Bible in 90, Day 68: Tithe if you love Jesus, anyone can honk!

Malachi 1 – Matthew 4

image courtesy of svilen001 at stock.xchng

Have you ever gotten one of these types of emails?

“If you don’t forward this message to 1,000 people, you don’t really love Jesus.”

or

“Not many will forward this because they are ashamed of Jesus.  He said, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38)

or seen a Honk if you love Jesus bumper sticker?

Let me say this – it takes absolutely no commitment to click forward on an email, and says nothing about one’s faith and trust in Jesus to honk a horn.  I saw a sign outside a church the other day that said, “Tithe if you love Jesus, anyone can honk!”

The whole book of Malachi is about Israel’s offerings and the desecration of the temple because of defiled/lame offerings. God accused the Israelites of stealing from God by bringing him unacceptable offerings.  He warns the priests that they are guilty for accepting such sacrifices.  The people had decided that serving God and bringing the sacrifices He commanded was pointless (3:14).  They only paid lip-service to God with their sacrifices.  They went through the motions, but their sacrifices had become pitiful.

God reminded the people of the blessings He promised for their obedience.  He reminded them that they can never outgive God.  God would provide for them, so long as they’re obedient.  I don’t believe this is a call to give to God so that we will prosper.

As Christians, the command to tithe (that is, to give 10% of one’s earnings to God) has taken on new meaning.  In the new covenant, we understand that all we have belongs to God.  We are merely managers of the resources God has put into our care.  I believe that using 10% as a starting point is a good rule of thumb, but not a legalistic necessity.  We do not give a particular percentage so that we can meet some religious obligation.  Rather, out of the gratitude in our hearts for all that God gives us, and out of a desire to help accomplish the mission He has given us, we give gladly.

Let’s not give lip-service to being committed to Christ.  Let’s not click forward and think we’ve done anything for the Kingdom of God.  Let’s put our money where our mouths are, and give from a cheerful heart (2 Corinthians 9:7).  Let’s be intentional in our giving, whether it be to our church, to support the needy overseas, or to help our next door neighbor. Let’s set aside a portion of what God has entrusted to us to serve His purposes and glorify Him.

originally at Words of Reason

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