We are busy with a series on Malachi 3. If you haven’t read it yet, you can read the previous three messages first. We know that the Lord dealt with Israel in the Old Testament physically, but with the church, of which Israel is a type, He deals spiritually. Israel’s prosperity and inheritance was physical and our inheritance and treasure is eternal and in heaven. Jesus made himself very clear that we should not live for this life as the World does, but that we should sacrifice material prosperity to serve Him and His Kingdom efficiently so that we may have a good eternal life – a treasure in heaven and eternal rewards.
The tithe in the Old Testament was material giving and was like the tax to a Theocracy (a government headed by God). The tithe in the New Testament is spiritual, since everything in the New Testament is spiritual compared to the physical in the Old Testament.
“‘Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts,’” (Malachi 3:8-12).
This is a passage much used in the church to set the standard by which we should give. But why do we give? Do we give to receive so we could live prosperously on earth? In our previous messages and all over the New Testament we learn that our destiny is not earthly prosperity, but eternal riches. If Jesus wanted us to be materially prosperous, why was He then so outspoken against money and its power over us? If we want to apply the above tithing principle to the New Testament Christian life, we should give financially so that the Kingdom may be financed and we may have heavenly treasures and protection against evil as a result of our obedience – not earthly prosperity, which is a trap. We also need to apply it to everything we have – our energy, our time, our talents, our spiritual gifts, etc. E.g. we have twenty four hours in a day, so at least two and a half hours every single day should be devoted to the Lord and His Kingdom.
What do we give? In a spiritual Kingdom money’s only value is to provide resources for the army of God to take over enemy territory. To support the principle of giving we use statements from the New Testament like “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you,” (Luke 6:38). The context in which the latter was written had nothing to do with money, but was written regarding judgement. However, it does highlight an important principle. Giving in the New Testament has to do with the giving of ourselves and involves giving more than a tenth, offering our “bodies as living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1). The measure by which we measure will be measured for us. The more we give, the more will be given to us. This applies to the positive and the negative. If we give love, we will receive love. The same pertains to encouragement, support, help, etc. but unfortunately also to gossip, criticism, etc. What you sow you shall reap.
To be continued.
Lord, please teach me the principle of true giving.
Thank you Lord that your Word went out from your mouth, via your servant’s pen, and it will not return to you empty, but will accomplish what you desire and achieve the purpose for which you sent it.
Please pass this on if you think others may benefit by it.
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