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Red Script = Main Point / Blue Script= Directive / Double underline= Important to remember / Boxed= Biblical Text & SDA Commentary Reference / GREEN SCRIPT: A Possible AnswerLesson The Impact of TithingFebruary 17-23/24
Memory Text:“Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:13, 14, NKJV).
As we saw last week, tithing is an important expression of faith.It is one way to reveal, or test, the reality of our profession.“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? - unless indeed you are disqualified”(2 Cor. 13:5, NKJV).
The first biblical reference to tithing is Abraham’s giving tithe to Melchizedek (Gen. 14:18-20, Heb. 7:4). The Levites also took the tithe for their services at the temple (2 Chron. 31:4-10).Today the tithe is for the support of the gospel.When rightly understood, it serves as a spiritual measurement of our relationship with God.
The impact, use, importance, and method of distribution in tithing are designed for our spiritual growth in supporting God’s work and providing the financial foundation for preaching the gospel. This is God’s plan and has been called the first step that a faithful steward takes.
This week we will continue our look at tithing: its distribution, what it means to others, and what impact it has on our spiritual lives.
SundayTogether We Fund the MissionFebruary 18
Jesus commands us to “preach the gospel”(Mark 16:15) and to “make disciples”, “teaching them to observe all things”(Matt. 28:19, 20, NKJV). Thus, God wants us to be involved in the most important work on earth: bringing people to Jesus.Funding this mission from resources entrusted to us by God is the steward’s responsibility.Participation deepens personal commitment in presenting Christ to others. Every disciple, steward, and worker is to bring the entire tithe for this sacred work. We must pray for unity to be faithful in funding the mission, just as a successful mission strengthens our unity of faith.
What is God’s approved financial plan for accomplishing this mission? What does “the whole tithe” mean? (Mal. 3:10, NIV).
Malachi 3:10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says theLordof hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for yousuchblessing Thatthere willnotbe roomenoughto receive it. 10. All the tithes. Or, “the full tithes.” This implies that if the people paid tithe, they did not pay a full or honest tithe. Let us be sure that we do not make the same mistake as the people of Malachi’s day (cf. 1 Cor. 10:6–10). The Giver of all has a right to expect us to render Him an honest tithe, and also willing gifts as we are able.Meat. Better, “food.” Windows of heaven. Compare Gen. 7:11; 8:2. Not only will there be plenty of rain to remove all fear of drought, but through these openings, so to speak, the divine blessing will be poured out in great abundance (see Lev. 26:3–5).Blessing. Not necessarily a material blessing, though that seems to be emphasized here (see on v. 11).[1]
A POSSIBLE ANSWER: A) God’s approved plan is to bless us with resources/means first and then we in turn return a faithful tithe and give liberal offerings to His cause for the accomplishment of the mission. B) The whole tithe means that entire amount... as in faithfully returning %10 on all our increase. (Not just wages, but returns from investments, gifts and net gains. etc.)
What does the phrase “that there may be food in my house” mean? (Mal. 3:10, NIV). A POSSIBLE ANSWER: Not literal ‘meat or food’ but that which the ‘house of God’ needs in order to be able to function or achieve its original purpose; hence in our day, generally speaking, money.
As we have seen, people have been paying tithe since the days of Abraham and Jacob (Gen. 14:20, 28:22) and probably before.Tithe is part of a system that funds God’s church.It is the greatest source of funding and the most equitable method for carrying out His mission.
In today’s cultures, the majority of Christians give relatively little to fund the mission of God. If every Christian gave an honest tithe, the result would be “almost unimaginable, simply astonishing, nearly beyond comprehension.” - Christian Smith and Michael O. Emerson, Passing the Plate (New York: Oxford University Press, 2008), p. 27.
In every age God has had people who were willing to fund His mission.All of us have a responsibility to understand and work together to finance this global task. We cannot afford to be disorganized, careless, or haphazard about funding the mission. Our challenge is far greater than when the people and the Levites said to Nehemiah, “We will not neglect the house of our God” (Neh. 10:39, NIV), and more daunting than what faced believers in the 1800s. Today members and clergy must be united spiritually and pull together financially in a way that meets global objectives and funds the mission.
Think about the vast extent of the Adventist mission in the world (see Rev. 14:6, 7).
