Commonly Misused Scriptures Pt 4

*This is the fourth part in a four-part series on commonly misused scriptures.

“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.” Malachi 3:8

This scripture is perhaps the most often misused scripture that I encounter. It’s often recited as a prelude to the offering at many churches. I’ve seen pastors and ministers use it as a way to “strongly encourage” congregants to give, some going so far as to attach the curses from the subsequent verses in the chapter to congregants’ perceived disobedience for not tithing. While other ministers are more subtle in their approach, the fact remains that tithing is actually a practice under Mosaic Law. And we have been freed from the Law (Gal. 3:24-25, Rom. 6:14, II Cor. 3:14-16).

In Deuteronomy, Moses lays out the Law for the Israelites. In chapter 14, he offers an explicit system for giving that was based on the tithe. Failure to adhere to tithing was penalized pretty severely (Lev. 5:14-16, 27:31-32). But remember, the reason Jesus came was because none of us can be saved by the Law. As He said in Matthew 5:17, He came not to destroy the Law but to fulfill it. His death completely fulfilled the Law, freeing us from it, and it sealed a new covenant. The new covenant justifies us by grace through faith.

But does all this mean we are free from GIVING? Nope! We are still to give under the new covenant. (II Cor. 9:7, Heb. 13:16). God still wants us to give, but He wants us to give freely, without compulsion. The 10% required of the tithe is a great benchmark to utilize. Even Abram used this standard before the Law required it (Gen. 14:17-20). If you can give 10% or more, do it. If you can’t, give what you can. God wants you to give according to your means and your heart. And most importantly, God wants you to understand that you are righteous through the death of His Son, not through your obedience to the Law.

As with all of the scriptures I shared in this series, please do your own research and let the Spirit guide your understanding. Be blessed.