What other scriptures emphasize the importance of tithing and offerings to God? The Rebuke in Malachi 3:9 “You are cursed with a curse, yet you—the whole nation—are still robbing Me.” (Malachi 3:9) Early Roots: Before the Law • Genesis 14:20 – “Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.” • Genesis 28:22 – Jacob vows, “Of all that You give me I will surely give You a tenth.” These patriarchs tithed centuries before Moses, showing the practice springs from gratitude, not mere regulation. Under the Law: Institutionalized Giving • Leviticus 27:30 – “Any tithe of the land… belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.” • Numbers 18:21 – “I have given the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance…” • Deuteronomy 14:22-23 – “You must set aside a tenth… so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.” • Deuteronomy 26:12 – The “year of the tithe” provides for Levite, stranger, orphan, widow. Tithing sustained worship, leaders, and the needy, teaching reverence and compassion. Wisdom Promises • Proverbs 3:9-10 – “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits… then your barns will be filled with plenty.” First-portion giving invites God’s abundant provision. Revival and Reform • 2 Chronicles 31:5-10 – Hezekiah’s reforms spark a flood of tithes; heaps overflow in the temple storerooms. • Nehemiah 10:38-39 – “We will not neglect the house of our God.” When hearts return to God, wallets follow. Prophetic Echoes • Malachi 3:8-10 – “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse… test Me in this,” says the LORD, promising open heaven and overflowing blessing. The prophet links obedience in giving with national revival. Jesus and the Tithe • Matthew 23:23 – “You pay tithes… but have disregarded the weightier matters… You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.” • Luke 11:42 – Parallel warning. • Luke 18:12 – The Pharisee boasts, “I… pay tithes of all that I acquire.” Jesus affirms the tithe yet insists it flow from a heart of justice, mercy, and humility. Hebrews: The Living High Priest Receives • Hebrews 7:1-10 – Abraham’s tithe to Melchizedek prefigures Christ; “Here mortal men receive tithes, but there He receives them.” New-covenant believers honor a living, eternal Priest with their offerings. Paul and Generous Giving • 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 – “On the first day of every week, each of you is to set aside a portion of his income.” • 2 Corinthians 8:3-4 – Macedonians give “beyond” their ability, begging for the privilege. • 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 – “God loves a cheerful giver.” • Philippians 4:18 – Gifts sent to Paul are “a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.” While not prescribing percentages, Paul assumes systematic, proportional, joy-filled giving as the mark of Spirit-led disciples. Heart Posture God Desires • Give the first and best, not the leftovers. • Give willingly, cheerfully, and in faith, trusting God’s promise to supply every need (Philippians 4:19). • Give to support worship, ministers, missions, and mercy—mirroring God’s generous heart to a watching world. |
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