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What about robbing God of His offerings?

 Submitted: 12/22/2006
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Question: If the new testament church is required to tithe according to Malachi 3:8-11, explain to me the offerings that Jesus also said he was being robbed of. before you answer let me make this point, the offerings that Jesus was refering to were ALREADY ESTABLISHED BEFORE THE BOOK OF MALACHI keep this in mind. When you go back and find the offerings that were established between Genesis and Malachi, you will see these offerings include animal sacrafices. Now I know you will say we no longer have to do animal sacrifices, and that's true, and this is my point. If the offerings that we are robbing God of are offerings that include animal sacrifices, and we realize we are not supposed to do them any more, then why do we tell the church today you must tithe when Jesus said you have robbed me NOT JUST IN TITHES but in tithes and offerings. Jesus said he was being robbed of BOTH the TITHES and the OFFERINGS, not just the tithe as you teach, also notice the word tithes and offerings is plural not single, so do you agree that both are to be done or not?
Answer: We agree that to fail to bring both the tithes and the offerings into the storehouse is to rob God of what is rightfully His. The difference between tithes and offerings is that the tithe is a set amount (the first ten percent of your increase) whereas offerings are individual (as a person purposes in his own heart). We believe that God expects both and that this is His plan for financing the work of reaching the world with the gospel.

You are right that we no longer need to bring sacrificial animals to the Lord, but this does not mean we do not need to bring any sacrifices. The Bible says, 'Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased' (Hebrews 13:15-16). God expects His people to be generous with the material things He provides. When the believers in Philippi sent material support to Paul, he wrote, 'I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God' (Philippians 4:18-19). This is the spirit of New Testament offerings. This is what moves the gospel.



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