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”Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say,’How have we robbed You? In tithes and offerings” (Malachi 3:8).
Regarding the giving of one’s material blessings to God, the teachings of both Testaments bear out a common encouragement, it should be done generously. In the above text, not giving generously is tantamount to robbing God. In the New Testament, the encouragement is given with the promise, “he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6).
As an exact measure of generosity, many denominational churches advocate the Old Testament principle of tithing (giving ten percent). It has become such an expected part of the religious experience that many do not bring into question as to whether it should be a part of church doctrine. It is just assumed that because it is so widespread and because it seems like such a good method to define generosity, it should constantly be preached and compliance should even be pressured.
Understand this, that while the above passage may be widely accepted and teaches the timeless principle of giving generously to God, it should not be used as a proof text for practicing tithing as a doctrine in the church of our Lord.
Tithing is a part of the law of Moses and defined is such in Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. In Malachi, the prophet of the same name, preached to the Jews urging them to keep the law that had been given to their nation on Mount Sinai about 1000 years earlier. It was the law that uniquely defined them as God’s chosen people, but a law that Malachi’s audience, and their forefathers before them, had disrespected.
When Jesus came about 450 years after Malachi, he condoned tithing because he himself lived under the ancient law of Moses. In Galatians 4:4, it is written that our Savior was “born under the Law.” This is why when Jesus spoke to the Jewish religious leaders of his day, he essentially commended their tithing when he said, “these are the things you should have done” (Matthew 23:23).
Therefore the doctrine of tithing is no more relevant to Christianity than selecting an order of priests, sacrificing animals or building a temple. Today, rather, in the New Testament we are told, “On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Furthermore, it is enjoined upon Christians to give “not grudgingly or under compulsion” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Floyd Kaiser
Southwest church of Christ
Ada, OK