Three Vital Questions Regarding Tithing
Introduction
Last Sunday we looked at four basic Bible truths regarding tithing, as set forth in Malachi 3:10. In that verse God commands his people to tithe, that is, to bring to him one-tenth of all we gain. He tells us where to bring the tithe, “into the storehouse”, and the church is the modern-day counterpart of the Old Testament storehouse. He explains to us one of the very important reasons why we’re to tithe: “that there may be meat in mine house.” In that verse the term “meat” refers to provisions in general. Only if God’s people faithfully tithe can we provide the facilities, equipment, and activities that we need, maintain an adequate staff, and engage in needed missionary endeavors. In that verse God also promises a blessing to the faithful tither.
Now, as we continue this morning to see what the Bible teaches about our financial obligations to God through his church, I want to focus on three vital questions that are sometimes raised in regard to tithing, and we will look at the Bible answer to each question.
I. To Tithe Or Not To Tithe - What’s At Stake
I’ve already touched briefly on that question. If we don’t tithe, God’s work suffers and we miss a blessing. But now let me take it a step further and get more specific as to what is at stake.
A. An Act Of Robbery
In Malachi 3:8 the Lord asks, “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”
Since withholding the tithe is robbery, it follows that there is a penalty involved. In Malachi 3:9 God said to Israel, “Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.” Now, in Israel’s case at least a part of that curse came in the form of barrenness upon the land. This is evident from the verses which follow. But the form in which the curse came is not the main point. The main point is that it came, just as a curse inevitably comes today upon those who withhold the Lord’s tithe.
Certainly it would be a big mistake to interpret all adversity, financial or otherwise, as punishment from God. Such a position would be unreasonable and unscriptural. But one way or the other, the non-tithing Christian will experience the consequences of his disobedience.
Galatians 6:7 says, “Be not deceived. God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” The great, omnipotent God of this universe is a God of law, and violated law carries its own inevitable penalty. Proverbs 13:15 says that “the way of transgressors is hard.” Violate the law of gravity if you will, but in so doing you will be broken by that law. It is even so with all of God’s laws, including the law of the tithe.1
B. An Appropriation Of Reward
But there’s also a bright side to this matter; how rich are the blessings that come when a person obeys God’s law. Malachi 3:10 says, “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.”
1. Material Reward
In the case of Malachi’s contemporaries God promised, for one thing, material blessings. Look at verse 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.” I have no doubt that in many cases today God blesses the tither with material benefits, although he certainly is under no obligation to do so. The point of the promise is that he will bless us, but we’re to trust his love and wisdom as to the specific ways in which he blesses.
2. Spiritual Reward
But regardless of any material benefits that he might choose to send us, even greater, and far more important, are the spiritual blessings which come to the tither.
For one thing, tithing strengthens even further the believer’s sense of being in partnership with his Creator2, and 1 Corinthians 3:9 takes on even greater meaning: “For we are laborers together with God....” It’s a wonderful thing to be in partnership with God in furthering his work in this world. It’s like a billionaire coming into our little struggling business and bolstering it up with his vast resources. Or it’s like a gold-medal Olympic athlete coming alongside a frail, small child and being his partner in some high-stakes two-person athletic event.
Another blessing which comes to the tither is that of spiritual growth. In Malachi 3:7 God said to the Israelites, “Return unto me, and I will return unto you.” Then, in giving instructions as to how they were to return to him, God said in verse 10: “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse....” So, tithing is one means for a Christian to draw closer to God.
Still another blessing is this, because he tithes, the believer gives a more convincing testimony before others. In Malachi 3:12 God made the following promise to Israel on the condition that they
begin tithing: “And all nations shall call you blessed, for ye shall be a delightsome land.” In such a case, what would apply to the nation as a whole would also apply to the individuals who make up that nation. By faithfully tithing you will enhance your witness.
So, God’s warnings to those who refuse to tithe are clear, and so are his promises of blessing to those who obey: “Bring ye all the tithes...and prove me now herewith...if I will not open you the windows of heaven....”
But we never can prove The delights of His love Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows And the joy He bestows Are for them who will trust and obey.
