What challenge does God make to his people?
(Genesis 14:18-20; Lev. 27:32; Mal. 3:8-13; Matt. 23:23; Heb. 7:1-5) Blog Jan. 15-21, 2023
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: God has lavishly supplied the needs of all his creatures. His greatest gift was the gift of his Son. Only those who receive this gift are equipped to return to him the love he has shown to them. While all God’s creatures should respond to him in gratitude and loving management of the gifts he has given, few do this.
Proportional Giving
1. Where did God enjoin the practice of tithing on his people Israel? It was at Mount Sinai that God instructed Israel about tithing (Lev. 27:30-34).
2. When God enjoined tithing on his people Israel, was that something previously unheard of? No, nearly 500 years before, Abraham gave tithe to Melchizedek & later Jacob promised to return his tithe to God (Gen. 14:18-20; 28:20-22).
3. To whom does the tithe belong? All the tithe belongs to God. It is holy unto the Lord (Lev. 27:30).
4. What portion of one’s flock or harvest was to be given to God? One tenth of one’s flock or harvest was to be given to God (Deut. 18:15).
5. Where does Malachi indicate that the tithe should be brought? Malachi makes clear that God wants the tithe brought to his house, the church (Mal. 3:10; Neh. 10:38).
6. For what purpose does God request that the tithe be brought to his house? God has appointed the tithe for the support of the ministers of his church (Num. 18:21).
7. How do we know that God’s people in the desert were God’s church? Stephen himself calls God’s people in the wilderness his church (Acts 7:38).
Blessings and Curses
8. What is God’s attitude towards those who choose not to return the tithe to him? God considers those who do not return a tithe to him as robbers & he places a curse on them (Mal. 3:8-9).
9. What promise does God make to those who return a faithful tithe to him? God promises abundant blessings to those who return a faithful tithe to him, even abundant crops & social approval (Mal. 3:10-13).
10. What challenge does God make to his people regarding tithe? God tells his people to “prove” his promise of pouring out a blessing for those who return their tithe to him (Mal. 3:10).
11. What New Testament character prided himself for returning tithe? The Pharisee in Jesus’ story of the two worshippers prided himself on giving tithes of all that he possessed but he was not justified by God (Luke 18:12).
Tithing in the New Testament
12. In the New Testament, how did Jesus show the importance of tithing. When speaking to the scribes & Pharisees Jesus said that besides returning their tithe, they should have also remembered the weightier matters of the law (Matt. 23:23).
13. How does the Apostle Paul refer to tithing? Paul tells the Corinthian brethren that their giving should be proportional & reminds them that those who preach the Gospel are to be supported by the Gospel (1 Cor. 9:4-8; 16:2).
14. What positive reference to tithing is found in the Book of Hebrews? Hebrews 7 recounts the story of Abraham returning tithe to Melchizedek as a positive event (Heb. 7:1-9).
15. What options does God include for dealing with the tenth of our income? The Bible offers no other options in regard to tithe. It is not ours to manage (Lev. 27:30).