Malachi 3:8-10
“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.
Here is the truth: Those who are opposed to tithing are people, almost without exception, who have "Will Worship Religion" (Colossians 2;23). They want to worship God according to their own will. That is, they want a religion that will not cost them anything. For this reason MOST of them do not support a local church regularly in spite of what they say. They are grasshoppers that leech off of the ecclesiastical institution of the Kingdom of God, wanting to reap the benefits of established Christianity (baptism, weddings, funerals, marriage counseling, prayer when they are sick, hospital visits, schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, missionary work, Christian charities, etc) without any commitment to institutionalized Christianity that produces these services.
Somehow, they hide behind the idea that tithing is keeping the Law - which is wrong. Tithing has ALWAYS been God's program from BEFORE the time of the Law (Abram, Genesis 14:20; and Jacob, Genesis 28:22).
I could debate the issue with them, but, it would do no good. They will not see truth, because they do not want the truth.
The Israelite had more than one tithe. The first and main tithe was for the living of the priest (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:21). The second tithe was something like a savings for the family to make the required trips to Jerusalem each year (Deuteronomy 14:22ff). There was a third tithe every third year which was for the welfare of the poor (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). We, as NT believers are not concerned with the second and third tithe (which were added by the Law), our concern is with the first tithe that goes to the support of the ministry.
Now, having said that, I do have a bone of contention with the way most pastors teach tithing. The biblical principle of tithing is to honor God with the first ten percent of one’s “increase.”
Since we live in an economy where hard currency is the commodity of barter, in most evangelical churches the congregant is encouraged to pay the tithe from the gross (instead of the net) of their paychecks. For some time this has concerned me, for the following reason: When Israel was instructed to tithe it was always from the increase from their crops and livestock.
There are two things I want to mention:
First: the Israelite was not permitted to reap the corners of their fields (Leviticus 19:9-10); this was left for the poor, fatherless, an strangers (those who had no fields to plant and harvest). It was part of the welfare system of the country. So, the corners of the field were not tithed because it was not part of the “increase” of the farmer. The corners of the fields, being the welfare system, corresponds to the Social Security deduction (and any other taxes that goes to support the poor) from the paychecks of God’s people. To require, then, God’s people to pay tithe from the gross of their wages is requiring more than God demands of His people. A further point one should consider is this: If one tithes on the gross, including the Social Security, when it comes time to draw on that money, no tithe will be owed on the SS check until the amount drawn surpasses the amount that was paid in. I just wonder if a senior who has paid in to SS $100,000 in a working career and retires with a monthly check of $1,200, will be permitted to remain a voting member of the church without tithing for the 7 years it takes to recover the money that has already been tithed on.
Furthermore, since the principle of tithing is ten percent of the “increase,” to figure how much tithe one owes is not as simple as the amount of money coming through one’s hands. Let me explain:
Consider the fact that Israel was an agricultural society and their tithing was unique to that type of economy. Not only did the Israelite not tithe on the corners of his fields, he only tithed on the INCREASE of his goods. For example, When all things were equal, if he had 100 calves born in his herd in a season, he would have been increased 100 calves and he owed the Levites 10 calves; which he either took to the temple or converted to money and took that to the temple (Deuteronomy 14:25). However, if the Israelite’s herd produced 100 calves and a flash flood caught his herd and killed 50 of those calves, then, the man’s INCREASE would not be 100 but 50 calves. In this case the Israelite, being considered here, only owes the Levites ten percent of the 50 calves that he was actually increased - which would be 5 calves instead of 10. When this principle is converted into modern day economics one sees the challenge. The money lost, or spent, in making 100,000 dollars a year income is not to be counted into the increase. E.g. a farmer who sells his crops for 100,000 dollars, but, has a 70,000 dollar seed, chemical, fuel, equipment, and labor bill, has not been increased 100,000 dollars.
When determining the amount of tithe owed, it may be a good rule of thumb to look at one's annual tax return and tithe on the taxable income minus the social security payments (since SS is taxable income, but is the corners of the field). Of course one's church will need one to spread that out over the year so it can meet its payroll, etc. So, estimate this year’s tithe from last year's taxable income (minus the social security payments). One can adjust the tithe payment at the end of the year.
Of course, when this is considered some saints will not "owe" any tithing at all. In such cases it will be remembered that God loves a cheerful giver, and all giving of a person in poverty is a love offering which does not go unnoticed by Jesus Christ (Luke 21:2). Because one does not "owe" tithe does not exempt one from giving. Malachi speaks of robbing God in tithe and offering. There is a difference between the two. One may not owe tithe, but remains obligated to God with whatever offering one's faith may allow.
This, most likely, will not make me popular with the pastors and business managers of many churches, but who will deny that I have written the truth?