II. How Can You Afford To Tithe
Perhaps you’re saying, “Yes, I realize that the Bible does teach that every Christian ought to tithe; but I’m in such a financial bind that I just don’t see how I can afford to tithe right now.” But if you’re a child of God you can afford to tithe, whatever your circumstances. Here’s how:
A. Because You Are Capable
First, realize that God’s command for his people to tithe is not accompanied by any exception clauses. It is directed to every believer, not just to those who feel they can spare it, or those with a large, comfortable income, or those who haven’t had any recent financial reverses. God, with his infinite wisdom and his great love, would not command you to do something that you are not capable of doing. He knows your situation, and mine, and still he tells every believer to tithe. Certainly you can afford to tithe if you’re a Christian, otherwise God would not have commanded it.
B. Because You Are Committed
Second, recognize that in every realm of life your obligations to God are your first and foremost obligations, and that includes the financial realm. Proverbs 3:9 says, “Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase.”
I’m thinking now of a fine Christian man I knew a few years ago, who was going through a time of great trial and stress. It was a time of heavy financial burdens, due to the critical illness of a dear loved one. This man made a very small salary; yet he never faltered in his tithing. He said to me, “When I get my pay check, the first thing I do is take out God’s tithe and put it aside for him, then I take the remainder and do with it the best I can.” That’s the spirit that the writer of Proverbs is talking about, we’re to put first things first.
C. Because You Are Cautious
Then, having tithed, live within the nine-tenths. In his Word God makes clear to Christians that he expects us to live within our means.
As a starting point in that direction, families should work out some sort of budget, and that’s in accord with the Scriptural principle stated in 1 Corinthians 14:40: “Let all things be decently and in order.”
Most people have debts; and for the person just beginning to tithe those debts are likely to be especially heavy, due in some cases to financial irresponsibility during past days of spiritual laxity. However, some people have heavy debts due to unexpected reverses that have occurred even though they were sincerely trying to serve God faithfully. But whatever the reason for them, those debts must be intelligently and honestly dealt with. Thus, a prime part of that family budget should be earmarked for liquidating present debts. This is essential to good character and to an honorable
Christian testimony. Romans 13:8 says, “Owe no man anything, but to love one another....” The Greek word for “owe” in that verse denotes continuous action. God is saying, “Don’t go on owing anyone anything, except love.” We are never to consider love’s account closed. However, as far as all other debts are concerned, we’re to pay them on time, in full, and close the transaction, and to do that, we must have a plan, a budget.
Then, having tithed and having budgeted a part of your income for debt retirement, take whatever remains and learn to live within those bounds.3 Overextending ourselves financially and living beyond our means is frivolous and God-dishonoring for several reasons, one reason being that so much of what we strive for materially is unnecessary. There is a vast difference between what most of us want and what we really need. The actual necessities of life, materially speaking, are in the last analysis very few.
Captain Eddie Rickenbacker was describing his agonizing days of floating in a tiny raft on the Pacific Ocean after his plane was forced down during Word War II. “First of all,” he said, “we had to throw overboard and throw out everything that wasn’t vital to the preservation of life itself.” Then he added: “It’s surprising how worthless most of the things are that we cherish.”4 In Luke 12:15, Jesus said: “...beware of covetousness; for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
III. Why Pledge To Tithe
Occasionally someone says, “I’m convinced that I ought to tithe; but I object to the idea of signing a pledge card, promising in writing that I’ll tithe.”
That objection is usually due, I believe, to a misunderstanding, both as to the purpose for pledging, and the warrant for so doing. So, let’s look at this matter of pledging from the standpoint of its practical purpose and its Biblical basis. Here are two reasons why I’m convinced that it is Biblical to sign a tither’s pledge card, promising in writing to bring God’s tenth into the storehouse.
A. Pledging Is Planning
Pledging is Scriptural because it makes for orderliness in the church’s finances. Planning and order are necessary in carrying out any worthy financial operation. For instance, for you to conduct your family financial affairs properly you must know as nearly as possible how much each wage earner in your family will bring in. Then, on that basis you plan your expenditures, your family budget.
According to Ephesians 2:19 the church is a spiritual family; Paul refers to it as “the household of God.” That being true, it is fitting that we plan a family budget; and in order to plan efficiently we need to know approximately what to expect from each member of the family. It’s as simple as that. So, pledging is very practical and logical.
