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NASB | Malachi 3:10 "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. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Malachi 3:10 "Bring all the tithes (the tenth) 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 [so great] a blessing until there is no more room to receive it. [Mal 2:2] |
Subject: May we claim rewards for tithing? |
Bible Note: Dear rgarden1, We don't claim things we read in the Bible we receive things we read in the Bible, Malachi was speaking of receiving a promise of God by obedience to His word, not claiming rewards. The Holy Spirit is not waiting around for people to act before He will though, He is already working through people. The question is what is He trying to do? Evangelize always, guide us always. I think the issue of giving to the needs we see around us is important though, but what is the primary role of the church? I will not answer that I will leave room for you to do that... The New Testament teaches grace giving you are on track... II Corinthians 9:7 Each must do as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. However, no one according to this text should be compelled to give for any reason, it has to be from their heart. The Holy Spirit has to do a work in people's hearts before they will open up and give though, just letting people know others need something more than they do won't get people to open up their hearts to give to these needs. Not every church and not every members is called to be a missionary or a missionary church either. Not all pastors except money either, and not all pastors let their boards run them into the ground, or the "stockholders" either. Not all pastors have a second job in a big church and you should not muzzle the ox while he works... It is interesting what you say about reaching out to address needs though, that is a first century church model for sure, see Acts 2 and 4 at the ends. Most folks would not be willing to part with things in order to follow that model, but it is the model... That has always bothered me... That we no longer operate like that, everyone is out for his own interests to make a living and don't think much or often about using what God gave us to do what Jesus said; hungry you fed Me, naked you clothed Me, homeless you housed Me. Ain't nobody gonna take a homeless person off the street are they? They might give em a few bucks, but not a track of land to sell to go get an apartment... Even Christians are not running around doing this for Christians these days. God's Day To You, Tamara |