08.10 Where Shall We Tithe?

10. WHERE SHALL WE TITHE?

Perhaps the question asked more often today than any other is, "Where shall we give our tithe?"

It seems to me that it is so definitely and clearly answered in Malachi 3:10, "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house."

What is the storehouse? The storehouse is God’s house. "That there may be meat in mine house." In other words, I think, the storehouse to each individual is the church to which he belongs. How a person can use his tithe to help his poor kinsfolk or to send the children to school or for any other selfish purpose and figure that it is going into God’s storehouse is beyond me. God said, "My house." Personally, I do not have any kinsfolk that remind me of God’s house.

Independent Workers

I do not believe that we are bringing our tithe into the storehouse when we send it away to independent preachers and workers who give no account of the money they collect. How free-lance men and women use the money sent in to them, only God knows.

You may ask the question, "Don’t you think it is legitimate, if we hear a good message on the radio that appeals to us, for us to send something? Do you think we do wrong when we do that?" I think, if you want to give to the radio preacher you should give it out of your nine-tenths. "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse." If all of our people would do this, the financial problems of our local churches would be more than solved.

We Have a Program

If the preacher to whom you listen has a great program of missions or some definite work of the Lord, remember we too have a program, we too go all out for missions both at home and abroad. Does he have a great radio program? Our own church has one of the best in the nation.

As a church we have a great work, we are accountable for all the money that is given us, and an exact record is kept, so you may know where your tithe works for God.