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Bring tithes into the storehouse
Situation Remember that Malachi was God's messenger sent to motivate God's people. They were in the process of rebuilding the city of God (Jerusalem) which had been destroyed by apathy and enemies. If they would give properly, there would be a physical plant for worship (the temple) and a well-supplied staff of leaders (the priests). Furthermore, such giving would be a sign of a stout heart of love and faith for God. But the people were not following God's plan for giving. They were robbing God. A Jew was required to give two tithes in two ways: weekly at worship; and, annually at the three major feasts. Scholars interpret the total giving to be somewhere between 25 percent and 40 percent of their income. Here is a good place to acknowledge that sins of "omission" are just as serious as sins of "commission" with God. I don't think any Israelite was walking up to the temple treasury and taking money out. I am sure, however, that most of them were not putting the required amount in. God equated this with theft, stealing, robbery. They were cursed. In public jurisprudence, don't do the crime if you can't serve the time. In God's providence, expect God to lovingly and righteously take things from you if you take things from him. Jews typically brought agricultural products as payment for tithes and offerings. So, when they would not bring it out of the ground into the temple, God cursed it in the ground before it ever left. They were commanded to repent. God is not about the business of getting even or getting revenge. God is in the redemption business. He is about giving the things necessary for a right relationship with him and one another. In this text, the means of repentance is stark and simple. Quit withholding, God said. Quit giving a little piece instead of the whole, God said. Quit finding alternative outlets and bring the gift where it belongs, God said. God delights in repentance. They were offered a reward. The curse would cease. The temple would be beautifully built. The priests would be paid and prepared for their work. The worship would be glorious. The world would take notice. I doubt the lost world kept tabs on the tithes of Israel. But I am sure they noticed whether or not the Jews were sincere and passionate about their love and devotion to Jehovah. Proper giving would be proof of this passion. The Contemporary Situation I do not believe our contemporary situation is any better than Malachi's. In Europe and America, many church buildings are falling apart. Almost every church I know of, good or bad, is running behind on their budget. Statistics indicate that a small percentage of church members give at least a tithe. The average Baptist, I have read, gives about 2 percent of their income to their church. Some don't give because they don't believe - in giving or in the gospel. I would never expect a person who does not possess the spirit of God to obey the word of God. Some don't give because they are angry or upset - maybe with the television charlatans or maybe with their own local leadership. I wish they would understand that God will hold leaders accountable for their leading while he holds all members accountable for their giving. Some don't give because they just don't know God's plan for giving. But this at least will be no excuse after our study of this text. If you don't give tithes and offerings, you are robbing God. Before the Mosaic Law, Abraham gave tithes to God (Genesis 14:17-30). After the advent of the New Covenant, Jesus told the Pharisees to love him, love their neighbor, and keep on tithing (Matthew 23:23). If you are an unbeliever, repent. No one gives better than a brand new Christian. If you are angry and upset, display it in more appropriate and obedient ways. There is no need to rob God. If you don't give tithes and offerings, you will be cursed by God. I say this with fear, trembling, and honesty. God does not change (Malachi 3:6). He will not consume his people with wrath, but he will visit us with chastisement. According to this text, he is likely to strike at the source of our income. Don't think that if you have plenty of money and give none to God that God is pleased with you. In fact, God does not chastise people who are not his children. On the other scale, the fact that so many churches are in need is a sure sign that the disobedience of many is having an adverse effect upon the whole church. If you do give tithes and offerings, you will be exhibiting the saving graces of faith and repentance. I think the ultimate desire of the Christian is to cause God delight. Nothing delights God more than faith and repentance. If you have not been faithful in giving, why don't you simply repent? Read this passage again and detect the sternness and the sheer joy. Then recall the words in the New Testament, "God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). The call of Christianity is to love what God loves, cheer what God cheers, and delight in what God delights.
If you do give tithes and offerings to God, God himself will reward you. God promised to do for the Jews what only God can do - control the weather and the insects that effect the crops. This is the essence of spiritual reward, receiving something that only God can give. Augustine said, "God is more anxious to bestow his blessings on us than we are to receive them." So, why don't we "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse?"
|
for larger version       |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
