How Then Should We Give

1
How Then Should We Give?

• Malachi 36-18

2
Background

• Malachi Contemporary to Ezra Nehemiah
• Probably between Nehemiahs first second
  service as governor
• The Tithe was neglected, the portions assigned to
  the Levites had not been given to them, and all
  the Levites and singers responsible for service
  had gone back to their fields (Nehemiah 1310)
• Tithe- a timeless and Biblical practice of
  giving a tenth of ones income or property as an
  offering to God

3
Passage Highlights

• 36 Basis For Hope Given- Gods Immutability and
  Faithfulness
• 37a Accusation and Call to Return to Me
• 37b Denial
• 38 Denial is Rebutted with Proof of their
  Disobedience
• 38b Denial
• 38c-9 Proof of the Accusation
• 310-12 Alternative Blessing Outlined
• 313a Charge of Blasphemy
• 313b Denial
• 314-15 Denial is Rebutted with Proof of their
  Disobedience
• 316-17 Repentance Hope

4
Analysis I Context of their Denial

• BREAKDOWN OF TRUTH IN THEIR CONSIDERATION OF
  GODS HOLINESS
• 12 Believing Gods Love Makes Us All His
  Children
• 16-8 Thinking that Following God is More a
  Matter of Situational Ethics than Absolutes
• 110-14 Responding as though Gods Holiness is
  only a private matter

5
Breakdown of Truth in Consideration of Gods
Holiness, cont

• 2 10-18 Confusion in their attitude that being
  good is the same as being right
• 31-5 Misinterpreting Cause Effect of Gods
  Justice
• 36-8 Complacency about their Distance from God
• This Breakdown Resulted in their Turning Away
  from Gods Decrees and Robbing God in Giving and
  Service

6
Analysis II Tithing From Gods Perspective

• The Practice of giving a tenth occurred prior to
  the Mosaic Law (Gen. 14.17-20 Gen 28.22)
• The Mosaic Law Prescribed Tithing in Detailed
  ways (Lev. 27.20-32) and this extended in
  practices observed in Israels history.
• Malachi provides exhortation that all Israel
  Should bring tithes into the storehouse in order
  to enjoy Gods blessing (Mal. 38-12)
• Jesus addressed the Issue of Tithing the Scribes
  and Pharisees paid tithe without remembering
  justice, mercy and faith (ought to do the
  ritual of tithing didnt release them from
  loves responsibilities) (Matt 23.23 Luke
  11.42)

7
Analysis II Tithing From Gods Perspective, cont

• In Rom. 4.12 Paul admonishes us to walk in the
  steps of faith that our Father Abraham had before
  he was circumcised
• New Testament Teaching about Giving
• Be generous about sharing material possessions
  with the poor and offerings for Christian
  ministry
• Giving should be voluntary, willing, cheerful and
  in view of our accountability to God
• Giving should be systematic and not limited to a
  tithe of our income
• The basis is everything we have is from God
• We are called to be faithful steward of all our
  possessions
• Especially 1 Cor. 161-2 2 Cor 81-9 (esp. vv.
  7-9) 29 Cor. 96

8
Analysis III Giving As an Act Enabled and
Surrounded in Grace

• Mosaic Covenant provided an Obedience-Blessing
  Framework, but the delay in receiving the reward
  was still a matter of faith
• Paul talks about grace abounding in giving
• In Contrast to blessing (v. 12) they blaspheme
  God by accusing him (more than a contrast in
  tone, but a contrast to the promises affirmed)
• Following this they actually endorse evil

9
Conclusion

• Balance in our View of Holiness and Grace
• God wants more than your gift- he wants you
• God wants us to be purposeful and generous
• Principle of the Tithe Continues today