“Will a man rob God?”

Pastor Jim Bachmann, Senior Pastor

Has someone ever stolen from you? It happened to me once and made me very angry!



Stealing is an American pastime. Thirty-five years ago a survey revealed that 67% of working adults would pad their expense accounts and 50% would inflate an insurance claim. The American Hotel and Lodging Association estimates that the hotel industry loses approximately $100 million annually due to guest or employee theft. The losses include linens, towels, and bathrobes. In luxury hotels even mattresses and electronics are stolen.



I wonder how much God has “lost” over the centuries? “Will a man rob God?” (Malachi 3). He answered, “…You are robbing Me… in your tithes and contributions.” He was angry too and added, “You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you.”



God could have demanded that we give 90% to Him. But He demands only 10%, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse.” What is the “storehouse?” I believe the local church is the closest equivalent to it. This is where the ordained preaching of the Word occurs, where the modern-day priests, Levites, and singers minister. It is also where the sacraments are served to those who have faith in Jesus. And it is here that formal oversight is exercised by the ordained leadership. These are the cardinal differences between the local church and parachurch ministries. We have all benefitted from parachurch ministries, but Biblically, hermeneutically, it is more difficult to equate the parachurch ministries with the former temple storehouse. Thus, the tithe belongs in the church; contributions and free-will offerings belong to parachurch ministries.



My father taught me to tithe when I was quite young. He gave me a $1 allowance each week and made sure I put a dime in the offering plate each Sunday! I didn’t realize he was also teaching me how to worship, honor, and submit to God.



While raising five children I often fretted over financial matters. But God was always faithful. To those who tithe He promises, “Put Me to the test, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”



We reap what we sow and will never out-give God. Someday He may return to us all we ever “gave” Him, and more! Maybe the very generous millionaire at the First Baptist Church of Dallas was right after all. When the Great Depression of 1929 came, he was asked, “How does it feel now that you have nothing?” He replied, “I only have what I gave away.”


God knows, remembers, and provides! Therefore, let us test Him, trust Him, recognize His authority over our money, and worship Him with tithes and offerings.