Money to Burn?

How would you feel if when you brought your tithes and offerings to the church, the minister placed it on the altar and set it on fire? How would you feel watching all that money literally go up in flames? If we were still under the old system of atonement for sin (the old covenant), essentially, that may very well be what would happen to the offerings we give to the church.

Under the legal system of the Old Testament “Church”, depending on the sin, an individual was required by God, to bring tithes and offerings of calves, lambs, or goats to the priest in order to make atonement. These were “burnt” offerings. There were also certain types of atonement that required grain offerings, sometimes referred to in the Old Testament as “meat” offerings. A portion was set apart to be used by the priests and temple workers as food. While for some this may seem strange, or even cruel, these were compulsory sacrifices for the people of Israel. Sound like a big deal? Read on.

You may recall from studying world history in school that many of the inhabitants of the Nile Valley and surrounding areas lived in a part of Northern Africa near Egypt in an area called the Fertile Crescent. Most historians believe that geographically, this was the area where the “Promised Land” was located because historical and archaeological evidence shows that the culture during the period of time in which Old Testament events took place was primarily agricultural. The inhabitants made their livings from farming, raising various crops and cattle. An economic or monetary system as we know it today was nonexistent, so the people bartered, or traded these agricultural products in exchange for other goods and services. Their primary bartering device was what they valued most--their own crops and cattle. This was their treasure.

It may also help to know that food and eating was viewed differently by the peoples of that period of history. The people of that period did not eat like we do today. In today’s modern affluent society, most of us expect at least three square meals each day, probably with a few snacks on the side. And most of us feel the need to include meat in our meals. The people of Biblical times usually ate only once a day, maybe sometimes even less. And if they had meat, it was usually only during certain festivals and celebrations--having meat at a meal was considered an extraordinary treat. So giving up the crops and the cattle for burnt atonement in order to stay in right standing with God was indeed a sacrifice of hard work, as well as food, and sustenance.

Today, we of course do not live in an agricultural society. Food is bought from a store, and we use food socially as well as nutritionally. We enjoy cooking and coming up with new dishes to suit our tastes buds; we enjoy social repasts with friends and family. Therefore, food is social as well as sustaining.

In today’s modern society, the acquisition of food primarily comes through the labor of others. Most of us focus on various other types of work or labor for our basic needs and wants. In exchange for our labor, we are paid a wage which affords us the capability to supply our needs, including the food we eat. Money also allows us to enjoy many other privileges of modern society. Our culture allows the use of “legal tender” to support not only our needs, but also many of our desires.

Most of us have an abundance of material goods and enjoy many modern conveniences and services as a result of a rich economy and the American Free Enterprise system. Having money usually gives one a kind of reassurance, whether actual or perceived, that THEY are in control of their situation. But we must be ever reminded that God is in control of absolutely everything that happens. God is our source and our resource and it is by the grace and mercy of God that we are blessed with all things, including employment, and material goods, that is, our treasure.

In the Old Testament, the “tithes and offerings” were brought to the temple (the “storehouse”) to provide sustenance for the priest and temple workers (Levites; the “church employees”). At the direction of God, they were commanded and not even allowed to engage in any activity other than the care of the church (Levites) and the care of souls (the Priests). If they did not receive these offerings, they would not have eaten.

In the New Testament, in Matthew 23:23, Jesus points out “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone”. He is saying that they are keeping one part of the law, by paying their tithe, even down to the smallest sum, yet they are forsaking another part of the law which is the observance of justice, mercy and faith ( love). While pointing out their neglect of other areas, Jesus also makes the point of commending their attempt to keep the requirement to pay their tithes. His reference here is like saying to us, if you find a dime on the street be diligent in paying the penny tithe.

The question for us today is, are we as diligent as the scribes and Pharisees? Jesus called them hypocrites. Are we just as hypocritical when we do not pay our tithe? Might Jesus address us today and say, “Woe to you; your faith in Me is without works--it is dead faith because you do not return to Me the tithe of your labor, and do not offer to me your sacrifices of praise.” Our tithes provide the church with the necessary financial resources to operate, so the Good News can be spread that life is worth living when you live for Jesus.

In today’s economy, our tithe is a designated portion of what our labor has earned, that is, a portion of our wage. God’s word, the Bible has given us the direction for that designated portion as ten percent. God is testing us to see if we will obey his command. He is testing us to see if He can trust us--can we be trusted with that which He has blessed us? Will we do what He has told us to do? Passing the test means giving our best. Giving our best means being obedient to His Word.

God has promised that His Word does not return void--He keeps His Word (Isaiah 55:11). If you believe this, then you must believe that He has promised to bless us by pouring out blessings that we won’t even have room for (see inset). Jesus said if we give, it will be given to us, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over (Luke 6:38). For many of us, we are probably blocking the blessing because we are not accepting the challenge!

Not only that, but we don’t have to watch the money burn! When our tithes and offerings are brought into the church, this allows us to contribute to the fulfillment of the Great Commission to “Go into all the world” (Matthew 28:19-20), even in our own little corner of the world. We are providing the means whereby the Gospel--the Good News that Jesus saves and that Jesus is love--will be spread in the land and that as many as will come, may find renewed life in Christ.

This article cannot attempt to fully address the topic of giving and tithing--it is not only a physical act, it is spiritual. Giving back to God what is already His is an act of worship, praise, and faith--actions that are not as much tangible as they are intangible. God has told us that if we are faithful in a few things, he will make us rulers of many things (Matthew 25:21). There can be both spiritual and physical blessings in being obedient to God. Who will listen and obey?