Malachi 3:8-10 (Misinterpreted Scriptures)
Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. 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.
Misinterpretation: This passage is often used by many different Christians to prove the importance of tithing.
Facts: Tithing is one of the most misunderstood subjects in Christianity today, and space does not permit a full discussion of the topic. Suffice it to say that tithing is part of the Mosaic Law, it is not part of the New Testament model of giving. The New Testament model of giving is that every person gives to others as they are able (cf. Heb. 13:16; Luke 6:38; 2 Cor. 9:6-8), and that they give to the one who teaches the Word (Gal. 6:6). It is safe to say that the New Testament model is that we give willingly, to those who have need, out of all of our excess, not just 10%!
One of the problems with giving today is that many Christians give 10% out of fear that they will be cursed by God if they do not give 10%; then they do not give any more than 10%, even if they have an abundance and a brother or sister is in need! This is the antithesis of New Testament giving. We should pray and ask how much God wants us to give directly to our local church, and then we should give out of our excess to brothers, sisters, widows, orphans, and whoever else we can. Also, we should give cheerfully (2 Cor. 9:7), not out of fear of being cursed.
I find it horrible that when a brother or sister is in financial need all that many pastors will do is ask them if they are paying their tithes, and then, if the person is not paying their tithes, tell them that they are under a curse from God! This type of teaching is a travesty– it is a stain on Christianity. When a brother or sister is in need then the local church should be the first to step in and help them. Of course, wisdom and discretion are necessary, since we need to be sure that we are giving to a legitimate need, and that the money will not be misused. However, we should definitely give!
If you would like more information on this topic then I recommend reading this paper: “Embezzlement: The Corporate Sin of Contemporary Christianity?” You may also want to check out www.relationaltithe.com (the site that hosts the Embezzlement paper). I also strongly recommend reading the Bible study titled “So What’s the Deal On First Fruits?“, written by Bro. Buddy of Christian Challenge.
Finally, you may find it interesting that the Israelites in the Old Testament did not tithe 10%, they tithed 20-30%, depending on which historian you listen to1. I mention this because many times preachers teach that tithing is not found in the New Testament, but it is a Biblical concept found in the Mosaic Law. If that’s the case, then we should tithe 20-30%, just like the Israelites did!
References:
- Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1995). Nelson’s new illustrated Bible dictionary. Rev. ed. of: Nelson’s illustrated Bible dictionary.; Includes index (“Tithing”). Nashville: T. Nelson. [↩]
July 16th, 2008 at 4:34 am
The title was about as optional paying the IRS on April 15th. Believe me, they kept track of who had a new sheep in the pen. Just as our country needs income taxes to pay the bills, Isreal needed a tithe. The country was run by the temple.
Today, with elaborate church building and reliance on full time ministers. The church can look like any other corporate machine. No wonder scriptures could be taken out of context.
No to be prideful but I sometimes give beyond the so called bench mark of 10%. I never mark it as tithe. I put the whole lump into offering.
This is because I try to give as the Lord directs my heart and the need I see in our programs.
I believe if we truely taught christain giving like it supposed to be taught, ministers would never have to resort to these tacticts to support the churches programs.
August 9th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Wonderful article Brother. And it is the absolute truth.
September 16th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Hebrews 7:5, Hebrews 7:12 The whole 7th chapter of Hebrews was revelation for me. It was here that God revealed to me that tithing was not “grandfatherd” in by Abraham.
When I confronted my pastor with this scripture he was convinced, for a few seconds, and then he got very angry, and in the middle of the resturaunt we had chosen to meet at, he litteraly screamed out “I am a Levite, the tithes are mine!”
My mouth dropped open and asked “Then should I pay tithes to Malchezadek or to Levi?” He then told me to get my things out of his church.
July 12th, 2009 at 10:38 am
Hi,
From what I have found, George Fox is the very first to fight the tithing doctrine explicitly. He did this between 1650 to his death in 1691. He is most famous for founding the Quakers.
I started at discussion group in 2005 that studies ministry financing, and specifically tithing. It has over 140 member and includes theologian Dr Russell Earl Kelly, author of the book: “Should the church teach tithing?” His website is:
http://www.tithing-russkelly.com/ and I invite you to visit it. I would also like to invite you to visit the yahoo website that I listed in this form and join the discussion.
July 18th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
I once attended, as a ministry, a church that was wishy-washy on the Gospel. Every time they mentioned a work as a salvation prerequisite I objected and provided appropriate Scripture. Sure, some didn’t like it, but some saw the truth.
