A Contradiction? (Part 2)

If you missed Part 1 of this blog, please go back and read it as a background for my continuing response to the issue of tithing versus financial losses we sometimes incur.

I believe we should give generously and cheerfully.  I believe we should give not because we have to, but because we love Christ!  Attitude when we give is always more important than the amount we give.  Obedience always follows love!  Simply stated, I believe that God honors giving.  He gives us resources to use and invest for Him.  Paul uses the illustration of seeds to explain that the resources God gives us are not to be hidden, foolishly devoured or thrown away, but cultivated in order to produce more crops.  When we invest what God has given us in His work, He will provide us with even more to give.  We all understand that we won't reap if we don't sow.  If we plow and don't plant, we won't reap!

However, along with finances, Paul emphasizes spiritual rewards for those who give generously to God's work.  We should not expect to become wealthy through giving.  Those who receive our gifts will be helped, will praise God, and will pray for us.  As we bless others, we are blessed!

Now, back to the foreclosure and unemployment.  How do we incorporate these realities into the before-mentioned verses of Scripture?  I believe that giving to God does place a protective bond around our lives.  However, we live in a world where inequities abound. Many things that happen to us in life are unfair.  The important thing, and I believe the overriding principle for believers to remember, is that giving to God assures that we will not be "devoured."

People of all ages, races and descriptions suffer loss of properties and things every day.  But God still causes them to triumph!  Obviously, losing a house or a job is a very heart-rending, difficult thing.  However, there are worse things that can happen to a believer.  During times of loss, I believe we have to look to God for a deeper interpretation of the facts, and for His grace, which sustains us even in the darkest of times.  

If we compare our plight to other believers, we may very well become discouraged and bitter.  Asking "why" during times of loss is perfectly okay; however, dwelling on the apparent inequity may cause us to stumble in our faith.  I believe in the sovereignty of God, which says to me, that no matter what may happen in my life, Jesus is still Lord and He will provide a way of escape.

A Contradiction? (Part 1)

Not long ago, a man said to me, “We have consistently paid our tithes and given considerably large offerings over the years.  Yet, we recently lost our home to foreclosure, because I lost my job.  Can you help me understand this apparent contradiction in what we were taught regarding giving to God?

I began by saying, “First, let me say how sorry I am you're going through this time of loss. My heart goes out to you and your family. I will pray for you.”   Given this scenario, let’s turn our attention toward the purpose of giving tithes and offerings:  Tithing reminds us that everything we have belongs to God, and keeps our affections turned toward eternal, not earthly things.  We simply steward what God gives us!

Material losses appear to defy God's promise in Malachi 3:8-11 regarding the tithe; however, before we become too cynical, let's explore what the text is really saying.

"You are cursed with a curse: for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation.  Bring all your tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in My house, and prove me says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open before you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be enough room to contain it.  And I will rebuke the devourer for your sake..."

May I direct your attention away from what you've done to what God does?  He says in verse 11, "I will rebuke the devourer..." I must be honest and admit that I, too, have wrestled with this passage of Scripture.  In my opinion, I think that perhaps we have misapplied what the minor prophet is really saying.  

Early in our marriage, my wife and I suffered the loss of earthly possessions and a good credit score due to financial lack in our home.  However, because I believe the credit industry in this country operates according to demonic principles, maintaining a high credit score is not the goal of my life.  It may give me lower interest rates when I go to borrow money, but it is not an idol in my life.  That's not to say we shouldn't pay our bills on time; it simply overrides the condemnation, shame and guilt the credit industry places upon us when, for reasons beyond our control, we're not able to meet our financial obligations in a timely manner.

Luke 6:38 remains another verse that also throws earnest believers into a quandary.  "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.  For with the same measure you give out, it shall be given back to you."  I refuse to defend God in either one of these verses.  They appear to be ironclad principles, but sometimes things happen to us in life that beckon us to re-consider he deeper messages of these verses.  Let's rightfully divide the Word!

