Satan’s Great Lie Part 5
Previously I shared with you the great lie of naming and claiming it. This week message was to talk about what we generally name and claim – financial blessings. I was to deal with the prosperity message. However, I cannot do that yet because there is too much confusion around giving to the Church. So this morning, I want to cover the truth behind tithing in order to lay the foundation as to how the prosperity message got started and why people are in bondage. Are you cursed to hell if you do not tithe? What about what Malachi says? This morning I want you to walk away with a clear understanding of tithing and why today there is so much emphasis on it. The tithing we see today is not the same as what was practiced by the Children of Israel. The purposed is similar, but the practice is different. My plan today is to explain the history and bring you to giving in the New Testament. Then next week, after you have this foundation, I will discuss the prosperity message and why it is a lie. The prosperity message started with giving tithes and offerings so in order to understand that message, you must understand the history of tithing and why we cling to Malachi when we are taking up offerings.
I was told several years ago by a pastor that if I ever taught the truth about tithing and giving in general that I would never get anyone to give to the church. This pastor told me that people needed some guidelines and right now making sure they tithes is the only way to ensure that they will give. People accepted tithes as it was being taught. I believe differently. Let me say up front that I believe in tithing, but I believe it is the beginning of our offering to God. I do not believe, and let me be clear about this, that I have the right to dictate to you that you tithe or give anything to God. That is totally your choice. You will never hear me say to this congregation that you are cursed if you do not tithe. Your giving is personal and you will be blessed on what you decide in your heart to give. Would I like for everyone to tithe? Yes that would be great, but what would be perfect is that if each you of you could hear from God and give what He directs you to give. Because people are not expected to attain this level of confidence in God, we have established a situation where if they can give at least 10% then they will receive all of God’s blessings – even if they could give much more. This will become clearer as we get into God’s word.
A. Tithing
Lets start with the Scripture in Malachi that we often hear quoted in Church when it is time to take up the offering.
Malachi 3:8: “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, how have we robbed you You? In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! 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 you out a blessing until it overflows. Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it may not destroy your fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes says the Lord of hosts.”
When the Church is looking to teach members how to give “responsibly” the foundation is the tithes. We say things like “everyone should tithe; if everyone tithe then the Church would have all its needs met”. The purpose of giving to the Church is so that the ministry of God can go forth. Yes the Church has needs, but those needs should be centered around doing the “work” of the Lord, not the building of monument to men. In most cases, supporting the Church may require a person to give more than 10%. The first thing you need to understand is that tithing did not start with Abraham. Tithing, or giving a tenth of one’s income, was practiced by ancient cultures long before Abraham was born. Abraham, being aware of the practice, chose to do the same when he gave a tenth of his spoils to Melchizedek. In ancient times, people tithed their property, produce and currency. The Egyptians, Syrians, Lydians, Babylonians and Assyrians all practiced tithing. Their motive for tithing however was different from Israel’s motive. The motive for tithing both in other cultures and “somewhat” in Israel’s culture was political, humanitarian and economic. People tithed a lot of things including grain, wine, fruit, cattle, wool, cloth, wood, etc. However, in general, Israelites were to tithe all of the wealth of the land that God gave to them.
