Malachi 3:10-11 (NKJV) Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, And try 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 such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. ” And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the LORD of hosts.
Tithing began during Abraham’s era. Later, Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizedek, demonstrating that he recognised Melchizedek’s superiority. Melchizedek was known as the King of righteousness and peace. This aligns with Jesus’ attributes, and reminds us that the priesthood of Jesus is superior to the priesthood of men.
This was some 400 years before the law of Moses, but tithing as a practice of worship, specifically commanded by God in Scripture, didn’t come into its own until the law of Moses was given.
Its original purpose was to meet the needs of the Levites. However, it also served to give givers an opportunity to show their worship and dependence on God. It had a dual purpose: one practical, one spiritual.
We are called to bring the whole tithe into the storehouse. In today’s context, this means the tithe goes to the church where you are receiving the Word, pastoral care and the work of the ministry.
The church will administer the funds, and leaders are responsible for budgeting and disbursing them appropriately. Therefore, when we give, we are giving unto the Lord in obedience to the Word. We leave it to the leaders, who are to be accountable to God, but we are free to voice our concerns at the congregational meeting because there is a system of checks and balances.
God is a great giver, the God of the How Much More. Our Heavenly Father will give good gifts to those who ask Him. Because He gave us His best in Jesus Christ, He will withhold nothing that we need from Him in this world. Nobody can outgive God. As illustrated in the Parable of the Talents, we need to be proven faithful with God’s finances so that we can be used as channels of His blessings.
As Christians, our confidence rests in God’s faithfulness and His unwavering commitment to honour His Word. We bring our tithes and offerings because we recognise God as the true source of our provision. Alongside serving Him with our gifts and talents, we choose to honour and worship Him through our giving. This practice keeps our hearts aligned with His, reminding us continually of our dependence on Him rather than on our own resources.
Reflection: Are you tithing and giving in obedience, and truly living according to God’s Word and principles? In what ways is God inviting you to trust Him more deeply through the act of giving?
Sermon Series: Worshipping the King of kings
以奉献尊荣神
玛拉基书 3:10-11 10 万军之耶和华说：“你们要将当纳的十分之一全然送入仓库，使我家有粮，以此试试我，是否为你们敞开天上的窗户倾福于你们，甚至无处可容。” 11 万军之耶和华说：“我必为你们斥责蝗虫[a]，不容它毁坏你们的土产，你们田间的葡萄树在未熟之先也不掉果子。”
十一奉献始于亚伯拉罕的时代。后来，亚伯拉罕将十分之一献给了麦基洗德，表明他承认麦基洗德更为尊贵。麦基洗德被称为“公义之王”与“平安之王”，这与耶稣的属性相呼应，也提醒我们：基督的祭司职分远超人间的祭司体系。
这一事件发生在摩西律法颁布约四百年前；然而，作为一种在圣经中由神明确吩咐的敬拜实践，十一奉献是在摩西律法中才被正式确立。
其原初目的在于供应利未人的需要；同时，也为奉献者提供一个表达敬拜与倚靠神的途径。因此，它具有双重意义：一是实际层面的供应，二是属灵层面的敬拜。
我们被呼召将“全然的十分之一”带入仓库。在今日的处境中，这意味着将当纳的十分之一奉献给你所领受神话语、牧养关怀，以及参与事工的教会。
教会会管理这些奉献，领袖需负责任地进行预算与分配。因此，当我们奉献时，是按着神的话语顺服地献给主。至于使用层面，则交托给向神负责的领袖；同时，信徒也可以在会众会议中表达关切，因为教会设有合宜的监督与问责机制。
神是慷慨赐予的神，是“何况更多”的神。我们的天父必将美善的恩赐赐给求祂的人。既然祂已经在耶稣基督里把最好的赐给我们，祂也不会在今世保留我们所需的一切。没有人能在给予上超过神。正如才干的比喻所启示的，我们需要在神所托付的财物上显为忠心，好使我们成为祂祝福的管道。
作为基督徒，我们的信心建立在神的信实上，以及祂必成就自己话语的坚定应许之上。我们献上十分之一与奉献，是因为我们承认神才是我们一切供应的源头。我们不仅用恩赐与才干服事祂，也选择透过奉献来尊荣与敬拜祂。这一操练不断调整我们的心，使我们不倚靠自己的资源，而是持续依靠祂。
默想：
你是否在十一奉献与奉献上持守顺服，真实地活在神的话语与原则中？神正在哪些方面邀请你，借着奉献更深地学习信靠祂？
讲章系列：敬拜万王之王