Does the teaching on tithing in Malachi 3:9-10 apply to us today?
Malachi 3:9 - 10
ESV - 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 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.
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Asked July 01 2013
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Anonymous (via GotQuestions)
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Sammy Mokhele
Tithing establishes disciplined and focused giving and I think the body of Christ (church) is the most appropriate beneficiary. Tithing is like planting a seed and every time you plant a seed,name it!
Michael Tinsley
Paul gives a wonderful description of giving generously and joyfully in 2 Cor 9:6-15, explaining the Lord will provide all you need to help others not so fortunate or to help your church's outreach program(s).
I had heard from others that giving from the heart would come back to me, enabling me to give more and more as time went on, and I doubted it before I started practicing it and as foretold, my blessings have increased.
I'm not writing this to encourage anyone to give anything at all, nor am I saying that generous giving within your means will increase your blessings, but it has happened with me.
Giving with a loving heart is a wonderful feeling, knowing you're helping those less blessed.
T. OBrien
Sammy, what do you mean by "every time you plant a seed, name it!" ?
Danny Hickman
Malachi 3:9,10 will always apply. The focus of the teaching is on TRUSTING God. Tithing is about supporting God's system. Everything we receive we receive from God. If we give 10% for Priest and Levite maintenance we're doing what David and the assembled people did when he said, "All things come from You, and of your own have we given unto you" (1Chr 29:14).
The teaching is about proving that you trust God by obeying Him. If we BELIEVE God we're more inclined to obey Him when what He tells us to do doesn't make a lot of sense to us.