Monday: The Blessings of God
As we saw in Malachi 3:10, God promised a great blessing to those faithful in their tithe. Yet God’s blessing is not one-dimensional. To emphasize, for instance, the accumulation of material assets as a blessing, at the expense of everything else, is a very narrow view of what God’s blessing really is.
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Blessing in Malachi is spiritual as well as temporal. The meaning of God’s blessing is evidenced by salvation, happiness, a peace of mind, and God always doing what is best for us. Also, when we are blessed by God, we are obligated to share those blessings with the less fortunate. We have been blessed in order to bless others. Indeed, through us God is able to extend His blessings elsewhere.
Read 1 Peter 3:8-9. What is Peter saying to us about the relationship between being blessed and being a blessing to others?
From tithing a double blessing comes. We are blessed, and we are a blessing to others. We can give out of what we have been given. God’s blessings toward us reach inwardly and to others outwardly. “Give, and it will be given to you. . . . For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38, NIV).
Read Acts 20:35. How does this apply to tithing as well?
The greatest blessing tithing teaches us is to trust God (Jer. 17:7). “The special system of tithing was founded upon a principle which is as enduring as the law of God. This system of tithing was a blessing to the Jews, else God would not have given it them. So also will it be a blessing to those who carry it out to the end of time. Our heavenly Father did not originate the plan of systematic benevolence to enrich Himself, but to be a great blessing to man. He saw that this system of beneficence was just what man needed.” – Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, pp. 404, 405.
| Think about times you have been blessed by the Lord through the ministry of someone else to you. How then can you go and do likewise for others? |
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It is interesting to note that we can only give to God by giving to those in need or being of service to fellow human beings or assisting his work on earth. How many times have we seen the needy and turned our eyes away praying that someone else steps in we need the resources for ourselves. Have you ever imagined what you would do if Christ were to appear in person himself needing the last money left on your account, most of us would really give without thinking twice but if a neighbour, friend relative or total stranger came instead we often find excuses not to help. The Lord would say in Mathew 25 verse 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[a] you did it to me.
How do u advise one to be wise tho because reality is a lot of people out there are full of tricks and I personally hate the idea of giving u money only to know u using the money for drugs or alcohol so how do u give to random beggars on the street who ask for money. I try my best to fill the need instead of giving money like if they say they are hungry I try to give them a meal but u are not always in a position to go get them a meal do u give them the money. One of my character flaws has been poor judgement in kindness but I find that sometimes in trying to be wise I feel like am being selfish. How do I get it right
Look at it this way. The blessings promised to you when you generously give from your heart are yours, no matter how the recipient of your kindness spends your gift (Acts 20:35). You can't lose.
How the tithe is managed? If you give tithe and the receivers enjoy it in their worldly business, how this can motivate you to continue tithing? A poor tithes and the receivers are getting more rich and they say you are promoting gospel!
Your support and prayers are needed.
In my early Christian life I struggled about the same concept you mentioned here. As I grew up more in Christian maturity or getting older, I realized that it is not my job or concern that where tithe or offering goes and what it will be used for. Paying tithe/offering itself is a blessing already. I believe it is between ourselves and God. However, if you really worry about where your tithe/offering goes, you can start involving more in local church organization and learning more about local church financial management and planning. When in doubt there is proper channel to reflect your concern and opinion. This is similar to giving money to someone who is needed but worrying what he/she will be using it for. In the end our conclusion may be - perhaps we should not give anything. Noticed how we sometime justified ourselves not doing what is supposed to be good and we may miss out the blessings. I pray for you and myself that we can expand our understanding of giving and be a cheerful giver as bible taught us so.
Somebody please reply because am concerned for this too because it really feels like the mission field is a better place to send tithe directly or should we not be concerned with the receiver but more concerned with obeying God. Sis white says di right and leave consequences to God
The Local Conference is the Storehouse in the context of Malachi 3:10. This makes sense in the unique organisational structure of the Seventh-day Adventists in that, in essence, the Local Conference is a sisterhood of Local churches. The Local Churches act locally (in local church) in the name of the local conference. Therefore all the local churches "storehouse" in local conferences.
