Giving in The Old TestamentGiving in The Old Testament

Malachi 3:1-12Malachi 3:1-12

IntroductionIntroduction

Popular misconceptionsPopular misconceptions–Think of tithing onlyThink of tithing only

–Good portion was voluntaryGood portion was voluntary

Benefits of this studyBenefits of this study–Discuss tithing since it was requiredDiscuss tithing since it was required

–Our giving is voluntaryOur giving is voluntary

Required Giving (Tithing)Required Giving (Tithing)

Predated the Law of MosesPredated the Law of Moses–Abraham (Genesis 14:19-21)Abraham (Genesis 14:19-21)

–Jacob (Genesis 28:20-22)Jacob (Genesis 28:20-22)

Incorporated into the LawIncorporated into the Law–Fruits and flocks (Leviticus 27:30-33)Fruits and flocks (Leviticus 27:30-33)

–Redemption (Numbers 18:12-18)Redemption (Numbers 18:12-18)

–Levites to priests (Numbers 18:25-32)Levites to priests (Numbers 18:25-32)

Required Giving (Tithing)Required Giving (Tithing)

Others required givingOthers required giving–Release of debt in the seventh and Release of debt in the seventh and

fiftieth yearsfiftieth years

–Corners of fields, part of the grape Corners of fields, part of the grape harvest, etc. to be left for the poor harvest, etc. to be left for the poor (Leviticus 19:9, 10; 25:35-38) (Leviticus 19:9, 10; 25:35-38)

–Atonement tax at census time Atonement tax at census time (Exodus 30:11-16)(Exodus 30:11-16)

Required Giving (Tithing)Required Giving (Tithing)

Others required givingOthers required giving–Temple maintenance tax Temple maintenance tax

(2 Chronicles 24:4-10) (2 Chronicles 24:4-10)

–Redemption penalty of twenty percent Redemption penalty of twenty percent (Leviticus 27:31)(Leviticus 27:31)

Still want to give like the Jews?Still want to give like the Jews?

Voluntary GivingVoluntary Giving

Special gifts for the sanctuarySpecial gifts for the sanctuary–Could be animals, houses, lands, etc. Could be animals, houses, lands, etc.

(Leviticus 27)(Leviticus 27)

–Hannah vowed to give Samuel Hannah vowed to give Samuel (1 Samuel 1:11)(1 Samuel 1:11)

Support of the prophetsSupport of the prophets–Elijah (1 Kings 17:8-16)Elijah (1 Kings 17:8-16)

–Elisha (2 Kings 4:8-37)Elisha (2 Kings 4:8-37)

Voluntary GivingVoluntary Giving

Tabernacle constructionTabernacle construction–God’s plan (Exodus 25:1-7)God’s plan (Exodus 25:1-7)

–The people were so generous they The people were so generous they had to be restrained (Exodus 36:1-7)had to be restrained (Exodus 36:1-7)

Voluntary GivingVoluntary Giving

Temple constructionTemple construction–David began to collect the materials David began to collect the materials

(1 Chronicles 29:1-19)(1 Chronicles 29:1-19)

–He was generous (vv. 1, 2)He was generous (vv. 1, 2)

–Gave more than required (v. 3)Gave more than required (v. 3)

–Viewed it as consecration to God Viewed it as consecration to God (v. 5)(v. 5)

Voluntary GivingVoluntary Giving

Temple construction (continued)Temple construction (continued)–Gave from the heart Gave from the heart

(v. 9; 2 Corinthians 9:7)(v. 9; 2 Corinthians 9:7)

–Rejoiced over the offering (v. 9)Rejoiced over the offering (v. 9)

–Realized it all belonged to God Realized it all belonged to God (vv. 14-16)(vv. 14-16)

–Prayed for future generations to give Prayed for future generations to give willingly (vv. 17, 18)willingly (vv. 17, 18)

What Have We Learned?What Have We Learned?

Not all their giving was “required”Not all their giving was “required”–Some was voluntarySome was voluntary

–Their government was both civil and Their government was both civil and religiousreligious

Their giving exceeded ten percentTheir giving exceeded ten percent–They did more than titheThey did more than tithe

–Some estimate it to be around 30%Some estimate it to be around 30%

ConclusionConclusion

The key is attitude not percentThe key is attitude not percent

Do we rob God? (Malachi 3:8)Do we rob God? (Malachi 3:8)