| Christian Life and Doctrine | February 1961 |
Opening the Windows of Heaven
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”. —Malachi 3:10
WHEN the nation of Israel, under the leadership of Joshua, entered into Canaan, the land was divided among the various tribes, with one exception, which was the tribe of Levi. The Levites were given no inheritance in the land, for they had been set apart for the service of the nation in matters pertaining to their God. To compensate for this, the remainder of the Israelites were enjoined to devote one-tenth of their income, whether of farm produce or otherwise, for the support of the Levites. (Lev. 27:30-33; Heb. 7:5) The Levites, in turn, were to give one tenth of their income for the support of the high priest.—Num. 18:21-28
From Deuteronomy 12:5-18, it would seem that the Israelites were to devote an additional tenth of their produce each year for a festival to be held annually in a place of the Lord’s choosing. Thus the typical people of God were reminded that they could not live entirely to themselves; that they, as the Lord’s people, had a responsibility toward their brethren, the Levites, and toward the Lord. And it was a costly responsibility.
In the matter of tithing, as well as in other respects, the majority of the Israelites from generation to generation did not live up to their privileges. This seems to have been particularly true of the generation addressed by the Prophet Malachi. In the verses preceding our text, Malachi, speaking for the Lord, wrote, “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.”—vss. 8,9
At the time Malachi penned his message to the Israelites, they evidently were not experiencing the rich blessing of the Lord, and he wanted them to realize that this was due to their own unfaithfulness. They were robbing God and, therefore, were poor from the standpoint of the blessings which could have been theirs had they been faithful in bringing all their tithes into God’s “storehouse.” In our text, the Lord asks the Israelites to prove him to see if this were not true, giving them the assurance that, upon evidence of their faithfulness to him, he would open “the windows of heaven” and pour out a blessing upon them “that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
None of the ordinances of the Law given to natural Israel are enjoined upon spiritual Israelites of the Gospel Age. Nevertheless, they were designed to convey important lessons to us. Neither Jesus nor the apostles taught that the followers of the Master were to give merely one-tenth of their income to support the Lord’s cause in the earth. Their admonitions were to give all, and if the Lord would open the windows of heaven upon natural Israel as a reward for faithfulness in giving a tenth, how rich indeed is the blessing awaiting those who are faithful to the spirit of their consecration to devote all that they have, are, and hope to be, to the doing of God’s will!
The Rich Young Ruler
THE privilege of giving one’s all to the Lord is set forth in Jesus’ conversation with the rich young ruler who went to him asking what he might do to inherit eternal life. (Matt. 19:16-22) According to his own profession this man had kept the Law. But to be a disciple of Christ much more was involved. Jesus said to him, “Go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”
This man was rich, and doubtless there had been a certain sense of satisfaction in acquiring his possessions, and of using them for the furthering of his own ends in life. The Lord’s injunction that he sell his goods and give the proceeds to the poor implied that if he would be a disciple of Christ his entire outlook on life must change. It meant that he was to be activated by new motives. This particular man was not willing to pay the price. Had he been willing, he later would have learned the manner in which his great possessions were to be used in the service of the Lord, but there would not have been any relinquishing of the basic terms of discipleship, which is the giving of all.
Jesus did not say to the young ruler that he was to dispose of all his possessions for the benefit of the poor within twenty-four hours. The Scriptures reveal that this aspect of the Christian life is the work of a lifetime. However, it begins with a sincere recognition of the fact that all we have and are belong to the Lord, and that thenceforth we are not to live unto ourselves but unto the Lord, and that all our time, strength, and substance are to be devoted to him, in keeping with the directions of his Word.
Obligations
WHEN the Lord drew us to himself and presented us with the terms of discipleship, we had certain obligations of our own and to others which he expects us to recognize, and faithfully to meet. The young ruler may well have had parents, or wife, or children dependent upon him. Jesus did not mean that in selling all he possessed for the benefit of the poor that these obligations should be forgotten. Nor did Jesus imply that the young ruler himself should become a pauper and need to depend upon others for his livelihood.
The Scriptures teach that those who provide not for their own are more reprehensible in God’s sight than unbelievers. (I Tim. 5:8) And certainly the Lord does not expect his people to place themselves in the position of being beggars. While we are not to take anxious thought for the material needs of life, we are expected to give reasonable consideration to them. The Lord wants us to use sufficient of what we have given to him to provide the necessary material needs for ourselves and those for whom we are responsible.
In doing this, however, we are using that which belongs to the Lord, and it becomes a test of our faith and devotion, as well as our wisdom, to use the Lord’s “goods” wisely, yet not too lavishly, along this line. We are to remember that that which is not used upon ourselves, and upon our own, is to be devoted directly to some aspect of the Lord’s service.
