TITHING!!!!!?

What!!! I thought I WAS tithing! No?  Do we really need to talk about this? Aaaa... yes. Maybe it's the definition, description of the word. Or maybe it's not following instructions correctly. But, read 

   “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘In what way have

    we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings [you have withheld]. You are cursed

    with a curse, for you are robbing Me, this whole nation! Bring all the tithes

    (the tenth) into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and

    test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the

    windows of heaven and pour out for you [so great] a blessing until there is no

    more room to receive it. Then I will rebuke the devourer (insects, plague) for

    your sake and he will not destroy the fruits of the ground, nor will your vine in

    the field drop its grapes [before harvest],” says the Lord of hosts. “All nations

    shall call you happy and blessed, for you shall be a land of delight,” says the

    Lord of hosts." [Malachi 3:8-12]

To clarify:

  1. Obviously God is speaking to His nation of Israel. And before you say it's the Old Testament... or that you aren't Jewish, let me point out that The Old Testament is still part of the Bible.

   "Do not think that I came to do away with or undo the Law [of Moses] or the

    [writings of the] Prophets; I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For I

    assure you and most solemnly say to you, until heaven and earth pass away,

    not the smallest letter or stroke [of the pen] will pass from the Law until all

    things [which it foreshadows] are accomplished." (Matthew 5: 17-18)

  2. As to not being Jewish. The Gentiles are grafted in - Romans 11 begin in verse 11 as well as 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3; 28 among others.

  3. 'into the storehouse' - that's the church you are associated with. And this doesn't mean you can split your tithe - the whole goes into the church. It's those who oversee this that are responsible. You've done what you should do.

  4. Do you SEE and understand what happens when you follow this command?!! God opens the window to blessings as well as rebuking the devourer and you will be called happy and blessed.

What could possibly stop us from following this? Us. Personally, I was brought up tithing... even as a child. I had to tithe a tenth of my allowance to the church and I had to save a tithe. The rest was all mine to use. However, when I got older and was employed, I still tithed but on the 'net' not the gross. And the Word says nothing about tithing on 'net'. WHOLE is the terminology.

Tithing is one of those subjects/issues that puts feet to any statement about believing that the Bible is the Word of God. If you do believe this then every word is there for a reason. It doesn't say we always have to like what's said - simply that we follow it. Scripture also says that we don't add, subtract from what's written (Deuteronomy 4:2) - which includes adding our definitions and interpretations. God says that He changes not (Malachi 3:6) which does not mean His mind, but His character. There are instances in scripture when God says He will do something but relents when His people change. repent, and return. Also, if He does change His mind - He says so and why (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Using the above as foundation, then there is no place in scripture that God says tithing is only for (fill in the blank) and until (fill in the blank) - it simply says that we are to tithe. Rather simple statement. Yet we do want to put our own spin in this. Which gets us???????

There is a slight catch in all this... at least according to my world. Scripture also says we should be cheerful givers, remembering our source  

   "And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in

    abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances,

    regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being

    completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work

    and act of charity. As it is written and forever remains written, 

        “He [the benevolent and generous person] scattered abroad, he 

         gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever!”

    Now He who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and

    multiply your seed for sowing [that is, your resources] and increase the

    harvest of your righteousness [which shows itself in active goodness, kindness,

    and love]. You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous, and

    this [generosity, administered] through us is producing thanksgiving to God

    [from those who benefit]." [2 Corinthians 9:8-11]

We want all the benefits, we want the abundance so why attempt to spin (spelled - rob) what God's Word has said. Does where in scripture make the difference as to whether you follow His words? If you look closely, Jesus also tithed. Do I hear a sputter from you? Again, it can be man's interpretation but Matthew 17:27 does seem to support it. And both Luke and Matthew speak to when Jesus rebuked the Pharisees about their tithing on mint and cumin but neglecting the weightier things. But even if He didn't, does that 'excuse' us? You may be giving offerings... but are you tithing?

You may not agree with what I've said... you may have a different standard and  understanding.... but when you stand before the Lord, do you know what you believe - your why, how, and scriptural support? This is what's important for you.