Giving

January 14, 2007

G. Manning – My five-year-old son was proud that he had graduated from bow ties to a necktie just like Dad’s. But one Sunday morning, with his hand clutching the tie tightly, I heard this panicked whisper: “Dad, why did the pastor say they’re going to collect the ties and offering?”

Mal 3:7 - 11

Mal 3:7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

Mal 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

Mal 3:9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

Mal 3:10 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. {pour...: Heb. empty out}

Mal 3:11 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. {destroy: Heb. corrupt}

Definition:

Francisco De Jesus The practice of giving a tenth of one’s property or produce to support religious institutions or the priesthood. It is an ancient practice, widespread in antiquity and found in Judaism as well as in surrounding cultures of the ancient Near East.

Ge 14:17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale.

Ge 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

Ge 14:19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

Ge 14:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

The tithe was one of the tributary (offshoot) offerings imposed on Israel. There were strict regulations pertaining to the tithe (Lev. 27:30-33; Num. 18:21-32; Deut. 14:22-29; 26:2-15). All crops and the increase in cattle were subject to the tithe. The tithe of grain and fruit could first be exchanged for silver, but the Israelite was required to add 20 percent of the market value before taking the silver to the temple. He was not permitted to redeem the tithe of the herd or flock.

Thomas Baird the nation of Israel was in a great spiritual decline.

The reconstruction of the Temple had been completed and corruption had entered into it.

Malachi said

“you offer polluted bread upon the altar”

Corruption was wide spread.

divorce had become a normal thing.

The nation as a whole was in great spiritual decline.

It was stated in a pole a few years ago that on average 90% of the Work done in the Churches in our country today, 90% of the work is done by 20% of the people.

It was also stated that 90% of the tithes and offerings were given by 20% of the people.

In verse 7 God is saying to the nation of Israel,

You have broken the law,

You have failed to keep the commandments that I have given to you.

You have done this for a long time, even from the time of your fathers.

We can see here that God is not talking to the people as individuals but as a nation.

“ I have commanded you to do something and you have failed to do it and because of this, if you will return to me,

If you will obey me, If you will start back in obedience, I will return to you.”

NT concept of Giving

Francisco De Jesus This young man came to Jesus in search of heaven, and asked Jesus what he had to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus’ response was to explain that he must first follow the basic laws of God — the ten commandments. The young man replied that he had kept all of the commandments from his youth. And then Jesus completely astounded him by saying, “Go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Matthew 19:21). The Bible sadly reports, “When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.”