Tithing is scriptural.
Duh, we think. Of course, it is. The concept is woven throughout the teachings of the Old Testament.
Leviticus 27:30 sets the lay of the land. We don’t have a choice, because the tithe already belongs to God.
“Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the Lord's; it is holy to the Lord.”
Malachi 3:10 tells us when we tithe, we’ll receive rewards for giving a portion unto God.
“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”
Proverbs 3:9-10 makes tithing a point of honor. We give because it’s the right thing to do.
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.”
What happens when tithing is no longer the right thing to do?
What!?! Is that even possible, for tithing to become a sin before the Lord? Uh... um... The very idea leaves us so flabbergasted we can’t even speak!
Read the words of our Lord in Matthew 23:23:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.”
Jesus takes us one step past tithing. He reassures us that giving of what we have is a good thing, but if we only give cash, we’ve missed the point. Christian love is more than money in the offering bag. Where is justice for those beat down socially and financially? Where have we left our mercy for those who do us wrong? Where have we misplaced our faithfulness unto the precepts of our Father?
We can tithe all day long if it makes us feel good. The church needs to pay its bills, after all. However, if we stop there, we’re on the broad road to destruction. The more important thing is the people who walk through life with us. If we give to Christ but ignore them, then we’ve given nothing at all.
Jesus’ focus was never the church, but rather the people who surrounded him. Our focus should be the same.
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