FINANCING THE KINGDOM

MALACHI 3:8–12

“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings”

(Mal. 3:8).

An important dimension to evangelism and missions is financing. For the kingdom of Christ to go forth, practically speaking, it needs financial support. This subject, however, is often treated with disdain within the church. Some pastors will not even speak of tithing because of the prejudice against it in our day. Yet, the apostles and the prophets of old did not have any problem speaking about this very integral service. Why, then, all the opposition? We must admit that it is mostly due to the abuses within the church. So-called ministers have taken advantage of naive people to line their own pockets. This abuse has made many people cynical and cautious whenever money is mentioned in the church.

Another reason, however, is that people are simply unwilling to give. We have to admit this, even though we don’t like it. We are sinners and often we are selfish. We would rather keep our money, spending it on the comforts of life, rather than sending it off to a missionary in Africa or Russia. We, therefore, do not like to be exhorted to give because our consciences are then pricked, and we are forced to deal with the issue of giving the first fruits of our labor to God.

Surveys say that only four percent of the church tithes. This failure to conform to God’s directives to give to the church cannot be entirely due to reactions to abuses within the church. It has to do with individual neglect and selfishness in obeying God’s commands, especially when it costs us something.

In our previous studies, we spoke about how everyone is to play a part in seeking the lost, in evangelizing, in proclaiming the Good News of Christ to all nations. One way that we play a part, that everyone is expected to play a part—rich and poor alike—is by tithing. God takes tithing very seriously. He is the one who has given us our income, and when we withhold our money from the church, we are robbing God. God accused the Israelites of robbing Him because they did not give their tithes and offerings. He promised them, and us, that if we bring “all the tithes into the storehouse” then He will “pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.”

CORAM DEO

Micah 1–3

Revelation 10

WEEKEND

Micah 4–7

Revelation 11–12

Read the passages below. What does God have to say about tithes and offerings? Do you give the first fruits of your labor to God? If not, start doing so today. Sit down and figure your income. Calculate how much should be going to the church. Decide whether to give weekly or monthly. Begin this week.

For further study: Deut. 14:22–29 • Prov. 3:9 • 1 Cor. 16:1–2 • 2 Cor. 9:6–15

WEEKEND