THE PRINCIPLES OF PROSPERITY

Before we go into the teachings of Jesus we shall look into the methods suggested by the law. What are these commandments that brought prosperity to the Jewish nation and life of its people?

This law is the law of Tithes. Malachi 3:1-12 is the most beautiful explanation of this law.

Mal 3:10

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it..

It has been the tendency of teachers to interpret these blessings as spiritual. But the following verses clearly indicates that God meant material prosperity.

Mal 3:11-12 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.

In order to know what is this law of Tithing we should turn to the book of the law. The word Tithe means one out of ten. In Leviticus the law is stipulared thus:

Evidently it was geared to a pastoral agricultural community. If you are a farmer or an animal farmer the instructions are clear. Every tenth rubber sheet or tenth sack of tea or coffee or tenth coconut or apple or cocoa belongs to God. The tenth cow or sheep that goes out of the Kral belongs to God. But today our prosperity is measured in terms of money -- unless you are a Dinka or a Mundari. Money is an easy measure of your wealth. One tenth of all the money that pass through your ‘bank account’ is God’s. God wants it as a willing offering. Don’t try to cheat God, you will be only cheating yourself out of God’s blessing. That is why the laws of redemption and exchange is given. The tithe is god’s money. You may borrow from it. But there is a flat 20% interest irrespective of the period. Don’t think you can get away with it. There is a time limit for the return.

Since the tithe money is God’s money anyway it will be a good idea to put it in a separate account. Then you will have enough money to give to God’s work, charity or whatever. It will never run dry. You will be surprised that even when your personal account is red, God’s account will be still black. There is another reason for doing that. You will not feel hurt when you part with it. It has been god’s and you wer simply operating it as His Trustee.

Apart from the tithes the one in ten of all income and produce, there are others that belongs to God.

Earlier God made it sure that all the first born of your children belongs to God.

In todays economy it would simply mean that every first fruit of your labor belongs to God. It may be the fruit of your garden or farm. It is certainly the first pay that you received when you started your job and every job that you took after that. Every time you take up anew job, the first month’s wage belongs to God.

Then ther are the vows. It is common proactice among most people to make vows. It is not to be construed as a bribing attempt. It should be a decision of submission or determination to serve God. If it is done as an attempt to bribe God into getting you something, it will not work. God does not require anything from any man. Yet God will hold you responsible for the vow that you have made whatever your motive is.

First to notice is that the word ‘vows’ does not occur in the New Testament. The reason for this will be evident as we look into New Covenant situations in the next chapter.

Num 30:2 When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.

Vows are not obligatory. You may not make any vows at all. But if you make a vow, you are obligated to fulfil it. However the chapter goes on to inidcate that a vow can be abrogated by a relative who is close to the person and who on hearing it nullifies it. Numbers gives this right to the father and to the husband. But then this has to be done on the day they hear of it.

Num 30:5 But if her father forbids her when he hears about it, none of her vows or the pledges by which she obligated herself will stand; the LORD will release her because her father has forbidden her.

Num 30:7 and her husband hears about it but says nothing to her, then her vows or the pledges by which she obligated herself will stand.

Num 30:8 But if her husband forbids her when he hears about it, he nullifies the vow that obligates her or the rash promise by which she obligates herself, and the LORD will release her.

Num 30:6 "If she marries after she makes a vow or after her lips utter a rash promise by which she obligates herself

Vows are often utterred rashly - an utterance of the lips rashly. They are binding on every person. Let your yes be yes and no be no. Otherwise you becomes an unreliable person. No one can trust you. No one can believe what you say or promise. God do not want you to be one like that.

Deu 16:10 Then celebrate the Feast of Weeks to the LORD your God by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings the LORD your God has given you.

Psa 54:6 I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, O LORD, for it is good.

Psa 54:7 For he has delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.

The difference between the free will offering and the vow is that free will offering is a sacrifice of praise after you have received blessings from the Lord. The vow at least in actuality is a promise of the offering in anticipation of the blessing. Vow then is a faith offering - an offering paid before hand even though we are unable to pay it at the time the offering is made. Hence in almost all cases vows and free-will offering are mentioned together. Both are made in proportion to the blessings.

The usual question is, what am I suposed to do with this money? Should I give everything to my church or can I use it for other purposes. Bible has definite answers to this.

Mal 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.