The church leaders said nothing until one day I pointed out that Galations 6:6 wasn’t calling for one to share finances with their instructor, but that it was a spiritual admonition to “discuss” the lesson, not lecture it. I suppose it’s a bit ironic that they chose to intervene when I challenged the money flow.
Edit (Site admin): Links removed, since I’m not familiar with the links posted and don’t have time to review them right now.
September 1st, 2009 at 1:36 am
Tithing, Offerings and Giving is all a matter of the Heart. If you want to tithe a 10% then it is fine, if you want 90%, it is fine too. Look what had happened to the Proctor and Gamble and Mr. Colgate, they tithe more than 10% even Bill Gates. Proctor and Gamble tithe 90% and look at the products of that companys it is always at the top, a top-seller either. No doubt that God is abundant in blessings!!! Thank You..
May 27th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
For thirty years I was convinced that tithing was a eternal principle until I searched the scriptures like the Berean Jews for at least a year to discover that only the Levites had the commandment to take the food tithe like it says in Hebrews. I also found out that God never changed tithe contents from food inside Israel to be paid by farmers, and herders to money. I also discovered that there is no NT command to pay 10% of Gross income to any church. In fact, the Church began in houses. And although many teach that Paul taught tithing, they are categorically, exegetically and hermaneutically incorrect because of their failure to understand the literature, the land and the language of the Jewish people. Paul taught generous giving only because Gentile believers did not know anything of the Jewish rules of tithing food. Paul could not take tithe because he was not a Levite. Israelites gave food tithe as an offering for their sin and to take care of the Levites. The Levites gave only a tenth of the tenth of food to the priest. That’s only a one percent tithe. No pastor, church has a commandment to collect a money tithe or has the right to change the contents of the tithe to money because tithes has always been food not money all they way to Matthew 23:23. Jesus is not teaching money tithe in Matthew 23:23. Look at the context they were tithing food items only. The temple got supported through the Temple Tax which Jesus paid with money out of a fishes mouth. Much of the Church is following the Catholic error when they commuted the food tithe to money and that is in violation of Numbers chapter 18 and Leviticus 27:30-33. The Jewish tithe become a money grab under Constaitine and Charlemaigne. Check your history. As a result of this amazing truth my life has been blessed now that I don’t have to offer a tithe becuase it was payment in the old testament for Isreal’s sin. Jesus become the sin tithe as the lamb of God, and so he nailed the tithing ordinance to the cross as a ceremonial law. In the end, I resigned from tithing because it is not required for NT Believers. But giving generously is taught in the NT not Tithing. If you want to know the truth about tithing money, be aware that what is taught today is not OT tithing and here’s why:
http://blackchristiannews.com/bloggers/2009/12/how-to-resign-by-dr-frank-chase-jr.html
July 6th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Tithing is unbiblical:
“2 Corinthians 9:7-10 (New Living Translation)
7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”[a] 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say,
“They share freely and give generously to the poor.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”[b]
10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity[c] in you.”
Give to the poor and not o these pastors who compel you to give.
Paul didn’t charge for preaching, and certainly not a tithe. If people are under a curse for not tithing then Paul was putting people under curse for doing the following:
1 Corinthians 9:18 (King James Version)
18What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
None of the disciples collected a tithe. I you pay a tithe then you are cursed:
Gal. 3:10
10All who rely on observing the law are under a curse,..
Read all of Galatians if you really want to know what God thinks about the law.
July 30th, 2010 at 9:28 am
Where do you believe we should pay tithes… To church, to other believers in Christ who are in financial need..or where?
*Thanks*
July 30th, 2010 at 10:24 am
A Humble Servant,
I am not sure if your comment was addressed to me or not, but if it was then my answer would be “Nowhere.” The New Testament model of giving is that each person gives as they are able to give. If a person is able to give more than 10% then they should be doing so. If they are unable to give 10% then they should just give what they are able to give. They will certainly not be “under a curse” for not doing something that they were never commanded to do in the first place!
The Scripture references and links to a couple of articles discussing New Testament giving are in the original article.
God bless,
- Josh S.
July 30th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
Thanks for posting back! Yes, the question was for you. My question now is – with what you are able to give, where do you give it? i.e. – church, someone in financial need, charity..etc.?? – Hope this post makes sense.
July 31st, 2010 at 12:44 am
From the original article:
“The New Testament model of giving is that every person gives to others as they are able (cf. Heb. 13:16; Luke 6:38; 2 Cor. 9:6-8), and that they give to the one who teaches the Word (Gal. 6:6).”
The way that you choose to fulfill the New Testament model of giving is between you and God. There are many outlets for meeting the needs of others.
God bless,
- Josh S.