Apostolically Speaking
☩ Jerry Hayes
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-apostolicbishops-podcast/id1472262392?fbclid=IwAR2FlRYnNsw5Vu_Bz4PjyEdiAxFMawhtD2BFr_S7WysrpFcYjuQYSHGAlZ
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ReplyDelete>> CONCLUSION; the God robbers referred to in the Book of Malachi were the corrupt Priests who were stealing and mishandling the tithe that was to be sent to the Temple Storehouse, they were stealing from God and from the nation of Israel; God speaking states; "YOU (the Priests) HAVE ROBBED ME, EVEN (robbing) THIS NATION. God, in proper context, letting scripture interpret scripture, was not stating that the people of Israel were robbing God at this time regarding tithes, but rather that the corrupt Priests were robbing God and the nation by stealing and improperly handling the tithe to be brought to the Temple Storehouse.
ReplyDeleteWe don't know what the corrupt Priests were doing with the tithes they were stealing from the Temple Storehouse, but I would say it's a sure bet that they were selling the stolen tithes and were profiteering off of their stolen goods. I doubt strongly that they were eating all that stolen tithe.
In short; Nehemiah records the corruption he discovered in the Temple regarding tithing and who was involved in the corruption, and he records what action he took to solve the problem. Malachi writes and records the indictment against the corrupt Priests and what God had to say to them.
>> ref. Nehemiah chapter 13, Nehemiah chapter 10, verses 37 and 38, Malachi chapters 1 , 2, and 3.
>>> Principles in interpretation of all scripture...
"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." - Acts 17:11
"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try [test] the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." - 1 John 4:1
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
"The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going." - Proverbs 14:15
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." - 1 Thessalonians 5:21
Nehemiah, in Nehemiah 10:37-38, instructs who, what, how much and by who the "tithe of the tithe" was to be brought into the Storehouse...
ReplyDelete"And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage. And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house." - Nehemiah 10:37-38
The tithe that was brought into the Temple / Storehouse was a "tithe of the tithe," and amounted to 1% of the total, being called the "Temple Tithe" or "Holy Tithe." It was one of three tithes to be paid by farmers and ranchers. See; Nehemiah 10:37-38.
Note that the Levites had to be under the supervision of a Priest that was a descendant of Arron when tithes were taken. And, note the word "TAKEN," not asked for, not a charitable contribution or free will offering, TAKEN, taken because the Levites owned the tithe, it was their personal property given to them by God...
"And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation." - Numbers 18:21
The tithe that went to the Temple / Storehouse was never brought there by any other Descendant of Abraham and Sarah; an Israeli. There is no record or instruction in scripture of an non-Levite, non-Priest bringing a tithe of any kind into the Temple / Storehouse.
Nowhere does God call a New Testament gathering of Believers the "Storehouse." There is NO SUCH THING as New Testament "storehouse tithing," it simply does not biblically exist.
This might surprise you, but The book of Malachi doesn't command any tithing for anyone, it does not instruct anyone to tithe, there are NO instructions to anyone in Malachi to tithe anything in any way shape or form. All claims that Malachi is instructing tithing to anyone are fantasies and false doctrine.
Malachi does, however, instruct what is to be done with tithes already surrendered (i.e. already paid and taken) AND have been stolen or misused and NOT brought properly into the Temple Storehouse by the Levite / Priest who was a descendant of Arron.. That was the GOD ROBBING that was happening as addressed by Malachi.
The tithes that were taken were not making it into the Storehouse and were being, against God's Law, stolen. See Nehemiah Chapter 13.
The instructions and rebuke from Malachi are to the dishonest and corrupt Priests who were stealing the "tithe of the tithe" and not using the tithe properly as God gave instructions to do so.
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> The situation in summary...
ReplyDeleteIn Chapter 13 of the Book of Nehemiah it is clearly recorded that Nehemiah discovered that unlawful activity was happening in the Temple and Temple Storehouse regarding tithes, where tithes were to be brought to and stored. Nehemiah records two men, that of Eliashib the Priest, and his partner in crime, Tobiah, who Nehemiah stated was allied with (conspired with) Eliashib.
Eliashib, being a Priest, moved Tobiah into the Temple to live there, Nehemiah evicted Tobiah and removed his belongings from the Temple.
Nehemiah stated that "I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field." That is to say the tithe was not being brought into the Temple Storehouse and used to support people who worked in the Temple, these people, being deprived of the tithe support, had to "flee to the fields" to grow food to live on; they should not have had to do so.
THIS is part of the robbing of God Malachi refers to in Malachi 3:8 - "Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings."
How do we know that, how do we know Malachi is addressing corrupt Priests and NO ONE ELSE? Because Malachi tells us that he is when he clearly states who he is about to address concerning the stealing of the tithe meant for the Temple Storehouse;
"And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you." - Malachi 2:1, and earlier in Malachi 1:6;
"A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?"
It is IMPORTANT to remember and observe that Malachi makes it very clear who he is addressing and who he refers to as "God robbers," namely the PRIESTS in his day (and I would add future Priests under the Law of Moses that try to rob God).
