navigation links

A letter received after a one-time donation during a one-time visit at a church. 

Affiliated with the ...
Telephone....      Fax....
Email:info@....
Website:www....

January 2, 2007

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Malachi 3:10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” The Bible says we can live under an open heaven. This past year saw an increase in giving and [our church] has been enabled by God to fulfill our mission mandate in [our city], Israel & Guinea.

We will outline what your generosity has accomplished in detail at our annual congregational meeting in [month]. [Our church] is truly the storehouse of God and we have had some of the richest food served weekly right here in [our city]. Through your faithful consistent giving we have been able to assist people from [our church] to go various places of ministry in the nations of the world. Jesus said lay up for yourselves treasure in Heaven and one day we will be rewarded for our faithfulness.

2007 presents many wonderful opportunities to advance the Kingdom of God beginning here in [our city] and then to the rest of the world. I sense 2007 will be a year of Harvest and your faithful consistent giving is perhaps more important now than ever before.

Let’s prove or test God in this area of living under an Open Heaven in 2007. If this receipt does not match at least 10% of your income, then ask God for increased faith and obedience in this area this coming year. I believe an Open Heaven in 2007 will see souls saved, needs met, miracles displayed, the sick healed, families restored and people equipped and sent into the Harvest to the Glory of God.

Thank you for your faithfulness,

(signed)
Pastor

1. TITHING was the way in which Abraham tangibly expressed his gratefulness for God’s past in­tervention and blessing in his life.

“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram... Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.” (Genesis 14:18-20)

2. TITHING was Jacob’s way of responding to the guidance and provision from God that would mark his future steps.

“Then Jacob made a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am tak­ing and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s house, then the Lord will be my God and... of all that you give me I will give you a tenth” (Genesis 28:20-22)

3. TITHING was Israel’s way of recognizing God’s Providence both in their past (deliverance) and in their future (inheritance).

“A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.” (Leviticus 27:30)

4. TITHING was reaffirmed by Jesus as consistent with a lifestyle of justice, mercy, and faithful­ness—and not to be neglected.

“You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important mat­ters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.” (Matthew 23:23b)

5. TITHING is consistent with Paul’s instructions to the church concerning regular proportionate giving and can serve as a Biblically-based standard for that giving.

“On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his in­come, saving it up, so that when I come no collection will have to be made.” (1 Corinthians 16:2)

6. TITHING recognizes God’s rulership in our lives, confronting the authority of the ‘god of this world” (money) and teaching us to put Christ first in every area of our lives, including finances.

“Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Malachi 3:7a)

7. TITHING affirms God’s ownership of everything in our lives, continually reinforcing that we be­long completely to Him.

“Will a man rob God?’ Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me.” (Malachi 3:8,9)

8. TITHING services God’s work, providing the ideal formula (when everyone participates!) for adequately financing the mission and ministry of the church.

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.” (Malachi 3:10a)

9. TITHING proves God’s faithfulness to care and provide for us when we exercise the faith to give Him the first 10% of our income (and more—the “offerings”)

“Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” (Malachi 3:10b)

10. TITHING engages God’s protection over our lives, providing one line of defense against Sa­tan’s destructive attacks on our finances, families and futures.

“I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,’ says the Lord Almighty. “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Malachi 3:11,12)

Ekklesia 4 Him adds this note:  All the above quotes were taken out of context and used to place visitors, as well as members, in bondage to a law that was given to the Jews.  We learned that the same mailing went out to every person who gave an offering during 2006, having given their name so as to be receipted.  For tender new believers who may have gone only once and felt pressured to "give," what does this translate to in their minds?  Have they been robbed of their new-found freedom in Christ and been pointed down a path back to bondage?