Malachi 3:8 (RSV) — 8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you
say, ‘How are we robbing thee?’ In your tithes and offerings.
NOTE: Our concept of
a tithe is much different than the Jewish people understood. The full tithe
(Mal 3:10) consisted of two tithes per year and one every three years.
Mathematically that amounted to an average giving per year of 22 percent per
year. Some years were 19 percent and once every three years you gave 27
percent. So, if we believe the tithe is a biblical requirement, then we too are
robbing God of the full tithe. Fortunately, we are not under the law but under
grace. The New Testament principle is expressed in a number of verses, but
three are key:
2 Corinthians 9:6–7 (RSV) — 6 The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also
reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under
compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Galatians 6:7 (RSV) — 7 Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever
a man sows, that he will also reap.
1 Corinthians 16:2 (RSV) — 2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to
put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that contributions
need not be made when I come.
In the Old
Testament, you would not set aside something each week. There was no way to
measure that under the law. Do you put 2 times 52 divided by ten every week,
which would be about 1 percent a week under the Jewish system. Or if you refuse
to believe the scripture about a tithe twice a year, then one-half of a percent
a week. They did not have the same concept of income. Calves and kids came in
the spring and the harvest was mostly in the fall. Plus they gave from their
entire wealth.
It is a different
system today and there is a different standard. It is actually a higher
standard. In my personal opinion, A tithe is a rich man's excuse to be greedy.
PRAYER: Father, our
hearts are revealed in our giving. I pray that we would respond to you in
hearts of gratitude as expressed in joyful giving.
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