I have been absolutely amazed at what I have read on this board lately about tithing and giving. . .

 

Doesn't anyone remember Jesus saying," It is more blessed to give than to receive."? Do you think that when Jesus made this statement it was with a wink or in jest? I don't, it was probably one of the most profound and loaded statements He ever made. Everything He said was profound and loaded, He's God! Does any one understand that when you do not obey the Lord in giving you are actually committing idolatry? Why do you think Jesus told the rich young ruler to go and sell everything he had  give to the poor and come and follow Him? Because Jesus knew that the ruler was obeying all the commandments accept for one. . .Thou shalt have no other gods before me. The young ruler put his riches before the Lord and would not give them up, this is idolatry.   

 

as do so many so called "born again" Christians today. . .

 

Jesus was so clear in this; You cannot serve two Masters! Go back and read your bible. To anyone who thinks giving and tithing ended in the old testament, you are in danger of judgment and the purification of the tribulation, read Malachi 3 again --it is referring to the day we live in now through the law of dual reference and it is definitely a former and latter day prophecy; more than this, it's the deciding factor of who is loyal to our Lord and who is not -- for those who are loyal they are made the jewels in His crown on the Day of His wrath! They trust in God more than they trust in their money and understand that the financial trial is a test of obedience and faith. You don't believe me? Read it for yourself. . . and for those who still don't believe me you can tip toe your way around that scripture  and give all the reasons why you don't have to give and call yourself FREE from the curse of GENEROSITY all you want; but you know what? you're still WRONG!

 

A Study of Malachi, Chapter 3 by DL Camp

Let's look at the whole chapter of Malachi 3. We see that the whole chapter from start to finish deals with our Lord preparing His people for His coming. This most definitely is a former and a latter day prophecy. The law of dual reference! Remember, love is the fulfillment of the law. If you love God you will OBEY HIM. You cannot out give God!! It is inescapable that in Malachi, chapter 3 you find:

1. Preparation of His children for the Rapture
2. Judgment of those disobedient children - specifically mentioning failure to give tithes and offerings
3. The Rapture
4. The Second Coming with His Saints

1. Preparation for the Rapture

Mal 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

Mal 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

Mal 3:3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

Mal 3:4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.

2. Judgment of disobedient children

Mal 3:5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

Mal 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Mal 3:7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

Mal 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

Mal 3:9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

Mal 3:10 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.

Mal 3:11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.

Mal 3:12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.

Mal 3:13 Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?

Mal 3:14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?

Mal 3:15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.

Mal 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

3. The Rapture

Mal 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

4. The 2nd Coming (You have to leave before you can return)

Mal 3:18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

The Word of God is True!

 

You're either one of two things: You're greedy or afraid you won't have enough--the latter is indicative of  of "no faith or fear" the former is idolatry and greed all of which are sins and you need to repent.

 

read Hebrews 7: Jesus is now our high priest--He is the one who receives the tithe, of necessity the law changed! Jesus said when you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto to Me! Tithing actually preceded the law because it was 430 years before the law! More than this Jesus' blood fulfilled the law it didn't diminish it! Tithing is a test of obedience and faith and a command given for our own good!!!   It's also a great indicator of where you place your trust! In case you didn't notice the law and the commandments were made for our own good not to oppress you! To say you do not have to be obedient in giving is the same as saying you do have to obey the other laws and commands. That's what is ridiculous.

 

When Job was tested, do you think he was happy? What about Ruth? or David? Gosh look at Joseph! 13 year's God tested Joseph! Giving is a test of our loyalty and obedience to the Lord! Jesus said if you love me you'll obey me. . . He also said give and it shall be give unto you. . .you reap what you so. . .giving is for our benefit!

 

Also, Have you ever heard anyone say, "You need to put your money where your mouth is" Laying down your hard earned money shows what you believe in!

 

A believer gives because he loves God and wants to be obedient, more than this he understands the purpose of the tithe and giving and he trusts God more than he trust his money and he knows his reward is in heaven no matter his financial situation, Jesus is his source-- not his job or his business! Jesus was so clear--Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven! What is so difficult to understand here???

 

If you want to know the truth, STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED!

 

Last year Barna did a study on tithing, according to Barna less than 8% of so called born again believers actually give a tenth or even give AT ALL either to their church or to those in need on a consistent basis. It's obvious to me where most people who call themselves Christians place their trust, IN THEIR MONEY!

 

JAMES 4:17 James 5:1-11

 

God help us!

 

Cindy Busch