Now here is where it can get confusing. Israel was expected to give back to God of the produce of the land that He had given them. Part of this involves what we call the “first fruits”. Deuteronomy 26 covers this subject. The Levites were to receive the tithes because of their service. They were the priests of the nation and did not have land to grow their own food so they lived off of the tithes. Deuteronomy chapters 14 and 26 makes it clear that the giving of tithes was to be motivated by heartfelt love for God and one’s brethren. The purpose of the tithe was to ensure that there would be food in God’s house – for the priests as well as those in need. By giving the tithes, the Israelites were giving a portion back to the Lord and recognized the validity of the priests and the Levites as God’s representatives and acknowledge their right to receive support for the spiritual service they performed on the people’s behalf. Now here is the interesting part. Deuteronomy 14:22-29 describes the tithe, where it was to go and who was to eat it. The people themselves would bring the tithes to the place selected by God – generally a “central sanctuary”. They would bring the tithes to a central place and during the initial festival, they would eat part of the tithes with the Levites and the poor. This would only be a small part of tithes and the rest belonged to the Levites. Did you get that? The people themselves shared in the eating of the tithe that they brought before God on an annual basis. They were not to forget the Levites because they had no portion of the inheritance. Numbers 18:21 says “To the sons of Levi, behold I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they perform, the service of the tent of meeting.” Now look at Deut. 14:28-29: “At the end of every third year you shall bring out all of the tithe of your produce in that year, and shall deposit it in your town. The Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance among you, and the alien, the orphan and the widow who are in your town, shall come and eat and be satisfied, in order that the Lord your God may bless you in the work of your hand which you do.” Every third year they were to keep their tithes in their own towns so that the local Levites and their poor would have food to eat. Two years they took their tithes to a central sanctuary for distribution to all of the Levites and in the 3rd year they were to keep it local. This is the tithe that Malachi 3:8-10 talked about and why he stated that they would be cursed if they did not bring it.
When the tithe was given to the Levites, one-tenth was passed on to the priests or to the house of God. (Num. 18; Deut. 14:22-29) The key in all of the OT scriptures for tithing is the motivation behind the tithes. Before the prophet Malachi, the prophet Amos talked about the spirit behind the tithe. During his time the tithe still came in, but the joy, love and sincerity that were to mark the giving was missing (Amos 4:4). After the exile, Malachi attempted to get the people to bring the tithe for the right reason, Malachi 3:8-10, and only then would they be blessed. Malachi was telling the people how they had departed from God in not keeping the “outward” observance of their religion – helping others. The tithes and offering were due to God and in them not giving them, they were defrauding God, not man. Again, remember the tithes were set up so that those (priests and Levites) who served in the ministry would have food because they did not share in the inheritance of the land when God brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt. Since they could not grow their own food, they were to receive from the people. So Malachi was attempting to get the people to go back to doing what they had been commanded to do – make sure that those in ministry service to them had food to eat. To not do so meant that they would not be considered children of God and would be cursed – not receiving the blessing and protection of God. When we get to the New Testament, there is a slight change that takes place. Remember, originally the tithes was set up to support the priests and Levites serving in ministry and to help the poor (that there would be a central place for those in need to come to for help). Part of ministry is helping those in need, not only spiritually but physical as well. Now watch what happens when we get to the New Testament.
During Jesus’ time, the Pharisees had legalized tithing. In Matt. 23:23; Luke 11:42; 18:12, the giving of tithes is cast in a negative light because of the way that it was often practiced with no regard for justice, the love of God, mercy or faith. Jesus criticized them for paying close attention to the tithing and not to living a pleasing moral life to God. Paul’s exhortation to give with a cheerful heart (2 Cor. 9:7) reflects Deuteronomy’s instruction about tithing, which emphasizes the importance of rejoicing. Lets look at how giving was established in the New testament church (since none of the disciples were Levites or Priests according to the Old Testament scriptures).
Matthew 10:9-10 “Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support.
Acts 4:32-35 “And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sale and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.”
1 Corinthians 16:1-2 “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save as he may prosper, so that no collection be made when I come.”
2 Corinthians 8:12-15 “For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality; as it is written, ‘He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little had no lack.”
2 Corinthians 9:1, 6-8 “For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints…Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed…”
1 Timothy 6:17-19 “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.”
In the new Testament Church, they gave more than a tithe. Those who had much gave more; those who had need came and received. The original purpose of the tithe was not to build a large “building/kingdom of men” but that those who served in ministry would have food and those in need could come to the Church and receive. In the New Testament, the goal was to ensure that those serving in ministry and those in need were taken care of. It was about an attitude of serving (taking care of) your brother/sister. Remember this, the apostles were ordinary men – not very rich men. The people that they ministered to were Jews (who gave to the ministry while still honoring the Old Testament rules for tithing) and new Gentile converts whose only exposure to tithing was in the form of a tax (for those who were not familiar with the Hebrew guidelines).