I am in the dark of what you are talking about. I give my tithe to my local church. The local church sends it all to our conference. It is used to sustain our ministers. I trust God to guide our confrence workers, once I return it the tithe is in Gods hands. May this help:
In my latest experience by being faithful to God with my tithes and offerings I have received blessings that are priceless! Although I'm still not perfect, a sinner, but by giving back in happiness of heart has been wonderful! Of course this is individual, but God has been my greatest financial manager!
Just one question. Soooo in those verses if a individual person pay a “full tithe,” could the same individual human being BE GUARANTEED a blessing and success?
If there were a "guarantee" of financial returns, it would be nothing more than a secular financial transaction.
The truth is that God *does* bless us in many intangible as well as tangible ways when we return tithe (not *pay* tithe) from a thankful heart. Perhaps the greatest blessing is to separate us from our inherent selfishness.
After all, if we wish to be like Jesus and to spend eternity with Him, our selfishness has to be cut out of our lives, and systematic giving of tithes and offerings is calculated to do just that. It prepares us to live with the Christ and the angels whose greatest joy is to give from a loving heart.
God says we must test Him. That's a guarantee of both spiritual and material blessings. It may not be wealth, it may be a long life with health, God fearing children, a happy family life etc.
Would that suggest that most of the apostles didn't tithe properly because most of them were put to death and didn't live long and happy lives?
Quite to the contrary. The Apostles were happy beyond what most of us can even imagine... even while following the Lord by submitting their earthly bodies even unto death (e.g., Philippians 3:8).
"God’s blessing is evidenced by salvation, happiness, a peace of mind, and God always doing what is best for us. Also, when we are blessed by God, we are obligated to share those blessings with the less fortunate. We have been blessed in order to bless others. Indeed, through us God is able to extend His blessings elsewhere.
The greatest blessing tithing teaches us is to trust God
Many people think they can take the Tithe, the 10%, God has told us to give to Him and give that to any agency they choose. The truth is they can BUT that is not God's plan nor is it what He has asked of us.
Some say well it isn't used in a way that I think it should be. That is not our concern. When we give it as God asked us to how it is used is God's business. He is the One who rewards each of us for what He has entrusted to us.
I think it is our concern how the Church disperses the tithe. The church is not blessed by an infallible leadership and must give an account of itself to its constituency. We have business meetings for the very purpose of ensuring that the business of the church is conducted properly. There are two issues here. 1) the church administration must be transparent in the dispersal of tithe funds, and 2)Church members should make sure that that transparency is upheld and the tithe funds used appropriately.
Thanks for your comment, Pete. I see things much the same way. Christ blessed the widow who gave her last coins to God from a thankful heart, even though it went through a corrupt system. We give to God, and we can expect Him to take care of the results. Of course, there's another aspect to the picture: Insofar as we have influence, our influence should go towards making sure the tithe is distributed in a responsible manner. But where we have no influence, we can trust God to take care of the funds we give to Him. (The way I see it, there's plenty of money given from a wrong motive, and that money may be wasted, but God looks after the funds given to Him from an honest heart. There's no way to demonstrate this, of course. I just have to trust God. )
Does someone know of a tithe fund that is used for no other purpose than the financial support of full-time gospel ministers?
Roger you would need to ask individual conferences how their tithe is disposed of. The rules used to be that 10% of the tithe to the conference when to the Union and so on up the chain to the General conference, but then it gets complicated. I know in Australia, some of the process has been reversed with emphasis being placed more on the local church. Since I do not know all the details I will leave it at that. I will read up about it before the next local conference session though!
This is a very personal decision for everyone and each must decide in conjunction with help of the Holy Spirit. One important lesson is that people who wrestle with this have already advanced along the path God has for them. They view tithing as a method God uses to move us away from “self-centeredness” and to look for ways to cooperate with God in helping others. There are many devout tithe payers (returners) who choose not to return all their tithe to the SDA church, conference, Union, etc. model. Our early church as well as early Christian churches did not clearly employ the tithing model. “Who did they pay tithe to?” is a germane question. It is hard to read into Paul’s writings that tithing was practiced. At best, the issue is silent. There is evidence of churches supporting Paul as well as others. Early Adventists did not tithe, but initially had freewill offerings and then the plan of Systematic Benevolence or the Sister Betsy Plan that eventually evolved to tithing. Some people believe they are cooperating with God if they direct their tithe to ministries that support spreading the Gospel. I would urge we allow God to direct people and we recognize we are all on this journey and we can trust God to finish the work in us as well as finish His work in the world. I would submit He does not need our money to finish His work, but we need to develop the attitude of faithful stewards if we wish to use 100% of what God entrusts to us in the way He wants. He owns it all. The 10% is just to get us moving away from concentrating our thoughts on us. As we do this we see how much more we can cooperate with Him with all He has given us.