The Manner
THERE are various aspects of the Lord’s service. To begin with, there is the necessity of studying his Word, so that we might know what to do, and how to do it. Paul wrote to Timothy that he should “study” to show himself approved unto God, “a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” (II Tim. 2:15) The devoting of time to the study of God’s Word, using the various helps he has provided, is therefore pleasing to the Lord. This is necessary in order that we may be workmen for the Lord who will have no cause to be ashamed, having learned how to serve him acceptably.
There is individual Bible study, and study in association with others. The Lord has admonished us not to “forsake” the assembling of ourselves together. (Heb. 10:25) Taking time, strength, and whatever means may be required for this purpose is therefore pleasing to the Lord; the using of that which we have devoted to him in a way that he has directed. We need the encouragement we derive from association with those of like precious faith. It helps us to maintain our zeal to lay down our lives in his service.
But in our Bible study, whether as individuals or with the brethren, care should be taken that we do not deprive those of our time and attention to whom it may properly belong. Making proper provision for our own involves more than making sure they have sufficient food, clothing, and a place to sleep. We may well owe them a certain amount of time and companionship, and the Lord wants us to use some of the time we have devoted to him for this purpose.
The study of the truth and our attendance at meetings of the Lord’s people are not, in reality, the service of the Lord, but a preparation for service. A young man who decides to become a physician as a life’s career needs to spend a certain amount of time in preparation for his profession. From one standpoint, his preparation might be considered a part of his life’s work, but how meaningless it would be if he did nothing but study.
So it is with the Christian. We show ourselves approved unto God by the study of his Word only if thereby we learn to become “workmen.” Nor do we ever reach the point this side the veil where we no longer need to study. While the prospective physician needs to concentrate on study for a considerable time in order to become qualified, he needs also to continue with his studies throughout life if he is to make a real success of his career.
Workmen
BASICALLY, those during the Gospel Age who devote themselves fully to the Lord are called to be “workmen.” Our work is to serve as ambassadors for Christ. To accomplish this, we are commissioned by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Gospel, the good news of the kingdom. Serving in this capacity, we are ministers of reconciliation. Paul wrote, “All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ.”—II Cor. 5:18-20
In verse 1 of the next chapter, Paul admonishes us, as “workers together” with the Lord, not to receive this marvelous grace of God “in vain.” As members of the fallen dying race we would not be able to render acceptable service to God in our own righteousness, but God has provided the righteousness of Christ that we may be able to present ourselves acceptable sacrifices to him, which is our “reasonable service.”—Rom. 12:1
Our ministry during the present age is primarily to the brethren, and for these we are to lay down our lives. In doing this, we are proving our worthiness to participate in the still larger ministry of the next age, when, together with Jesus, we will, if faithful, share in the work of reconciling the world to God under the terms of the New Covenant.—Jer. 31:31-34
Stewards
PAUL wrote to the church at Corinth, saying, “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (I Cor. 4:1,2) Later in the chapter we find Paul explaining what faithfulness as a steward of the mysteries of God had meant to him. We quote:
“I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honorable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; and labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.”—vss. 9-13
These words were addressed to brethren in Corinth who had failed to grasp the real spirit of the Christian life, that it was a life of laying down and giving up. They had a carnal spirit. They wanted to rule before the time, and Paul was explaining what he had been willing to endure in order to show them a better way, the more excellent way of love. And while not many of the Master’s followers from that time to the present have had the privilege of discipleship cost them so much as it did Paul, none would have been worthy of joint-heirship with Christ if he were not willing to pay this price.
God’s Grace
THE Apostle Peter wrote, “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (I Pet. 4:10) All the blessings we enjoy, both spiritual and material, are manifestations of the “manifold grace of God.” But we are not to consider them as belonging to us, but to the Lord, and our use of them is as his stewards.
This is true of the knowledge of the divine plan which the Lord has revealed unto us. The truth which we enjoy is not our truth, but the Lord’s; and as stewards of these “mysteries” we are to be faithful in ministering them to others, whenever and wherever the opportunity affords, and regardless of the cost to ourselves.
The necessities provided for our physical lives are also gifts from the Lord, not to be used to further our own selfish interests in life, but to the glory of God through the ministry of the truth. When those of natural Israel had faithfully given their tenth to the Lord, they could consider the remainder of their possessions as their own, to be used in any just and righteous manner they might choose, to promote their own comfort and happiness. But, as Jesus explained to the rich young ruler, it is not that way with his disciples, for their full and acceptable consecration to the Lord means that they have given him their all.
Those of natural Israel knew exactly how much they were to give directly into the Lord’s treasury, but the followers of Jesus are given their freedom in deciding the manner in which they will apportion their time, their talents, their strength, and their means between their own needs and the direct service of the Lord. Evidently the Lord has arranged it this way to test the sincerity of our devotion to him, the genuineness of our consecration.