Revelation 14:6, 7 (The Proclamations of Three Angels) 6Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people—7saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” 6. I saw. A new scene begins. Chronologically the events represented in this vision precede those represented by the vision of vs. 1–5. Another. Gr. allos, another of the same kind. Important textual evidence may be cited (cf. p. 10) for the omission of this word. Many angels have already been mentioned (chs. 1:1, 20; 5:2; 7:1; etc.), so that the designation “another” is not necessary. Angel. This is a symbolic vision. The angel represents God’s saints engaged in the task of proclaiming the everlasting gospel, especially the features mentioned in this verse, at a time when the “judgment is come” (v. 7). It is, of course, also true that literal angels assist men in the task of proclaiming the gospel, but this is not the predominant idea here. Midst of heaven. The angel of ch. 8:13 was also seen flying through the midst of heaven. The area of flight indicates the worldwide nature of the angel’s work and message. The work grows and develops until it is brought to the sight and hearing of all mankind.Everlasting. Gr. aiōnios (see on Matt. 25:41). The Scriptures elsewhere speak of the “glorious” gospel (2 Cor. 4:4; 1 Tim. 1:11), but only here is the word “everlasting” used in connection with the gospel of the grace of God. There is but one gospel to save men. It will continue as long as there are men to be saved. There never will be another gospel.Gospel. Gr. euaggelion (see on Mark 1:1).To preach. Gr. euaggelizō, “to proclaim good tidings,” a verb form related to euaggelion (see above). Compare the use of euaggelizō in Rom. 1:15; 10:15.Dwell on the earth.As indicated by the following phrases, a worldwide proclamation of the gospel is here envisioned.Every nation.The universality of the message is emphasized by this and the following phrases.Kindred. Or, “tribe.”
How should each one of us understand his or her own responsibility in regard to helping fund this work?A POSSIBLE ANSWER: We should understand that... 1) God supplies us with all the needed resources to achieve the mission. 2) We are to faithfully return, invest and use all of His blessings or resources to achieve the objective. 3) These resources involve our Temples or bodies, our Time, our Treasure and our Talents. 4) We should see this as an expression of our love, faithfulness and commitment to Christ and His cause. 5) We should endeavor to be consistent and remember that He desires that we improve on what He has given us.
MondayThe Blessings of GodFebruary 19
As we saw in Malachi 3:10, God promised a great blessing to those faithful in their tithe. Yet God’s blessing is not one-dimensional. To emphasize, for instance, the accumulation of material assets as a blessing, at the expense of everything else, is a very narrow view of what God’s blessing really is.
Blessing in Malachi is spiritual as well as temporal. The meaning of God’s blessing is evidenced by salvation, happiness, a peace of mind, and God always doing what is best for us. Also, when we are blessed by God, we are obligated to share those blessings with the less fortunate. We have been blessed in order to bless others. Indeed, through us God is able to extend His blessings elsewhere.
Read 1 Peter 3:8, 9. What is Peter saying to us about the relationship between being blessed and being a blessing to others?
1 Peter 3:8, 9 Called to Blessing 8Finally, allof you beof one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers,betenderhearted,becourteous;9not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 8. Finally. Peter has addressed himself to Christians in general (ch. 2:1–17), and in particular to Christian servants (vs. 18–25), wives (ch. 3:1–6), and husbands (v. 7). He now resumes his admonition to Christians in general.All. That is, all “the strangers scattered” throughout Asia Minor (see on ch. 1:1), and in a broader sense all Christians everywhere, in all ages.Of one mind. Gr. homophrones, “likeminded,” “united in spirit,” “harmonious.” Harmony among believers and unity of action require a basic unity with respect to fundamental beliefs and to the objectives and methods of the church.But unity does not require absolute uniformity in every detail. As long as men think at all there are bound to be differences of opinion on minor points. But despite this diversity there can still be common agreement concerning principles and working policy. In fact, unity is more a matter of the heart than of the mind. Christians should be able to work together harmoniously despite differences in viewpoint if the spirit of pride is suppressed by a genuine desire to work together. Then, differences between men will decrease and a cordial bond of fellowship will unite all (see on John 17:21; Rom. 12:10, 16).Compassion. Gr. sumpathēs, “suffering with [another],” whence our word “sympathy.” For comment see on 1 Cor. 12:26.Love as brethren. See on 1 Peter 1:22; cf. on Matt. 5:43–48. Pitiful. Gr. eusplagchnoi, “compassionate,” “tenderhearted.” See on Eph. 4:32. Courteous. Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the reading “humble-minded.”
9. Not rendering. Literally, “not giving back.”Evil for evil. See on Matt. 5:39; Rom. 12:17; 1 Thess. 5:15.Railing. Or, “abuse” (see on ch. 2:23).Blessing. See on Rom. 12:14.Knowing. This clause reads literally, “because for this you were called.” God has called us to be Christians that we might help others, not alone that we might obtain a blessing ourselves. The genuine Christian spontaneously seeks ways in which he can bring a blessing to others. See on Matt. 5:43, 44.Inherit a blessing.The greatest blessing that can come to a person is from being a blessing to others.God’s eternal kingdom will be populated with men and women who have made it a life habit to share their happiness.In a perfect universe the happiness of others is the only concern of every intelligent being.
