Why do the majority of Christian/Non-denominational/Protestant (Evangelicals especially) base a majority of what they talk about on Malachi 3:10Malachi 3:10
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
10 Bring ye the whole tithe into the store-house, that there may be food in my house, and prove me now herewith, saith Jehovah of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough [to receive it].
WP-Bible plugin? Why is there such an importance placed on giving money to a church, TV program, or some charity? When all we see are rich pastors walking around in $500 suits and a big gold and diamond encrusted ring? Okay, so I understand that God gave us what we have, and we are to share the fruits of our labor, but some pastors teach as if this is the ONLY thing in the Bible. What about compassion for the penniless? Oh, right, then they’ll bring up the little old lady that gave her last two pennies and how magnanimous of her that she gave all she had, and we are only being asked to give 10%; how positively horrible of me. Doesn’t God know that I am broke? Doesn’t He understand that if I don’t pay my rent, I end up homeless? Doesn’t He understand that you can’t squeeze blood from a turnip? Okay, so a miracle will happen? But how am I supposed to believe that God *wants* me to be financially well-to-do? I should think He has more pressing issues (like forgiving a sinful world) than whether or not I am going to have a financial breakthrough. Am I wrong, because it seems to me Jesus never asked for money, neither did any of the twelve (with the exception of Judas and the thirty pieces of silver); in fact, weren’t they poor and only had the clothes on their back and what they could carry with them? Didn’t Jesus tell them that this is how they were to live?Sincerely,
Money Mad
Dear Money Mad,
You are absolutely 100% right. A large portion of evangelists today teach what is called “the prosperity gospel”. Mal 3:10Mal 3:10
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
10 Bring ye the whole tithe into the store-house, that there may be food in my house, and prove me now herewith, saith Jehovah of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough [to receive it].
WP-Bible plugin is one of their favorite verses because it is so easy to twist out of context. Yes, God blesses us when we obey Him. Yes, God blesses us when we contribute financially to His work… but those blessings aren’t always financial.
James tells us that the poor are often the most spiritually rich because they have learned to trust in God for their daily needs (Jas 2:5Jas 2:5
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
5 Hearken, my beloved brethren; did not God choose them that are poor as to the world [to be] rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he promised to them that love him?
WP-Bible plugin). The church at Laodicea was financially wealthy, and that was their downfall because it led to pride and a sense of self-sufficiency (Rev 3:17Rev 3:17
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked:
WP-Bible plugin). The riches that really count are spiritual ones (Matt 6:19-21Matt 6:19-21
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also.
WP-Bible plugin). These preachers that tell people to “give so that they can get” are snake oil salesman. They are of the same character as the Pharisees who “devoured widows’ houses” (Mk 12:40Mk 12:40
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
40 they that devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers; these shall receive greater condemnation.
WP-Bible plugin).
If this is the type of church that you are attending… there is a better and more godly way. Yes, we should give of our finances… but that isn’t the totality of the Bible message – it isn’t even the majority of it. We would be happy to help you get in touch with a faithful congregation in your area that teaches the truth. After all, the church is supposed to be the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Tim 3:151 Tim 3:15
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
15 but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
WP-Bible plugin) – not the pillar and ground of the financial world. E-mail us (askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org) with what part of the world you live in, and we will do our best to get you in contact with a congregation in your area.