My Food for Thought with Malachi 3:8-11 and Cheerful Giving
Malachi 3:10-11 is used by some churches to practice tithing. Unfortunately, some quack pastors misquote it to make a quick buck. Some are still emphasizing that if you don't tithe then you're robbing God. It's giving a tenth of one's net income. However, complete tithing was really much more meticulous in the Old Testament. Old Testament tithing is giving a tenth of all you own. I think churches who are trying to teach better try to narrow it down. I do believe in giving a tenth of my net income as part of my sanctification. I believe in giving missions offerings and faith promises. However, I also do believe the poor people should be exempted from tithing otherwise that church suffers from Phariseeism. Tithing should be done out of a loving heart!
What does Malachi 3:10-11 say? Here is the rendition from my favorite translation, the King James Version (KJV) vs. the New International Version (NIV):
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. (KJV)
8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the LORD Almighty. (NIV)
So, I decided to really take the time to study the verses in context. So how is the robbery done? Take note that it's not just the tithes but also in offerings. God has condemned the Israelites for not giving their tithes and offerings. What's the purpose of the tithes and offerings? It's to be food in the storehouse which was used to supply the needs of the Levites. Reading about the tithes in the Old Testament is that tedious. I can't imagine if I had to bring more than just a paycheck or some cash containing a tenth of my salary. The tithes would go with livestock and harvest. You can imagine how tedious it was to do tithing back then. The New Testament is suddenly silent on tithing but not about giving. I would also say it's robbery not to give tithes and offerings when one promises to give a tenth and not give it. That's obviously like promising to pay someone a desired amount and not paying it.
What was the problem of Malachi? It was the problem of the worship of God neglected during the exile. The needs of the Levities were neglected. I was thinking of why did God not just mention not only the tithes but also the offerings. It's obvious that the purpose of the tithes was so there will be food in the house of God. Community worship was neglected for so long that the house of God was also neglected. It was time for a revival. Ezra had the help of Zerubabbel a descendant of David. We also have Joshua the High Priest who appears in both Ezra and Nehemiah. Both Zerubabbel and Joshua the High Priest were types of Christ. Ezra too was a Levite. In order to get corporate worship back - sacrifices had to be made. God had told them that they have robbed Him by not giving the tithes and offerings for His work.
Some people say that religion is all about money-making. Yet, such critics have no problem joining in get rich fast schemes or joining in too good to be true financial programs. Any business needs money to survive. The church is still a business even if it's under non-profit. Churches are listed as corporations and they open bank accounts. If financially able people don't give money then how than the local New Testament church pay for its bills? What will the pastor and his workers eat if there's no food in the storehouse? The storehouse was meant to feed the priests. The tithes and offerings provided food and money to supply the needs of the church today. The utility bills, rental, church worker salary, and whatever necessary bills the churches need to pay are provided for by the tithes. It would be considered so inconsiderate to go to church without considering the expenses that incur every month. That's why I still believe in tithing. However, some pastors did away with tithing and replaced it with cheerful giving. In my case, cheerful giving is applicable to both tithes and offerings. It's disrespectful to set aside some money without a loving heart.
How do I think Malachi 3:8-11 fit into the New Testament? It's not about law but grace. 2 Corinthians 9:27 says God loves a cheerful giver. I think teaching a tenth for a start is good but not necessarily the minimum. If you love God then giving away a tenth of your income for His work is no burden. It could be a good start though. Romans 3:31 says God's grace gives us the power to fulfill the Law. Can that work with tithing? Tithing one's livestock and harvest were mandated in the Old Testament. Today, it becomes more of the Christian love for God to give that tenth of one's salary not begrudgingly or of necessity. Most pastors who teach tithing choose to count the tithes according to money. This one would say, "Lord I love you, I will give a tenth." Then this love increases and says, "Lord I love you - now you can take a little bit more with 20%." It was said that William Colgate got so rich that he ended up giving 90% instead of 10% of his riches. He lived on 10% of his riches (which was still sufficient to keep his business afloat) while 90% went to the Lord.
I could also say that practicing charity is like weightlifting. Do you immediately lift very heavy weights or you build up your strength first? You really need to first build up your strength. Giving can be considered from the same angle. The tithe is 10% of your income. That's a very small fraction yet it builds up when you love the LORD. However, some people can't even tithe and they need the help that they can get. You can at first feel scared from giving but doing so slowly will make one think about how to have more godly gain in order to continue in godly giving. Giving is part of the expenses and you still have your needs, your family, and your work. It should be done gradually and taking one's time - not instantaneously giving that much at the cost of one's own welfare or the welfare of one's family.
In this case, it's best to give according to love. Not out of pressure, not out of necessity, but rather giving out of love for God loves a cheerful giver. I'd also want to say that tithing should be done not out of pressure or of necessity. Instead, tithe cheerfully because God loves a cheerful tither. Luke 6:35 doesn't only teach loving your enemies but also give and expect nothing in return. That is the blessing God gives to tithes and offerings should be viewed as something to be shared or something for eternity since there's not enough room to receive them. Some churches today no longer practice tithing but still focus on cheerful giving. Some give less than a tenth, then they give a tenth, then they end up giving more than a tenth not out of necessity but out of love for the LORD.
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