In supporting the Church, the goal is to give from your heart as God has given to you. If you have more, give more, if you have less, give what you can. If you only give 10% and say that is all you have to do, then you are missing the spirit behind true worship in giving. Again, God is looking at your heart and if you give 10% and you really do not want to, you should just keep it. God wants you to give what you truly desire to give – what you purpose in your heart to give. He wants you to give because in doing so you are taking care of those who serve in the ministry – in all areas – and you are making sure that there is something for those who are in need. If all of your money is going to an individual and nothing is available to help those in need then there is a problem in the camp. If you “can” give more and choose not to for whatever reason, you are letting God know where your faith is. I do not believe that I have a right to dictate to you what you give by telling you that you are going to be cursed if you do not give a certain amount. Regardless of what you give, if you are giving it for any reason other than your love for God and His people, so that you may be able to help His work move forward, then you should keep it. Our lives should circle around a true belief that God will take care of us as we are doing His business. Giving a tithe should be the starting point of our giving, but that is not the end all. If your financial situation currently does not allow you to tithe, give what you can and God will bless and honor it. If you currently tithe, start believing God that one day you will be able to give more that 10%. Are you cursed if you do not tithe? I do not believe so when I evaluate God’s word in its fullness. God is not out there seeking to curse you, He is seeking to have a relationship with you. Once that is established and you begin to trust that He truly will help meet your needs, you begin to realize that you can stop trusting in your money and trusting in God. People hold on to their money tightly when they do not have faith in God that He will take care of them. I know people who are unemployed but every time they get something, they give a little to the Church. I also know others who have good jobs and for whatever reason, they choose to give little to the Church. It goes to your heart and what your motivations are. I will end this section with the story of the widow’s mite. Jesus sat down by the treasury and watched as people came and gave their money, the rich putting in large sums. Finally a widow came and put in two small coins (about a penny). Listen to what Jesus said about this widow to His disciples in Mark 12:43-44. “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more that all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” Do you understand what took place here? It was about her attitude. She could have kept the money and got her a little food, but she gave it up for the ministry. She was stating in here action that she believed that she would be taken care of. Everyone else gave out of their abundance for they had plenty. She gave all she had. We do not have a problem giving when we have a lot, but sometimes when things are tight we tend to hold on a little tighter to what we have – the wrong thing to do.
Again, everything centers around what is in your heart and your motivation. If you do not tithe or give as God has blessed you because you just do not want to, then you will miss a blessing (cursed as you will). If you cannot tithe because of your current situation, but you give what you can because you truly want to support God’s ministry, then no you are not cursed. Again, the scripture is clear that it addresses motivation. It goes to your attitude. As I have stated before, if you listen to God and give how He directs you if you cannot tithe, The Church will have enough to do what God has called us to do. If you are tithing and you listen to God as He tells you how to give more, we will have plenty. I talked with another pastor last week and he was sharing with me how he believes the Church need to do fund raisers in order to make sure the Church has enough money to pay their bills. A lot of Churches operate that way, but we cannot. Whatever God truly instructs us to do, He will make sure, if we listen to Him, that the money is available. If we have done all that we can do, then He will send others to fill in the gap. We must be obedient to Him.
So the answer to the first question is no you are not cursed if you are not able to tithe right now. No, you did not lose your job because you were not tithing. No you are not having marital problems because you are not tithing. Tithing is not the end all of our relationship with God. It is the attitude behind your gift. God wants to bless us, but it is a dangerous practice to say that God is blessing you “only” if you have plenty of money in the bank, a great job, no financial worries, etc. God’s blessing extends far beyond that.