August 8th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
I just wanted to know if its right to give the tithes to my pastor because of Numbers 18: 25- 28? or i’ll do 10% each to my pastor and to the storehouse
August 9th, 2010 at 9:52 am
Jae, the Old Testament model of tithing does not apply to us at all today under the New Covenant. The New Testament model of giving is that everyone gives as they are able to give. This means that if a person is financially well off then they should probably be giving MORE than 10%, not less! Also, giving in the New Covenant involves much more than just money. We should give of our time and other resources as we can to help those who are in need.
If a person wants to give a percentage of their income to their church then there is nothing wrong with that. A good church should be using the tithes for much more than just supporting the pastor. I give a portion of my income to my church because I know that the church is using the money wisely. Very little of the money is being kept inside the church; most of it is being put into foreign and local missions.
We must all decide how to best use the resources–including money–that God has given to us. If a person feels lead to give a portion of their income to their church then they should. However, they should not feel that they have to give 10% so that they will not be put under a curse from God! Giving out of fear is the antithesis of New Testament giving (see the original article for citations and Scripture references).
I hope that answers your question!
- Josh S.
August 30th, 2010 at 11:09 am
If it were not for the fact that tithing involves money we would not even have to have a discussion. It is so very obvious that with correct interpretation of scripture that Tithing is not a requirement for the NT church, yet we debate and go back and forth on the matter as if it is a valid argument.
Many just do not want to see what is right in front of them because they needs tithes to build their man made kingdoms.
Each one is called to give as God directs– sometimes that will be more than 10% sometimes that will be less…but none the less it will be out of Obedience. Pastors must not be hesitant to speak the truth about Tities and Offerings for fear that giving will go down. First, maybe these ambitous Pastors should stop building facilites that require crazy amounts of money to maintain, then they will not be in a position beg for money.
As for the Mal passage..God was talking to Isreal, about the Levites, and the storehouse. God did not intend for us to take that and allegorize it to mean something that it was never meant to mean in the first place. It is not for us to subsitite the church for Isreal, Pastors for the Levites, and the church buiilding for the storehouse in that passage…If God wanted to the church to tithe as Isreal was required to- would he not state it directly within the pages of the Epistles? WHy would God issue such a command for NT believers in such an ambiguous manner?
September 8th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
Tithing is no longer something we do out of obligation just obedience. Jesus confirmed the tithe as a given in Matthew 23:23.
So tithing is not the law but it is being obedient!
September 9th, 2010 at 6:34 am
Chris,
If something is not commanded then no obedience is required, but if you do something out of obedience then you are doing so because it is commanded. It is a contradiction of terms to say that something is not required but you do it out of obedience.
On the other hand, it is proper to say that you do something out of love even when it is not required. I know many people who do not believe that tithing is required but they still give 10 percent of their income. I wholeheartedly support that (if they are doing it out of love), but I encourage them to remember that if they are able to give MORE than 10 percent then they should be doing so!
Tithing is not commanded in the New Covenant. The New Covenant model of giving is that each person gives as they are able. Percentages never enter into it.
Matthew 23:23 does not say that tithing is required. That passage is referring to the hypocrisy of the Pharisees (who were still living under the Mosaic law). They were so proud of their tithing–they even tithed off of their spices–but they were neglecting “justice, mercy and faithfulness.” Jesus did tell them that they should not neglect the former (tithing) but He was speaking to them under the Old Covenant. The New Covenant was not introduced until His death.
God bless,
- Josh S.
September 10th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Josh we obviously disagree! Being obedient to what God expects of us is the only real sign of love!
I think we would both agree that everything we have has been given to us by God therefore all of our money is Gods anyways. The 10% is a good place to start!
September 10th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
Chris, if God does not command something then doing it is not obedience, and not doing it is not disobedience.
Tithing is not commanded in the New Covenant. If you want to do it then that is between you and God. I just encourage you to give as God gives you the ability to. If that is less than 10% then give what you can; if it is more than 10% then give what you can =)
God bless,
- Josh S.
December 5th, 2010 at 11:48 pm
Chris,
I have also heard that the storehouse mentioned in Malachi was where food was stored to feed the poor and needy. As you said, the storehouse is not analogous to the NT church.
One question I have, though, is this: If churches use tithe money to pay pastors and evangelists, how can they justify not using tithe money to pay something to Sunday School teachers as well? From an OT perspective, if pastors and evangelists are analogous to Levites and priests, wouldn’t Sunday School teachers be also? From a NT perspective, aren’t teachers mentioned as part of the five-fold leaders in the church?
