Render to God the things that are God’s

Julie Wong (Toronto, Canada)

Some Christians still do not fully understand the true meaning of offering tithes to God. They have been taught that God is a Spirit and does not need money. While it is true that God does not need to spend money, we need to appreciate that His ministry requires funds. Christ’s commission to His ministers is to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation” (Mk 16:15); “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19); “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Mt 24:14). Today the Lord’s ministry is of a spiritual nature— it is one of prophecy, salvation and warning. It is not directed to any single nation, rather it is a universal witness to all nations. As Christians, we have a responsibility to do our utmost to support world evangelism. We can do this by remembering the ministry in our daily prayers and by generous financial support.

To finance this powerful ministry, God is using today the same approach He has used throughout the ages— His tithing system. This is God’s way as it always has been. He promises great reward to those who participate in tithing. Funds received can be used for proclaiming the gospel of salvation to humanity, to make their lives meaningful and joyful in the Lord. Funds can also be channelled towards pastoral ministry, to strengthen the faith of the flock of God and to prepare them for His second coming.

Apart from manpower shortage, it is sad to hear that some countries are unable to carry out God’s work of salvation due to a lack of funds. This burden does not belong to one church or one country; rather, it is the burden of true believers everywhere for we belong to the one body of Christ Jesus. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together (1 Cor 12:26).

One of the ways to grow spiritually and to enjoy the glorious happiness of God’s grace is to put your tithes and offerings — your treasure — into God’s holy work. In this way true believers are laying up treasures in heaven where neither moth or rust consume and where thieves do not break in and steal (Mt 6:20). We may worry that after offering tithes, we will not have enough for our daily necessities. This is not true — God has promised to open the windows of heaven and pour out so much blessing that we will not have enough room for it. The Bible says that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). Literally, hundreds of testimonies can be cited to show that certainly God does bless the tithe payer even in material ways. God may not always do so immediately. We may have to obey Him and exercise faith for a while. But as we serve, obey and trust Him, God will keep His part of the promise. God even challenges us to test Him. Our blessing is sure to come, and it will overflow as described in Malachi chapter 3.

It may surprise us that we can steal from God. Malachi says that we can rob God by refusing to pay tithes and offerings (Mal 3:7-8). In some cases God’s holy work slows down or comes to a halt for lack of financial support.

What will happen to our churches if every one of us takes tithing seriously and offers out of our own free will? We probably will not even have to worry about balancing our yearly budgets anymore. Our churches will need someone just to take care of the finances and channel them into as many worthwhile projects as they can find. We will have to find new ways to handle the overflowing blessings.

Recently a letter was sent from the International Assembly of the True Jesus Church suggesting that all church members around the world contribute tithes and offerings for world evangelism. As true Christians we have to do our utmost to help propagate the true gospel to the four corners of the world. We know Jesus’ second coming is very near. This great commission has been entrusted to us, and we have to fulfil our obligation to the Lord. If we give tithes and offerings to God, we receive the Lord’s blessings; if we do not, we are robbing God. This is one of the ways of repaying God’s wonderful grace. All true Christians should render to God the things that are God’s. In this way we are really the children of the Lord.

“From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, say the LORD of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How are we robbing thee?’ In your tithes and offerings.” (Mal 3:7-8)