Calling God To Account (Are Tithes Holy Today?)

You will not be considered guilty for accepting the LORD’s tithes if you give the best portion to the priests. But be careful not to treat the holy gifts of the people of Israel as though they were common. If you do, you will die.” [Numbers 18.32]

The tithes of God's people were considered holy here is this passage. Are they holy today?

This passage gives instruction to the Levites regarding the tithes of Israel. It even prescribes the Levites to tithe on the tithe money they received. The tithe was considered a pretty big deal.

 Again, are the tithes of God's people holy today?

The last book of what we know as the Old Testament today says this:

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! [Malachi 3.10]

For God to invite people to test Him with tithing is a pretty big deal in and of itself.

Jesus mentioned tithing as well:

“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. [Matthew 23.23]

Although the tithe was not the subject of Jesus' scolding of the religious leaders above, it was given importance, "you should tithe..." Mercy, justice and faith are described by Jesus as more important things though.

So, once again, are our tithes holy today? How would we even know? There is only one way to know. If the Bible is relevant to me today, then I am entitled (by God) to put Him to the test regarding my own tithe. While it sounds wrong to even write the previous sentence, it IS what Malachi 3.10 says. And, even more audacious it sounds to say, "I have faithfully given tithes now for years and years, and I call God to account for Malachi 3.10 in light of my current financial condition that reveals, there is room!"

Father, in all due respect, I call You to account for Malachi 3.10. I have been faithful to tithe and now I face financial circumstances that should not be, based on Malachi 3.10. As instructed by this passage, I am reminding You that it says I should put You to the test about it and I am hereby doing so here. The tithe has remained holy in my life - do You see it the same way? What will You do? So be it.