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NASB | Malachi 3:8 ¶ "Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, 'How have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Malachi 3:8 ¶ "Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings [you have withheld]. |
Bible Question:
I grew up in a Pentecostal church. I learned to always present God w/ my tithes and offereings. I've sinced learned that the New testament does not speak of tithing.I've met many people who believe tithing is a Pastors "get rich quick" scam. I'm almost 27 yrs. old and I don't know what to believe. I still tithe but I'm begining to question it's validity. Is it God's will to tithe??????? |
Bible Answer: Greetings Spoken Power! According to verses such as Malachi 3:8 and Acts 4:32-5:11, it is God's will to continue to tithe. The New Testament concept for tithing is that of 'grace' giving. We are to freely give as we have been freely given to. And we are to give as we are able (2 Cor. 8:12). For some, this will mean less than 10 percent. But for others whom God has materially blessed, this will mean much more than 10 percent. I believe that the starting point for having a right attitude toward giving to the church is that we must first give ourselves to the Lord. The early church is our example: "They gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will" (2 Cor. 8:5 [NIV]). Only when we have given ourselves to the Lord will we have a proper perspective on money. We also read in Romans 12:1, "Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship." The first sacrifice we make to God is not financial. Our first sacrifice is that of our own lives. As we give ourselves unconditionally to the Lord for His service, our attitude toward money will be what it should be. God is not interested in your money until He first has your heart. Some believers who are unreservedly committed to God may only be able to afford giving 2 or 3 percent of their income. But others might be able to afford 25 percent or more. Whatever amount you tithe, just remember that God primarily looks upon your heart. Blessings to you! Nolan |