A POSSIBLE ANSWER:“That” as used in the passage is causative. It’s meaning could be translated ‘in order that’ hence, it suggests the direct relationship between the two... we receive a blessing in the light of being a blessing.On receiving, we give.
From tithing a double blessing comes. We are blessed, and we are a blessing to others. We can give out of what we have been given. God’s blessings toward us reach inwardly and to others outwardly. “Give, and it will be given to you. . . . For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38, NIV).
Read Acts 20:35. How does this apply to tithing as well?
Acts 20:35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said,‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”35. Have shewed. Gr. hupodeiknumi, “to show [by example].” All things. Paul’s instruction to the Ephesian believers had been not only in doctrine but also in matters of practical godliness—self-reliance, with faith in God, and Christian charity.Support. Gr. antilambanō, “to take hold of, opposite,” a graphic expression of the idea “to help.” The admonition comes in the setting of Paul’s physical labors for others.The weak. Or, “the sick,” “the afflicted.” The word can be applied to one who is “weak in the faith” (Rom. 14:1), but since Paul has just referred here to bodily labor (Acts 20:34, 35), the conclusion is inescapable that here the “weak” are those who are literally poor and infirm. The remainder of the verse leads to the same conclusion. This responsibility the members of the apostolic church were more ready to meet than were those at some later times (see on ch. 6:1, 2).To remember. Paul reinforces his admonition to the elders to care for the needy, by quoting an otherwise unrecorded saying of his Lord. The quotation comes from Paul’s lips with inspired apostolic authority, which cannot be said of the various statements that tradition has attributed to Christ. Whether Paul heard the statement from one who had heard Jesus say it, or from Jesus Himself during one of His direct revelations to Paul, is not stated. “Remember” implies a previous general knowledge of the saying. This statement is one of the “many other things” (John 21:25) that Jesus said and did, that are not recorded in the Gospels.How he said. Literally, “that he himself said.” In the Greek this expression is emphatic.Blessed.The blessing is a two-way benediction.The receiver is blessed or made happy, whether the need is spiritual or physical.But the greater blessing is upon the giver.There is a joy in sharing. The giver is drawn away from his own interests, gives play to the better part of his nature, and receives the approval of God (Matt. 25:34–40). Since God is the unlimited Provider (Gen. 22:8–13; Ps. 23; John 3:16, 34), giving is a Godlike act.
A POSSIBLE ANSWER:The spirit or direct inference is that of supplying what is needed to achieve the purpose or mission of the church.As with tithing, we by example, take ‘hold of’ or ‘support’ others by our giving what is needed in order that their needs are met and God’s desired good/blessing is experienced.
The greatest blessing tithing teaches us is to trust God (Jer. 17:7). “The special system of tithing was founded upon a principle which is as enduring as the law of God. This system of tithing was a blessing to the Jews, else God would not have given it them. So also will it be a blessing to those who carry it out to the end of time.Our heavenly Father did not originate the plan of systematic benevolence to enrich Himself, but to be a great blessing to man. He saw that this system of beneficence was just what man needed.” - Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, pp. 404, 405.
Think about times you have been blessed by the Lord through the ministry of someone else to you. How then can you go and do likewise for others?A POSSIBLE ANSWER:A) By taking the time to become aware of the needs of others and then endeavor to supply them. B) By praying to God and asking Him to reveal what is needed and then guide you as an instrument of His heart and in supplying the needs of others. C) Buy a weeks supply of food and give it to someone in need; pay someone’s mortgage or for a child’s tuition; fill up the tank of someone at the gas station or give monthly support to a mission project or a non-profit organization.
TuesdayFebruary 20Purpose of the Tithe
Paul writes to Timothy: “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,’ and ‘The laborer is worthy of his wages”(1 Tim. 5:18, NKJV). He is quoting Moses in Deuteronomy 25:4 regarding the ox and Jesus from Luke 10:7 regarding the laborer. The phrase about the ox appears to have been a proverb, and it means it is fair for the ox to eat grain while working. In the same way, the second proverb means that devoted laborers who preach the gospel should be rewarded with wages.
God creates and operates in systems. He has designed solar systems, ecosystems, digestive systems, nervous systems, and many more. The tithing system was used by the Levites (Num. 18:26) in caring for the tabernacle and for their support. The modern-day equivalent would be those who devote their lives to preaching the gospel. God’s tithing system is His chosen means for supporting the ministry, and it has been in use throughout salvation history. Supporting such laborers with tithe, then, is foundational and fundamental to God’s work.
What does Paul mean and what is the moral implication of the phrase “the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel” (1 Cor. 9:14, NKJV)?