Malachi 3 was written to the nation of Israel who had become arrogant and rebellious toward God.  Their open defiance took them from blessings to curses.  In Luke 6:38, Jesus is not talking about money.  If you look at verse 37, you find that the subject of His discourse is judging and criticizing others.  When we judge and criticize others, it comes back to us many times over--always more severely.

In Malachi, the prophet does not suggest that tithing and giving offerings insures a never-ending supply of money or a problem-free financial existence.  I've seen people who faithfully tithed, and then mishandled the other 90 percent.  Psalm 23:1 reminds us that, "The Lord is our shepherd, and we shall not lack" [what we need].  However, I think we need to re-define "needs versus wants."  In the original Hebrew, the words, "there shall not be room enough to receive it" do not appear in the original manuscripts (Malachi 3:10).  This possibility certainly confuses those who wrestle with greed and get-rich-quick schemes.

The real emphasis lies in verse 11: "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes..." Some years ago, the Lord gave me insight into this portion:  If a dog attacks you, and sinks his teeth into your leg, he may badly hurt you, but he can't wholly devour you.  In the same way, if the devourer (Satan) tries to devour you, God will not let him completely destroy you.  You may suffer loss, but you still come out on top!  In 1 Peter 5:8 it says, "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour."

Personally, I tire of the imbalanced preaching I hear regarding the giving of tithes and offerings.  I'm upset with the crowd who teaches that God blesses according to how much we give.  In other words, the size and amount of your blessings are determined by how much you give.  While I believe the Bible supports tithing, I equally believe that God looks at the motivation behind giving. 2 Corinthians 9 is the New Testament correlation to Malachi 3.

I'll continue this discussion in the next post.

The Checkbook Challenge

“Put your money where your mouth is.”  Have you heard this spoken?  I’ve said it many times, not fully realizing its truth.

What do you value most?  Go to your checkbook ledger and find out!  Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).  

We spend our money on those things that are important to us.  As we conclude another year, perhaps it’s time to re-evaluate our priorities.  Money is a tool that helps us to attain what we both need and want.  I get it.  Someone said, “Money is not important.”  However, when you don’t have enough and you can’t pay your bills, buy groceries or fill your tank, you may wish to re-think such an opinion!

Certainly, money IS important!  And it’s also a gauge.  I have counseled teenagers and young adults, who possessed the latest in cell phones, 52-inch TV screens with over 300 accompanying cable channels; numerous video games, laptop computers, along with more of the latest technology.  And most of them ate out at least 4-5 times each week.  Sadly however, some of them were facing foreclosure on their mortgage, repossession of their automobile, possible eviction from their rental.  Such a predicament mandates reprioritizing.  Would you agree?

I recently took the “Checkbook Challenge.”  Before I did, I asked the Lord to help me make any necessary adjustments in my spending habits.  If you pay your bills online, then take the “Online Challenge!”

It really is true.  Your spending habits may need to be adjusted!  A family night with Scrabble and popcorn is certainly cheaper than movie tickets!

If you are a Christ follower, ask yourself, “Does my giving to my local church or ministry in general reflect my passion and love for Christ, or do I need to re-evaluate my position?” 

“Have I allowed other things (treasures) to steal away my love for Christ and His church?”  Your church deserves your support and your heart!  I say this not because I’m a pastor seeking an offering.  I say this because you need heaven’s backing in your finances in the coming new year!  It’s a fact that we can’t make withdraws if we don’t make deposits. 

Placing God’s tithe and our offerings into heaven’s bank account will insure our on-going financial protection and blessings in the days ahead.  God promised us through the prophet Malachi that He would rebuke the devourer (those things that try to steal or destroy our financial security) if we would put the Lord first in our spending:  “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the works of your ground, nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes, says the Lord of hosts” (3:11).  That promise, made to a bunch of farmers, goes for all who understand that money given to support God’s work provides heavenly dividends and earthly security.