Renew Your Giving (Part 1)

Dearly Beloved,

RENEW YOUR GIVING (Part 1)

 “‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,’ says the LORD Almighty” (Malachi 3:10-12, NIV).

This passage is the most popular in the book of Malachi because of its teaching on tithes. Many stewardship sermons have been preached on this passage. What made Malachi to challenge the people of Israel to return to God by being faithful in their tithes and offerings? This devotional messages is an abridged version of a study on the entire scriptural principles of giving with Malachi 3:7-12 as focal passage though the study will not be only on tithes and offerings but on giving generally, hence the topic.

The people of Israel were accused of disobeying God right from the days of their forefathers. As much as God tried to bring them to Himself, they strayed away from Him. God charged them to return unto Him so that He also would return unto them (see James 4:8-9). Ironically, the Israelites did not know how to return to God. How could they, when they did not care to serve Him the right way? Only those who try to seek God find Him.

If the people did not know the way they had derailed from God, Malachi was ready to bluntly tell them that they were robbing God. To rob man is a grave offence in Israel.  What a surprise that they were not robbing men, but God! One would not be surprised that the people of Israel asked for the ways in which they were robbing God.  However, did they not know?

In his bluntness, Malachi told them that they were robbing God in their tithes and offerings.  He had earlier raised the issue of profane offering in chapter one.  Offerings here referred to the portions of the general offerings designated for the priests.  The tithe was literally a tenth of all produce and livestock that the people possessed (Leviticus 27:30, 32).  It was to be given to the Levites, who in turn were to give a tithe of the tithe to the priests (Numbers 18:21-32).  By implication, if the priests were not receiving offerings and tithes due to them, then they would have to turn to other means of supporting themselves, thereby neglecting the temple ministry.

The study will be concluded next week with the New Testament teaching on giving generally.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor)

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