Two other points:
First, if we are giving money to God, the Bible never says that giving money to the church is the same as giving it to God, but it does say that giving it to the poor and needy is the same as giving it to God.
Second, if tithing is for today, then we must look to the OT to see how to do it. If we look at the OT, we see that tithes went to strangers, orphans, widows, and such. If you were to ask a typical preacher today what portion of the tithe should go to the poor and needy, what do you suppose he would say?
December 9th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
However you believe about giving, the plain and simple truth is that you cannot out give God. He blesses those that give to Him and has proved it to me time and time again. As far as I know the passage in Malachi is the only place God says “prove me.” So to answer your own questions, do it and prove what He will do in return.
December 10th, 2010 at 9:02 am
we should all give ,God first gave us.we should not restrict our giving to 10% only,when we can give more. Give to the needy and to the promotion of God’s work(for foreign and local mission)
March 13th, 2011 at 3:16 pm
Praise the Lord! Josh, I actually came to your site from a search in yahoo. I was previously reading your article on the issue about woman wearing pants. Then I came to this article. I find it interesting that every time we as believers are to out of conformity and not truly out of God’s word. What I mean by that is we can join a specific fellowship and if they tithe there then that is what the believer do. Out of all the fellowships that I have gone to which did tithe and yes I was a faithful tither, until I learned for myself. But they always, alway,s always point out the scritpture that is found in Malachi, but do not teach the people the whole history on tithing neither its background, so that people who do choose to do it have a better understanding on why they are doing so. I choose to give because giving is where the real test is, we see it in Jesus. God has given us His Son, who died for our sins, it sure wasn’t out of obligation to a sinful world. I love the Word of God like the rest of us, but it gets to be nerving when people take scriptures and make doctrines out of them. The whole reason that certain leaders keep this truth from the believers is because of conformity and what also the money brings in they seem to be afraid that they will lose out. It also states in the Bible that if any outsiders gave a tenth that they would be put to death, have to do more research on the outsiders. I just recently left a fellowship because it seemed to me that they were becoming greedy and services lack the Holy Spirits presence. He removed me from there. I have done research and study on the issue of tithing and no where does it state for a Pastor/Leader to receive the tithe, I feel alot of people are coming to this knowledge because a lot have been hoodwinked into believing this. And furthermore who changed it into money (man-made) from natural resource of trees. They always gave fruits/grains from their fields etc. How about the next time someone give a tithe that it actually be something that someone can use not the fellowship to spend it on light bills for a building that is not considered to be the spiritual building, how about everyone in the congregation bring food/grain/clothing/shoes/water etc, someone will be in need of those things and it will cut out all the confusion on where the money is going. Some Pastors/Leaders are lording it over the people to make them tithe out of obligation rather than for them to look within their own hearts concerning the Lord on the amount to give. I also teach about tithing and it’s never in a way to tell someone to stop, it’s just to say that let’s learn to look at the history as well so we will not miss out on who it actually applied to. My thinking and heartfelt concern is that if we are to tithe then what did our Loving Saviour die for? He was the ultimate sacrifice that died for the world, cause if we are still under the law then we should consider ourselves remaining offenders. Josh, I love your accountability, I love the fact that you challenge the bretheren to think and use their fingers to search the word for themselves. Thank you Soldier.
Love To All In Christ Jesus
Sister Judy Williams
You can find me on facebook
http://www.facebook.com/#!/LovinYeshua
April 18th, 2011 at 9:16 am
I agree with your interpretation of Malachi 3:8-10 (Misinterpreted Scriptures)…
I believe some churches do it intentionally to “pimp” the word of God…
It’s a sad truth that in “some cases” that Malachi is misused “intentionally.
“The New Testament model of giving is that every person gives to others as they are able (cf. Heb. 13:16; Luke 6:38; 2 Cor. 9:6-8), and that they give to the one who teaches the Word (Gal. 6:6). It is safe to say that the New Testament model is that we give willingly, to those who have need, out of all of our excess, not just 10%!”
Your exegesis is correct! We should give in the manner prescribed 2%, 10%, 1%, etc.. God loves a cheerful giver… It’s not the AMOUNT that counts, but what is “in your heart” that counts. There will be no “curse.”
May 8th, 2011 at 4:46 am
I cannot stand it when I hear people complaining about what a pastor is doing with their tithe money. What does it matter?
He could take that money out and burn it for all it matters, the purpose of tithes in itself has nothing to do with money, its the sacrifice that you have to make giving it. When you give your tithes and pay the sacrifice you were asked to it shouldnt matter what they do with it, you have done your part. Are you going to burn in hell because your pastor took the tithe money and bought himself a binz? No you will not, that is on him. What does matter however is the sacrifice that you made.
