SUB-TOPIC: THE POWER OF THE TITHE
MALACHI 3:7-12
I. Introduction
In the Old Testament, God commanded His people to bring Him tithes of all that their land produced. The tithe was holy to the Lord and was used as food to the Levites. The prophet Malachi rebuked Jews who no longer brought the tithes that all their land produced to the house of God. Malachi told them that they were robbing God by withholding it, and using it for themselves. (Malachi 3:8-10)
II. Exegesis
“Will a man rob God? Surely not, and yet you have robbed me. What do you mean and when did we rob you? You have robbed me of tithes and offerings due to me. And so, the awesome curse of God is cursing you, for your whole nation has been robbing me. Bring the tithes in to the store house so that there will be enough in my temple. If you do, I will open up the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing so great you won’t have room enough to take it in. Try it and let me prove it to you”
The Law of Moses required bringing the tithes from the land, from the young produced by the herds and flocks. Jesus approved of this practice of tithing in the New Testament, Matthew 23:23.
Leviticus 23:30, “And all the tithe of the land, [whether] of the seed of the land, [or] of the fruit of the tree, [is] the LORD’S; [it is] holy unto the LORD.”
Tithing is not only about the money, but when it comes to money there is nothing to hide about tithing. Tithing financially speaking is the tenth portion of what you bring.
According to scripture tithe was a mechanism supposed to cater for priesthood and the building of the Lord’s house. Remember there were the children of Eli (Hophni and Phinehas) while they were boiling the meat, they were given the priviledge of using the folk to pick without looking. The sin there is when they started opening the whole pot and they would look for the choice part of it for themselves which God did not approve.
There are two issues why tithing has become a controversy in the house of God.
1. It because of how we, men of God drum it, we drum it because we need the money and because there has been a lot of misuse and extravagance with God’s money. People have played games with God’s money at the expense of people sacrifices.
2. Because of a level of integrity that has not been effectively communicated.
There are people who have taught that tithing is an Old Testament principle which was required of the Israelites who were under the law and it is not a requirement in the New Testament, the dispensation of grace. This is true but not the whole truth. But one thing we need to know is that tithing existed before the law. Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizedeck, this was before the law.
In the scripture I mentioned in my exegesis (Matthew 23:23) we see clearly that Jesus affirmed or encouraged the tithe; he did not abolish the tithe as some teach. I submit to you and as far as it is a spiritual requirement I can tell you be a faithful tither. Do not stop tithing.
According to Malachi 3:10 the Israelites were told to bring “all” the tithe into the store house of God. There are three platforms that qualify to be called a store house:
1. A store house means your place of primary spiritual nourishment. This is the first biblical platform called a store house.
2. A store house refers to any ministry that is committed to the salvation of lives and the transformation of lives and equipping of saints.
3. A store house can also by extension refer to an individual, a minister who is committed to the salvation of souls and the equipping of saints. There are conditions where an individual is regarded as a store house.
III. Seven Prophetic blessings that follow the tither
1. God will open for you the windows of heaven.
2. He will pour out a blessing that you will not have room for it.
3. He will rebuke the devourer for your sake. It is God who rebukes the devourer (devourer is a waster), not men.
4. He shall not destroy the fruit of your ground, this can be the place of your business, your life and or anywhere you plant.
5. Your vine shall not cast its fruit before time, you will no longer be a barren and that your life will be fruitful.
6. You will be a delightsome land.
7. All nations shall call you blessed.
IV. Conclusion
I know that there have been all kinds of teachings on tithing, some useful and true revelation of the word of God while some are misleading. With the fear of God I owe you the truth of the word of God. There are so many people who have tested God in this area and God has proved His word to be true. I encourage us to be faithful tithers in the kingdom of God Almighty. Obey the principles of God if you are a Christian and leave the rest to God.
The Lord bless you and keep you. Shalom.