DO NOT ADD TO
OR TAKE AWAY FROM
MY WORDS !
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“These are the decrees and laws you must be careful to follow in the land that the LORD,
the God of your fathers, has given you to possess--as long as you live in the land. 6, There
bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, what you have
vowed to give and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks.28,
Be careful to obey all these regulations I am giving you, so that it may always go well with
you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and right in the
eyes of the LORD your God. 32, See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or
take away from it” (Deut 12:1, 6, 28, 32). (New International Version)
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The first order of business when talking about tithing or giving an offering is to not only get a handle on
what exactly we are doing with our finances, but to also get a handle on what the Bible teaches. The Bible seems
to be very clear about the idea of giving to the Lord. Does it come from a heart that worships God, or does it
come from a heart that is looking for something in return?
If someone wanted to investigate whether or not we were truly followers of God's word and they had no
other evidence but our financial records, would they conclude that we live for Christ or do we live for ourselves?
It is amazing how little teaching is done on the idea of giving and tithing!
When speaking on God's solid teaching, meaning, teaching that includes all the principles of the entire
Bible, not just part of it. But there seems to be a fault in what was just said. The focus for many is on me, myself
and I. And what am I going to get out of it?
Some say, we get more than we give in a tithes! In fact if you give 10%, the Lord will repay you. Notice
2 Cor 9:6, this article there will be several different versions of Bibles. Old King James, New King James and
New International Version, for example.
“But this I say, he which sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall
reap also bountifully”(2 Cor 9:6). That's pretty clear! This is better said in Malachi 3:10, "Bring you all the tithes
into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord 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." If God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and we are not to add to or take away from His
word, how can we argue with that verse ?
Mans entire argument for tithing has been that God will give back more than we give Him! Many have
seen God bless those who give and many should want to give glory to God for His kindness. My wife's parents
and my sister and her husband were tithers and Sunday church keepers. They both came to our rescue with help
when they did not know we had no money or food! God truly does answer prayers!
For most people it is hard for them to give. Adrian Rogers a TV preacher once said: "The most sensitive
nerve in the whole body is the nerve that runs from the heart to the pocket book."
What does God need money for anyway? It's all His. The one who owns the sheep owns the wool. The
one who owns the pond owns the fish. He not only owns the hills, but He owns all the cattle and sheep on a
thousand hills. God made us and He owns all we have as well. He made the gold and He made the silver. And
God made the precious stones and every other precious thing on the earth.
So why does He need me and you to give? He gives you money as a test, to see what you believe in, to
see what you trust in, and to see what it is that you love?
We read earlier what our financial test is, "Bring the whole tithe (10%) 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" (Malachi 3:10). Let's face
it, anyone who would read and believe that verse would tithe!
If someone says "well that was Old Testament, and we are living in the New Testament time now."
Statements like that tell a person, the individual is looking for a reason not to tithe! Matt 5, in red letters, mean,
Christ is speaking, sayings in verses 17-19, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am
not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall
in no wise pass from the law, till all be Fulfilled." One jot or one tittle refers to the most minute letter of God's
law, from Geneses to the book of Revelation. Verse 19, "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least
Commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever
shall do and Teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of Heaven."
I repeat, we are not to add to God’s word, or take away from God's word, because God's word is the
"Same, yesterday, today and internally forever."
Proverbs11, tells us in verse 28, "He that trusts in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as
a branch." God blesses those who look for a reason to give rather than to keep and get! God blesses those who
are looking for ways to bless others rather than for ways to take away from others. Give and get was spoken of
many times in the Worldwide Church of God.
We are often afraid to give because of what we are losing. But what we learn through the Bible is that
God rewards those who give. The theme for this article is found in Luke 6:38, "Give and it will be given unto
you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with
the measure you use, it will be measured to you." This article will show how it is not how much you give, but
your attitude in giving that matters. I want to share with you what we receive, is according to how we give.
First, if we want to have favor with God, we are to give cheerfully! Sow our resources cheerfully and
we will reap God's favor. The Bible speaks clearly about the idea of giving to the Lord. Once again, if it comes
from a heart that worships God, and not from a heart that's looking for something in return!
Giving is an act of worship and thanksgiving, not just a business proposition. Deut 26: we read where
the nation of Israel began to tithe, bring to God their first-fruits. "So the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a
mighty hand and with an outstretched arm, with great terror and with signs and wonders. He has brought us to
this place and has given us this land, "a Land flowing with milk and honey"; And now, behold, I have brought
the firstfruits of the land which you, 0 Lord, have given me" (Deut 26: 8 - 10).
