READING TIME: 3-4 MINUTES
November 6, 2019
Malachi 3:8-10, Part 2
“Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! 10 Bring the whole tithe 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 a blessing until it overflows” (NASB).
IMPORTANT POINT ABOUT HOW TO APPLY OT PASSAGES TO NT BELIEVERS
• Recognize that while all Scripture is for us, not all Scripture is written directly to us as church-age believers (see Romans 15:4). If a NT believer applies OT tithing to the church, then he would still be obligated to carry out the many other laws the OT requires.
TITHING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
• The only two times the NT even mentions tithing is in Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42, and in these verses, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and Sadducees about their hypocrisy of giving a tenth of their minute garden herbs while being guilty of many major sins.
• Many assume that tithing involves money. It is very interesting to note from the above two references (Matt 23:23 and Lk 11:42) that money or any form of currency was never used in tithing. Quite specifically ‘garden produce’ was referenced. In the OT, the tithe, or a tenth part, from the produce of the land (including grain, fruit, and flocks and herds) was required by Mosaic Law (see Leviticus 27:30-33; Deuteronomy 12:6, 11).
NEW TESTAMENT PRINCIPLES OF GIVING
• The NT never teaches that giving will result in material benefits. The promise of agricultural blessing is directed to Israel based on their obedience to the law (cf. Deuteronomy 28:1-14), a promise linked only to those living under the Mosaic covenant (i.e., it is not guaranteed to those living under the “new covenant”). However, the NT indicates that believers who give generously, sacrificially, and with cheerful hearts will experience spiritual blessings (2 Corinthians 9:7-11).
• The NT shows believers giving to other congregations (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5), showing that giving cannot be restricted to one’s church, and additional giving to other ministries is a good use of money.
• This might surprise some people, but the NT never commanded believers to give a certain percentage to the church. Tithing, as is referenced in the OT Mosaic Law, is not for NT believers. Rather it teaches that we should give regularly, sacrificially, as the Lord has prospered us, and joyfully (cf. 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 8:1-4, 9-14; 2 Corinthians 9:2, 7, 12; Philippians 4:10-19). Based on the principle of grace we see in the NT, the Lord allows the amount we give back to Him unspecified and up to us.
• To expand a bit on the above, in God’s eyes, the attitude of the giver is more important than the amount given (2 Corinthians 9:7). Accordingly, grace-giving is to be characterized by joy (2 Corinthians 8:2); cheerfulness (2 Corinthians 9:7); liberality (2 Corinthians 8:2); sacrifice (2 Corinthians 8:2-3); eagerness (2 Corinthians 8:4, 7-8); willingness (2 Corinthians 8:12; 9:2); perseverance (2 Corinthians 8:10-12); and integrity (2 Corinthians 8:20-21).
GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING WHETHER BIBLE PRACTICES ARE CULTURE-BOUND OR TRANSCULTURAL
1. Determine if the behavior in the biblical culture means something different in our culture (e.g., holy kisses [Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14], foot washing [John 13:4-10]; stoning if one picks up sticks on the Sabbath [Numbers 15:32-36]).
2. If the behavior does mean something different in our culture, then determine the timeless principle expressed in that practice.
3. Determine how the principle can be expressed in a cultural equivalent (“hearty handshake” instead of “a holy kiss” or just “holy kiss” with an explanation in the notes of what this meant in that culture – Romans 16:16) (Zuck, pp. 96-97).
CONCLUSION
• In conclusion, even though the New Testament does not require a tithe of believers today, it does speak of God’s blessing on those who give generously to the needs of the church and especially to those who labor in the Word (Acts 4:31–35; 2 Corinthians 9:6–12; Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:14–19).
Sources Used
Blaising, Craig A. “Malachi.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Vol. 1. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. 1585. Print.
Constable, Tom. Malachi Notes.
MacArthur, John. NKJV, The MacArthur Study Bible, eBook: Revised and Updated Edition. Thomas Nelson.
The Moody Bible Commentary. Moody Publishers.
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The NET Bible Notes, 2nd Edition.
NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, eBook: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture. Zondervan.
The NIV Zondervan Study Bible, eBook: Built on the Truth of Scripture and Centered on the Gospel Message. Zondervan.
Nelson, Thomas. NKJV, The NKJV Study Bible, eBook: Second Edition. Thomas Nelson.
“Is Tithing for New Testament Christians?”
“Out of Context: Malachi 3:8 Will a Man Rob God?
Taylor, Richard A., and E. Ray Clendenen. Haggai, Malachi. Vol. 21A. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2004. Print. The New American Commentary.
Wiersbe, Warren W. Be Amazed. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996. Print. “Be” Commentary Series.
Zuck, Roy B. Basic Bible Interpretation: A Practical Guide to Discovering Biblical Truth. Victor, 1991.