One man, when asked, “Do you believe in making a pledge to the church?” gave the following reply: “Yes, sir, I do. Why? Because I pledged for gas, water, and lights; I pledged to pay the landlord once a month; I pledged to pay the grocer; I pledged to pay the installments on my car; I pledged to pay my insurance. I’ll pay my pledge to the church regularly, whether I am there or not. I do not deduct from my rent for the nights I am away from home. I have to make the payments on my car whether I ride in it or not. I want to be honest with myself and fair with God. I really want my church to succeed. Yes, sir, I will make a pledge to my church.”
B. Pledging is Testifying
Also, pledging is Scriptural because it is one way to bear effective testimony of your loyalty to Christ and his church.
The Bible rules out performing public acts of devotion for the wrong motive, but it does not rule out performing those acts of devotion publicly for the right motive, that of bringing glory to God. Indeed, Jesus clearly endorsed giving publicly for the right motive. Mark 12:41-44 tells of Jesus looking on with approval as the people came by and, apparently in full public view, placed their gifts in the
Temple treasury. In those verses Jesus calls attention to the specific amount given by a certain widow, and he speaks of the sacrifice which her gift represented.
In Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus said, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Jesus was saying, in effect: “Let people see your acts of devotion to God, not that they may commend you, but that they may praise your God who inspires such works in his children.”
Then, here are some other Scripture passages which lend support to the idea of public pledging:
Isaiah 19:20-21: “...they shall cry unto the Lord...and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them. And the Lord shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the Lord and perform it.” Isaiah said that when Egypt would come to know the Lord, they would, in gratitude for his deliverance, vow to him, and pay those vows. The word “vow,” meaning “a solemn promise,” is synonymous with the word “pledge.”
Psalm 22:25: “My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation; I will pay my vows before them that fear him.”
Psalm 116:14: “I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people.”
If you are a Christian, you are under divine mandate to bring the tithe into God’s storehouse regularly. Furthermore, to let it be known publicly that you are doing so is appropriate and Scriptural, that others may be encouraged by your example to be faithful themselves, and that God may thereby be glorified. Paul says, in 2 Corinthians 8:24, “Wherefore show ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love....” With all my heart, I encourage you to sign and turn in your tither’s pledge card today, thereby declaring yourself willing to do your part in seeing that the Lord’s work is carried on adequately here at Hartland Baptist Church.
But if you’re not a Christian, this message on tithing is not for you. If you’ve never been born again, God’s message to you is that you need to look to the crucified, risen, living Christ for forgiveness and salvation. In 1 John 1:7 we read that “...the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Hebrews 7:25 says: “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
So, if you’re not saved, come to Jesus. Repent of your sins, and in faith surrender to him as your Lord and Savior. If you are already a Christian, I challenge you to commit yourself to obeying the one who has saved you, in all things, including the matter of tithing.
Conclusion
Many years ago, at Glorieta Baptist Assembly, I heard Dr. Earl O. Harding tell the story of a fine teenager named Mary. She was well liked, but for some reason always went straight home after school and after the church activities. The other boys and girls would usually go somewhere and have a coke or just “hang out” together, but Mary never did. Then one day, as they were taking Mary home, one of the girls said, “Mary, why do you never go with us? We always ask you, and you know we want you to, but you always hurry straight home. Why?” Mary said, “If you’ll come inside, I’ll explain.”
When the girls stepped inside, they were stunned to silence as they looked at the lady seated in the living room. She was terribly disfigured. There were deep scars from head to foot, and her body was twisted pitifully. Mary said, “Girls, this is my mother. She may not seem so to you, but to me she is the most beautiful mother in the whole world. When I was a little girl I played too near the fire one day and my dress caught fire. Hearing my screams, my mother ran in and put the fire out before it could do any permanent damage to me, but in the process her own clothing caught fire and she was horribly burned. Because of it, she is covered with these scars, and is painfully limited in her movements, and when she asks for water, or food, or for anything, I want to be right here to respond, for you see, girls, those scars are for me.”
In like manner, when you and I look, through the pages of Scripture, at the Son of God, wounded, bleeding, and dying on Calvary’s cross, we need to realize that his scars, his suffering, his death were for us. Then we should remember the words of the hymn: “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”
Whatever your need this morning, If you will let Christ have his way in your life, you’ll never be the same, and you’ll never be sorry.
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1 Herschel H. Hobbs, The Gospel of Giving, Broadman Press, 1954 2 Hobbs, op. cit.
2 Tract, What Is A Fair Tithe?, SBC Stewardship Commission
W. A. Criswell, “The True Riches,” Messages On Stewardship