Key Verse Malachi 3:10

I. The origin of tithe (Gen 14, 28)

1. Read Genesis 14:17-24. Who were the two kings who met Abram when he returned from defeating the kings and rescuing Lot? What does the king of Sodom represent? (Gen 13:13) Who was Melchizedek and what does he represent? (14:18; Heb 7:1,2)

2. What is Melizedek’s blessing? (19, 20). What is the significance of being blessed by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth? Why did Melkizedek remind Abram that God had delivered him from his enemies?

3. How did Abram respond to this blessing? (20b,22) What is the significance of his giving a tithe of everything to Melkizedek? What compromise did the king of Sodom propose? How did Abram respond? Why?

4. Read Genesis 28:20-22. What was the significance of Jacob’s promise to tithe?

II. Tithing under the law (Num 18:21-29; Dt 14:22-29; Mal 3:6-12)

1. What is a tithe? (Lev 27:30-33) Why is not bringing the tithe to God robbing him? (Mal 3:6-8)

2. Read Numbers 18:21-29. Who received and administrated the tithe? (21) What directions were given for the Levites also to tithe? Who received their tithe? (26)

3. Read Deuteronomy 14:22-27. What was to be done with the tithe commanded here? What were the purposes of this?

4. Read Deuteronomy 14:28-29. How was this tithe given and how was it to be used? What promise is given in relation to this tithe? What does this teach us about God?

III. Offering under grace

1. Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-9. How much did the early Christians give? (2,3) What was their motivation to give? (5,9) Why is giving a privilege and opportunity? (4)Think about how much God has given you? (9; John 3:16)

2. What should be our attitude in giving to God? (Rom 12:1; Lk 21:1-4; Matt 6:24; Matt 21:33-34; 2 Corinthians 9:7)

3. What makes people hesitate to give to God? (Matt 6:30-31, 1 Tim 6:10) How does God bless those who give? (Matt 6:33, 2; Cor 9:6,8; Mark 12:42-44; Pr 3:9,10; Mal 3:10,11)

* From the whole study, what do you learn about the meaning and significance of giving and tithing?