In the Old Testament times the temple had several rooms to store the tithe produces. This provided food for all those who served at the temple. It also provided food for all the poor who flockkked at the temple along with widows of the community, and to the travellers who came into the city. The temple thus acted as a center for social service; helping the poor, aged, widows and the orphaned and to those who found themselves in a strange place. Tithes are used for all philanthropic work.

the people who serve the church. Today it involves salaries of pastors, priests, deacons, evangelists etc. God makes special emphasis that Levites who are far away from the temple are not to be forgotten. Levites who are far away from the temple are simply the missionaries away from home. They are to be provided for , "for he has no portion or inheritance with you" in the land when the land was divided. (Deut 14:27) Part of the money should go to your church and also to various missions. It also refers to evangelists and itenerants who work in your township. Num 18:21 "I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the Tent of Meeting." Bible also gives a reason for it:

"Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether man or animal."

[Why male? In a male dominated society, women canot function effectively as priests.] Every first born male was to take over the family headship and they are to act as priests to the family. Father of the family is the high priest who leads the rest of the family in prayer and worship and sacrifice. Levites were selected in lieu of these first borns of Israel. These first borns of every family is to be redeemed by paying cash and this money is used to maintain the Levites. It was the duty of the congregation to support the Levites. The tithes form part of this maitainance payment.

The principle is still applicable. If you cannot become a priest or a pastor or an evangelist, which yo should be, you should pay for their maitanance. They are doing your job.

the people who pass through the place who requires help. This was particularly important in those days since it took many days to go from one place to the other and it was impossible to carry enough food or money for the entire travel. These people relied on the local communities for food and shelter. Even today we will find strangers stranded in our township, without money, without friends. Ethnic differences, caste and class difference should not come in the way of helping another person. All these are God’s work. Tithe money can be used for this.[ Exo 22:21 "Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt.]

The orphanges, Old age homes, Half Way homes, Charity Homes, Assylums etc., will fall under this category.

In Old Testament times widows who are left without male support were the responsibility of the Temple. Today this may form a major category. There are many broken families with mothers left without proper support to raise their children. Tithe money can us used for this.

* in general to the the poor, the weak and the outcastes within the community are God’s concern. We are not to look into the cause of this poverty, whether it be caste, social position, joblessness or past history. Christian love finds its expression in making the community livable and life tolerable for those who go through difficulties.

There is still another use for the tithe given in Deut 12:6-7, 15-19 and 14:22-29

Deu 12:6-7 there bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, what you have vowed to give and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the LORD your God has blessed you.

Deu 12:17-21 You must not eat in your own towns the tithe of your grain and new wine and oil, or the firstborn of your herds and flocks, or whatever you have vowed to give, or your freewill offerings or special gifts. Instead, you are to eat them in the presence of the LORD your God at the place the LORD your God will choose--you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levites from your towns--and you are to rejoice before the LORD your God in everything you put your hand to. Be careful not to neglect the Levites as long as you live in your land. When the LORD your God has enlarged your territory as he promised you, and you crave meat and say, "I would like some meat," then you may eat as much of it as you want. If the place where the LORD your God chooses to put his Name is too far away from you, you may slaughter animals from the herds and flocks the LORD has given you, as I have commanded you, and in your own towns you may eat as much of them as you want.

Deu 14:22-27 Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the LORD your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the LORD your God always. But if that place is too distant and you have been blessed by the LORD your God and cannot carry your tithe (because the place where the LORD will choose to put his Name is so far away), then exchange your tithe for silver, and take the silver with you and go to the place the LORD your God will choose. Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice. And do not neglect the Levites living in your towns, for they have no allotment or inheritance of their own.

All Israelites were to bring their tithes and offerings to the temple in Jerusalem during the Feast of the Weeks and were to eat and drink and rejoice before the Lord. Today this is simply the occassions when God’s people are having fellowship. Tithes may be used for fellowship occassions in the church and church groups and among believers. This is one time when the Lord wants everyone to enjoy themselves before the Lord. At this time all taboos are lifted. Any food or drink that one may crave for may be taken in the presence of the Lord. Your household is the Christian brothren now.

