Comments on: Malachi 3:8-10 (Misinterpreted Scriptures)

By: Lee

Lee — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:52:59 +0000

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!!!

By: Clay

Clay — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:43:03 +0000

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.

By: Brad Lee

Brad Lee — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 08:14:23 +0000

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.

By: MJ

MJ — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 17:01:34 +0000

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.

By: Josh (Site Admin)

Josh (Site Admin) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 21:27:07 +0000

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.

By: Theresa

Theresa — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 15:03:43 +0000

…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.

By: Eliza

Eliza — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 01:28:36 +0000

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

By: Dalton

Dalton — Sun, 08 May 2011 09:46:03 +0000

I cannot stand it when I hear people complaining about what a pastor is doing with their tithe money. What does it matter?

By: Joi

Joi — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:16:48 +0000

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.”

By: Judy

Judy — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 20:16:37 +0000

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