Tithing...The Scandal

                        
I wrote an article a couple of weeks ago that was met with a lot of resistance and surrounded by some controversy. From this I came to the realisation that the weakness in the body of Christ is a result of us patronising eachother and not facing the matters at hand head-on. People are keen to hear and see only the things that amuse their eyes and ears. Yet there are issues that daily batter at the body of Christ. "Sensitive" issues "Grey" areas that no one wants to address. I view this as CANCER or a TUMOR that has grown within the body. Will it go away because we choose to look away? No it will not...instead it will grow and soon or later the whole body will succumb. I will not stand aside and wait for it to succumb. Will you let your face itch while your hands rest in your pocket? I wont, I will let you call it.

I listened to some ladies conversing at some point on the issue of TITHES. It started with one of them complaing that churches have become businesses and get rich quick schemes. The other then chipped in saying, "Thats why I don't give my 10%." Of all that was said thats the only part that affected me. It bothered my spirit, and knawed at my thoughts for so long that I felt I had to do this article. A lot of brethren in Christ are affected by this issue but have no one to address it for them.

^{Malachi 3 verse
6} “I the LORD do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. ⁷ Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty.
   “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’
 ⁸ “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.
   “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’
   “In tithes and offerings. ⁹ You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. ¹⁰ Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. ¹¹ I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the LORD Almighty. ¹² “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the LORD Almighty.

This is the passage of scripture that is mainly quoted about the issue of tithing. Have you noticed that when most quote this scripture they pick only a portion of it,

"Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."

Thats the part that most rush to quote. They want God as faithful as he is to keep his promise as he always does. However they disregard the fact that this is a bargain...God tells you what he would like for you to do, so that he can do what he promises to do. This is a deal. Play your part God plays his. If you look to the beginning of the scripture God does not change he is the same yesterday, today and forever. In that sense his promises live forever. What he said today stands tomorrow and forever more.

The problem I believe stems from the fact that people have overlooked the reason for giving these tithes. If we go back to this scripture, it says."Bring your WHOLE tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house." I draw you back to that quote, I want you to understand that it says "your WHOLE tithe...not a part of it. your WHOLE tithe your full 10%. God is not asking for MORE or LESS of this just your mere 10%. That there may be food in his house. I believe this is the reason why there is so much hunger in this world. Is God man that he dwell in tents? Does he need a roof over his head? Do you not know that your BODY is the temple of the Lord. The house that he speaks of in this scripture is your BODY. God is asking that you bring 10% to him so he may provide for you. If you back track in the same verse notice where he says you should bring your tithes to THE STOREHOUSE. God stores what you bring to him such that he may provide for you when need be. This is not about what you have, not about what you can give God. Did he not speak this very world into existence? Do you really think he needs your material? 1 Samuel 15:28 says,

"To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams."

God is looking for character in this case and not charisma. By giving your 10% you are obeying God. In exchange he will not only provide more than what you have put into this storehouse but he will also "prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the LORD Almighty. ¹² “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the LORD Almighty." He will give you more than what you put into his storehouse and protect the other 90% that you have left as well as your means of production, which is the way that you earn your money.

Remember the boy who had 5 loaves and 2 fish? Do you think God needed the fish and bread? If he could make man as amazing as we are from dust, surely he could have made fish and bread to feed the people out of thin air. I believe this is a practical example of tithing, the boy brought his fish. What he had was not enough to feed the 5000. See God was not looking for "provision" he was looking for a willing heart. God opening his floodgates symbolises him commanding his blessing. Where there is God's blessings there is multiplication, there is provision and true to his word he gives exceeding abundantly above all that we may ask for or imagine. There were 12 baskets left over in the end, meaning that he took home way more than he brought.

We have been taught this at least a few times for most of us, however the question that has been asked is WHAT IF MY PASTOR IS TAKING MY TITHES AND ABUSING THESE RESOURCES?

Well the answer is quite simple. God seeks OBEDIENCE right? He seeks what is in your heart which is why Matthew 6:21 says
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Remember the deal is you bring your tithe to the STOREHOUSE...and God will open the floodgates of heaven. Simple it is not your duty to protect what you have brought to the storehouse. Once you have brought it you have completed your part of the deal, the rest is in his hands. What better place to have your money. This is like investment, unlike any worldly investment it is not affected by market flactuation or political instability. God's promise is valid irregardless of the economic system or situation. Do not bother yourself with what your tithe is used for or on...God will do his part as long as you do yours.


I trust this has been a blessing to you. Please take a moment to comment and share with your brethren. May the Almighty increase you in all areas of your life.

Street Preacher