MALACHI 3:7-12MALACHI 3:7-12ROBBING GODROBBING GOD

NYCBC ESC Sunday SchoolNYCBC ESC Sunday SchoolDec 4, 2011 Dec 4, 2011 Pastor Lu-Lu LingPastor Lu-Lu Ling

Malachi 3:7-12

❖ 7 “From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statutes and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. “But you say, ‘How shall we return?’

❖ 8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.

❖ 9 “You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you!

❖ 10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.

❖ 11 “Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes,” says the Lord of hosts.

❖ 12 “All the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land,” says the Lord of hosts.

DI VISIONDiv

vv. 7-8The

Accusation

Turned away

Robbed God

v. 9 The Result You are cursedv. 9 The Scope The entire nation

v. 7, 10

The Remedy

Return to God

Whole tithe

v. 10The

InvitationTo test God

vv. 11-12

The ResultPlenty Delightful

TITHES(First Tithe)

Leviticus 27:30-3330 ‘Thus all the tithe of the land, of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S; it is holy to the LORD. 31 If, therefore, a man wishes to redeem part of his tithe, he shall add to it one-fifth of it. 32 For every tenth part of herd or flock, whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the LORD. 33 He is not to be concerned whether it is good or bad, nor shall he exchange it; or if he does exchange it, then both it and its substitute shall become holy. It shall not be redeemed.’” 34 These are the commandments which the Lord commanded Moses for the sons of Israel at Mount Sinai.

TITHES

Numbers 18:20-21

20 Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You shall have no inheritance in their land nor own any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the sons of Israel.

21“To the sons of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they perform, the service of the tent of meeting.

TITHES(From the Levites)

Numbers 18:25-2825 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,

26 “Moreover, you shall speak to the Levites and say to them, ‘When you take from the sons of Israel the tithe which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then you shall present an offering from it to the Lord, a tithe of the tithe.

27 ‘Your offering shall be reckoned to you as the grain from the threshing floor or the full produce from the wine vat.

28 ‘So you shall also present an offering to the Lord from your tithes, which you receive from the sons of Israel; and from it you shall give the Lord’s offering to Aaron the priest.

TITHES(Offerings/Sacrifices)

(Second Tithe)

Numbers 14:22-23

22 “You shall surely tithe all the produce from what you sow, which comes out of the field every year.

23 “You shall eat in the presence of the Lord your God, at the place where He chooses to establish His name, the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and your flock, so that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always.

TITHES(Offerings/Sacrifices)

(Second Tithe)

Deut 12:17-1817 “You are not allowed to eat within your gates the tithe of your grain or new wine or oil, or the firstborn of your herd or flock, or any of your votive offerings which you vow, or your freewill offerings, or the contribution of your hand.

18 “But you shall eat them before the Lord your God in the place which the Lord your God will choose, you and your son and daughter, and your male and female servants, and the Levite who is within your gates; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God in all your undertakings.

TITHES(Offerings/Sacrifices) (Second Tithe)

Deut 14:22-2722 Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. 23 Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the LORD your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the LORD your God always. 24 But if that place is too distant and you have been blessed by the LORD your God and cannot carry your tithe (because the place where the LORD will choose to put his Name is so far away), 25 then exchange your tithe for silver, and take the silver with you and go to the place the LORD your God will choose. 26 Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice. 27 And do not neglect the Levites living in your towns, for they have no allotment or inheritance of their own.

TITHES(Offerings/Sacrifices)(Second Tithe -- Levites Portion)

Numbers 18: 11-13

11 This also is yours, the offering of their gift, even all the wave offerings of the sons of Israel; I have given them to you and to your sons and daughters with you as a perpetual allotment. Everyone of your household who is clean may eat it. 12 All the best of the fresh oil and all the best of the fresh wine and of the grain, the first fruits of those which they give to the LORD, I give them to you. 13 The first ripe fruits of all that is in their land, which they bring to the LORD, shall be yours; everyone of your household who is clean may eat it. (Ezekiel 44:28-31)

TITHES(Third Tithe)

Deut 14:28-29

28 “At the end of every third year you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in that year, and shall deposit it in your town.

29 “The Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance among you, and the alien, the orphan and the widow who are in your town, shall come and eat and be satisfied, in order that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.

OFFERINGS

Offerings are gifts brought to God beyond the tithe. ❖Firstfruits (no specific amount required)❖The Firstborn❖The Census Offering (Ex 30:14-15)❖The Three Feasts' Offering (Deut 16:16-17)❖Special offering for the tabernacle (Ex 25:1-9)❖Special offering for the temple (1 Chron 29:1-9)❖Restoration of the temple (2Kgs. 12:4-12)

TITHES

FirstLev 27:30-33(grains and animals)

10% 10%

Second

Deut 12:17-18

(grains and animals)

10% 10%

10% of 90% 9%

ThirdDeut 14:27-

28

10% once 3 years

3.3%

10% of remaining once 3 years

2.7%

Total23.3%21.7%

WHAT and WHERE TO TAKE THE TITHES AND OFFERINGS

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house❖whole tithe: both grain and food ( “ tear the flesh, and consume it.” A similar root, gāzal, q.v. emphasizes “tearing away and gaining possession;”)❖2 Chron 31:10-11

10 Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok said to him, “Since the contributions began to be brought into the house of the Lord, we have had enough to eat with plenty left over, for the Lord has blessed His people, and this great quantity is left over.”

