the tithe and workplace success
Trust me, the last thing that I wanted to do was to write about the importance of tithing. But before you tune me out, I want you to consider this for a moment. As I continue with the Lessons from Proverbs, I come across a statement that I just cannot get around...
First, it is important that you understand something about studying the Proverbs. While they are filled with some of the greatest wisdom ever written, it is not actually considered Biblical "law" (like the 10 commandments). It is wise counsel, that's all. So I am not going to sit here and try to tell you that this is a Biblical commandment. But I do believe that this is wise advice. With that said, let's take a look at the Scripture...
John Wesley notes that the result of this position is not that we would diminish our estate, but rather that it would increase. With statements like "filled with plenty" and "bursting," the increase would seem to be great. The fine line here is that this should not be our motive for honoring God, but simply the result of what happens when we do honor Him. What I really like to see is that the barn and vat references imply that our workplace is what is affected. During the time of this writing these things were the workplace, not simply storage places like we would consider them today.
I believe that the key to this wisdom is that we should know our place. Honoring God means that we are not elevating ourselves as the rightful source of everything that we earn. We should first honor God. And if that means lifting up 10% to Him so that He can be glorified, then that's what it means. God wants to bless us in all that we do, but He cannot do it if we don't give Him any credit for what He is already doing in our lives.
I want to know what you think...
First, it is important that you understand something about studying the Proverbs. While they are filled with some of the greatest wisdom ever written, it is not actually considered Biblical "law" (like the 10 commandments). It is wise counsel, that's all. So I am not going to sit here and try to tell you that this is a Biblical commandment. But I do believe that this is wise advice. With that said, let's take a look at the Scripture...Honor the LORD with your wealthAs we break this down, let's just start from the beginning. The statement to "honor the Lord" with our wealth (or "possessions" in some translations) simply tells us to lay out what we have not for ourselves, but to glorify God. Also the reference to "the firstfruits" here is the firstfruits of the Old Testament Law, which is the tithe. That's right, the legal 10% right off the top, before taxes or anything else. What I think the key is here is this idea that we should be using what we have to bring honor and glory to God. Yes, the tithe is important, but what is more important is that you are laying down your rights to all of it so that God can be glorified.
and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
then your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine.
- Proverbs 3:9-10
John Wesley notes that the result of this position is not that we would diminish our estate, but rather that it would increase. With statements like "filled with plenty" and "bursting," the increase would seem to be great. The fine line here is that this should not be our motive for honoring God, but simply the result of what happens when we do honor Him. What I really like to see is that the barn and vat references imply that our workplace is what is affected. During the time of this writing these things were the workplace, not simply storage places like we would consider them today.
I believe that the key to this wisdom is that we should know our place. Honoring God means that we are not elevating ourselves as the rightful source of everything that we earn. We should first honor God. And if that means lifting up 10% to Him so that He can be glorified, then that's what it means. God wants to bless us in all that we do, but He cannot do it if we don't give Him any credit for what He is already doing in our lives.
I want to know what you think...
- Do you have any experiences or testimonies about how tithing has affected your job?
- How else, besides tithing, can we "honor the Lord" with our wealth/possessions (especially in the workplace)?
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Proverbs 3:9 is not a discussion of tithing. There is a great difference between first-fruits and tithes in the
Bible. Compare Numbers 18 all, Deuteronomy 26:1-4 and Neh 10:35-37. Tithes were tenth-fruits of food from inside Israel to be taken to the Levitical cities first. Firstfruits were small enough to be carried in one hand in a basket and went directly to teh priests in the temple. www.tithing-russkelly.com
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Russell,
I appreciate the feedback regarding your position on the tithe in realtion to this passage. However, I feel like getting overly technical about my interpretation of this passage is to miss the point of what I was trying to communicate.
The first thing that I would like to point out is that my reference to the intent of the Proverbs as wise sayings, and not O.T. Law. This is an important distinction in the point that I am trying to make. It is not my intent in this post to be legalistic about the responsibility (or lack thereof) to tithe. I tried to leave that up to the reader to draw there own conclusions about, and did not even attempt to make a full arguement for or against it.
Also the biggest point that I tried to make was about honoring God, and laying down what we "have" before him. THIS I feel is the heart of this passage. In my opinion, tithing is one way that we can do this. But I also ask the question of my readers about what other ways (besides tithing) they feel that they can accomplish that goal. I would LOVE to hear what responses you have to that question rather than simply pointing out your ideas about how the verse may have been misinterpreted.
I have seen your website, and easily get the idea that you are anti-tithe. I respect your right to hold that view. I would love to hear more about your postion on the intent of this post about honoring God, and understand how you feel we can do that with our wealth/possessions. Your stance on tithing does not change the intent of this wisdom, and I would encourage discussion around it's message.
Thoughts?
Thanks!
Dan
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We honor God by intensely studying His Word in order to discover His priorities for each of us. After we have first met our obligations to provide the necessities for our family per 1st Timothy 5:8 we should focus on the necessities for God's family, His directed leaders and those in both the home and foreign mission fields. I do not charge to preach, teach or sing the Gospel and I use excess funds to send free material out mostly overseas. We can all do that and live within a less than affluent budget. OUr greatest blessigns will come later. We do not need to accumulate wealth on earth.
The principle of equality is found in 2nd Cor 8:12-14. Most affluent Christians should give sacrificially and generously without any attention to percentages at all. We honor God byk honoring those whom He loves in every aspect of life.
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Russell,
I agreee completely with your statement about not needing to accumulate wealth on earth. Personally, while I recognize that some are "blessed" with great wealth while we are here, it is not nor should not be the primary focus of our lives. I think that working simply to accumulate wealth is a form of idolatry.
With that said, I do not believe that wealth and financial success is bad either. Personally, I have found great success in my workplace, but only after I committed to God to make it my mission field. While I am not the kind of guy that alienates people by always trying to get them saved right now, I have seen god dramatically touch many lives through my witness in the workplace. As I have committed my work to God, promotions and raises have seemed to come at an extraordinary rate. This doesn't mean that it will happen like this for everyone in this way, but it certainly illustrates the point of success coming trough honoring God.
It sounds like you are doing some great work to impact the world in Jesus name! Thank you for sharing your experiences and perspectives!
God bless,
Dan
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