Malachi 3:10 is a favorite verse of mine. “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this says the LORD Almighty and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” Oh, the lavish generosity of God, I love it. Eager to open wide the floodgates of heaven and overwhelm me, nearly drown me in blessings!! Extravagant generosity from a good Father.
Funny thing is, before verse 10, the LORD God is blasting his chosen people for “robbing” him, for their disobedient selfishness and rebelliously ignoring God’s command. Under Mosaic law, tithing was not optional for a Jew. Israelites were legally required to pay a 10% tithe on everything! It was like a religious-national income tax to sustain the “government” of the Levitical priestly system God himself had put in place.
Oftentimes in churches today, we refer to our giving & generosity as “tithes and offerings.” But really, they are two very different things. Tithing was adherence to the Law, a mathematical equation. Tithing wasn’t generosity. Jesus came and said, I want more from you, and I want more for you. Luke 6:38, “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Jesus wasn’t impressed with regimented 10%, he’s after heart-driven generosity.
Jesus reiterated commands of the Old Testament, but never once did he command his followers to tithe as Jewish law demanded. I wonder why? Instead he spotlights examples, such as Zacchaeus, who upon meeting the Messiah, immediately decided to give one half of his money to the poor and pay back anyone he had wronged fourfold what he owed them. Time spent with Jesus had changed this “wee little man.” And Jesus confirmed that Zacchaeus indeed now was in a right standing with God as evidenced by his repentance, his change of heart, and generosity toward others.
In Luke 21, Jesus watched Jews putting their “tithes and offerings” into the treasury. He saw the rich give out of their wealth, as they were required to do. But what impressed Jesus was a poor widow who gave two copper coins, worth nearly nothing. But her heart was generous, because she gave all she had to live on.
God has generously given us His Son, His Holy Spirit, new birth into a living hope, eternal life, mercy, grace, love, peace and joy. In gratitude, may you and I also live lives of extravagant generosity.
Donielle Winter
EFCC Member