Man tries to use other mens sin and corruption to justify their own as if they were modeling themselves after man and not christ. If the book says to give 10% it says to give 10% there is no use in arguing or trying to “interperet” what it was saying. It says what it says nothing more and nothing less.
If you are so set on having your 10% then your heart is in the wrong place, if it is actually a burden for you to sacrifice money unto god then your heart is in the wrong place. We should be giving 10% to the church even if the bible didnt tell us to. Its all going to burn up anyway, and what would we buy with it that wouldn’t pass away in the end anyway? Food? does not God provide the animals with food? If thats the case then he will do the same for us. It basically boils down to making a choice between self-want and sacrifice.
June 22nd, 2011 at 8:28 pm
If all were to give 10% to help the poor and the needy (as in the widows, orphans) wouldn’t that constitute the poor and needy also being required to give 10% of their financial resources, as well?
It makes me wonder at what point is one not considered “needy,” and not subject to the tithes supposedly commanded in the NT? This created confusion among us believers and does not contribute toward edification of the Church. Teaching the tithe that was only effective under Mosaic law presents a legalistic view of tithing/giving and having churches use it to their advantage in supporting more than programs within the church, but also the pocketbooks of its pastors and administrators.
My thoughts from the heart based out of God’s word,
Eliza
July 16th, 2011 at 10:03 am
…a church can’t fund its ministries or pay its bills with a bushel of wheat or tithes by means of food.
Biblical principles should be made relevant and practical for today’s living, not for the convenience of putting God in a box to justify partial or non-participation in Kingdom Work here on earth.
Give according to what is purposed in your heart. He is watching our motives.
July 20th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
Theresa,
I’ve never promoted “partial or non-participation” in God’s work. If a person has the ability to give more than 10% than they should. But if a person can’t afford to give 10% then they shouldn’t be told all of this nonsense about being cursed by God. The fact of the matter is that tithing is part of the Mosaic law and it is not part of the New Covenant.
In Christ,
- Josh S.
November 24th, 2011 at 12:01 pm
I agree that tithing is not the New Testament model for giving. But before we get to hard on the guys that are asking for 10%, realize that New Testament model was “sell ALL you have and give it to the church and/or the poor.” I don’t see many people running to do that these days either.
January 5th, 2012 at 3:14 am
It is very dangerous to redefine scriptures outside of their contextual truth to establish church doctrine. I have been in UPC since 1974, but I am not Pentecostal but am Apostolic now. Strange how all the subjects discussed by Jesus and the Apostles, not once was there commandments on paying tithes. UPC and others uses one (1) New Testament scripture to Prove tithing, Math 23:23 What about, In the mouth of Two or Three witnesses let EVERY matter be established. It seems some have a quandary here, there is now confusion (God is not the author of confusion) and contradiction (Line upon line precept upon precept). Josh is not only correct he has properly and accurately interpreted the scripture. The end result, Truth.
January 18th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
cannot stand it when I hear people complaining about what a pastor is doing with their tithe money. What does it matter?
He could take that money out and burn it for all it matters, the purpose of tithes in itself has nothing to do with money, its the sacrifice that you have to make giving it. When you give your tithes and pay the sacrifice you were asked to it shouldnt matter what they do with it, you have done your part. Are you going to burn in hell because your pastor took the tithe money and bought himself a binz? No you will not, that is on him. What does matter however is the sacrifice that you made.
Man tries to use other mens sin and corruption to justify their own as if they were modeling themselves after man and not christ. If the book says to give 10% it says to give 10% there is no use in arguing or trying to “interperet” what it was saying. It says what it says nothing more and nothing less.
If you are so set on having your 10% then your heart is in the wrong place, if it is actually a burden for you to sacrifice money unto god then your heart is in the wrong place. We should be giving 10% to the church even if the bible didnt tell us to. Its all going to burn up anyway, and what would we buy with it that wouldn’t pass away in the end anyway? Food? does not God provide the animals with food? If thats the case then he will do the same for us. It basically boils down to making a choice between self-want and sacrifice.
January 31st, 2012 at 4:52 pm
I whole heartedly agree with Clay and Chris. So when we see God as a mighty warrior in the old testament does that mean he no longer is in the new because Jesus came. Do we not apply Psalms and Proverbs to our lives today because it’s OT. If we are going with NT then we should be giving EVERYTHING which is way beyond the 10% so if you’re not at least giving that little you are not abiding at all. And since NT says give everything, then that is a definite command from God so the “theory” of if you can give it and if you can’t don’t…doesn’t fly!!!