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Malachi 3:7-12
Message No. 0735 | Twitter @GodandUs | www.wisdom-speaks.ca
I have studied the ways of man and have discovered that good and free don’t run in the same direction. Much as we all hate to pay for things, we have accepted this practice as norm. The air is free, but the air conditioner isn’t. If you want some comfort, you must be ready to pay for it. As the popular saying goes, nothing goes for nothing.
I lodged in a hotel on one of my trips, and I was fasting on one of the days. When it was time for me to break the fast, as I usually prefer, I wanted something not so heavy, so I called room service and asked them for cereals and coffee. To my surprise, the restaurant manager called me and said he needed to let me know that my order would not be free. I was confused, and I asked why he thought that I needed that information. He was apparently nursing a feeling that since I asked for an unusual meal that was not on the menu, at least at that time of the day, I probably must be thinking that they were Father Christmas and would give me the items for free. As insulting as this encounter was, I swallowed my indignation and asked him to deliver my order.
No adult person expects that anything good will be delivered for free, except for gifts from family and friends. In fact, it is based on this principle that some wealthy people refuse to accept the gift of salvation from Christ. They tell us that if the deal is as sweet as we preach it, then it cannot be free. This is one reason a rich man approached Jesus and asked Him what he needed to do to inherit the Kingdom of God. This man could have just come humbly and said Lord I will follow you, and all would have been good for him, but he was rich and was used to ‘doing’ something to get something. Jesus knew him well and decided, okay, if you want to do, go, and sell all you have and give the proceeds to the poor. As we know the story, the man walked away sad (Luke 18:18-25).
The behavior of God’s children is sometimes very surprising. We belong to professional associations, and we are willing to pay subscriptions. We register in fitness clubs, and we don’t complain about the bills. We subscribe to television providers, and to various streaming companies, because we like news and movies. We pay for so many things, and we are refusing to cancel them, because we love them. Most of all, we pay 20, 30, and up to 50 percent of our income to the government in taxes (first we pay personal income tax and thereafter we pay additional tax when we spend the balance of our income to buy things), and we cannot do anything about it. However, when God, the provider of all things for us, asks us to bring a meagre 10 percent of our income so the business of God can run (or how else can the church survive), we all complain and find scriptures to prove that we don’t have to.
I was quite surprised about the recent campaign against tithes by some Christians, and even the shaming of some big men of God into apologizing about their past preachings on tithing. Sure, if they have injected fear into people by screaming that they would go to hell if they did not pay, perhaps it was okay to say sorry, but this does not take anything away from the fact that the church of God needs money to run, and who should provide the funds if we, God’s children, to whom He has freely given all things, don’t.
I also noticed that many Christians have misinterpreted the purpose of their tithes. Many believe that they are paying to the pastor, and they detest the feeling that they are giving a tenth of their income to just one person. Well, why don’t we read the Bible and see what the Word of God says? Because in Malachi chapter 3 verse 10, the Bible makes it clear why we should bring our tithes to the church:
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.
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse (the church) that there may be food (money to pay the bills). Churches have giant auditoriums needing electricity, heating, air conditioning, water, etcetera, and hundreds of workers, many of whom work full-time and need to feed their families and send children to school. What do we really expect? God stopped raining mana from heaven when the children of Israel were about to enter the Promised Land, to teach us that we need to work and pay our bills and for other services. Why do we think that the church of God is an exception?
I apologize if I have shown lack of understanding of our situations, but God keeps us alive, in good health, blesses us with all good things, provides the opportunities for the jobs we have and helps us to earn income. He did not ask for a flat amount; else it would have been difficult for some people to bring the amount. He asked for a rate that is fair to all, so the amount may be small for some people and big for whom much is given. In contrast, we pay flat amounts in our gyms and other professional associations, and we don’t complain.
Some defend their rally against tithes by saying that the apostles did not collect tithes, but they conveniently forget that the disciples sold all they had and brought the proceeds to the church. Which one is better? 100 percent or 10 percent? In the recent words of a church leader, you don’t have to bring tithes to the church if you don’t like tithes; just make sure that you bring more than 10 percent, and you’re good.
For those who obey God in this direction, look at what God promised in Malachi 3:11-12:
“And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the LORD of hosts; “And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the LORD of hosts.
Sometimes we don’t feel that we are getting these blessings. Is it possible that we are bringing the tithes grudgingly? The Bible says we must bring our offerings cheerfully. If we can remove our minds from all the misconceptions we have heard about tithes and bring funds to God cheerfully, He is not unfaithful in His promises. I pray that you will begin to see God’s Windows open for you going forward, so you can reap the blessing He promised, in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
PLEASE ACT NOW:
If you are yet to give your life to Christ, you do not have a covenant with God and His promises do not apply to you. To come under these promises, please surrender your life to Christ today, by praying this prayer:
Lord I know that I am a sinner and I am unable to save myself. I am sorry for my sins and I pray that you please forgive me. I am aware that Your Son Jesus died for my sins and I accept Him as my Lord and savior. I surrender my life unto you from this moment. Please take control of my entire being and help me to be obedient to your Word, going forward. Thank you, Lord, for hearing me. I have prayed in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed the foregoing prayer, you have just been born again. Please find a Bible believing church in your area and ask to see the pastor. Let him or her know that you have just given your life to Christ and s/he will guide you on next steps in your journey as a child of God. The Lord bless you!
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