¹⁰Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

¹¹And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 3:10-11, KJV)

Not Just a Regulation …

There are some who say that tithing is a “work of the law” that was no longer necessary after Jesus’ sacrificial death. Indeed there are quite a view verses dedicated to tithes and other mandated offerings in the Pentateuch.

However, the first tithe mentioned in scripture was given before the law was given. While the law regulated the manner in which the tithe was given – and received –, the tithe pre-dated the law.

Furthermore, while that first tithe was given sacrificially by Abram (Abraham) to acknowledge God’s role in a military victory, the tithe’s purpose was to provide sustenance to the priesthood.

²³“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. (Matthew 23:23, NIV)

Here in Jesus’ denunciation of the legalistic practices of the Pharisees, Jesus brings a moral imperative in connection to tithing (“You should have …”). He shows that while tithing is proper, it should not be at the expense of higher spiritual values.

In an earlier post, I referenced II Corinthians 9:7-8 which posits that giving should not be under compulsion but done in a cheerful manner. Tithing is NOT mandated under our New Testament dispensation. It is encouraged, however, and should be a joyful, natural result of our generous character instead of an unsatisfying completion of a legal checklist.

Investing In Your Church

⁹And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

¹⁰As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:9-10, KJV)

²¹For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:21, KJV)

As believers, we should be hooked up with a local church. We should be participants and not just occasional attendees. The benefits of church membership can not be overestimated: fellowship, edification, service to others, etc.

It is the Pastor’s job to oversee our souls and to guide us along in our spiritual development. We should see to our church’s temporal needs while they attend to our spiritual needs (1 Corinthians 9:11). While we may debate the requirement of tithing, we can’t debate that pastors still need to be fed and provide for their families. Pastors are scripturally entitled to a steady income (1 Corinthians 9:14)

Our giving to our local church should be ongoing. The tithing of our income ensures that it is. When the Lord blesses our substance over time, the church is rewarded proportionately. It is a fair and reliable arrangement.

While tithing is not a New Testament command, it is a New Testament principle.

Keeping Your Priorities

³³“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33; NASB)

However, don’t stop at 10%! Malachi 3:8 mentions tithes and offerings.  Giving should be inculcated into our lifestyle. Giving to the poor, good ministries, righteous causes, etc. over and above your tithe should flow naturally from you as you seek His kingdom. Malachi 3:10God promises to take care of you as you take care of His Kingdom. He even promises systematic increase along the way (Luke 6:38). If give God financial preeminence, your needs will be taken care of, you’ve got His word on it.

Are you up to the challenge?

⁹ And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:9-10; NKJ)

Related posts:

1. How Much is The Tithe?
2. Giving: Unless It Feels Good Don’t Do It!
3. Was Solomon Robbed of A Nobel Prize?
4. Talent For Stewardship
5. Kingdom Come!

The Wisest King Advocates True Investment Diversification

Give portions to seven, yes to eight,
for you do not know what disaster may come upon the land. (Ecclesiastes 11:2, NIV)

In 1990, Harry Markowitz won the Nobel Prize in Economics. Dr. Markowitz was one of the founding architects of  Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT). One of the key underlying tenets of MPT is the use of diversification to optimize investment portfolios.

Nowadays, diversification is a mainstream principle within the realm of financial management.  It makes sense from a number of perspectives.  You can design a portfolio so that when the economy is not so hot, at least a portion of your investments should fare better.  Diversification is regularly touted as an advantage in investing in mutual funds as this investment vehicle offers diversity that may not normally be available to “small-fry” investors.

However, this verse goes beyond investments as we typically think of them.  To get a greater perspective, let’s examine the prior verse:

Cast your bread upon the waters,
for after many days you will find it again. (Ecclesiastes 11:1, NIV)

Bible scholars often interpret this verse as an exhortation to charitable giving.  Certainly, “bread” is indicative of provisions necessary for life.  “Waters” can represent multitudes (see Rev. 17:15).  Water also gravitates to the lowest levels.  Therefore giving substance to the poor is not lost.  We will “find” it again and in our time of greatest need — when disaster strikes (as we can infer from verse 2).

Thus we have an expanded definition of “investment diversification.”  These verses examine wise investing.  Waters are described as a place of sowing seed (Isa 32:20).  “Investing” however goes beyond the marketable securities and savings of everyday business.  God views the use of our substance in meeting the physical needs of those less fortunate than ourselves as wise stewardship that will generate “returns.”

While these verses reinforce some basic principles of wise financial management that we should follow (e.g. maintaining an emergency fund and investing in diverse areas), do not overlook the “investment potential” of those in need around you.

Related posts:

1. Giving: Unless It Feels Good Don’t Do It!
2. 8 Biblical Reasons to Invest
3. Is Tithing Obsolete?
4. God Distributes Wealth Where He Sees Fit
5. Talent Management Tip: At Least Act With Interest

2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (New International Version)

7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

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Hand it Over Hilariously

Wise Biblical teaching holds true regardless of how we are feeling when we hear scriptural admonitions. However, in this verse we are encouraged to be cheerful in our giving. In fact, the Greek root of “cheerful” is the same word from which “hilarious” is derived. We are encouraged to give in joy but commanded to refrain from giving if we feel obligated or are pressured to give. God does not participate in high-pressure giving tactics!

We’ve all seen or heard of examples in which unscrupulous or well meaning but unenlightened ministers have used the bully pulpit to strongly persuade a congregation to cough up some extra dollars for “God.” That’s not how our Lord distributes finances. The occasion is to be a delightful time. Givers should donate because it is the right thing to do and they come away with satisfaction – not regret.

Grace Abounds From Gifts

Verse 8 then tells us that God is able to make “all grace” abound to us. That is, to us hilarious givers! Since we give in a spirit of liberality and joy, God reminds us that everything is taken care of on our behalf – He’ll see to it. You see, God is a cheerful giver too! He’ll gladly exert his Holy influence upon us so that we can continue in His work and, in so doing, He’ll work out all the temporal matters as well. We will have all (His) provision and all (His) success as we happily devote our substance to His work. The more we give on His behalf, the more he enables us to give.

So give regularly to God’s purposes but do so cheerfully. This is too serious of a matter not to be taken joyfully.

Related: 21 bible scriptures about giving

Lighten up!

Related posts:

1. Is Tithing Obsolete?
2. Was Solomon Robbed of A Nobel Prize?
3. About Us
4. Our Beliefs