When one gives to God, weather it be in the free will offering or a tithe hoping to see a return, then it is
just a business proposition. If not careful, the motives might start and end on me, myself and I! But on the other
hand one can give because God has blessed them, recognizing that it came from the Lord in the first place, not
requiring a return.
Psalms 24:1 declares, "The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness." And in 1 Corinthians 4:7, "And what
do you have that you did not receive?" When one gives as a way of telling God thank you, and recognizing how
He has blessed you, then it is worshiping our Creator!
Continuing, considering tithes and offerings, the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, "This
service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many
expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God
for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing
with them and with everyone else" (2 Cor 9:12-13 NIV).
In Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, we not only read about the Macedonians giving above their
means, but how they did so cheerfully. The Macedonians were so excited to give to the work of Paul's ministry
that he seemed almost embarrassed to take what they were offering, because it was so large and they were so
poor. They pleaded with him to take it because they counted it as a privilege to share in the service of Paul's
ministry. They did not give because the Apostle begged them to or because he commanded them to. They didn't
need anyone to tell them they should give. It was the desire of their heart to give so they gave and it brought them
overflowing joy. Its amazing how giving can bring rejoicing.
The world tells us we must hoard to be happy, but we see that its the exact opposite. Notice 2 Cor. 9: 7,
in the New International Version, "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not
reluctantly or under compulsion, for God Loves a cheerful giver."
Here we learn several things, first, how not to give: and two, we should not give grudgingly and three,
you wished you could avoid it. Therefore, give as little as you could get away with. Giving pennies as if they
were your precious drops of blood. And we should not give because we feel we are being forced to give, like a
robber with a gun in our back saying "hand over the loot."
We should give what we have decided is good to give and then give it cheerfully. Why does God love
a cheerful giver? He loves to see us cheerful in all the things that we do. He expect us to be cheerful doing our
hobbies, and during our leisure times he wants to see us cheerful and while we are working. Fruitful labor is
cheerful labor. Planting, growing, hoeing, weeding a garden may be a lot of work, but there is something
gratifying about getting to eat the fruit of your labor. The hope of a harvest makes us labor cheerfully. A spiritual
harvest is no different than a physical harvest in the way we should labor, we should labor cheerfully.
God's word tells us, "Do not become weary in doing good for at the proper time you will reap a harvest
if you do not give up" (Gal. 6: 9). When all we are working for is just to pay the bills, we can feel like 'it is more
than we can bear,' but once we learn that it blesses you to bless others, it pleases you to please others. Someone
maybe getting your money, but you are the one that is getting the blessing, because it is more blessed to give than
to receive! If you want God to look pleasantly on you then give cheerfully. Another reason God loves a cheerful
giver is because God, Himself is a cheerful giver.
We can relate to those most like ourselves, knowing God gives cheerfully. He gave His own Son, and
what a gift that was! Nothing can compare to that gift. He gave you life, abundant life, and even promises us
eternal life!
When our Lord gives, He gives in abundance and He gives to us cheerfully and wants you and I to give
to others in the same way. In short, if you want to find favor of God then give cheerfully. Secondly, if you want
the praise of God, give sacrificially. Obedience is greater than sacrifice but we should not undervalue sacrifice.
Usually sacrifice is the result of obedience. Christ was obedient unto His own sacrifice of death! He gave it all
physically for all of us.
Have you ever heard "I'm too poor to tithe?" We see a story in the book of Mark about a poor woman who
sacrificed all she had. "Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd
putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came
and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny " (Mark 12:41 - 42).
We might have heard someone say, "they are so poor, they don't have two nickels to rub together." This
widow had two coins to rub together but put together they weren't worth even a fraction of a penny. This was,
literally, all she had.
Homeless people laying on the streets of New York City get more in their tin cups in one day, than this woman
had to her name. Christ calling His disciples to Him, "Jesus said, I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put
more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in
everything - all she had to live on" (Mark 12:41-44).
Jesus made it a point to get all of His disciples together and point out that while the others were giving
a lot they were not really sacrificing much, because they were wealthy. It wasn't that He disapproved of their
offering, but her offering was greater than theirs because, while they could still go out from the temple and buy
a new coat, or buy fresh produce from the marketplace, all she had to live on was now gone, because she gave
everything she owned into the offering basket! What a sacrifice! What did she get in return? After hearing that
and knowing Christ cares for even the sparrow, the Lord more than would take care of her as well.