Paul wrote, “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Col. 3:17) This indicates that the entire life of the fully consecrated is devoted to the Lord, including our eating and drinking. We eat and drink not merely to satisfy the natural cravings of appetite, but that we may have strength and health to serve the Lord. We provide clothing and shelter for our bodies that we might be kept fit for whatever service the Lord permits us to render directly to him.
What a marvelous manifestation of divine grace this is! Most of the Lord’s people, when first called by him, are quite well weighted down with material responsibilities, and the Lord expects that these shall be properly honored. This means that in many cases there is not much left in the way of time, strength, and means that can be used directly for the Lord. However, most of the Master’s disciples find that they are able to “redeem,” or buy back, as it were, something that can be devoted directly to divine service.
As faithful stewards we may need to re-appraise the use of our time, for example, in order to have some time that can be used in the study of the Word, and in attending meetings of the Lord’s people. Some find that they are able to “redeem” time also for calling on the interested, and for the distribution of tracts. Thus, while they rejoice in that aspect of divine service represented in making provision for their own physical needs, and the needs of those dependent on them, they also participate in the special joy experienced through direct service in the Master’s vineyard.
The same is true with respect to our means. Many of the Lord’s people find it just about all they can do to “make both ends meet” so far as their material needs are concerned. And how wonderful it is that the Lord counts these efforts as service to him! At the same time, the fully consecrated find that the windows of heaven are opened still wider for them when they are able to devote some part of their physical resources directly to the Lord, either in supporting the activities of their home congregation or the general ministry of the truth.
It is because the brethren enter so wholeheartedly into the thought that their all belongs to the Lord, that in the last twenty years so few have been able to accomplish so much. There has been the network radio ministry of the truth, and now the television and magazine ministry. We are reminded in this connection of the “widow’s mite.” The Lord commended this widow, not because she was able to give a large amount of money into the treasury of the temple, but because she gave her all.
And this is exactly what the Lord’s people throughout the earth continue to do. We remember the case of a consecrated saint of God who, at the beginning of the radio ministry, wrote in and expressed the “Good Hopes” of being able to contribute twenty-five cents a month. Who can doubt that in response to this spirit of genuine sacrifice the Lord opened the windows of heaven, and poured out the richest of blessings upon this dear saint of his!
The Wisest Choice
HOW favored, indeed, is the position of all the Lord’s consecrated people! The hearts of the unbelieving world are filled with fear. They seek security, but are never quite sure they have attained it. They build houses and are not sure that they will be able to live in them for any length of time, or whether one day they will be destroyed by hydrogen bombs. They are engulfed in the uncertainties of life in this pleasure-mad and dying world.
But not so with the Lord’s consecrated people who have given all to the Lord. These are setting their affections on things above, not on things of the earth. They are concerned over earthly things only from the standpoint of how faithfully they are able to use what is under their control to the glory of God. And while they continue to devote themselves to the lifetime task of sacrificing their all in the service of the Lord, they are conscious of the fact that the Lord continues to guide and bless them through the abundance of his grace.
The admonition in our text to bring “all the tithes into the storehouse,” while addressed to fleshly Israel, has an application in principle to all the Lord’s consecrated people of the Gospel Age. Our “tithes” comprise all our time, all our strength, all our talents, and all our means. With us it is none of self, but all for the Lord; and it is in the faithful carrying out of our consecration to do his will that we experience the richness of blessing which he has promised.
How wonderful, as our text states, that the Lord asks us to put him to the test—“Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord.” And who among us that has put the Lord to the test by faithfulness to the terms of consecration, has not discovered the abundant manner in which the Lord fulfils his promise to pour out his blessings?
Primarily, these blessings are along spiritual lines—joy in the Lord, for example, and the peace of God which passeth human understanding. This is a joy and peace which the world can neither give nor take away. It is enjoyed by all the called and consecrated ones who walk in the Lord’s ways of love.
On the other hand, many of the Lord’s people testify that he seems to bless them along material lines in proportion to the degree of their giving to him. This would be in keeping with the text which states that “there is that which scattereth, and yet increaseth.” (Prov. 11:24) But even here we think the principle application should be made to the spiritual riches which the Lord so lavishly bestows upon his faithful people.
May we continue to go forward faithfully in the narrow way of sacrifice, and thus continually be in a position to be refreshed by those promised showers of blessing from the open windows of heaven. Thus our rejoicing in the Lord will abound, and the joy of the Lord will be our strength in every time of need. And may we remember that our all will not be completely devoted to the Lord until we have been faithful unto death. It will be then that we will receive the crown of life, and enter into that fullness of joy in the actual presence of our loving Heavenly Father, and his beloved Son, who gave his all that we might live.