There is a time schedule for tithing. You may keep your tithes upto a maximum period of three years. At the end of the third year - every thrid year - all the tithes of the past three years must be exhaussted. This regulation is given in Deuteronomy. Deu 14:28-29 At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year's produce and store it in your towns, so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

It is not enough that we bring the whole tithe. After completing these requirements of the law we have to present ourselves before the Lord and claim our blessings in accordance with the stipulations. It is often believed that we should do our part and keep quiet and God will see to it and send down our blessings. But the Bible teaches that we do not receive if we do not claim. See Deut 28 : 12-15

Deu 26:12 When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you shall give it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied. Then say to the LORD your God: "I have removed from my house the sacred portion and have given it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, according to all you commanded. I have not turned aside from your commands nor have I forgotten any of them. I have not eaten any of the sacred portion while I was in mourning, nor have I removed any of it while I was unclean, nor have I offered any of it to the dead. I have obeyed the LORD my God; I have done everything you commanded me. Look down from heaven, your holy dwelling place, and bless your people Israel and the land you have given us as you promised on oath to our forefathers, a land flowing with milk and honey."

This may look very strange at first reading. Why does God want us to ask when he already know all about it and also all our needs. But a careful study of Bible indicates that God always required his children to ask. Except for the general graces like the sunshine and rain, all special blessings are given only on asking. One important aspect of prayer is asking. We are exhorted by God repeatedly to pray. Pray without ceasing. Jesus even gave us a beautiful parable of the widow and the judge in Luke 18. If this is true, it explains why many Christians never received what they are promised in the word of God. Mat 7:7-8 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

So also James 4:2 declares: You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.

In all the teachings of Jesus made it clear that we receive only if we ask. We shall study his method later. But why ask? There are probably several reasons, but there are two important reasons I can think of:

1. God wants his children to be free. He is not a dictator, nor man a victim. God respects man’s freedom of will even to the extent of allowing the fall, only to take man’s sins upon his body on the cross. Even then he could not force this redemption on man without man’s expressed will. Redemption is free, but never forced. It is the same with all blessings. It only shows god’s extreme respect of human freedom and individuality.

2. God wants his children to be mature enough to know what they want. For babies everything is given by mummy’s will and pleasure. But for adults, parents expects responsibility. The act of asking is an expression of God’s acknowledgement that we are sons of God. Someone who does not know the father and of his promises cannot ask them anyway.

One fact may be noticed in the confession. The act of obedience is by the individuals, but the blessings are for the whole nation. This point may not be missed. The blessings of God because of your obedience to the law goes not directly to you. It brings prosperity to the nation. Evidently eventually it will be shared to you. Not alone at any time. Here we see another aspect of the real meaning of prosperity. It is not possible for prosperity to come to an individual at all.

There is this element of sacrifice. It cannot be based on selfishness. It comes as a result of sacrifice. Obedience of one brings healing and prosperity for all mankind. This is what happened at Calvary cross.

Apart from tithing there are other economic and social obligations that are necessary for the- full blessings. This is why in Mathew 23 : 23 Jesus shouted :

''You tithe mint and dill and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice, mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without neglecting others"

What are these weightier matters of law, justice mercy and faith? These are given in the verses following the law of tithing in Deut 14 and 15.

"At the end of every seven years you shall grand release , And this shall be the manner of release. Every creditor shall release what he has lent to his neighbor, his brother, because the Lord's release has been proclaimed. Of a foreigner you may exact it, but whatever of yours with your brother your hand shall release".

In the time of Old Testament, brother and neighbor meant a fellow Israelite and those gentiles who lived among them. A foreigner was one who came on business on a caravan. Thus on long term business deals this release does not apply the underlying spirit is the spirit of mercy and justice, Bible takes particular care to warn that this should not come as a reason for not helping your brother or neighbor, particularly as the seventh year draw near.

Deu 15:7-10 If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: "The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near," so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"-- when you now have it with you.

Lev 25:35-37 "'If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you. Do not take interest of any kind from him, but fear your God, so that your countryman may continue to live among you. You must not lend him money at interest or sell him food at a profit.

It is true we do not have these cycles of three, seven and fifty. But we should obey the spirit of this law. We could start off arbitrarily. Make sure that we do not continue to hold the tithe money. We should see that all the money is given away and used up for the purpose for which it is meant every three years. Every seventh year we should clear all the debts that others owe to us. They must be written off. But this does not apply to the business books. This is because it is the on going process. . "For this the Lord your God will bless you."