What is better than money is that she received the praise of God. If someone were to ask, "What is the
meaning of life?" One might say, It is to hear “well done, My good and faithful servant.” To receive the praise
of our Lord is what we God's called live for. When we give sacrificially we will receive His praise.
Our thoughts in giving should always be what will God think of this offering? Not what will my family,
my pastor, my neighbor, or Mr. & Mrs. So and so think of my offering?" It should embarrass us to hear of such
a woman who gave all she had and yet we feel put upon to give 10% of what we have been given.
I've read that "Hindus" give up to one third of all their money to their phony gods! Today, in the U.S.A.
we hear many complain about giving a fraction of that amount to the one true God?
One of these days we all are going to give account for our stewardship. Our standard of living may
change but our standard of giving must not. God determines our stewardship based on what we have, not on what
we don't have.
We might have at one time or another, imagined what we would do if we had a million dollars? "Oh man,
I would give $100,000 to the church!" You know what the test is? Its to see if you would do that? It is to see right
now if we would give 10% of what you have right now. "He who is faithful in that which is least is faithful in
that which is much"(Luke 16:10). God is saying, "If I cannot trust you with a little money here on earth ? How
can I trust you with more money in the kingdom of God ?" "How can I trust you with the true riches?" "If you
can't manage your finances with a little, how could you manage your finances with a lot?"
Those who are not faithful in their financial things, God sees that as not being faithful in His spiritual
things. If one wants the praise from God, then one must stop robbing Him of what He says is His! If we want our
prayers answered and spiritual abundance from God, then we must give liberally to Him what is His.
How many stories have we heard of somebody who was in need of something but knew they didn't dare
steal from God's storehouse! [God's tithes!] How many stories have we heard of how God brought to them an
extra amount on their next pay check, or they got extra money in the mail from a family member, or food in my
and Joyce's case! Malachi 3:10 message tells us to test God! Give and see if He doesn't pour out blessing on you.
I read a story of a couple who were struggling with their finances. They had a mountain of credit card debt
and had to close their business down. While she was a church goer and wanted to give , even in their trials her
husband was not as enthusiastic, after much prayer he became converted and together they agreed to believe
Deuteronomy 8:18 that says, "You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who opens the floodgate of
heaven and pour out so much blessings That there will not be enough room to store it!" A couple of friends
offered them a check for $10,000.00 but they didn't know that the wife had been praying for $9,000.00! God gave
them more than what they needed plus the ability to pay their tithes out of it! After much prayer they gave tithes
to their church and supported other ministries and prayed for God to provide the expenses for a second business.
We see a similar story of abundant provision in the book of John. "When Jesus looked up and saw a great
crowd coming toward Him, He said to Philip, `where shall we buy bread for these people to eat? He asked this
only to test him, for He already had in mind what He was going to do. Philip answered Him, "eight months'
wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!' Another of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's
brother, spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go
among so many?" (John 6: 5- 9 NIV).
Our Lord asked where He could get some bread and there was only one person who was willing to give
what they had and they found it was a young boy. He gave it willingly because Jesus wouldn't take it any other
way, especially from a young boy. This young boy had just enough lunch and barley for himself, he, like the
widow was glad to give it. This young boy was in the right place, at the right time— on the right day, with the
right spirit of generosity.
When the devil tempts you with thoughts of, what can you do for God? Its because he is afraid of what
God will do for you, once you do for God. This little boys lunch was offered cheerfully, sacrificially, and liberally
he gave it with comfort and ease.
What amazing things happen when we transfer what's in our hands over to Jesus the Christ. Notice what Jesus
did with this boys lunch. He multiplied it and fed thousands of hungry people. As the song goes, "Little is much
when God is in it."
Every thing about life in this world teaches us how temporary it is and how impossible to keep it is! How
many complain about the misery and suffering in the world? What we buy wears out. New technology becomes
old. Our income does not go as far as it used to! Jobs can end, the economy can slow down and the stock market
crashes occasionally. When you think about these things it can scare a person to death and want to hold onto your
wealth!
Giving not only worships God, but it shows trust in God as well to take care of our future! The Apostle
Paul tells Timothy, "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope
in wealth, which is so uncertain, But to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our
enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this
way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold
of the life that is truly life" (1 Tim 6:17-19 NIV). What the Bible, God's word here is saying, it is encouraging
us to start investing in our eternal future, not just our earthly retirement. Mal 3:10, is really more than just giving,
This is about us and God, right now today before its to late
Adding to and taking away from God's word is robbing God of His truthful teaching and can lead to
eternal death☜
James Russell