Tithing
Don Plowman

Malachi 3:8-12

I. The Institution and History of Tithing

a. Genesis 14:18-20 Abram gave _______________ of his spoils to Melchizedek, the high priest of God.

b. It is a mandate of Levitical/Mosaic law according to Leviticus 27:30-33.

i. The tithe was the ____________ part of any increase of the __________, or of __________.

ii. If the tithe was “______________” then it was owed back with ____________%

iii. The Tithe was _____________or set apart unto the Lord.

iv. It could not be__________________.

c. The tithe was further mandated in Malachi as a warning to God’s people.

i. God declared that not paying tithes and offerings was _________ of Him and His house.

ii. He placed a _________ on those that choose not to pay their tithes because they robbed him.

iii. The tithe was for meat in God’s house.

iv. It was for _____________ God’s blessings.

v. The reward of tithing and offerings is: ___________________

1. Opening of heaven for the purpose of God’s overwhelming blessings.

2. The devourer would be rebuked: things could grow correctly and in sufficiency.

3. All those around will see the blessings of God and the abundance that God has given.

II. The Mandate for NT Givings

a. The NT also requires tile necessity of tithings.

i. First, consider Jesus’ words, in Matthew 2323: “Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of mint, anise and cumin, and have omitted the weighter matters of the law, judgment, mercy and faith: these ought ye have done and not to leave the other undone.”

While this is a general commentary upon the inefficiency of the law, his comment has relevance because it points out that their mistake was not in ________ but was in removing the more important points of the law while still going through the traditions of the law like tithing) In some ways it _________ tithing as a principle because Jesus is commenting that they should have completed all points of the law, not only tithing but also judgment, mercy and faith—even though he points out that the, law was to be fulfilled and done away with.

ii. Second, note the Levitical warning that the tithe was not to be changed or __________.

iii. Finally, I note that tithing was _________. Tithing to the Lord and to the house of God (He tithed to tie priest) was ________ before the law was established. So, when the law was fulfilled Christ, tithing was not done away with as some would indicate. Because it was actually pre-law, tithing was actually pre-law, tithing was ________ and commanded before the law was in effect and remains ____________ after the law has passed from necessity.

b. However, and more importantly, the discussion in the NT gives us insights not so much into the principle of tithing as it does into how God wants us to __________ giving to him and to His church in general.

i. Mark 12:44-44

1. Giving is not about amount; it is about __________.

2. Giving is not about abundance; it is about __________.

ii. II Corinthians 9:6-13

1. Our giving should be considered as one way that we sow into the Kingdom of God: if we sow __________ we shall reap __________.

2. We should give with purpose, and we should __________ from our heart.

a. It cannot be simply of __________ (we feel that we HAVE to give) or with a grudge (“I don’t like that pastor of that church but God said I had to give so)

b. We should give __________ and with much thanksgiving unto God for His provision.

3. There are rewards to giving scripturally.

a. Because we give according to the scriptures, we have “all sufficiency in all things”, we “abound in every good work”, we are “__________ in every good thing to all bountifulness:” When we give according to Bible specifications, God makes sure that we have all that we need, that we abound, and that we are enriched with His blessings and provision.

b. In addition, we are able to give to others and supply the “want of the saints” and bring glory to God for our “professed subjection to the gospel of Christ and for [our] liberal distribution unto them and unto all men.” When we give according to God’s plan and commandments, God not only provides for us, but He provides enough that we can give our __________ to those who are in need. This in turns gives Him glory and provides opportunities to witness of God’s 1ove and grace to others.

iii. I Cor 16:2 We should give as God has prospered us. Our givings should show a ration of God’s provision and blessing to our lives. The more He __________ the more we should __________.

1. Dave Ramsey, a well-known financial counselor declares: “if you cannot live on __________ then you cannot live on 100%”

iv. 1 Cor. 4: 1-2 We should be __________ to our giving as we are to God.

This outline “Tithing” written by Don Plowman is a personal Bible Study submitted by the author. November 2009. It may be used for study & research purposes only.