Whole Tithe and Offerings (2)
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March 19, 2017 |
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 Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee
"'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,' says the LORD of hosts, 'if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows'" (Malachi 3:10).
Some people say giving the tithe just to receive blessings is not showing true faith. God promised that He will give us spiritual and material blessings when we believe in Him and act according to His word. He firmly promised to bless us whether we are coming in or going out; to provide for us so we can lend but not borrow; and to become the head and not the tail (Deuteronomy 28:1-14).
I hope that you will enjoy the right and blessing as God's children by keeping the Lord's Day holy and giving whole tithe and offerings which are Christian basics.
1. How to Give Whole Tithe
1) To give whole tithe, we have to take the one tenth from the total income. For example, suppose a person receives 1,000 dollars as salary, but because the tax, pensions and insurance are deducted, he receives only 800 dollars as take home income. He thinks his income is 800 dollars and gives 80 dollars as his tithe. Is this right? We can say he gives the whole tithe when he uses the total amount of his salary, namely a 1,000 dollars that is his actual income. The taxes and other payments are his personal expenses.
Also, the total income includes not only the income in cash, but other forms of income as well. Namely, if we are treated to a meal or if we receive any gifts from others, we also have to give the tithe for these things, too. We are supposed to give the tithe for all kinds of income to include the regular income, bonuses, cash gifts, and other gifts.
2) We have to set the tithe apart from other offerings. Some people think they deduct the amount they give to God as offerings from their income and give the tithe from the remaining amount. Also, some, when giving the tithe say, "Please use a part of this for charitable works." If we give our tithe for other purposes, it is not a part of the whole tithe.
The tithe, 10% of the total, must be given under the name 'tithe' and must be set apart from other offerings. It's because the tithe belongs to God. If we give our tithe for other purposes, it is not tithe, but an offering because we are designating the use of God's money at our own discretion.
3) We should give the tithe to the church from which you receive the spiritual bread much like you should pay the hospital at which you received your medical treatment and you pay the tuition fee to your school which you are attending. It's the same with the principle of giving tithes. Of course, you can give thanks offerings, construction offerings, or other offerings as you like and designate. But please keep in mind that you should give your tithe to the church where your spirit belongs and is nourished.
4) The tithe must be given under each individual's name. The tithe cannot be given under the family name, or the name of both husband and wife. For example, suppose the wife is only a housewife and the husband is making the money. Some of them give the tithe under both their names. But the tithe must be given under each individual's name, from each one's income. In Heaven, according to each one's deeds, the rewards are different. Therefore, when we give offerings to God, we have to give under our own individual name. Sometimes the husband and wife may have a common income. They may give the tithe under both their names, or they may split the profit into two halves or in the ratio they agreed and then give the tithe under each one's name.
5) We have to give the tithe not only on regular income but on additional income. Some people say they are jobless and they don't have the income to give tithe. But there is no one who has no tithe to give. Because they receive something to eat, clothes to wear and transportation expenses, people are able to continue to live. For example, the wife is a housewife and receives the living expenses from her husband. There is a part of that living expense which she can spend at her disposal. If she meets with her friends for lunch or dinner or she does something in her leisure time, that kind of expenditure is her 'income'. When children receive pocket money from their parents or relatives, or they may receive some presents from their friends, they should give tithe as well.
6) We should give the tithe at least once a month. Some people give the tithe only once or twice a year. But they should determine their tithe at least once a month. Of course, there may be exceptions, too. For instance, for farmers it may be difficult to give tithe for every month. Also, some people do not have regular income. Except for such cases as these, we should give the tithe at least once a month.
7) We first have to give the tithe from our total income. It is proper to give the tithe first from our income and then spend according to expenditures from the remainder. If we take out and set apart the tithe immediately after we receive income, then, we can avoid a situation where we cannot give the tithe because we don't have any money.
2. How to Offer Up Whole Offerings
1) The Meaning of Offerings
Offerings can be all kinds of monetary and other kinds of offerings given to God other than the tithe. In the book of Leviticus, we can find many kinds of offerings: burnt offering, grain offering, peace offering, sin offering, and guilt offering. Also, the book explains in detail about the herd, flock, goat, dove, grains and fruits that are given to God. Today, we do not give sacrifices and offerings in the same way as in the Old Testament times, but we still have the spiritual meaning of them in attending worship services and giving offerings.
In the case of offerings, we have thanks, church construction, Feast, charitable, missionary, cell worship service and sin offerings. We can also offer to God rice and other kinds of things that are needed for the kingdom of God. In today's reading passage, God says it is also to rob God if we do not give offerings as well as the tithe. If we do have faith, we cannot help but give offerings to God as well as the tithe (Matthew 6:20-21).
If we give offerings with hope for Heaven, we will have the heavenly rewards stored. God will also keep our families, workplaces, and businesses while on earth. Some people may think they are in a difficult situation and they have nothing to give. Everybody can still give a very minimal offering. The amount of the offering to God is not what really matters. It is rather the love and heart contained in the offering (Luke 21:1-4).
2) How to Offer Up Offerings
First, we have to give what is without blemish. Even between people, when we give a present to somebody important, we don't give something that has blemish or defect. We give something of the best quality in a nice wrapping (Malachi 1:8). An offering without defect means that the heart of the person who is giving the offering and the offering itself must have no defect. Therefore, when we give offerings to God, first of all we have to give with a joyful heart (2 Corinthians 9:7). If we have any sin or iniquity, we have to repent first, and then give the offerings, so that God can accept them joyfully. Not only the heart, but when you give the offerings, the offering itself must not have blemish. We should give God bills that are not dirty or torn but clean and new. Also, even for the offerings, you should not just give whatever is left after you spend for yourself, but you should set them apart just like in the case of tithes.
Secondly, we must not change our mind in giving offering. What we have to give as thanks offering, we have to give it as thanks offering. So is the case with church construction offerings (Deuteronomy 23:23). Suppose you made a vowed construction offering, and if you later give that amount as charity offering or other offerings, it is not right. Also, the amount of offering must not be changed either. Also, when you have something better, you cannot change it with the former one just because you think the latter is better. If you really want to give God something better, then you have to give both the former and the latter (Leviticus 27:9-10).
Third, what you give to God must be offered to the altar and prayed upon. Even the offerings in the Old Testament were touched by the priests and offered under their control. One of the meanings is that they are sealed as God's. That is why in the worship services today, the pastor lays his/her hand on the offerings and prays on it. It is to set apart and seal the offerings as God's so that He can accept the offerings given by the believers. Therefore, what is given to God must be given to the altar and prayed on so it can be accepted by God, and the giver can receive blessings.
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