Notice that Malachi does NOT call all Israelis "God robbers," he doesn't even refer to the Levites per se' as "God robbers," with the accusation of robbing God, in proper context, Malachi is addressing the Priests and asserting that he who he is talking to, the Priests, are robbing God. The Priests are the men robbing God, not anyone else, and certainly NOT New Testament Believers.
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1. The only people authorized and commanded by God to bring any form of tithe into the Temple / Storehouse was the Levite supervised by a Priest who was a direct descendant of Arron, no one else was permitted to do so. Even a Levite without the direct supervision of a Priest descended from Arron had no commandment to bring tithes to the Temple / Storehouse.
ReplyDelete2. The tithes properly delivered to the Temple Storehouse were 1% of the total, not 10% (a tithe of the tithe).
3. The 1% stated above was being stolen by corrupt Priests, and said tithes were not being used as God had commended the tithe to be used; the corrupt Priests were stealing from God, from the Temple and from the nation; the corrupt Priests were the "God robbers" Malachi is referring to, the "god robbers" were not non tithing Israelis or non tithing New Testament Believers. All tithes were to be in the form of vegetables, fruits and clean livestock from the promise Land surrendered (paid) by farmers and ranchers (herdsman) living on the Promise Land.
4. A conspiracy is clearly recorded in The Book of Nehemiah, even naming one of the corrupt Priests involved in the conspiracy who, along with another person, was involved in stealing the Temple Storehouse tithe and misusing it' "And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah..." Nehemiah 13:4
5. When Malachi asks "will a man rob God?" he is rhetorically referring to at least one of the corrupt Priests he knew was involved in the conspiracy to steal and misuse the tithe (possibly more). Malachi was not merely referring to just any man a priori ad infinitum , and he was not referring to non tithing Israelis or non tithing New Testament Believers.
6. Malachi's words...
"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." - Malachi 3:10
...is NOT instructing anyone to tithe to anyone or any place; in proper scriptural context, Malachi was commanding that tithes ALREADY TAKEN, ALREADY SURRENDERD PROPERLY BY THE TITHER, were to be transported to the Temple Storehouse by the corrupt Priests and the Levites they were supervising when the tithe was taken , and if said tithes were not transported to the Temple Storehouse as commanded by God, the tithe of the tithe (one percent), was to be considered STOLEN from God and stolen from the nation of Israel, and those involved in stealing and misusing it were the GOD ROBBERS.
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>>> THE MISUSE OF THE BOOK OF MALACHI (the long version); a misconception and false teaching addressed.
ReplyDeleteMALACHI CANNOT BE USED TO INSTRUCT ANY CHRISTIAN TO TITHE...
> Premise; tithing teachers have used the Book of Malachi to persuade and deceive people into so called "tithing" or "New Testament tithing." By doing so they are false teaches taking scripture out of context and leading people into bondage and error. The Book of Malachi does not instruct anyone to tithe, not then, not now, not ever.
Malachi wrote his book to show the Israelites, focusing on the Priests, that they had broken several of God’s laws and covenants.
The Book of Malachi is a post-exilic book, which means it was written after the return from captivity in Babylon. The prophet Malachi, whose name appropriately means, ‘the messenger of the Lord’, is the last of God’s Old Testament prophets.
> Assertions...
1. The book of Malachi was not written in a vacuum; it was written for several specific reasons clearly stated.
2. The book of Malachi was written to address a specific corruption in the Temple / Storehouse, and with corrupt Priests during the time of Malachi and Nehemiah who lived at the same time and were writing roughly at the same time. Malachi was apparently known to the author of Ecclesiasticus early in the 2nd century BC. Because of the development of themes in the book of Malachi, most scholars assign it to a position between Haggai and Zechariah, slightly before Nehemiah came to Jerusalem in 445 BC.
3. The book of Malachi is not instructing anyone to tithe. A commandment to tithe is not found in the The book of Malachi in any way shape or form to anyone at any time.
4. The book of Malachi is used by tithing teachers and tithers to call for and justify so called "New Testament tithing" in obvious gross doctrinal error.
5. The book of Malachi is, by tithing teachers, taken out of several important key positions of context, of which said context is vital if a proper interpretation of The Book of Malachi is to be arrived at. Among these key context assets that are ignored or unknown to tithing teachers are...
a. Textual context; ignoring key scriptures that make Malachi's message clear and accurate.
b. Situational context; unaware of and/or ignoring the actual situation regarding the tithing problem that Malachi was addressing.
c. Historic context; unaware of and/or ignoring the historic facts regarding the tithe thievery that Malachi and Nehemiah were living through, a witness to, and both men were writing about.
d. Not permitting scripture to properly interpret and explain scripture. Not permitting scripture to guide them to the proper interpretation of scripture.
>> Statement of facts to be proven and sustained...
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