DO YOU TITHE? (PART 4)
TEXT:
"Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings." (Malachi 3 verse 8, King James Version).
Hebrews chapter 7 verses 1 to 10 is a New Testament portion of the Bible that talks about tithing; and these verses are undeniable proof that tithing is part of the Christian conduct and not just an Old Testament vestige that's no longer tenable as some would have us to believe.
Aside from recounting the transaction between Melchizedek and the Patriarch Abraham in Genesis 14 verses 18 to 20, Hebrews 7 verses 1 to 10 throws immense light on the spiritual implications of tithing. No doubt, to reproduce Hebrews 7 verses 1 to 10 will be a lengthy process for our terse and concise devotional purpose. Nevertheless, I will endeavour to highlight some vital spiritual truths to buttress the significance of tithing to the Christian.
The offering of tithes that Abraham gave to Melchisedec was an act of homage, reverence, subordination, love and faith. This is so because tithing predates the law and there was no law in place that commanded Abraham to give a tithe to Melchizedek. As Christians, this ought to be our disposition when we offer tithes to the Lord. It's not possible to say you love God and rob Him of His entitlement to the tenth of His blessing upon your life.
Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek who was a type of Christ. Like as I said, it's worthy of note that this transaction is made mention of in the New Testament, because to me, it puts paid to the fallacy that tithing isn't tenable under the New Testament era.
Abraham gave the tenth to Melchizedek the type of Christ and he blessed him (Genesis 14 verse 18 to 20). As a Christian it's expected of you to give the tenth to Christ and be blessed by Him (Malachi 3 verses 10 to 12). Besides, since we are partakers of Abraham's blessings (Galatians 3 verse 13 to 14), it behoves of us that tithing be part of our Christian conduct as it was with Abraham's descendants (see Hebrews 7 verse 5, especially the Amplified version).
Hebrews 7 verse 5 is proof that the children, seed or descendants of Abraham were supposed to pay tithes. Now, if they were obligated to pay tithes, so should be the Gentiles, including the Church because according to Galatians 3 verse 7 and verse 29, we are Abraham’s children or seed.
"Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. ... And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, ..."
(Galatians 3 verse 7 and verse 29).
Let no one deceive you therefore to stop giving the tenth to God on the mistaken ground that tithing isn't of the New Testament and as such, Christians shouldn't pay tithes in Church. This was how some years ago, they came out vigorously to contend that miracles had ended with the apostles. When you rob God of the tenth offering, according to the Scripture reading for today, it will serve to put you against Him and bring the curse upon your life. Don't be fooled!
PRAYER:
Father, help me to understand that You are worthy to receive my tithes always, in Jesus name.