ARE YOU A THIEF IF YOU DON'T PAY TITHES?

By Bishop Elijah H. Hankerson III, BA, MA, DD

(Unless otherwise noted on the Scripture quotations are from the New International Version)

GREETING

Psalm 134:1-2. Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord, which by night stand in the house of the Lord. 2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Evangelism. Meets 1/23/19 at 3P. Hyatt Hotel downtown New Orleans. 4th floor. Imperial Room 11.

2. Life Center. 20th anniversary this coming Sunday at 4 PM. Bishop L. F. Thuston, speaker.

3 Missouri Midwest 4th Annual Leadership Conference, February 1-2. Bishop Linwood Dillard, speaker.

LESSON VERSE

Malachi 3:10-11 10Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe," says the LORD Almighty.

(Disclaimer: Many of the Scriptural references in today's lesson will, from the Old Testament. While many Christians may protest that, it is important to remember that what we refer to as the Old Testament is the exact Bible that Jesus Christ and all of his apostles used. If it was good enough for Jesus to use, then it is good enough for us to study from)

LESSON NOTES

I. There is no mention of offerings or sacrifices in the Garden of Eden.

II. Once we enter the final dispensation; there is no mention of sacrifices or offerings there as well. The closest thing to it is an offering of glory.

Revelation 21:26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.

III. Apparently in heaven, the offering is worship and presenting yourself to God.

Job 1:6 6One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them.

IV In the first book that was written in the Bible (Job), sacrifice and offering are just about the same thing.

Job 1:5 When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular custom.

V. The very first offerings presented in the Bible, did include at least one sacrifice. The apparent principle that we are to obtain from this narrative, is that we should give God the best when it comes to offerings.

Genesis 4:3-5 3In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. 4And Abel also brought an offering-fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.

A. It takes big faith to give unto the Lord. So much already comes out of your paycheck (taxes, social security, retirement, insurance). Then what you have left over has so many hits (tax on purchases, taxes on investments, etc.). 

VI. Moses was trained in Egypt. It is believed that he wrote the first five books of the Bible (the Pentateuch). Thus, there is a heavy influence of Egyptian practices and ideas in the text. One of these ideas is systematic contributions or “taxes" or "tithe" for the upkeep of the institution.

A. Moses is the first one to use the term "tithe." And take note they are presented to a priest/king. Thus, in that text the tithe is both religious and civic. Either way, in this first mention of tithes; blessings are associated with giving them.

Genesis 14:17-20 17After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). 18Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19and he blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Hebrews 7:1-2 1This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means "king of righteousness"; then also, "king of Salem" means "king of peace."

B. Moses mentions a regular tax imposed on Egypt by Joseph; which was a pattern foe Israel to later follow.

Genesis 47:20-26 20So Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh. The Egyptians, one and all, sold their fields, because the famine was too severe for them. The land became Pharaoh's, 21and Joseph reduced the people to servitude, from one end of Egypt to the other. 22However, he did not buy the land of the priests, because they received a regular allotment from Pharaoh and had food enough from the allotment Pharaoh gave them. That is why they did not sell their land. 23Joseph said to the people, "Now that I have bought you and your land today for Pharaoh, here is seed for you so you can plant the ground. 24But when the crop comes in, give a fifth of it to Pharaoh. The other four-fifths you may keep as seed for the fields and as food for yourselves and your households and your children." 25"You have saved our lives," they said. "May we find favor in the eyes of our LORD; we will be in bondage to Pharaoh." 26So Joseph established it as a law concerning land in Egypt-still in force today-that a fifth of the produce belongs to Pharaoh. It was only the land of the priests that did not become Pharaoh's.

C. Moses mandates a similar concept (tithe) to take care of the temporal needs of religious affairs (the tabernacle and priesthood) and the social needs (the poor) of the nation.

Numbers 18:21 21"I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting.

Deuteronomy 26:12 12When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied.

VII. The tithe and all offerings were to be given as unto the Lord. Long after the time of Moses the newer generations had to reminded of this.

A. The clergy was to respect God's offerings.

1 Samuel 2:29 29Why do you scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?'

B. God's people were to respect God's offerings. They were to be given with pure motives. They were to be given in appreciation and thanksgiving for God's goodness.

Psalm 51:16-17 16You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

Proverbs 3:9-10 9Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Isaiah 1:10-16 10Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah! 11"The multitude of your sacrifices- what are they to me?" says the LORD. "I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. 12When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? 13Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations- I cannot bear your worthless assemblies. 14Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. 15When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood! 16Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong.

Amos 5:21-24 21"I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. 22Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. 23Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. 24But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!

VIII. How we handle money demonstrates what is in our soul. 

A. Most people would rather obtain wealth, than give it away. We are fine with giving and sharing, as long as we know there is something left over for us. But, a sign of spiritual maturity is to give cheerfully, with no strings attached, looking for nothing in return.

