Tuesday: Tithe in the Storehouse

Read Malachi 3:1-10. What is God saying to His people here?

Image © Krieg Barrie from GoodSalt.com

What specific elements are found in these texts, and why would they all be tied together? That is, in what ways are these things all related to each other?

With these verses, God restates the basic message of the Minor Prophets: His love remains constant and unwavering. In verse 7 God’s call is heard once more: “‘Return to me, and I will return to you’” (NIV). The people then ask: “‘How shall we return?’” (RSV). This question is similar to the one in Micah 6:6, about the bringing of sacrifices to God. In the case of Malachi, however, a specific answer is given, and, surprisingly enough, it has to do with the question of their tithing, or lack thereof.

In fact, they are accused of stealing from what belongs to God. This happened because they were not faithful in the returning of their tithes and offerings.

The custom of tithing, giving ten percent of the income, is presented in the Bible as a reminder that God owns everything and all that people have comes from Him. The tithe was used in Israel to support the Levites, who ministered in the temple. To neglect the returning of one’s tithe is, according to Malachi, the same as robbing God.

Malachi 3:10 is one of the rare Scriptures in which God challenges people to put Him to the test. At the waters of Meribah in the wilderness, the children of Israel repeatedly “tested” God’s patience, something that He was angry about (Ps. 95:8-11). Here, however, God is inviting Israel to put Him to the test. He wants them to see that they can trust Him in this matter, which, according to the texts, is something of great spiritual significance.

How does the act of tithing (and of giving offerings, for that matter) strengthen you spiritually? In other words, when you cheat on tithe, why are you cheating yourself, not just God?

29 comment(s) for this post:

Howard:
24 Jun 2013 Moderator's Note: "Please remember to use full names when commenting. Comments without real first and last names may not be published." Thank you. You steal Tithe you rob yourself of blessings.
goran bosanac:
24 Jun 2013 I have problem with tithe. Because of credits I dont quate sure what is my incom. How to deal it?
William Earnhardt:
24 Jun 2013 Good question Goran. I get asked that question a lot. Deuteronomy 14:22 says, "Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year." Your increase is your profit. So, if my neighbor pays me $25.00 to mow his lawn, but I used $1.00 worth of gas to mow it,then my increase or profit would be $14.00. My tithe would be $1.40. Now if I am an employee with no business expenses which would go against my income, then I get a straight paycheck. Let's say I get $10.00 an hour so after a 40 hour work week my gross income would be $400.00. Lets say $50.00 is taken out for taxes which would leave me $350.00. Now the $400.00 was still my income, after all I benefit from what my tax money goes for, so my tithe would be $40.00. Now lets say someone is convicted they should only tithe off the net which is the $350.00. We need to be prayerful and careful as to whether we are really convicted to pay on just the net. Ellen White,says in 5th volume of the testimonies, page 149," Of the means which is entrusted to man, God claims a certain portion--a tithe; but He leaves all free to say how much the tithe is, and whether or not they will give more than this." So lets say we tithe off the net $350.00 which would be $35.00. Now remember if you get a tax return that you need to tithe on it because you were only tithing on what you actually took home. If you tithe on your gross their is no need to tithe on your tax return because you already did when you tithed on your gross. Some will tithe on the return after tithing on the gross too. That is a personal matter of conviction. Either way, you can't out give God. Does this answer your question?
Jay ILaoa:
24 Jun 2013 Goran B., Credits are moneys extended to you without you earning it, so credit money is not income. Income on the other hand is money you earned, and thats what God commanded His people to give ten% for the temple ministry. We should avoid credit all together, for this credit system i believe was introduced by satan to enslaved people and will lead many of God's people into financial ruin and eventually unfaithfullness to God. Many relationships and suicidal deaths are result in financial dilemmas stems from credit debts. God bless!!!
Ibezim Irondi:
24 Jun 2013 I realy want thank God for this lesson. As adventist we have to understand that God had given us riches freely,so we have to return that one God is requesting from us and all so apreciate Him in offering. I'am a living witness in this tithe and offering given, let us be sincere in returning to God.
Ibezim Irondi:
24 Jun 2013 Because credit you can't pay tithe well.You have to pray that God may change the stuation for you. I pray for every adventist around the who experience such condition that God Almigthy to change such from them. Amen.
munya:
25 Jun 2013 [Moderator's Note: Please use full names when commenting.] Our first item on our. Budget should be tithe.. Way before we factor. In our debts..