11 Then Hezekiah commanded them to prepare rooms in the house of the Lord, and they prepared.

❖Neh 10:38, 12:44, 13:5, 12.

❖The Census Offering (Ex 30:14-15)❖The Three Feasts' Offering (small amount)❖Special offering for the tabernacle (Ex 25:1-9)❖Special offering for the temple (1 Chron 29:1-9)❖Restoration of the temple (2Kgs. 12:4-12)

WHERE TO TAKE THE TITHES AND OFFERINGS

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse

Neh 10:37-38

37 We will also bring the first of our dough, our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the new wine and the oil to the priests at the chambers of the house of our God, and the tithe of our ground to the Levites, for the Levites are they who receive the tithes in all the rural towns.

38 The priest, the son of Aaron, shall be with the Levites when the Levites receive tithes, and the Levites shall bring up the tenth of the tithes to the house of our God, to the chambers of the storehouse.

WHERE TO TAKE THE TITHES AND OFFERINGS

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse

Neh 12:44

On that day men were also appointed over the chambers for the stores, the contributions, the first fruits and the tithes, to gather into them from the fields of the cities the portions required by the law for the priests and Levites;

WHERE TO TAKE THE TITHES AND OFFERINGS

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse

Neh 13:5, 12.

5 had prepared a large room for him, where formerly they put the grain offerings, the frankincense, the utensils and the tithes of grain, wine and oil prescribed for the Levites, the singers and the gatekeepers, and the contributions for the

12 All Judah then brought the tithe of the grain, wine and oil into the storehouses.

Conclusion on OT Tithes and Offerings

1. Tithes and offerings are different

2. Tithes are for the Levites

3. Offerings are for

a. ordained sacrifices, part of which are for the Levites

b. feasts (3 times per year), those who offer to enjoy in front of the Lord

4. Offerings also include: first fruits, first born, special occasions, some are for the Levites.

5. In the OT it is a commandment.

Jesus’ Teaching on TithingMatthew 5:17 “17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not [a]the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

Matthew 24:35 "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." Matthew 23:23 "... For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

Luke 11:42 " “... For you pay tithe of mint and rue and every kind of garden herb, ... but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

Luke 6:46 “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?

John 14:15 "If you love me, you will keep my commandments."

John 12:48 "He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.”

Giving in New Testament Churches

Acts 2:44-4744 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;

45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.

46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,

47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Giving in New Testament Churches

Acts 4:32-3532 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.

33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.

34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales

35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse❖Neh 13:5, 12.

5 had prepared a large room for him, where formerly they put the grain offerings, the frankincense, the utensils and the tithes of grain, wine and oil prescribed for the Levites, the singers and the gatekeepers, and the contributions for the

12 All Judah then brought the tithe of the grain, wine and oil into the storehouses.

Giving in New Testament Churches

2 Corinthians 8: 1-51 Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia,

2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.

3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord,

4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints,

5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

Giving Towards Workers of the Gospel

Luke 8:3

3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means.

Giving Towards Workers of the Gospel1 Cor 9:9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing.” God is not concerned about oxen, is He? 10 Or is He speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops. 11 If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?

12 If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.

13 Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar? 14 So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel. cf. Romans 15:24

Tithing and the Law in the New Testament

Galatians 3: 10-13

10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.”

11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.”

12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “He who practices them shall live by them.”

13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”—

Tithing and the Law in the New TestamentActs 15 (report of the Jerusalem Council regarding what is required of Gentiles believers)

27 “Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth.

28 “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials:

29 that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”

Correct Attitude in Giving

1. Deut 8:18 “But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. cf Ps 24:1

2. Deut 16:16-17 “Three times in a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses, at the Feast of Unleavened Bread and at the Feast of Weeks and at the Feast of Booths, and they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed. 17 “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you.

Correct Attitude in Giving

3. 2 Cor 8:5 and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.

4. 2 Cor 8:7-8

7 But just as you abound in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love we inspired in you, see that you abound in this gracious work also. 8 I am not speaking this as a command, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity of your love also.

5. 2 Cor 9:7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

5. 2 Cor 8:12 For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

Correct Attitude in Giving

6. 2 Cor 8:3-4 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, 4 begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints,

7. 2 Cor 8:12 For if the readiness is present, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

8. 2 Cor 9:7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Correct Attitude in Giving

9. 2 Cor 9:6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

10. 2 C0r 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;

Correct Attitudes in Giving

Other important principle:

2 Corinthians 8:9

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.

Romans 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.