Money is a sensitive topic. In some countries, you can ask personal money questions. How much do you make? In America, money is a very personal matter and we keep it private from others. Each country might have their own sensibilities about how it is addressed in public — that is fine. But what does God say? Does money have anything to do with one's spirituality? I. Notice how God graciously calls His disobedient people to return to Him (v. 7). II. Notice how clueless Israel was of their offenses (vv. 7, 8). III. Turning to God requires we give of our wealth to Him (v. 8). A "tithe" is a tenth, 10% of their produce, their income, etc. It was not optional. Tithing did not begin under Moses and under the Mosaic covenant. We see it in Abraham (Gen. 14:20) and with Jacob (Gen. 28:22): "and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God's house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you." Under Moses, it was mandated and therefore required. Some of the offerings or contributions were voluntary while other ones were mandatory. Some NT believers do not believe we have to give a tenth. But the practice was before the Mosaic covenant (Abraham and Jacob) and that the Mosaic covenant merely codified what was already in practice (did not create it) and made it a statute in Israel. Surely we don't have any reason to set it aside. Furthermore, if the Old Covenant saints gave at least a tenth, shouldn't the New Covenant give as much? We have far more blessings for which we can show gratitude. IV. Notice the curse, blessings, and protections associated with giving (vv. 9-12)! God's curse (v. 9), God's blessing (vv. 10, 12), God's Protection (v. 11) |