Tithing

A Nigerian wrote me with the following question, “Yes, I have many questions concerning some teachings of the Bible. On the issues of tithe, Mal. 3 vs 10 downward . . . the issue of ‘robbing God’ and ‘God placing course [curse]’. . . how do you justify it? Is it because paying tithe and offering has become so paramount and compulsory that God has to go to the length of placing cause [curse]? Or maybe there is other interpretation? This fact is confusing a lot of believers in Nigeria.”

This is a confusing subject for many even here in America. Please bear with my long answer:

It was once said that the wallet is the "last frontier"-- that it’s the last thing that comes to God in surrender. But it should be the first, along with our surrendered heart. Jesus spoke much about money. He said that we cannot serve God and mammon (see Matthew 6: 24). The word "mammon" was the common Aramaic word for riches and it signifies "that which is to be trusted." In other words, either money is our source of joy, our sense of security, the supplier of our needs -- or God is.

When you give, make sure you do so with a cheerful heart. Our giving should be a systematic and purposeful giving to the church where we fellowship (see 2 Corinthians 9: 7). It should be in response to need (see Acts 11: 27-29). It should be sacrificial (see Galatians 2:10), and should be done in secret with a humble heart (see Matthew 6:1-4). It is a key to spiritual fruit (see Luke 16:10-11).

In other words, consider II Corinthians 8: 12 where Paul says that giving should be done according to what a man has. Although the New Testament does not specify tithing as the Old Testament does, the principle of proportionate giving is advocated (I Corinthians 16:2). The key measure is not the proportion given, but the amount retained. Everything that you have is God's gift to you, and He wants you to be a good steward of it, supporting the work of the Church. It is a matter of much prayer.

Let’s get the context of Malachi:

Chapter 1: The Lord is glorified by Israel, but the priests commit unclean acts in sacrifice;

Chapter 2: The Lord curses the priests and the people commit idolatry, adultery and divorce;

Chapter 3: The Lord will judge at His coming because the people rob God by tithes and offerings;

Chapter 4: Rewards and punishments come to all who are arrogant and evil; but, a promise of Messiah is given by the sign of Elijah the prophet.

In context, the nation’s evil is not limited to their lack of tithes and offerings. The priests are corrupt and the people are corrupt in many more acts that do not involve giving money; rather, their worship in giving (tithes and offerings) reflects the true state of their heart—God calls them wicked. When the Lord returns, the ones who do evil will receive what is coming to them by the curse of their own wickedness—burning. The curse is not limited to grapes.