Please be gentle with others whose views differ. It is God’s business. He asks each of us to commit ourselves to Him. I’m sure He won’t ask us our judgment on the faithfulness of another nor on what the answer to what the “storehouse” is today.
Tithing presupposes that we have already been blessed.This is what Ellen White means when she asks "Shall we receive blessings from the hand of God,and yet make no returns to him not even in giving him tithe,the portion he has reserved for himself?....Shall we continually receive his favors with indifference,and make no response to his love?
God cannot wait for us to tithe before blessing us because it would be impossible for us to tithe without God's previous blessings.Which is why God takes the initiative and blesses us sinners ,hoping that we will acknowledge him as the source of those blessings by a response of love expressed through our tithe.
My brother and sisters who are concerned that those who receive our tithe and may be squandering it as well as using it for profit to self rather than God’s intended purpose , hear ye let not you heart be trouble . The God of heaven is a big great God who is capable of stopping anyone who is abusing God's ordained decree to man. Our job is to follow his laws and commands to the best of our ability with sincerity of heart and love. Therefore we cannot worry about those who might abuse their privilege in using God’s Tithe, neither should we withhold his tithe. Let us do our part & let God do the rest. Let us have faith in your GOD he is able.
While we do have to put our trust in God, we also have responsibilities. If we see wrong-doing regarding the use of money in the church then we should not stand by and let it happen. We are part of God's church and part of the priesthood of believers. God does not shout at wrongdoers from the heavens but rather uses human agencies to see that his will is done. We must accept that we are part of the problem when wrong things happen in our church and speak out.
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke)
I don't mean that to be taken as licence to be critical of the church. There are appropriate ways to express our concerns.
We must do as God as commanded that's not an option. He has commanded us to return unto Him, he has told us the consequences for not doing so. Why should we go contrary to to his commands? However, we do have a responsibility to help the local church to ensure that the tithes and offerings is being use in a responsible way. We are God's stewards which makes us accountable to God for what we know and could have known. In other words if we know that the local church or the conference is not being responsibility with God's money we don't sit back and said God will take cake of it; we, in a Christ like manner bring about the necessary changes that will honor God and bring blessings to others as God intended. Think again about the role of a steward, if we were managing someone else's property and we know that employees were stealing or willfully wasting, would we just sit back and said the owner will take care of it? Did not the owner includes that in our job description? Why the cop out when it relates to God.
As has been suggested in these posts, there is a Biblical precedent for members to pursue appropriate channels to have their concerns appropriately addressed.
By the same token, does the church have - in practice - a clear and accessible accountability mechanism where members can raise concerns that will be addressed with integrity? Does it have a reliable track record of doing so? These are factors that will impact people's confidence in, and willingness to utilise such a mechanism.
If the church does have such clear and transparent accountability mechanisms that actually address concerns with integrity, then perhaps the suggestion of a 'cop out' for not using it is valid.
My experience has been that to a large extent the church does have an accountancy accountability mechanism. However, having said that, accountants have a language of their own and they do need some reminders that Treasury Reports should be addressed to non-accountants as well. Conference Business meetings typically present these reports and anyone who is a delegate has the opportunity to ask questions and seek clarification. If you are not a delegate to a business session, then you should ask at your local church. I note that some churches find it difficult to fill all the delegate seats they have been allocated. Business meetings are typically open and any member is welcome to attend. Delegates responsibilities include serving on the committees and voting on recommendations.
Tithing like many other blessings God has given us can be turned into a legalistic duty. I don’t believe it’s meant to be that way.
We are loved, and in relationship with Christ as His followers have always been. We respond to His loving care by getting acquainted with Him and His desire for us. He gives us power to want to give and love one another.
Our motivations for doing good are changed so that instead of looking for loopholes to slip through, so that we can avoid or evade giving fully from the heart, we enjoy doing what God asks of us (in His strength).