Tithing is for Everyone
06 Aug 2013
by John W. Welch
In
a world that focuses so much on the individual, modern readers may be
surprised to learn about a little detail in Malachi 3:8-12, about the
blessings of paying tithing. When the Lord says, "Prove me now herewith,
if I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out a
blessing," the "you" is not singular in the ancient texts, but plural.
This insight, noted by James Rasband in a concise article in BYU Studies
a few years ago, has lost none of its relevance for today. The point is
that when we pay our tithing, the blessings come not only to us
individually but also to the people around us. After all, how can the
Lord make it rain, or the sun shine only on the farms or homes of those
who pay their tithing? As Dean Rasband continued, although the
scriptures contain many instances in which the Lord speaks to
individuals separately, he also speaks on many
occasions to the Church or his people collectively. It is not always
easy to distinguish between these two modes of address, especially
because the English pronoun you can be either singular or plural. However, ye is
always plural. Awareness of this linguistic detail can open up new
dimensions in our reading of the scriptures, at times revising our
understanding substantially. And indeed, this passage in Malachi has
several indications of collective address beyond the plural pronouns we
and ye. For example, the Lord states that he has been robbed by "this
whole nation," that "all nations shall call you blessed," and promises
that "ye shall be a delightsome land."
One may also note that, with a similar collective blessing idea in mind, Jesus said that the Father "maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:45). He does not limit the effects of his blessings, so that when people pay their tithing, the benefits fall only on the one's he is blessing. And his children, to be like him, should do likewise and do good to all those around them. "For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye?" "Do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you." (Matthew 5:44-46). And thus, be pleased that tithing is for everyone, in more ways than one. Be grateful that, for your goodness, God blesses not just you and yours, but also the wider circles of people around you as well.
One may also note that, with a similar collective blessing idea in mind, Jesus said that the Father "maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:45). He does not limit the effects of his blessings, so that when people pay their tithing, the benefits fall only on the one's he is blessing. And his children, to be like him, should do likewise and do good to all those around them. "For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye?" "Do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you." (Matthew 5:44-46). And thus, be pleased that tithing is for everyone, in more ways than one. Be grateful that, for your goodness, God blesses not just you and yours, but also the wider circles of people around you as well.
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