Thomas Martin is the former manager of a Jack-in-the-Box restaurant in Oroville, California. He reported a robbery in which the crook took $307 as the store was closing. When questioned about the suspect, Martin provided the police sketch artist with a detailed description of the assailant. After the artist completed his sketch, he observed how the drawing looked just like Thomas Martin. When investigators noted the similarity, Martin confessed to the crime. (Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, December 28, 1996)
For the believer, there is no getting away from the truth of God’s Word! We often attempt to run from God because we believe our path is better – yet in the end? We only find misery and destruction on our own path (Prov. 14:12). The Lord loves His children so much that He will not let us get away with running from Him. We must choose God’s path for managing our finances…any other path is misery! Before we move on to other areas of stewardship, today we will look a little closer at the Bible teaching of tithing.
RETREATING FROM GOD!
Malachi 3:7. "Ye are gone away from mine ordinances" - Disobedience wasn't something new for the children of Israel. In fact, it was quite regular.
" ... return unto me and I will return unto you" - God's patience, goodness, love, and long-suffering all summed up in this brief phrase!
"... where shall we return" - The self-righteous response is quite pharisaical! Look at Malachi l :6 for more of the same kind of response. They have justified their position. They believe themselves to be righteous and NOT in need of repentance!
There are always plenty of excuses to be had! “I cannot tithe” because:
o In January because of Christmas bills
o In February because of fuel bills and car upkeep
o In March because of income taxes
o In April because of clothes for Easter
o In May because too much rain threatens the crops
o In June because too little rain threatens the crops
o In July because of vacation expenses coming up
o In August because of vacation expenses to be paid
o In September because of the children's school needs
o In October because of winter clothes and doctor bills
o In November because of the Thanksgiving trip
o In December because of Christmas shopping
The decline is further noted in Malachi 3:14-15 with the willful choice of retreat! The willful choice of retreating from God will always “take us farther than we ever expected to go; it will keep us longer than we expected to stay, and it will cost us more than we expected to pay!” (This quote is by a famous preacher who suffered the realities of his own statement.) It is from this position of retreat that God calls His people thieves!
ROBBING GOD!
Malachi 3:8-9. THE ACCUSATION: The Lord accused His people of stealing from Him! Confused, the people ask how have they stolen from God. The answer? In tithes and offerings.
A tithe was practiced by Abram when he gave a tenth of all the spoils (Gen. 14:20)
The tithing practice became law in Lev. 27:30-33 & Num. 18:31-32. Many theologians believe that tithing is lifted beyond ceremonial law to moral obligation when the Lord brings the accusation of “robbery” for failure to tithe.
It is to be the “first fruits” of ALL your substance. This “first fruits giving” honors God (Proverbs 3:9-10)
The Lord COMMENDED THE PHARISEES for tithing (Matthew 23:23)
Such giving is to be generous…the tithe is the starting point! (II Cor. 9:6)
THE ACCUSED – the Whole Nation
There are no exceptions! All are accused. According to Overflow, only 5 to 10% of church attendees practice tithing. However, 77% of those who do tithe give more than 10%. The stats also report that the average church goer gives less than 4.35%. In short, on a national scale, very few church goers are tithing.
1. This is not a small problem
2. This is not of small consequence (accusation is – thieves!)
3. This IS a HEART problem! (Proverbs 4:23)
THE AFTERMATH: Guilty & Cursed
They withheld their tithes and offerings believing themselves to be correct. They questioned God because they were no longer comfortable, things were taking too long, and the wicked looked like they were doing better. In the end, they are faced with guilt, shame, and looming judgment!
We may think, “I’ll worry about this wrong choice tomorrow.” Well, the Lord comes to them and says, “Let me introduce myself, I’m tomorrow!!” Don’t wait for God’s chastening…choose to follow His Word today!
RESPONDING TO GOD!
Malachi 3:10. THE INSTRUCTION
Bring your tithes into God’s storehouse and prove God will bless.
Two men found themselves shipwrecked on a deserted island. They soon discovered there was no water on the island and no food…they would die from starvation if they were not rescued! The first man began lighting trees on fire and writing in the sand – “Help.” However, the second man calmly sat down and did nothing. The first man was frantic and clearly frustrated when he said to his friend, “Don’t you know we will die if we are not rescued!” The second man said, “You don’t understand. I make $100,000 a week!” The first man said, “That won’t do you any good here!” He replied, “No, you still don’t understand. I make $100,000 a week – and I tithe…my church will find me!”
All joking aside, the tithe is not meant to be the responsibility of the wealthy or a small percentage of the church family. Every believing family is accountable to God for their own tithing practices and how they respond to God’s Word. Matthew 7 reminds us that hearing God’s Word and applying God’s Word to one’s life are the combined actions of a wise man!
THE PROVISION
Malachi 3:10 says, “…prove me…if I will not open you the windows of heaven…pour you out a blessing that you shall not be able to receive it.” The path of obedience points to the place of blessing and the place of blessing finds more than you can hold! This promise does not equal a “Get Rich” doctrine or a prosperity gospel. God’s blessing may be souls saved, or bills removed, or a raise at work, or a needed possession supplied, or a physical malady healed.
A pastor in Texas came across H. Z. Duke, founder of Duke and Ayers Nickel Stores. Mr. Duke asked the pastor if he believed in tithing to which he replied that he did. Mr. Duke then asked him if he practiced tithing. He answered, “No, I do not. I believe in tithing, but I cannot practice it. You see, I have thirteen children at home. Every meal fifteen of us sit down at the table. I receive only $125 a month, $1500 a year, as salary. I have to maintain my own horse and buggy for constant traveling. It is just impossible to take care of all the needs of a family of fifteen out of $125 a month and have money left to tithe. So I believe in tithing, and I preach it, but I cannot practice it.”
Mr. Duke then said, “I want you to set out to give God at least $12.50 every month as soon as you get your salary. Then as you feel led, you may give more. I promise you that if you need help, I will give it. Simply write me a letter and say, ‘Brother Duke. I am giving a tithe, but I miss the money. I need it for my family. I have given this year so much.’ I promise you that I will send you a check. Are you willing to try tithing on that basis?”
The pastor was very excited at the offer and began tithing. That year God took care of his needs in unexpected ways so that he never had to send that letter to Mr. Duke. Near the end of the year, the pastor realized that he had trusted Mr. Duke’s promise to provide for him more than he had trusted God’s promise. He said, “I had taken the word of a man when I did not take the promise of God! Now I had proven God’s promises and found that He took care of me and my big family on a small salary. I found that $112.50 per month took care of our family better, with God’s blessing, than $125 did without being under the blessed covenant which He has made with those who seek first the kingdom of God and who tithe.” (Source: Steps for New Converts, Dr. John R. Rice)
Are we trusting God’s promises more than our own reasoning, or more than our own connections, or more than our own resources? To sum things up, let’s rehearse 8 promises of God:
1. Matt. 6:31-33 – God provides for those who seek Him
2. Phil. 4:19 – God will supply the needs of those who supply the needs of others
3. Heb. 13:5 – God will not leave or forsake you
4. Isaiah 41:10- God gives strength and provision in hard times
5. Malachi 3:10- God will open the windows of heaven when we follow Him
6. Matthew 7:9-11- God cares about our daily needs
7. Psalm 55:22- God will sustain you
8. II Corinthians 9:8- God provides for our every need
Turn away from the temptation to question God…turn away from the self-righteous thinking that disobedience is okay in “my situation” …turn away from the lies and TURN TO JESUS!
We must choose God’s path for managing our finances.