08.28.08
Marriage series and financial stuff–Sept. newsletter article
It seems to me that we could preach on the subject of relationships between the opposite sex every week and never lack for an audience that needs to hear the subject. Such relationships touch everyone, whether you are a young person, single, married, divorced, remarried or widowed. We’re planning to talk about dating relationships for both teens and singles, marriage relationships, finances in marriage, and blocks to intimacy in marriage, and of course, we’ll do this all from God’s word. This series will begin on Sunday September 7th. Will you commit to being here this fall as we pray and strive together to encourage and develop healthy relationships?
Beginning a new church year is a good time to remind ourselves that God calls us to be generous people. It doesn’t make sense to not follow God in this area and yet it is such a struggle for so many of us. Many have gotten their personal finances into such a mess that though they would like to give more generously they feel trapped. Others have questions about how the church’s funds are spent and wonder if those making financial decisions are doing so effectively. Some have said for so long that we are not doing well financially that that many have begun to believe that to an extent not warranted by the facts. I believe that as we are faithful to follow God, he will be faithful to provide the funds to do what he calls us to do. With my personal finances, I confess that sometimes I wish God would miraculously make my bills go away. Obviously, God does not always answer prayer the way we wish he would. Perhaps the struggle to trust God with everything related to our finances, both for our families and our church, is important.
Seaford is a diverse church. People look at giving in so many different ways. Some in the body give faithfully and sacrificially no matter what else happens. Some want to give like that but are so strapped in debt that can’t see how it is possible. Perhaps some think the church is not being wise with expenditures or staff and so are not giving, and I am sure there are some that are just stubbornly disobedient. Regardless of where you stand, will you pray with me about these matters? I believe with all my heart that individuals, families and the whole church will be healthier and more full of joy as more of us get into that first category of joyful givers. God says, test me and see (Malachi 3:10). Perhaps it is time for you to take God up on that challenge.
Russell Earl Kelly, PHD said,
August 28, 2008 at 8:34 am
Friend, May I offer an alternative interpretation of Malachi for your study.
From: Tithing is not a Christian Doctrine
http://www.shouldthechurchteachtithing.com
Russell Earl Kelly, PHD
Malachi 3 is the Most Abused Tithing Text in the Bible. The “whole” tithe never was supposed to go to the Temple!
A. Malachi is Old Covenant and is never quoted in the New Covenant to validate tithing (Lev. 27:34; Neh. 10:28-29; Mal. 3:7; 4:4).
B. In Malachi 3:10-11 tithes are still only food 1000 years after Leviticus 27:30-34 and Numbers 18:21-28.
C. Malachi’s audience had willingly reaffirmed the Old Covenant (Neh.10:28-29). The blessings and curses of tithing are identical to and inseparable from those of the entire Mosaic Law. The rain in Deuteronomy 28:12, 23-24 and Leviticus 26:1-4 is only obtained by obedience to all 613 commandments. Galatians 3:10 (quoting Deu 27:26) “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.” Trying to earn God’s blessings through tithing only brings curses for failure to keep all of the law. See also Galatians 3:19.
D. Beginning in 1:6 “you” in Malachi always refers to the dishonest priests and not the people (also 2:1-10; 2:13 to 3:1-5): “Even this whole nation of you –priests” (3:9). In 1:13-14 the priests had stolen tithed animals vowed to God. In Nehemiah 13:5-10 priests had stolen the Levites’ portion of the tithe. God’s curses on the priests are ignored by most tithe-teachers (1:14; 2:2 and 3:2-4).
E. Point #12 of the essay. The Levitical cities must be included in a correct interpretation of Malachi 3:10. Most tithe-recipients lived outside of Jerusalem.
F. The 24 courses of Levites and priests must be included in a correct interpretation of Malachi 3. Normally only 2% of the total Levite and priest work force served at the temple one week at a time. Subtract wives, males under the age of 30 and daughters. Therefore 2% did not require all of the tithe. See 1 Chron 23-26; 28:13, 21; 2 Chron. 8:14; 23:8; 31:2, 15-19; 35:4, 5, 10; Ezra 6:18; Neh. 11:19, 30; 12:24; 13:9, 10; Luke 1:5.
G. Nehemiah 10:37-39 is the key to understanding Malachi 3:10, The people were commanded to bring their tithes, not to the temple, but to the nearby Levitical cities. Verse 38 says that the priests were with the Levites in the Levitical cities when they received the tithes.
H. According to Nehemiah 13:5, 9 the “storehouse” in the Temple was only several rooms. The real “storehouses” were in the Levitical cites per Nehemiah 10:37b-38. Only the Levites and priests normally brought tithes to the Temple (10:38). Two rooms in the Temple were far too small to contain the tithe from the entire nation and 98% of the Levites and priests lived too far away to eat from them.
Therefore, Malachi 3:10’s “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse” only makes contextual sense if it is only commanding dishonest priests to replace the tithes they had removed from it or had failed to bring to it.
While the 3:10 of the Law in Malachi is so important to tithe-teachers they ignore the 3:10 of the Gospel in Galatians and 2nd Corinthians. Perhaps those wanting to enforce the 3:10 Law of Malachi should also enforce the 3:10 Law of Numbers. They share the same context.
Christian giving is freewill, sacrificial, generous, joyful, regular and motivated by love. That is enough to provide the needs of the Church.