This topic has been such a big controversy that proves even more that some people do not know how to rightly divide the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15). Anyone who feels that they don’t need to pay tithes are blind. And they are suffering loss (Hosea 4:6).
Some people use all kinds of excuses to justify why tithes are not for today. They say the scripture in Malachi is Old Testament and it is not for today. I am going to prove by the Word of God how the Old and New Testaments support, connect and relate to each other. Everything belongs to God: (Psalm 24:2, 50:10-11).
One tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain from the fields or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord and must be set apart to him as holy. And all the tithes of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s. It is holy to the Lord (Leviticus 27:29-30).
This is an Old and New Testament connection- Hebrews Abraham and Melchizedek – Old Testament symbolism and foreshadowing how Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek, king of Salem. This was symbolic of Jesus Christ, who will reign as King in Jerusalem (Salem) (Genesis 14:17-20). If Abraham paid tithes to the king, aren’t we required to give tithes to our King Jesus.
Some may say, I am not giving tithes to the church or the preacher. Who is the head of the church and what is the church required to do with the money? Those who serve full time in ministry should be compensated, and the church is supposed to be the storehouse that helps those in need.
I am not saying that the church is doing what they are required to do; all I’m telling you is what the Word of God says. Although I am concerned about the church, what they do or don’t do is none of my business. I am too busy putting forth every effort to be about my Father’s business (Luke 2:49) .
For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.
"Will a man rob God?" Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. 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. (Malachi 3:8-10).
I obey God and leave all the consequences to Him (famous words by the late Charles Stanley). This principle still stands today.
The Malachi scripture also stipulates tithes and offerings. What are offerings? Anything over and above the tithes. For instance, there may be someone who has a need and you are able to help them, that is over and above your tithes. Whatever God’s Word tells us to do, if we are obedient, and there will be an overflow just as the Word says.
Another thing is, some do not understand whether they are to pay off the net or gross. Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; So, your barns will be filled with plenty (Proverbs 3:9-10a). the scripture in Proverbs connects with Deuteronomy 26:1-2.
Offerings of First fruits and Tithes “And it shall be, when you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, and you possess it and dwell in it, 2 that you shall take some of the first of all the produce of the ground, which you shall bring from your land that the Lord your God is giving you, and put it in a basket and go to the place where the Lord your God chooses to make His name abide.
Tomorrow, Lord willing-Sowing and Reaping
His handmaiden, Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org
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