Ecclesiastes 11:1 1Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return.

Matthew 6:21-24 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Acts 20:35 35In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the LORD Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "

2 Corinthians 9:7 7Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

IX. What was in the souls of the people in Malachi's time was not good. 

A.   Who was Malachi? Malachi was a "minor prophet" (meaning that he did not write a large volume of material) who was called to be a messenger of God (prophet) to God's people.

B. Who was Malachi talking to? His message was to the people of Judah. A remnant had returned from captivity. They had it rebuilt Jerusalem and it now had a modest temple. Everything was not as glorious as in the days of Solomon. Those were the good old days. But, at least things had been rebuilt as best as possible. However, for the people serving God had become more of a chore than a joy. It was mechanical, predictable and repetitive. They failed to see the practical value in all of what it took to worship God (Sabbath, tithing, etc.). So their heart became callous and many things they just stop doing; including tithing.

C. What was Malachi's message? Of all the strange things in the Bible; this has to be among the strangest. For this book is literally and argument between God and his people - Filled with accusations and responses. Of course God is always going to win. However, it is strange to see He and His people going back-and-forth.

Malachi 1:2 2"I have loved you," says the LORD. "But you ask, 'How have you loved us?' "Was not Esau Jacob's brother?" declares the LORD. "Yet I have loved Jacob,

Malachi 1:6 6"A son honors his father, and a slave his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?" says the LORD Almighty. "It is you priests who show contempt for my name." But you ask, 'How have we shown contempt for your name?'

Malachi 1:7-10 7 "But you ask, 'How have we defiled you?' "By saying that the LORD's table is contemptible. 8When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?" says the LORD Almighty. 9"Now plead with God to be gracious to us. With such offerings from your hands, will he accept you?"-says the LORD Almighty. 10"Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you," says the LORD Almighty, "and I will accept no offering from your hands.

Malachi 2:11-17 The Message (MSG)[1]

11-12 Judah has cheated on God—a sickening violation of trust in Israel and Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the holiness of God by falling in love and running off with foreign women, women who worship alien gods. God’s curse on those who do this! Drive them out of house and home! They’re no longer fit to be part of the community no matter how many offerings they bring to God-of-the-Angel-Armies.

13-15 And here’s a second offense: You fill the place of worship with your whining and sniveling because you don’t get what you want from God. Do you know why? Simple. Because God was there as a witness when you spoke your marriage vows to your young bride, and now you’ve broken those vows, broken the faith-bond with your vowed companion, your covenant wife. God, not you, made marriage. His Spirit inhabits even the smallest details of marriage. And what does he want from marriage? Children of God, that’s what. So guard the spirit of marriage within you. Don’t cheat on your spouse.

16 “I hate divorce,” says the God of Israel. God-of-the-Angel-Armies says, “I hate the violent dismembering of the ‘one flesh’ of marriage.” So watch yourselves. Don’t let your guard down. Don’t cheat.

17 You make God tired with all your talk.

“How do we tire him out?” You ask.

By saying, “God loves sinners and sin alike. God loves all.” And also by saying, “Judgment? God’s too nice to judge.”

D. What was God saying through Malachi? He was saying that things would it not work out for them until they changed their attitude towards him. The attitude which is inward would be demonstrated by acts of worship which are outward.

E. What is this saying to us regarding to giving to God in worship? God is not pleased with a nonchalant attitude in giving. While I cannot say that failing to tithe will take you to Hell; a callous heart toward God (which does manifest in our giving) will send us to Hell. This is where all the "curses" come into play.

Malachi 3:6-14 6"I the LORD do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty. "But you ask, 'How are we to return?' 8"Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How are we robbing you?' "In tithes and offerings. 9You are under a curse-your whole nation-because you are robbing me. 10Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe," says the LORD Almighty. 12"Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty. 13"You have spoken arrogantly against me," says the LORD. "Yet you ask, 'What have we said against you?' 14"You have said, 'It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty?

X. CONCLUSION. Jesus was a Jew over a Jewish movement. All of your early Christians were Jews. It was not until much later that a large influx of Gentiles came in to the movement and slowly a whole separate religion from Judaism was established; which we know of as Christianity. The text infers that Jesus paid tithes and taxes. 

Matthew 23:23 23"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices-mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law-justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

Matthew 17:27 27"But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."

Mark 12:17 17Then Jesus said to them, "Give back to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." And they were amazed at him.

A.   While many people have valid arguments against Gentile Christians paying tithes (for example: there is no more temple, there is no more Levitical priesthood, we are not under the Mosaic law) I am going to err on the side of caution because.

1. You can never lose following Jesus' example. 

2. No one has come up with a better solution to finance the work of the Church.

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[1] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Malachi+2%3A11-17&version=MSG. (Accessed, January 22, 2019).