TITHE DEFAULTERS ARE UNDER DIVINE CURSE

DAILY DEVOTIONAL BY: PASTOR PAUL RIKA

INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR, Holiness Revival Movement Worldwide

TOPIC:
TITHE DEFAULTERS ARE UNDER DIVINE CURSE   

Date:
Wednesday November 25

Text:
​Hebrews 7:1-17

"1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; 3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. 4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: 6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. 8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. 9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. 11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood."

Key verse:
Malachi 3:9: 
"Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation."

There are people who live under divine curse for not paying tithes to God because they allege that tithes payment applied only in the Old Testament and not the New Testament. Tithes payment has been the practice of true followers of God before the Law and it continued after the Law. Jesus made mention of it in His teaching.

Matthew 23:23:
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."

Melchisedec is a type of Jesus. Like Melchisedec, Jesus is both King and Priest to us and lives forever. As our Priest, Jesus collects tithes from us today who are children of Abraham by faith. As children of Abraham after the flesh, being yet in Abraham, paid tithes to Melchisedec, so we who are children of Abraham after the Spirit pay tithes to Jesus our High Priest.

Therefore, tithe payment is binding on believers and followers of Christ. Whoever fails to do this today is under divine curse and shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Pay your tithes regularly and faithfully. One out of ten of your earning and agricultural produce belongs to God and is holy. This is paid unto God as tithes. Tithe is paid on salary, wages, dividends, interest, farm produce, and gains. Tithe is given to the store house of God.

The store house is a place where resources are needed for the work of God. It is a place where truth, righteousness and holiness prevail. It is a place where sinners are reached with true gospel message and believers are made holy and fruitful through the teaching of the word of God and exemplary living. Take note of the following facts as regards to proper payment of tithes:

(a) Do not give your tithes to sinful pastors.
(b) Do not give your tithe to churches that are not following the truth of God.
(c) Do not support evil preachers or sponsor false doctrines with God's money
(d) Evil or wrong use of your tithes will earn you God‘s judgment.
(e) Give your tithes to the ministry of true and righteous preachers.
(f) Support churches and ministries committed to truth, righteousness and holiness.

Thought for the day:
Right and faithful use of your tithes and offering will earn you blessings, both now and in heaven.

Song for the day:
We bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord...

Bible reading for the day:
​Ezekiel 34-35; 1 Peter 2