Before diving into Ed's book on Repentance, the church went through the minor prophets. At our men's devo two Wednesdays ago we talked about that infamous passage in Malachi 3:6-12, used to get people to give to their church:
"I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty.The question was asked, what could that mean to rob God? After all, everything we have is a gift from God, how could we rob Him? In thinking about it, this story came to mind.
"But you ask, 'How are we to return?'
"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
"But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'
"In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 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.
When my wife and I were first married, we lived for year one in a tiny 800 square foot house in Dearborn MI. As we approached our first Halloween, we (mostly Maria) were looking forward to passing out candy for the first time We had both lived in apartment complexes prior to that which didn't really have trick or treating, so this was going to be fun.
As the kids came, we opened the door, presented the bowl of candy and told the kids to take what they wanted. Most kids were polite and took a couple, or maybe four or five. Then Those Kids came to the door. When I said take what you want, the opened their bag and plunged it into the bowl, trying to scoop out all the candy. The force knocked the bowl out of my hands and onto the porch and they ran away with most of our candy. I was ticked off and paced round the house spouting off about it for a bit, making threats I had absolutely no intention of carrying out.
What does this have to do with Malachi? Well, I got to thinking, it's kind of like that with God. He's laid out before all of us a certain sum. For some it's modest, maybe $20,000 per year (or even less), for others it's substantial, well into six figures. "I've made this available for you." God says, "Take what you need or want." Am I so greedy to snatch the bowl out of God's hands? Will I spend all that God has provided? How much will I leave behind, to give to do the work of God? Will I rob God of an opportunity to work?
Infamous means "Bad Fame", like Hitler was infamous, or Stalin or Pontious Pilate, but I agree that the use of Malachi 3:6-12 has been used badly to try and motivate people to give to the church - any church in general that demands a tithe instead of creating a paradigm of giving from the heart and uses this scripture to motivate the members is in bad form.
Let's remember that the tithe is not a New Testament doctrine - it is an Old Testament command given by God not just because he felt like it - but it provided the necessary food and support to the Levite tribe who in exchange for their service to God did not receive any of the inheritance of land etc. when they reached the promised land. It set up the structure, but the heart issue was not there which is why we have Christ - to free us from the law and legalistic giving (I breifly posted on this in August).
Now, I agree, that we are stewards of all that God has, and has given us - and it is our duty to help those who need help and to make sure that none - within our power - is in want. And God gives to us all that we have, and allows us to use it in any manner we choose - it is up to us if we are to be selfish or not with those items God has given us - and only we will stand in judgement for our actions. But this scripture in no way should be used to spiritualize the concept of giving to the church - although it can be used to teach about the heart and where that should be. It is hard not to spiritualize passages that lend themselves slightly to our agendas, but we should never do that - that is how out of context scripture gets used and abused by so many.
With that said - giving is one of the most incredible parts of life. Helping others, giving to anyone who has a need - that is truly what makes you alive - seeing the relief and happiness it gives people. And of course, local institutions as well need financial support - but the tithe itself is not what it is about.
Doug - ouch!
JohnE - amen!
John - I agree with you totally. Thats why I called that scripture 'infamous' in that it's been used improperly to compel people to give more to their church. We are under no obligation to tithe, but we are obligated to give on our own and to sacrifice. And I am totally with you on what a blessing it is to give.
The ICC, when I was there, taught giving a tithe at minimum. And with a "special contribution" that was 15 to 20 times our weekly contribution, it became much more than a tithe. The pressure on the churches and individuals was sometimes intense and I know some who left because of it. I don't know if calling people to give is all bad or good, probably a little of both. And, I believe that God blesses our hearts when we give financially or otherwise no matter what the object of our giving does with it. However, one of the major mistrusts that remain with me and the ICC is the abuse of power and money that many in the ICC leadership practiced. I hope things have changed in the last two years.